Nation

THE STATES

Published

11 years ago

March 20, 2015

FCT

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) last
Wednesday urged Christians and Muslims to co-exist peacefully in the interest of national unity.
Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, the President of the association made the call during a one day interactive session with religious leaders, political parties and security agencies in Abuja.
Our correspondent reports that the event was organised by “Think Nigeria Christian-Muslim Movement’’, an NGO.
Oristejafor said the two main religious bodies should ensure that their members were guaranteed protection in the country.
“ We must make a commitment to each other publicly, that Christians are safe in Muslim-dominated areas and Muslims are also safe in Christian-dominated areas,” he said.
Gombe

The Director of the Lake Chad Research Institute
(LCRI), Maiduguri, Dr Oluwasina Olabanji, has said that Nigeria will produce 1.5 million tonnes of wheat by 2017 as part of efforts to reduce the importation of the commodity.
Olabanji made this known at this year’s Wheat Farmers’ Field Day at the Dadin Kowa Irrigation Dam in Yamaltu/Deba Local Government Area of Gombe State.
Olabanji said the institute planned to cultivate 150,000 hectares of wheat using 75,000 wheat farmers in 2015/2016 season, while production would increase to 300,000 hectares in 2017.
“The wheat value chain aims at increasing productivity of wheat from two tonnes per hectare in 2013 to five tones to six tonnes per hectare by 2017and national production from the current 150,000 tonnes to 1.5 million metric tonnes in 2017 and to transform the wheat to major high income generation industrial crop for farmers.”
Kano

The Emir of Daura in Katsina State, Alhaji Farouk
Umar Farouk, last Wednesday described the newly constructed Kano city gates as monuments to be preserved and safeguarded.
He made the remark while inaugurating the gates situated at different locations in Kano.
He said, “Daura and Kano are sharing many things in common given the revered status of the former being the origin of the seven Hausa states of which the latter is a prominent member.’’
He said preservation of cultural heritage made people to remember their identity and progeny, adding that the gates were symbolic monuments depicting the city’s ancient treasures.
Kogi

A senior Medical Consultant Ophthalmologist, Fed
eral Medical Centre (FMC), Lokoja, Dr Osayande Osawe, has urged governments to increase awareness to prevent blindness through glaucoma.
He made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lokoja on the sidelines of this year’s World Glaucoma Week.
Osawe emphasised the need to prevent our eyes from glaucoma rather than seeking for cure, adding that glaucoma is incurable.
He said it was difficult defining glaucoma because of its complexity in the manner in which it attacked and made the eyes to become blind.
Kwara

Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State
has reiterated his administration’s commitment to partner with non-governmental organisations in promoting infant and maternal healthcare in the state.
Ahmed restated this commitment at the inauguration of Maternity Referral Centre built by Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited in Ilorin last Wednesday.
The project was executed in partnership with Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company in collaboration with Kwara State Government.
Ahmed described the project as an intervention that would give birth to hope and midwife succour, especially in rural and district communities.
The governor said the significance of the referral centre laid in the fact that child and maternal health was a major index of any efficient system.
According to him, pregnant women and infants are some of the most vulnerable in the society, especially in rural communities.

Lagos

The Arewa Traditional Institution in Lagos last
Wednesday said it was not part of its values for a Sarki to go about visiting and attending political rallies and meetings.
At a news conference in Lagos, the Sarki Hausa of Lagos, Alhaji Aminu Yaro-Dogarai, advised anyone with such an exalted position to play the role of a father and not to be partisan.
He frowned at the activities of some people he called impostors, who were trying to smear the image of the institution.
Yaro-Dogarai said it was disheartening to see people claiming to hold the exalted and highly esteemed office of the traditional Arewa institution visiting and attending political rallies and meetings wearing full traditional regalia.
“It is dishonorable for a bonafide Sarki institution to participate in active partisan politics,’’ he said, noting that it should rather act as a father to all politicians, irrespective of their political class or affiliation.
Nasarawa

The Nasarawa State chapter of the Peoples Democratic
Party (PDP), has appealed to Labaran Maku, the former Minister of Information, to return to the party in the interest of the state.
Senator Solomon Ewuga, Director General, PDP governorship Campaign Organisation, made the appeal on behalf of the party at a media briefing last Wednesday in Lafia.
He urged Maku to jettison his governorship ambition on the platform of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) and return to the PDP which he said, ‘kept him in public service for 14 years.’
He said that the APGA governorship flag bearer should appreciate God and the PDP for the special favour bestowed on him.
Ewuga expressed dismay that Maku had made the PDP which developed his political career his enemy by using religion and ethnicity to sow seed of discord amongst the people of the state.
Niger

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration
and Control (NAFDAC) in Niger State has stopped the mop up of tomato pastes suspected to be dangerous for consumption.
It said it stopped the mop up following instructions from its national headquarters to avoid panic among the people.
An official of the agency, Mr Dadi Mullah, told newsmen in Minna last Wednesday that it was awaiting directives from the headquarters to resume the mop up.
The agency started the mop up of the suspected killer tomato pastes in circulation in the state on Tuesday.
“The management of NAFDAC is strategising on how to mop up these products without causing market panic.”
Ogun

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Ogun
State chapter, yesterday commended the Federal Government for reducing electricity tariff by 50 per cent.
The President of the association, Mr Wale Adegbite, told newsmen in Ota that the “step was a welcome development’’.
Adegbite said that the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) had finally listened to the complaints of manufacturers.
“But, what the NERC has done is to reverse the increase the commission did in January, so it is not really a reduction,’’ he said.
Adegbite said that there was need for the Federal Government to create enabling environment like provision of stable electricity, good roads and adequate security.

R-L: Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State; Yoruba Leaders, Senator Femi Okunrounmu, Prof. Dupe Olatubosun and Dr Frederick Fasehun, at a post National Conference Summit in Lagos, yesterday. Photo: NAN

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.