By Tosin Kolade

The African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW) has called on Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to rally behind Nigeria in implementing climate action strategies.

The call was made by Dr Tanko Azzika, Senior Policy Officer at AMCOW, during a post-COP28 multistakeholder national consultative dialogue in Abuja on Wednesday.

Representing the Executive Secretary of AMCOW, Dr Rashid Mbaziira, Azzika highlighted the significance of collaboration between CSOs and the government to enhance policy environments for resilient Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) services delivery.

Azzika noted that AMCOW, established in response to the 2002 Abuja Ministerial Declaration on water, plays a pivotal role in water and sanitation delivery under the African Union (AU).

According to him, the council’s vision is to achieve equitable and sustainable use of water resources for poverty alleviation, socio-economic development, and environmental preservation.

Azzika commended the organisers for the timely discussion amid the climate challenges facing the continent.

Highlighting the role of water, sanitation, and hygiene as both catalysts and solutions to climate change, he emphasised the urgent need to revitalise efforts to combat climate change’s impact on water resources.

He said the 2023 report revealed that the continent is off-track in achieving water and sanitation goals due to climate change, prompting the need for accelerated action.

He, however, urged stakeholders to strengthen the policy enabling environment for climate-resilient water management, advocating the use of African Sanitation Policy Guidelines (ASPGs).

He also called for collaboration to place water at the forefront of the fight against climate change and urged the Nigerian government to prioritise climate-resilient financing.

Furthermore, Azzika emphasised the importance of enhancing national-level data systems through AMCOW’s Africa Water and Sanitation sector reporting system (WASSMO).

He stressed the need for the support of Climate and Sustainable Development Network (CSDevNet) and Pan Africa Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA) in strengthening data reporting systems in Nigeria and other Member States.

“AMCOW anticipates an action-oriented outcome document that will expedite continental and global goals on climate-resilient water and sanitation”.

In an opening address, Prof. Ibrahim Choji, Chairman of the Board of Trustees at CSDevNet, emphasised that the historic decision to move away from fossil fuels marks a significant stride forward.

 He acknowledged the looming threats to livelihoods, ecosystems, and the very essence of existence.

”Yet amidst this daunting reality, COP28 presents a beacon of hope.”

Also, Dr Sam Ogallah, Senior Climate Change Advisor at the African Union, highlighted that the African continent possesses more than half of the world’s critical minerals.

Ogallah stressed that Africa holds the key to resolving the global climate crisis, urging a shift in the narrative and a greater appreciation for the continent’s resources.

“If we are to transition to renewables, electric vehicles, and other initiatives, where do you propose we obtain the essential minerals? They lie beneath our soil,” Ogallah said.

He emphasised the critical role of Africa in the sustainable transformation required to address climate challenges.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the dialogue, organised by CSDevNet and PACJA, addresses the outcomes of COP28, focusing on accelerating Nigeria’s climate action. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Folasade Adeniran

Ministerial Performance Bond, my priority-

By Abigael Joshua

Mr Mahmud Kambari, the new Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment says that the ministerial performance bond he signed with President Bola Tinubu is his priority in office.

Kambari said this on Tuesday in Abuja while assuming office in the ministry as the new permanent secretary.

“I will be committed to playing my role in executing the Ministerial Performance Bond for the Presidential Priorities and Deliverables (2023 to 2027) signed with Mr President,” he said.

Kambari also promised to ensure the alignment of the activities of the Ministry with the six pillars of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation plan 2021 to 2025 (FCSSIP25) for high impact performance.

“This will entail a strong commitment to drive the full realisation of the Digitization Policy of Government (Electronic Content Management System), the Human Resource Component of the IPPIS, Capacity Building/Talent Management, Performance Management, Innovation and Staff Welfare.

“In the coming weeks, I will be engaging with each department and agencies under this Ministry to gain deeper understanding of the operations, challenges and opportunities.

“I am committed to fostering an environment that encourages open communication, where every staff feels heard and valued,” he said.

Kambari promised to welcome suggestions and advice and constructively engage with strategic partners and critical stakeholders locally and internationally towards fulfilling the mandate of the Ministry.

He said this can only be achieved when people work as a team and in strict adherence with the code of ethics and extant rules/regulations in the conduct of government business.

“Let us unite in our common purpose, support one another and work tirelessly to achieve the extraordinary.

“I am confident that with your dedication and expertise, we will usher in a new era of success for this Ministry.

“I sincerely pledge my absolute loyalty and commitment to our fatherland while counting on the support and cooperation of the management and staff to effectively deliver on the mandate of the Ministry,” Kambari promised.

He commended all the work that have been done by all the staff under the leadership of the Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Lawal.

“This Ministry has had a rich history of achievements and legacies and I am committed to building upon them,” Kambari said.

Mr Lawrence Adigwe, the director overseeing the office of the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry promised total support to the new permanent secretary.

“We will work with you and support you to discharge your duties as you are in safe hands,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Razak Owolabi

By Tosin Kolade

Enugu State’s Epidemiologist, Dr Ogbodo Okechukwu, says the state is committed  to preventing and preparing for potential cholera outbreaks.

Okechukwu spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of the Training Workshop to Support States’ Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in Emergency Working Group in Enugu.

He said the state had adopted a proactive approach, focusing on public awareness through communication and education regarding hygiene practices and the significance of consuming clean, potable water.

Okechukwu, who is also a Public Health Consultant, said the state government prioritised disease prevention, promptly responding to suspected cases by isolating individuals and reporting to national authorities for further investigation.

According to him, the last recorded incident of cholera epidemic dates back to 2022, with no reported outbreaks during subsequent rainy seasons.

Highlighting the state’s preparedness efforts as cost-effective, Okechukwu noted the relatively minimal impact of last year’s cholera cases compared to other states in the federation.

He said through engaging stakeholders and enforcing anti-open defecation laws, the government had also taken measures to improve water infrastructure, including the drilling of boreholes and repairing pipes.

According to him, the government is pumping of over 70 million litres of water daily.

“The state has also implemented a community informant system, empowering local members to actively survey and report potential cases, particularly instances of abnormal stooling.’’

Okechukwu said that since taking charge, major incidents of Lassa fever and cholera had significantly reduced.

He added that in partnership with the Federal government, the state actively sought antiviral drugs for Lassa fever treatment and registering healthcare workers digitally.

The public health expert said that the emphasis on prevention and swift response had remained central to the  state’s strategy, effectively curtailing the spread of contagious diseases.

NAN reports that the WASH in Emergency Working Group was established in 2012, when the country experienced serious devastating flood that affected 85 million people from 14 states.

The group has since remained active, especially in the North-East where IDPs exist and have responded immediately on outbreaks.

The membership cuts across WASH sector players from Institutions, Development Partners, International and Local NGOs, CSOs responding to WASH issues in the country, with UNICEF as its co-lead. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo

By Tosin Kolade

Dr Felix Nnamani, the Commissioner for Water Resources in Enugu, has reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to providing 50 million litres of potable water to the residents.

Nnamani gave this assurance when he received the team from the Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in Emergency Working Group in Enugu.

He emphasised the state’s dedication to achieving Sustainable Development Goal six by 2025, aiming to eradicate open defecation and enhance water provision by 2030.

According to him, Enugu metropolis presently boasts improved access to potable water, with a shift from old asbestos pipes to modern ductile pipes for cleaner water delivery.

The commissioner highlighted the refurbishment efforts and the importation of pressure pumps, ensuring a departure from past practices that led to water reticulation failures.

Anticipating an additional 50 million liters of water from Oji River, Nnamani outlined the completion of pipelines and repairs to areas damaged by erosion.

He underscored the production of 120 million liters of quality water in Oji River and 9th Mile, along with the construction of a gas-to-power plant as an alternative to the national grid, ensuring a steady electricity supply.

In the WASH sector, Nnamani said the appointment of the Senior Special Assistant on WASH, had streamlined operations and ensuring the unveiling of a water sector law by the Enugu state Assembly.

The commissioner harped on the importance of bye-laws in partnership with local government chairmen to combat open defecation, with 14 out of 17 local governments already enacting such laws.

Nnamani reiterated Enugu government’s commitment to improving residents’ lives in alignment with global best practices, with a multifaceted approach addressing water supply, sanitation, and electricity challenges.

The Team Lead and the Director, in the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Mr Ibiyemi Olu-Daniels, said the visit was to discuss ways for the state government to prioritise access to potable water and sanitation facilities.

He said by investing in the WASH sector, cholera cases would reduce, citing an example of last year’s outbreak which should not be overlooked.

“WASH in Emergency is beyond the distribution of commodities, but in doing more in the dedication of funding support, if we invest in WASH, cholera cases will come down”.

He said there was the need for states to coordinate, take ownership of their challenges and not rely solely on development partners in emergency situations.

Nnamani said the ministry would continue to support states through advocacy and coordination, urging the states to take responsibility on cholera preparedness and response plan.

UNICEF WASH Specialist, Mr Ebri Ibor, expressed satisfaction with the establishment of the WASH in emergency working group in the state.

Ibor stressed the need to integrate WASH issues into the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to prioritise preventive measures and avoid disease outbreaks, particularly cholera.

He said the EOCs were central to emergency management and has helped in many situations, saying there was the need to prioritise WASH issues to forestall disease outbreaks.

“Whenever WASH is not given priority, the health system being to have problems with cholera outbreaks; we should have a central point to have EOC running the WASH in emergency working group so that we are able to provide appropriate support.

“Cholera is more prevalent than floods in Enugu and if that is the case, it will be very good to see commissioners of health, water resources, environment and the state epidemiologists working together, so that they can prepare each year ahead for any cholera outbreak,’’ he said.

Ms Chika Mbah, Senior Special Assistant on WASH to the Governor, shared insights from a statewide survey, revealing disparities in WASH activities among local governments.

According to her, cholera occurs in the state at the onset of rains, saying the government is working to see how to reduce out-of-pocket expenditures for the citizens so that they could feel development.

She announced a stakeholders meeting to address the gap, implement Open Defecation Free (ODF) bye-laws, and promote community-led total sanitation activities to combat cholera outbreaks.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the WASH in Emergency Working Group was established in 2012, when the country experienced serious devastating flood that affected 85 million people from 14 states.

The group has since remained active, especially in the North-East where IDPs exist and have responded immediately on outbreaks.

The membership cuts across WASH sector players from Institutions, Development Partners, International and Local NGOs, CSOs responding to WASH issues in the country, with UNICEF as its co-lead. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo

By Ahmed Kaigama

The Director-General, Bauchi State Environmental Protection Agency (BASEPA), Dr Ibrahim Kabir, has urged the public toilets owners to adhere to the approved user-friendly toilets design or face sanctions.

Kabir gave the advice while interacting with newsmen on Tuesday in Bauchi.

He explained that the  government and stakeholders had adopted a user-centered public toilet designs for the state.

He said the government would not tolerate indiscriminate structures put in places as public toilets instead of the approved designs.

“BASEPA as an agency regulating activities of public toilets in the state will ensure strict adherence to the agreed user-friendly toilets designs for public convenience and hygiene,’’ he said.

He said that the user centered public toilet design was considered as user friendly for all gender and people with disabilities.

Kabir said that the agency would review and update the checklist for issuance of licence, operation permit, inspection and approval of all public toilets in the state.

The director-general appreciated WaterAid Nigeria and other stakeholders for their commitment, interventions and assiduous efforts to achieve the design process and its adoption for public toilets.

He said the agency would be monitoring all the design structures and plans for the construction of public toilets across the state.

Kabir called on the general public to support initiatives that protected and promoted public health.(NAN)  www.nannews.ng

Edited by Jacinta Nwachukwu and Chijioke Okoronkwo

By Tosin Kolade

Mr Ibiyemi Olu-Daniels, an official of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, has called for the establishment of state-owned water treatment plants to enhance emergency preparedness and response.

Olu-Daniels made this call on Tuesday at the Training Workshop to Support States’ Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in Emergency Working Group in Enugu.

He emphasised the need for proactive measures to prevent water scarcity during crises.

The official underscored the necessity for state governments to proactively establish such facilities to mitigate potential water shortages during emergencies.

Olu-Daniels highlighted the scarcity of water points like boreholes as a significant challenge during emergencies, leading to preventable diseases and deaths.

He urged state governments to invest in water treatment plants as having them ready before emergencies occurred would facilitate swift responses and interventions.

“These mobile units can be deployed to various locations, treating large water volumes that are then stored and distributed within affected communities.’’

Addressing concerns about the associated costs, he said that emphasised the long-term advantages and benefits, noting that the expense should be viewed as an investment in saving lives.

He clarified that the responsibility lied with state ministries of water resources, not national emergency management agencies.

The director said that each state government must have at least one water treatment plant for emergency situations.

He said that access to water was fundamental to life; hence the need for preparedness and prevention.

“When there is an emergency, they take the treatment plants to the locations and it can treat a large water volume and then stored and further distributed for people in the community; it is  a mobile equipment that can be moved from place to place.

“When we supply a location for two days and another location for another two or three days, before you know it in two weeks, we will have covered so many areas during emergency.

“Although it is quite expensive, but it has its advantages and benefits; It is not NEMA or SEMA, but state ministries of water resources.’’

He expressed dissatisfaction with the current low political will of some states, prompting plans for advocacy visits to encourage commitment to Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) initiatives.

The director stressed the importance of prioritising emergence preparedness and prevention over reactive responses.

He said that that intervening after deaths occurred led to increased spending, whereas adequate preparation and prevention resulted in more cost-effective interventions.

Olu-Daniels said part of the action plan for the year would be in leveraging existing strategies of preparedness, prevention, and response.

According to him, his ministry aims to educate states and coordinate efforts to implement the WASH in Emergency (WIE) action plan.

Olu-Daniels emphasised the need for continuous advocacy to bolster political will and the commitment of all stakeholders in addressing water-related emergencies.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the WASH in Emergency Working Group was established in 2012, when the country experienced serious devastating flood that affected 85 million people from 14 states.

The group has since remained active, especially in the North-East where IDPs exist and have responded immediately on outbreaks.

The membership cuts across WASH sector players from Institutions, Development Partners, International and Local NGOs, CSOs responding to WASH issues in the country, with UNICEF as its co-lead. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo

By Vivian Emoni

The C21FG International, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) has inaugurated its Diamond Project to empower more people on capacity building to enhance wealth creation opportunities across the country.

Dr Michael Okoli, President and Entrepreneur Mentor of the organisation, said this while inaugurating the project on Sunday in Abuja.

Okoli said that the organisation was an international non-governmental organisation that has been in existence for many years and has elevated thousands of people from poverty.

He said that the aim of the project was to save the youths and their entire generation from hardship, as such efforts could transform lives of people.

He added that the project objective was also to effectively provide capacity building that would create positive opportunities to people for economic development.

According to him, the project will help people obtain intentional personal development, mentorship and training and mindset transformation.

“The project will help to mentor people on their life skills and will support people to know how to make good sales and expand their businesses for effective service delivery both locally and internationally.

“The project will as well help people to achieve the skill of leadership which will strongly encourage them to believe that they are responsible and capable of being independent in all ways,” he said.

Okoli, however, advised people to always work hard to achieve great success, adding that “success does not come to people, rather, people go and struggle for it.”

Dr Obianefo Esimai, Principal Global Leader of the organisation, said that the organisation had empowered many pioneers and was committed to repositioning lives of many youth across the country.

Esimai said that the organisation has trained people on various capacity building, therefore giving people opportunities of owning their own apartments and living independently.

He said that some of the benefits of a pioneer member was to have better opportunity for access to global mentorship and training as well leveraging on diamond tribe.

“Also, top business people will begin to partner with you and that will enable you to have access to global business expansion vehicle.

“The diamond project pioneer packs have about three categories, including Platinum – Very Important Personal (VIP) pack.

“Under this programme, investors with as small as N499,990 has potential to earn as much as 117. 6 million while its failure rate is just 10 per cent.

“The second range is the silver pack which returns a monthly income of N23.5 million over an initial investment of N190,000, while an investment of N69,990, can operate under the access pack.

“The organisation has supported many people, reformed their lives, visited various hospitals across the country and paid hospital bill is of many indigent patients, supports people in their education, assisted many Nigerians to strongly build their businesses among others.

The leader urged Nigerians to ensure they take good care of their health and always have enough rest, adding that health is wealth.

Also, Dr Victor Abalsom of the NGO, said that the project had created various job opportunities to many Nigerians and transformed lives of various people in the country.

Abalsom said that the inauguration of the project would attract more people into the programme, thereby enhancing people to learn more about how to develop strongly in any skills they acquired.

Mrs Ronke Kosemani, Wealth Mentor of the Organisation, said that the NGO taught her how to manage finances.

“My advise to people is that they should budget before spending, cut down on expenses, ensure they save and invest, it will help them get out of hardship and enjoy what they laboured for.

“The organisation will help people to bring out their true potentials and become the ultimate version of themselves.

“This can be achieved through effective mentorship, training, capacity building and financial leverage systems by the organisation,” she said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Vincent Obi

Tinubu pledges commitment to Niger Delta development

Region
By Ismail Abdulaziz
President Bola Tinubu has pledged the administration’s commitment to the sustainable development of the Niger Delta.

Tinubu said this when he met with Mr Abubakar Momoh, the Minister of Niger Delta Development.

A statement by Osigwe Omo-Ikirodah, Special Assistant to the minister, in Abuja on Sunday, said the meeting centred on providing a comprehensive update on the ongoing activities and initiatives within the Niger Delta Development Ministry.

He said that the meeting was aimed at seeking the President’s support and commitment toward sustainable development of the Niger Delta.

“During the meeting, Momoh highlighted the vital projects and initiatives undertaken by the Ministry to uplift the socio-economic landscape of the region,” he said.

Omo-Ikirodah said that the minister presented a detailed overview of ongoing infrastructure projects, community development programmes and efforts to address environmental concerns in the Niger Delta.

He added that Tinubu expressed keen interest and appreciation for the Ministry’s endeavors, acknowledging the critical role the Niger Delta plays in the nation’s economic and social fabric.

The President commended Momoh for the progress made and the dedication exhibited in addressing the unique challenges faced by the region.

In a significant commitment to the development of the region, Tinubu pledged unwavering support and assistance to ensure the successful execution of projects and programmes that would bring about sustainable growth and improvement in the region.(NAN)
IS/ABI
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