Nation

THE STATES

Published

10 years ago

April 29, 2016

L-R: Former Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Political Matters, Sen. Ben Obi, a chieftain of Afenifere Socio-Cultural Group, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Yetunde Onanuga, former Deputy Governor of Lagos, at the funeral service for Dr Tunji Braithwaite held at Revd’ Braithwaite Memorial Church, at Papa-Epe in Lagos State, yesterday.

Adamawa

Federal Government has distributed empowerment tools
to associations and victims of Boko Haram insurgency in Adamawa.
Presenting the materials which comprised grinding machines, water pumps, tricycles, wheel chairs and block molding machines at a ceremony in Yola, the Secretary to the Federal Government (SGF), Mr Babacir Lawal, said the gesture was to assist them with something to depend on as they tried to settle down.
Lawal ,who was represented by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Policy Development and Analysis, Alhaji Ibrahim Bapetel, said government was concerned about the welfare of displaced persons and would take steps to ameliorate their sufferings.
He tasked beneficiaries not to sell the items but should rather use them to generate revenue for their benefit and that of their communities.

Benue

The Resident Pastor, Dunamis International Gospel Centre
(DIGC), Makurdi, Rev. Joseph Idakwoji, has advised couples not to expect automatic success in their marriages.
Idakwoji said this at the wedding between Nancy Abutu of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Makurdi office and James Okpanachi.
He said that all couples should prepare to work for the success of their marriages, adding that, “you cannot be doing another thing and be expecting result for another”.
He said that marriage was designed by God for the betterment and enjoyment of his children.
“The purpose of marriage includes protection of partners, companionship, procreation or fruitfulness among others.”

Borno

The Nigerian Army said that the curfew imposed in
Maiduguri between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. was still in force.
This is contained in a statement issued in Maiduguri by the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Mustpaha Anka.
It warned that drastic action would be taken against individuals found violating the curfew.
“It has come to the notice of Headquarters, 7 Division Nigerian Army, Operation Lafiya Dole, that some members of the public violate orders on curfew imposed in Maiduguri and environs.
“ Violations of curfew threaten the relative peace being enjoyed in Maiduguri town.
“Please be reminded that a legitimate curfew in Maiduguri imposed from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. is still in force.

FCT

Himma Community Health Circle Initiative and
Empowerment (H-COHECIC), an NGO, says it is training more than 250 traditional birth attendants to reduce maternal mortality in Zamfara.
The Initiator of the organisation, Miss Zainab Yari, told newsmen in Abuja that the training was a key strategy in curbing maternal mortality in the country.
She said that 50 traditional birth attendants would be trained in Zamfara in May, this year, by the group to help gynaecologists during deliveries.
Yari disclosed that the NGO would train 200 traditional birth attendants in Zamfara before the end of this year.
According to her, the team decided to focus on traditional birth attendants training due to lack of healthcare facilities in the vicinity.
“We initiated the idea of training traditional birth attendants because we realised that the high number of death rate in Zamfara was as a result of lack of access to health facilities”, she said.

Kano

The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has
sanctioned 26 filling stations in Kano State and Jigawa for various offences.
The DPR Comptroller in charge of the two states, Alhaji Isa Tafida, made the disclosure while speaking with reporters in Kano shortly after monitoring fuel sales at some filling stations.
He said that 10 out of the defaulting stations were caught by DPR officials selling petrol at odd hours of the night.
Tafida warned marketers to desist from selling fuel at odd hours or be ready to face severe sanctions.
Katsina

The Katsina State Government says it will establish a
Tomato Processing Company to boost irrigation in the state.
Governor Aminu Masari disclosed this in Mashi during a Town Hall meeting with people of the Mashi/Dutsi Federal Constituency.
Masari said the company would be established in Danja local government area through a Public Private Partnership (PPP).
The governor said the decision was part of the efforts of his administration to boost irrigation, thereby creating job opportunities for the people.
He said the initiative would also prevent rural-urban drift in the state.
Masari said his administration would continue to accord top priority to agriculture to enhance agricultural productivity and guarantee food security.

Kebbi

The Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh, said
that the Federal Government would support rice and flour millers to establish additional milling factories for the economy to thrive.
Ogbeh gave the assurance in Suru, Suru local government area of Kebbi while on a one-day assessment tour of the rice farms in the area.
The minister commended the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Kebbi government for the successful implementation of the Anchor Borrowers Rice and Wheat production programme in the state.
Our correspondent reports that the minister was accompanied by the Central Bank Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele, Governor Atiku Bagudu, Sen. Adamau Aliero and some prominent farmers including, Alhaji Garba Dandiga and Hakimi Jiga.

Kwara

The Kwara State Government has warned contractors
currently handling various road projects across the three senatorial districts against shoddy jobs.
The state’s Commissioner for Works and Transport, Alhaji Aro Yahaya, gave the warning while speaking with newsmen in llorin after the inspection of some of the ongoing road projects.
Yahaya said that the state government would not pay any contractor who did not meet required specification.
He expressed the readiness of Governor AbdulFatah Ahmed to pay contractors, who executed their projects on time and according to standards.

Lagos

The Lagos State Chapter of the All Farmers Association
of Nigeria (AFAN) has called on its members to take advantage of the forthcoming 1st International Agric Fair to attract investors.
AFAN’s Chairman, Chief Femi Oke, told newsmen that it was important for farmers from across the states to participate in the fair.
Oke said that it would afford them the opportunity to showcase their farm produce to local and international visitors and investors.
Osun

The Government of Osun has ordered the
suspension of slaughtering of animal in all abattoirs and meat shops across the state as from Monday, April 25.
This information is contained in a press statement issued by the Coordinating Director, Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Youth Engagement, Dr Oluwabukola Aluko.
“The suspension of all slaughtering activities in the state is to sanitise animal slaughtering and other activities in the meat industry.
“It is also to meet up with the requisite standards of providing wholesome meat fit for human consumption,’’ it said.
The government advised all butchers willing to continue in the trade, to apply to the Veterinary Office nearest to them for the renewal of their ‘Permit’ to slaughter animals.

Plateau

Workers of defunct Power Holdings Company
of Nigeria (PHCN), Jos, inherited by the Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JEDC), following its sale in 2013, are resisting the reforms aimed at re-positioning the outfit.
JEDC Managing Director, Alhaji Mohammed Gidado Modibbo, who made the observation in an interview with newsmen in Jos, said the workers had yet to realise that the company was now a private outfit working towards meeting strict corporate goals.
According to him, management’s insistence on assessing the productivity of staff towards ensuring that everyone is an asset that adds value to the outfit, is being resisted by some workers.

Sokoto

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, has
urged Muslim faithful to apply the teachings of Islam in tackling Nigeria’s challenges.
Abubakar made the call during a meeting with the executive members of Da’awa Coordination Council of Nigeria (DCCN) at his palace in Sokoto.
“Muslim faithful have so many challenges not only in Nigeria but across the world which need to be tackled through the teachings of Islam.
“We need to utilise our number as the most populated in the world to struggle and encourage the teaching of Islam in facing and controlling our challenges.
“These challenges surely make us stronger in the world and in contributing to the development of the globe.’’

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.