Katsina State Govt, UNICEF Mobilze Youths To Plant Trees

Scavengers

By Zubairu Idris

Katsina, Sept. 24, 2024 (NAN) Some residents of Katsina State have decried the activities of scrap metal scavengers who often destroy public and people’s property to cart away iron rods, metal objects and electric cables.

The residents spoke in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Katsina.

They pointed out that such scavengers do come out as early as 6:00a.m., moving around from one place to another looking for scrap metal, iron rod, rubber, armoured and electric cables, as well as aluminum objects.

The residents further expressed concern that small children of school age were among those roaming the streets in search of those items in all parts of the state.

Dr. Habibu Kamilu, one of the residents, lamented that small children now enter people’s houses to steal such metal objects for onward sell to scrap dealers or their agents.

He said: “Sometimes these children even jump into uncompleted buildings to destroy lintel and steal iron rods.

“It is unfortunate that even Mosques are not safe from vandalism by such persons.

“They enter houses to steal metal and aluminum pots, padlock, and any type of metal objects that come to their way, and allegedly sell them to metal scrap dealers to get money.”

He appealed to the state government to, as a matter of urgency, take measures to avert the spread of the menace and prevent such small children from indulging in thefts at tender ages.

Kamilu also urged scrap dealers to sanitise their business “by rejecting items from small children, people with questionable characters and desist from buying those items in the night.”

Another resident, Muhammad Abdullahi, lamented that scavengers vandalise signposts and other public property in search of cables, rods, metals and aluminium objects.

Abdullahi urged the state government to hasten taking measures that would check the menace.

Kabir Umar, another resident, expressed concern over the situation, and stressed the need for government to introduce some measures to eradicate the menace.

He said that the problem was becoming an issue of serious concern to households in particular and the society in general.

He therefore urged government to intensify efforts in organising training for the youths to create job opportunities through vocational skills training to become self employed and self reliant.  (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Muhammad Lawal

FG declares 2 Benue LGAs open defecation-free

Defecation

By Nicholas Dechi

Otukpo (Benue), Sept. 24, 2024 (NAN) The Federal Government has declared Ado and Ohimini Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Benue Open Defecation-Free (ODF).

The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Terlumun Utsev, made the declaration on Tuesday in Oturkpo.

Utsev, who was represented by the Director, Quality Control and Sanitation, Mrs Elizabeth Ugoh, stated that about 48 million people in Nigeria were practising open defecation.

The minister expressed concern that it made Nigeria the highest in Sub-Saharan Africa.

“We understand that we need to do much more if we are to eliminate open defecation and achieve 100 per cent access to sanitation and hygiene in the country.

“Open defecation has long been a challenge in many parts of the world, with far-reaching consequences.

“It compromises health, undermines education, especially for young girls, and even affects the local economy,” Utsev said.

“By eliminating open defecation, we are taking a crucial step toward achieving better sanitation, which translates to fewer diseases, higher productivity, and greater dignity for our people,” Utsev said.

In his remarks, Chief WASH, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)-Nigeria, Dr Jane Bevan, said that the organisation would continue to support all the 23 LGAs in Benue to achieve ODF status.

She stated that so far, 11 of the 23 LGAs had attained the status.

Benue Commissioner for Water Resources, Environment, and Climate Change, Mr Ugwu Odoh, in a remark, said that the achievement was a testimony to the collective resolve, perseverance and unwavering commitment to enhancing the quality of life for Benue citizens.

“The eradication of open defecation is a critical step towards creating healthier, safer and more prosperous communities.

“This accomplishment will not have been possible without the collaborative efforts of numerous stakeholders, including community leaders, partners, UNICEF, Self-Help Africa, and WaterAid, whose technical expertise and resources significantly contributed to our success.

“Others to also share in the achievement are the Federal Government under the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, local government officials, and other stakeholders,” Odeh said.

The Acting General Manager, Benue Rural Water and Sanitation Agency (BERWASA), Mr Tony Mkpen, appreciated Gov. Hyacinth Alia for his tremendous support of donor supported programmes.

“The harsh economic challenges at the moment have impacted negatively on government,” he said.

Mkpen gave the assurance that the state government would prioritise prompt release of counterpart funds for the programmes and upgrade LGA WASH units to departments with budget lines.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Peter Amine

Flood

By Desmond Ejibas

Port Harcourt, Sept. 24, 2024 (NAN) The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), has urged the Rivers Government to construct emergency shelters that will provide accommodations for flood victims in the state.

Mr Adebiyi Razak, the South-South Zonal Coordinator, made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.

NAN reports that the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) recently warned of impending flooding in 11 states, following the gradual release of water from Cameroon’s Lagdo Dam.

Razak stated that the emergency shelters would serve as temporary refuge for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) during the anticipated flooding.

“The IDP camps should be built on safer and higher grounds. Provisions should be made for food, medications and other essential items,” he said.

The NEMA official said there was an immediate need to clear the drainages and natural water channels to ensure proper channeling of water.

“Early warning information should be disseminated in local dialects to ensure effective enlightenment at the grassroots,” Razak urged.

The state coordinator commended Gov. Siminalayi Fubara for establishing a nine-member flood committee, tasked with coordinating emergency response and managing the effect of the incident.

He urged on the committee, led by the Deputy Governor, Prof. Ngozi Odu, to take prompt actions towards mitigating the impact of the incident.

NAN reports that states predicted to be impacted by the water release are, Adamawa, Anambra, Bayelsa, Benue, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Kogi, Nasarawa, Taraba and Rivers.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

DES/AZU

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Edited by Azubuike Okeh

Repairs

By Ibrahim Bello

Birnin Kebbi, Sept. 24, 2024 (NAN) Kebbi Government has commenced repairs of an important bridge liking the state with Niger Republic, which collapsed as a result of heavy rain at Makera, near Birnin Kebbi.

The Katsina state government, with the support of UNICEF, has mobilized youth groups to plant 100,000 trees, to combat climate change in the state, through the Green Rising Nigeria Movement project.

The project is aimed at creating Nigeria Green champions of change initiative, tagged, ‘One Movement, 100,000 Journeys’.

Mrs. Stella Okafor-Terver, UNICEF WASH Programme Officer, Kano Field office, made this known while addressing participants at a one-day sensitisation workshop in Katsina on Tuesday.

The workshop was organized through the state Ministry of Youths and Sports Development, and that of Environment, to sensitize participants on the Green Rising Nigeria movement.

According to her, the UNICEF Initiates movement for 100,000 tree planting, turning plastic waste to wealth, and also mobilises youths for climate change actions.

Okafor-Terver further explained that, “the workshop was a follow up to the  youth group identification meeting which was held in August.

“The workshop attracted about 30 different youth groups with about 100 youths in attendance, focusing on the fight against climate change impact on children and open defecation.

“The Green Rising 9ja movement is a UNICEF initiative through Generation Unlimited (GenU), aimed at raising awareness on climate change impacts among youth, public sectors and private sector partners.

“The movement aspires to mobilise and support 10 million children and young people in developing countries to take grassroots action to protect and adapt to the impact of climate change by 2025.”

She added that the movement involves tree planting, youth mobilisation, plastic waste recycling and the creation of a voluntary army to support efforts in addressing climate change in schools, communities, and healthcare centres among others.

The WASH programme officer, revealed that the aim of the workshop was to open the minds of the youth and young people to develop green skills via formal or informal training.

“The movement also plans to support about 10 million young people in developing countries to take grassroots actions on climate change to ensure a conducive environment.

“The Green Rising 9ja movement is already making strides in this regard,”  Okafor-Terver said

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry of Environment, Alhaji Muntari-Kado, represented by the Director of Climate change in the ministry, described the UNICEF movement as timely.

He noted that the state government is committed to combating climate change, as it plans to plant one million trees in the coming year.

According to him, the state government is also planning to demolish all structures in dam areas and along other waterways to ensure a conducive environment and prevent flooding.

He pointed out that the decision was a clear indication of the state government’s support for UNICEF.

The permanent secretary said that the Green Rising Nigeria movement would yield positive results by encouraging youth involvement in the fight against climate change in the state.

In his contribution, the Director of Forestry, Muhammad Nasir-Iliyasu, emphasised the need for youth to adopt the culture of nurturing trees to maturity, in order to mitigate the impacts of climate change.

NAN reports that the green rising initiative is a new initiative from UNICEF, Generation Unlimited, and a wide ecosystem of public, private, and youth partners to support the global mobilization of millions of young people – at a grassroots level – to take concrete green actions.

This is to protect and adapt to the devastating impact that climate change is exacting on their families, neighbors, villages, towns, and cities.

The Green Rising commits to contribute to a just green transition in which the most vulnerable youth are empowered with the education, skills, and opportunities to be champions for the planet.

UNICEF will support 10 million young people to take action by 2025.

NAN / Foluke Ibitomi