By David Torough, Abuja

The Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation has reaffirmed its commitment to the successful implementation of the Agro-Climate Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project, as stakeholders convened for a mid-term review meeting in Kaduna.

Speaking at the meeting on Thursday, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Terlumun Utsev, emphasized the ministry’s continued dedication to advancing the project’s objectives.

Utsev, who also serves as Co-Chairman of the ACReSAL Steering Committee, highlighted the ministry’s role in watershed management, flood forecasting, and the development of sustainable water infrastructure.

He noted that agencies under the ministry, including River Basin Development Authorities and Hydrological Services, would remain central to strengthening early warning systems and ensuring water resource sustainability for both present and future generations.

The minister described the mid-term review as a critical milestone, providing stakeholders with an opportunity to evaluate progress, assess the effectiveness of interventions, and identify operational challenges that may be limiting the project’s impact.

He added that the meeting would also help deepen collaboration across sectors and institutions, a key factor in achieving the project’s long-term goals.

Utsev outlined priority areas for the project moving forward, including integrated water and landscape management, improved access to reliable hydrological and climate data, and the sustainability and scalability of ongoing interventions.

Also speaking at the event, the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, acknowledged the positive impact of ACReSAL on communities nationwide.

He urged state governments to enact supportive legislation to sustain the project’s gains beyond its lifecycle.

The meeting featured presentations from representatives of the Kaduna State Government, including those representing Uba Sani, as well as the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, and the World Bank’s ACReSAL Technical Team Leader, Joy Agene.

The ACReSAL project is a multi-sectoral initiative aimed at building climate resilience in Nigeria’s semi-arid regions through sustainable land and water management practices.

From Ene Asuquo, Calabar

The Governor of Cross River State, Prince Bassey Otu, has been conferred with an honorary doctorate degree (Honoris Causa) in Political Science by the University of Calabar (Unical).

In the same vein, Rear Admiral Garba Sadeeq Abubakar (Rtd) was also conferred with an honorary doctorate degree in Peace and Conflict Resolution.

They received the awards at the Godswill Akpabio International Conference Centre, UNICAL, during the 38th Convocation Ceremony for the award of Postgraduate and Honorary Degrees.

The Chancellor of Unical, His Highness, Sarkin Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, described the award as deserving, citing the invaluable contributions of the duo to national development.

He eulogized Governor Otu for his transformative leadership in Cross River State and Rear Admiral Abubakar for his distinguished service in the Nigerian Navy, emphasizing their commitment to public service and nation-building.

The Chancellor noted that the honorary degrees recognize not just their achievements, but their dedication to uplifting communities and promoting peace, making them exemplary role models for the graduating class.

He stated that UNICAL is proud to confer these awards on such outstanding individuals.

Speaking shortly after being robbed in an academic regalia, Otu said he feels honoured to receive the award, describing it as a testament to the character, discipline, and excellence Unical instilled in him as a student.

He pledged to continue partnering with tertiary institutions, especially Unical, to drive development and foster academic excellence.

Governor Otu charged graduands to dream big, stay focused, and get prepared to lead, urging them to make meaningful contributions to the society.

By Laide Akinboade, Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mandate Secretary, of women Affairs secretariat, Dr. Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi on Monday said the registration of every child born in Abuja would give them the important legal identity they deserve.

The Mandate Secretary Women Affairs Secretariats stated this at the mobilisation of residents for birth registration, through the traditional rulers in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).

At the Palace of Sapeyi (Chief) of Garki, Alh. Usman Nga-Kupi, in Abuja, said the exercise is meant for all children from Zero to five years.

Benjamins-Laniyi, said the social mobilisation was to ensure all children between the ages of zero to five years were registered and issued a birth certificate as a legal means of identification.

She stressed that the move is to ensure that no child is left behind in the efforts to ensure absolute protection of all children.

She said that the birth registration campaign was being coordinated by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu across the country.

She said that the mobilisation of the traditional leaders and community members began on March 28 in Abaji Area Council and extended to the remaining five area councils of the FCT.

The mandate secretary said that the women affairs secretariat and its partners had received the blessing and cooperation of the royal fathers in the 17 Chiefdoms of the FCT.

According to her, “Through this partnership, we have taken the message of birth registration into palaces, homes, and communities across the FCT.

 “Together, under the watch of our royal fathers, we are restoring the dignity of our children by ensuring that every child in the FCT is seen, counted, registered and protected.

“When a child is registered, the child is recognised; and when a child is recognised, the child can thrive,” she said.

She said that the mobilisation was being implemented with support from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in collaboration with the National Population Commission (NPC) and National Orientation Agency.

She identified other partners as the National Identity Management Commission, FCT Primary Healthcare Board, FCT Area Council Secretariat and the Association of Local Government Employees of Nigeria.

The Director, Child Development in the secretariat, Dr. Idris Attah, explained that the mobilisation was to scale up birth registration in all the nukes and crannies of the FCT.

Attah added that the move was to ensure immediate issuance of the new digital birth certificates to children between ages zero to one year and ages between ages one to five years.

According to him, the registration is free to all children under five years in the FCT.

Child Protection Officer, UNICEF, Charlse Awuna said that the social mobilization for the birth registration would ensure that every child in the FCT has a legal identity.

According to Awuna, without a birth certificate, the child is not counted as a member of the community and as a citizen of the country.

“This is in line with the Renewed Hope Initiative of the First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, and this is why we are partnering with FCT women affairs secretariat to ensure that all children are captured in the population database.”

Also, Alh. Sulaiman Gada, NPC Director, FCT, noted that FCT was left behind in the birth registration of children under five years and commended FCT Administration for the efforts.

Gada stressed the need to effectively use traditional structures in every community “to ensure that every child is reached, registered and issued with a birth certificate.

He advised caregivers against laminating the certificate to prevent loss of data when uploading the document but preserve and protect the legal document.

Giving his royal blessings, Nga-Kupi welcomed the development and promised to mobilise all ward, village and district heads to ensure that all children in their domain were registered.

The success of the mobilization was highlighted by the immediate registration of King David Agazor, a three-month-old infant. His mother, Uchechukwu Ikechukwu, expressed her delight at the ease of the process.

“I’ve been trying since the first day that I gave birth… but my husband has been procrastinating about it.

“When my neighbor told me that they are giving it for free, I rushed here—even without bathing the baby—and it was just easy. I’m very happy”, she shared