News

UNICEF Lauds Bauchi On Faecal Sludge Management Drive

Published

8 months ago

January 22, 2025

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has commended the Bauchi state government on its Faecal Sludge Management (FSM) drive in the state.

Dr Nuzhat Rafique, UNICEF’s Chief of Bauchi Field Office, made the commendation in Bauchi on Wednesday during a one-day exchange visit agenda for the Faecal Sludge Management strategy implementations in the state.

According to her, Bauchi state is the first state in the country to have the guideline for Faecal Sludge Management.

Rafique, who was represented by Mrs Nanbam Dawap, UNICEF Water Sanitation and Hygiene Officer, Bauchi, said “for the past years, we have been asking people to have and use toilets.

“The aim of having and using a toilet is because we want the environment to be open defecation free.

“Even when the toilets are filled up, we will have to manage them through the sanitation chain from the collection, transportation, storing and the recycling.

“I want to congratulate Bauchi state in a very special way for being the first state to have the guideline for Faecal sludge management in Nigeria”.

The UNICEF boss also congratulated the Plateau and Gombe states government for sending representatives to come for the exchange visit and study what the Bauchi state government has been doing in this regard.

This, she said, would allow them to put the same effort in place back in their respective states and urged all the participants to pay attention and take the story back to their various communities.

Also speaking, Mr Danlami Kawule, the Bauchi state Commissioner for Housing and Environment, lauded UNICEF, WaterAid Nigeria and other donor partners for the technical support they have been providing to the state.

He said that the support has made Bauchi state to be among the leading states working toward the actualisation of a Safely Managed Sanitation in the country.

“I’m sure you will all agree with me that faecal sludge management has been very poor in most of our States.

“But the story is now changing in Bauchi state due to the collective efforts of all the stakeholders that are present here. Well done to all of us.

“The Bauchi State Environmental Protection Agency as a regulating Agency under the Ministry of Environment is doing a good work by formalising all the key actors along the faecal sludge value chain in the State,” he said.

In his remarks, Mr Habibu Mohammed, the General Manager, Bauchi State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), stated that the essence of exchange study could not be overemphasised in achieving set objectives.

Mohammed recounted how the Agency visited Plateau State RUWASSA some years ago to understudy the function of WASH directorate before the state established its own.

He expressed optimism that partnership, collaboration and understudy are key indicators of development and growth in all sectors.

News

Navy Opens Recruitment For Basic Training School Batch 38

Published

11 hours ago

September 26, 2025

Editor

The Nigerian Navy has opened applications for its Basic Training School (BTS) Batch 38 recruitment exercise, scheduled to run from October 2 to October 31, 2025.

According to an official statement, the recruitment process is free, and interested applicants must submit their applications online at https://www.joinnigeriannavy.navy.mil.ng/https://www.joinnigeriannavy.navy.mil.ng.

Successful candidates will undergo basic military training before being officially enlisted as Ordinary Seamen.

The Navy stressed that eligibility is restricted to Nigerian citizens by birth with a valid National Identification Number (NIN). Applicants must have no criminal record and must not be affiliated with secret societies, cults, or fraternities.

Educational and age requirements were clearly outlined. Candidates applying with O’level results must be between 18 and 22 years old as of December 31, 2025.

Those with OND/NCE qualifications must be aged 18 to 26, while Chaplain/Imam Assistants and Drivers/Mechanics must fall within the 18 to 28 age bracket.

In all cases, applicants are required to have at least five credits, including English Language and Mathematics, obtained in not more than two sittings in WAEC, NECO, GCE, or NABTEB, with certificates not older than 2015.

The Navy added that special professions, such as Medical Assistants and Nurses, require proof of registration with relevant professional bodies.

Applicants for technical trades including tailoring, plumbing, carpentry, welding, and electrical works must present valid Trade Test certificates in addition to academic qualifications.

Similarly, candidates applying as sportsmen and women are expected to provide certificates and medals as evidence of their sporting achievements.

The recruitment examination is scheduled for November 29, 2025, at designated centers nationwide.

Candidates are required to bring their Attestation Form, duly signed with a passport photograph of the signer, along with valid identification such as a Driver’s License, International Passport, or National ID Card.

Applicants have been cautioned against multiple applications, which will lead to disqualification.

The Navy further advised candidates to seek clarification only through official communication channels provided on the recruitment portal.

News

BREAKING: Gov Fubara Dissolves Rivers Pension Board

Published

12 hours ago

September 26, 2025

Editor

Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has dissolved the State Pensions Board with immediate effect.

Rivers State Head of Service Mrs Inyingi Brown made this announcement on Friday in Port Harcourt.

According to the governor, the office of the State Accountant General will handle the functions of the board until a new one is constituted.

News

FAAN Launches Cashless Payment System Across Airports

Published

13 hours ago

September 26, 2025

Editor

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has launched the cashless system of payment across all airports.

“FAAN in partnership with Paystack, is proud to announce the roll out of OPERATION GO CASHLESS, a cashless contactless payment solution across all airports beginning with Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja,” the agency said in a communique on Thursday.

Effective September 29, 2025, all payments at FAAN’s revenue points, including airport Access Gates, Car Parks, FAAN VIP and Protocol Lounges will go cashless which means the agency will be phasing out the collection of cash at these points.

FAAN added that travelers and airport users will now enjoy fast and seamless services by using a secure contactless payment option.

This initiative, it stated, is a response to the growing demand for safe, modern, and transparent payment systems while ensuring Nigeria’s airports remain aligned with global digital trends.

By reducing reliance on cash, FAAN said it aims to enhance efficiency, improve revenue assurance, and deliver a better customer experience at our airports.

To ease the transition, trained brand ambassadors have been deployed at access gates and around the terminals to guide users, assist with onboarding, provide demonstrations, and answer questions they may have.

In addition, passengers have been directed to obtain a FAAN Go Cashless Card at any airport access gate in Lagos and Abuja.

After collection, users are encouraged to activate and fund their cards immediately by visiting www.gocashless. faan.gov.ng.

FAAN added that it remains committed to continuous improvement and will expand this cashless policy to other airports nationwide in phases.

For inquiries, airport users have also been advised to contact FAAN’s support line at 0700 CBS FAAN (0700 227 3226) or email the agency at gocashlesssupport@faan.gov.ng.