Nation

THE STATES

Published

16 years ago

December 20, 2010

Adamawa

Nigeria’s High Commissioner in South Africa Buba Marwa says aside the people’s yearnings, his credentials as a former Governor prompted his aspiration to govern Adamawa come 2011.

The retired Brig-General and one time military administrator in Borno and Lagos states is seeking the office of governor on the PDP ticket for next year’s general election.

Marwa told newsmen in Yola that he was a tested and trusted person with track record.

“I have been tested. People believe that Marwa has done it before and he will do it again in all aspects of governance at the state level,” Marwa said.

He said that in spite of his posting to South Africa, he was in constant touch with the people, contrary to beliefs in some quarters that he had been cut off from the people.

Marwa said he was fully in touch with home and could feel the yearnings and frustration of the people of Adamawa who asked him to come and run for governorship.

The aspirant promised free education and healthcare services to the people if elected governor in 2011.

Bauchi

The National Assembly has vowed to ensure the completion of all road projects executed up to 80 per cent, the House of Representatives Committee on works has said.

Rep Sani Abdullahi, the team leader of the committee, said this in an interview with newsmen at Headquarters of Shira Local Government Council of Bauchi State.

Abdullahi spoke after the inspection of the Yana-Shira-Azare 35 km road rehabilitation project.

He said that the National Assembly would vire funds from road projects whose execution were still in their early stages to attend to those about to be completed.

According to him, the measure is aimed at saving cost, time, as well as ensuring quality and legality of the various contracts.

Abdullahi observed that road construction was capital intensive and spanned beyond the country’s annual budget of four to five years.

“If you are building a contract of say N15 billion and you are financing it based on the annual budget which each ministry is tied to an envelop; you are only appropriating between N1.2 million or N1.5 million”, he said.

FCT

Mr Labaran Maku, the Minister of Information and Communications, has said that Nigerians abroad constitute a precious national resource.

The minister said this on Saturday in Abuja at a cocktail party organised by the New Nigeria Initiative (NNI) in Diaspora for Development.

Maku conceded that a major problem confronting Africa and Nigeria was that of good governance.

He said that there was a need to repair the structures of governance in the country.

He, however, said that Nigerians living abroad could never be comfortable anywhere in the world until they were able to participate in rebuilding the country.

“A nation is propelled by the values its leadership professes and not by its resources,’’ he said.

Maku described Nigerians living overseas as the country’s emissaries, urging them to return home and participate in nation-building activities.

Kaduna

The Bank of Agriculture (BOA) says it disbursed more than N3 billion loan to facilitate mega agricultural projects within the last nine years.

In a brief on its activities made available to newsmen in Kaduna last Friday, the bank said the loan was distributed to 16 mega projects in 14 states.

The benefitting projects, the brief stated, included poultry feeds, vegetable oil processing, arable crops production, tea production, agro processing, natural rubber production, cassava production and processing and flour mill.

The bank said it had also disbursed more than N2 billion loan to facilitate micro-arable and pineapple production in 12 states of the federation within the period under review.

“BOA had collaborated with reputable agencies, NGOs, governments and international agencies to make the loan available to 75,073 beneficiaries,’’ the brief stated.

Kano

Bayero University, Kano (BUK) will soon begin a Masters Degree programme in Public Relations, Malam Sule Yau has said.

Yau, the chairman of Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Kano State chapter, said in a lecture in Kano yesterday, that BUK would run the programme in conjunction with the Institute.

He said that the decision to introduce the programme was informed by the commitment of the institute and BUK to enhance the practice of public relations in the country.

“We hope that by the next academic session, the Mass Communication Department of the Bayero University, Kano, will in conjunction with our Institute, start Masters Degree programme in public relations,” he said.

He disclosed that the Mass Communication department had already dedicated a classroom, which he said the Institute would furnish for the successful take-off of the programme.

The chairman further stated that the Institute and the department had worked out a curriculum for the course.

Katsina

The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) says it has trained and empowered 50 physically challenged persons in Katsina State in various skills under its ‘jobs-stimulus package in 2010.

The NDE coordinator in the state, Mr Yakubu Mani, who disclosed this at the graduation ceremony of the trainees on Saturday in Katsina, said that 25 youths and 10 vulnerable women were also trained and empowered on ICT and assorted trades.

Mani said that the trainees were part of the 4,790 jobs stimulus package launched by the directorate this year.

He said that apart from the training, the trainees would also collect resettlement items as loans, to enable them to start their respective business.

According to him, the physically challenged persons and women were trained in shoe, bag and pomade and bead making, while the 25 youths received training in ICT.

Lagos

The Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Inumidun Akande, announced on Saturday that government had purchased 112 new Toyota Corolla cars for distribution to magistrates.

She made the announcement at a special end of year meeting with the magistrates.

“I can confirm that each and every one of you will soon have a brand new Toyota Corolla as your official car,” she said.

Akande said the magistracy occupied a prime position in the judiciary, and urged them to reciprocate the gesture by being loyal and committed in the discharge of their duties.

“There is need for you all as members of the Lower Bench to exhibit and maintain a high sense of discipline and responsibility in line with the ethics of our noble profession,” she added.

Nasarawa

The Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) has embarked on the construction of three new sub-stations in Lafia, Nasarawa State, to boost power supply in the state.

The PHCN Business Manager Lafia, Malam Abdulganiyu Isa, disclosed this at the fourth quarter customer consultative meeting in Lafia on Saturday.

Isa also said that power supply to Nasarawa State would soon rise from 10-15 megawatts to 20 megawatts at the completion of a new 450 MVA direct line.

The line, he added, was being injected into the Katampe transmission station in Abuja which has its supply source asKainji.

Isa told the meeting that of the three new sub-stations, two injection sub-stations: 33/11KV at Shendam road and Mararaba-Akunza in Lafia were almost 90 per cent completed, adding that they would soon be in operation.

He said that approval was being awaited for the construction of a transmission sub-station in Akurba a suburb of Lafia, to tap from a 330 KVA transmission line from Jos to Makurdi.

Plateau

The police in Plateau State are set to arrest the CPC governorship aspirant in Bauchi State, Alhaji Abdullahi Adamu, following an order by a Jos Federal High Court.

The Court, on Wednesday, ordered the arrest of the aspirant for allegedly refusing to appear before it after several summons and adjournments.

Adamu is the owner of Solid Unit Nig. Ltd, a mining company, sued for trespass by another company, Geotess Nig. Ltd.

Justice Bilkisu Aliyu, who ordered the arrest, expressed shock that the accused had not bothered to appear before the court at the adjourned sitting on December 15.

“I hereby direct that he should be arrested on sight, detained and brought to court on January 11, 2011, the adjoined date for the hearing of the case,’’ he declared.

The court, however, took steps to implement the order by taking the arrest warrant to the Plateau Police Commissioner, Abdulraman Akano.

Zamfara

Alhaji Abdulkakdir Tsafe, a PDP aspirant for House of Representatives in Gusau/Tsafe Federal Constituency, has said that PDP will emerge stronger after its primary elections.

Tsafe told newsmen in Gusau that the current crisis over zoning and its “unprecedented number of contestants” were manifestations of popularity of the party.

“I am optimistic that such differences bordering on individual interests would be amicably resolved at the party level and the party will come out of its primaries stronger to face the 2011 elections,“ he said.

The aspirant said the corporate interest of the party to win the 2011 elections was more important than individual’s interest, as such, members should unite to ensure the success of the party.

Nation

REAN, SON synergise to curb fake renewable energy product

Published

2 days 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

2 days 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

2 days 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.