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Engineers Task FG On Flooding

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Some engineers have called on the Federal Government to step up efforts in the funding and application of data and technology in the monitoring and management  of water projects across the country.
They made the call while speaking with The Tide’s source at the sideline of the 5th Nigerian Institution of Water Engineers  (NIWE) International Water Conference on in Abuja.
The Director of Engineering in the Lower Benue Basin Development Authority in Makurdi, Benue State, Dr Valerie Judit Omale, said the major challenge facing the Lower Benue River Basin Authority was funding.
“There are many projects we have started, especially the construction of Dams, control of irrigation projects, etc, trying to make sure that underground water is safe, sufficient and clean for the people.
“Before it would be completed, you would find out that resources appropriated don’t come every year and because of that, some projects are abandoned and some take so much time to be completed.
“The Ministry of Water Resources and the River Basins are working tirelessly to make sure Nigerians have safe and portable drinking water for their industrial and domestic use.
“We are calling for more funding for River Basins so that we will be able to produce enough water through the construction of Dams and stop the wastage of water,” Omale said.
Another Engineer, Greg Chido-Amajuoyi, said dams in the country were not being monitored to assess their levels of performance and stability.
“Some of our dams are over 60 years old, and if a dam collapses, the consequences can be catastrophic. Thus, Federal Government agencies should emphasise that every dam should be instrumented.
“It is by so doing that we will be able to measure the effects or issues on them; that is whether the stability factor at the time of construction or design are still effective or not.
“Without proper monitoring, it would be difficult to know the level of sediment or sedation.
“There ought to be a giant monitoring scheme, followed up by the Ministry of Water Resource and Integrated Water Agencies.
“It could be annual or biannual; but by and large, assessment of all dams is very important and should be taken into consideration,” Chido-Amajuoyi stressed.
On his part, Meshak Alfa, a Senior Lecturer at the University of Jos, and an Engineer, said some rivers needed modification to reduce the extent of flooding via their channels.
According to him, some rivers accumulate sediments and also vegetation along the river coast that stand in the way of the flow of water.
“So if those vegetation are removed from the water coast, it will reduce the extent of flooding in the country.
“Those were some of the results of the research we did via geographic information system and River analysis system on flood, using the Ofu River.
“It is necessary to state here that research is very important, because it will facilitate the applicability of its findings using technology in solving problems, including water supply.
“Also from research, we can go onto capacity building for people who are not immediately involved in the research, which will lead to collaboration with government, agencies, NGOs and ultimately lead to successful results ,” Alfa said.
The source reports that the exhibition was part of the recent 3-day conference of NIWE, where partners displayed their wears ranging from water pipes of all sizes to other water management-related equipment.

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Over 26,000 Lagos Students Failed 2024 WASSCE -Commissioner

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The Lagos State Government has disclosed that 26,592 public school students failed the 2024 West African Senior School Certificate Examination, raising alarm across the state’s education sector.
The state Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Jamiu Alli-Balogun, during a ministerial press briefing yesterday in Alausa, Ikeja, said that “45.7 per cent of the 58,188 students from public schools who sat for the exams did not pass.”.
This failure rate comes despite the state government’s significant financial backing N1.577 billion was paid on behalf of the students to cover WAEC fees.
“Suffice to say that the sum of N1,577,794,000 only was paid by the state government as examination fees for 58,188 students who were captured for the year 2024 WASSCE,” Alli-Balogun announced.
In a bid to tighten accountability and avoid wastage, the Commissioner disclosed that biometric and image registration was carried out to accurately determine eligible students for government sponsorship for the 2025 WASSCE.
“The exercise successfully captured and registered 56,134 students as bona fide beneficiaries of the Lagos state government’s sponsorship for the examination,” he added.
However, the Lagos State Government rolled out a bold educational intervention – the Eko Learners’ Support Programme for WASSCE and NECO candidates – aimed at reversing the tide of academic failure in the state’s public schools.
Launched on January 14, 2025, the initiative is part of a broader commitment by the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education to equip Lagos students with tools for success.
“This forward-thinking initiative was designed to support and empower young scholars in attestation of the ministry’s commitment to advancing interest and management of the educational system in Lagos State,” Alli-Balogun stated.

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Ekiti Vaccinates Over 226,000 Girls Against HPV

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Ekiti State Government says it has vaccinated 226,429 eligible girls in the State against the Human Papilloma Virus, an infection believed to be a leading cause of cervical cancer.
The wife of the Ekiti State Governor, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji, said the HPV immunization exercise, which she flagged off in the State in May 2025 was a great success, noting that it reached targeted communities and protected children against cervical cancer.
The governor’s wife made the disclosure in Ado Ekiti yesterday during a one-day stakeholders’ sensitisation meeting on the introduction of Measles Rubella vaccines in Ekiti State.
She said, “The introduction of Measles Rubella Vaccines is a very crucial step towards protecting Ekiti children particularly the target age group of nine to 14 years from diseases.
“I urge all women in the State to regularly scan their breasts. This can be done with the aid of the Mammography machine which is available at Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti”.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Oyebanji Filani, noted that the Measles Rubella vaccines would be rolled out nationally in October, 2025.
Filani said that the State was taking proactive steps to sensitise residents of the State before the date to ensure adequate awareness on the vaccines by citizens.

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Monarch Preaches Peace As He Unveils Palace

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The Acting Ochimba of Ogida in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State, Eze Ndudiri Azuatalam, says peace remains paramount in the socio-economic development of Etche land.
Eze Azuatalam, however, called on his people to embrace and eschew violence at all times.
The Onwa Nagbara Oha made the call during the official commissioning of his palace at Ogida recently.
The epoch-making ceremony held at his palace saw the attendance of members of the Etche Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs; the academia; the political class; the clergy ; women as well relevant stakeholders within and outside Etche land.
The Ngbaragida of Azuafor re-emphasised the essence of peace and social harmony which he said open the window for meaningful development to take place.
He also sought the support and collaboration of his people to achieve the desired goals of development, progress and prosperity.
He noted that the peace being witnessed in the area must be sustained through collective effort, saying, contributions and sacrifices need to be made by all concerned to live in peace.
Eze Azuatalam said his aim towards building a better Ogida cannot be compromised as he and his people have no other place called home.
The Acting Ochimba said as part of efforts to build a better Ogida, he has instituted a number of development projects, adding that some of his kinsmen have been empowered through his hard-earned money and resources, saying, he will continue to assist the less- privileged around him.
He reaffirmed his desire to impact positively on the lives of his people as the engagement of the youths will help to reduce social vices in the area.
He thanked members of the Etche Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs for honouring his invitation.
He specifically thanked the Onyi Ishi Etche and Ochie of Etcheland, His Eminence E mmanuel Opurum for leading Etche on the path of prosperity, and described the revered King as a role model to the younger generation.
He said his fatherly role has been a source of hope and inspiration to his subjects.
The palace was unveiled by His Eminence with the assistance of Ochimba of Abara, Eze Jonah Nwala and other prominent Etche traditional rulers and chiefs while the Onyi Ishi Etche was represented by Eze Ken Nwala, Onyi Ishi Agwuru, Ulakwo/ Umuselem Clan.
The Onyi Ishi Etche urged other prominent sons of Etche to emulate the kind gesture of Eze Ndudiri Azuatalam as his magnanimity is being seen and appreciated by his people.
Eze Azuatalam also applauded the efforts of Prof Mekuri Ndimele, former Vice Chancellor of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education in the growth of Etche land.
According to him, during Ndimele’ s tenure, a lot of development projects were sited at the institution, including the development of Etcheland and empowerment of Etche people.

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