Nation

THE STATES

Published

9 years ago

July 24, 2017

Borno
The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) in partnership with popular musician, Innocent Idibia, (2 face Idibia), has inaugurated an awareness campaign to garner support for victims of violence.
The UNHCR and the singer-songwriter are focusing their campaign on those who were affected by the Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East region.
Laibia said this at a musical concert organised by the Nigerian Army at the Maimalari Cantonment in Maiduguri recently. He said he decided to partner with UNHCR because he was deeply touched by the conditions of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
“I visited some of the IDP camps. Their condition is heart-breaking and saddening.

FCT
House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts last Wednesday in Abuja set up a six-man panel to investigate alleged disbursement of N1.47 billion loan to unspecified beneficiaries by National Directorate of Employment (NDE).
The resolution followed the consideration of a query raised by the Office of the Auditor General of the Federation in 2011.
The auditor general requested the NDE to give account of how the N1.47 billion was disbursed to some Nigerians under its skills acquisition scheme since its inception.
The sub-committee, headed by the Committee’s Deputy Chairman, Rep. Ibrahim Baba, also has Reps. Legor Idagbor, Lawal Shuaibu, Sunday Adepoju, Olusegun Kehinde and Daniel Kolawole as members.
The committee is to investigate the loan disbursement and establish particulars of alleged beneficiaries.

Gombe
The Gombe State Government has shut down four private schools located in Tumfure, Akko Local Government Area, over poor infrastructure, unqualified teachers and unhygienic environment. A statement signed by Alhaji Saidu Malala, Chief Information Officer in the Ministry of Education, quoted the Commissioner of Education, Hajia Aishatu Ahmed, as saying in Gombe last Wednesday, that the action followed a report sent to the ministry.
“We received a report on the mode of their operations and found it contrary to our standards.
“We have acceptable minimum standards for establishing and maintaining schools. The four schools did not meet those standards,” Malala further quoted Ahmed as saying.

Kaduna
The National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI) will require about N5 billion to establish a 600-hectare Integrated Commercial Livestock Farm, says its Director, Prof. Clarence Ayodele-Lakpini. Ayodele-Lakpini made the disclosure when he presented a paper on proposed farm in Zaria last Wednesday. Our correspondent report that the farm project is expected to be executed in collaboration with Fodder Green Technology Ltd., a livestock developer, and some foreign investors.
Ayodele-Lakpini said that the amount, which would cover the National Livestock Training (NALIT 2017), would also be used to provide training halls, hostels, power and water facilities on the model farm.

Kano
A Kano Magistrates’ Court last Wednesday sentenced 28-year-old man, Isma’il Muhammad, to six months imprisonment for allegedly inflicting injuries on the face of one Musa Shehu with an animal horn. Muhammad, who resides at Badawa Quarters, Kano, was sentenced on a count charge of causing hurt. In his verdict, Magistrate Zubair Inuwa, sentenced the convict accordingly as he admitted committing the offence. Inuwa, however, gave the convict an option to pay N15,000 fine and also ordered the convict to pay the victim N17,000, as compensation for medical bills incurred.
Earlier, the prosecutor, Sgt. Yakubu Galadima, had informed the court that on July 3, one Abdullahi Abbas of Badawa Zango Quarters, Kano, reported the case at Badawa Police Station.

Katsina
The Katsina State Pilgrims Welfare Board says it has secured approval of 3,000 travel visas, out of the 4,930 intending pilgrims expected to perform the 2017 Hajj in Saudi Arabia. The Executive Director of the board, Alhaji Muhammadu Abu-Rimi, made the disclosure at the formal commencement of pilgrims’ orientation in Daura last Wednesday. He said the National Hajj Commission had officially announced Sunday, July 30, as the official date for the commencement of transportation of pilgrims to Saudi Arabia, nationwide.
‘‘Our remaining visas, 1, 930 for remaining intending pilgrims, will soon be processed,’’ he said. Abu-Rimi further disclosed that the state government had secured befitting hotel accommodation closer to the two Holy Mosques in Mecca and Medina for the intending pilgrims.

Kwara
Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, has approved the release of N1billion to local government councils in the state to offset part of their salary arrears. The state Commissioner for Finance, Alhaji Demola Banu, disclosed this in a statement in Ilorin last Wednesday. He said the N1billion was part of the N5.1 billion received by the state government as its share of the Paris Club refunds from the Federal government.
Banu said the N5.1 billion received by the state government was 12.5 per cent lower than the amount it expected from the Federal Government.

Lagos
Two men, Sadiq Opebim and Abeeb Oladipupo, who allegedly gang-raped a 13-year-old girl, were last Wednesday docked before a Surulere Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.
Opebim, 20 and Oladipupo, 21, whose addresses were not provided, are facing a three-count charge of conspiracy and rape. The prosecutor, Sgt. Anthonia Osayande, said that the accused committed the offences on July 1 at about 11.00 p.m under the bridge at Idumota in Ebute Ero area of Lagos State.
Osayande alleged that police patrol caught the accused raping the girl. The prosecutor said the girl told the police that both men threatened her with knife before she forcefully removed her dress.

Nasarawa
The police last Wednesday arraigned a 57-year-old security guard, Ayuba Akawu in a Masaka Upper Area Court in Nasarawa State, on a count charge of negligent conduct. The prosecutor, Frank Swem, told the court that one Sunday Onoja of Internal Nigeria Limited, Wuse 2, Abuja, reported the matter at the Divisional Police Headquarters, Masaka, on July 11. Swem said that on the same date at about 7.40 p.m., the accused, a security man at the ‘Airtel mast’, located at Jeun Madaki Masaka, called the complainant on phone.

Ogun
A 44-year-old man, Emeka Ushiebi, was last Wednesday arraigned in an Abeokuta Chief Magistrates’ Court in Isabo , for allegedly breaking into a Bible College and stole a laptop and cash worth N533,000.
The accused is facing a three -count charge of conspiracy, stealing and break-in.
The prosecutor, Insp. Sunday Eigbejiale, told the court that the offence was committed on May 5, at Mile 7 Km 12 Ajebo Road in Abeokuta.
Eigbejiale alleged that the defendant conspired with others at large and broke into West Nigeria Christian College and School of Biblical Studies.
He said that the defendant made away with an HP laptop, valued at N180,000 and N353,000 cash, all valued at N533,000
The prosecutor said that the offences contravened Sections 516, 412, and 390 of the Criminal Law of Ogun 2006.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Osun
A dermatologist, Prof. Olayinka Olasode, has warned Nigerians against skin bleaching, saying that a bleached skin is prone to skin cancer and other diseases.
Olasode, a Professor of Dermatology at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife, gave the warning in an interview with newsmen last Wednesday.
She said that skin lightening creams contained steroid and hydroquinone which have adverse effects on the skin.
She further said that those who engaged in bleaching could also suffer hypertension and diabetes, among other health conditions, including the colour of their nails turning brown.
According to her, those who engage in skin bleaching usually have body odour, experience profuse sweating, hot feelings and discomfort during the dry season.

Plateau
The Plateau State Task Group in the state’s Rural Water and Sanitation Agency (PRUWASA) on Sanitation has declared 118 communities in the state open defecation free in the last six months.
Director, Sanitation in the agency, Mrs Magdalene Jibrin, made the disclosure at the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) mid-year review meeting last Wednesday in Jos.
Our correspondent report that the meeting, organised by the UNICEF Field Office in Bauchi, was aimed at reviewing UNICEF’s activities in various sectors working in Plateau and Jigawa.
Open defecation is the practice where by people defecate outside and not into a designated toilet.
The term is widely used in literature about water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) issues in developing countries.

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.