Nation

THE STATES

Published

12 years ago

June 16, 2014

Adamawa

A lawmaker in Adamawa State, Mr Wafarninyi Theman,
has accused the state government of deliberately under funding the state’s Auditor General Office to frustrate it from functioning properly.
Theman who is Chairman of the state House of Assembly Committee on Public Account, made the allegation while interrogating the state Commissioner of Finance, Alhaji Ibrahim Vokna, who was summoned to the plenary.
He alleged that the ministry was also killing the state planning commission and described the state government’s response to a recent effort by the House to improve local revenue as “unbecoming and frustrating”.
Responding to the allegations, the state Commissioner of Finance, Alhaji Ibrahim Vokna, said no department or agency was marginalised or deprived of funding by the state government.

Ekiti

President Goodluck Jonathan said his party, the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP), would win the June 21 governorship election in Ondo.
Jonathan who spoke at the formal presentation of the party’s flag to its governorship candidate in the state, Mr Ayo Fayose, in Ado-Ekiti said that his optimism was based on the tumultuous crowd that trooped out to welcome his entourage right from Akure Airport en route Ado-Ekiti.
Jonathan said that he was thrilled by the crowd, saying the party’s candidate could not afford to lose the poll if such display of affection translated to votes.
The President had also visited top Ekiti traditional rulers, who converged at the palace of Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe, where he promised to transform the Akure-Ikere-Ado-Ekiti federal road into a dual carriage one.

FCT

President Goodluck Jonathan has reiterated his
administration’s resolve to strengthen local governments’ ability to meet their developmental goals, especially the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Jonathan said this when he received a delegation of the board members of the Membership of the Commonwealth Local Government Forum in the State House, Abuja.
Represented by Vice-President Namadi Sambo, the president commended the forum for entrenching values that enhance and consolidate democracy and the rule of law at the local governments’ level.
The president reiterated the commitment of the Federal Government toward enhancing democracy and improving governance at all levels.

Jigawa

The Miga Local Government Council in Jigawa State said
last Tuesday that it had trained 200 youth in modern agriculture.
The Chairman of the council, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’idu, who made this known in an interview at Miga, said that the youths were trained in crop production, agro processing, fishing and irrigation, among others.
He said that the gesture was to reduce unemployment among youths in the area adding that the training was designed to also reduce rural-urban migration.
“With this training, our youths will no longer be going to states like Kano, Lagos and Abuja to look for money as commercial motorcyclists. “They will also not agree to be used as thugs by politicians since they will be engaged with their farming activities,” he said.

Kaduna

The Federal Road Safety Corps in Kaduna says more
than 153 commercial vehicle drivers in the state have so far undergone free medical tests to ascertain their health conditions.
Commander of the corps in the state, Mr Michael Olagunju, in a statement on Saturday, signed on his behalf by the Public Education Officer, Mr Dajangla Martins, said that the exercise was necessitated by the rise in cases of avoidable road traffic crashes involving commercial drivers.
According to him, it is hoped that the exercise will alert drivers on their state of health, to enable them seek medication where necessary adding that the need to reduce road traffic crashes by 15 per cent, and fatality by 25 per cent, in line with 2014 Strategic Goal.
Kebbi

The Kebbi State Government said it produced 900,000
tree-seedlings for planting as part of measures to combat desert encroachment in the state.
The Commissioner for Environment, Mr Isahaku Daudu, said on Thursday, in Birnin Kebbi that the seedlings would be distributed freely to the people.
Daudu was speaking while planting trees at strategic locations in the state capital to mark this year’s World Environment Day.
He said that the ministry in collaboration with SURE-P planted trees over 84 sq km along major roads, and over 86 sq km in desert-prone local government areas of the state.
Daudu appealed to the people to stop tree-felling, and urged them to plant trees, warning that violators would be prosecuted.

Kwara

Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State said no
fewer than 80, 000 people have benefitted from the low premium health insurance scheme of his administration.
Ahmed made this known at the inauguration of Ilorin General Hospital which was renovated and upgraded to a secondary healthcare centre.
The governor said the state government would extend the scheme to every local government area in the state within the next five years.
According to him, a patient needed to pay N500 premium to enjoy the state’s community health insurance scheme.

Lagos

The academia and some politicians last Saturday extolled
the late Prof. Dora Akunyili, describing her as a courageous and brave woman, who excelled in academics and politics.
Prof. Grace Alele-Williams, one-time Vice-Chancellor, of the University of Benin, said Akunyili was a courageous woman, who stood for the truth in spite of the consequences
throughout her life time. “I hope that her legacy will be emulated not only by her children, but by women in Nigeria that whenever they are called to hold executive positions, they will give it their best, “ she said. The Chairman Multi-Media Centre, University of Lagos, Prof. Ralph Akinfeleye,said that Akunyili would be missed by the academia , health sector and the country in general.

Nasarawa

No fewer than 35 persons in Nasarawa State have so far
received free surgical services from Cleft and Facial Deformity Foundation .
The Director of the Foundation, Dr Seidu Bello, made the disclosure on Tuesday in Lafia at the official opening of the exercise at the Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital (DASH), Lafia.
Bello said “the surgical festival is designed to bring succour to Nigerians who, for no fault of theirs, are suffering from facial deformities.’’

Ondo

A former member of the Ondo State House of Assembly,
Mr Kele Bolodeoku, has described the presumed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, Chief MKO Abiola, as the vehicle that brought enduring democracy to the country.
The former lawmaker called on the Federal Government to ensure that Abiola was celebrated by all, adding that the elite who were responsible for Abiola’s travails had refused to accord him deserved recognition.
Bolodeoku, who said Abiola’s contribution to the nation’s political growth had remained enduring, called for true and genuine reconciliation said the on-going national conference would address certain salient political and economic issues.
The former lawmaker, however, called on the Federal Government to tackle corruption, saying “ we have to tackle the issue of corruption if we are to move forward as a nation.’’
“The struggle for power by politicians is not for the love of the masses.

Sokoto

The Sokoto State Government said last Saturday that it
had approved N331.63 million for the sponsorship of 164 medical and engineering students to Sudan.
In a statement signed by the Information Officer of the State Scholarship Board, Malam Isa Shuni, in Sokoto, it listed Khartoum College of Medical Sciences, Afhad University for Women, Nahda International College, International University of Africa and National University as the institutions where the students would be admitted.
It said that the gesture was to offer training to selected students from the state in selective fields of medical sciences adding that the gesture covers the cost of tuition, registration, transportation and other needs of the students.
The statement quoted the Chairman of the board, Alhaji Jelani Kalgo, as saying that Gov. Aliyu Wamakko had since approved the release of the funds.

Yobe

The Yobe State Government said it had achieved 96 per
cent coverage in routine immunization in the state, through the engagement of members of local communities in areas with daunting security challenges.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Muhammad Kawuwa, who disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Damaturu said “Government engaged locals in areas with security challenges to carry out the exercise, using health promotion teams for a follow-up to ensure that no part of the state was left out’’, he said.
The commissioner said government had not relented in renovating and equipping the 12 General Hospitals and eight Comprehensive Health Centres across the state, in addition to engaging specialised personnel.
“We are in partnership with specialists from University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital and Federal Medical Centre, Nguru, in Yobe, among others, to provide specialised manpower to the hospitals, and to make health care delivery accessible and affordable in the state.

Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State (2nd left) and Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State (2nd right), arriving at the venue of APC National Convention in Abuja last Saturday.

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.