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Over 179 million Nigerians live in unclean environment-Report

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Over 179 million Nigerians live in unclean environment-Report

By: Michael Mike

Over 179 million people in Nigeria are living in unclean environment, according to the State of the Nigerian Environment (STONE) study.

The Seventh Edition of the public presentation of the State of the Nigerian Environment (STONE) study showed that this was an improvement over last year’s record which stood at 183 million.

The report was made available on Friday at an event tagged: “cleanest state champions in Nigeria tagged “Stone 2024 Unplugged,” by the National Coordinator of a non governmental organisation (NGO), Clean-Up Nigeria (CUN), Mr. Prince Owoh.

According to Owoh the indicators used in the study aimed to promote comprehensive environmental policies targeting governments at all levels and citizens.

He noted that: “The 2024 zonal rating has significant merits, expected to improve Nigeria’s national cleanliness index rating.

“On one hand, the country has seen a slight improvement in reducing open defecation, from 24 per cent in 2023 to 20 per cent in 2024,” he said.

Owoh said that STONE aimed to highlight the importance of environmental cleanliness and sustainability in terms of waste management.

He said: “Nigeria’s sanitation situation is a mixed bag.Unfortunately, waste recycling efforts have declined, dropping from 26 per cent in 2023 to 19 per cent in 2024. This decrease is attributed to the rising poverty levels in the country.

“The Stone Study’s findings further revealed that only seven states demonstrated good personal hygiene and sanitation practices among their citizens.”

He however noted that the annual Cleanliness Performance Index rating ranked Akwa Ibom and Abuja as cleanest states in Nigeria which enabled some states show commitment to environmental sustainability.

“Akwa Ibom state recently launched massive improved waste equipment combined with improving its sanitation of citizens, offering valuable insights for improvement.

“The zonal emphasis rating fosters regional integration, making the competition more relevant to
local environments.

The National Coordinator who is also the Secretary, National Technical Study Group (NTSG), said that the cleanliness index rating would address specific cleanliness challenges in each state and drive positive change in Nigeria’s cleanliness and environmental sustainability.

“The zonal approach will also facilitate interstate collaboration and partnership, promoting another and adopt effective strategies to address their unique environmental challenges towards a cleaner and healthier nation.

Owoh while announcing the six zonal cleanest state champions in Nigeria, said “the yearly Cleanliness Performance Index Rating, chaired by Prof. Solomon Balogun, Chairman, STONE NTSG showed that Akwa Ibom is the cleanest state in the South-South.

“Enugu State in the South East, Lagos State in the South-West, Plateau in the North-Central, Borno in the North-East, and Kaduna State in the North-West.

“By highlighting successes and challenges in each zone, the zonal approach will inspire positive and responsibility among citizens for their local environment,” he stated.

He said this in turn will enhance six consecutive years effective data collection and analysis from 2018 to 2023.

These six zonal cleanliness champions were awarded the prestigious STONE Green Crystal Award in 2024, he said.

He said the zonal ratings will provide a more accurate assessment of strengths and weaknesses on a zonal basis, enabling states within each zone to benchmark themselves against one another.

He assured that the zonal rating would equally promote healthy competition, drive self-improvement and targeted interventions to change and showcase best practices.

Over 179 million Nigerians live in unclean environment-Report

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RHI Presents Food Items to Vulnerable Groups in Yobe State

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RHI Presents Food Items to Vulnerable Groups in Yobe State


…Making it the 20th State to Benefit from the Support

By: Our Reporter

The Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Food Outreach Program, launched in Abuja in March 2024 to provide monthly support to vulnerable groups and persons with disabilities, has reached Yobe State—making it the 20th state to benefit from the initiative.
Since its inception, the program has covered Abia, Adamawa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Oyo, Plateau, and Sokoto States before arriving in Yobe.
With generous support from the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa) and another industrialist who prefers to remain anonymous, assorted food items were delivered, bringing relief to many households, particularly those with disabilities.


The First Lady and Chairman of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, noted that donors provide two truckloads of food items to each beneficiary state for onward distribution. Represented by the Wife of the Vice President, Hajiya Nana Shettima, she highlighted Yobe as a major beneficiary of RHI programs and interventions.
These include:

  • The Tony Elumelu Foundation Women Economists Empowerment Program, which supported 500 women with ₦50,000 each.
  • The RHI Women Agricultural Support Scheme, where 20 women received ₦500,000 each.
  • A ₦68.9 million grant from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to the Young Farmers Club.
  • Annual financial support to senior citizens, with 100 beneficiaries receiving ₦100,000 each in 2023 and 250 beneficiaries receiving ₦200,000 each.
  • A ₦50 million financial grant to 1,000 petty traders.
  • The Women in ICT Program, aimed at empowering women in the digital economy.
    According to Senator Tinubu, these interventions are designed to complement the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
    Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni represented by his Deputy Governor, Alhaji Idi Barde Gubana reaffirmed his government’s commitment to the initiative, noting that the state has aligned with RHI through various empowerment programs for women, children, and vulnerable groups. These include the distribution of household items, skill acquisition schemes, and post-insurgency recovery programs that have economically empowered many women.

  • The State Coordinator of RHI and Wife of the Yobe State Governor, Hajiya Hafsat Kollere Buni, expressed gratitude to the First Lady for extending such impactful support to Yobe State. She also looked forward to stronger collaborations to further project the ideals of RHI and improve the lives of the people.
    Also present at the event was Dr. Ubong Udoh, Managing Director of the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative, one of the key donors to the program.
  • RHI Presents Food Items to Vulnerable Groups in Yobe State
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Monguno says lack of national cohesion fuels insurgency

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Monguno says lack of national cohesion fuels insurgency

By: Zagazola Makama

Former National Security Adviser, Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd.), has warned that Nigeria’s fight against insurgency will remain elusive without national cohesion and a united front across society.

Monguno stated this in Abuja on Thursday at the launch of Scars: Nigeria’s Journey and the Boko Haram Conundrum, a new book authored by former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor (rtd.).

He said Boko Haram and other violent groups had thrived by exploiting Nigeria’s divisions, stressing that disunity among citizens, political actors, and institutions weakened the country’s capacity to defeat terrorism.

“Without national cohesion, insurgency will not end. Terrorists feed on our fault lines – ethnic, religious, political – and they weaponise them against us. If we remain divided, no amount of military might will deliver lasting peace,” Monguno said.

He urged Nigerians to rise above parochial sentiments and embrace a spirit of patriotism, solidarity, and common purpose. According to him, the fight against insurgency must go beyond the battlefield to include reconciliation, justice, and inclusive governance.

The retired General emphasised that the scars left by Boko Haram were not just physical but also psychological and social, making unity a vital condition for national healing.

“The book reminds us that security is not just the work of soldiers. It is the responsibility of leaders, institutions, and citizens. Unless we build cohesion, insurgency will continue to mutate in different forms,” he added.

Monguno commended Gen. Irabor for documenting his experience, describing the work as a guide that combines history, strategy, and national lessons for the future.

The event was attended by former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, the Minister of Defence, service chiefs, traditional rulers, diplomats, and senior government officials.

Monguno says lack of national cohesion fuels insurgency

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Kukah says military operations alone cannot end insurgency, stresses soft power approach

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Kukah says military operations alone cannot end insurgency, stresses soft power approach

By: Zagazola Makama

The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Most Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah, has said Nigeria cannot defeat insurgency through military operations alone, stressing the need to embrace soft power and address root causes of insecurity.

Kukah made this known in Abuja on Thursday while reviewing Scars: Nigeria’s Journey and the Boko Haram Conundrum, a new book authored by former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor (rtd.).

He said the country’s reliance on military doctrines and repeated counter-insurgency operations had failed to produce lasting peace because Boko Haram represented an ideology, not just an armed threat.

“For years, we have had Operation Lafiya Dole, Operation Restore Order, Operation Hadin Kai, Operation Safe Haven, and many others. Yet, when one operation fails, another is launched. These operations have not ended the insurgency because you cannot fight an idea with weapons alone,” Kukah said.

The cleric argued that describing the insurgency only in military terms forecloses other sources of information and non-kinetic solutions that are critical to peacebuilding.

According to him, Boko Haram’s struggle is framed as a jihad, and many of its fighters see death as martyrdom, making them indifferent to conventional deterrence.

“The challenge before us is not merely about defeating insurgents on the battlefield, but about understanding the soft issues of life and death. Guns cannot build peace; soft power must complement military power,” he said.

Kukah pointed to chapters 11, 12 and 13 of Irabor’s book, which emphasise reconciliation, good governance, justice, and national healing as critical conditions for security.

He praised the author’s reflections for going beyond military strategy, describing them as “the writings of a priest” that call for dialogue, reforms and moral renewal.

The bishop added that Nigeria must prioritise structural reforms, political inclusion, patriotism, and judicial integrity to tackle grievances that feed extremism.

“The urgency now is to invest in soft power – in human development, reconciliation, and building trust in institutions. Military operations can only create space; it is ideas and justice that will sustain peace,” Kukah said.

The event attracted former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, senior government officials, service chiefs, diplomats, and other dignitaries.
End

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