Nation

THE STATES

Published

13 years ago

December 13, 2013

Benue

A Makurdi Upper Area Court has sentenced a man, Salisu

Audu, 45, to three years imprisonment for house-breaking and stealing valuables.

In his judgment, the Magistrate, Ibrahim Mohammed, said that the convict failed to show any remorse to warrant the court being lenient.

“Having found you guilty of the charge of house breaking under Section 353 of the Penal Code, an offence which has no option of fine, you are hereby sentenced to 24 months imprisonment.

“For the offence of theft, you are to pay a fine of N5,000 or twelve months imprisonment in default.

“Both sentences shall run concurrently,” Mohammed said.

Borno

Senator Muhammad Ndume (PDP-Borno) last Tuesday

urged Nigerian political leaders to emulate late South African leader, Nelson Mandela, by playing positive roles in national development.

Ndume told newsmen in Maiduguri that Mandela was a hero, great man and a symbol of African pride.

“This is a man that showed commitment to the uplifting of human dignity with perseverance and integrity.

“People like Nelson Mandela should be in the first class seat if there is anything like that in heaven.

FCT

An Abuja-based lawyer, Mrs Maryam Uwais, has called

on Nigerians to adhere to the rule of law and protect the rights of citizens.

Uwais gave the advice in Abuja in an interview with newsmen on the sideline of an event to mark the International Human Rights Day.

According to her, adhering to the rule of law and protecting the fundamental rights of citizens is key to the growth of democratic governance.

“We must always respect the rights and dignity of other people, irrespective of their religion or ethnic background in the country.

Jigawa

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC)

in Jigawa State, said it rescued a newly-born baby girl abandoned on a roadside in Babura, near Dutse.

The NSCDC Commandant in the state, Mr Muhammad Gidado,told newsmen in Dutse that the abandoned baby was rescued in Babura local government area.

He said the baby was rescued on the outskirts of Babura town on Damu village road around 1.30 p.m.

The commandant said that the baby was in good health.

He said the baby had been handed over to the District Head of Babura for safe keeping while investigation continued.

Kaduna

Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) says it collects

over N1billion monthly from the N700 million it used to collect from the sale of electricity to consumers within Kaduna and its environs.

General Manager in charge of the Kaduna State region of the company, Mr John Obaluju, made this known when the National Good Governance Tour team inspected ongoing work at the Mando

He said the improvement in revenue resulted from the investments by government in both generation and transmission facilities.

Obajulu said after the expansion of the sub-station, electricity consumers would enjoy improved power supply at a much cheaper rate.

Katsina

The Chairman of the Malumfashi Local Government Tran

sition Council in Katsina State, Alhaji Mansur Banki, has advised youths in the area to embrace irrigation farming.

He gave the advice in Malumfashi lastMonday during the disbursement of N2 million interest-free loans to 200 youths.

Banki, who cautioned the beneficiaries to shun violence, urged them to go to their respective family farms during rainy season and engage in farming.

He said that the involvement of youths in agriculture would not only boost food production, but also enhance the efforts of the government to achieve food security.

Kebbi

The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development,

Hajiya Zainab Maina, has launched Widows Empowerment Scheme in Kebbi State.

The minister, who was in Birnin Kebbi for a two-day advocacy visit, distributed 1,000 refrigerators and 400 grinding machines to some widows.

During the distribution ceremony, she urged the beneficiaries to utilise the facilities to improve their economic status and support their children.

Maina commended the state government for appointing women in political offices and called for the implementation of the affirmative action by placing more women in government.

Kwara

The Chairman of Patigi Local Government in Kwara State,

Alhaji Uthman Mohammed-Ndako, has called for the inclusion of Nupe language in the Nigerian education curriculum.

Mohammed-Ndako made the call in Patigi at the launch of some textbooks written in Nupe by the Etsu of Patigi, Alhaji Ibrahim Chatta-Umar.

He said Nupe language, “as one of the paramount indigenous languages, would surely promote the cultural heritage of the people.’’

The chairman, represented by his deputy, Alhaji Shuaib Muazu, said the books would boost the basic techniques required in the writing and speaking of Nupe language.

Lagos

The Lagos State House of Assembly says it would ini

tiate a bill to provide legal framework to enhance the operations of vigilance groups in the state.

The Speaker of the House, Mr Adeyemi Ikuforuji, said this while receiving members of the Vigilance Group of Nigeria, Lagos Chapter, who paid him a visit.

Ikuforuji said, “be rest-assured that the House will support you. Please continue to render your services without fear or favour. “We want to assure you that the house will support you which is a major reason for your visit.

Ogun

The Ogun State Government said it had earmarked N1.4

billion for payment of examination fees for students sitting for the West African School Certificate in 2014.

The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Mr Segun Odubela, made the disclosure in Abeokuta while defending the 2014 budget proposal of the ministry at the House of Assembly.

Odubela said the money would take care of 54,944 final year senior secondary school students at the rate of N10,400 each.

“The money will also take care of the 70,000 final year Junior Secondary School students and the conduct of the Unified Examinations for secondary school students in the state.

Osun

An Ilesa Magistrate’s Court has remanded Abayomi

Ogundipe, 19, in prison custody for allegedly stabbing his friend, Itunu Folorunso, with a broken bottle.

The prosecutor, Sgt. Jimoh Mufutau, told the court that the accused committed the act on December 8, at 2.00 p.m. at Igbogi Street, Ilesa.

He said the accused was arraigned on a four-count charge of conspiracy to commit felony, breach of peace, unlawfully wounding Folounso and belonging to unlawful society.

Mufutau alleged that the accused conspired with others, now at large, to commit felony with the intention to cause the breach of peace.

Oyo

An Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan has sentenced two hospital clerks, Elizabeth Adesokan, 34, and Olufemi Idowu, 39, to four years in prison for stealing N6.9 million.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Olusola Adetujoye, jailed Adesokan and Idowu after they were found guilty of conspiracy and stealing.

Adetujoye said the convicts were charged with conspiracy and theft of N6.9 million belonging to Ola Catholic Hospital, Oluyoro Oke-Ofa, Ibadan.

She said the prosecutor had proved his case beyond reasonable doubt, adding that the accused were guilty as charged.

Plateau

The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Plateau State Command, said it had trained 320 officers in extensive weapons handling between January and November.

The Commandant, Mr Vincent Bature, told newsmen last in Jos Tuesday that the officers underwent extensive training in weapons handling, arms drills, combat craft, range classification and exercises. He said that out of the 320 officers, 20 were specially trained as Special Forces at the Nigeria Army Counter Terrorism Training School, Kachia in Kaduna State and the School of Armour, Kontagora in Niger State.

L-R: Governor Mukhtar Yero of Kaduna State, Minister of Information, Mr Labaran Maku and Deputy Governor, Amb. Nuhu Bajoga, during a town hall meeting as part of National Good Governance Tour in Kaduna last Tuesday. Photo: NAN

Nation

REAN, SON synergise to curb fake renewable energy product

Published

3 weeks 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

3 weeks 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

3 weeks 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.