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How Gombe can improve public health, tackle unemployment through faecal sludge management -Stakeholders
How Gombe can improve public health, tackle unemployment through faecal sludge management -Stakeholders
Some stakeholders from Gombe State have advocated for the adoption of faecal sludge management (FSM) to tackle public health issues as well as reduce unemployment amongst youths in the state.
They gave the advice in Gombe on Thursday during a one-day Media Dialogue on Accelerating FSM Strategy Adoption in Gombe State organised by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in collaboration with Gombe State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA).
Declaring the meeting open, the Commissioner for Water, Environment, and Forest Resources, Mr Mohammed Fawu said many communities in the state rely on on-site sanitation systems such as pot latrines and septic tanks.
Fawu stated that while these systems provide basic sanitation, they pose serious public health and environmental risks when not properly managed.
He stressed that overflowing pits, indiscriminate disposal and ground water contamination were not more inconveniences, “they are threats to human dignity, water security and the health of our population.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the state government to developing a functional, inclusive, and sustainable FSM framework for the state.
In her remarks, the Chief of Field Office (CFO), UNICEF Bauchi Field Office (BFO), Dr Nuzhat Rafique stated that the aimed of the engagement was to sensitise media stakeholders in Gombe State towards pushing for the adoption of FSM in the state.
Rafique represented by Nanbam Michael, Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Officer, UNICEF, Bauchi State Field Office said that the dialogue was part of efforts at accelerating the attainment of open defecation free in Gombe State.
She stated that UNICEF in partnership with the state’s RUWASSA had domesticated the “the Clean Nigeria, Use a toilet” campaign in Gombe State, aimed at pushing for an ODF Gombe State and in all its communities.
She said that it is possible to attain the ODF status in Gombe State just as Jigawa State had done and that UNICEF and its partners at the state level were mobilising people to use the toilet and improve toilet.
She said that UNICEF was already looking ahead to ensure that while people were being mobilised to use the toilets, “and the question why we are here is when this toilets are filled up, now what?
“Jigawa is now ODF and the major challenge there is where to offload the toilet that has been filled up? What can of FSM do we have?
“Now as a state, Gombe has an edge to start preparing for a well FSM before we get there; this is why we are sensitising the media to take up the story on FSM.”
She said that with the ongoing efforts at mobilising communities through the Community Led Total Sanitation approach, she expressed hope that by the end of 2025, there should be communities in the state claiming ODF.
While making his presentation, Prof. Wilson Danbature of the Department of Chemical Sciences, Gombe State University who was a facilitator at the dialogue urged the state government, stakeholders and investors to harness the value chain in FSM.
Danbature said that FSM if properly harnessed had the potential to create numerous jobs across the sanitation value chain, from desludging and treatment plant operations to resource recovery and reuse.
He said that with the growing population and campaign on against open defecation resulting in a large number of toilets relying on on-site sanitation systems, FSM was crucial for addressing public health and environmental concerns while also offering economic opportunities.
“With stakeholders coming in to establish faecal sludge treatment plant (FSTP), it would help improve public health, sanitation, boost revenue for the state and create employment for youths,” he said.
For Dr Abubakar Lumumba, the Sector Lead WASH RUWASSA said proper FSM was critical to addressing concerns on public health as well as improving sanitation.
Lumumba, however called for attitudinal change to address the menace of open defecation in the state, adding that not community in the state has been confirmed ODF.
For Khalid Umar, the Gombe State chairman, Public Convenience Maintenance, who runs a commercial public convenience said he had been making money from the business for the past three decades.
Umar said he rakes in between N7000 and N4000 on daily basis which had helped in cater for his family while also engaging youths to manage his facilities around Gombe Main market.
He urged stakeholders to invest in the business while calling for support to enable them manage the faecal sludge and desludge them properly.
How Gombe can improve public health, tackle unemployment through faecal sludge management -Stakeholders
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DSS, Army Neutralizes 50 Bandits, Rescuing Kidnapees, as Niger Assembly Speaker hailed operation
DSS, Army Neutralizes 50 Bandits, Rescuing Kidnapees, as Niger Assembly Speaker hailed operation
By: Zagazola Makama
The Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigerian Army have struck a major blow against banditry in Niger State, neutralizing over 50 armed men and rescuing kidnapped victims in a daring joint operation.
The incident, which occurred on Aug. 26 in Kumbashi village of Mariga Local Government Area, is being hailed as one of the most successful security interventions in recent times.
The Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Hon. Abdulmalik Mohammed Sarkin-Daji, described the operation as “a demonstration of superior intelligence, training and firepower,” while commending the operatives for their courage in the face of overwhelming odds.
Eyewitnesses told Zagazola Makama that about 300 bandits, armed with sophisticated weapons, attempted to invade Kumbashi at about 3 p.m. on Tuesday. The attack targeted a DSS service asset camp in the area.
However, security operatives swiftly repelled the assault after a fierce gun duel that left no fewer than 50 of the assailants dead. Several others reportedly fled with gunshot wounds.
“My constituents confirmed that the bandits, clearly shaken by the scale of their losses, were seen dismembering the corpses of their dead colleagues, loading them in sacks, and hauling them off on motorcycles,” Sarkin-Daji said.
The Speaker, who represents Mariga constituency in the Assembly, added that seven kidnapped victims were freed during the operation, while rustled cattle were also recovered from the criminals.
The development follows an earlier breakthrough by the DSS in Wawa, Niger State, where its operatives arrested alive Abubakar Abba, leader of Mahmuda, one of the most notorious terror groups in Nigeria.
For many locals, the latest operation offers renewed hope that security agencies are regaining the upper hand against banditry that has plagued the North-Central state.
Community sources in Kumbashi said that the success of the operation was particularly inspiring because the security operatives were outnumbered nearly six to one, yet held their ground.
“They stood firm when hundreds of bandits surrounded them. If not for their bravery, Kumbashi would have been wiped out,” a local resident said.
Sarkin-Daji, in his commendation, urged residents of the state to continue supporting security agencies with timely information to sustain the momentum against the criminal groups.
He also assured that the Assembly would continue to provide legislative backing to enhance security interventions in the state.
The Niger State operation adds to the growing list of successful joint missions by the DSS and the military, reflecting a wider strategy of intelligence-led warfare to dismantle terror and bandit networks across the country.
DSS, Army Neutralizes 50 Bandits, Rescuing Kidnapees, as Niger Assembly Speaker hailed operation
Police arrest fake soldier, recover firearms in Abuja
By: Zagazola Makama
The Police Command in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has arrested a 40-year-old man who allegedly posed as a soldier to deceive and extort unsuspecting members of the public in Abuja.
Sources said that the suspect, identified as Abdullahi Salisu of Military Pension Board area, was arrested on Monday evening by a police ambush team from Kubwa Division while on routine patrol at FO1, Kubwa.
“On a spot search, one locally made pistol with a cartridge was recovered in his possession.
“A further search conducted at his residence led to the recovery of another locally made gun, as well as clothing and tokens suspected to belong to a civilian JTF unit, which the suspect allegedly used in carrying out criminal activities,” said the sources.
The sources said suspect is currently in custody undergoing interrogation to ascertain his true identity and involvement in other crimes.
Police arrest fake soldier, recover firearms in Abuja
Eight hunters killed in bandits’ attack in Niger
By: Zagazola Makama
At least eight hunters have been killed during an exchange of gunfire with armed bandits in Mariga Local Government Area of Niger.
It was gathered that the incident occurred when a large number of armed bandits invaded Hunyo/Sabon Wuri village in Dusai Mahoro District of Mariga and rustled an unspecified number of cattle.
Sources said the bandits, while attempting to escape with the stolen cattle, were intercepted by the hunters between Kakihum and Kumbashi villages.
“In the ensuing exchange of fire, eight of the hunters lost their lives. Their names and addresses are yet to be ascertained.
“Police Mobile Force operatives deployed in Bangi, the divisional patrol team, and local vigilantes led by the Divisional Police Officer moved swiftly to the scene. The corpses have since been evacuated to General Hospital, Bangi, for autopsy,” said the sources.
Eight hunters killed in bandits’ attack in Niger
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