Nation

THE STATES

Published

12 years ago

April 2, 2014

Bauchi

The proposed Kafin Zaki dam in Bauchi State, is to be
re-designed to accommodate the interests of communities in Yobe and Jigawa states.
Vice President Namadi Sambo stated this in Bauchi during the North East Zonal Rally of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
He said that President Goodluck Jonathan, who authorized the re-designing of the dam, had also directed that work should commence on the project.
Sambo also said that the completion of another dam in Taraba, the Mambilla Hydropower project, would transform the North East sub-region.

Benue

Suspected Fulani Herdsmen, have attacked some vil
lages in Agatu local government area of Benue State, killing over 19 people and abducting others in the process.
It was gathered that more than 15 people, including women and children were whisked away by the gunmen to unknown destination.
Sources say the gunmen also razed houses and destroyed farmlands during the late night invasion.
The council chairman, Stephen Dutse, said the attackers invaded the villages of Olegaje, Ogumogbo, Ejuma and Ogbagaji, the headquarters of the local government.

FCT

The Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), said it
would join the rest of the world to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Chinua Achebe’s novel, Arrow of God.
The National Vice President of the association, Danja Abdullahi, told newsmen in Abuja that the event would come up on April 3 in Abuja.
He said that ANA resolved to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Achebe’s novel “because Chinua Achebe was a hero in the literary world, besides being a worthy son of Nigeria.
“This year marks the golden anniversary of the publication of the novel, Arrow of God, by Chinua Achebe, his third novel after Things Fall Apart and No Longer at Ease.

Jigawa

The Birniwa Local Government Area of Jigawa State
is targeting immunisation of 121, 000 animals against various diseases within four weeks, the Chairman, Malam Muhammad Bundai, said recently.
Bundai gave the assurance while inspecting animal vaccination in Birniwa.
He urged Fulani herdsmen to present their animals for vaccination to check outbreak of diseases and improve animal health.
The chairman said that the council had provided logistics support to facilitate smooth conduct of the exercise.

Kaduna

The Governing Council of the Nigerian Institute of
Transport Technology (NITT), Zaria, Kaduna State, has approved the appointment of three acting directors to substantive positions.
The approval is contained in a statement issued by the institute’s Chief Principal Public Relations Officer, Mr Paul Mshelizah in Zaria.
The statement quoted Mshelizah as saying the decision was taken at the 19th meeting of the council held in Zaria, Kaduna State on March 28, chaired by its Chairman, Mr Olusola Akanmode.
The new appointees are Alhaji Sule Bello, who is now the institute’s substantive Registrar, Mr Uzoma Ugoke, who becomes the Director, Library and Information and Mr Femi Jemirin, now the institute’s Director, Consultancy Services.

Kano

Kano State Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso,
has declared that the ongoing National Conference would end up as another talk show, as it was meant to waste government’s fund.
In an interview with the BBC Hausa service in Kaduna recently, he wondered why a whopping N7 billion was budgeted for the conference, while only a paltry N2 billion was given to three North-Eastern states grappling with terrorism and insurgency.
Kwankwaso stated that the President, Goodluck Jonathan, hurriedly organised the conference because he was short of ideas on how to run the country.
He alleged that the motive behind the confab was to open old wounds with a clear intent to cause confusion in the polity.

Kwara

A lawmaker, Dr Rafiu Ibrahim, says the pres
ence of “too many old people’’ at the National Conference may be a negation of President Goodluck Jonathan’s good intention of convening it.
Ibrahim, who said this in Ilorin, recently, told newsmen that the ongoing National Conference was a laudable event which had too many old people as delegates.
The lawmaker, who was inaugurated as Honorary President of Mess Committee of the Nigeria Navy School of Health Sciences in Offa, Kwara said the timeliness of the conference was apt.

Lagos

Some residents of Ejigbo in Alimosho Local Gov
ernment Area of Lagos State have urged the state government to provide an efficient network of drains in the area.
In separate interviews with newsmen in Lagos, they said that functional drainage channels would give room for easy flow of waste water into the canals.
“In Ejigbo, most homes don’t know where to discharge waste water because there is no functional drainage system.
“So, what happens is that the water is discharged in the compounds and you know this can cause health problems.

Ogun

A member of the Ogun State House of As
sembly, Mr Oludaisi Elemide, has urged delegates to the National Conference to put the interest of the nation first in all their deliberations.
Elemide, (APC-Odeda), made the call in Abeokuta in an interview with newsmen
The lawmaker said that the outcome of the on-going national conference would only be meaningful if the interest and future of the nation were put into consideration in all issues to be discussed.
He stated that lack of love for one another had been a major factor affecting development and growth of the country.
He added that Nigerians should love one another irrespective of religious or ethnic differences.
The legislator noted that Nigeria would be a better place if the fear of God, love and honesty were allowed to reign supreme at the conference.
He, however, urged the leadership of the country to ensure that the views of Nigerians were not subverted at the end of the conference.

Ondo

The Chairman of Ondo State Cocoa Revolution
Implementation Committee, Dr Jibayo Oyebade, says cocoa produced in the state for chocolate production, has received world certification and recognition.
Oyebade told newsmen in Akure, that the product had already been presented to the partnering firm overseas, Cargill Cocoa and Chocolate firm, Netherland.
“We taught our cocoa farmers how to improve the quality of their cocoa, through proper fermentation.
“Our partners have taken our sample and are satisfied with it. I am proud that our effort has yielded good results. We want to reproduce chocolate from our own cocoa” he said.

Zamfara

The National Chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle
Breeders Association, Alhaji Abdullahi Bodejo, has called on Governor Ibrahim Shema of Katsina State, to convene a nationwide meeting of Fulanis.
Bodejo made the call in Gusau while conferring the title of Sardaunan Fulani on Shema.
He explained that such a meeting would help to find lasting solutions to problems involving Fulani and others in the country.
“If a meeting is convened by a personality like the Katsina state governor, I am very certain that the truth about us will come to light’’, Bodejo said.

L-R: Former President Shehu Shagari, Deputy Governor of Kano Stae, Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduji, an Activist, Dr Junaid Mohammed and High Commissioner of Pakistan to Nigeria, Muhammad Saleem, at the 75th National Day of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in Abuja last Sunday. Photo: NAN

Nation

REAN, SON synergise to curb fake renewable energy product

Published

9 hours 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

9 hours 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

10 hours 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.