Nation

THE STATES

Published

15 years ago

February 6, 2012

Adamawa

The Director of National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Adamawa, Alhaji Mohammed Ngada, has urged electorate in the state to make the necessary sacrifice to ensure a hitch-free governorship election on Saturday.

Ngada made the call in an interview with newsmen on Thursday in Yola.

He urged the electorate to be peaceful, orderly and law-abiding for a successful poll.

According to him, the agency has gone round the 21 Local Government Areas of the state to mobilise the people for a peaceful election.

“We have been telling them to exercise patience, to spare that one day. Those who will be going to their farms please let them spare that day.

“Those who will be going about their normal business places, let them spare that day to go and vote for the candidate of their choice.”

Bauchi

A Nigerian-US based Consultant on Good Leadership, Alhaji Bashir Bugaje, has challenged public servants to provide good and transparent leadership in order to enhance the quality of governance in the country.

Bugaji gave the challenge in an interview with newsmen on Tuesday in Bauchi.

He said that with good leadership skills, the current security challenges being faced in the country would be overcome.

According to him, leadership is critical to the performance of any government.

“It will enhance the art and science of leadership and to a greater extent, management and at the end of the day, these are qualities that we’ll live all our lives even when we leave the services of the government.”

FCT

The Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) secretariat is developing investment and policy briefs for states across the federation.

This is in addition to developing a comprehensive labour relations programme at state level to smoothen relationship between workers and governors.

The Director General of the Secretariat, Mr Asishana Okauru, gave the information to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday.

He added that the secretariat recently launched a website to serve as a digital information hub for the policies and programmes of the 36 state governors.

The director general said the website was designed in collaboration with the Department for International Development (DFID).

Gombe

The Gombe State Government says it will continue to partner with newsmen in information dissemination and publicity of government programmes.

The Commissioner for Information, Rev. Habu Dawaki, made government’s intention known in Gombe on Thursday, when he visited the Gombe State office of NAN as part of his familiarisation tour of media establishments.

Dawaki said that he would revisit the suspension of subscription to news services by the state owned media organisations by previous administration with a view to ensuring closer collaboration with the agency.

The commissioner, who expressed delight over the operations of the agency in the state, solicited its cooperation in publicising the programmes and policies of the government.

Kano

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has donated drugs worth millions of naira to four hospitals treating victims of the recent bomb attacks in Kano metropolis.

Presenting the items to the representatives of the hospitals in Kano on Thursday, the Director-General of the agency, Alhaji Sani Sidi, said the gesture was aimed at assisting the victims.

The benefitting hospitals are Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH), Nasarawa Hospital, Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital and Dala Orthopedic Hospital.

Katsina

The Katsina State Government has earmarked N1 billion for the empowerment of women to participate in agricultural activities in the state.

the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hajia Asmau Abdullahi, said this on Thursday in Katsina, shortly after defending the ministry’s 2012 budget before the State House of Assembly Committee on Appropriation.

She said the government had initiated three programmes to encourage women to participate in agricultural activities like fishery, poultry farming and planting of moringa trees.

Abdullahi said the women that would be selected to participate in the programmes, would be selected from the 34 local government areas of the state.

Kebbi

The Kebbi Government says it has spent N200.6 million in the past four years to assist people in the state living with disabilities to become self-reliant.

Alhaji Abdulnasir Argungu, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Saidu Dakingari on Matters of People Living with Disabilities, told newsmen in Birnin Kebbi that N52 million was spent annually on the programme.

He said that his office in collaboration with the state’s Social Security Welfare Agency, had distributed 500 tricycles, 500 wheel chairs and 400 bicycles to a total of 1,400 beneficiaries.

Argungu said that 8,000 bags of grains, comprising 6,000 bags of assorted rice and 2,000 bags of cereal as well as bundles of textile materials were given to the disabled persons.

Lagos

The Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) has said that the more than new 500 transformers kept at the National Theatre, Ignamu, Lagos, will soon be installed within the Eko electricity distribution network.

NDPHC Managing Director, Mr James Olotu, told newsmen in Lagos that the transformers were to boost power supply within the network.

He denied insinuations that the transformers, known as High Voltage Distribution System (HVDS), were abandoned.

“The poles will soon be delivered. It is wrong to say the transformers were abandoned. They are transformers meant for the Nigerian Independent Power Projects (NIPP) and are to be installed within the Eko distribution network.

Niger

The Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, has called for tolerance and mutual respect among Nigerians for peace and stability in the country.

Abubakar made the call in Minna, when he led a team of traditional rulers on a solidarity visit to Gov. Babagingida Aliyu of Niger at the Government House.

The Etsu Nupe said that Nigerians must learn to tolerate and respect each other’s value system in the interest of peace.

Ogun

The National Council of Muslim Youths Organisations (NACOMYO) advocated the sustained use of community policing to complement government’s efforts at tackling the nation’s security challenges.

The call was contained in the orgnisation’s Maulud Nabiyy celebration message signed by its National Secretary, Alhaji Kamal’ddin Akintunde, and released in Abeokuta.

While canvassing for a well-equipped police with sophisticated and modern day equipment, NACOMYO called for community policing because of the enormity of the security challenges.

The group also said it was important for all Nigerians to have the best interest of the nation at heart irrespective of religious or political affiliations.

NACOMYO stressed the need for the political class to imbibe sound and robust democratic values while jettisoning sentiments detrimental to the nation’s interests.

Plateau

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed February 11, for the conduct of the re-run election in Dogo-Agogo polling unit of Jos North/Bassa Federal Constituency.

INEC Chief Public Affairs Officer in Plateau, Mr Bencyn Ikpe, disclosed this to newsmen in Jos on Thursday.

“The security situation has improved and we are going to hold the re-run election on February 11, 2012,’’ he said.

The election, ordered by the Court of Appeal, had earlier been scheduled for January 18, but was postponed for security reasons.

The re-run is between Peter Akujah (PDP) and Suleiman Kwande of the DPP.

The re-run order followed an appeal by Akujah against the verdict of the State Election Petition Tribunal, which had nullified his victory in the April election and declared Kwande winner.

Sokoto

The Acting Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Lawalli Zayyaba, has urged members of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) to help in sustaining peace and unity in Nigeria.

“The members of the Guild have great roles to play in the sustenance of peace, unity and tranquillity in Nigeria,” he said on Saturday in Sokoto when he received the standing committee of the Guild on a courtesy call.

“You came to Sokoto when interesting political development had occurred and that was why I am standing before you as the acting governor of the state.

“God gives and takes leadership to whom He wishes at the time He wants. But even if elections are to hold today, Wamakko will surely win by the grace of God”.

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.