Nation

THE STATES

Published

14 years ago

June 4, 2012

Bauchi

The Bauchi State House of Assembly last Wednesday began amendment of the law establishing the Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic to facilitate the establishment of an autonomous college of agriculture.

The amendment followed the adoption of a report by the House Special Committee on the de-merger of the School of Agriculture Bauchi from the polytechnic.

Presenting the report, the Chairman of the committee, Baba Abubakar, said the School of Agriculture could not work effectively due to inadequate funding, neglect and bureaucratic bottlenecks.

He added that it was imperative to amend the existing laws of the polytechnic to fast-track successful take-off of the proposed college.

Abubakar decried the “serious neglect” of the school by the polytechnic management, adding that upgrading the institution to a college would encourage agricultural activity and reduce poverty.

Borno

The Borno government said last Wednesday that it had secured a N1 billion credit facility for farmers in the state under the agriculture loan guarantee scheme.

Alhaji Usman Zanna, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, said this in Maiduguri at a ministerial briefing.

Zanna said that the loan was sourced through the Fidelity Bank Plc after a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two parties.

“Government has signed a MoU with the Fidelity Bank Plc to access N1 billion loan for distribution to farmers this cropping season,’’ he said.

Zanna said that the loan was sourced at 7.5 per cent interest rate, adding: “this is the first time farmers in the state will be benefiting from this kind of loan facility. “The loan is going to be interest-free to the farmers as government has decided to take care of the interest,” he said.

Ekiti

Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State has donated a jeep to the outgoing Anglican Archbishop of Ondo and Bishop of Ekiti Diocese, Rev. Samuel Abe.

The gesture, according to Fayemi, is one of the ways the government and the people could show their appreciation to the cleric.

Abe, who is retiring from office on the attainment of 70 years of age, was at the governor’s office on a farewell visit.

He was accompanied by his wife and scores of other clerics.

The Bishop urged governors in the South West Zone to lay good examples through good governance and positive impact on the lives of their people.

He commended Fayemi for initiating a social security scheme for the aged people.

Abe said the scheme was an example of how governors in the south west could lead the way for their counterparts in other parts of the country.

FCT

The Executive Director, National Council for Arts and Culture, Mr Mwajim Maidugu, last Thursday in Abuja described President Goodluck Jonathan’s proposed museum for past leaders as an inspiration to Nigerians.

Maidugu said that building a museum for past leaders was a great innovation in the history of the country.

According to him, this pronouncement will go a long way to give our past and present heroes a proper place for reference purposes and to project into the future.

“These leaders need to be celebrated in a hall of fame for students at all levels to emulate these good leadership qualities of tolerance, patience and patriotism. “Thinking more of what to do for the country and not what to get out of the country. Reading about great leaders will inculcate good leadership qualities in the youth,’’ he said.

Maidugu said that in developed countries, museum for past leaders was a good tourist site to behold, adding that reading through the lifestyle of past leaders would give a mental picture of a good leader.

Jigawa

A National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, serving in Birnin-kudu Local Government Area of Jigawa, Malam Aminu Muhammad, has donated 150 poultry birds to 10 Almajirai in Birnin-kudu.

Muhammad, who made the donation last Thursday in Birnin-kudu in Jigawa, said the gesture was aimed at teaching the Almajirai poultry farming to make them self-reliant.

“As a graduate of agriculture from the Bayero University Kano with specialisation in animal production, I will train the Qur’anic scholars in order to empower them to learn and be on their own.”

He explained that the gesture would go along way to discourage the Almajiri from parading the motor parks and streets, begging

Kaduna

Governor Patrick Yakowa of Kaduna State has urged the people to promote peace at all times to pave the way for more democratic dividends in their respective areas.

Yakowa made the appeal in Kaduna last Wednesday during the commissioning and inspection tour of projects in Sabon-Gari, Kudan and Makarfi Local Government Areas of the state.

He observed that peace was the cardinal pillar for development, adding that the projects executed in the state would not have been possible without peace.

The governor assured the people of the readiness of his administration to work tirelessly for the good of the state.

Lagos

A pastor and a tailor, who allegedly snatched a Honda City Saloon car at gunpoint, were on Wednesday docked at an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court in Lagos, for armed robbery.

Sekou Kareem (38), a pastor, and Adekanbi Mathew (45), a tailor, were charged with armed robbery and unlawful possession of dangerous weapons. The court, however, did not take their plea as Magistrate F.O Aigbokhaevbo said the court had no jurisdiction to try armed robbery cases. Aigbokhaevbo ordered them to be remanded in prison custody pending the advice of the state’s Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Ondo

The Baale of Oke-Odo in Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State, Chief Samuel Falade, has pleaded with residents of the state to shun violence in the gubernatorial election billed for October.

Falade said last Wednesday at Oke-Odo, Ondo State, that the people of the state should learn to live together peacefully irrespective of their political differences. “ We cannot afford to have a repeat of political violence in this state like it happened during the time of Papa Ajasin and Omoboriowo; it was a bad experience for us all,’’ Falade said.

Osun

The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) in Osun has threatened to embark on a sympathy strike should the Lagos State Government fail to recall its sacked colleagues.

The state government had sacked 788 striking doctors after negotiation on their demands collapsed.

Dr Olukayode Ajewole, the state Chairman, said at a press conference in Osogbo last Wednesday that the decision was in consonance with the position of the NMA National Executive Council (NEC).

Ajewole said the NMA NEC had called an emergency meeting to address the matter on Saturday. “ Doctors in Osun, who are about 800, may be forced to join forces with our colleagues in Lagos State if the Lagos State Government fails to reinstate them,” he said.

Sokoto

The Sokoto State Commissioner for Water Resources, Alhaji Arzika Tureta, has called on Nigerians to support the government at all levels to ensure political growth of the country.

Tureta made the call in an interview last Wednesday in Sokoto.

He said that meaningful development could only be achieved if Nigerians irrespective of political party differences join hands with government to ensure smooth implementation of its programmes.

The commissioner explained that the success of any government policy depended largely on the mutual support and cooperation between the government and the governed.

Taraba

The chairman of Jalingo Local Government Area, LGA, Taraba State, Hon Hassan Bappa says his blue print for the development of the LGA will be people-oriented.

Speaking to Journalists in Jalingo, the state capital early in the week he said he will concerntrate on projects as a way of impacting on the lives of his people.

Such projects he said would include regular salaries for workers of the LGA, empowerment of the populace, enhanced agricultural methods to fed the people and maximum security to enhance peace in the area.

Zamfara

The Zamfara State Command of Nigeria Immigration Service has repatriated more than 80 illegal Aliens to their home countries between January and May, an official said.

The Comptroller of Immigration in the state, Mr Muhammad Argungu, said in Gusau last Wednesday.

He said many of the aliens were arrested following tip-offs from the areas where they stayed, adding that most of them were from the neighboring countries of Niger, Chad and Cameroon, adding that they usually entered the country on market days and refused to return home.

Argungu said the command usually deployed its personnel in plain clothes to markets, motor parks and other public places to monitor, arrest and deport illegal aliens to their countries after investigations.

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.