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WISE Partners KDSG Distributes Clean Cook-Stoves To 400 Women
By Israel Bulus, Kaduna
A Non-Governmental Organization, Women Initiate for Sustainable Environment (WISE), with Nenu Engineering Limited in collaboration with the Kaduna State Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, has on Friday sensitized and distributed clean cookstoves to 400 women.
News reports that the initiative was also supported by the Federal Ministry of Environment and Women’s Earth Alliance.
The exercise, which was done at a one-day clean cookstoves awareness, advocacy, demand, and distribution drive in Kaduna state, tagged, ‘Empowering lives and saving our planet one clean cook stove at a time’.
The Executive Director of WISE, Mrs Olanike Olugboji-Daramola, said the gesture was aimed at preserving the atmosphere while protecting it from global warming.
She noted that the earth is getting hotter, where rainfall could no longer be predicted due to human activities such as felling down trees for energy and other purposes.
Olugboji-Daramola said that across the country, WISE had distributed over 60,000 clean cookstoves and also raised over 1,860 clean cookstoves entrepreneurs and advocates across the country.
She explained that in 2013, she came across World Health Organization (WHO) statistics which stated that 98,000 Nigerian women died from smoke-related illnesses.
The figures, she said, made Nigerian women top the list of countries where women die of smoke-related illnesses.
“WISE research found out that women who cook three square meals for their households in small enclosed spaces with fire woods were ignorant of the smoke they inhaled, which posed challenges to their health.
“People sometimes wonder where those frying beans cakes and other things on streets go to after some years in the business; a lot of them are on sick beds, which most of the time is traced to the smoke they inhaled over time while in business,” she said.
Speaking further, she also said that the same WHO published a report which says that women who cook three square meals over an open fire are estimated to smoke between 23 to 24 packets of cigarettes in that day.
By promoting the use of clean cookstoves, Olugboji-Daramola said it would help women solve the problem of inhaling bad smoke by leveraging its efficiency.
Earlier, the Kaduna State Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Mr Abubakar Buba, described the clean cookstoves initiative as a win-win.
He said the stoves, which reduce carbon emissions to the atmosphere, which is affecting climate change in the modern world, would equally reduce the use of firewood for cooking, which has a great health effect on women.
“With this initiative, we are assured that 400 women will go off the effects of firewood and also reduce carbon emission,” he said.
Speaking on the importance of trees, Buba said they purify the air we breathe and also serve as carbon absorbents.
This, he said, made the Kaduna State government frown at felling down trees, where an existing law that banned it still functions.
“This is why the Kaduna State government is allowing all partners to partner with it in attaining its objective of making the state greener and less carbon emission.
“We also have our road map in ensuring that we reduce to the barest minimum the use of firewood in cooking in the state,” he said.
Some of the beneficiaries and advocates of the clean cookstoves, Mrs. Asibi Hassan and Hauwa Magayaki said the initiative had been a game-changer for them and their families.
In addition, they no longer have to worry about inhaling harmful smoke while cooking, which has improved their health significantly.
They equally said they use a small quantity of coal for the stoves, which saves them time and money.
The duo also said that they have been advocating and convincing many women on the use of clean cookstoves, which were affordable.
“The clean cookstoves initiative has empowered us to take control of our health and environment. We have learned about the dangers of smoke inhalation and the importance of reducing carbon emissions.
“We are grateful to WISE and their partners for providing us with these stoves and educating us on their benefits. We hope to see more initiatives like this in the future.
In a startling turn of events, a video has surfaced online showing a group of armed bandits conducting Eid prayers deep within the forests of Kaduna State, Nigeria.
The footage, which has sparked widespread alarm, was shared by counter-insurgency expert Zagazola Makama on his account on Tuesday, April 1, 2025.
According to reports, the armed groups gathered in at least two distinct locations Maidaro, Sabon Birni, and East Kaduna, within the Dogon Dawa Forest.
The bandits armed with a variety of sophisticated weapons. In addition to carrying automatic rifles, the bandits were seen equipped with drones and mobile phones, suggesting an alarming level of coordination and access to technology.
Security analysts, including Makama, have expressed deep concern over the implications of this gathering. Tagging both the Nigerian Army and the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) in his post, Makama emphasised the urgent need for strategic countermeasures against these criminal elements.
The National Youth Vanguard of Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has rejected allegations made by Honourable Aminu Sani Jaji, who accused the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Muhammed Matawalle, of orchestrating claims of anti-party activities against him.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the group’s National Publicity Secretary, Dr Adeniyi Wale, described Jaji’s accusations as “baseless” and an attempt to distract from his own political manoeuvres.
“Jaji has long positioned himself as a loyal APC member and a unifying force within the party, but his actions suggest otherwise. His political moves appear more self-serving than focused on party unity,” Wale said.
The APC Vanguard emphasised that Nigerians deserve transparent and accountable leaders rather than those who, it said, manipulate public trust for personal gain. The group also questioned Jaji’s credibility, citing what it described as a pattern of inconsistency in his political engagements.
“The remarks made by Jaji not only lack substantiation but also raise concerns about his reliability and judgment,” the statement read. “Leadership is not merely about holding a position of power; it is about demonstrating qualities that inspire trust and confidence among the people.”
The group commended Minister Matawalle for his efforts in strengthening national security and promoting peace. It said his leadership had contributed significantly to fostering unity and improving community relations across the country.
“Minister Matawalle exemplifies the qualities of effective leadership. Under his stewardship, significant progress has been made in enhancing national security and community relations,” the statement said.
The APC Vanguard further criticised Jaji’s leadership approach, accusing him of lacking the foresight and responsibility required for credible governance.
“This pattern of inconsistency not only weakens the integrity of his decisions but also erodes the confidence of party members and stakeholders who seek dependable representation,” Wale added.
The group reaffirmed its support for Matawalle and urged APC members to remain focused on unity and national progress while rejecting divisive rhetoric that could undermine the party’s strength.
News
Two brothers Launch Sardaunan Ikulu Fans Foundation, Sponsor WAEC Registration For 50 vulnerable Students
By Israel Bulus, Kaduna
In a significant effort to promote education, two brothers have launched the Sardaunan Ikulu Fans Foundation, sponsoring the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) registration for 50 vulnerable students in Kamaru Ikulu Ward, Zango-Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Speaking at the launch on Tuesday, Yusuf Ismail Ashafa, popularly known as Sardaunan Ikulu, urged the beneficiaries to remain dedicated to their studies and strive for academic excellence. He assured them that the foundation would continue to support outstanding students by facilitating their admission into higher institutions.
Ashafa also called on parents to play an active role in motivating their children to focus on education, emphasizing that their success would contribute to a brighter future for the community.
Meanwhile, Ashafa, who played a crucial role in the emergence of Engr. Bege Gaiya Joseph as the Executive Chairman of Zango-Kataf Local Government Area, expressed deep appreciation for Joseph and his brother, Reuben Richman Bissla, for sponsoring the students’ WAEC registration in his honor.
He pledged to build on these efforts, ensuring continued support for students’ education as a means of fostering societal development.
In his remarks, the co-sponsor, Engr. Joseph Bege Gaiya, popularly known as Lordbeckson, disclosed that the initiative was aimed at improving the education of the most vulnerable students for the betterment of society.
“I am one of the beneficiaries of the goodwill of Sardaunan Ikulu. If he had wanted to become the Council Chairman, he would have been, but he decided to push me forward, and today I am the Council Chairman through his mentorship,” he stated.
He urged the beneficiaries to consider themselves fortunate and to take full advantage of the opportunity by studying hard to achieve excellent results.
“With the establishment of the Federal University of Applied Sciences in Kachia, we must ensure that our students pursue science courses. We cannot afford to have a Federal University in our region and yet have our children unable to gain admission to study science-related fields,” he added.
The initiative has been widely commended as a timely intervention, helping underprivileged students overcome financial barriers to education.