Nation

THE STATES

Published

12 years ago

January 21, 2015

Gombe

An Islamic cleric, Malam Salihu Tafawa-Balewa,
has advised traditional and religious leaders, as well as elders in Gombe State to caution candidates for the February elections to maintain peaceful campaigns.
He gave the advice in an interview with newsmen in Gombe.
He said leaders’’ fatherly advice was necessary for maintaining peace, understanding and unity before, during and after the elections in the state and across the country.
He added that “leaders and elders must caution candidates in their areas; candidates must be advised to know and understand that at the end of the elections, only one person will emerge as winner.
“There is need for them to conduct their political activities peacefully so that at the end, people will not have problems between them and their supporters.’’

Kano

The Managing Director of Kano State Roads
Maintenance Agency (KARMA), Mr Abubakar Jibril, said the agency had rehabilitated 42 township roads in the state between January and December 2014.
He told newsmen in Kano that the rehabilitation work was carried out in seven local government areas of the state.
He said the agency was established by the Kano State Government to repair dilapidated township roads across the 44 local government areas of the state.
He added that the agency was also mandated to maintain the roads, as well as clear the drains in local government areas.

Kebbi

The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship
candidate in Kebbi State, Senator Atiku Bagudu, has appealed to voters in the state to vote wisely and shun financial inducement during the February general elections.
Bagudu, who made the appeal in Dakingarim, Suru Local Government Area at the inauguration of his campaign team, urged the electorate to vote for candidates whose party’s manifestos are people-friendly.
“Your permanent voter card is your right; you must not trade it for material and financial gains, ‘’ he said.
Bagudu called on registered voters in the state to collect their permanent voter cards and vote for APC candidates.

Kwara

A pharmacist, Lanre Alege, has urged Nigerians to be wary of seven dangerous acts after meal.
Alege, who is of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), spoke while delivering a lecture at the Kwara Stadium Complex during the monthly keep fit exercise for members of staff of the tertiary health institution.
Acts to avoid, he said, included smoking after meals, eating fruits immediately after meals, drinking tea, loosening the belt, taking bath as well as walking about and sleeping immediately after meals.
“When you eat your fruits with meals, the fruit sticks in the stomach along with the content of the meal and cannot reach the intestine in time.
“Lying there, they get spoilt and spoil the remaining food in the stomach too,’’ he said.

Nasarawa

Some residents of Nassarawa State have said that
the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Gen. Mohammadu Buhari can change Nigeria for good.
They gave their opinions in separate interviews with newsmen in Lafia.
The APC gubernatorial running mate in the state, Mr Silas Agara, said Buhari “is an upright person who has nothing to gain in deceiving Nigerians.”
“If you study him as a person, you will notice clearly that this man has one goal in mind and that is to rescue Nigerians from recession, corruption and so many other problems that are facing us.
“Even the opposition admits that he is a man of trust and incorruptibility, and that is why they are very worried now.’’ he said.

Niger

Niger State APC Gubernatorial Candidate, Alhaji
Abubakar Bello, says he will have zero tolerance for corruption in the state, if elected governor on February 28.
Bello made the pledge on Sunday while addressing newsmen in Minna
“ I will have zero tolerance for corruption, and one way I will address corruption is to lead by setting a good example for others,” he said
He also said that he would not probe past administrations, to save vital time needed to deliver dividends of governance to the people.
“Probe is not a priority for me, because it will take up the timeý I would have used to work for the good people of the state.”

Ondo

The Director of Planning, Research and Statistics at
the Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) in Ondo State, Mr Olusola Akanle, has reiterated government’s commitment to regular inspection and monitoring of public secondary schools.
Speaking with newsmen in Akure, Akanle said the major problem in public secondary schools was lack of adequate monitoring.
“We have told the principals that when we are not there, they are our representatives and should make sure that the teachers are on their toes.
“Responsible teachers do not have to wait for the principal to tell them their duties since they are sufficiently trained, experienced and should be dedicated to their duties.”
Sokoto

The Chairman, Sabon Birni Local Government Council in
Sokoto State, Alhaji Idris Gobir, has solicited the support of religious and traditional rulers in mobilising the electorate to collect their Permanent Voter Cards.
Gobir told newsmen in Sokoto that religious leaders should inform the people through their sermons the benefits of the voter cards.
He described the PVC as “the weapon needed by the electorate to elect candidates that will meet their expectations through the provision of the dividends democracy.’’
He said, “good governance will only be possible if the electorate participate in all the electoral processes.’’
Gobir advised the electorate in the area not to sell their voter cards and shun all forms of violence before, during and after the general elections.

Taraba

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives
Congress (APC) in Taraba State, has appealed to the electorate to give her the mandate to make the difference.
Alhassan made the appeal in an interview in Jalingo after a reception in her honour by supporters and party faithful.
She said men had ruled the state since its creation in 1991 but had not recorded the desired impact on the lives of the common people.
She added that “I want to appeal to the people of Taraba State to try a woman for once and I can assure you that you will see a great difference.’’
Alhassan, who denied allegations that she was still in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said she had submitted her PDP membership card to the party’s state Chairman, Mr Victor Bala and had picked up that of APC, which she said was her current party.

Zamfara

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial
candidate, Alhaji Mamuda Shinkafi , has promised to improve education, healthcare services and security in Zamfara State, if elected.
Shinkafi, who was the former governor of the state under the ANPP, made the promise in Gusau at the flag-off of his campaign.
“It is unfortunate that instead of the state to be progressing in the areas of education, healthcare, and security, it is undergoing serious backwardness.”
According to him, when he left office in 2011, the state government had over 100 medical doctors and now has less than 40 doctors.
“My administration, if re-elected in February, will give priority to education, healthcare, security, harness mineral resources, as well as improve farming activities in the state,’’ he said.

Governor Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State (left), receiving a souvenir from Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar 111 for attending the Nigerian Defence Academy Alumni 18th Regular Course Re-union in Sokoto.

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.