News

Esan Erosion: Senate Calls For Urgent Federal Intervention

Published

5 months ago

April 23, 2026

Preport

By Naomi Sharang

The Senate has called for urgent federal intervention to address the worsening ecological degradation across Esan Land in Edo Central Senatorial District.

It warned that unchecked erosion and environmental damage could trigger widespread displacement and economic hardship.

The resolution of the senate is sequel to a motion sponsored at plenary on Wednesday, by Sen. Joseph Ikpea (APC-Edo).

The motion is entitled “Urgent Need for Immediate Federal Intervention to address Escalating Ecological Degradation across Esan Land in Edo Central Senatorial District”.

The upper chamber urged the Ecological Fund Office, the Federal Ministry of Environment, and the Nigerian Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) to immediately conduct on-the-spot assessments.

It also urged the agencies to commence intervention works at identified erosion sites across the region.

The lawmakers also directed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide emergency relief materials and support to affected communities pending long-term ecological remediation.

Moving the motion, Ikpea said Esan Land, which comprised five local government areas—Esan Central, Esan West, Esan North-East, Esan South-East, and Igueben was highly vulnerable due to its terrain and ecological zone.

He noted that the region’s dissected plateau structure naturally channels heavy rainfall into deep gullies, increasing the risk of severe erosion.

The lawmaker expressed particular concern over the rapid expansion of the Ewu gully erosion site in Esan Central, which had cut off access routes and now threatened nearby homes and businesses.

He further highlighted the environmental impact of deforestation, noting that forest reserves once rich in valuable tree species such as Iroko, Mahogany, and Obeche were being depleted by unchecked logging and farming activities.

“This has left the soil exposed and more susceptible to gully formation.

“In Ekpoma, the erosion and flooding situation around Ambrose Alli University has led to recurring floods, displacement of residents, and significant infrastructure damage, worsened by rapid urban expansion and loss of natural forest cover,” he said.

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, underscored the urgency of the issue, noting that erosion remained a major threat not only in Edo but across parts of southern Nigeria.

He warned that continued land loss, collapsing buildings, and destruction of farmlands could escalate into a national emergency if not urgently addressed.

According to him, there will be a day when we will do an emergency on gully erosion because we are losing small portions of land left in south-east and part of south-south.

Akpabio also called on the Senate Committee on Legislative Compliance to ensure that relevant agencies acted swiftly on the resolutions.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Deborah Coker

News

FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup: Falconets Fall to Spain as Marisa, Cerrato Send Nigeria to Disappointing Start

Published

1 hour ago

September 8, 2026

Preport

WhatsApp Image 2026 09 07 at 6.57.57 PM.jpeg

Nigeria’s Falconets have suffered a 2–0 defeat to Spain in their opening Group F encounter at the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland, leaving Moses Aduku’s side with work to do in their remaining group matches.

Spain took control early at the Stadion Sosnowiec and broke the deadlock in the 13th minute through Marisa García, who finished to give the former champions a 1–0 advantage.

Nigeria struggled to create clear-cut opportunities as Spain maintained pressure and controlled important phases of the contest.

The Falconets went into the break a goal down, allowing themselves to respond after the interval.

However, Spain doubled their advantage in the 72nd minute when Alba Cerrato found the back of the net, putting Nigeria under even greater pressure.

Despite Nigeria’s efforts to find a route back into the game, Spain held firm to secure all three points and a winning start to their campaign.

The defeat is a disappointing opening for the Falconets, particularly after head coach Moses Aduku had declared before the match that his players would approach the encounter like a cup final.

“We are looking forward to the match against Spain with high expectations. We are ready and set to go.”

Aduku had also acknowledged Spain’s quality but insisted that Nigeria were targeting victory.

“Spain is a good side, no doubt… However, we will approach the game like a Cup final because we want to win. The three points will put us in good stead in our group phase campaign.”

That objective ultimately proved beyond Nigeria as Spain’s quality and early attacking pressure produced the difference.

The result also underlines the size of the challenge facing the Falconets in a Group F that includes China PR and New Caledonia alongside Spain. Nigeria will now have to quickly recover and turn their attention to China, knowing that another slip could seriously complicate their hopes of progressing to the knockout stage.

Nigeria arrived in Poland with an impressive history at this tournament. The Falconets have qualified for every edition of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup since its inception in 2002 and have twice reached the final, finishing runners-up in 2010 and 2014.

Spain, meanwhile, entered the competition as one of the tournament’s established powers. They won the 2020 edition and remain one of the leading teams in the women’s youth game.

For Nigeria, however, the focus must now shift immediately from disappointment to recovery.

The Falconets will face China PR on September 10, before concluding their Group F campaign against New Caledonia on September 13.

With six points still available, qualification remains within reach — but Nigeria now have very little room for another setback.

Spain have delivered the first blow. The Falconets must now respond.

Business

SanlamAllianz Nigeria Unveils Proud Moments 2.0 Campaign to Celebrate Customers’ Life Achievements

Published

2 hours ago

September 7, 2026

Preport

SanlamAllianz Nigeria, comprising SanlamAllianz Life Insurance Nigeria and its subsidiary, SanlamAllianz General Insurance Nigeria, has announced the launch of its Proud Moments 2.0 campaign, an initiative designed to celebrate personal journeys, milestones, achievements, and everything that makes a person proud.

The campaign marks a refreshing shift from the traditional fear-based approach or uncertainty to insurance, reframing the narrative through positivity and the recognition of life’s hard-earned achievements.

Built around the powerful proposition, “You’ve Earned It. Celebrate It”, the Proud Moments 2.0 campaign shines light on not just one person’s successes, but also on the invaluable support systems: parents, grandparents, teachers, neighbors, mentors, friends and loved ones; all who helped make those dreams come true. From starting a business, purchasing a first car or home, to achieving educational milestones, building a family or overcoming personal challenges, the campaign recognizes that success means something different to each person.

“At SanlamAllianz Nigeria, we strongly believe that insurance should not be viewed merely as a response to what could go wrong, but as an empowering enabler that recognizes, celebrates and provides people with the confidence, financial security and peace to enjoy what they have worked hard to achieve and continue towards life’s next chapters,” Chris Ekwonwa, Group Head, Strategy, Marketing and Customer Relations, SanlamAllianz Nigeria.

“This is why we are launching our Proud Moments 2.0 campaign, to remind the market that we are not just in the business of providing insurance solutions; but also recognize that every achievement, big or little, is a proud moment worth celebrating,” he concluded.”

The campaign, which will run for upwards of eight weeks across digital platforms, includes a socials-only call for nominations of trending and emotional true-life events, with clear positive denouements; a national radio campaign and product advertising on select digital platforms.

Also, Bankole Banjo, Marketing and Corporate Communications Manager, SanlamAllianz Nigeria, said: “We want authentic Nigerian stories, published on socials, and with a life-changing outcome. We will select the most resonant and the main character of that story will enjoy an all-expense paid trip to watch the 2026 Youth Olympics in Dakar courtesy of SanlamAllianz Nigeria. Details are as shared across our various platforms.”

Recall that SanlamAllianz Life Insurance Nigeria Limited and its subsidiary, SanlamAllianz General Insurance Nigeria Limited, were amongst insurers who made the list of recapitalized companies as released by the National Insurance Commission, (NAICOM).

The Proud Moments 2.0 campaign further reaffirms their solid financial base, continuous commitment to insurance education and customer appreciation across various economic strata of the Nigerian market.

About SanlamAllianz Nigeria

Formed as a merger of Sanlam, Africa’s biggest non-banking financial services firm and Allianz, easily the world’s most recognizable insurance brand in a JV across 28 countries on the continent, SanlamAllianzhas become the clear leader in the non-banking financial services industry in Africa with strong commitments to be top two in every market in which they operate. Consummated in Nigeria as SanlamAllianz Nigeria (comprising SanlamAllianz Life Insurance and SanlamAllianz General Insurance) in June 2025, the brand has continued to flourish with presence in more that 30 states of the Federation and is widely regarded as one of the foremost insurance companies in the country.

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