Nation

THE STATES

Published

10 years ago

March 18, 2016

The Tide

Gov. Kashim Shettima of Borno inspecting the scene of suicide bombing at the Molai-umarari in Maiduguri on Wednesday.

Benue

Sen. David Mark has urged the youth of Agatu in Benue
to refrain from embarking on reprisal attacks over the destruction of their communities by Fulani herdsmen.
Mark made the appeal in Aila community, in Agatu local government area of Benue when he visited communities destroyed by the Fulani herdsmen.
Mark expressed shock at the level of destruction in the communities but said reprisal attacks were not necessary as two wrongs would never make a right.
He appealed to the youths to maintain peace and remain law-abiding and promised to report his findings to the government for quick action.
“The attacks on the communities are calculated and unnecessary; the magnitude of destruction is unimaginable.

Bauchi

Wife of Bauchi State governor, Hajiya Hadiza
Abubakar, has expressed concern over the low enrolment of girls into schools in the state.
Hadiza noted that the 36 per cent enrolment figure for girls in the state was unacceptable.
The governor’s wife, who inaugurated new officials of an NGO, High Level Women Advocates (HLWA), in Bauchi, said she was committed to reducing the deficit.
She said that her NGO, Bauchi Sustainable Women Economic Empowerment and Peace Initiative (B-SWEEP), would collaborate with all stakeholders, to address the problem.
Hadiza commended the Bauchi State government for declaring a state of emergency in the education sector and allocating lion share to education in the 2016 budget.

Jigawa

Residents of Dutse in Jigawa have decried sudden in
crement in prices of sachet water also known as “pure water’’ in the state.
A cross section of residents who spoke with our correspondent, said 100 per cent increment was unreasonable.
Malam Dauda Ismail said that a bag of sachet water had risen from N60 to N120.
Ismail explained that though he didn’t know why the sudden increase, but that sachet water was the only brand he could afford and was not supposed to go beyond the reach of ordinary people.
Another resident who gave his name as Usman Abba said that the producers of sachet water deliberately increased the prices because of high demand due to the hot weather.
Abba noted that a sachet water he used to buy for N5 was now N10.

Kaduna

The presiding pastor of Assembly of God Church,
Nassarawa Road, Kaduna, Mr Solomon Kasuwa, has urged Christians to continue to pray for peaceful co-existence and development of Nigeria.
Kasuwa made the call in a sermon to mark the ten-year anniversary of the annual convention of Assemblies of God Overcomers Rendezvous.
“Rendezvous is an agreement to meet at a certain time and place and I want to strongly call on Nigerians not to relent in their effort in coming together for the purpose of upliftment and prayers for our leaders and country.
“Prayer is the way forward and I urge all Nigerians to love one another, to ensure peace and unity among the people, irrespective of their religious inclination.”

Kano

The Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), in
Kano State Alhaji Umar Doguwa, said he was forced to sign and address a news conference threatening disciplinary action against former state governor, Rabi’u Kwankwaso.
Our correspondent recalls that the APC Chairman had addressed a press conference where the party accused Kwankwaso of hiring thugs to insult Governor Abdullahi Ganduje during a condolence visit to Ganduje’s home town.
Doguwa made the clarification while addressing a news conference in Kano recently.
“I felt duty bound to unequivocally make it clear to our esteemed followers that the previous press statement read and signed by me was not written and made by my humble self.

Lagos

The Nigerian Navy in Lagos has handed over to the
rightful owners an oil tanker it rescued from pirates in February.
At the handing over ceremony, Commordore Abraham Adaji, the Commanding Officer, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Beecroft, said the six pirates arrested in connection with the hijack would be prosecuted after investigations.
“‘The suspects will be prosecuted accordingly and the ship owners have undertaken to bring crew members to come and testify if they are required in the course of investigation.
“The release of the vessel does not signify an end to the prosecution of the pirates that are currently under investigation,” he said.
Adaji said international and civil police authorities had joined in the investigation since the hijacked oil tanker was rescued on February 22.

Nasarawa

Police Officers Wives Association (POWA) said it had
put in place measures to alleviate plight of widows of policemen and vulnerable children across the country.
National President of the association, Mrs Agharase Arase, made the disclosure in Lafia, shortly after meeting with POWA members, women police officers and children.
Arase was represented by Mrs Jerusha Katso, wife Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Force Headquarters, Abuja.
She said that available statistics indicated that the number of police widows and vulnerable children was increasing across the country.
“We thought it wise to put in place palliatives that will address the suffering of the increasing number of widows in the association due to the demise of their husbands,” she said.
The association’s president said that her visit to the state was to meet and boost the morale of orphans and widows of police officers.

Niger

A 40-year-old armed robbery kingpin on the wanted
list of the military in Zamfara and Sokoto States has been arrested by security agents in Niger State.
The man, identified as Liman Muhammad, was arrested in Keteringi village of Bida local government area of the state, after a year on the run.
Senior Special Assistant to Niger Governor on Security, Mr Iliyasu Bawa, told newsmen in Minna that the suspect had evaded arrest in the two states.
Bawa added that the arrest was through a joint effort between the security men and the Miyetti Allah Kautal-Hore, the umbrella body of Fulanis in the country.
The governor’s aide disclosed that information about the suspect’s whereabouts was released to security agents by a woman.

Ondo

The Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) in Ondo
State said that it had prosecuted 40 persons for allegedly selling fake and substandard goods.
The Coordinator of the organisation, Mr Paul Oke, told newsmen in Akure that SON also helped 20 consumers to either retrieve from the dealers, the money they paid for the substandard goods, or be supplied with quality goods as replacement for the substandard ones.
He said that the dealers were prosecuted for selling products, which did not carry SON’s cap.
“We have prosecuted 40 offenders for engaging in businesses involving fake and substandard products in recent years.
“Any product without SON’s cap is seized and the seller or merchant prosecuted. The person, on conviction, pays a penalty to the Federal Government,’’ he said.
Oke advised consumers to send all complaints on substandard products to the organisation to enable it achieve its mandate.

Osun

The Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU) has urged
President Muhammadu Buhari to prevail on Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun to rescind his plans to dismiss 1,083 workers of Ladoke Akintola Teaching Hospital (LAUTECH), Osogbo.
The Chairman of JOHESU in Osun, Mr Afolabi Abiodun, made the appeal while speaking with newsmen in Osogbo.
He alleged that the plans to sack the workers had reached an advanced stage, while the yet-to-be-delivered termination letters of the workers had already been written by the hospital’s management board, on the order of the state governor.
Abiodun stressed that at this juncture, only Buhari’s intervention could save the situation and prevent the planned workers’ sack.

Oyo

The Law Students’ Association (LSA), Lead City
University(LCU), Ibadan, would at its 2016 Law Week give special recognition to the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, late Chief Ajibola Ige and Oba Lamidi Adeyemi—the Alaafin of Oyo.
This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Wale Ojo-Lanre, the Public Relations Officer, LSA, LCU and made available to newsmen.
It said that the choice of the personalities was in recognition of their legacies and immeasurable contributions to the society.
It said that the week would commence with a ‘legal walk’ round the campus in the early hours of Monday.
The statement said a public lecture to be presided over by Justice Nonyerem Okoronkwo of the Court of Appeal, Ibadan Division, was also slated for the day.

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.