society
AfDB Board Approves new Water Policy for Regional Members
The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group has approved a new policy on water, prioritizing water security and the transformation of water assets to foster sustainable, green and inclusive economic growth in regional member countries.
“The new water policy provides a general framework for the African Development Bank Group to expand its role as the continent’s partner promoting the integrated development and management of Africa’s water sector for inclusive and sustainable growth in Africa,” said Atsuko Toda, the Bank’s Acting Vice President for Agriculture, Human and Social Development.
The policy aims to promote Africa-wide attainment of a minimum platform of water security, with a special focus on areas of fragility, as well as assist African countries and sub-regional groups harness and sustain water resources productivity potential to support development.
The new Water Policy is anchored around four principles:
1: Attaining water security at household, national and regional levels should be recognised as a key outcome fundamental for inclusive growth. The Bank seeks to promote the attainment of water security in all its regional member countries and sub-regions.
2: Equitable social welfare and economic growth. The Bank will continue to advocate for an integrated approach to water development and management by striking a sustainable balance in the social, economic and environmental spheres.
3: Promoting sustainable and equitable access to water services as an enabler for the Sustainable Development Goals.
Water is a key enabler for many of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), The Bank considers water to be essential for life, health, dignity, empowerment, environmental sustainability, peace and prosperity. The new policy aims to vigorously promote water security to advance the SDGs agenda.
4: Transboundary water resources management and development should be recognised as a significant requirement to achieve seamless regional economic integration. The Bank will actively seek to use the transboundary nature of water to enhance regional integration and promote conflict resolution.
In its assessment of the policy, the Bank’s Board commended the Bank’s water, policy and strategy departments for leading the policy-preparation process.
“That the Bank’s Board noted the new policy is a best practice for excellence in quality, selectivity and degree of consultation. The Board’s acknowledgement will add to our motivation to see the policy diligently implemented,” said Osward Chanda, Officer in Charge for the Bank’s Water Development and Sanitation Department.
“We are grateful for the inputs and perspectives provided by Bank departments that are part of the water ecosystem, which helped shape this Water Policy,” he added.
The Bank will establish an internal coordination mechanism for water-related interventions to be overseen by a committee with adequate capacity, resources and appropriate skills.
Since 2010, the African Development Bank has invested an estimated US$6.2 billion in water supply and sanitation services delivery.
COVID-19 has exposed vulnerabilities caused by under-investment in water, sanitation and hygiene services, also known as WASH. Despite these challenges, the active water sector portfolio stood at US$4.3 billion, comprised of nearly one hundred national projects implemented in 40 countries, and six multinational projects. (PANA/NAN)
By Emmanuel Antswen
Makurdi, April 28, 2025 Mr Ifeanyi Emenari has assumed office as the new Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command.
This is contained in a statement signed by SP Sewuese Anene, the Command’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), and made available to newsmen on Monday in Makurdi.
Anene in the statement, said the veteran officer who hails from Ekwulobia, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, was enlisted into the Nigeria Police Academy in 1992.
He had served in various operational, investigative and administrative capacities across the country.
According to Anene, the new CP served Zamfara, Imo, Katsina, Anambra, Calabar, Osun, Ogun, Abia and Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
“The CP served as Unit Commander 27 Police Mobile Force (PMF) Kastina State from 1996-1999, Unit Commander 29 PMF Awka, Anambra state from 1999-2002 and Unit Commander 11 PMF Calabar, Cross-River state from 2002-2003,” she said.
Anene further said that the new CP had represented Nigeria in different foreign missions where he served as Commanding Officer.
She said the CP was a Contingent Commander, Nigeria Police Contingent to United Nations Mission in Sudan, Ops Officer, Joint Operation Center (JOC) Khartoum, Sudan, Deputy Security Advisor, Eastern Equatorial state, South Sudan in 2012.
The PPRO said that before Emenari’s deployment to Benue State Command, he was the Commissioner of Police, Force Provost Marshal.
“As Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command, CP Emenari pledges to strengthen community policing and partnerships, enhance security measures to protect lives and properties and use available resources to combat insecurity in the State.”
…..JTF Exhumes Remains of 74-Year-Old Man
David Torough, Makurdi
A security Joint Task Force (JTF) known as Operation Zenda, led by Chief Superintendent of Police, CSP Dr. Justine Gberindyer, reportedly discovered and exhumed the remains of Simon Ankau, a 74-year-old retired school principal and the biological father of Reverend Father Jacob Terkaa Ankau, the Parish Priest of St.
Peter’s Parish Ayati in Ukum LGA of Benue State.It is reported that the victim was kidnapped on April 18, 2023, in Chito in Ukum Local Government Area. He was subsequently killed and buried in a shallow grave near Gaya town, on the border between Ukum and Katsina-Ala Local Government Areas.
Sources indicate that Simon, being an elderly man, could not survive the trauma of the kidnapping and passed away after a few days in the kidnappers’ den. He was then buried in a shallow grave.
Read Also: 1,773 CJTF Operatives Die Fighting Terrorists
The kidnappers demanded a ransom from the family, and when Mr. Simon’s wife and son brought the ransom, they were also taken hostage.
In May 2023, members of Operation Zenda successfully searched for and rescued the wife and son who had gone to pay the ransom.
The persistent search for Mr. Simon led the members of Operation Zenda to discover the shallow grave in Gaya village, located on the border between Ukum and Katsina-Ala LGAs.
CSP Justine Gberindyer, the commander of Operations Zenda JTF, has reiterated the Benue State government’s commitment to a zero-tolerance policy towards all forms of criminality. He emphasized that there was no place for criminals or their activities in Benue State.
However, he did not disclose whether any arrests were made in connection with the kidnapping of the 74-year-old.
The two LGAs of Ukum and Katsina have witnessed numerous criminal activities in recent times.
Marriage
By Yakubu Uba
Maiduguri, July 22, 2023 (NAN) Vice President Kashim Shettima, former President Muhammadu Buhari, Aliko Dangote, serving and former governors were in Maiduguri on Saturday to grace the wedding fatiha of Gov. Babagana Zulum’s son, Mohammed.
The serving governors at the event include that of Lagos, Yobe, Kwara, Gombe, Bauchi, Katsina, Ogun, Niger, Jigawa and Niger.
Other dignitaries include National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, Mohammed Indimi, Mele Kyari, Nasir El-Rufai, Abdullahi Ganduje, members of the National Assembly, and traditional rulers from within and outside Borno, led by the Shehu of Borno.
The marriage, at Maiduguri Central Mosque, was conducted by Chief Imam of Borno, Zanna Laisu.
Former President Buhari stood in as the groom’s representative (Wali). (NAN)
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