Nation

THE STATES

Published

12 years ago

November 26, 2014

Bauchi
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bauchi State
has screened 17 governorship aspirants from Bauchi, Yobe, Taraba and Adamawa States seeking to contest on the platform of the party in the 2015 general election.
Our correspondent reports that the aspirants had appeared before the screening panel chaired by a former governor, Achike Udenwa, who assured them of fairness.
The four governorship aspirants that appeared before the panel from Taraba include immediate former acting governor, Garba Umar, former Minister for Niger Delta, Darius Isiaku, Mr David Kente and Amb Musa John.
Former Minister of State for Finance, Dr Yarima Ngama and a PDP youth leader, Hassan Kapayos, were the only governorship aspirants from Yobe at the screening.
In troubled Adamawa, Governor Bala Ngilari, former EFCC chairman, Nuhu Ribadu, Auwal Tukur, the son of former PDP national chairman, Bamanga Tukur, Sen. Abubakar Girei, Markus Gindiri, Aliyu Modibbo and Brig. Gen Aliyu Kama (rtd) appeared before the panel.

FCT
The Nigerian Army has announced the promotion of three Captains to the rank of Major in recognition of their exceptional gallantry in the fight against terrorism in the North-East.
Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen.Olajide Laleye, announced this in Abuja while briefing newsmen on the activities lined up for the 2014 Chief of Army Staff Annual Conference to be held next month in Uyo, Akwa Ibom.
Laleye gave the names of the officers as Captains IA Manga, AH Ali and Y Micah.
“It is my pleasure to announce the elevation from the rank of Captain to Major of three brave officers who have shown aggressive posture and uncommon gallantry in the face of the enemy particularly in the counter-insurgency operations in the North-East,” He said.

Jigawa

Alhaji Aminu Ringim, one of the four gubernatorial
aspirants on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Jigawa State, said last Sunday, that he was not annointed by Governor Sule Lamido as insinuated in some quarters.
He spoke in an interview with newsmen in Dutse shortly after his arrival from Kaduna where he attended the PDP North West zonal screening.
“I think, as someone who served as Chief of Staff to former Governor Saminu Turaki for five years and served in similar capacity to Governor Sule Lamido for about eight years, it is an experience enough to enable me consolidate on such gains and to continue from where my principals stopped.
“After all, there are four of us contesting, I don’t think there is any one of us that was anointed by the Governor.
“If you say anointment, you can go and ask the people because they are the ones that anointed candidates not the governor.”
Kano

The National Environmental Standards and Regula
tions Enforcement Agency (NESREA), says it is willing to partner corps members to promote awareness on clean environment in Nigeria.
The agency’s North West Zonal Director, Dr Ahmed Kasim, dropped the hint at a lecture delivered at the 2014 Batch “C” NYSC Orientation Course in Karaye, Kano State recently.
He said: “In pursuit of its statutory responsibility to resuscitate the integrity of the Nigerian environment, NESREA collaborates and partners with relevant government ministries and agencies as well as the private sector among others.
“It is this cooperation, collaboration and partnership that NESREA earnestly seeks to establish with the corps members in Kano State and other states across the country.
Kebbi

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Kebbi
State, has commenced voters’ education campaign as part of efforts to ensure that registered voters would elect credible leaders in the 2015 general elections.
The state Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Shehu Sambawa, who represented Governor Saidu Dakingari, at the event, directed state owned media stations to ensure equal coverage of activities of all the political parties.
Sambawa urged media stations to be fair and neutral in their coverage of political campaigns, stressing that state owned media stations had been so directed on the issue.
He advised the media organisations to shun inflammatory messages for sustenance of peace and unity in the country.

Lagos

Former President, Association of National Accoun
tants of Nigeria (ANAN), last Sunday urged the Federal Government to diversify the economy to meet the challenges of prevailing slump in oil prices.
Nzekwe told newsmen in Lagos that the federal government must improve the performance of the non-oil sector, particularly the agricultural sector, in order to mitigate the effect of the slump on the economy.
“Everybody was talking about diversifying the economy. Oil could finish and we were being warned everyday that one day oil would finish.
“Most countries use oil windfall to develop infrastructure and create enabling environment for their economies to thrive.
“It is unfortunate that we waited so long until now when the price of oil in the international market came down and we started planning,’’ Nzekwe said.

Ogun

The police in Ogun State have arraigned a 40-year-old
woman, Beatrice Bello, at an Ota Magistrates’ Court for stealing N485,000.
Bello, who lives at No. 25 Oshinleye Str., Ilogbo-Awela in Ota, is facing a two-count charge of stealing and conspiracy.
The Police Prosecutor, Cpl. Mustapha Abdulkareem, told the court that the accused and others at large, committed the offence on March 24 at about 2 00 p.m. at Iyana Iyesi, in Ota.
He alleged that the accused and others at large fraudulently stole the sum of N485, 000 belonging to one Rukayat Akinlade.
Abdulkareem said that the offences contravened Section 390(9) of the Criminal Code Revised Law of Ogun State, 2006.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty.

Ondo
A 33-year-old driver, Dayo Farodoye, has been
araigned before an Okitipupa Magistrates’ Court in Ondo State for causing the death of one Mrs Busayo Adetoye.
The accused of no fixed address is facing a three-count charge of manslaughter, dangerous driving and driving without driver’s licence.
The Prosecutor, Insp. Zedekiah Orogbemi, told the court that the accused on September. 2, at about 3:00 p.m. along the Okitipupa-Ore road, drove a Bedford lorry marked Lagos XS 288-AKD dangerously on the public highway.
Orogbemi said that the accused, who had no drivers licence coupled with the dangerous driving caused the death of Adetoye on her way from Ore.
He said the offences contravened Sections 5, 6 and 10(6) of the Federal Highway Act, Cap.F13, Vol.VI, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty.

Osun
The Modakeke Chief Magistrates’ Court in Osun has
ordered that one Tunde Adeyemi, 20, should be remanded in the Ile-Ife Prison custody for alleged manslaughter.
The Police Prosecutor, Sgt. Christian Olajide, told the court that the accused committed the offence on June 30, 2014 around 6:30 p.m. at Modakeke, in the Ife East local government area of Osun.
Olajide alleged that the accused intentionally killed one Sakin Olayioye by hitting him with stick in his head, which led to his death.
He said that the offence was contrary to and punishable under Section 319 of the Criminal Code cap 34 Vol 11, Laws of Osun State, 2003.
The Chief Magistrate, Mr Olusegun Ayilara, did not take the plea of the accused but ordered that he should be remanded in prison.

Zamfara
A Gusau Chief Magistrates’ Court has remanded two
men, Nabangi Umma-Oro and Abubakar Danbanga, for allegedly killing one Isah Muhammad.
Umma-Oro and Danbanga, who are residents of Natsira Village in the Adapka District of Bukkuyum Local Government Area of Zamfara, are facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and culpable homicide.
The Chief Magistrate, Alhaji Bello Kucheri, ordered the remand of the accused persons and adjourned hearing to December 4.
Earlier, the Prosecutor, Insp. Yakubu Abuga, told the court that on October 18, the accused invited Muhammad to a meeting and thereafter attacked him with a machete.
Abuga said that the two accused also slit the throat of Muhammad with the machete, which resulted to his death.

Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa State (right), receiving the Chairman, Governing Council of Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, Alhaji Mustapha Jumare in Dutse, recently.

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.