Nation

THE STATES

Published

9 years ago

June 16, 2017

Bauchi
Governor Mohammed Abubakar of Bauchi State is to travel to Saudi Arabia to check his health, Secretary to the State Government, Malam Bello Ilelah said last Tuesday.
In a terse statement issued to all media organisations in Bauchi, copy of which mas made available to newsmen, Ilelah said the governor would be away for 17 days, during which his deputy, Malam Nuhu Gidado, would act as the state’s Chief Executive.
“His Excellency, Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar Esq, Governor of Bauchi, will undertake a medical trip to Saudi Arabia, from Tuesday, 13th June, 2017, to Friday, 30th June, 2017.
During his absence, His Excellency, Nuhu Gidado , Deputy Governor , will act as the Governor,” said Ilelah.

Ekiti
An Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ekiti lastTuesday sentenced 31-year-old Okunola Matthew to five years imprisonment for stealing.
The Chief Magistrate, Mr Idowu Ayenimo, however, sentenced him without an option of fine.
The police prosecutor, Sgt. Bankole Olasunkanmi, had earlier told the Court that the accused, and others still at large, committed the offence on May 30, at about noon at Ureje area in Ado-Ekiti.
Olasunkanmi said that the accused, and others still at large, did break and entered the house of five tenants on the same date, time and place.

FCT
The Court of Appeal, sitting in Abuja, last Tuesday fixed November 21 to hear a motion filed by 110 disengaged lecturers of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, challenging the court’s jurisdiction to entertain an appeal filed by the school.
The school is appealing a judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu, that ordered it to pay N2.6 billion to the 110 members of staff, whose appointments were terminated in 1999.
At the resumed hearing, counsel to the disengaged staff, Mr Femi Adedeji, told the court that the matter was for hearing of their motion challenging the jurisdiction of the court.
He, however, said that he was surprised that ABU’s counsel, Mr Aliemeke Ewere was absent in court.

Gombe
Gombe State Ministry of Health has appealed to the general public to come out en masse and donate blood to those in dire need, to commemorate the World Blood Donor Day 2017.
Commissioner for Health, Dr Kennedy Ishaya, made the appeal in Gombe on Tuesday while speaking to newsmen.
Report says that World Health Organisation (WHO) has set aside, June 14 of every year as World Blood Donor Day.
The event was first commemorated in 2004 to raise awareness on the need for safe blood, and to thank donors for their voluntary sacrifice.
‘’I want people to know that it is important to donate blood because there are sick people in hospital beds, who are in dire need of blood, especially pregnant women.

Kaduna
The General Officer Commanding 1 Division, Nigerian Army, Kaduna, Major General Adeniyi Oyebade has advised officers and men of the division to be diligent and professional in carrying out their jobs.
Oyebade made the call when he opened a one-week training for Finance and Account personnel of the Division in Kaduna.
“ You Must do your job diligently and professionally and ensure efficiency and honesty in what ever you do so that no body will complain.
“Another thing you must take into cognisance is the importance of what you do in relation to national security, “ he said.
The GOC told the personnel to acquire skills in Information Communication Technology [ICT] for timely information management and effective discharge of their duties.

Kano
The Kano State Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Mohammed Garba says the state government has revived the Triumph newspapers to protect public interest.
Garba said in an interview with newsmen in Kano last Tuesday that the government had invested in new facilities and equipment for the paper to operate optimally.
“Modern equipment and facilities were installed by the State Government to revive the newspaper company to serve and protect the interest of the general public.
“We have taken serious measures to ensure that the company stands on its own to the extent that no one can jeopardise its functions for the next decades”, the Commissioner assured.
According to Garba, professional hands have been employed to handle the affairs of the company in the bid to provide readers correct information and happenings from around the world.

Katsina
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Katsina State Command, last Tuesday said it rescued 40 victims of human trafficking in Katsina State between January and May.
Comptroller of Immigration in the state, Mr Muhammed Rabiu, disclosed this to newsmen in Katsina.
He said the affected persons were apprehended while trying to cross Kongolon-Babban-Mutum border to Niger Republic on their way to Europe.
Rabiu said the victims, between 18 and 30 years, did not possess valid travelling documents.
According to him, the victims were arrested at different border checkpoints.

Kebbi
The District Head of Ambursa in Kebbi State, Alhaji Haruna Rasheed, last Tuesday doled out clothing materials to 500 indigent persons in his domain, ahead of the Sallah festival.
Rasheed who addressed the beneficiaries in Ambursa, said the donation was to bring succour and enable them celebrate the Eid-el-Fitr, coming up in less than two weeks.
“The donation has been an annual event for the past 15 years; it is aimed at bringing succour to the people to enable them celebrate the Sallah in happiness,” he said.
The district head appreciated his subjects for their support and loyalty, and advised them to use the remaining period of the Ramadan to pray for peace and unity of the country.

Lagos
A 43-year-old woman, Aminat Akande, last Tuesday appeared before a Federal High Court in Lagos, charged with distributing and selling unregistered cream and soaps.
Akande, who resides at No. 1, NTA St, Topa, Badagry, Lagos State, is standing trial on a three-count charge of importation, distribution and sale of unwholesome products.
She is being prosecuted by the National Agency For Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
Akande, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The Prosecutor, Mr Umar Shamaki, told the court that the accused committed the offences on November 23, 2016 at Shop DO22, Ogun Plaza, Trade Fair Complex, Lagos.

Osun
An Ile-Ife Magistrates’ Court in Osun State last Tuesday remanded in prison a man, 21-year-old Toheeb Okunade, charged with hurling stones at a police inspector.
The Magistrate, Mr Olalekan Ijiyode, who gave the ruling, had refused the oral bail application by Mr Ben Adiereje, the defence counsel and directed that he should make a written application.
Ijiyode ordered the remand of the accused in prison pending his bail application.
Adiereje had asked the court to grant the accused bail on liberal terms, promising that he will not jump bail.
The accused pleaded not guilty to the three-count charge of conspiracy, assault and arson brought against him.

Oyo
Oba Abdulganiy Adekunle of Iseyin, Oyo State, has said that Oyo State Government’s plan to establish an international “Aso-Ofi’’ market in Iseyin would boost industrial, economic and social lives of the town and its surroundings.
The traditional ruler who said this while addressing newsmen in his palace described the plan as a great one.
Adekunle said that the plan when materialised would transform the entire Oke-Ogun region of the state into an enviable commercial melting pot.
According to reports, Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State had stated that the market would be established to promote and showcase ‘Aso-Ofi’ to the rest of the world.
He said that the market would also boost the sales of aluminum pots produced in Saki, earthen wares at Okeho and local soap at Ipapo areas of Oke-Ogun.

Sokoto
The University Graduates of Nursing Science Association of Nigeria (UGONSA), has commended Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State for footing the medical bill of a cancer patient, Maryam Abubakar.
The governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Malam Imam Imam, made this known in a statement last Tuesday in Sokoto.
Abubakar, a member of the nurses association suffering from cancer of the liver, is due to undergo surgery in India.
Imam, in the statement said the association in a letter to Tambuwal, praised him for his ‘timely and invaluable support and assistance to save the life of Miss Abubakar’’.
“Our association and some kind-hearted Nigerians did their best within their limited capacity.
“The singular intervention of Sokoto State Government, under your able and altruistic leadership, earnestly made a crucial difference.

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.