Nation

THE STATES

Published

13 years ago

October 2, 2013

Bauchi
A Bauchi-based NGO, Challenge Your Disability Initia
tive (CYDI), has called on the National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons (NAPTIP), to establish its presence in Bauchi State.
Programme Manager of CYDI, Mr Maina Ayuba, who made the call last Thursday in Bauchi, in an interview urged NAPTIP to broaden its enlightenment campaign activities, so that physically-challenged persons throughout the country,would understand its mission and benefit from its services..
“NAPTIP should widen its enlightenment campaign throughout the country, so that disabled persons will understand its mission and be aware of its presence. “It will also help if the body, which is responsible for fighting against human trafficking, opens an office in Bauchi for easy communication and logistics,” he urged.
Ayuba, however, commended NAPTIP for organising a stakeholder’s forum recently in Bauchi, adding that the event highlighted some activities of the agency.

Benue

A don, Prof. Leonard Shilgba, has warned that math
ematics might go extinct in the next 10 to 15 years if more teachers were not produced to teach the subject in Nigerian schools.
Shilgba, a professor of Mathematics, said last Wednesday in Makurdi that the current statistics of mathematics teachers in Nigerian schools was appalling.
He said most universities in the country had “less than five lecturers who teach mathematics when they should have at least 40 in the department,’’ adding that “even 40 is a conservative figure because mathematics is a service subject, it is required in Medicine, Engineering and in many other courses in the university.”
The don said the situation was even more pathetic in secondary schools across the country.

Borno

Programme Manager, British Council, Kano office, Mr
Ryan Chris, has urged the people of Borno to work toward achieving lasting peace in the state.
Chris, who made the call last Wednesday in Maiduguri while speaking at this year’s North-East Peace Summit, said that the security challenges facing the state required collective efforts of the people to tackle.
Chris said that several developmental programmes being undertaken in the state were under reported by the media.
In his remark, Alhaji Ahmed Shehu, North-East Coordinator of Youth Federation for World Peace, said the summit was organised to consolidate the emerging peace in the state.
Ekiti

The Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Prof. Modupe
Adelabu, last Wednesday in Ado-Ekiti inaugurated members of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).
The enlarged board included representatives of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Parent/Teachers Association, Association of Primary School Headmasters of Nigeria and Ministry of Justice as well as Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.
The deputy governor said at the forum that the enlarged board was inaugurated in accordance with the relevant laws.
She said that the board would boost efficiency and promote effective administration of basic education in the state.
Gombe

The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Com
mission (RMAFC) has called for input from the people of Gombe State for the review of the nation’s revenue allocation formula.
A National Commissioner at the Commission who represents Gombe state, Amb. Saidu Fawu, made the call last Wednesday in Gombe during an interactive session with some stakeholders.
He described as disturbing, the failure of stakeholders in the state to submit memoranda to the commission for the proposed review of revenue formula, in spite of an earlier sensitisation campaign he organised on the issue.
According to him, while some states have submitted as many as 30 memoranda to the commission, there was none from Gombe State.
Jigawa

The Jigawa State Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigerian
Union of Journalists (NUJ), last Wednesday boycotted the election of the state’s chapter Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN).
The election, held at the NUJ Press Centre, Dutse, was supervised by SWAN’s Vice President, North-West, Ado Salisu.
The Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel, Comrade Ahmed Abubakar, alleged that the criteria used for the screening of the members who contested in the election were unconstitutional.
Abubakar said that until the aberrations were corrected, his members would not cover any sporting activities in the state.
Katsina

The Katsina State Police Command has said five persons
were killed and seven others injured in a dispute between suspected cattle rustlers and vigilance group in Danmusa Local Government Area of the state.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, DSP Aminu Abubakar, said at a news briefing in Katsina last Wednesday that the incident occurred on September 17 in Danmusa when a vigilance group engaged some suspected rustlers in the area.
The PPRO also said the police had killed four suspected armed robbers during an exchange of fire, adding that eight others were arrested at different locations in the state from September 1 till date.
He also said that the command had recovered 120 cows and 70 sheep stolen by suspected rustlers in Tsaru village of Faskari Local Government Area and disclosed that one suspected rustler was arrested in Jibia Local Government Area with seven cows recovered from him.

Kogi

The Kogi State Commissioner for Education, Mrs Grace
Elebiyo, last Wednesday said the ministry had not officially been communicated by WAEC on alleged de-recognition of five schools in the state. Elebiyo said in Lokoja while speaking with newsmen that any publication on the alleged de-recognition of five schools in the state should be ignored.
She identified the schools as Government Secondary School, Ologba; Government Day Secondary School, Akpogu and Okene Central Community Secondary School, Anyava. Others are Kadrex International College, Ethahi-Okene and Inele Community Secondary School, Inele.

Kwara

The Kwara State Government has awarded a contract for
the construction of the Ilesa-Baruba-Guarara-Okuta road at a cost of N1.5 billion, the state’s Commissioner for Finance, Mr Ademola Banu, has said.
Banu made the disclosure last Thursday in Ilorin while briefing newsmen at the end of the meeting of the State Executive Council said the project for the 32.8-kilometre road, awarded to Duravil Construction Nigeria Ltd., would be completed in 12 months.
He said the meeting reviewed the level of work on all on-going projects across the 16 local government areas (LGAs) of the state adding that the meeting was delighted by the progress recorded in all the sites,’’ Banu said.
Osun

The Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), Osogbo
Business Unit, last Thursday apologised over the 48-hour blackout being experienced by residents.
The Public Affairs Manager of the unit, Mr Timothy Adesanya, conveyed the apology through a statement made available to newsmen in Osogbo.
According to Adesanya, the black out is as a result of a fault from Odiolowo Injection Substation in Osogbo.
‘’Normal electricity supply will be restored as soon as the fault is rectified as engineers are already attending to the fault,’’ he said.
Adesanya said the apology became necessary in order to assure electricity consumers that they were not being taken for granted.
The affected areas include the GRA, Okefia, Ajegunle, Alekuwodo and Old Garage. Other areas affected are Fagbewesa, Odi Olowo, Station road, Technical, Oroki Estate and Old Governors Office.

Sokoto

The Sokoto State Executive Council has approved the
execution of various projects worth over N3 billion across the state.
The Commissioner for Environment, Dr Jabbi Kilgori, disclosed while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the council’s meeting on Thursday in Sokoto.
Kilgori said the projects included solid minerals exploitation, roads and schools rehabilitation. Other projects listed by Kilgori were the provision of access roads and parking spaces at the new NYSC permanent orientation camp in Wamakko, awarded at the cost of N65.5 million, and two roads to link border communities with Niger Republic.
Kilgori also announced that N177.5 million was approved for the installation of solar-powered traffic lights on 10 major roundabouts in Sokoto and environs.
He said the council had approved N107.8 million to provide access roads and parking spaces at Government Day Secondary School , Shuni, while N87.6 million would be for the rehabilitation of Aminu Ginga Memorial Secondary School, Shagari.

Taraba

The TY Danjuma Foundation last Wednesday donated
N8 million to four Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in Taraba State for use in the treatment of chronic hepatitis.
Executive Director of the foundation, Dr Florence Etta-AkinAina, who presented cheques to the NGOs in Jalingo, said the money would be used to raise awareness on the dangers of drug abuse and skills training.
She said that the foundation had already supported 36 projects worth over N25 million in the state, in collaboration with NGOs and Community Based Organisations.
According to her, the projects include 1, 719 free surgeries, 3, 462 eye surgeries, treatments of River Blindness cases, rehabilitation of 234 hand pumps and the training of 25 hand pump mechanics across the state.
Etta-AkinAina explained that chargro care trust would work towards reducing cases of chronic hepatitis B and C in Takum, while WOWICAN would mount campaign against drug abuse in Wukari.

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.