Nation

THE STATES

Published

16 years ago

November 19, 2010

Bauchi

The Bauchi State Governor, Alhaji Isa Yuguda, last Wednesday urged the state’s Christian pilgrims going on pilgrimage to Israel and Rome to pray for peaceful conduct of the 2011 elections.

Yuguda, who gave the charge while addressing the intending pilgrims in Bauchi, said that 2011, being an election year, was crucial in the history of the nation and therefore, required special prayers.

The Governor, represented by his Deputy, Alhaji Babayo Gamawa, charged the intending pilgrims to imbibe the virtues of peace, love, understanding and tolerance as exemplified by the life style of Jesus Christ.

Appealing to the pilgrims to pray for peace, unity and progress in the state and the country as a whole Yuguda said “Jesus Christ taught love, sacrifice and service to mankind.

Borno

The National Insurance Commission (NIC) is planing a road show in Maiduguri to sensitise the people to the need to embrace the culture of taking insurance policy.

The commission’s Director of Research and Statistics, Alhaji Adamu Balanti, told newsmen yesterday in Maiduguri after a stakeholders meeting that the event, slated for December, would hold in major streets in Maiduguri and environs.

“The road show is part of the strategies to sensitise the people to the need to imbibe the culture of taking insurance policy.

“The objective is to let the people know that the 2003 Insurance Act has made third party insurance policy mandatory for all Nigerians,” he said.

FCT

Participants at the ongoing Regional Deepwater Offshore West Africa Conference and Exhibition on Wednesday described the attendance as impressive.

Some participants, who spoke to newsmen at the forum in Abuja, expressed satisfaction with the quality of participation.

Mr Ofordile Okoye, the managing director of an indigenous firm which manufactures safety work wears, said the exhibition was a platform for Nigerian companies to showcase their progress following the recent enactment of the Nigerian Content Law.

He said the industry was anxiously awaiting the passage of the PIB which he said would address the concerns of all the stakeholders and provide the legal framework for the growth and development of the oil and gas sectors.

Kano

The Kano State Commissioner for Health, Hajiya A’isha Isiyaku, has cautioned the public against “over consumption” of meat during the Sallah festival to avoid stomack disorders.

She gave the warning on Thursday in Kano in an interview with newsmen when the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, paid the traditional Sallah homage to Governor Ibrahim Shekarau.

Isiyaku also urged the people to avoid taking too much animal fats during the festival to avoid heart problems and arthritis.

She advised the people to take a lot of fruits and vegetable during the festival for improved good health.

Katsina

The Katsina State Government has awarded a N3.9 billion contract for the completion of the first and second phases of the state’s stadium.

The deputy governor of the state, Alhaji Sirajo Damari, said this last Wednesday in Katsina during the traditional “Hawan Bariki, “ a programme held to mark the Sallah celebration.

He said the decision to complete the abandoned multi-million Naira stadium was borne out of the state government’s commitment toward boosting sporting activities.

Damari, who represented Governor Ibrahim Shema, also said the state government had within the last three and half years rehabilitated all the mini-stadia in the state.

“It is known that sporting activities play a significant role in politics of the world today, hence the decision by government to give the sector the attention it deserves,” he said.

Kebbi

Some children in Birnin Kebbi metropolis last Wednesday urged the state government to build an amusement park for their leisure.

Musa Ahmadu told newsmen that lack of an amusement park has denied children a special arena to mark the Sallah celebration.

“I have played with friends but a modern amusement park is required here,” he said.

Abbati Ali, who came with his parents from Abuja, also lamented the absence of a park.

“I miss the fun in Abuja, though I have made new friends here,” he said.

Kogi

The reconstruction of the 200-year old Odogi traditional market in Kabba-Bunu Local Government of Kogi has commenced.

The project, being executed under the World Bank assisted Fadama III programme, will be completed soon.

Chairman of the Fadama Community Association (FCA), Mr Samuel Olobatoke made this known in an interview with newsmen in Kabba last Tuesday.

Olobatoke said the project of 24 cubicles and VIP latrines would cost N1.83 million provided by the World Bank, with counterpart funding from the community and the Federal and State Governments.

He said the market had historical and traditional significance having served the fore fathers of the community and its neighbouring towns and villages for more than 200 years.

Kwara

One policeman was killed and fifteen others seriously injured in a community clash at Ganmo Muslim Prayer Ground in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara on Tuesday.

The palace of the Olu of Ganmo, Oba Atanda Kolawole and some vehicles were damaged in the fracas by irate youths.

The crisis started in the morning at the Ganmo prayer ground over who should lead the prayer following an age long chieftaincy dispute.

Police spokesman, Mr Ezekiel Dabo, said the Command received a distress call from the traditional ruler of the town, Oba Kolawole.

“The command mobilised its anti-riot policemen to restore peace, but suddenly, some soldiers, numbering about eight, appeared and engaged the policemen in a gun battle.

He pointed out that one faction in the chieftaincy dispute had mobilised some youths to prevent the other faction from leading them at the prayer. “That was how the crisis started.’’

Lagos

The inauguration of the Customs Examination Bay at Seme border earlier scheduled for this month has been postponed to June 2011.

Mr Fred Udechukwu, Managing Director of Global SCAN SYSTEM Ltd., the firm handling the project, told newsmen last Wednesday in Lagos that the date was no longer feasible.

“The commissioning of the Bay has been postponed till June next year because some important aspects of the contract have not been concluded,’’ he said.

Udechukwu also said the delay in concluding the job was caused by the swampy nature of the area which called for sand filling.

The firm had during an inspection visit by officials of the Ministry of Finance in August promised that the Bay would be ready in November.

Ogun

Former Commonwealth scribe, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, on Monday suggested that traditional rulers should be enlisted into the country’s governance under the current presidential system.

Delivering a lecture to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the coronation of the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, in Abeokuta, Anyaoku said the role of traditional rulers in the nation could not be over-emphasised.

He described traditional rulers as the custodians of their people’s culture and the embodiment of their collective conscience.

He noted that the traditional rulers played an important role in the sustenance of the cohesion of societies, thereby maintaining law and order, especially in the rural setting.

Osun

The Osun chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) last Wednesday again took up the state government over the N18.4 billion loan it took in April.

It would be recalls that the loan was approved by the House of Assembly on April 27 in spite of criticisms by opposition parties.

The state government had said the loan was to boost development projects which had already been captured in the 2010 budget.

But ACN in a statement by its Director of Research and Strategy, Mr Sunday Akere, expressed concern over what the loan had been used for since it was obtained in April.

Plateau

Plateau United FC Technical Adviser, Ndubusi Nduka, says the players will blend with each other by the end of Week Five of the current season.

Nduka told newsmen last Wednesday in Jos that perfect understanding in the team was crucial to picking the continental ticket.

He said just two weeks into the league, the NPL was showing remarkable improvement in form and content and attributed this to the revolution in Nigerian football.

The former Dolphins FC Coach said ace midfielder, Olaniyi Olayinka, had resumed light training after suffering from a groin injury which sidelined him since the commencement of the league.

On the standard of officiating, he said referees and other match officials had lived up to expectations and appealed to them to maintain this.

Sokoto

An international conference on climate change and desertification is scheduled to take place at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, from Dec. 6 to Dec. 9, 2010, a statement said.

The statement signed by Prof. Saka Yusuf, a consultant to the university, was made available to newsmen in Sokoto on Wednesday.

It said that one of the objectives of the conference was to identify areas of human endeavour most at risk to climate change and desertification in Nigeria.

The statement said the conference would be organised by the university in conjuction with the Ilorin-based consultancy firm, Saka Yusuf and Associates.

Nation

REAN, SON synergise to curb fake renewable energy product

Published

1 day ago

June 29, 2026

The Tide

The Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria (REAN) says it has strengthened collaboration with the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) to enhance quality control and enforcement frameworks.

Mr Oisereime Lloyd-Dietake, the Head of Communications, REAN, in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, said the collaboration would also involve stakeholder engagement on testing, certification and capacity building in Nigeria.

He said the synergy would strengthen quality control and enforcement frameworks, promote policy alignment, and ensure stronger regulation across the renewable energy value chain.

“REAN reaffirms its commitment to standardisation and quality assurance; tighter collaboration with SON is critical to eliminating fake and substandard renewable energy products from the Nigerian market.

“Enforcement and gaps in existing standards have continued to allow inferior products to circulate, undermining consumer confidence and slowing sector growth.”

Lloyd-Dietake said that at high-level discussions, REAN also highlighted the need for stronger regulatory coordination to address emerging challenges in the renewable energy space.

According to him, the issues include inconsistencies in standards, affordability issues linked to certification processes; and the increasing presence of substandard solar and renewable energy equipment in the country.

“The association further raised concerns about delays in product testing and approval, calling for the establishment of more testing laboratories and certification facilities to improve efficiency and reduce bottlenecks in the system,’’ he said.

Lloyd-Dietake urged closer collaboration among key regulatory bodies, including the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, and the Rural Electrification Agency.

He said such team work would ensure harmonised standards and more effective enforcement against fake renewable energy products in the Nigerian market.

In response, SON acknowledged the important role REAN continued to play in supporting standardisation within Nigeria’s renewable energy industry and reaffirmed its willingness to deepen collaboration with the association.

SON further confirmed that REAN would be actively involved in future standard review processes and upcoming stakeholder engagements related to renewable energy and electric mobility standards development.

Lloyd-Dietake said REAN affirmed its willingness to formalise the partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

He said the MoU is aimed at deepening cooperation, promoting quality assurance, and accelerating Nigeria’s transition towards reliable and standardised renewable energy solutions.

Nation

Self Help Africa programme expands water access for 320,000 Nigerians

Published

1 day ago

June 29, 2026

The Tide

The WASH Systems for Health (WS4H) Programme, implemented by Self Help Africa, has expanded access to safe water and sanitation services for more than 320,000 people in Kano and Cross River States.

The organisation disclosed this on Tuesday at the WS4H National Results and Learning Workshop in Abuja, where stakeholders reviewed achievements and lessons from the intervention.

Speaking at the event, Self Help Africa Country Director, Joy Aderele, said the programme demonstrated that sustainable WASH improvements require strong institutions, effective governance, adequate financing and collaboration.

Aderele said the UK-funded programme was designed to strengthen systems that support sustainable access to water, sanitation and hygiene services.

According to her, the intervention focused on improving governance, planning, financing, accountability and sector coordination to ensure resilient service delivery.

“More than 320,000 people now have improved or restored access to water services through programme-supported interventions,” she said.

She added that more than 5,520 household toilets were constructed in Yala and Makoda Local Government Areas, boosting sanitation, public health and efforts to end open defecation.

Aderele said the programme also strengthened public investment in WASH, with Cross River increasing its sector budget by 211 per cent in 2026 and Kano by 169.07 per cent.

She added that dedicated WASH budget lines had been established across 40 Ministries, Departments and Agencies in both states, strengthening accountability and institutional commitment.

According to her, both states reviewed and adopted updated WASH policies, while key planning documents were developed to guide future investments and service delivery.

She said Cross River also recorded a major legislative milestone through the passage of the Water Law and Open Defecation Prohibition Bill.

Aderele added that lessons from interventions in Yala LGA were already informing expansion efforts in Obubra Local Government Area.

While commending the achievements, she noted that capacity gaps, resource constraints and climate-related pressures remained challenges to sustainable WASH services.

“The sustainability of these gains will depend on continued government leadership, adequate financing, strong partnerships and investment in institutional capacity,” she said.

Also speaking, the Programme Manager of WS4H, Mr Timothy Ibeawuchi, said the intervention focused on strengthening systems needed to sustain gains and attract future investments.

According to him, the programme engages stakeholders in developing strategies that preserve achievements and support long-term service delivery.

“System strengthening work takes time because it addresses the fundamental issues responsible for sustainable and resilient service delivery,” he said.

Ibeawuchi said the programme strengthened policy development, planning, financing, monitoring and evaluation systems across the WASH sector.

He said two pilot local government areas were supported to develop WASH strategic plans outlining sector goals, targets and activities between 2026 and 2030.

According to him, the plans will guide future interventions and improve service delivery in the affected councils.

Earlier, the representative of the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Chidera Chukwu, reaffirmed support for Nigeria’s development efforts in spite of the programme nearing completion.

Chukwu commended the Self Help Africa-led consortium for delivering the programme with professionalism and a strong focus on systems strengthening.

He said the consortium contributed greatly to strengthening Nigeria’s WASH sector through policy reforms, improved coordination and enhanced accountability.

“Together, we have advanced key policy and legislative reforms, including open defecation-free laws and strengthened state WASH frameworks,” he said.

According to him, the reforms represent enduring system-level changes that will continue delivering benefits beyond the programme’s lifespan.

In his remarks, Mr Jamilu Habu, Director of Water Quality Control and Sanitation, Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, commended the programme’s achievements.

Habu, who represented the Permanent Secretary, said the intervention strengthened governance, coordination, evidence-based planning and institutional capacity in the WASH sector.

He described the workshop as an opportunity to review achievements, share lessons and identify pathways for sustaining and scaling successful interventions.

According to him, the programme’s innovations and best practices will guide future policies and investments aimed at expanding access to safe WASH services.

Habu stressed the need for continued collaboration among governments, development partners, civil society organisations, the private sector and communities.

He said stronger partnerships remained essential to achieving universal access to water, sanitation and hygiene services and meeting Sustainable Development Goal 6.

Nation

Lagos Residents Stranded As Floods Cut Off Ajah, Mafoluku Communities

Published

1 day ago

June 29, 2026

The Tide

Residents of Ajah, Mafoluku and other flood-prone communities in Lagos have recounted how Thursday’s torrential rainfall left them stranded, submerged homes and cut off access to major roads.

The residents, who spoke with Tide source, on Friday called for urgent government intervention to tackle the recurring flooding blamed on poor drainage infrastructure.

Along Mobil Road in Ajah, Mrs Rukayat said floodwaters submerged about 200 metres of the road, forcing commuters to wade through waist-deep water.

“The water level was almost up to my lap. People literally had to wade through it to get home,” she said.

According to her, many motorists turned back, while others abandoned their vehicles and continued their journeys on foot.

“The only way to pass through the water was by walking or using a tricycle. Even then, the tricycles broke down and had to be pushed,” she said.

Rukayat said some youths assisted stranded tricycle operators by pushing their vehicles through flooded sections for a fee.

She said residents had repeatedly alerted authorities to the flooding but little had changed.

“We reported this when the rains started, but apparently nothing has been done about the problem,” she said.

She attributed the flooding to poor drainage and possible blockage of a major canal serving the area.

“There is a big canal here, but I don’t know what is preventing water from flowing through it properly,” she said.

According to her, overgrown vegetation and sand deposits might have obstructed the canal, reducing its capacity to discharge stormwater.

She added that although floodwaters usually receded after a few hours, sections of the road remained waterlogged.

In Mafoluku, residents said several streets, homes and access roads were submerged, leaving many unable to return home after going about their daily activities.

Mrs Iriagbonse Okunkpolor, a resident of Agboola Street, said what began as a short trip to buy household items became an hours-long ordeal.

“I left my house to buy a few items nearby, but the rain started suddenly and flooded the entire street.

“I was stranded for hours because there was no safe way back home,” she said.

Another resident, Mr Mukaila Idris, described the flooding as both dangerous and distressing.

“The current was very strong. I watched people pay young men to carry them across the water because they were afraid of being swept away or falling,” he said.

According to him, only physically fit residents could navigate the floodwaters safely, while many others waited several hours for the water level to subside.

Mr Williams Ekpo, who lives in the Eyinogun area, said the flood extended beyond the roads and entered residential compounds.

“The floodwater entered our compound and damaged some household items.

“This happens almost every rainy season, yet nothing seems to be done to address the drainage problem,” he said.

The residents urged the relevant authorities to investigate the persistent flooding and improve drainage infrastructure to prevent a recurrence during the rainy season.