Nation

THE STATES

Published

17 years ago

January 1, 2010

Niger

The Etsu Nupe, Yahaya Abubakar has said that “the death of former First Lady, Maryam Babangida has created a wide vacuum which will be too difficult to fill”.

Speaking to newsmen on Tuesday in Bida, Niger State, on the tenise of Maryam, the royal father described her as a very courageous woman whose main focus was the Nigerian woman. He said her pet project; the “Better Life For Rural Women” touched all spheres of women endeavour in the country. Through the programme, the Etsu Nupe added, “the ever elegant Maryam made Nigerian women to know their rights better, just as it empowered them fully.

Ekiti

The wife of Human Rights Activist, Falana, Mrs Funmu Falona has commended the Ekiti State government for giving the Evelu Angela Adebayo Motherless Babies Home, Iyin-Ekiti, a face lift, saying the government’s gesture is encouraging.

Mrs Falana also awarded scholarships to over 60 indigent students of IIawe-Ekiti, her country home, in various tertiary institutions across the country.

She said this would enable them to have equal access to education, like their counterparts from wealthy homes.

The scholarship scheme and the presentation of gifts to the orphanage are annual events being mid-wifed by Femi and Funmi Falana Foundation.

Plateau

Plateau State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Sarah Yusuf on Tuesday declared that no fewer than 492 retired military men in the state died in 2009.

The Commissioner who disclosed this at a press conference to mark 2010 Armed Forces Remembrance Day stated that 58 of them died during the last Jos crisis while the others, as a result of various diseases.

According to her, based on available data on the retired soldiers, there are 975 Ex-military men in the state adding that in 2009, 89 migrated from the state for one reason or the other.

On the significance of the day, Yusuf said it has been specially dedicated by government to commemorate the nation’s fallen heroes and to also show appreciation to those still living.

Kwara

Former President of the Chartered Institute of Bankers (CIBN), Samuel Kolawole on Monday died in his hotel room at the Kwara Hotels, Ilorin.

Kolawole, who was also a former managing director of the defunct Trade Bank Plc, was said to have died moments after he developed some health related complications in his room.

The bank guru who hailed from Etan in Osi local government area of Kwara state was said to have checked in the hotel room on Sunday.

Borno

House of Representatives Minority Leader, Muhammed Ali Ndume has said that only civil revolution can wrest power from the Peoples Democratic party , PDP, back to Nigerian masses in 2011.

Ndume also dubbed the President Yar’Adua’s seven point agenda as “a complete nonsense that was unilaterally designed by one man to achieve nothing.”

According to him, ‘It is not going to be an issue of the opposition taking over government in 2011, power will be taken away from the PDP through a massive revolution – a civil revolution, a political revolution, because people are fed up with the way PDP is ruling this country with impunity without recourse to the yearnings and aspiration of the Nigerian masses.”

He said the revolution might not be realised on party lines but will surely come through the revolt of the short changed masses who are going to go to the polls to vote out the PDP government.

Kano

New Leadership of Kano Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has pleaded with the Commissioner of Police to probe the attack of its chieftain Halipu Ahmed Goso in Gwarro Local Government in Kano.

Goso is former Managing Director of Federal Radio Corporation, Kaduna Office.

Party leader in the state, Faruk Iya on Tuesday led the executive members on a courtesy visit to the Commissioner of Plice, Mammau Ibrahim Chafe and told the Commissioner that there was need for him to take the attack seriously so as to prevent a recurrevence.

The new Exco of PDP is happy with Kano State police Command and would do every thing possible to assist efforts of the command in maintaining a peaceful political atmosphere in the state.

“So far we have no reason to accuse the Police of any wrong droing or bias in their assignment”, Iya said.

Osun

Following the death of one of its lawyers Pa Jonathan Ogundere, Osun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) offered the award of N5 million as reward for any member of the public with useful information that could lead to the arrest of the killers.

State Deputy Chairman of the Party Chief Ojo Williams who disclosed this at a Press Conference in Osogbo, also asked the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mr. Ogbonna Onovo to set up a special panel to investigate the remote issues of the lawyer’s death.

Besides, the Nigerian Bar Assocation (NBA) Osogbo state branch has petitioned the Director of state Security Services (SSS) and the Inspector General of Police, demanding thorough investigation into Ogundere’s murder.

Kwara

Speaker of Kwara State House of Assembly, Hon. Babatunde Mohammed has called for a measure to check incessant violence by religious sects in the country.

Muhammed made the call, Tuesday, while speaking with newsmen in Ilorin on activities of the House and other national issues.

He described the fresh sectarian crises in Bauchi State as unfortunate adding that frequent outbreak of such crises in recent times was worrisome.

He also said the crises were inimical to democracy and development of the country and urged the appropriate authorities to find a way out of the problem.

FCT

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Adamu Aliero has said the FCT administration will not compromise the standard of education in the territory.

The Minister who threatened to shutdown 124 schools charged education administrators to proffer concrete solutions to the problems confronting the sector.

Aliero also directed 124 primary schools to upgrade their facilities and infrastructure in line with the standard set by the education secretariat or be closed down. Aliero spoke on Tuesday, while awarding certificates of accreditation to (9) FCT schools at the second Ministerial Town Hall meeting for private schools in the FCT.

Oyo

Governor Alao Akala of Oyo State has warned this year’s intending pilgrims to Jerusalem not to make any attempt to abscond or engage in drug trafficking.

Akala handed down the warning, Tuesday, while addressing the pilgrims at the Pilgrims Welfare Board (Christian Wing) Complex, Total Garden, Ibadan.

The Governor urged them not to see their trip to the holy land as a jamboree, but as one that would enhance spiritual rebirth and moral reform of society.

“You should see yourselves not only as ambassadors of the state, but also as architects of spiritual rebirth and moral reforms of the society,” he declared.

He reminded them of the theme of this year’s pilgrimage as “Pilgrimage as a tool for national change,” which, he said, called for fervent prayer for the fatherland, their state and their family.

Adamawa

Chairman, Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Jibril has said that Nigeria needs to amend some provisions of the 1999 constitution if the country must move forward.

Aminu, noted that the constitution is full of flaws and technicalities that have negated the process of nation building and smooth democratic governance.

The lawmaker, who represents Adamawa Central in the National Assembly, pointed out that in as much as the constitution is weak in certain sensitive areas that border on the country’s socio-economic and political advancement, there is need for Nigerians to learn how to follow and obey provisions of the constitution of the country.

Speaking to selected journalists in his Yola residence, Monday night, Aminu said that the problems of the country should not only be blamed on the inadequacies of the 1999 constitution, but on Nigerians whom he accused of not obeying the laws of the land.

Nation

HYPREP Marks 15 Years Of UNEP Report, Highlights Major Cleanup Milestones

Published

3 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

1 month 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

1 month 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.