Nation

THE STATES

Published

10 years ago

April 13, 2016

Founder of Daar Communications Plc and AIT, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi (left) and former, Deputy Senate President, Sen. Ibrahim Mantu, at the inauguration of PDP Special Committee for the coming National Convention in Abuja on Tuesday.

Bauchi

The Bauchi State Government has completed the
payment of N365 million compensation to 290 farmers whose farmlands it acquired for the construction of an Air Force Base in Bauchi.
Our correspondent recalls that the government had earlier promised to pay the affected farmers in four installments and directed them to vacate the places before the end of April.
Chairman of the compensation committee, Alhaji Abubakar Gabi, while addressing the beneficiaries before the disbursement of the cheques, urged them to be prudent in the management of their entitlements.
Gabi, who is also the state’s Accountant-General, commended the government for fulfilling its promise to pay the farmers.

Benue

The Chairman, Benue State House of Assembly Com
mittee on Education, Science and Technology, Mrs Ngunan Addingi (APC-Buruku), has advised the state’s Ministry of Education to improve on monitoring and supervision of schools and other agencies under its purview.
Addingi gave the advice during the ministry’s budget defence at the assembly complex in Makurdi.
She said that the lack of supervision was responsible for the drop in the standard of education in the state and urged the ministry to buckle up in order to lift the standard of education and bring back its lost glory.
Mr Ianna Jato (PDP-Katsina/Ala) also urged the ministry to ensure that it blocked all revenue leakages for the overall benefit of the state.

Jigawa

The Jigawa Government said it had improved security
in all its hospitals across the state, following the theft of a new born baby at the General Hospital in Dutse, last month.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Abba Zakari, disclosed this in Dutse while reacting to the incident, in an interview with newsmen in Dutse.
Our correspondent reports that a day-old baby was stolen from the mother by an unknown woman, last month, after she went through a Caesarean operation at the General Hospital in Dutse.
Zakari said that the state government had taken necessary measures to boost security in government health institutions, to prevent a recurrence of such incidents in hospitals in the state.

Kaduna

The Federal Universities Pensioners’ Association
(FUPA) has kicked against the stance of Pension Transition Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) directing it to remit its members’ check-off dues to the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP).
The pensioners’ position is contained in a statement signed by its national president, Dr Ayuba Audu-Kura, and made available to newsmen in Zaria.
It described the move as “illegal, unconstitutional and a violation of the Trade Union Act”.
The statement said that FUPA, as a registered association of pensioners under federal universities, has the right to freedom of association as guaranteed by Section 40 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Kano

Kano State Commissioner for Local Government, Alhaji Murtala Sule-Garo, has called on self-help development associations in the state to embark on drainage clearance before the arrival of rainy season.
This is contained in a statement signed by Uba Abdullahi, Public Relations Officer of the ministry which was made available to newsmen in Kano.
The statement said the commissioner made the call at a meeting with the Director, Community Development and Central Working Committee on development associations in the ministry.
Katsina

The Katsina State Government in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has commenced the training of no fewer than 1,500 female teachers to be posted to their individual villages.
The Permanent Secretary, (PS), in the state Ministry of Education, Alhaji Sagir Ibrahim, disclosed this at the inauguration of a one-day meeting for female teachers training scholarship scheme.
He said that the state government was committed to the scheme which would produce female teachers to be posted to their individual villages.
Earlier, the UNICEF’s coordinator of training in the state, Alhaji Ahimed Garba, said that the organisation would provide scholarships for female students to obtain the National Certificate of Education (NCE) certificate.
Garba said each female student from rural area studying under the scheme at Isah Kaita College of Education would be awarded a scholarship worth N50, 000.00 annually to boost their morale.

Kebbi

Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State has extolled
the District Head of Illo, Alhaji Muhammad Wankwai, for maintaining peaceful coexistence in his 40 years reign.
Bagudu, represented by Alhaji Muhammad Samaila, a member of the state Assembly, representing Bagudo East, commended the traditional ruler during the celebration of Wankwai’s 40th anniversary recently.
He praised the traditional leader for exemplary conduct, stressing that the institution was relevant in the promotion of democracy, good governance and equity.
He used the occasion to call on traditional, religious and community leaders to be custodians of peace, unity and mutual understanding among the people in the state.
He also enjoined youths in the state to embrace dry season farming with a view of promoting food in the state.

Kwara

The Kwara Commissioner for Information and Com
munications, Mr Mahmud Ajeigbe, says the state government has begun the repositioning of its three media organisations for efficient performance.
Ajeigbe disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Ilorin.
He listed the media outfits to include the Kwara State Broadcasting Corporation (Radio Kwara), the Kwara State Television Authority (KWTV) and the Kwara State Publishing and Printing Corporation (The Herald).
Ajeigbe explained that infrastructural renovations had begun at the Radio Kwara and the State’s Television Authority and is expected to be completed in six weeks.
He said other activities, which would follow soon, were staff recruitment and training.
Lagos

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State said his
administration would continue to add value to the quality of education in tertiary institutions owned by the state to make graduates wealth creators.
Ambode, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr Idiat Adebule, made the pledge at the 24th Convocation Ceremony of the Lagos State Polytechnic, Ikorodu.
He said the government was aware of the challenges hindering the growth of young entrepreneurs, which prompted the establishment of the Employment Trust Fund.
“The fund is to assist graduates and help them generate wealth for themselves, as well as create job opportunities for others.”

Nasarawa

The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Ser
vice (NIS), Mr Martin Abeshe, has called for improved funding and modern equipment for the service to enable it secure the nation’s borders.
Abeshe made the call at the opening of the 2016 Comptroller-General of Immigration’s Annual Conference and Stakeholders Interactive Forum.
He said that the service was contending with myriad of challenges which was affecting its operations.
Abeshe noted that more prominent among those challenges were inadequate funding, understaffing and lack of modern gadgets, especially at the borders.
“Like most government agencies, the NIS is grossly underfunded.

Ogun

Following the increasing spate of criminal activities in Ogun, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Abdul Majid Ali, has deployed 30 patrol teams to flashpoints to boost security.
Speaking during an official visit to the Igbeba Police Area Command in Ijebu-Ode, Ali called for more awareness and discipline among the officers.
He urged the deployed teams to be vigilante while discharging their duties as he would not tolerate any act of corruption or incivility to members of the public.
The police boss urged them to brace up for the challenges ahead, adding that they should be seen to be protecting the image of the force always.

Plateau

Mr Stephen Jings, Chairman of Pankshin Local Govern
ment Management Committee in Plateau, said the council had identified 138 boreholes for rehabilitation as part of its efforts to provide potable water to the people.
Jings made the disclosure in Pankshin when the management staff of Plateau Water Board paid him a visit.
“This administration is so concerned about the well being of the people and has decided to provide clean and safe drinking water to them.
“We have, therefore, penciled down 138 boreholes for rehabilitation across the council within this year alone, ’’ he said.

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.