Following the declaration of about 158 Local Government Areas and two states as having achieved Open Defecation Free status, the Federal Government, Foreign Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO), and Self Help Africa have called for concerted efforts to sustain and scale up the achievement to other states.

They made the call on Sunday in Abuja at the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Systems Learning Forum organised by Self Help Africa WASH Systems for Health Project, funded by the UK government.

The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof Joseph Utsev, in a keynote address, said that although, with the help of development partners, two states and 150 LGAs have been declared open defecation free, it is important that the progress is sustained; otherwise, it can vanish easily.

He said, “These milestones are worth celebrating, yet we must remain humble: victory in WASH is never final; it must be continuously maintained. Otherwise, progress can vanish faster than a bucket of cold water left in the Abuja sun.”

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The Minister, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mr Richard Pheelangwah, however, noted some of the persistent challenges in the WASH sector, including monitoring gaps, weak data reliability, and limited accountability.

He added, “Our WASH Information Management System (WASHIMS), although innovative, is not yet fully operational across all states and local governments. The WASHNORM exercise has not been conducted since 2021, creating data gaps that affect planning. In the WASH sector, no data is as dangerous as wrong data—both lead to poor decisions.”

He applauded the learning forum, saying it is an opportunity to pause and ask how to fully operationalise WASHNORM nationwide, as well as automate and institutionalise WASH norms, and also ensure that every investment is traceable, measurable, and accountable.

‘Scale up efforts to end open defecation, achieve sanitation target by 2030’
The Country Director of Self Help Africa, Joy Aderele, stated that through the support of FCDO, the organisation is implementing a five-year project named WASH Systems for Health Programme in West Africa.

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The project, according to her, is aimed at strengthening systems, enhancing capacities, and reforming policies across the countries where it operates, including Nigeria and Sierra Leone, and enabling communities to continue thriving even after the programme ends in 2027.

She pointed out that through collaboration, ranging from government ministries driving reforms to local actors designing context-specific solutions, systems can be transformed, but she emphasised that much work remains.

She said, “Only 158 of more than 700 local government areas in Nigeria have achieved open defecation-free (ODF) status. This figure shows progress but also underscores the scale of the challenge.”

Aderele explained that the sessions will provide opportunities to share ideas, tackle barriers, and draw on practical insights, while also celebrating milestones with humility, recognising that future gains depend on the work being done today.

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The representative of FCDO, Gill Fletcher, in her remarks stated that the WASH Systems for Health project is being implemented in six countries: Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Malawi, Tanzania, Nepal, and Bangladesh, to drive systematic change to ensure sustainable and equitable WASH services.

She emphasised that WASH is not just a sector, but it is central to achieving SDG 6 on clean water and sanitation, improving health outcomes, advancing gender equality, unlocking economic growth, and is also critical to Nigeria’s national development agenda of reducing poverty and meeting global commitments.
(Guardian)

President Bola Tinubu has directed the immediate withdrawal of police officers assigned to provide security for Very Important Persons (VIPs) across the country.

In a statement released by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, the administration said the police will henceforth refocus on their primary responsibilities instead of guarding individuals.

The directive, according to the statement, followed a high-level security meeting held on Sunday in Abuja with the heads of the police, army, Air Force, and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS).

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The presidency clarified that, going forward, “VIPs who want police protection will now request well-armed personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.”Africa Grain Supply

The statement added that many rural communities are underserved by police personnel, leaving residents vulnerable. It explained that the President wants to strengthen security nationwide by ensuring more officers are deployed back to local stations.

“In view of the current security challenges facing the country, President Tinubu is desirous of boosting police presence in all communities,” it said, noting that Tinubu has already approved the recruitment of 30,000 new police officers.

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The federal government is also partnering with state governments to upgrade police training centres across the country.

Those present at Sunday’s meeting included Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, and DSS Director-General Tosin Adeola Ajayi.

At least 50 students kidnapped at the St Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, Agwara local government, Niger State have reportedly escaped and reunited with their parents, bringing hope to families of the abducted victims.

Recall on November 21,2025 armed bandits stormed the school and abducted 303 students and 12 teachers bringing the total to 315.

The state Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna who is also the Proprietor of the school and Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese gave the update in a statement issued by his Media Aide, Daniel Atori in Minna.

The chairman explained that the pupils escaped between Friday and Saturday and have reunited with their parents as they could not return to the school after they escaped.

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“We were able to ascertain this when we decided to contact and visit some parents.

” This is to notify the public that, as at Sunday 23rd November, 2025 we have received some good news as fifty pupils escaped and have reunited with their parents. We were able to ascertain this when we decided to contact and visit some parents, ” the statement disclosed”

“For the records, we now have Primary 251 pupils, 14 Secondary students and 12 teachers still with their abductors”.

”In the primary section out of the total number of 430 pupils we have in the school, 377 of them are boarders and the remaining 53 others are non boarders”

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“Currently, aside from the 50 pupils that escaped and have returned home, we have 141 pupils who were not carried away. As it stands now, we have 236 pupils, another 3 children who belong to our staff, 14 Secondary students making a total of 253 children including 12 members of staff with the abductors, ” the CAN chairman stated.

The cleric called on everyone to remain calm and prayerful as he assured of continous active collaboration with security operatives, community leaders, government and relevant authorities for the safe and quick return of all abductees.

“As much as we receive the return of these 50 children that escaped with some sigh of relief, I urge you all to continue in your prayers for the rescue and safe return of the remaining victims, ” Bishop Yohanna added..