Nation

THE STATES

Published

14 years ago

May 16, 2012

Adamawa

Vice-President Namadi Sambo has reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to good governance and delivery of dividends of democracy to the citizenry.

Sambo gave the assurance on Saturday at a grand reception organised for Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, the National Chairman of PDP in his home town of Mayo-Kalaye in Jada Local Government Area of Adamawa.

The reception was packaged by members of PDP from the North-East geo-political zone to honour the party’s national chairman.

He said it was based on the government’s commitment to deliver on its campaign promises that the administration had focused on power, agriculture, education, among other sectors of the economy.

In his remarks, Gov. Babangida Aliyu, of Niger State and Chairman of Northern Governors Forum, who spoke on behalf of PDP governors, described Tukur as a responsible elder that would add value to the party.

In his address, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, said his new position was an opportunity for him to offer selfless service and to provide President Goodluck Jonathan and his team the needed support to deliver on good governance.

The PDP national chairman called for unity among Nigerians so that the nation could make progress in all fields of human endeavours.

Bauchi

The wife of the FCT Minister, Hajiya Aisha Muhammed, on Saturday distributed poverty alleviation materials to 120 women and youths in Alkaleri town in Bauchi State. The materials include sewing machines, welding machines and knitting machines.

Distributing the materials to the beneficiaries, Muhammed promised to work to reduce poverty and idleness among the people, especially in Alkaleri Local Government Area and Bauchi State.

Muhammed, who is the founder of Al-Muhibba Foundation, which distributed the materials, said the foundation started as an NGO that focused attention on the rehabilitation of cemeteries.

She noted cemeteries were the final resting places of all human beings and added that she decided to expand the project to cover skill acquisition, particularly among women and youths.

Mohammed condemned youths who allowed themselves to be used as political thugs instead of going to school to be educated or be involved in other useful ventures.

She promised to extend the services of the foundation to other parts of the state. “Al-Muhibbawill extend its services to Gamawa and Darazo local government areas as part of our determination to cover the entire state,’’ Mohammed said.

In her remark, Hajiya Aisha Yuguda, the wife of Gov. Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State, commended Muhammed for offering such services to her immediate constituency.

The governor’s wife, represented by Mrs Lydia Shehu, a Director in Bauchi State Ministry of Women Affairs, said she would collaborate with any organisation in efforts to improve the standard of living of the youth and women.

Jigawa

The residents of Dutse in Jigawa last Saturday celebrated the first rainfall for the year.

A cross section of residents who spoke to newsmen in Dutse on Saturday, said they had now ‘heaved a sigh of relief’.

Mrs Zainab Abubakar, a house wife and a resident, said that the rainfall would cool the hot temperature experienced in the town in the last couple of months.

She explained that the heat before the heavy downpour on Saturday had made their homes uncomfortable for them.

Another resident, Malam Ahmed Yakubu, expressed delight on the rainfall and said that he hoped that the rain would continue because of what the family had gone through as a result of heat.

Many Dutse residents were heard congratulating themselves over the rain even as the downpour, which started at about 1:30 a.m., lasted for two hours. It was accompanied by windstorm.

Kaduna

Some youths stormed the Zaria Police Station on Saturday to protest the alleged killing of one Abdullahi Nura by a middle age man, over a N250 snatched from a girl.

The protesting youths demanded that the suspect, who was in police custody be handed over to them. It took the intervention of the Emir of Zazzau, Dr Shehu Idris, to disperse the crowd.

According to our source, the youths were aggrieved because they claimed that this was not the first time the suspect had committed murder in Zaria.

One of the youths said that the suspect allegedly snatched N250 from a young girl sent on errand by her parent, adding that the deceased asked the suspect why he took the money from the girl.

Katsina

The Katsina State chapters of the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) and Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), have called on Imams and clerics to continue to mobilise their followers for peaceful co-existence.

The associations made the call on Saturday in Katsina at a joint meeting on mutual understanding and maintenance of peace between their members.

The chairmen of JNI, Alhaji Isa Dodo and his CAN counterpart, Dr Adewale Adediran, said Imams and clerics should, in their sermons, mobilise and encourage their members to embrace each other so as to ensure continued peace in the state and the nation at large.

According to them, Katsina has been one of the most peaceful states in the federation, “but we need to maintain that peace by enlightening our followers on the importance of peaceful co-existence among ourselves’’.

Nasarawa

The Police have recovered three locally-made pistols in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, ASP Corlineuos Ocholi, made this known in Lafia last Saturday.

Ocholi said the pistols were recovered by “some good people’’ in Lafia East, when they were cutting grass in their premises.

“The pistols were believed to have been buried in the premises by some unknown persons.’’

Ocholi said that the police had been drafted to the area to keep surveillance, pointing out that the police had commenced investigations to fish out those behind the act.

He, however, appealed to the public to always furnish the police with necessary information that would assist in ensuring that law abiding citizens slept with their two eyes closed.

Osun

Govenor of Osun Rauf Aregbesola on Saturday in Osogbo urged youths to support the campaign against polio across the state.

He made the call while flagging off the “Youth Polio Awareness Campaign 2012”, organised by the Ministry of Health.

The governor said it was necessary to step up campaign on the deadly disease’s prevention even though the state had not recorded any case of poliomyelitis in the last four years.

He said the programme involved the immunisation of every child under the age of five, adding that this was to forestall any possible outbreak in the future.

Aregbesola said his administration placed priority on the health of the state’s citizens and urged community leaders, market women and religious bodies to help mobilise mothers to embrace the programme.

Sokoto

The Chairman of Silame Local Government in Sokoto State Alhaji Mani Maishinko, has said that his administration spent N4 million in the rehabilitation of four boreholes in Silame, Gande, Katami and Kobudo towns.

Maishinko told newsmen in Silame on Saturday that the local government also expended N1 million monthly in the maintenance of the boreholes.

He said the local government also constructed eight open dug wells at more than N6 million.

‘’All these excluded several other projects being carried out by the state and Silame local governments aimed at providing adequate potable water for the people.

“Water is life and if you provide it regularly and adequately for the people, you have solved most of the water borne diseases.’’

Zamfara

The Zamfara State Anti-Corruption Commission has commenced investigation on a petition against top government official over alleged fraud and breach of trust

Seventeen aggrieved persons petitioned the commission, claiming that one Alhaji Dandosara, believed to be close to Zamfara State government collected a total of N472,000 from the petitioners, promising to secure them jobs.

The chairman of the commission, Dr Atiku Balarabe said while briefing newsmen that Dan Dosara collected N27,000 from each of the 16 victims to secure them teaching appointments.

He added that the suspect also collected N40,000, eight chickens, 150 pieces of eggs and cooking oil from the 17th victim, with a promise of securing for him appointment as Judge under the state judiciary.

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.