Nation

THE STATES

Published

11 years ago

June 12, 2015

Governor Ibrahim Dank Wambo of Gombe State (middle), Inaugurating the Inuwa orphanage Foundation in Gombe last Wednesday. With him are the Acting Secretary to the State government, Mr James Pisaghi (left)and the immediate past Speaker, Gombe State House of Assembly and Alhaji Inuwa Garba (right).

Adamawa

Alhaji Kabiru Mijinyawa (APC-Yola South) has emerged
as the Speaker, of the Adamawa State House of Assembly.
Mijinyawa, nominated by Abdulrahman Abubakar (APC-Mubi South), polled 17 votes, while his opponent, Alhaji Rufai Umar (APC- Gombi), who was nominated by Mallam Hammanjoda Umar (APC-Jada/Mbulo), scored eight votes.
Mr Sunday Peter (APC- Guyuk), was elected unopposed as Deputy Speaker following non-secondment of Mrs Sodomti Tayedi (APC- Numan), who was nominated to contest the position with him.
Addressing the House after taking oath of office, Mijinyawa thanked members of the Assembly for electing him as speaker.
Mijinyawa, therefore, urged members to support him to move the state forward.

Borno

The Borno State chapter of the Trade Union Congress
(TUC) last Monday urged Governor Kashim Shettima to redeem his pledge of employing 500 people into the state civil service.
Alhaji Ali Grema, the TUC Chairman in the state, told newsmen in Maiduguri that priority should be given to youth empowerment and the security challenges in the state.
He advised the government to rehabilitate its industries to create employment opportunities for the youth in the state.
“We have industries that can generate up to 300,000 jobs for the youth.
“That is why we are calling on the state government to focus on reviving the industries like Borno State Hotel, Neital Shoe Company and Borno Investment Company,” he said.

Ekiti

A 40-year-old man, Banji Adebayo, charged with con
spiracy and armed robbery, has been remanded in Olokuta Prison by an Akure Chief Magistrates’ Court.
The accused, with others still at large, were alleged to have robbed one Mr Afolabi Adeniyi, of different types of cell phones, cash, laptop and other items, all valued at N4.98 million.
The Magistrate, Mr Sunday Adedapo, ordered the remand of the accused in prison custody pending the receipt of legal advice from the state’s Director of Public Prosecution.
Earlier, the prosecutor, ASP Pelumi Adejuwon, had told the court that the accused person, armed with dangerous weapons , robbed the victim of different types of cell phones, valued at N1 million.
Adejuwon also said that the accused snatched MTN, GLO, Airtel and Etisalat recharge cards, valued at N1 million; Acer laptop valued at N53,000 and N825,000 cash.

Jigawa

Female beneficiaries of the National Directorate of Em
ployment (NDE) in Jigawa State have commended the agency for its skills acquisition training for women.
The beneficiaries made the commendation in an interview with newsmen in Dutse.
One of the beneficiaries who gave her name as Fadila Muhammad, said the gesture would help the women to be self-reliant.
She added that it would also reduce the level of dependence by wives on their husbands.
Another beneficiary, Hafsat Garba, said: “We thank God and NDE for this training.”

Kaduna

Governor Nasiru El-Rufai of Kaduna State has reduced
the number of ministries in the state from 19 to 13 for effective service delivery.
The information is contained in a statement issued by Samuel Aruwan, the Special Assistant (Media and Publicity), to the governor in Kaduna last Tuesday.
The statement which said that the governor also reduced the number of commissioners to be appointed to 13, noted that the development was in continuation of El-Rufa’I’s efforts to cut the cost of governance in the state.
“El-Rufai decided to reduce the number of commissioners to only 13 as against the 24 appointed by the immediate past administration.
The governor will also limit the number of aides that the 13 commissioners will recruit to support them in the discharge of their duties,” it said.
Kano

The Kano State chapter of the Federation of Muslim
Women Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN) has appealed to leaders at all levels to assist the needy as part of service to humanity.
The FOMWAN Chairperson in Kano State, Hajiya Sa’adatu Hashim, made the call during a one-day seminar it organised with the theme “Service to Humanity (Path to Aljannat)” in Kano last Monday.
Hashim said the call was to alleviate the sufferings of the less-privileged in the society, pointing out that “anybody who assists the poor will be replenished by Allah.
The chairperson then urged women to register with the organisation with a view to rendering service to humanity.
She said the Association has branches in all the 44 local government areas of the state, stressing that its activities centred on the propagation of Islam.

Lagos
Justice Ibrahim Buba of a Federal High Court in Lagos
last Tuesday dismissed the suit seeking to vacate Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Mbu Joseph Mbu over his alleged abuse of power.
In his ruling, Buba said no court in Nigeria could declare the office of a police officer of the rank of AIG vacant, saying that such action was the responsibility of the Nigeria Police.
“If any threat is made against any person, it is the duty of the police to investigate and punish the officer who made it accordingly, even if it is an AIG.
“No court in Nigeria can declare the office of such officer vacant; it is the duty of the police, “he said.
Buda said that the case of the plaintiff had no merit and was therefore dismissed.

Nasarawa

The Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Keffi, Nasarawa
State, said last Monday that it has entered into partnership with the Keffi Local Government Council to tackle health challenges of rural populace.
Dr Joshua Giyan, FMC Medical Director, made the disclosure in Keffi when Alhaji Mohammed Dikko, the council Chairman, visited the centre.
Dikko was represented by his vice, Mr Joseph Maiwada.
Giyan said that the collaboration was to tackle the health challenges of the rural dwellers and to ensure quality healthcare service at the grassroots.
Giyan restated the commitment of the centre to continue to initiate policies that would improve on the welfare of its staff and people of the state.gun

Ogun
No fewer than 500 persons benefitted annual free eye
surgery jointly organised by Ogun State Government, Indo Eye Care Foundation and Rotary International.
The Permanent Secretary, state Hospitals Management Board, Mrs Modupe Olurin, made this known at the General Hospital, Abeokuta.
She explained that the event was aimed at giving succour to indigent citizens of the state who were victims of cataract and could not afford the cost of the operation.

Osun

Members of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria
(JUSUN), Osun State Chapter, have refused to resume work after State Chairman, Mr Dapo Oseni, called-off the five-month old strike last Monday.
sources said that magistrate and customary courts in Ile-Ife remained closed last Tuesday.
Oseni had directed the workers to go back to work, as Governor Rauf Aregbesola had pledged to pay JUSUN and other workers their salaries.
But the workers insisted that they would not resume duty until their salaries were paid.
A senior staff, Mrs Yemi Owolabi, who spoke with newsmen confirmed that they could not resume work while being owed seven months salary arrears.
“The ongoing strike by the members would not be called off until last penny of our salaries is paid,” she said.
JUSUN began their strike on January 5, to compel the government to obey a court order that affirmed financial autonomy of states’ judiciary.

Plateau
The Catholic Bishop of Pankshin Diocese in Plateau
State, Most Rev. Michael Gokum, has donated items worth over N2.5 million to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) taking refuge in Pankshin and nearby areas.
The donation was made through the Justice Development and Peace Commission (JDPC) of the diocese and was supported by the Catholic Caritas Commission.
The main beneficiaries of the gesture were persons displaced from the North-East and are taking refuge in Kanem and Kanke local government areas of the state.
He also said that the gesture which was for all Christians was a show of love, concern and to identify with the IDPs.
The Archbishop assured the IPDs that their stay at the various camps was temporary as government was intensifying efforts to ensure that peace returned to their original abodes.

Taraba
Governor Darius Ishaku of Taraba State has approved
N8.5 million for the overhaul of the Jalingo water plant to ensure potable water supply in the metropolis.
Mr Sylvanus Giwa, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media and Publicity, made this known in a statement made available to newsmen in Jalingo on Tuesday.
According to the statement, the governor had mandated the Taraba Water Supply Agency to immediately commence work on all faulty water pipes in the capital.
“The governor’s concern is informed by the acute water scarcity in the town, which has forced residents to find alternatives in unsafe water sources that are hazardous to community health, it said.
The statement urged all officials responsible for carrying out the project to be diligent, adding that government would not tolerate any form of laxity.
It further stated that government was committed to providing essential services to the people of the state in the months ahead.

Nation

REAN, SON synergise to curb fake renewable energy product

Published

21 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

21 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

21 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.