NIGERIAN Police authorities have released Daniel Ojukwu, the detained journalist with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ). Ojukwu, who went missing with his phone numbers switched off and whereabouts unknown to colleagues until it was found out he was detained by the police, regained his freedom on Friday. “Daniel Ojukwu, the FIJ reporter who was abducted by men of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the Inspector-General of Police, has regained freedom after 10 days in police captivity,” the FIJ wrote on its website about Ojukwu’s release. “Ojukwu went missing on Wednesday, May 1, his numbers switched off and his…
Author: Samson Ikemitang
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WATER is an essential source of society and any land as life is impossible without it. Water occupies an exceptional position in terms of other natural resources since life can survive in the absence of other resources but not without water. Water resources are managed by the catchment or hydrological area, quantity, and quality of water and the variability of water in the future. The industry of Nigeria is quickly coming to terms with the country’s water-scarce position and is making noticeable changes in both culture and technology to have a more water-wise attitude. Therefore, the application for and consent…
OVER the years, successive governments to address the dwindling resources accrued from Agriculture, had implemented various policies and programmes; geared towards increasing food production and reviving agriculture for sustainable growth and development of the nation. For instance, the National Accelerated Food Production Programme (NAFPP), an agricultural extension programme was initiated in 1972 during General Yakubu Gowon regime. The programme was intended to bring about a significant increase in the production of maize, cassava, rice and wheat in the Northern States. It was later replicated in other States of the federation. Other agricultural development interventions at the time include Operation Feed…
OVER the years, the indiscriminate drilling of boreholes in the country, especially the urban centres has remained a hydra-headed challenge to the government. Indeed, the trend is unabated. It threatens not only our environment and water security but also, the well-being of communities in the nation. In the recent past, the situation has been exacerbated due to citizens’ limited and inadequate access to safe, clean and portable water, occasioned by rapid population growth. That explains why citizens have resorted to drilling boreholes indiscriminately, in an attempt to provide and improve water supply for their daily needs. It will be recalled…
THIS piece is in response to an article published in The Punch Newspaper of 29th July, 2023, purportedly credited to Professor Biodun Badmus, a lecturer at the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State. According to the publication, the University Don has said that drilling many wells or boreholes in a specific area cannot cause an earthquake. Professor Biodun made the assertion during the celebration of the Association of Water-Well Drilling Rig Owners and Practitioners’10th anniversary and inauguration of the Ogun State Executives in Abeokuta, the State capital. According to him, available data showed that drilling boreholes had nothing to do…
ON the 24th December, 2019, news hit the airwaves about the appointment of Engr. Magashi Umar Bashir by President Muhammadu Buhari as the Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Nigeria Integrated Water Resources Management Commission (NIWRMC). Indeed, his choice for the job by Mr. President has without doubt elicited cheers and accolades from across ethno-religious divides. This is based on the juxtaposition that he has extensive experience in public service, having worked in government for several years. In fact, many have since described the appointment as well-deserved given the appointee’s pedigree in water resources engineering. Interestingly, this viewpoint has…