Nation

THE STATES

Published

15 years ago

January 11, 2012

Adamawa

The Adamawa Government has offered a reward of N25 million to anybody with information that can lead to the arrest of gunmen who killed 26 people in Mubi and Yola.

Gov. Murtala Nyako announced the reward Saturday in Yola in a broadcast to the state.

The yet-to-be identified gunmen killed the 26 people in three separate incidents Thursday and Friday in Mubi and Yola towns respectively.

On Thursday, the gunmen killed three people in Mubi at a beer parlour, while a group was planning their burial the next day, the gunmen showed up again and killed 11 others.

Bauchi

The Bauchi State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it arrested 130 suspects in 2011.

The disclosure was made on Friday by the Sector Commander, Mr Sule Momodu.

He said that out of the 130 suspects, 93 were charged to court while 37 suspects who were arrested at various smoking hideouts were convicted.

Momodu said the agency also seized a total of 834,310 kilograms of cannabis during the period under review.

FCT

The Finnish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Erkki Tuomoija, says that his country and most of Europe have confidence in Nigeria’s economy and political system.

Tuomoija said when he met with President Goodluck Jonathan at the State House, Abuja.

“Your economy is doing very well, and many countries in Europe envy your growth figures.

“We have confidence in your democracy and in your ability to deal with the terrorism and other challenges confronting you,’’ he said.

Gombe

Christian and Islamic clerics in Gombe State have appealed for calm in the wake of Thursday’s attack on worshippers at the Deeper Life Bible Church, Nasarawo-Gombe.

Eight people were killed in the attack in which 17 people were also injured.

The clerics made their respective appeals shortly after they had an emergency meeting with Gov. Ibrahim Dankwambo on the development in the state on Friday.

Rev. Abare Kalla, the Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Gombe State, said Christians should heed Christ’s injunction that vengeance was God’s.

Jigawa

The Jigawa State Police Command promoted 1,151 of its officers and men last year.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP. Abdu Jinjiri, made the disclosure in Dutse on Thursday in an interview with our correspondent.

Giving a breakdown, the Police spokesman stated that 576 constables were promoted to the rank of corporal within the period.

He said that 250 corporals were promoted to the rank of sergeant while 252 sergeants were also promoted to the rank of inspector.

Kebbi

Dole Faransi, a border town between Niger Republic and Dandi Local Government Area in Kebbi has been connected to the national grid at the cost of N16.5 million.

A statement signed by Alhaji Abubakar Mu’azu, the Press Secretary to the Governor in Birnin Kebbi on Saturday stated that the provision of the electricity was aimed at boosting social and economic activities in the area.

The statement recalled that the Dole Kaina and Dole Faransi Communities from Niger Republic had visited Gov.Saidu Dakingari in the quest to sustain the peace and unity between them and their neighbours.

Lagos

Association of Nollywood Core Producers (ANCOP) President, Alex Eyengho, has said the removal of the fuel subsidy by the Federal Government would lead to a reduction in the patronage of the arts sub-sector.

Eyengho, who stated this in an interview with newsmen in Lagos, urged the Federal Government to reconsider its stand on the removal of the subsidy.

“It will cause more sufferings for the movie sector. The removal will make us to suffer more and it means we would close shop in the arts sector,” he said.

The president also urged the Federal Government to introduce measures that would help to cushion the effects of the subsidy removal in the arts sub-sector.

Niger

The Niger State government has began the disbursement of the N150 million worth of relief materials and cash to victims of the Christmas day bomb blast at St Theresa Catholic Church Madalla in Suleja Local Government Area of the state.

Presenting the cheques to the 25 verified relations of the 42 victims who died in the carnage, the Chairman of Niger Assessment Committee on Madalla Bomb Blast, Alhaji Garba Tagwai said the exercise “is a token relief to the relations.”

He said the committee had verified the actual relations of the 25 victims in conjunction with the Catholic Church.

Tagwai said the exercise would be a continuous one, adding that the balance of N17 million would be paid to the relations of the deceased persons, who could not be paid yet until the screening was completed.

Osun

The Osun legislature has pledged to monitor the implementation of all projects highlighted in the 2012 budget.

This was contained in a communiqué issued by the Chairman, House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Mr Kamil Oyedele, at the end of its three-day retreat, at Ejigbo.

In the communiqué on Saturday in Ejigbo, the House promised that the lawmakers would also carry out their oversight functions effectively.

The legislators, however, urged that necessary provisions should be made for the committees to enable them effectively carry out their oversight functions.

The communiqué said that sufficient budgetary provision for the committees would discourage the temptation of asking government agencies to finance their oversight activities.

Sokoto

Governor Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State has commenced the sale of 109, 995 litres of kerosene to the members of the public at N50 per litre.

Our correspondent reports that the State Government expended N148 million on the kerosene as well as the purchase of five new trucks with the capacity for 21,999 litres each.

Speaking at the ceremony, Wamakko said that the gesture was aimed at alleviating the suffering of the people of the state.

Represented by the Commissioner for Health, Alhaji Abdullahi Maigwandu, Wamakko criticised the situation where by the people now buy the commodity at between N900 to N1, 000 per four-litres.

Yobe

Potiskum, the commercial nerve centre of Yobe has recorded series of explosions and gunfire, the second since the declaration of state of emergency in the state by the Federal Government.

Alhaji Lawal Tanko, the State’s Commissioner of Police, who confirmed the incident, said the command had yet to receive details.

It would be recalled that few days after the declaration of state of emergency in the state, an explosion was first recorded in ‘Khandahar’ area of Damaturu metropolis on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, business activities have remained lull in many parts of the state with several shops and business centres under lock and key.

Zamfara

A member of National Assembly, Senator Kabiru Garba Marafa has pledged to collaborate with the federal and state governments in tackling poverty and illiteracy among the people of his constituency.

Marafa made the pledge in Gusau on Saturday at the distribution of vehicles and motorcycles to ANPP officials, youths and women to cushion the economic hardship in the country.

He said there was the need to empower the people, especially those in the rural areas.

Marafa assured his constituency that the gesture would be extended to as many people as possible from time to time.

The Senator distributed 500 vehicles and 1,000 motorcycles to state, local government and ward executives of the ANPP as well as notable youth and women groups in the constituency.

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.