Nation

THE STATES

Published

12 years ago

December 10, 2014

FCT
The Chairman, Creative Designers Guild of Nigeria
(CDGN), South-South and South-East chapters, Mr Sele Sele, has urged film makers nationwide to always choose appropriate costumes for their movies to enhance its quality.
Sele told newsmen in Abuja that selecting the appropriate costumes would go a long way in the marketing of the movies.
He regretted the challenges encountered by creative designers in accessing basic government facilities in their profession.
“For instance, if you want to do an action movie, you require guns and uniforms but when you go to the police station, nobody is ready to assist you.
“If you want to shoot a movie at an airport, getting an airport is difficult. These are the kinds of challenges we encounter.
“That is why you don’t see most movies with such story lines; the major challenge is that we don’t have film shops.

Gombe
Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State has been
elected as the gubernatorial flag bearer of the PDP in the 2015 general Elections.
Our correspondent reports that Dankwambo was elected through an affirmation poll held at the PDP secretariat on Monday in Gombe.
The governor polled 492 votes out of the 504 delegates, while eight votes were invalid and four delegates were absent.
Announcing the result, the Returning Officer and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Ghali Na’Abba, said the delegates had affirmed Dankwambo as the gubernatorial flag bearer of the party in the 2015 elections.
“Delegates have today given the mandate to His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Gombe State, Alhaji Ibrahim Dankwambo, to contest on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party for a second term.”

Kaduna
Senator Ahmed Makarfi the senator representing
Kaduna-North Senatorial District, has been returned as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) flag-bearer in the 2015 senatorial election.
Our correspondent reports that Makarfi was adopted as sole candidate after his rival, Umar Faruk withdrew from the contest following consensus arrangement made a day prior to the party’s primary in Kaduna state.
Declaring the result, Alhaji Ahmed Tahir, Chairman, PDP electoral committee said: “Makarfi is the only contestant, however, based on PDP requirement, an election must hold to fulfil such requirement.
Having counted all the votes cast; Makarfi got 333 votes indicating that he polled all the votes cast which gives him the opportunity to become the flag-bearer of PDP.

Katsina
A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) House of Repre
sentatives aspirant, Mr Emmanuel Udende, has commended his co-aspirants for stepping down for him to enable him continue with his developmental programmes.
Udende gave this commendation in an interview with journalists in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area, Benue.
Our correspondent reports that Udende was presently representing Katsina-Ala, Logo and Ukum Federal Constituency at the house of representatives.
He further appreciated them for their show of maturity and understanding which had paved way for his emergence as a sole contender for the seat.
He stated that they were not coerced before they withdrew from the race, adding that they withdrew willingly.

Kogi
The Kogi High Court sitting in Koton-Karfe has nulli
fied the May 4, 2013 Local Government Elections conducted in the state by the State Independent Electoral Commission (KOSIEC).
The judgement was delivered in two hours, eight minutes by Justice Alaba Omolaye-Ajileye.
The court issued a consequential order for the council chairmen in the 21 Local Governments to handover the affairs of the councils to the most senior directors.
Omolaye-Ajileye affirmed the contention of the All Progressives Congress (APC) that the commission was not properly constituted to conduct the election.
It referred to the suit with the State Government, KOSIEC and seven others as co-defendants.

Kwara
Residents of Okuta in the Baruten Local Government
Area of Kwara State have on Tuesday cried out for help over the perennial water shortage in the border community.
A cross-section of the people who spoke with newsmen urged governments at all levels to urgently alleviate their plight .
Malam Aliyu Umar, the Gunubero of Okuta, told newsmen that the waterworks in the community had not been operated in the last three years, to supply it with pipe-borne water.
This, according to the traditional ruler, is due to its network of pipes, which have gone bad.
“Our major problem here is the distribution network, which has gone bad. The pipes have become broken in the last three years and nothing has been done about restoring the network.

Kano
A former governorship candidate of the defunct All
Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) in the 2011 elections in Kano State, Alhaji Salihu Takai, has won the PDP governorship primary election in the state.
Takai scored 1, 226 votes to defeat three other contestants, while two others withdrew shortly before the exercise began.
Announcing the results yesterday the Chairman of the Election Committee, Alhaji Ahmed Gusau, said Alhaji Abba Murtala Muhammed, son of late Head of State, Gen. Murtala Muhammed, got 144 votes.
Gusau said Mansur Ahmed got 106 votes, while Alhaji Sani Gwarzo scored 24 votes.
According to him, Dr Hakilu Indabawa and Alhaji Mohammed Abacha withdrew from the contest before the commencement of the election.

Kebbi
The Senator representing Kebbi Central, Alhaji Atiku
Bagudu on the ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is to contest for the state’s governorship position on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Bagudu, who presented his nomination form at the APC secretariat in the state on Saturday, said that he defected following advice from his associates and supporters.
“I am acting in tandem with advice from supporters, followers and political stakeholders in my constituency,” he said.
The senator said that he was optimistic of clinching the APC governorship ticket in the state but would abide by any decision of the party.
Bagudu, who was accompanied by his supporters to the APC secretariat, appealed to members of the party to give him the opportunity to serve the people.

Nasarawa
Alhaji Yusuf Agabi, winner of the Peoples Democratic
Party (PDP) governorship primary election in Nasarawa State, has called on other aspirants to rally round him, to win the general elections next year.
Agabi made the call in an interview with newsmen in Nasarawa.
He said the victory at the primary was not for him alone but for all the members of the party, adding that it would take a collective effort to make the objective of reclaiming the state from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2015 to be actualised.
Agabi promised to tackle the security challenges facing the state, if given the mandate in next year’s general elections.

Ogun
The Police in Ogun State have arraigned a 27-year-old
man, Abiodun Bamidele, before an Ota Magistrates’ Court, for breaking into a house and stealing goods worth N371,000.
Bamidele, who resides at No.17, Akinola Street, Awela-Ilogbo, is being tried on a three-count charge of stealing, conspiracy and burglary.
The prosecutor, Sgt. Itaita Ebibomini, told the court that the accused and others now at large, committed the offences on November 26, at Plot 8, Block D, John Olawose Layout, Kuta Onigbongbo Atan,in Ota.
He said that the accused and others at large broke into the house of one Mr and Mrs Adeyemi and stole a Laptop valued at N240, 000 and other valuable goods worth N371, 000.
The prosecutor said that the offences contravened Sections 390(9), 413 and 516 of the Criminal Code, Revised Law of Ogun State, 2006.

Deputy Governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Ahmed Mahmoud (left) with the Emir of Hadejia, Alhaji Adamu Maje, during his sympathy visit to the Emirate over flood disaster 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.