Nation

THE STATES

Published

14 years ago

December 21, 2012

Bauchi

The Chairman, Bauchi State Sports Council, Alhaji Tanimu Sa’idu, has commended Team Bauchi to the 18th National Sports Festival, saying that it performed well, in spite of late preparations.

Sa’idu told newsmen in Bauchi that both the council and the state government were impressed with the athletes’ 18th position on the final medals table.

“The contingent deserves commendation because it has performed well, in spite of late arrangements and preparations for the festival.

Borno

The Borno State Government has announced the award of a N95 million contract for the rehabilitation of the state School for the Blind in Maiduguri.

Alhaji Usman Durkwa, the Commissioner for Religious Affairs, told newsmen that the exercise was in line with the policy of the present administration to provide welfare for persons with disabilities.

He said the contract would include the provision of bedding and furniture, special text books, brail computers and other special teaching aids.

He said that the contract would also cover the supply of equipment for the teaching of the deaf and other disabled persons in the school.

FCT

The Chairman House Committee on INEC, Mr Jerry Mamwe, has called on the Budget Office to understand the workings of INEC with a view to attracting more funds for the organisation.

He made the call in an interview with The Tide in Abuja.

Mamwe said that the call became imperative because INEC had had its budget slashed by 40 per cent in spite of its enormous responsibility to the nation.

“It is so unfortunate that the executive is not seeing election as a process; rather, it sees it as an event and this cannot move INEC forward.

Kano

Commercial motorcycle operators in Kano say that they are recording low patronage because of the prevailing harmattan haze and cold in the area.

Some of the motorcyclists told newsmen that the weather condition had adversely affected their business and income.

Aminu Wada, one of the motorcyclists operating on Hadeja Road, said that the severe weather had forced him to stop operating in the early hours of the day.

“Since the turn of the season, customers no longer patronise us; they now prefer to board taxis and buses, especially in the morning,’’ he said.

Katsina

The Katsina State Government has expended N300 million on community development projects under its Community and Social Development Project (CSDP) scheme in the past three years.

The state’s Commissioner for Lands, Alhaji Nasidi Danladi, made the disclosure in Katsina on Tuesday at a training workshop for 300 Local Government workers, organised by the CSDP.

The CSDP which replaces Local Empowerment and Environmental Management Project (LEEMP), is aimed at assisting local communities in infrastructure development.

Kwara

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has presented relief materials worth millions of naira to flood victims in Kwara.

The materials were presented by the NEMA Zonal Coordinator, Mr Ishaya Chinoko, to the Special Adviser, Emergency and Relief Services to the Governor, Alhaji Musa Abdullahi.

The items included over 200 bags of rice, 350 mattresses, clothes and food items.

Chinoko said the items were provided to meet the immediate needs of the victims in the five affected council areas.

Nasarawa

The Nasarawa State Commissioner for Education, Mr. Hussaini Abubakar, has said the government will check the increasing cases of quack in the teaching profession.

At a sensitisation workshop organised by the Teachers’ Registration Council (TRC) in Lafia Abubakar, said the infiltration of non-professional teachers into the profession in the state would not be allowed to continue.

The commissioner, who was represented by Hajia Zainab Abdulmumuni, the Permanent Secretary, said: “Teaching is just like any other profession in the country, so anyone who love teaching as a career must have the necessary qualification.’’

He commended TRC for living up to its mandate and expressed the hope that the registration of professional teachers by the council would help in repositioning the profession like others.

Niger

A former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, has expressed worry that the insecurity in the country was affecting the nation’s economy, especially its Northern part.

Abubakar made the remark in Minna after his inauguration as the Chairman of the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University Lapai Endowment Fund board of trustees by Gov. Babangida Aliyu of Niger.

He said the north was hard hit by the problems of insecurity that its once popular night economy had been sent into comatose, adding: “there is no more night economy’’.

He said carnage, destruction of public property and loss of innocent lives were having negative effects on the national economy and therefore should be stopped.

Ogun

The Ogun State Ministry of Health has announced it would establish four ambulance points at strategic places to reduce deaths on the highways.

The points are Mowe-Ibafo axis, Odeda-Ibadan Road, Olorunda-Imeko Road and Oni in Ogun Waterside.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Olaokun Soyinka made the announcement in Abeokuta, while defending his ministry’s budget for 2013, before the state legislators.

Soyinka said that it was part of government’s effort to further safeguard lives and to make the accident victims to get prompt attention.

Ondo

The European Union will no longer allow timber products from Nigeria into the its markets as from March 2013, according to a Nigerian official.

The Deputy Director of Forestry, Federal Ministry of Environment, Mr. Oye Adedoyin revealed this in an interview with newsmen in Akure.

Adedoyin was in the Ondo State capital to attend a Federal Department of Forestry-sponsored workshop tagged “Survey and Study on Timber: Flows to identify the extent of illegal logging in Nigeria.”

Oyo

The Chairman, Oyo State branch of Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria (CFAN), Chief Joseph Ojediji said that members of the group planted about 400,000 hybrid cocoa seedlings.

Ojediji told our correspondent in Ibadan that the last time seedlings were provided free to farmers in the state was two years ago.

“ Two years ago, we got about 1.5 million seedlings from the government, this time around, we got about 400,000 while we got nothing during the last planting season,’’ he said.

He said the Abiola Ajimobi administration in the state had improved its relationship with cocoa farmers in the state, adding that his members really appreciated the free seedlings distributed to farmers.

Plateau

Some residents of Jos and Bukuru in Plateau are now rushing for second hand clothing and other materials for the Christmas.

Residents were seen purchasing assorted materials from second hand clothes dealers for the Christmas at the Terminus, Katako and Bukuru markets, our source said.

The survey revealed that the second hands clothes market was patronised in preference to the new clothes and boutiques because of the assorted materials, which could be purchased cheaply.

The survey showed that the residents were motivated to patronise the second hands clothes due to the paucity of funds because of non-payment of majority of the workforce at the grass-roots level of government in the state.

Taraba

The Chief Judge of Taraba, Justice Josephine Tuktur, has appealed to state governors to grant financial autonomy to the judiciary for effective service delivery.

Tuktur told our reporter in Jalingo that the autonomy of the judiciary would improve service delivery and help in prison decongestion.

“I want to appeal to state governors to grant financial independence to the state judiciary.

“If a budget is made for the judiciary and promptly released, most of the challenges in the system that delay service delivery will be tackled and quick dispensation of justice will strive,” she said.

Nation

HYPREP Marks 15 Years Of UNEP Report, Highlights Major Cleanup Milestones

Published

1 week ago

August 10, 2026

The Tide

The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has commemorated the 15th anniversary of the release of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Environmental Assessment Report on Ogoniland, reaffirming its commitment to restoring the environment and improving the livelihoods of affected communities.

In a statement signed by the Project Coordinator, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, to commemorate the anniversary, HYPREP described the anniversary as a significant milestone in Nigeria’s environmental restoration efforts, noting that the project has made remarkable progress in implementing the recommendations of the landmark UNEP report released on August 4, 2011.

The UNEP report had revealed extensive oil pollution across Ogoniland, severe environmental degradation, and serious public health risks resulting from decades of petroleum operations. It also recommended an initial $1 billion fund to commence the cleanup of the affected communities.

According to HYPREP, the Federal Government formally launched the Ogoni clean-up in 2016, while the Project Coordination Office was established in 2017 to drive the implementation of UNEP’s recommendations.
Zabbey said the current administration has continued to prioritise the project under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Providing an update on the cleanup, the Project Coordinator disclosed that 30 of the 65 contaminated sites identified by UNEP have been fully remediated, while work is ongoing at several medium- and high-risk locations. It also stated that more than 1.5 million mangrove seedlings have been planted as part of what it described as the world’s largest restoration of oil-degraded mangroves, with over 1,000 hectares of shoreline already rehabilitated.

Zabbey further revealed that 49 Ogoni communities have been connected to potable water schemes through multiple water projects and booster stations aimed at providing safe drinking water across the region.

In the health sector, he said the 100-bed Ogoni Specialist Hospital in Kpite and the 43-bed Cottage Hospital in Buan are nearing completion, adding that several existing health facilities have been upgraded with modern medical equipment, while five ambulances have been donated to improve emergency healthcare services. The Project Coordinator also disclosed that a three-year human health biomonitoring study is being conducted in collaboration with the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).

On economic empowerment, Zabbey stated that the Project has created more than 8,000 direct jobs and trained thousands of Ogoni youths and women in various vocational and technical skills, including software development, cybersecurity, aviation, commercial diving, seafaring, mechatronics, and creative arts. The project also reported awarding scholarships to more than 1,000 students, providing grants to small businesses, and supporting persons living with special needs through skills acquisition programmes.

The statement further highlighted ongoing legacy projects, including the Ogoni Power Project and the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, which it said is about 96 per cent complete. HYPREP also welcomed the recent designation of the Ogoni Wetland as a Ramsar Site of International Importance and pledged to continue promoting biodiversity conservation and sustainable management of the ecosystem.

Marking the anniversary, Zabbey said the progress achieved over the past 15 years demonstrates the collective commitment of government, development partners, stakeholders, and local communities to restoring Ogoniland. He called for renewed collaboration to sustain the cleanup effort, promote environmental sustainability, and support the long-term development of the region. 3

Nation

REAN, SON synergise to curb fake renewable energy product

Published

2 months ago

June 29, 2026

The Tide

The Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria (REAN) says it has strengthened collaboration with the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) to enhance quality control and enforcement frameworks.

Mr Oisereime Lloyd-Dietake, the Head of Communications, REAN, in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, said the collaboration would also involve stakeholder engagement on testing, certification and capacity building in Nigeria.

He said the synergy would strengthen quality control and enforcement frameworks, promote policy alignment, and ensure stronger regulation across the renewable energy value chain.

“REAN reaffirms its commitment to standardisation and quality assurance; tighter collaboration with SON is critical to eliminating fake and substandard renewable energy products from the Nigerian market.

“Enforcement and gaps in existing standards have continued to allow inferior products to circulate, undermining consumer confidence and slowing sector growth.”

Lloyd-Dietake said that at high-level discussions, REAN also highlighted the need for stronger regulatory coordination to address emerging challenges in the renewable energy space.

According to him, the issues include inconsistencies in standards, affordability issues linked to certification processes; and the increasing presence of substandard solar and renewable energy equipment in the country.

“The association further raised concerns about delays in product testing and approval, calling for the establishment of more testing laboratories and certification facilities to improve efficiency and reduce bottlenecks in the system,’’ he said.

Lloyd-Dietake urged closer collaboration among key regulatory bodies, including the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, and the Rural Electrification Agency.

He said such team work would ensure harmonised standards and more effective enforcement against fake renewable energy products in the Nigerian market.

In response, SON acknowledged the important role REAN continued to play in supporting standardisation within Nigeria’s renewable energy industry and reaffirmed its willingness to deepen collaboration with the association.

SON further confirmed that REAN would be actively involved in future standard review processes and upcoming stakeholder engagements related to renewable energy and electric mobility standards development.

Lloyd-Dietake said REAN affirmed its willingness to formalise the partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

He said the MoU is aimed at deepening cooperation, promoting quality assurance, and accelerating Nigeria’s transition towards reliable and standardised renewable energy solutions.

Nation

Self Help Africa programme expands water access for 320,000 Nigerians

Published

2 months ago

June 29, 2026

The Tide

The WASH Systems for Health (WS4H) Programme, implemented by Self Help Africa, has expanded access to safe water and sanitation services for more than 320,000 people in Kano and Cross River States.

The organisation disclosed this on Tuesday at the WS4H National Results and Learning Workshop in Abuja, where stakeholders reviewed achievements and lessons from the intervention.

Speaking at the event, Self Help Africa Country Director, Joy Aderele, said the programme demonstrated that sustainable WASH improvements require strong institutions, effective governance, adequate financing and collaboration.

Aderele said the UK-funded programme was designed to strengthen systems that support sustainable access to water, sanitation and hygiene services.

According to her, the intervention focused on improving governance, planning, financing, accountability and sector coordination to ensure resilient service delivery.

“More than 320,000 people now have improved or restored access to water services through programme-supported interventions,” she said.

She added that more than 5,520 household toilets were constructed in Yala and Makoda Local Government Areas, boosting sanitation, public health and efforts to end open defecation.

Aderele said the programme also strengthened public investment in WASH, with Cross River increasing its sector budget by 211 per cent in 2026 and Kano by 169.07 per cent.

She added that dedicated WASH budget lines had been established across 40 Ministries, Departments and Agencies in both states, strengthening accountability and institutional commitment.

According to her, both states reviewed and adopted updated WASH policies, while key planning documents were developed to guide future investments and service delivery.

She said Cross River also recorded a major legislative milestone through the passage of the Water Law and Open Defecation Prohibition Bill.

Aderele added that lessons from interventions in Yala LGA were already informing expansion efforts in Obubra Local Government Area.

While commending the achievements, she noted that capacity gaps, resource constraints and climate-related pressures remained challenges to sustainable WASH services.

“The sustainability of these gains will depend on continued government leadership, adequate financing, strong partnerships and investment in institutional capacity,” she said.

Also speaking, the Programme Manager of WS4H, Mr Timothy Ibeawuchi, said the intervention focused on strengthening systems needed to sustain gains and attract future investments.

According to him, the programme engages stakeholders in developing strategies that preserve achievements and support long-term service delivery.

“System strengthening work takes time because it addresses the fundamental issues responsible for sustainable and resilient service delivery,” he said.

Ibeawuchi said the programme strengthened policy development, planning, financing, monitoring and evaluation systems across the WASH sector.

He said two pilot local government areas were supported to develop WASH strategic plans outlining sector goals, targets and activities between 2026 and 2030.

According to him, the plans will guide future interventions and improve service delivery in the affected councils.

Earlier, the representative of the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Chidera Chukwu, reaffirmed support for Nigeria’s development efforts in spite of the programme nearing completion.

Chukwu commended the Self Help Africa-led consortium for delivering the programme with professionalism and a strong focus on systems strengthening.

He said the consortium contributed greatly to strengthening Nigeria’s WASH sector through policy reforms, improved coordination and enhanced accountability.

“Together, we have advanced key policy and legislative reforms, including open defecation-free laws and strengthened state WASH frameworks,” he said.

According to him, the reforms represent enduring system-level changes that will continue delivering benefits beyond the programme’s lifespan.

In his remarks, Mr Jamilu Habu, Director of Water Quality Control and Sanitation, Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, commended the programme’s achievements.

Habu, who represented the Permanent Secretary, said the intervention strengthened governance, coordination, evidence-based planning and institutional capacity in the WASH sector.

He described the workshop as an opportunity to review achievements, share lessons and identify pathways for sustaining and scaling successful interventions.

According to him, the programme’s innovations and best practices will guide future policies and investments aimed at expanding access to safe WASH services.

Habu stressed the need for continued collaboration among governments, development partners, civil society organisations, the private sector and communities.

He said stronger partnerships remained essential to achieving universal access to water, sanitation and hygiene services and meeting Sustainable Development Goal 6.