News

UNICEF Urges Bauchi Govt To Initiate Policy For effective Faecal Sludge Management

Published

2 years ago

February 13, 2024

Editor

The United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), Bauchi Field Office has called on the state government to initiate a deliberate policy that would ensure the effective management of faecal sludge.

The Chief of Field Office, UNICEF, Bauchi, Dr Tushar Rane made the call in Bauchi on Tuesday during a three-day Strategy Development Workshop on Climate-Resilient Faecal Sludge Management and Operative Guidelines for Bauchi State.

According to him, poor practices around faecal sludge disposal presented a devastating health impact on the people especially, children and women.

He explained that the strategy document that would be developed from the workshop would present approaches for the service delivery and the enabling environment needed to implement and regulate safe Faecal Sludge Management in the state.

The UNICEF boss added that the document would also include technical guidelines, standard operating procedures, monitoring and evaluation framework and the estimated investments needed for Faecal Sludge Management in Bauchi state.

“The outcome of this workshop is envisaged to serve as the operational guidelines for all the service providers and relevant stakeholders within the faecal sludge management value chain.

“UNICEF, with the generous support of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will continue to work closely with the Bauchi State Government and other development partners to encourage safe and environment-friendly faecal sludge management,” he said.

Rane, who acknowledged that Bauchi state is a leading state in the implementation of WASH related interventions in Nigeria, said effective management of faecal sludge would contribute to achieving Sustainable Development Goals related to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene.

Also speaking, the Bauchi state Commissioner for Environment and Housing, Mr Danlami Kaule thanked UNICEF for the technical support provided to the state.

He said that the collection, transport, treatment and end use or reuse of excreta constituted the value chain of fecal sludge management.

“I’m sure you will all agree with me that, that Faecal sludge management has been very poor in most of our states but the story is now changing in Bauchi State,

“BASEPA as a regulating Agency under the Ministry of Environment is doing a good work by formalising all the key actors along the fecal sludge value chain in the State.

“The Agency has come up with a draft guidelines for the faecal sludge management, and organised a series of capacity building workshops to faecal sludge manual and mechanized emptiers across the State.”

The workshop was organised by the Bauchi State Environmental Protection Agency in collaboration with the Bauchi State Rural Water Supply & Sanitation Agency with support from UNICEF and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

News

Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

5 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Lazio midfielder, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is a subject of interest from three Premier League clubs, according to Sky Sports.

Lazio reportedly rejected offers from Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth for the Nigeria international in January.

La Biancolesti are bracing for more interest in Dele-Bashiru ahead of the summer transfer window, according to Sky Sports.

The 24-year-old has two years left on his contract with the Serie A club.

The attacking midfielder joined the Rome-based club from Turkish Super Lig outfit Hatayspor in 2024.

He has been a regular feature for Lazio this season.

News

Xenophobic Attacks: Nigerian Students To Picket MTN, MultiChoice, Other Businesses

Published

6 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS South-West Zone D, has announced plans to picket South African companies in Nigeria following the ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.

DAILY POST reports that some Nigerians were recently killed in South Africa over the violent attacks.

A statement issued to newsmen by Comrade Adeyemo Josiah Kayode, Coordinator, NANS South-West, Zone D, said that the association is mobilizing to take decisive and lawful action by organizing peaceful picketing and mass advocacy against South African business interests operating in Nigeria.

“We categorically state that the continued targeting of Nigerians under any guise is unacceptable and must come to an immediate end.

“This will include major corporations such as MTN Group and MultiChoice Group. It is morally indefensible for businesses to thrive in an environment where the lives of Nigerians are protected, while Nigerians are subjected to fear and violence elsewhere.

“This contradiction will no longer be tolerated,” the statement said.

News

N5m, N10m Zero-interest Loans: SheVentures Opens Applications For Women Entrepreneurs

Published

8 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has opened a new round of applications for its SheVentures proposition, offering zero-interest loans of up to ₦10 million to women entrepreneurs to ease access to working capital and support business growth.

The facility provides loans ranging from ₦500,000 to ₦5 million under a general category, and ₦5 million to ₦10 million for sector-specific businesses, with funding capped at up to 50% of an applicant’s average monthly turnover.

At the centre of the offering is a 0% interest rate, with all charges embedded in a transparent structure.

Repayment is structured over four or six months, allowing businesses to match obligations with their cash flow cycles.

Yemisi Edun, Managing Director and Chief Executive of First City Monument Bank (FCMB), said the initiative reflects a deliberate approach to inclusive growth.

“Inclusive growth requires access to capital and the right conditions for businesses to deploy that capital effectively.

“Women-led enterprises are critical to economic activity, yet they face structural barriers.

This intervention aims to help close that gap by providing financing that supports job creation, business expansion, and long-term sustainability for women entrepreneurs.”

“Access to affordable finance remains a major constraint for women entrepreneurs,” said Nnenna Jacob-Ogogo, Group Head, SheVentures and Impact Segments at First City Monument Bank (FCMB).

“By removing the cost barrier and offering quick, flexible funding, this zero-interest loan is designed to safeguard existing jobs, enable businesses to invest in growth initiatives, and foster resilience in challenging economic conditions.”

Women-owned businesses account for a significant share of Nigeria’s small and medium-sized enterprises but continue to face high borrowing costs and limited access to credit.

Through these efforts, SheVentures tackles persistent financing gaps facing women-led businesses, combining targeted funding with broader support to empower women entrepreneurs, encourage business innovation, and enhance their ability to compete on a national scale.

Applications for the zero-interest loan are now open.Apply now.