Nation

THE STATES

Published

12 years ago

December 19, 2014

Bauchi

The Police command in Bauchi said it had arrested 10
suspected rustlers in the state.
The Spokesman of the command, DSP Haruna Mohammed, said this while briefing newsmen in Bauchi.
Mohammed said the rustlers include Yusuf Abdulkadir, Dare Karimu, Mamuda Sulai, Abdulkadir Usman, Ali Sulai, Maiwada Jahono, Buba Ali, Hassan Sale, Sale Jakudu and Alhaji Ahmed Mohammed.
He said the suspects were arrested on Dec. 10, at about 2:40 p.m. by police detectives attached to Dass Division with the help of Danga Vigilante Group.
Mohammed said the suspects had before their arrest engaged the police in fierce exchange of gunfire at Dajin Village,Tafawa Balewa Local Government Areas.

Benue

Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State said he had
kept his promise to the people of Masev, Ihiarev, Nongo Development Association (MINDA) by ensuring that Mr Terhemen Tarzoor, a youth from the area, would succeed him.
Suswam stated this while playing host to MINDA Youths Emancipation Moment at the Government House, Makurdi.
our correspondent reports that Tarzoor won the December 8 governorship primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.
“We in Benue have decided to hand over power to the youths because they represent our future.
“The same thing is happening in the United State of America, Britain, among others, where youths are doing very well in leadership positions by ruling the biggest countries in the world, he said”.

Ekiti

An Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ekiti State,
has remanded three accused persons, Sunday Daramola,20, Tope Olatunji,27, and Seun Adeniyi, 20, in prison for allegedly raping a teenager.
The prosecutor, Sgt. Bamikola Olasunkanmi, told the court that the accused committed the offence on Dec.8 at Okeoja St., Igbemo -Ekiti.
Olasunkanmi alleged that the accused persons, on the said date, unlawfully gang raped the girl, inflicting grievous harm on her.
According to him, the offence is punishable under Section 516 and 358 of the Criminal Code Law, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012.
He added that the case file had been forwarded to the office of the State Directorate of Public Prosecutions for legal advice.

Kano

The Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO)
has concluded all the necessary arrangements to import 100, 000 pre-paid meters for distribution to customers in 2015.
The Managing Director of the company, Alhaji Jamilu Gwamna, made this known at Customers’ Interactive Session on Credited Advance Payment for Metering Implementation (CAPMI) in Kano recently. Our correspondent reports that the forum was organised by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to sensitise electricity customers on the CAPMI.
He said the measure was necessary in order to reduce incessant complaints by customers on crazy billing as well as to ensure effective service delivery.
“Even though, they may not be enough, but we can start with this number since we will continue to bring them in batches,” he said.
Gwamna said the company had also planned to invest in solar power but the issue of land was the major challenge facing the company.
Nasarawa

The Nasarawa State House of Assembly has voted in
favour of autonomy for local government councils in the country and the abolition of states’ electoral commissions.
In a unanimous decision, the house said that scrapping electoral commission in the states and autonomy for local government councils were in the interest of peace and grassroots development in the country.
our correspondent reports that the decision was part of the assembly’s contribution to the amendment of the nation’s 1999 Constitution.
Presenting the matter earlier, Speaker of the assembly, Alhaji Musa Mohammed, urged members to consider the bill above personal interest.
Moving the motion on both issues, the Deputy Majority Leader of the house, Mr Yahaya Usman, said, “My colleagues, in the interest of peace and speedy development across the country, there is need for the autonomy for local governments.
“This is because local governments are closer to the people at the grassroots.

Niger

The Niger State Government says it has distributed 128
motorcycles to agricultural extension workers in the state, to ease their mobility.
Managing Director of the Niger State Agricultural and Mechanisation Development Authourity (NAMDA), Alhaji Baba Madugu, made this known in Minna.
He said that the programme was in collaboration with the international donor agencies, adding that it would improve the dissemination of modern technologies among rural farmers.
Madugu said that female extension workers would also get 20 per cent of the motorcycles.
“This is the second phase of the distribution of 128 units of motorcycles to our extension workers, who are the front line staff of delivering the mandate of NAMDA.

Ogun

Mr Tunde Awolana, the General Manager of Ogun State
Broadcasting Corporation (OGBC), said the corporation required N608 million to function effectively in 2015.
Awolana disclosed this in Abeokuta while defending the 2015 budget proposal of the corporation before the Ogun House of Assembly.
He said the corporation was expected to generate N200 million as Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) with a recurrent expenditure of N298 million and N310 million for capital expenditure.
The general manager explained that the capital projects would include improving the signal strength of its AM and FM channels in order to increase the audience base and media rating.
On her part, the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mrs Yewande Amusan, presented a total expenditure of N547 million for 2015.

Sokoto

Sokoto State Government has donated six 36-seater
buses to three tertiary educational Institutions in the state.
The institutions include the state university, state polytechnic and the Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto.
Presenting the vehicles in Sokoto, Wamakko said each of the institutions was given two buses.
He said the vehicles were provided to alleviate transportation problems of the Institutions, adding, “the buses will also help in boosting their sources of revenue and reduce heavy dependence on government.
“I must express my appreciation to the various leaders of the institutions for their contribution in boosting standard of education in the state.”

Taraba

The Taraba State Command of the Nigeria Immigration
Service (NIS) has repatriated 11 nationals of the Niger Republic who were residing in the state illegally.
The NIS State Comptroller, Mr Habibu Haruna, disclosed this at a news briefing in Jalingo.
Haruna said the immigrants were arrested because they entered into the Takum axis of the state without valid traveling documents.
He said the aliens did not have the required traveling documents as stipulated by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The comptroller, who was represented by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Solomon Gisilambe, said that the presence of the foreigners raised fears amongst residents of Takum.

Zamfara

The Zamfara State Eye Centre, Gusau, has treated 15,000
patients of various eye diseases from 2012 to date.
The Assistant Chief Nursing Officer in charge of the centre, Alhaji Lawwali Hassan, said this in an interview with in Gusau on recently.
Lawwali said that the centre had recorded many successes in the treatment of various eye diseases.
According to him, the centre was owned by the state government but funded by Sightsavers International which provided medication and other components needed for the operation.
“The centre is established within King Fahd Abdul’aziz Women and Children Hospital, Gusau, and the patients mostly treated are those suffering from cataract, while others are with trauma and foreign body removal.

L-R: Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State, Governor Ibrahim Shema of Katsina State, Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State and PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, after a meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan at the Presidential Villa, Abuja

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.