Nation

THE STATES

Published

14 years ago

February 27, 2012

Abuja

Alhaji Saad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto on Thursday in Abuja, urged Nigerians to stand against instability in the country.

Abubakar made the call in a seminar organised by Nigeria Women of Faith Network on “The Role of Women of Faith in Peace Building in our Community”.

Our correspondent reports that the seminar was organised by both Muslim and Christian women towards building peace and unity among members of the two religious bodies.

Represented by Alhaji Mohammed Liman, Magajin Garin Nupe, the Sultan said that the traditional institution in Nigeria was always in the fore front in any war against violence and social insecurity.

“We recognise that government cannot bring about any social or economic development in a situation of social instability; we must therefore, individually and collectively fight this menace.

“All hands must therefore be on deck, Federal Government, state governments, local governments, civil societies, and NGOs.

Abuja

The International Institute for Coordinated Research (IICR) says it is collaborating with the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) to introduce organically grown crops in the country.

Prof. Agnes Onyeagba, the Director of the Institute stated this on Thursday in Abuja.

She said the introduction of the organic crops became necessary as it was observed that many people in the country were not feeding properly.

The director identified sweet corn as one of the organically grown crops and said it was different from other species of corn.

“What we are collaborating with NABDA here is to produce those organic things like, right now on the farm, we have a small demonstration farm here, growing sweet corn off-season, using gravity BP irrigation to grow sweet corn.

“It’s the first organically grown sweet corn in this country and we intend to grow other things like wheat organically.”

Kaduna

Governor Patrick Yakowa of Kaduna State has charged this year’s Polo Organising Committee to preach peace and engage youths in sporting activities.

The governor made the call Thursday while receiving Alhaji Hassan Hadejia, the Life President of Kaduna Polo Club, who led the management committee of the club on a visit.

“You are all men of influence, clout in your various places of living and can play influential role in bringing peace and normalcy to Kaduna so that the state can grow.”

Yakowa said peace and security were needed for the fans to enjoy the tournament in the state.

He advised the club to engage the youths in polo competitions and other sporting activities to reduce youth restiveness.

Kwara

Worried by the intake of illicit drugs by youths in Kwara, the State Assembly has urged the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and security operatives to clamp down on sellers and users.

The House in a resolution, which followed a motion sponsored by the Majority Leader, Abraham Asaolu, stated that the move was imperative in view of the health and social implications of consuming illicit drugs.

It frowned at the availability of illicit drugs such as marijuana, saying they were capable of threatening the security of the state.

According to the House, the consumption of illicit drugs has detrimental effect on the health and well being of users.

Lagos

The Minister of State for Health, Dr Muhammad Ali Pate, has said that effective family planning can reduce maternal and child mortality by as much as 30 per cent.

He spoke at the launch of an initiative on “Strengthening Private Sector Family Planning and Reproductive Health”, on Thursday in Lagos.

Pate, who said that the provision of family planning services was key to promoting maternal and child health, noted that over the years such services had received little attention because of competing priorities.

However, Pate said that the Federal Government’s 2010 – 2015 National Strategic Health Development Plan prioritised integrated health service delivery, included family planning.

He was represented by an aide, Dr Labaran Ibrahim.

The U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Terence McCulley, said the low use of family planning methods needed the private sector’s involvement to complement the government’s efforts to provide quality family planning and reproductive health services.

Nasarawa

The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of “A” Division at Mararaba in Nasarawa State, Mr Aliyu Haruna, has expressed his disappointment over “undue delays” in convening the division’s Police/Community Relations Committee (PCRC) meetings.

Haruna, who was speaking with newsmen recently on Thursday, described the situation as “unhealthy.”

“The community meeting was last held sometime in 2011 and since the beginning of this year, stakeholders have not made any appreciable move to convene the joint community meeting.

“There is need for regular meetings of the committee because without the interractions, how do we review the crime and security situations of the area and plan ahead?” the DPO asked.

Osun

The Osun Government on Thursday charged the National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons (NAPTIP) to intensify efforts in curbing human trafficking.

The State’s Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Wefare, Mrs. Mofolake Adegboyega gave the charge in Osogbo while playing host to Mr Tunde Odetunde, Head, NAPTIP South West.

The commissioner expressed worry that cases of human trafficking as well as child abuse and labour had become rampant, especially in Ejigbo and Kajola Local Government Areas.

Oyo

The President, Jericho Business Club (JBC), Chief Tunde Aboderin, has called on NGOs and social clubs in the country to assist rural communities.

Aboderin said this on Thursday at Elekuro area of Ibadan while inaugurating borehole projects donated by JBC at Apabiekun and Sagbe communities.

He said the assistance should be through the provision of basic facilities that would improve the standard of living of the people.

Aboderin stated that the borehole initiative was aimed at providing comfort for rural communities and to complement government’s efforts.

According to him, the provision of social amenities in areas where there is absence of government presence is rewarding and necessary.

Our correspondent reports that the JBC, which was established 10 years ago, comprises 80 businessmen who are indigenes of Ibadan.

Sokoto

Governor Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State has re-appointed Alhaji Sahabi Gada as the new Secretary to the State Government (SSG).

The Tide source reports that Gada was the immediate past Secretary to the State Government.

Wamakko, who also swore in the new government scribe on Thursday, described Gada as “honest and hard working.”

“His office is very crucial to the daily operations of the state government and he has been discharging his duties diligently and honestly in the last five years.’’

Wamakko said that Gada was required by the new administration to further move the state forward.

The governor said that Gada’s re-appointment was in line with the provisions of the constitution of the nation, and promised that “other appointments will follow suit.’’

Meanwhile, Wamakko has promised that the three arms of the government in the state would continue to cooperate with each other with a view to moving the state forward.

He spoke on Thursday in Sokoto when he received the members of the State House of Assembly who paid him a congratulatory visit.

Wamakko said that the “rosy relationship” which he enjoys with the state lawmakers “is for the good of all the people of the state.’’

The Deputy Speaker, Alhaji Aliyu Tureta, who led the lawmakers on the visit, said he would sustain the existing cordial relationship between the executive and the legislative arms of the government.

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.