Nation

THE STATES

Published

10 years ago

March 7, 2016

Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State (right), presenting certificate to the new Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji, during the Oba’s coronation in Ibadan on Friday . With them is the Oba’s eldest wife, Alhaja Rafiat Adetunji.

Bauchi

Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Wikki Spring Water
Company, Mainamaji, Bauchi State, Mr Ojile Alfa says the company has engaged 2,050 youths working for the company.
Alfa announced this at the commissioning of the company in Mainamaji, Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State.
Alfa said that the company was currently producing 5,000 bottles of water per hour but could produce 40,000 bottles in eight hours.
He further explained that the company produced 80,000 sachet water per hour while it was working to provide additional two production lines.
The CEO called on the state government to re-construct the two-kilometre road linking main entrance to Yankari Games Reserves to Badara, to motivate the villagers who were sugar cane farmers.

Ekiti
The Ekiti State Government says it has expended over
one billion naira (N1 billion) on ecological projects between October, 2015 and February, 2016
The State Commissioner for Environment, Mr Bisi Kolawole told newsmen in Ado-Ekiti, that seven of the projects had been completed, while three were ongoing.
He said that the projects executed include dredging of stream channels, construction of access culverts and reconstruction of failed culverts.
Kolawole, who frowned at the careless attitude of the citizens to their environment, appealed to them to compliment the efforts of the state government at ensuring a clean environment.
“The attitude of our people to their environment is not encouraging because there are so many culverts that were blocked with waste and filth thrown inside them by the people.
“I want to appeal to our people that they should complement the efforts of the state government by ensuring that they clear their drains at least once or twice a month.
“If our people can inculcate that attitude of cleanliness, the state will be clean and government will have less work to do.
FCT

The Director of FCT Muslims Pilgrims Welfare Board
(FMPWB), Malam Muhammad Bashir, has pledged to ensure hitch-free 2016 Hajj operations in the territory.
Bashir gave the assurance in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.
He said as part of early preparations for the 2016 Hajj, the board held preliminary discussions with service providers such as accommodation and feeding providers in Mecca.
“Immediately after the 2015 Hajj, we began preparations for the 2016 by reviewing our performance in order to improve the standard of future operations.
“We reviewed all aspects of the operations to make sure that we identify what we did perfectly and where we were found wanting.
“This was to enable us to adjust where necessary and to improve the 2016 Hajj exercise,’’ Bashir said.

Gombe

The Inspector- General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase,
has been urged to prosecute the police officer who reportedly shot and killed Sadiq Yunusa, a student of Government Science Secondary School, Gombe.
The Executive Secretary of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Prof. Bem Angwe, made the call in a statement issued by Chief Press Officer of the commission, Fatimah Mohammed in Abuja.
The statement, which said that Yunusa was shot by a policeman on Friday, described the death as senseless.
It urged the Inspector- General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase, to ensure that the officer responsible was prosecuted in line with the relevant laws.
It also appealed to officers and men of the police force to always abide by the rules of engagement while on duty.

Kaduna
The Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR) on Tuesday
said it had released new high-yield cowpea (beans), maize, groundnut and sorghum’s varieties to farmers in Kaduna state.
An IAR Director, Prof. Ibrahim Abubakar, made the disclosure at the IAR’s 2016 Annual Cropping Scheme Meeting held in Zaria, Kaduna State.
Our correspondent reports that the meeting had “Revamping Agriculture for Economic Growth and Sustainability’’ as its theme.
“Our research scientists, together with technicians and technologists conducted different researches covering; genetic improvement of our mandate crops, crop production, irrigation, farm mechanisation, crop production management practice, economics and extension.
“The institute had projected the university and the country in positive light through developing and releasing two cowpea (beans) varieties (SAMPEA 16 and SAMPEA 17) which are striga tolerant, alectra and drought resistant.

Kano

The Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO)
has appealed to its consumers to exercise patience over the drop in power allocation.
This is contained in a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the company, Muhammad Kandi and issued to newsmen in Kano recently.
It said that current generation profile had descended to less than 3, 697 MW against the peak of 5, 074 MW achieved earlier in February.
“The management of KEDCO hereby calls on all its customers not to panic as concerned authorities in the sector are working assiduously to address the problem”, the statement said.
The statement quoted the company’s Chief Technical Officer, David Omoloye as attributing the situation to poor gas supply to generation companies (GenCos) in the country.
Kogi

A food processing company, Ahiaba Global Resources
Limited in collaboration with U.S-based Techno Serve said it had commenced production of cashew juice from cashew apples in Kogi State.
The Chief Executive Officer of the company, Mr Stephen Ahiaba,disclosed this at the inauguration of the processing plant in Ochaja, Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi.
“The initiative, apart from adding value to cashew production in the state, is part of efforts to improve on the national economy and curb unemployment among youths and rural women.
“Farmers in the rural areas will no longer harvest cashew nuts and waste the apples as they have now been trained on how to preserve them for our company to process,’’ Ahiaba said.

Nasarawa

The Curator, National Museum and Monuments in
Nasarawa State, Mrs Elizabeth Kefas, says the major challenge confronting the commission is the lack of a gallery or museum to display its works.
Kefas told newsmen in Lafia that it was important for the commission to have a gallery or a museum where it could display the state’s cultural heritage for the public.
She said that such a gallery would also help to protect the cultural heritage of different ethnic extractions that abound in the state.
“The diverse ethnic groups in the state have a lot of artifacts which can be displayed.

Osun

The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has appealed to
both the Federal and state governments to allocate more funds for the upgrade of government-owned hospitals.
The Osun State chairman of NMA, Dr Suraj Ogunyemi, told newsmen in Osogbo that the upgrade would create opportunities for more medical doctors to be employed.
Also, it would afford the hospital managements the opportunity to train and retrain existing ones and recruit new ones for housemanship, Ogunyemi said.
According to him, most doctors cannot get placement for their internship in government-owned hospitals because of their poor and deplorable states due to underfunding.

Oyo

Students of the Polytechnic, Ibadan have staged a protest
over the introduction of insurance and ICT fees in the institution.
Our correspondent reports that the placard-carrying protesting students were seen matching from the south campus to the north campus chanting solidarity songs.
The students also barricaded all the entry points into the campus, making it impossible for people to gain entry.
The students were also demanding for the presence of the student union president whom they accused of being behind the introduction of the fees.

Sokoto

Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, has
announced that card reader machine would be used in the conduct of this month local government election in the state.
The governor made the announcement in Binji Local Government Area at the commencement of the APC campaign in Sokoto North Senatorial district.
He said that the state would set new standard by being the first state in Nigeria to use the new voter card and the card reader machine to conduct the local government poll.

Taraba
A retired officer of the State Security Service, Mr Hosea
Danjuma, has been abducted by gunmen at his residence in Baisa, headquarters of Kurmi Local Government Area of Taraba.
The Caretaker Chairman of the council, Mr Steven Agya, confirmed the development in an interview with newsmen in Jalingo.

Nation

REAN, SON synergise to curb fake renewable energy product

Published

20 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

20 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

20 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.