Tosin Kolade - News Agency Of Nigeria

World Bank approves 0m COVID-19 grant for Nigeria

Tosin Kolade
Oct, Tue, 2024

World Bank approves $500m COVID-19 grant for Nigeria

By Desmond Ejibas

The World Bank has announced a 500-million-dollar grant to support Nigeria’s recovery efforts from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The fund will be utilised through the Nigeria Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) programme.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the programme was launched in 2021 to aid poor and vulnerable households and micro-small enterprises affected by the pandemic.

Dr Lire Ersado, the World Bank Task Team Leader for NG-CARES, revealed these at the end of a two-day Peer Learning and Experience Sharing meeting in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.

The meeting was organised by the Federal Cares Support Unit, under the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning.

Ersado, represented by Prof. Foluso Okumadewa, an official with NG-CARES, said that the grant would also assist Nigeria’s broader economic recovery initiatives.

He added that “the World Bank will continue to support NG-CARES for the next three years, and this support may extend further with backing from the government.”

He reiterated the bank’s commitment toward institutionalising the programme to ensure its sustainability beyond external funding.

He said “the NG-CARES programme aims to promote economic resilience and provide stimulus to communities impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Dr Abdulkareem Obaje, the National Coordinator of NG-CARES, highlighted the programme’s successes in offering essential support to vulnerable populations.

He said the programme spent about 750 million dollars to aid those affected by the pandemic.

He explained that “the shock response mechanism of the programme has been highly effective, with 625 million dollars already disbursed to states, representing an impressive 88 per cent.

“These reimbursements for work completed by various states is a remarkable achievement, considering the programme’s scope and timeline.”

The national coordinator further stated that an additional 50 million dollars was expected to be disbursed before Dec. 31, with the possibility of extending the programme.

Obaje pointed out that NG-CARES has overachieved its goals by 30 per cent, with 345 million dollars reimbursed to states, resulting in 834 million dollars in verified outcomes.

“The programme could reach one billion dollars by the end of the fourth Independent Verification Agent assessments, restructured to support victims of shocks in several states across the country.”

Alhaji Abdulateef Shittu, the Director-General of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), emphasised the NGF’s mandate to assist states in adopting best practices for developmental programmes like NG-CARES.

He highlighted the forum’s role in managing peer learning and experience-sharing, ensuring that all states benefit from the programme.

“The forum commends the states for their active participation and collaboration in overcoming common challenges to achieve success,” Shittu concluded. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

Nigeria to integrate hand hygiene practices into national development plans

Tosin Kolade
Oct, Tue, 2024

Environment

Nigeria to integrate hand hygiene practices into national development plans

By Tosin Kolade

The Federal Government on Tuesday announced plans to incorporate hand hygiene into Nigeria’s national response and long-term development strategies.

The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, said this during the 2024 Global Handwashing Day event in Abuja, themed ‘Why Are Clean Hands Still Important?’

Utsev was represented by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr Richard Pheelangwah.

He noted the government’s commitment to embedding handwashing practices into national resilience plans and called on institutional actors to support efforts to scale up hand hygiene initiatives across communities.

The minister emphasised the importance of a multi-faceted approach, including public campaigns, accessible hygiene facilities, regular monitoring, and behavior reinforcement.

He stressed that handwashing facilities should be made available in all households, schools, healthcare facilities, workplaces, and public spaces and must be accessible to people with disabilities to ensure equitable access.

“Nigeria has recently faced a resurgence of cholera outbreaks, exacerbated by inadequate hygiene practices and poor access to safe water and sanitation facilities.

“Cholera, a water-borne disease, thrives in environments where sanitation and hygiene are compromised, leading to widespread illness and fatalities, particularly in underserved communities.

“This underscores the urgent need for a balanced approach that promotes hygiene alongside improvements in water supply and sanitation”.

Utsev added the need for sustained policy advocacy and programme implementation to foster long-term behavior change regarding hand hygiene.

He stressed that continuous efforts from all levels of government and civil society are essential for success.

He reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to advance the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) sector in Nigeria and pledged to collaborate with stakeholders on the Hand Hygiene for All Roadmap.

He stated that increased awareness would lead to a healthier, more prosperous nation.

Dr Jane Bevan, UNICEF Chief of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH), raised concerns over Nigeria’s low handwashing rates, with only 17 percent of the population practicing proper handwashing at critical times.

Bevan emphasised the importance of establishing handwashing as a social norm, highlighting its significance in public health.

“We need to move beyond simply expecting everyone to wash their hands and start holding people accountable when they don’t.

“If you see someone eating without washing their hands, call them out, such behavior can lead to illness”.

She urged individuals to become “ambassadors for handwashing,” encouraging others to wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet.

The Director of Water Quality Control at the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Mrs Elizabeth Ugoh, stated that the event aims to raise awareness about the importance of handwashing with soap as an affordable way to prevent hygiene-related diseases.

She added that the NTGS, under the Ministry’s leadership, actively promotes and advocates for increased hand hygiene practices nationwide.

Dr Edwin Isotu-Edeh, representing the World Health Organisation (WHO), highlighted efforts to combat the cholera outbreak in Lagos, including the installation of handwashing stations and the donation of hygiene materials to 10 healthcare facilities.

He also noted that WHO is implementing Sanitation Safety Plans (SSP) in five states, underscoring the importance of protecting healthcare workers before responding to emergencies.

Isotu-Edeh encouraged Nigerians to make hand hygiene a daily habit for disease prevention, particularly after using the toilet, preparing food, changing diapers, or handling animals, and to promote the practice to others.

Mr Nanpet Chuktu, a representative from WaterAid, emphasised the effectiveness of handwashing with soap and water in preventing diseases and saving lives.

He acknowledged progress made since the COVID-19 pandemic but pointed out a significant gap between awareness and actual practice.

Quoting the 2021 WASHNORMS survey, Chuktu noted that while 99 per cent of households are aware of at least two critical times for handwashing, only 8 per cent practice it correctly.

He stressed that recent cholera outbreaks highlight the continued importance of this year’s theme and called for greater efforts to promote handwashing through behavior change and education.

Chuktu also urged a review of the National Hand Hygiene Roadmap, launched in 2022, as its 2025 target date approaches.

The event featured goodwill messages from development partners, private organisations, and other ministries, as well as a panel discussion, symbolic handwashing activities, and the presentation of recognition awards to development partners.(NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

Nigeria to combat malnutrition, improve global rankings

Tosin Kolade
Oct, Tue, 2024

Health

Nigeria to combat malnutrition, improve global rankings

By Justina Auta

The Federal Government and stakeholders have strengthened coordination to address Nigeria’s status as the country with the highest number of malnourished children in Africa and the second highest globally.

This commitment was made at a three-day collaborative meeting in Abuja on Monday, with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, National Primary Health Care Agency, and state Nutrition Managers.

Mrs Ladidi Bako-Aiyegbusi, Director of the Nutrition Department, highlighted the government’s efforts to improve nutrition.

“Nigeria has the highest burden in Africa and the second highest in the world, but we are collaborating with stakeholders to change this narrative.

“The government has implemented strategies, including a coordination team that interacts with stakeholders quarterly to discuss challenges and progress.

“Additionally, the government has trained over 2,000 master trainers on maternal, infant, and young child feeding practices.

“The ministry regularly meets with stakeholders to address challenges, discuss progress, and prioritise activities to improve nutrition services.”

Nemat Hajeebhoy, UNICEF’s Chief of Nutrition, noted that Nigeria had 35-45 million children under five years old, with 12 million stunted, nine million wasted, and 24-25 million anemic.

“We must come together to address this issue, as resolving it in Nigeria will impact West Africa and the continent,” she said.

She recalled that the Vice President, Chairman of the National Council for Nutrition, was driving the agenda and building a grassroots movement to improve nutrition.

She further said that recent efforts include 43 million children receiving Vitamin A supplements, 19 million receiving deworming drugs, and over two million pregnant women receiving iron, folic acid, or multiple micronutrient tablets.

Dr Ogechi Akalonu, NPHCDA’s Deputy Director of Nutrition, emphasised the need for collective strategising to improve women and children’s nutritional status.

Dr Osita Okonkwo, Nutrition International’s Country Director, called for increased funding to support the Maternal, Newborn and Child Health campaign’s implementation nationwide.

Okonkwo, represented by Junaidu Sani, Programme Officer, Child Health and Nutrition, reiterating their commitment to support the government, called for improved funding to ensure implementation of the MNCH. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

ICRC to finalise delayed PPP projects, boost maritime sector

Tosin Kolade
Oct, Fri, 2024

Economy/Business

ICRC to finalise delayed PPP projects, boost maritime sector

By Okeoghene Akubuike

The Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) has announced plans to finalise all Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects that have not progressed for over a year following approval by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

This was disclosed in a statement signed by Ifeanyi Nwoko, the Acting Head of Media and Publicity for the ICRC, in Abuja on Thursday.

According to the statement, Dr Jobson Ewalefoh, the Director-General of ICRC, made the announcement during a courtesy visit to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola.

Ewalefoh noted that some of the pioneer PPP projects approved in 2006 fall under the ministry’s jurisdiction.

The Director-General explained that the commission is reviewing PPP projects to prevent delays caused by unqualified contractors, especially when serious investors are willing to collaborate with the government.

He stated that the commission seeks to identify challenges affecting PPP projects within the ministry and address issues delaying already approved projects as well as those in development.

Given the maritime sector’s critical role in national development, Ewalefoh stated that the ICRC has streamlined its processes to speed up project delivery in line with current demands.

This, he added, was in response to President Bola Tinubu’s call for the proactive use of PPPs in infrastructure development.

Ewalefoh stressed the importance of faster project execution without compromising standards or bypassing legal requirements.

He also noted the commission’s efforts to optimise existing PPP projects while launching new ones.

He said the commission has introduced Conditions Precedent with strict timelines for private partners to secure financing, ensuring that contracts are terminated if these deadlines are not met.

“This is in a bid to ensure that projects were not stalled due to the inability of proponents to raise the required financing required to execute projects.

“This ensures that contracts are automatically terminated when the timeline agreed expires without the private partner achieving financial close.

“This approach is intended to protect the country and ensure that the mistakes of the past are not repeated and the government is never held to ransom.

“This will ensure that only credible investors are encouraged to participate while discouraging portfolio investors or expert bidders without the actual intention of executing projects”.

He urged the minister to collaborate with the commission in reassessing PPP projects that have been approved for over a year without significant progress.

In response, Oyetola congratulated the Director-General on his appointment and noted that many stalled projects were due to the private parties’ inability to secure financing.

He expressed his commitment to ensuring that future investors have proven financial capacity, rather than relying solely on impressive business proposals.

The minister also assured the D-G of his ministry’s full support in advancing PPP initiatives in the blue economy sector, adding that several new projects will soon be submitted to the ICRC to begin the PPP process. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

Tosin Kolade
Oct, Wed, 2024

Agriculture

NGO, govt to empower youth, women in agriculture

By Tosin Kolade

Shield Africa, a non-profit organisation, has announced a partnership with the government to empower youth and women in agriculture, with the goal of improving food security in the country.

The Chief Executive Officer of Shield Africa, Mrs Osenaga Orokpo, made the announcement at a news conference on Wednesday in Abuja.

She said that the organisation was committed to driving sustainable development across Nigeria and Africa by empowering local communities, particularly women and youth.

“Through strategic interventions in agriculture, entrepreneurshipand education, we aim to address critical challenges such as food insecurity, poverty and climate change.

“Our initiatives foster innovation and collaboration, contributing to a more equitable and sustainable future for Africa.’’

She noted that the National Agricultural Growth Scheme, unveiled by President Bola Tinubu, aimed to boost agriculture and achieve zero hunger in the country.

“We are aware of recent initiatives by President Tinubu’s administration to support young farmers and strengthen food security.

“During the 6th Africa-Wide Agricultural Extension Week, the president launched the National Agricultural Growth Scheme – Agro-pocket, which provides millions of farmers with training on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and more.

“In support of these efforts, Shield Africa is launching the Agripreneur of the Year Awards, where young entrepreneurs in the agricultural value chain will receive N2 million each to scale up their production.’’

She said that, since the government had initiated this effort, Shield Africa recognised the need to align its work with the government’s goals.

Orokpo emphasised that the focus was on supporting farmers with the necessary inputs to produce the nutritious food the continent requires.

“Shield Africa is aligning with this through a project called the Young Agripreneur Financing Projects, which identifies young people aged 18-35 who have started agricultural ventures.

“We assist them in accessing finance to expand their operations.’’

Orokpo also highlighted priority projects like the Agro-Inputs and Distribution Projects, which were currently being implemented in Benue–where they were working with 450 rice farmers, 30 per cent of whom were women.

She also spoke on the issue of flooding across the country.

“These are challenging times across the continent and Nigeria is particularly affected due to our population.

“If we don’t take decisive steps now, we risk disaster, especially in terms of food security.

“We are aware of the devastation floods bring, not just to human life but also to crops; this calls for significant collaboration and commitment,’’ she said.

She added that Shield Africa was engaging with states and local governments hardest hit by floods and would unveil humanitarian campaigns to support affected communities with food, water and medical supplies. (NAN)

Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo

Time to avert another all-out Arab-Israeli war

Tosin Kolade
Oct, Tue, 2024

Features

Time to avert another all-out Arab-Israeli war

By Kayode Adebiyi, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

This round of a potential all-out war between Israel and the Arab World was triggered on October. 7, 2023, when Hamas militants from Gaza fired thousands of rockets into towns and cities in southern Israel.

As reported, the militants broke through the heavily fortified border fence with Israel, killed more than 1,200 people, including civilians and soldiers. As they retreated to too with them took 240 hostages.

It was the first time that Israel faced a direct attack of that scale on its territories since the 1948 Arab-Israeli war. It dealt an embarrassing blow to Israel’s renowned intelligence system.

Conflict experts say there are many reasons why the attack not only embarrassed but also infuriated Israel.

Firstly, it caught the Israeli forces off guard on the solemn Jewish holiday of Shemini Atzeret. It occurred under the shadow of the 50th anniversary of the Yom Kippur War.

Also, the thousands of rockets launched into Israel in 20 minutes distracted the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) while Hamas militants infiltrated the border and captured both civilians and soldiers.

Security experts say probably most embarrassing for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is that the assault echoed and amplified that of Hezbollah in the Lebanon War in 2006.

Netanyahu vow to dismantle and destroy Hamas using “all the power” of the IDF. Indeed, the next day Israel declared a state of war.

The intricacy of any conflict between Israel and its neighbours became yet evident when Hezbollah and the Houthi escalated their attacks on Israel which dated before the October 7 attack.

Hezbollah, an ally of Hamas and Houthi, a Yemeni militia that disrupted global shipping by attacking ships in the Red Sea, stepped up a series of confrontations with Israel.

Since then, Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon have killed at least seven high-ranking Hezbollah commanders and officials in recent weeks, including the militant group’s chief Hassan Nasrallah.

Unfortunately, as stakeholders work frantically to reach a ceasefire as a precursor for a more sustainable peace deal, Iran launched close to 200 ballistic missiles at Israel in a large-scale attack. It was piqued by the death of Nasrallah.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said the strikes, including the use of hypersonic weapons, were in retaliation for the killings of the leaders of its allies Hezbollah and Hamas.

Middle East conflict experts say, although it is open knowledge that Iran supports Hamas, Hezbollah, and Houthi, it was the first time it publicly and directly owned up to such support.

Netanyahu said Iran had made a “big mistake and will pay for it”, prompting experts to warn that the Iranian attack has done nothing but to heighten fears of an all-out regional war further.

The current crisis in the Middle East is not the first one between Israel and its Arab neigbours, therefore world leaders and the international community should avert this looming war.

On May 15, 1948, the first Arab-Israeli war broke out following the declaration of the State of Israel’s independence on May 14, 1948.

The conflict involved Israel and Arab forces from Egypt, Transjordan (now Jordan), Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon.

The war formally ended with a series of armistice agreements between February and July 1949, although the fighting largely ceased on January 7, 1949.

Eighteen years after the first Arab-Israeli war, Arab and Israeli forces clashed again between June 5 and 10, 1967, in what came to be called the Six-Day War.

The Six-Day War started after intensified bombardment of Israeli villages from positions in the Golan Heights.

The Israeli Air Force responded by shooting down six Syrian MiG fighter jets.

By the time the war ended, Israel had driven back Syrian forces from the Golan Heights, took control of the Gaza Strip and the Sinai Peninsula from Egypt, and drove Jordanian forces from the West Bank.

The 1973 Yom Kippur War broke out after sporadic after sporadic fighting that followed the Six-Day War.

On Oct. 6, 1973, the Jewish holy day of Yom Kippur Israel was caught off guard by Egyptian forces crossing the Suez Canal and by Syrian forces crossing into the Golan Heights.

The Arab armies showed greater aggressiveness and fighting ability than in the previous wars, and the Israeli forces suffered heavy casualties.

The fighting lasted through the Islamic holy month of Ramadan and only came to an end on Oct. 26, 1973.

On March 26, 1979, Israel and Egypt signed a peace treaty formally ending the state of war that had existed between the two countries for 30 years.

Under the terms of the treaty, which had resulted from the Camp David Accords signed in 1978, Israel returned the entire Sinai Peninsula to Egypt, and, in return, Egypt recognised Israel’s right to exist.

On June 5, 1982, less than six weeks after Israel’s complete withdrawal from the Sinai, increased tensions between Israelis and Palestinians resulted in the Israeli bombing of Beirut and southern Lebanon.

Considered a stronghold of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), the organisaton evacuated the city under the supervision of a multinational force following massive Israeli shelling of west Beirut.

However, Hezbollah, a militant group that formed as a militia to resist the Israeli invasion in 1982, continued to engage in a guerrilla campaign against Israeli forces until they withdrew fully in May 2000.

Even after Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanon, Hezbollah continued to press Israel over border disputes and Israel’s detention of Lebanese prisoners.

On July 12, 2006, Hezbollah launched a barrage of rockets into northern Israel, killing several Israeli soldiers and capturing two others in an attempt to pressure Israel into releasing Lebanese prisoners.

Israel retaliated by launching an offensive into Lebanon to recover the captured soldiers, and later a ground offensive that aimed to push Hezbollah away from the Israeli-Lebanese border.

By the time the conflict ended on Aug. 14, 2006, the abducted Israeli soldiers remained in Hezbollah’s custody.

Their remains were later exchanged through UN-brokered negotiations in 2008 and the handling of the war was heavily criticised by the Israeli public.

In September, UN human rights Chief, Volker Turk, said major Israeli operations in the occupied West Bank were taking place “at a scale not witnessed in the last two decades”.

UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, also condemned what he referred to as the “broadening conflict in the Middle East”.

However, beyond the rhetoric, the world must prevent another Arab-Israeli war. (NANFeatures)

**If used please credit the writer and News Agency of Nigeria.

FG urges collective action for sustainable handwashing

Tosin Kolade
Oct, Tue, 2024

Environment

FG urges collective action for sustainable handwashing

By Tosin Kolade

The Federal Government on Tuesday reiterated the importance of collective action in maintaining regular handwashing habits, to prevent the spread of diseases.

The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, made this call at a media briefing ahead of the 2024 Global Handwashing Day in Abuja.

He explained that the 2024 event has, ‘Why are clean hands still important?’ as its theme.

According to him, handwashing with soap remains one of the most effective and affordable ways to prevent diseases like diarrhoea, cholera, typhoid fever, and pneumonia.

“Handwashing with soap is not just a hygiene practice but a global health necessity.

“It is critical to disease prevention and not only helps people improve their health, but also removes barriers to economic opportunity, allows children to learn and grow, and helps strengthen communities.

“It is considered an affordable, accessible “do-it-yourself” vaccine for sanitation and hygiene-related diseases like diarrhoea, cholera, typhoid fever and pneumonia, which are prevalent in our communities”.

He said handwashing has been estimated to cut deaths from diarrhoea by almost half and deaths from acute respiratory infections by a quarter.

Utsev noted that while awareness of proper hand hygiene has grown, particularly following public health crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, continued efforts were needed to promote handwashing beyond emergencies.

“Handwashing with soap is not just a hygiene practice but a global health necessity, the practice is critical for strengthening communities and ensuring public health.

“While knowledge of handwashing practices in Nigeria is high at 99 per cent according to the 2021 WASH NORM Report, access to the necessary facilities remains low,” he said.

The minister also emphasised the role of handwashing in achieving the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Target 6.2, which aims to provide universal access to hygiene services.

He emphasised the need for greater efforts to ensure more Nigerians have access to handwashing facilities with soap and water, despite a 99 per cent knowledge rate in hygiene practices.

Utsev acknowledged the efforts of partners such as Reckitt, Action Against Hunger, WaterAid, UNICEF, and Sightsavers in promoting hygiene at the national level.

He urged the media to play a key role in spreading awareness, stating, “Your work can amplify hygiene messages, motivate action from governments and businesses, and inspire individuals to take responsibility”.

He called on all stakeholders to contribute to achieving universal hand hygiene access.

“Let us strive for a world, where every child can grow up with the simple habit of washing their hands with soap, where every healthcare worker has access to hygiene facilities,” he said.

Highlights of the day include an awareness campaign road walk and symbolic handwashing activities at the Garki ultramodern market.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Global Handwashing Day, observed annually on October 15, is a United Nations designated day aimed at raising awareness about the importance of handwashing with soap.

It seeks to catalyse local, national, and global actions to foster a culture of handwashing, which is an effective and affordable way to prevent diseases and save lives.(NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Gabriel Yough

Slow Implementation of 0m SURWASH programme worrisome- FG

Tosin Kolade
Oct, Sat, 2024

Environment

Slow Implementation of $700m SURWASH programme worrisome- FG

By Tosin Kolade

The Federal Government on Thursday expressed concerns over the poor implementation of the 700 million dollars Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene (SURWASH) programme by state governments.

This was the thrust at the High-Level Advocacy meeting with seven state governors implementing the SURWASH programme in Abuja.

The programme is being implemented in Delta, Ekiti, Gombe, Imo, Kaduna, Katsina, and Plateau states.

The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, said that the meeting aimed to inform and encourage the governors on the programme’s progress and future expectations.

He said that the SURWASH programme, now in its third year of a six-year initiative, had not met expectations in terms of implementation and disbursement.

Utsev attributed the slow progress to a lack of understanding and awareness among the governors, who play a key role in its execution.

He said that plans were in place to visit the seven participating states to assess progress, provide guidance, and invite other states to join in expanding its impact.

He expressed optimism about the governors’ commitment, stating that with proper support and guidance, the programme would achieve its objectives.

He further said that expanding participation to more states could enhance the programme’s effectiveness and contribute to broader democratic development.

World Bank Country Director, Mr Ndiame Diop, said Nigeria’s Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) situation wqs in a state of emergency, failing to reflect the nation’s ambitions.

“It does not reflect the ambition of Nigeria; as a big family here, we should be candid about the fact, ” he said.

Diop said that Nigeria invested an average of only 0.32 percent of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) annually in WASH services, significantly below the African average of 0.7 per cent.

He said that that at least 1.3 per cent of GDP was required to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), saying that Nigeria is currently lagging behind.

According to Diop, approximately 60 million Nigerians lack access to basic drinking water services, while 80 million do not have adequate washing facilities.

He said that 167 million people lacked access to basic sanitation, and around 48 million Nigerians still practised open defecation.

The country director also pointed out that only eight per cent of the population engaged in safe hygiene practices, while just 10 per cent had access to basic water, sanitation, and hygiene services combined.

Katsina State Governor, Dr Dikko Radda, said that the importance of addressing water supply and hygiene issues was to reduce hospital admissions and improve public health.

Radda said that over the past two years, the project had seen only about 40 per cent completion, falling short of the expected 70 per cent to 80 per cent.

The governor attributed this slow progress to a lack of clarity among state governments about their roles and programme benefits.

He stressed the need for continuous collaboration between the Ministry of Water Resources and sanitation, the World Bank, and the states to ensure effective resource utilisation.

Radda said that Katsina State had a procurement plan worth N20 billion, of which N15 billion was currently available.

“An additional five billion Naira is expected to be secured by the end of the year to support the project’s completion.

“For 2025, the state has allocated N50 billion in its budget for further initiatives, ” he said.

The governor noted the need to improve water supply and hygiene in Nigeria, which would have a significant positive impact on public health.

The meeting was attended by some governors and their representatives, commissioners for water resources, officials from the Ministry of Health, the Minister of Women Affairs, secretaries to state governments, and WASH stakeholders (NAN).

Edited by Kadiri Abdulrahman

AU Chief attributes insecurity in Sahel to weak governance, corruptions, others

Tosin Kolade
Oct, Fri, 2024

Defence/Security

AU Chief attributes insecurity in Sahel to weak governance, corruptions, others

By Taiye Agbaje/Funmilayo Adeyemi

Dr Mohamed Ibn Chambas, the African Union Chief Mediator on Sudan, has enumerated factors fueling insecurity in the Sahel region, including weak governance and corruption.

Chambas, a guest lecturer at the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Inaugural Annual International Lecture in Abuja, said military solution alone would not address the problem.

According to him, weak governance and corruption has helped to create a conducive environment for insecurity.

He said the Sahel region is so vast that there are lots of ungoverned spaces in the zone, causing the increase in the insecurity rate.

The AU chief also listed crisis in Libya, Sudan, Mali, among other factors that could be attributed to the challenge .

Besides, he said foreign interference and external forces had equally explored this for their own interest.

Chambas, who said the shrinking of Lake Chad Basin, particularly the Lake Chad, had caused more harm than good in the Sahel region, said focus should also be given to financing and supply network of the terror groups.

“These (issues of financing and supply network) should be effectively cut off or addressed.

“We see them (terrorists) riding hundreds of thousands of motorbikes. How are they getting these and the fueling? These are what we should interrogate,” he said.

He said issues of weak regional cooperation had further taken a toll on the insecurity problem.

Chambas said to tackle the problem headon, efforts should be made to alleviate poverty and inequality by countries in the region.

He said to deal with the root causes, social.amenities should be provided for the communities in Sahel region.

He said institutions should be straightened, including financial autonomy for local governments.

According to him, decentralisation will be meaningless without financial decentralisation.

He said this would assist the local government administrators to construct feeder roads and other infrastructure needed for the good of the people.

Besides, he said issues of farmer-herder clash should also be looked into by providing finance and introducing modern method of farming in the communities.

Chambas also said that women and the youths, who constitute larger population, should be empowered.

“It is not normal to keep them marginalised,” he said.

He said the youths, who had most been mobilised by the terror groups, should be empowered through entrepreneurial training, among others.

He said regional cooperation and initiatives should be stepped up.

“Nigeria should cooperate with neighbouring countries to address the insecurity

“This will ensure joint border protection,” he said.

Chambas, however, commended Nigerian government’s role in the establishment of the Multi-national Joint Task Force.

The Lecture with theme, “Insecurity in the Sahel (2008-2024): Dissecting Nigeria’s Challenges – Genesis, Impacts and Options” was conceived by the management of NAN as part of efforts to tackle the menace of insecurity in the Sahel and Nigeria.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza