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Adamawa

Adamawa State government completed 46 road projects
within one year in office, the state Governor Jibrilla Bindow, has said.
Bindow made the disclosure in Government House, Yola recently.
“The state government will embark on massive road construction projects outside the state capital while the Kiri-Shelleng road construction will be flagged off after the Sallah celebration.
“Adamawa people should support the government with prayers and words of encouragement to enable this administration achieve its mandate.
“Within one year in office, we have been able to complete 46 road projects”, he said
Bauchi

Mr Iliyasu Zwal, Senior Special Assistant on State Leg
islative Affairs to the Speaker of House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has appealed to Niger Delta militants to consider the effects of their activities on their own environment.
Making the call in Bauchi during an interview with newsmen, Zwal reminded the militants that each time they destroyed oil facilities, their environment was the first victim.
“Whenever there is destruction of oil facilities, the problem of pollution in their environment is worsened as the air, water and soil are affected.
“The situation is even capable of triggering outbreak of diseases, just as farming and fishing activities are adversely affected,” he noted.

Borno

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai,
has, inaugurated a 50,000 litre capacity solar borehole provided by the Nigerian Army in Dikwa, Borno State, as part of the 2016 Army Day Celebrations.
Buratai, accompanied by Gov. Kashim Shettima of Borno and top brass of the Nigerian Army, performed the ceremony in Dikwa, headquarters of Dikwa Local Government Area (LGA).
He explained that the Nigerian Army provided the borehole as part of its Civil-Military Relations Program.
Buratai said that the aim was to assist in the provision of water to the numerous Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the town. “The Nigerian Army decided to provide the 50,000 litre capacity borehole as part of its policy of enhancing the civil-military relations in the society”, he said.

Gombe

Some mothers in Gombe State have lauded the activities
of malnutrition centres established in three local government areas of the state for saving the lives of their malnourished children.
Our correspondent reports that the Community Management for Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) centres, were established seven years ago in Gombe,Dukku and Nafada Local Government Areas of the state by UNICEF, in collaboration with the state government.
Aishatu Umar, a mother to nine months old Muhammad Umar, said they started visiting the Gombe centre six weeks ago. She said before they commenced the treatment, the baby could not sit, talk less of crawling and walking.

Jigawa

The Emir of Hadejia in Jigawa State, Alhaji Adamu
Adubakar, has called on the state government to assist families whose houses and farmlands were recently destroyed by flood in the state.
The monarch made the call in Hadejia in his Sallah message to the people of his domain.
Abubakar, who sympathised with the victims, said that the assistance was imperative to mitigate their sufferings.
He commended the government for its empowerment programme for the youths and women and for executing viable projects that would enhance the development of the state

Kaduna

A lecturer with the College of Business and Manage
ment Studies, Kaduna Polytechnic, Mr Oteri Michael, has advised states to think like businessmen and develop capacities to create sources of revenue.
Michael told newsmen in Kaduna that the states would attain economic viability if they were creative and operate like private entities.
He pointed out that over-dependence on federal allocation had made states to be complacent in terms of investment and diversification.
He said that such approach had put pressure on the Federal Government.
“The Federal Government is already burdened with so many issues to tackle such as security, infrastructure and the economy in general.

Nasarawa
The Emir of Keffi in Nasarawa State, Dr Shehu Chindo-
Yamusa, has urged Nigerians to embrace farming so as to boost the nation’s economy and reduce dependence on oil revenue.
Chindo-Yamusa, in an Eid-el Fitr message to his subjects in Keffi, said that returning to the farm was crucial to end the age-old over dependence on the oil sector.
“We must all go back to the farm to boost food sufficiency, end the over- dependence on oil and shore up the prospects of becoming a prospective nation,” he said.
He said that it was not only wrong, but very dangerous for Nigeria to hold on to a monolithic source of income, “especially in view of current realities.
Ogun

Speaker, Ogun State House of Assembly, Mr Suraj
Adekunbi, has urged Nigerians to continue to support all the Federal Government’s programmes and policies.
Adekunbi made this call while speaking with newsmen recently.
He said that Nigerians should give support to the Federal Government because because the government meant well for them.
The speaker said that the citizens’ understanding and participation in governance remained a credible force in the development of any nation.

Oyo
Governor  Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has requested
for a letter of apology from schools whose pupils took part in a protest against government’s proposed education initiative.
The Chairman, National Parents Teachers Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN), Oyo State Chapter, Alhaji Abiodun Jimoh, said this in Ibadan after a meeting with the governor.
Our correspondent reports that pupils in the state on June 6 went on rampage in protest against the state government’s proposed public/private participatory management of schools.
Plateau

The Presiding Bishop of the Living Faith Church (LFC)
worldwide, Dr. David Oyedepo, has described Nigeria as a country that is moving forward, in spite of its present economic challenges.
In a telecast via satellite monitored in Jos, Plateau, Oyedepo said this when he addressed both local and international assembly of the church workers in a broadcast recently.
He told the workers that both the nation and the church were in a period of revival and that sacrifices would have to be made.
The bishop said that the era of private universities championed by the church came to set standards and right moral codes in our educational system to make it thrive better, devoid of cultism and activism.
“Nigeria’s healing is taking place now, and the health of the nation is being restored now.
“We are pushing darkness back,” he said.

Sokoto

Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State has de
scribed the late Marafan Sokoto, Alhaji Umaru Shinkafi, as “a true statesman.’’
This is contained in a condolence message issued by his spokesman, Imam Imam and issued to newsmen in Sokoto recently.
It said: ‘’The late Marafan, who died Wednesday afternoon at a London hospital, was a true statesman. Shinkafi was born 13 January, 1937.
“His selfless and meritorious service to God, country and humanity, was felt by all.
“The late Shinkafi was a distinguished legal luminary, security expert, politician with conscience and great community leader and mobiliser.
“Marafan’s death has closed a chapter in the life of one of Nigeria’s most valuable public officers who made his mark in both public and private sectors.”
Yobe

Senator Alkali Jajere has added his voice to the call on
the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) to embrace peace and support Federal Government’s efforts at revamping Nigeria’s ailing economy.
Jajere, who represented Yobe South Senatorial District from 2011 to 2015, made the call in an interview with newsmen in Damaturu
He cautioned that the attack on pipeline installations was not only harming the economy, but also compounding environmental problems in the Niger Delta.
He called on leaders and elders of the region to engage the youth in discussions on the negative consequences of the actions of the militants on their environment.
“They should be made to understand the attacks are doing more damage and compounding the environmental challenges in the Niger Delta.”

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HYPREP Marks 15 Years Of UNEP Report, Highlights Major Cleanup Milestones

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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

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REAN, SON synergise to curb fake renewable energy product

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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.
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Self Help Africa programme expands water access for 320,000 Nigerians

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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.
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