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North East Youths Laud Tinubu, Minister Utsev’s Efforts in Water and Sanitation Transformation
The North East Youth Ambassador for Peace and Development (NEYAPD) has commended President Bola Tinubu and Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof Joseph Utsev, for their commitment to advancing Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) in Nigeria.
In a statement signed by Comrade Usman Usman, the group acknowledged that the nation has made notable progress in improving WASH standards nationwide.
Usman said the ‘Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet’ campaign has played a crucial role in safeguarding the health, dignity, and well-being of Nigerians, particularly in rural areas.
He further said that the Federal Government has demonstrated its commitment to achieving SDG 6.1 and 6.2 targets for WASH through the Steering Committee for the Campaign to End Open Defecation in Nigeria, chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
According to him, the government’s key strategies, including the declaration of a State of Emergency in the WASH sector and the launch of the Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Sanitation & Hygiene programme, have facilitated significant progress.
Usman added that collaboration with stakeholders has been instrumental in achieving progress, with the partnership facilitating the sharing of resources, expertise, and best practices.
Comrade Usman praised President Tinubu for his leadership and commitment to prioritizing WASH development, and Minister Utsev for championing the ‘Clean Nigeria’ campaign and promoting healthy living.
“Nigeria’s progress in improving WASH standards nationwide is commendable, and the ‘Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet’ Campaign has been instrumental in safeguarding the health, dignity, and well-being of Nigerians, particularly in rural areas,” the statement said.
“The initiative’s focus on increasing access to sanitation facilities, promoting hygiene practices, and engaging communities in behavior change has yielded remarkable results, with one state and 126 Local Government Areas declared Open Defecation Free (ODF).
“The Nigerian Government’s commitment to achieving SDG 6.1 and 6.2 targets for WASH is evident in the Steering Committee for the Campaign to end Open Defecation in Nigeria, chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
“The key strategies, including the declaration of a State of Emergency in the WASH sector, implementation of the National Action Plan, and launch of the Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Sanitation & Hygiene programme, demonstrate a comprehensive approach to addressing WASH challenges.
“Collaboration with stakeholders, including state governments, local authorities, civil society organizations, and international partners, has been crucial in achieving significant progress. This partnership has facilitated the sharing of resources, expertise, and best practices, ensuring a coordinated approach to WASH development.
“As young people, we recognize the importance of access to clean water and sanitation services for all. We urge President Tinubu and Minister Utsev to continue prioritizing WASH development, ensuring that every Nigerian has access to these basic human rights.
“We commend President Tinubu for his leadership and commitment to prioritizing WASH development in Nigeria. His administration’s efforts have been instrumental in driving progress and ensuring that WASH remains a national priority.
“We also applaud Minister Utsev for championing the ‘Clean Nigeria’ campaign and his tireless efforts to promote healthy living. His dedication to improving sanitation and hygiene practices has been remarkable, and we recognize his contributions to the significant progress achieved so far.”
The North East Youth Ambassador for Peace and Development, however, pledged support for WASH development, urging President Tinubu and Utsev to continue until every Nigerian has access to clean water and sanitation services.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has reported its seventh partial grid collapse in 2024. Despite the recurring issue, TCN’s General Manager of Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, reassured the public that efforts to restore power are well underway, with about 90% of substations receiving bulk power.
Mbah noted that the Azura Power Station initiated the grid recovery, although a minor setback occurred. However, power supply has been restored to the Abuja region and other key distribution centers. The Ibom Gas Generating Station remained unaffected, continuing to supply power to the South-South region.
An investigation into the cause of the collapse will commence once full grid restoration is achieved.
Vice President Kashim Shettima has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic tanker explosion in Jigawa State, which claimed over 100 lives. In a statement issued by his media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima, on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, extended condolences to the affected families, praying for strength and comfort in their time of grief.
Shettima assured the public that the federal government is mobilizing resources to support the injured and assist those affected. He has directed the immediate deployment of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide aid. The Vice President also stressed the need for a review of fuel transportation safety protocols to prevent future incidents.
In a separate statement, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu offered her condolences to Jigawa Governor Umar Namadi and the people of Jigawa, praying for peace and comfort for the families affected. She called the incident “unfortunate” and extended prayers for the recovery of the injured and the repose of the souls lost in the tragedy.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has revealed that it intercepted a total of 10,598 pieces of arms and 114,929 rounds of ammunition valued at N9.58 billion over the past six years. Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, made this disclosure during a press conference on enforcement activities in Zone A.
Adeniyi highlighted that 60% of these seizures occurred in 2023, reflecting the Customs’ increased efforts to curb arms smuggling. He also mentioned that recent operations such as Operation Whirlwind and Operation Swift Sting are part of a strategic response to tackle evolving smuggling tactics.
In addition to arms seizures, the Customs CG announced the largest pangolin scale seizure since 2020, with 9,493 kg of scales confiscated in collaboration with the Wildlife Justice Commission. The joint operation led to four arrests across Kano, Kaduna, and Lagos. The NCS continues to intensify efforts against wildlife trafficking, targeting supply routes in northern Nigeria and border areas.
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