Nation

THE STATES

Published

12 years ago

September 1, 2014

Bauchi
As part of efforts to surmount the spate of insurgency,
violence and crises bedeviling the North eastern part of the country, the Federal Government under the ‘Presidential Initiative for North East’ has selected hundreds of youths from Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe states that constitute the region for training on how to seal and package grains into sacks with the use of machines.
The program which was in collaboration with the international firm ‘LINTEX International Limited’ has trained the beneficiaries to become professional sealers and packagers who can work in any food production company within and outside the nation.
Speaking yesterday during the closing ceremony of the training in Bauchi, the Chief Executive Officer of LINTEX International, Alhaji Bashir Dantata represented by Mr Adeagbo Sultan explained that the program was aimed at mitigating the rate of poverty and youths restiveness which make them to perpetrate crimes or indulge into insurgency activities.

Benue
Benue State women, under the aegis of the Southern
Women in Action Group (SWAG), have called for power shift to the Idoma-speaking area of the state in the forthcoming governorship election in the interest of fair play and justice.
National President of the group, Mrs. Ene Ibenu, who made the call at a briefing in Makurdi, the state capital, said the demand was premised on the principle of rotation and equity.
According to her, “what we are saying is that since the creation of Benue State some 38 years ago, nobody of Idoma extraction has assumed the leadership of the state as governor.

Borno
A senior official of the traditional rulers council of Gwoza town in Borno State has disclosed that members of the Boko Haram sect are having a field day in territories they have captured and have turned the sacked Emir’s palace in Gwoza to their headquarters.
He said the militants are now relocating from their camp in Sambisa forest in Borno State to the territories they have annexed in the northern region.
According to witnesses, their move is predicated on unabated territorial conquests by the insurgents who have occupied the army base in Gamboru town in Borno State which they took over on Monday.

FCT
The FCT Primary Health Care Development Board says
plans are underway to build toilets in strategic locations in Abuja.
Dr Matthew Ashikeni, Director, Disease Control Department of the board, announced this at the National Task Group and Sanitation meeting in Abuja on Thursday.
Ashikeni explained that the move was designed to ensure improved sanitation in the city with emphasis on reducing open defecation in FCT.
Ashikenu blamed open defecation on lack of functional sanitation facilities in public places in the city.

Kano
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration
and Control (NAFDAC) has sealed off seven shops and confiscated contraband food products worth millions of Naira in Kano.
The NAFDAC Assistant Director (Enforcement), Mr Shaba Mohammed, disclosed this in Kano on Thursday in an interview with newsmen.
Our correspondent reports that six of the affected shops were located at the popular Singer Market, while the other shop was situated at Galadima area in Sabon Gari.
He explained that the operation was conducted recently to measure the level of compliance to regulation, particularly on food products.
Katsina
Barring unforeseen circumstances, General Muhammadu
Buhari would declare for the presidential race within the next few days as he rounds off his nationwide consultations, his political aide has disclosed.
The former head of state and national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is not new in the race as he has been consistently contesting for the presidency since 2003 when he ran against the then president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo under the platform of the All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP).
Buhari also contested in 2007 and in 2011 against the late President Umaru Yar Adua and President Goodluck Jonathan respectively but lost in the three elections.

Kogi
Kogi State Governor, Idris Wada, has vowed to stamp out
political thuggery in the state.
Wada who made this known, yesterday, while addressing the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, supporters during the “Thank You Visit” to Ajaka, headquarters of Igalamela/Odolu Local Government Area of Kogi State, said his government would not tolerate any act of indiscipline from any one.
Wada warned that anybody caught in act of hooliganism would face the wrath of law no matter how highly placed, advising parents not to allow their children to be used as political thugs in the state.

Kaduna
Members of the Down Quarters Community in Kaduna
South Local Government area of Kaduna State have protested the setting up of an Ebola quarantine centre in the area.
They vehemently kicked against the proposed project, saying that government was not sensitive to the negative implication of locating such project in the midst of the community.
But the state government through the Deputy Governor, Nuhu Bajoga, said the government would go ahead with the project. He said the government could not afford to take the centre far away from the people in case there was an outbreak “so that the patient will not die on the way.”

Lagos
Lagos State Government has organised training for no fewer
than 1000 of its secondary school teachers in the effective use of ICT across the education curriculum.
The Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye said at the opening of the workshop in Lagos that it was the beginning of a series of many capacity building interventions and activities for teachers in the state public secondary schools which the state government was putting together.
She described high quality education as one of the major planks of national development, saying developed nations across the world paid great attention to their educational service delivery as they did not only invest in physical infrastructure but also in the human infrastructure at all levels.
Nasarawa
The violent feud involving Eggon and Fulani communities
in Nasarawa State took another dimension yesterday when Fulani attackers invaded Tudun Adabu, an agrarian town, in the morning which led to hours of fierce fighting leaving casualties on both sides.
One of those who fled the area when the Fulani were said to have invaded at about 10am, Esla Jatau, said there had been rumours since Monday morning of the impending attack by Fulani herdsmen, so women and children were evacuated before they struck about 10am.
Unlike their attack on Akunni and Ikposogye where they had a field day destroying homes and property because the residents of the villages had deserted their homes, the Fulani met stiff resistance from Tudun Adabu youths who engaged them in exchange of fire lasting several hours.

Ogun
The Ogun State protem chairman, Peoples Democratic
Movement, Mr.Isiak Gbadamosi, has said the party will not form alliance with any other political party in order to win any elective positions in 2015.
He said this at the party secretariat at Olomore, Abeokuta while briefing journalists on the activities of the party registered in 2013.
The protem chairman who was in company of other officials of the party which include the protem secretary, Mr. David Adeife, senatorial chairman, Ogun-West, Mr. Muhammed Adeyemi among others, said the party would not even consider an offer from the Peoples Democratic Party, which is an offshoot of the PDM.
He said, “We will not form alliance with any other political party. Any party that want to join us must submit its certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission and come under the PDM.

Plateau
Plateau State Commissioner for Justice, Mr Edward Pwajok,
has said that the report of the Justice Bola Ajibola Commission of Inquiry into the 2008 Jos crisis would soon be released.
Pwajok told newsmen in Jos recently that: “Government has concluded deliberations on the report and shall soon make it public.’’
Our correspondent reports that the commission was set up by the state government in November 2008, after the devastating crises in Jos that claimed many lives.
“The State Government set up the commission of inquiry to investigate the immediate and remote causes of that crisis; it was expected to identify persons responsible for it and recommend sanctions, among other things.

Former Lagos State Miliary Administrator, Retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa (right), declaring for Adamawa State governorship in Yola, recently.

Nation

REAN, SON synergise to curb fake renewable energy product

Published

17 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

17 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

17 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.