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CESDA Tasks Nyanya, Others On Clean-up Of Markets, Motor Parks
The Centre for Environmental Sustainability and Development Awareness (CESDA) has urged residence of Nyanya and environs to raise the bar on clean-up of their environment, including the markets and moor parks.
Mr Olusola Babalola, the Executive Director, CESDA made the call in Abuja in a statement.
The CESDA is a Nigerian advocacy civil society group established, among other mandates, to promote good governance, development and defense of human ecosystem. CESDA is committed to delivering quality and sustainable intervention bearing in mind unique context of each project areas.
“As a major key player in Nigeria environmental sector, CESDA has commenced the sensitization of the people of Nyanya community, a suburb of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), especially traders, motorists and pedestrians in its bid to rid the society of poor sanitation and hygiene practices currently witnessed in the community. Nyanya is a settlement characterised by endless traffic challenges and poor hygiene and environmental sanitation practices.
“The Centre mobilized critical stakeholders in the environmental sanitation sector such as Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), Abuja Market Management Board Ltd, Satellite Town Development Department (STTD) and African Centre for Enterpreneurship and Information Development (ACEIDEV) to sensitize and clean up existing markets and motor parks in the community,” Babalola said.
He said the month-long intervention which commenced in on Monday, 3 April, 2023 with a courtesy visit to the community leader, His Excellency, Nyanyi of Nyanya to brief the palace about the engagement would also add to the gains recorded in the just concluded intervention supported by the British Council, European Union Agent for Citizens Transformation (ACT) Programme on ‘Promoting Good Sanitation and Hygiene Practices in the FCT Through stakeholders Engagement, Advocacy and Sensitization in Public Places’.
This was followed by inspection tour of the markets and motor parks within the community and environs by CESDA.
As a result, a Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WaSH) Team which comprised of CESDA personnel and relevant government agency was activated to intervene in the situation.
During the tour that lasted four days, the state of the community sanitation is in total shambles with the toilet facilities broken down, with coloured stinking water dripping from the pipes being inches away from the facilities due to over use. Refuse was indiscriminately disposed with no proper waste disposal plan in place. The ground was littered with both solid and liquid wastes.
In addition, the drainages, pavement or the bridge columns are used as makeshift toilets when people are pressed. Traders and motorists as well as pedestrians have converted such areas into a place for defecation which are often littered with human faeces, among other refuse.
So far, the Team has been able to sensitize major markets and parks within the environs namely, Nyanya AMAC market, Neighborhood market, Baba Nagode Park, Nyanya Central Motor Park, Pantaker market, Keffi/Nyanya park amongst others while refuse bags, nose masks and hand gloves were provided in Pantaker market which was successfully cleaned up and refuse evacuated by the operatives of the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) and Satellite Town Development Department (STDD) afterwards.
He said the exercise had resumed on Tuesday, 25 April with activation of mobile court to prosecute offenders while the clean-up exercise continued. Prior to the above, markets, parks and shop owners have been issued abatement letters well ahead of time, warning them to ensure that facilities and environment are put in good shape.
“To effectively combat the menace of poor hygiene and sanitation practices, there is need for proper orientation among the populace, increase in government budgetary allocations to water sanitation and hygiene sector to shore up toilet facilities and proper waste management system as well as public private partnership to be able to effectively cater for toilet deficit in our communities,” he said.
He assured that the organisation will continually engage the process, especially relevant stakeholders in its bid to promoting a better and safer society.
A National Youth Service Corp member, Rofiat Lawal, who was kidnapped along the Benin-Ore Expressway on Tuesday has regained freedom after her family paid a ransom of N1.1m.
ELANZANEWS reports that Lawal was kidnapped while en route to Ibadan, Oyo State from Benin, Edo State to resume at her place of primary assignment.
The abductors were said to have demanded an N20m ransom which her family appealed that they could not afford.
Following back-and-forth negotiations, the kidnappers reportedly reduced the N20m ransom to N5m.
Giving an update on the incident, Lawal’s friend identified as Agbakwara, who was privy to the incident, disclosed on Saturday that Aminat has regained her freedom.
Sharing a video of the victim in a Facebook post, Agbakwara wrote, “In the early hours of Friday, the kidnappers pressured us, warning that if we failed to meet their demands, we should not expect her return.
“In desperation, I reached out to everyone I could, her colleagues in school, the Muslim association, her friends from her hometown, my fans, and her family.
“Through the collective efforts and generosity of so many, we were able to raise N1.1 million, which was sent at 4:20 pm on Friday to an account provided by the kidnappers.
“The recipient, Isaac Ayo, claimed that his sister had also been kidnapped and assured us he would deliver the ransom alongside his own.”
He stated that Lawal was finally reunited with her family on Saturday morning.
“For hours, we anxiously waited. Finally, at around 10 pm, we received the long-awaited call: they had been released and taken to the hospital.
“This morning, we got another call confirming that Rofiat was on her way home, and the others had also safely returned to their families.
“I want to express my deepest gratitude to everyone who contributed, shared the news, and tagged the necessary authorities. Your support made this possible,” he concluded.
Mrs Ekaette Akpabio, the wife of the Senate President, has launched two lawsuits against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, accusing her of defamation and infringement of her fundamental rights.
In her legal filings, Mrs Akpabio is seeking an astounding ₦250 billion in damages, alongside an additional ₦1 billion to cover legal costs.
The suits, presented to the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja, arise from sexual harassment allegations made by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan against her husband, Godswill Akpabio, during an interview on Arise News last Friday.
In the fundamental rights suit (Suit No: CV/814/25), Mrs Akpabio contends that the statements made by Akpoti-Uduaghan on 20th February 2025, as well as during the televised interview, represent a “flagrant violation” of her fundamental rights as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
Referencing Section 34(1)(a) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Mrs Akpabio is pursuing several legal remedies, including: “A declaration that the Senator’s remarks breached her fundamental rights and subjected her and her children to emotional and psychological distress.
“A perpetual injunction restraining Akpoti-Uduaghan from making any further inciteful, scandalous, and defamatory remarks against her.
“₦250 billion in damages for what she categorises as exemplary, punitive, aggravated, and general damages incurred as a result of the senator’s statements.”
In a separate defamation lawsuit (Suit No: CV/816/25), the wife of the Senate President challenges the allegations made by Akpoti-Uduaghan, asserting that they have inflicted irreparable harm on her reputation and that of her family.
She argues that the claims, aired on national television, have “tarnished her family’s reputation and brought them into disrepute and opprobrium.”
“The Defendant’s assertion on national television that the Claimant’s husband, who serves as the President of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, made sexual advances towards her without any substantiation has severely damaged the reputation of the Claimant and her entire family,” the suit states.
Mrs Akpabio is also seeking a court declaration affirming that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s statements were indeed defamatory.
Her requests include: “A declaration that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s assertions on national television—that the Claimant’s husband, the Senate President, made sexual advances towards her without evidence—have harmed her reputation and that of her family, resulting in disrepute and opprobrium.
“An order compelling Akpoti-Uduaghan to issue a formal written retraction of her statements and to provide an unconditional apology to the Claimant and her family, to be published in two national newspapers.
“An order mandating Akpoti-Uduaghan to pay ₦1 billion in punitive and exemplary damages for the ramifications of her statements on the Akpabio family’s reputation.
“A perpetual injunction preventing Akpoti-Uduaghan from making further defamatory statements against the Akpabio family.”
These lawsuits represent a notable escalation in legal proceedings following a contentious exchange between Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senator Akpabio.
The dispute first gained prominence when Akpoti-Uduaghan engaged in a verbal altercation with the Senate President during a Senate session, which she subsequently escalated by levelling allegations of sexual harassment during a televised interview.
The allegations have ignited a nationwide debate, drawing significant attention and eliciting mixed responses from the public.
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Governor Uba Sani Extends Warm Ramadan Greetings, Calls for Unity and Reflection in Kaduna State
As the holy month of Ramadan 1446 AH begins, Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, has extended his heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to the Muslim faithful in Kaduna State, Nigeria, and across the globe.
In his Ramadan message, Governor Sani emphasized the importance of reflection, empathy, and solidarity during this sacred period.
Governor Sani urged Muslims to embrace the noble values of Ramadan, including generosity, brotherhood, and cooperation. He called on citizens to share food, love, time, and respect with the less privileged in society, reinforcing the spirit of compassion that defines the holy month.
“This is the time to renew our relationship with Almighty Allah and seek His mercy for our state and country,” Governor Sani stated. He also encouraged citizens to pray fervently for the sustenance of peace and unity in Kaduna State, highlighting the strength of the state’s diversity.
The Governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to consolidating peace, revitalizing the economy, and ensuring sustainable growth and development in Kaduna State. “As a government, we shall continue to do all that is necessary to place Kaduna State irreversibly on the path to progress,” he said.
Governor Sani concluded his message with a prayer for the spirit of Ramadan to illuminate the hearts and souls of all citizens. “May this holy month bring blessings, peace, and prosperity to our state and nation. Ramadan Mubarak,” he added.