Nation

THE STATES

Published

10 years ago

February 10, 2017

Benue

The Speaker, Benue State House of Assembly, Mr Terkimbi Ikyange, last Tuesday said that the House would consider an upward review or harmonisation of pensions in the state to reflect the present economic realities.
Ikyange made the promise when pensioners from the 23 local government areas in the state staged a peaceful protest within the premises of the assembly.
He said that such review was necessary so that the entitlements that pensioners in the state would be receiving would reflect the present economic realities.
The speaker on behalf of the state legislators sympathised with the pensioners over the delay in the payment of their entitlements.
He said that despite the dwindling revenue of the state, he would ensure that the government improved their conditions.

Borno
A non-governmental organisation, Empower 54, says it has begun distribution of fortified nutritional meals and drugs to 140,000 Internally Displaced Persons(IDPs) in 19 camps in Maiduguri.
The Tide reports that Empower 54 is an international humanitarian organisation empowering underprivileged Africans, IDPs and refugees through education, health, and self-sufficiency programmes.
Founder of the organization,Mrs Modupe Ozeolua, told newsmen during the distribution of relief materials and drugs to IDPs at Muna garage in Maiduguri, that her organisation had transported foods and drugs worth $3 million to the IDPs.
“Since 2003, we have transformed lives of thousands of underprivileged Africans through our programmes called “Health reforms”
“We conduct free medical missions, distribute medical equipment to under-equiped hospitals and conduct medical seminars to encourage exchange of knowledge between visiting medical personnel and indigenous medical teams.

Kaduna
The Controller General, Nigeria Immigration Service, Muhammed Babandede last Monday said the service was ready to deploy its personnel to Kaduna State International Airport for effective security checks after the closure of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport in March.
The controller general told The Tide in Kaduna State after a visit to the airport, that he was impressed with the work going on there.
“I am impressed with the job going on, the airport authority have shown us where immigration arrival and departure gates will be, and based on that we are going to intensify our preparations to arrive on time.”
Babandede, who also visited the Air Border Unit of the service also announced plans to resuscitate it after it was closed down for over 10 years.
“We have problem with it being abandoned for over 10 years, amd since I came on board nine months ago, I want to see the boarder patrol functional.
“The reason for the resuscitation is very simple in a country like Nigeria. Air boarder patrol done by immigration is the best under peace and stability.

Kogi
The Kogi State Government has employed 100 forest guards for effective policing of forests across the 21 local government areas of state.
The Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Mrs Rosemary Osikoya, disclosed this last Tuesday in Lokoja at the training programme organised for the newly recruited forest guards.
She said that the recruitment process had been concluded, while the 100 guards, who were engaged, had undergone different stages of training.
”We have invited qualified resource persons from Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN), Ibadan, and National Parks, Abuja, who have been engaging them since last week with regard to their duties as forest guards.

Kwara
The Emir of Ilorin, Dr Ibrahim Sulu Gambari, says traditional rulers will continue to rally support for President Muhammadu Buhari for the success of his administration.
The Emir stated this when the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, paid him a courtesy visit in his palace in company with six other ministers.
The Tide reports that the visit was on the side-lines of the Federal Government Town Hall meeting for the North Central zone held on Monday in Ilorin.
The monarch said: “Speaking on behalf of majority of traditional rulers of this county, we will offer help anytime and anywhere we are called upon.

Nasarawa
The Chairman of Nasarawa State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Malam Abdullahi Adeka, says the leadership of the union has not mortgaged the collective interests of the workers in the state.
Adeka said last Tuesday in Lafia that the leadership of the union had struggled to ensure government pay workers in full instead of the percentage payment proposed by government.
The workers in the state had accused the union leadership of not presenting their position to a committee set up after the July to August 2016 industrial action over system of salary payment.
Adeka explained that the resistance of the union to the salary cut led to the setting up of the tripartite committee after the strike.

Ogun
The Chairman of First Bank of Nigeria Plc., Mrs Ibukun Awosika, has urged youths to contribute to national development by “ thinking outside of the box.’’
Awosika gave the advice in Abeokuta last Tuesday at the maiden edition of the Ogun State Youth Convention with theme: “Ogun Youths: Exploring New Frontiers.”
Awosika spoke on the topic: “Improving the Mindset and Ethical Values of Ogun Youths Toward Positive Development.” She encouraged the youths to take ownership of the challenges around them and find solutions to them for their sake and the good of the country at large.

Osun
The Osun State House of Assembly has rejected the 2017 budget proposal of N192 million by the State Property Development Corporation over non compliance with the appropriation law.
The budget was rejected last Tuesday in Osogbo when the management of the corporation appeared before members of the assembly to defend the fiscal proposal.
In his remarks, the House Committee Chairman on Finance and Appropriation, Mr Kamil Oyedele, said the agency had not been working in line with its yearly budget.

Oyo
Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State yesterday commenced Bio-metrics data capture and identification card project for tradesmen and artisans in the state.
Ajimobi made this known in a statement issued last Monday in Ibadan by the Commissioner, Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr Toye Arulogun.
Arulogun said that the state Commissioner for Trade, Industry, Investment and Cooperatives, Mrs Taibat Adeyemi-Agba stated that the bio-metrics programme would hold at Trans Amusement park, Ibadan by 11.00am.
The statement quoted the commissioner as saying “biometrics and data capturing will avail the Oyo state government information that will serve as the database for providing commercial incentives and welfare packages for the various groups in the state’’.
”The state government will also use the data captured during the exercise for local content in awarding jobs and contracts in the state.’’

Plateau
The Plateau State Government says it will retrieve N76. 8 million from 101 workers that stayed in service beyond their terminal dates.
Commissioner for Information and Communication, Malam Muhammad Nazif, made the disclosure on Monday in Jos, at the ministry’s monthly press briefing.
“101 persons are to make a combined refund of N76. 8 million for staying in service beyond terminal dates.
“They were fished out after BVN matching service for state employees and pensioners was carried out.”
The commissioner said that a total of 579 persons, including the 101 that overstayed in service, were taken off the salary payroll, saving N68.6 million monthly for the state.
He gave the other reasons for taking some people off salary payroll to include improper documentation, underage and improper placement.

Taraba
The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) in Yola, last Tuesday assured that sale of petrol by black marketers would soon disappear.
The Zonal Controller of DPR for Taraba State and Adamawa Mr Mohammed Alaku, told newsmen in Yola that scarcity of the product being experienced had been brought under control.
He said that the synergy between the department and the security agencies would soon yield positive result of curbing the activities of black marketers.
He also said that more petrol stations were dispensing the product and urged members of the public not to patronise black marketers.
”The fuel scarcity here is under control and the issue of black market will soon be over.

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.