News
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.
News
Rising Political Tension: Wife Of Rivers State Head Of Service, George Nwaeke Pleads For Her husband’s Safety
By Tambaya Julius, Abuja
The escalating political crisis in Rivers State took a dramatic turn on Friday as Florence Nwaeke, wife of former state Head of Service George Nwaeke, voiced deep concerns over her husband’s whereabouts.
Fighting back tears, she appealed to the public, revealing she had lost contact with him and feared for his life.
According to Mrs Nwaeke, her husband had travelled to Abuja and confirmed his arrival via a phone call. However, subsequent events took a baffling turn when reports surfaced of an unexpected interview attributed to him. The news left her in shock, as she insisted the statements made were uncharacteristic of her husband.
“I was confused when I heard he had given an interview. I asked myself, ‘An interview about what?’ That was not my husband speaking,” she said, overwhelmed with emotion.
Fearing for his safety, Mrs Nwaeke attempted to reach her husband multiple times but received no response.
“I sent him messages asking if he was under duress, if he had been kidnapped, but there was no reply,” she recounted. “His phone is off, and I do not know where he is. Nigerians, please help me!”
Her plea for help emerged just hours after Mr Nwaeke’s interview, in which he accused Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara of secretly backing Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed for the 2027 presidential election. He also claimed Fubara had encouraged militants to stage attacks, allegations that sent shockwaves through the political landscape.
In a subsequent video, Mrs Nwaeke made a direct appeal to Governor Fubara, imploring him to intervene and ensure her husband’s safety.
“Governor Fubara, please help me. My husband is in trouble,” she cried. “He has been forced to say things he knows nothing about. He resigned just to protect himself.”
Her statement suggested that Mr Nwaeke may have been pressured into making claims against the governor, adding another layer of intrigue to the unfolding political crisis.
Governor Fubara quickly dismissed the allegations, insinuating that Mr Nwaeke had been either bribed or coerced into making false statements.
“The truth is that Dr Nwaeke has been compromised,” Fubara asserted in a statement. “He is only making these claims to fulfil promises to those who have either paid him or forced him into this.”
To support his counterclaim, the governor released purported screenshots of conversations between Mr Nwaeke and his Chief of Staff, Edison Ehie.
These messages suggested that Mr Nwaeke had previously sought financial assistance and political backing, allegedly citing a monthly income of N500,000 as inadequate.
Meanwhile, the public awaits further developments, hoping for Mr Nwaeke’s safe return and a resolution to the escalating crisis.
Petrol tanker explosions in Nigeria have become a pressing concern, with alarming statistics revealing that no fewer than 555 people lost their lives between January 2020 and January 2025. Data from the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has highlighted the severity of these incidents, prompting urgent discussions on safety measures and regulations.
According to Joyce Alexander, the Sector Commander of the FRSC in Anambra State, these fatal accidents have caused extensive loss of life and destruction of property.
Speaking at a town hall meeting on “Tanker and Trailer Safety Challenges in Nigeria” in Awka, she outlined the staggering figures:
2020: 18 tanker explosions, 161 deaths.
2021: 19 tanker explosions, 55 fatalities.
2022: 14 tanker explosions, 76 deaths.
2023: 13 tanker explosions, 118 fatalities.
2024: 13 tanker explosions, 85 casualties.
January 2025: 7 recorded tanker explosions.
Recognising the severity of the situation, the FRSC has proposed several strategies to curb tanker-related accidents:
Strict Enforcement of Speed Limits: Ensuring that haulage vehicles are equipped with speed-limiting devices.
Regular Training for Drivers: Educating tanker operators on road safety measures and responsible driving habits.
Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance: Mandating periodic checks to identify and fix mechanical faults before tankers hit the road.
Legislative Action: Introducing harsher penalties for tanker owners who fail to comply with safety standards.
Establishing Rest Areas: Providing designated stops to prevent fatigue-related accidents.
Uche Noah, a Chief Superintendent of Police and the Divisional Police Officer of ‘B’ Division, Awka, urged drivers to avoid alcohol and illicit substances while on duty, which significantly contribute to road accidents.
By Amina Samuel, Kaduna
The Catholic Archbishop of Kaduna, Most Rev Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso, has commended Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani for fostering an inclusive government and uniting the people of the state.
Speaking at the 2025 Kaduna North Annual Deanery Cathedraticum, Archbishop Ndagoso praised Governor Sani’s leadership, contrasting it with the divisive policies of the previous administration under Nasir el-Rufai.
“The past administration divided the people; many did not feel a sense of belonging across the senatorial districts,” Ndagoso said.
“The past government acknowledged only a selected few, but in the last two years, Governor Uba Sani has bridged the gap created by his predecessor.”
The Archbishop urged the Catholic community to focus on their faith rather than the shortcomings of individual priests.
“Nobody is perfect, and no one should judge another. We should learn to adjust our ways and look at Jesus Christ, who died on the cross for mankind,” he said.
Ndagoso also commended the lay faithful for their unwavering support of the archdiocese and called on Kaduna residents and Nigerians to embrace peaceful coexistence regardless of religion or ethnicity.
Similarly, Lt. Col. G.O.I, Parish Priest of the Chaplaincy of St Peter’s Ribadu Cantonment, expressed gratitude to the Archbishop for selecting his parish to host this year’s Cathedraticum.