Nation

THE STATES

Published

16 years ago

June 21, 2010

FCT

Dr. Abdul Solihu, Lecturer, Department of General Studies, International Islamic University Malaysia, on Saturday warned Nigerians against actions that could cause natural disasters.Dr. Abdul Solihu, Lecturer, Department of General Studies, International Islamic University Malaysia, on Saturday warned Nigerians against actions that could cause natural disasters.

Solihu gave the warning in a lecture at the First International Lecture Series, jointly organised by two non-governmental Islamic groups, The Companion and The Criterion in Abuja. Solihu gave the warning in a lecture at the First International Lecture Series, jointly organised by two non-governmental Islamic groups, The Companion and The Criterion in Abuja.

The lecturer, who decried the alarming rate of natural disasters worldwide, said most of the disasters experienced were caused by human activities.The lecturer, who decried the alarming rate of natural disasters worldwide, said most of the disasters experienced were caused by human activities.

Adamawa

The Lamido of Adamawa, Alhaji Muhammadu Barkindo, has called for agriculture to be given a “pride of place” in the country.

The Lamido of Adamawa, Alhaji Muhammadu Barkindo, has called for agriculture to be given a prideofplace in the country.

Barkindo made the call when he was presented with the staff of office as the 12th Lamido of Adamawa on Saturday. Barkindo made the call when he was presented with the staff of office as the 12th Lamido of Adamawa on Saturday.

“We must ensure that we banish hunger and poverty from our midst and give all our people the life, dignity and prosperity which they so rightly deserve,” Barkindo said.

Bauchi

Tafawa Balewa (Bauchi), June 19, 2010 (NAN)Rep. Dogara Yakubu, from Bogoro, Dass and Tafawa Balewa Constituency, on Saturday began the vaccination of over 50,000 cattle against various diseases in the areas. Tafawa Balewa (Bauchi), June 19, 2010 (NAN)Rep. Dogara Yakubu, from Bogoro, Dass and Tafawa Balewa Constituency, on Saturday began the vaccination of over 50,000 cattle against various diseases in the areas.

Performing the exercise in Ternam village of Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area of Bauchi State, Yakubu said the exercise was to ensure that the Fulani electorate reaped dividends of democracy. Performing the exercise in Ternam village of Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area of Bauchi state, Yakubu said the exercise was to ensure that the Fulani electorate reaped dividends of democracy.

The lawmaker explained that the exercise would be done across the three local government areas of the constituency.The lawmaker explained that the exercise would be done across the three local government areas of the constituency.

Kaduna

Doctors and stakeholders in Kaduna on Saturday called for efforts to reduce cases of sickle cell anaemia in the country. Doctors and stakeholders in Kaduna on Saturday called for efforts to reduce cases of sickle cell anaemia in the country.

An NGO, Sickle Cell Patient Health Promoting Centre, doctors and other stakeholders made the call at a rally to mark the second World Sickle Cell Day. An NGO, Sickle Cell Patient Health Promoting Centre, doctors and other stakeholders made the call at a rally to mark the second World Sickle Cell Day.

Dr Amina Mohammed, a physician and consultant in Kaduna, said sickle cell was as a result of the gene present in a child. Dr Amina Mohammed, a physician and consultant in Kaduna, said sickle cell was as result of the gene present in a child.

Lagos

The re-branded Air Nigeria Airline will resume flight operations to Benin and Owerri airports in July, a statement said. The re-branded Air Nigeria Airline will resume flight operations to Benin and Owerri airports in July, a statement said.

The statement, issued by the airline’s spokesman, Francis Aiyigbe in Lagos on Friday, said the resumption of operations to the airports was in line with the company’s new vision to connect every major city on its route.The statement, issued by the airline’s spokesman, Francis Aiyigbe in Lagos on Friday, said the resumption of operations to the airports was in line with the company’s new vision to connect every major city on its route.

Nasarawa

The National Population Commission (NPC), has called on Nigerians to use the opportunity of the commission’s Birth Registration Pilot Programme to register their wards and acquire birth certificates. The National Population Commission (NPC), has called on Nigerians to use the opportunity of the commission’s Birth Registration Pilot Programme to register their wards and acquire birth certificates.

Alhaji Sama’illa Makama, Chairman of the Commission, made the call during a supervisory visit to Birth Registration Centres in Toto Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, on Saturday. Alhaji Sama’illa Makama, Chairman of the Commission, made the call during a supervisory visit to Birth Registration Centres in Toto Local Government Area of Nasarawa state, on Saturday.

Niger

Two youths, Mohammed Ahmed and Yusuf Shu’aibu, were on Friday arraigned at a Minna Magistrate Court for allegedly robbing a motorcyclist, Danladi Zarki. Two youths, Mohammed Ahmed and Yusuf Shu’aibu, were on Friday arraigned at a Minna Magistrate Court for allegedly robbing a motorcyclist, Danladi Zarki.

The prosecutor, Tanimu Bako, told the court that Zarki reported the incident on June 13about 7pm at Lapai police station.The prosecutor, Tanimu Bako, told the court that Zarki reported the incident on June 13about 7pm at Lapai police station.

Bako told the court that the suspects allegedly beat up the complainant with a cutlass and a stick during the attack.Bako told the court that the suspects allegedly beat up the complainant with a cutlass and a stick during the attack.

He said the complainant also alleged that the suspects dispossessed him of his motorcycle, valued at 100,000, a Nokia handset, valued at N5,000 and N2,000 cash. He said the complainant also alleged that the suspects dispossessed him of his motorcycle, valued at 100,000, a Nokia handset, valued at N5,000 and N2,000 cash.

Ondo

The Ondo State government spent N1 billion to provide infrastructures in rural communities, the Commissioner for Community Development and Co-operative Services, Mr Clement Faboyede, has said.The Ondo State government spent N1 billion to provide infrastructures in rural communities, the Commissioner for Community Development and Co-operative Services, Mr Clement Faboyede, has said.

He told the House of Assembly Committee on Community Development on Friday in Akure during a visit to his office that the ministry had reached out to 80 communities in 15 local government areas.He told the House of Assembly Committee on Community Development on Friday in Akure during a visit to his office that the ministry had reached out to 80 communities in 15 local government areas.

The commissioner said different development projects were executed in the areas based on the request of the communities.The commissioner said different development projects were executed in the areas based on the request of the communities.

OYO

The Muslim Congress (TMC), a religious organisation, has called for a durable solution to the plight of refugees and Internally Displaced People (IDP) across the globe.The Muslim Congress (TMC), a religious organisation, has called for a durable solution to the plight of refugees and Internally Displaced People (IDP) across the globe.

The organisation made the call in a statement signed by its President, Mr. Luqman AbdurRaheem on Saturday in Ibadan, to commemorate the World Refugee Day. The organisation made the call in a statement signed by its President, Mr. Luqman AbdurRaheem on Saturday in Ibadan, to commemorate the World Refugee Day.

Yobe

Alhaji Shettima Saleh, former All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) governorship aspirant and immediate past Commissioner for Rural Development in Yobe, on Saturday defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Alhaji Shettima Saleh, former All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) governorship aspirant and immediate past Commissioner for Rural Development in Yobe, on Saturday defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Saleh, who obtained the PDP membership card at the Sarkin Kasuwa Ward in Gashua, said PDP had greater democratic processes and potentials of developing the state at a faster rate.Saleh, who obtained the PDP membership card at the Sarkin Kasuwa Ward in Gashua, said PDP had greater democratic processes and potentials of developing the state at a faster rate.

The former ANPP stalwart said ANPP had derailed from the basic principles of democracy and commitment to improve the lives of the people.The former ANPP stalwart said ANPP had derailed from the basic principles of democracy and commitment to improve the lives of the people.

Nation

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

Published

4 days 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.