Nation

THE STATES

Published

14 years ago

July 3, 2012

Bauchi

The Chairman of the Bauchi State Board of Internal Revenue, Alhaji Mu’azu Usman, said yesterday that tax payers would soon get Tax Payers Identity Card (TPI). Usman said this while briefing newsmen in Bauchi on the activities of the board.

He said that the exercise would be conducted in all ministries, departments and agencies across the state.

The Chairman said that vehicle registration in the state had been successfully automated while electronic tax payer registration would commence on July 1.

Usman said that the registration would be achieved under the National Tax Payer Identificiation project for which the state government had approved the payment of N110 million as counter part funding.

He said that the state government had generated N5.53 million from January to date. The Chairman said that as part of the government efforts to bring tax authority closer to the people, seven motor licensing authorities were being constructed while the board would be computerised.

Benue

The Federal High Court in Makurdi last Thursday ordered the Commissioner of Police in Benue and one Insp. Joseph Obande to pay N8 million to the family of the late Peter Okeke as compensation.

Insp. Obande and the commissioner were sued by one Mrs Ifunanya Okeke over the death of her husband.

The late Okeke had been arraigned before a Makurdi Chief Magistrates’ Court for alleged criminal conspiracy and abduction.

However, he was granted bail by the magistrate because of ill health but the Investigation Police Officer (IPO), who is now the first defendant, obtained a warrant of remand and took the deceased to the prison.

Mrs Okeke, who testified before the court, said that the prison authority declined to remand her husband because of his condition but Obande went ahead and detained him in a police cell where he died.

Ekiti

Some members of the PDP in Ekiti State have opposed the use of the zoning formula in determining the party’s candidate in the 2014 governorship election in the state.

The members, operating under the aegis of the PDP Unity Forum, said yesterday in Ado-Ekiti that the arrangement would produce an unacceptable candidate.

The Coordinator of the group, Chief Ebenezer Arogunmasa, told more than 3,000 party faithful at a meeting of the party that PDP must field a popular candidate capable of confronting the ruling ACN.

He advised all intending aspirants to work hard and win the confidence of the people rather than relying on zoning.

Arogunmasa also urged the party to place more emphasis on the popularity of candidates in future elections instead of zoning which he described as “obnoxious.’’

Kaduna

The Kaduna State Government said that about 8,000 fruit seedlings had been earmarked for schools and communities for this year’s tree planting campaign.

The state Director of Forestry, Mr Anthony Kachiro, said that the initiative would help to promote government forest reserves.

Kachiro said that the state government had spent the sum of N7.5 million on landscaping along major roads in Kaduna metropolis.

He said that the landscaping guidelines were reviewed after unknown youths destroyed the trees planted along major ways in Kaduna during the January subsidy protest.

He urged interested stakeholders to register their names with the state Ministry of Environment to be able to access seedlings for tree planting Campaign.

Lagos

The Social Workers League, a human rights group, yesterday blamed the continuing insecurity in some parts of the country on mass poverty and high level of illiteracy.

In a statement signed by its coordinator, Mr Baba Aye, the league said that economic under-development had also encouraged discontent among some youths who were being used to cause havoc in the society.

“For about one week, many Nigerians have been killed in Kaduna and Yobe states. “There is the need for the Federal Government to do all within its power to guarantee the safety and security of Nigerians,’’ it said.

Nasarawa

The Police in Nasarawa State have arrested a man for allegedly killing his wife, Cecilia Magaji for ritual purposes. Also arrested with the suspect in connection with the crime is a witch doctor

The Deputy Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Mr Cornelius Ocholi, confirmed the arrest of the two suspects in Lafia.

He said the suspects, detained at the homicide department of the state Criminal Investigative Department (CID) were alleged to have conspired to ensure the sudden disappearance of the deceased and her subsequent death.

Ocholi said that preliminary investigation into the incident indicated that the woman was killed when she went to reconcile with her estranged husband.

He said that the incident occurred on June 16, at the Nene Village in Lafia Local Government Area of the state. The couple, blessed with four children; two boys and two girls, were separated for almost 20 years, before the suspect started reconciliation moves earlier this month.

Ondo

The traditional ruler of Aro community in Ifedore Local Government Area of Ondo State, Chief Joseph Osho, has called for the establishment of industries to tackle youth unemployment.

Osho said last Thursday in Aro that job creation should not be left to government alone.

“Let us all agree that no government can shoulder the responsibility of providing our teeming youths with jobs and this is the reason why able hands should develop the economy by establishing industries.

“ When this is done, social vices such as armed robbery, stealing, kidnapping, 419 and yahoo-yahoo in the country would be drastically reduced,’’ he said.

The monarch also advised youths to engage in profitable work, rather than engage in criminal acts.

Osun

The Non Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU) Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) branch, last Thursday embarked on a protest to press home their demands for improved welfare.

NASU members led by the Secretary, Mr Gabriel Sani, barricaded major roads on the campus while students and visitors were forced to trek.

Sani said that NASU embarked on the protest due to the insensitivity of the university administration to the plight of workers.

According to him, NASU has observed all trade dispute procedures by giving the administration 14, 21 and seven days ultimatum following the appeal from the National Headquarters of NASU.

“The administration did not respond positively to avert the industrial crisis; the workers will continue with the strike and demonstration until the management look into our demands and respond positively,’’ he said.

Plateau

A Jos based welding company, Williams and Co., has trained 80 youths “free of charge”, as part of its corporate social responsibility, according to its Chief Executive Officer, Mr William Emadago.

Emadago, who hails from Delta State, told newsmen in Jos last Thursday that the free training was his little way of giving back to Plateau for “making me what I have become today”.

The welder said that his goal in life was to affect the society “positively”, while providing for himself and his family. He, however, said that he charges N20,000 from trainees from other states.

According to him, the trainees go through a mandatory period of three to five years, depending on their abilities, adding that the long training period was to ensure quality.

“Before I give them certificate, I make sure they know the job well. This has yielded fruits as many of my former apprentices are doing very well in various parts of the country.”

Sokoto

Business Manager of PHCN Marina unit in Sokoto State, Alhaji Haruna Mohammad, last Thursday solicited the support of the Sokoto Sultanate Council to recover the debts owed by consumers in the state.

Mohammad said in Sokoto that the assistance required from the sultanate and religious leaders would enable the unit to recover the outstanding N1.2 billion owed by consumers.

He said it would also ensure effective service delivery in the area.

“Our people in this part of the country have for long developed a listening culture to traditional and religious leaders. We will take that advantage to recover our debts as well as ensure prompt payment of bills, he said.

He said that the unit was determined to recover the debts and urged the public to cooperate with the company.

Yobe

The National Security Adviser, retired Col. Sambo Dasuki, said the Federal Government was committed to working with all stakeholders to bring a final solution to the prevailing security challenges in the country.

Dasuki stated this last Thursday when he paid a courtesy visit on Governor Ibrahim Gaidam, at the Government House in Damaturu.

He said that “government is committed to bringing to an end the security challenges and there is the need to put heads together to bring a final end to the situation, as we want to go back to normalcy and, move forward”.

Dasuki said that there would be no development, employment and progress in the face of violence, adding, “I do not see how anybody is benefiting out of this”.

Responding, Gaidam, urged the Federal Government to consider the option of dialogue and negotiation to provide solution for the security challenges.

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.