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Environment Minister Urges Nigerians to Continue the Culture of Handwashing
Environment Minister Urges Nigerians to Continue the Culture of Handwashing
By: Michael Mike
The Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Iziaq Salako has advised Nigerians to continue to embrace the culture of hand washing, noting that washing of hands with soap under running water chases many diseases faraway.
The Minister gave the advised on Monday at the Federal Government Boys College, Wuye – Abuja during the commemoration of this year’s Global Hand Washing Day with theme, “Clean hands are within reach.”
The Minister said: “Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, it may interest you to know that a simple act of washing hands with soap under running water can reduce infection by 50% and respiratory disease by 25%. Research has shown that creating awareness on proper handwashing helps communities to stay healthy by reducing the number of people who get sick with diarrhoea by 23-40%, reducing diarrhoea illness in people with weakened immune systems by 58%, reducing respiratory illnesses, like colds, in the general population by 16-21% and also reduces absenteeism due to gastrointestinal illness in school children by 29-57%.”
He added that: “Handwashing with soap under running water is the most cost-effective health intervention compared with others such as immunization and responding to disease outbreaks. Hands often act as agents that carry disease-causing pathogens from person to person, either through direct contact or indirectly via surfaces, hence hand hygiene is regarded as one of the most important elements of infection control activities and alone can significantly reduce the risk of cross-transmission of infection in healthcare facilities.
“Research has shown that handwashing helps in battling the rise of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). Resistance to antibiotics is one of the greatest threats to global health, food security and development. Increasing numbers of serious infections are becoming more difficult to treat because of the loss of efficacy of antibiotics which are often misused and abused; hence it is very important that we reduce the number of these infections by washing hands frequently.”
Earlier, Mrs. Motunrayo Mgbakogu of Well-being Foundation Africa, speaking on behalf of the president of the NGO, Mrs. Toyin Ojora Saraki said: “Today, on the occasion of the significant Global Handwashing Day, we are reminded of the remarkable impact that a seemingly simple act like proper handwashing technique can have on public health and overall wellbeing.”
She disclosed that: “In collaboration with the Dettol Nigeria Hygiene Quest programme, we have extended our reach and work towards achieving SDG3, SDG6 and SDG17, positively influencing the lives of 3,966 students, engaging with 2,587 individuals within communities, and equipping 9,974 mothers in healthcare facilities with indispensable knowledge concerning proper handwashing techniques. It is noteworthy that these figures pertain to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) alone. These achievements symbolise not just transformed lives but also strengthened communities, and they illuminate the path toward a more sustainable future.”
She advised that: “Let us collectively use this day as a powerful and poignant reminder of the pivotal role that proper hand hygiene plays in averting the proliferation of infections and in safeguarding the health and welfare of our communities. It is our firm resolve to persist in advocating for resolute policies and mobilising resources with the unwavering objective of ensuring that no individual is left marginalised or underserved.”
She said: “We extend our gratitude to all of you for your steadfast commitment and determination in shaping a future where every individual has the privilege of enjoying the fundamental human rights to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene. Your unwavering dedication is truly commendable and offers a beacon of hope for a more equitable and healthier, #CleanNaija.”
Environment Minister Urges Nigerians to Continue the Culture of Handwashing
Nine PAP Foreign Scholarship Beneficiaries Bag Master’s Degrees From UK Varsities
•••771 to Graduate in Nigeria in 2025
•••Otuaro Hails Scholars’ Performances
By: Michael Mike
Nine students awarded foreign post-graduate scholarships by the Presidential Amnesty Programme have graduated from their master’s degree rprogrammes in universities in the United Kingdom.
The successful scholars are the first graduates in the offshore post-graduate scholarship deployment to UK institutions by the PAP Administrator, Dr Dennis Otuaro, for the 2024-2025 academic session.
They graduated from the Anglia Ruskin University, University of Dundee and The University of Law with master’s degrees in cyber security, data science and engineering, law, construction and civil engineering management, project management, and ICT.
Also, 711 undergraduate and post-graduate scholarship beneficiaries are expected to graduate from universities within Nigeria this year.
The PAP, on Wednesday, 3 December, 2025, organised a graduation reception for the scholars in London.
Otuaro has congratulated them on their successful graduation, stressing that they completed their programmes in record time which shows the seriousness they had put into their studies.
He said they have justified the Federal Government’s investment in their education with their successful graduation, and urged other beneficiaries not to be distracted in their academic pursuits.
“We congratulate these scholars on their successful graduation. It shows that they took their studies seriously. That is what we demand of every scholarship beneficiary, whether at the undergraduate or post-graduate level”, Otuaro said.
He reiterated his unwavering commitment to expanding the scholarship scheme to create more opportunities for indigent students of Niger Delta extraction to access higher education with a view to closing the human capital development gap in the region.
Otuaro said it was for this reason he deployed 3800 beneficiaries in-country in the 2024-2025 academic year, and increased the figure to 3900 in the 2025-2026 academic session with 200 for foreign scholarships.
Otuaro has so far deployed 7700 students for the PAP scholarship scheme within Nigeria in less than two years.
Within this period, also, he has also deployed 162 students from the region for post-graduate programmes in targeted disciplines in the UK universities.
According to him, this is in conformity with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu for the Niger Delta, who has given unprecedented support to the PAP because of his sincere love for the area.
The PAP boss said, “Our decision aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR for the Niger Delta. We will continue to create more higher educational opportunities for students from indigent backgrounds in our region.
“We are also deepening the implementation of the programme’s mandate in informal education and other areas for the sustainable peace and socio-economic advancement of the region.”
Nine PAP Foreign Scholarship Beneficiaries Bag Master’s Degrees From UK Varsities
Sunshine Joint Venture Infrastructure Limited Established for Realization of Ondo Project
By: Michael Mike
Sunshine Joint Venture Infrastructure Limited has been incorporated to seamlessly allowed for the Refinery and Free Trade Zone in Ondo State.
A press statement on Thursday read that: “In furtherance of our commitment to the execution of these two major projects – Refinery and Free Trade Zone in conjunction with the Ondo State Government, the joint partners have taken another giant step by incorporating a joint company, namely – SUNSHINE JOINT VENTURE INFRASTRUCTURE LIMITED – as the vehicle to be used in executing these projects. A move that further reinforces the sincerity of purpose and total commitment of the funding partners to move ahead together as a united front.
According to the release by Wale Adekola on behalf of the JV, the Sunshine Joint Venture Infrastructure Limitedwill, going forward serve as the vehicle to work with the Ondo State Government through the Ondo State Investment Promotion Agency (ONDIPA) in the implementation of the executed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs).
The statement added that: “In moving the projects forward for implementation, the JV team met in Dubai to finalize the funding modalities and put in place structures and plans for the commencement of activities for ground breaking and community engagements. These initial activities are aimed at complementing the 50th Anniversary of the creation of Ondo State and the one year anniversary of the election of the Executive Governor of the Sunshine State, His Excellency, Chief Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa CFR.
At the Dubai meeting were key officers of the JV Company, including: Messrs SALEHI FARHAD; ZAHERI NAVID; EGHBAL KORDJAMSHIDI; SAHEED ZAHERI; DR. STEPHEN DIKE; HENRY OWONKA AND MRS. NAMVAR MARYAM.
The statement further informed that, plans have been concluded to mobilize the relevant contractors working with the locals and host communities to put up structures that will host the information center, architectural models to showcase the projects on offer and facilities that will serve the team. All these are being planned with ONDIPA to execute the relocation and accommodation of the host communities that are likely to be affected by the projects and create a seamless transition that will engender peaceful co-existence and harmonious relationship with our host communities.
The JV company further reiterated its commitment to work with Ondo State Government (through ONDIPA) to change the infrastructural landscape of the Sunshine State and for mutual benefits.
Sunshine Joint Venture Infrastructure Limited Established for Realization of Ondo Project
Edo: Seven suspected bandits arrested along Benin-Agbor Road
By: Zagazola Makama
Seven suspected bandits were arrested along the Benin–Agbor Road in Edo State during stop-and-search operations, security sources confirmed.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the suspects, all Fulani youths, were intercepted after being offloaded from a truck at about 1800 hours on 2 December 2025. A search revealed pictures of assault rifles, including AK-47s, on their mobile phones.
Upon interrogation, the suspects claimed to have travelled from Adamawa State. Investigations are ongoing for the possible recovery of actual firearms and to determine their involvement in criminal activities.
Security agencies have urged members of the public to report any suspicious movements to help prevent criminal acts in the area.
Edo: Seven suspected bandits arrested along Benin-Agbor Road
The Voice of Dan Balki: An Attempt to Derail the Gains of Building a Stronger North with VP Kashim Shettima as “Jagoran Arewa”
UN Women Calls for Strengthening of Mechanism and Policies Towards Ending Gender Violence
Nine PAP Foreign Scholarship Beneficiaries Bag Master’s Degrees From UK Varsities
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