Nation

THE STATES

Published

13 years ago

July 26, 2013

Adamawa

Focal Point Officer, United Nations Development
Programme (UNDP) in Adamawa State Mr Marcus Kwaghe, has commended Governor Murtala Nyako for his commitment to ensure accountability in governance.
Kwaghe made the commendation Tuesday in Yola at a news conference while assessing the implementation of United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) in the state.
Kwaghe also spoke the contributions of UNDAF in facilitating the recent passage of Bureau for Public Procurement and Fiscal Responsibility Bills.

Benue

The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Benue chapter,
has commenced the verification of its members.
Chairman of the union in the state, Mr Godwin Anya, said in Makurdi that the exercise was to enable the union to know the exact number of teachers.
Anya said the staff audit was a pre-requisite for the inclusion of teachers in the new minimum wage being enjoyed by other workers in the state.
According to him, it is difficult to ascertain the exact number of primary school teachers in the state due to the sharp practices inherent in the recruitment of teachers.
“Teachers are supposed to be recruited by the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), but what happens is that the Local Government Education Authorities also recruit teachers’’, he said.

Borno

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)
said on Tuesday that it would hold a grassroots emergency training for youth volunteers in Maiduguri, Borno.
Malam AbdulKadir Ibrahim, NEMA North East Information Officer, said in Maiduguri that NEMA was organising the programme in pursuit of its mandate on advocacy and in line with the Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) initiative of the agency.
He said that the object was to train youth volunteers on emergency evacuation drill, adding that the programme would be flagged off by NEMA North East Coordinator, Alhaji Muhammad Kanar.

Ekiti

The crisis rocking the PDP in Ekiti worsened on
Tuesday as the party announced the suspension of Mr Ayo Fayose, a former governor in the state.
The Chairman of the party, Chief Makanjuola Ogundipe, who announced the suspension in Ado-Ekiti said Fayose’s suspension followed the roles he allegedly played in the invasion of the state secretariat by hoodlums last week.
Also suspended with Fayose, he said, were the state Secretary of the party, Dr Tope Aluko, state Women Leader, Mrs Busola Oyebode as well as state Public Relations Officer, Kola Oluwole.
Ogundipe said investigations conducted by the party indicated that the suspended persons were connected to the crisis in the party.

FCT

A 29-year old Ibrahim Rashid of Gwarimpa Village, Abuja,
on Tuesday appeared before an Abuja High Court for alleged kidnap and raping a four-year-old minor.
At the resumed hearing of the case, prosecution witness, Mr Francis Joe-Okpa, being led in evidence by the prosecutor, Mr Obeka Chris, told the court that the case was reported by one Mr Bello.
Joe-Okpa said that the complainant reported the matter at the Civil Defence office in Ushafa, Bwari, on March 14.
In his testimony, Joe-Okpa said that after receiving the report “I went to the scene of the incident and I saw a large crowd of people beating up the accused, which I rescued him.”
Kaduna

A man, Zaiyanu Muhammad of Ibadan Street in Kaduna,
has urged the Magajin Gari Sharia Court to recover the N80,000 bride and other expenses he paid in Saliha Abdulsalam as wife.
He told the court that the request became necessary because Saliha left the matrimonial home two days after marrying him.
According to him, when he married Saliha, her parents pleaded with him to give them time to prepare dowry for her before moving into the matrimonial home, adding that he had not seen Saliha since then until they met in the court on July 22.
“Since she is not interested in the marriage, she should return my bride price. I used every possible means to see her back but to no avail.’’
Kano

The Kano State Government on Monday shutdown a health
facility, Green World Centre in Zakirai town, Gabasawa Local Government Area, for illegal operation.
A statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the state Ministry of Health, Malam Isma’il Gwammaja, in Kano, noted that the facility belonging to a Cameroonians national, who had no permission or registration when he began operation in the area.
The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Private Health Institution, Dr Salisu Ibrahim, said that the government would not condom negative attitudes that could affect the lives of the people.

Katsina

The Katsina Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil
defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested two persons for allegedly stealing a cow.
The State Commander, Alhaji Ibrahim Mai’Zabura, said this while briefing newsmen in Katsina on Tuesday.
The commander also said that the suspects allegedly conspired and stole the cow in Charanchi town of the state, and attempted to take it to Kafur town to sale.
He said that the duo was arrested by the corps on their way to Kafur on Sunday, adding that the suspects would be charged to court to serve as deterrent to others.

Kebbi

The Kebbi State Government said on Tuesday it
had constructed 20 nomadic primary schools aimed at promoting the educational pursuits of the children of nomads.
The Senior Special Assistance to the Governor on Fulani Matters, Alhaji Nasiru Masama, told news in Birnin Kebbi, that five schools were sited in each of the four emirates of Argungu,Gwandu,Yauri and Zuru.
He said that support would be provided for the educational pursuit of the children of the Nomads as the children also deserved equal opportunities in education and other social services, adding that 35 bore holes had been drilled at various nomadic communities as part of social services provided in the rural areas.
Nasarawa

The Nasarawa State Government is to establish fire ser
vice stations in all local government headquarters and other strategic towns for quick responses to fire disasters in the state.
Commissioner for Works, Transport and Housing, Mr Mohammed Wada, said in an interview Tuesday in Lafia that five computerised fire fighting vehicles had already been procured for the project.
Wada said that two of the new fire fighting vehicles had computerised monitors that could detect and quench fire from a distance while the other three had fire resistant Dunlop that could handle intense fire outbreaks.

Ogun

The Executive Secretary, Border Communities Develop
ment Agency (BCDA), Mr Numoipre Wills, has called for increased funding of institutions concerned with developing border communities.
Wills made the call on Tuesday in Abeokuta at a one-day sensitisation workshop on “ Border Security and Challenges for Integration and Development,’’ organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Speaking on the theme: “ Mechanisms for Harnessing the Strategic Potentials of Border Communities for National Development,’’ Wills said that being the gateways into the country, border communities were of strategic importance, adding that international markets could also thrive in border communities.

Osun

Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State has vowed to
continue the demolition exercise in Osogbo in order to give it a befitting status.
Speaking at a forum to break the fast with journalists, politicians and government functionaries at Government House, the governor said no distraction would deter him from executing the state’s beautification programme to which he was irrevocably committed.
The governor was responding to a suggestion by a journalist that the demolition exercise should have a human face.
Aregbesola, who dismissed the speculations that discontent in certain quarters might deny him a second term, said he was more concerned with development.”Leave election to God and let’s face the assignment I am here to do,” he said.
Sokoto

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps
(NSCDC) in Sokoto State has warned members of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) against lifting suspicious products.
The Commandant, Mr Muhammad Yusha’u, who gave the warning at a meeting with IPMAN members in Sokoto Stateon Monday, said the command was committed to fighting the menace of oil bunkering as some products emanated from oil thieves or illegal refineries.
“We are aware that there is a great concern about loss of revenue in the federation which is occasioned by what oil theft. And when you talk about oil theft, it concerns both the crude and refined petroleum products,: he 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.