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THE STATES

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Adamawa
Rep.Adamu Kamale of Madagali/Michika Federal Con
stituency has said that Madagali Local Government Area is the worst affected by insurgency in the state.
Kamale told newsmen in Yola that Madagali was now a ghost of its former self and needed urgent government attention, particularly in areas of security and relief supply.
He lauded the effort of the Presidential Committee on North East and other intervention groups for their effort in rebuilding areas affected in Adamawa, and called for priority to be given to Madagali.
The lawmaker said that sufficient funding was being expected in 2017 budget for rehabilitation and reconstruction work in North East.
Bauchi
The National President, Association of Muslim Pro
fessionals (AMP), Alhaji Zakariya Ajiboye, has advocated extending membership to non member states in order to impact positively on the larger community of the Muslims.
Ajiboye said this during the association’s 3rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Bauchi.
He said that through expansion of chapters, more professionals would be captured on the platform, adding that this would aid the association towards spreading the knowledge of Allah.
It also agreed that Rivers and Edo states in the South as well as Lagos in the Western region would work towards achieving this extension of membership.

Borno
Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State has called
for prosecution of persons who allegedly diverted 50 bags of rice meant for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the state.
Shettima gave the directive in a statement by his spokesman, Malam Isa Gusau, in Maiduguri.
The directive followed reports that hundreds of IDPs apprehended some officials of the Borno State Emergency Management Agency for alleged theft of food stuff meant for their upkeep.
”Four officials were said to have been arrested by the police after IDPs held them.’’

Ekiti
A housewife, Mrs Olabosede Oke, has prayed an Ado-
Ekiti Customary Court to dissolve her 20-year-old marriage over alleged constant beating by her husband.
Forty-two-year –old Olabosede, a resident of Odo-Ado, Ado-Ekiti, told the court that her husband, Segun, beat her each time she requested for feeding allowance.
She also said that Segun was not interested in the welfare of their six children.
Responding, Segun denied the allegations, saying that he had never beaten his wife.

FCT
The National Council of Women’s Societies has congratulated its own, Mrs Amina Mohammed, who was appointed the new Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations.
The statement signed by the NCWS National President, Mrs Gloria Shoda, said Mohammed’s appointment should not come as a surprise to people who know her worth.
The council indicated that the appointee possesses inherent capabilities to see her through the new responsibility, adding that her record of impeccable and meritorious service to Nigeria and the United Nations also stands her out.
Shoda said that the development was a reaffirmation of the global community’s confidence in Nigeria and its commitment to enhancing the status of the female gender.

Jigawa
The Jigawa State Government says it has earmarked
N14 million for the conduct of the 31st Qur’anic Recitation Competition in the state.
The Executive Secretary, Islamic Education Bureau, Dr Yakubu Abbas, disclosed this at the opening ceremony of the competition in Dutse.
Abbas said that the exercise was organised by the Jigawa State Ministry of Education.
He explained that 324 students were currently participating in the competition.

Kaduna
General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division, Enugu,
Maj-General Adamu Babayo-Abubakar has said that the Nigerian Army will continue its high academic standard in all its institutions across the country.
Babayo-Abubakar said this in an interview with journalists shortly after he represented the Chief of Army Staff at the 75 Regular Recruits Passing Out Parade at the Depot Nigerian Army, Zaria, Kaduna State.
The GOC said: “We in the Army, have zero tolerance for indiscipline, just as you can see, here in the depot, those that we felt have not met up with our standard by way of deeds, discipline and character are shown the way out.
On insurgency in the North-East, Babayo-Abubakar said that the Army was doing very well in collaboration with neighbouring countries like Cameroon, Chad and Niger.

Kano
The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corrup
tion Commission, has recovered more than N1.150 billion cash, movable and immovable property between 2015 and 2016.
The Executive Chairman, Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission, Malam Muhuyi Rimingado disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.
Rimingado said the commission has recovered several moveable and immovable property located in different parts of the state, adding that many individuals are under investigation by the commission.
According to him, the commission had received more than 1,486 complaints this year on different aspects of life that involve corruption, contractual and marital disputes.

Kogi
Kogi State Coordinator of Small Scale Women Farmers
Organisation in Nigeria (SWOFON) Hajia Safiya Yahaya, has urged the Federal Government to provide adequate security to check raping and killing of women farmers by herdsmen and militants.
Yahaya, who made the call at the 2016 Annual Women Farmers Forum in Lokoja, said there was need for government to ensure security as well as provide trauma healing programmes for women farmers in crisis affected areas.
She said that the call had become necessary now because, “any moment from now the Anchor Borrowers Programme will start but what has the government done to address the menace of herdsmen who rape and kill our women on the farms.”

Kwara
An lslamic Cleric, Shekh Muritala Agaka, has advised Nige
rians to be more prayerful so that the nation could overcome the economic recession currently being experienced in the country.
Agaka gave this advice while delivering a lecture at the Maoulud Nabbiy for Prophet Mohammed organised by Nuru Shuadahi Society of Nigeria in llorin.
The event, which took place at Salman Saruq Onilu Mosque in Oko-erin, featured special prayers for the nation, sermons and rendition of various lslamic songs.
He urged Nigerians regardless of religious inclinations, tribe or ethnicity to further intensify prayers for the country to overcome its problems.
Lagos
No fewer than 25 industrial unions have elected Mr Joe
Ajaero as President of a new labour centre, United Labour Congress (ULC).
The unions elected Ajaero, the general secretary of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), at the ULC maiden delegates conference in Lagos.
The new labour centre emerged after a two-year internal crisis that split the Nigeria Labour Congress.
Ajaero, who was elected unopposed, said that ULC would fight for the interest of workers and ensure a more equitable Nigeria where workers’ dignity and the work place would become less prone to impunity.

Nasarawa
A member representing Doma South Constituency in the
Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Mr James Dangana, has distributed clothing materials worth N1.8 million to his constituents for Christmas/New Year celebration.
Dangana (APC), who is also the chairman, House Committee on Information, said the gesture was to assist the people celebrate the two festivals.
According to him, giving arm to the people will go a long way in improving their standard of living during and after they yuletide for the overall development of the communities.
He also said that 20 cows had been bought to be slaughtered and distributed for the enjoyment of the communities during the period.
Niger
The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Ibrahim Idris, has as
sured Nigerians of adequate security before, during and after the Christmas and New Year festivities.
Idris spoke at the 8th annual Nupe Day celebration in Bida, headquarters of Bida Local Government area of Niger.
He said that already, operational order had been issued to the commissioners of police in the 36 states and FCT on how to provide protection for the citizenry during the period.
The I-G urged Nigerians to assist the police with necessary information that would help in checkmating crime during the celebrations.
Osun
Osun State Chief Judge, Justice Oyebola Ojo, has freed 16
inmates of both Ile-Ife Prisons and Ilesa Prisons awaiting trial.
Three inmates regained freedom at the Ile-Ife Prisons while 13 inmates from the Ilesa Prisons on grounds of overstaying in prisons, ill-health and minor offences.
The released inmates from Ilesa Prisons were Monday Effiong, Tunde Olalekan, Adekunle Idowu, Abu Bello, Gbenga Aroko, Lateef Bamidele and Raphael Akinlabi, 80-year-old Oyedeji Aisha, Ezekiel Igwe, Adebare Monsuratu, Aliu Ishaka and Samuel Olaoye.

Oyo
An early morning fire outbreak has razed some parts of
Araromi Market at Agodi Gate, Ibadan, where used tyres and motor parts worth over N10 million were destroyed.
Mr Abdul Azeez Ojo, Chairman of the market,  said that the inferno began at about 5.30 a.m. last Sunday.
According to him, the Fire Service was alerted and they responded promptly.
Ojo, however, said a sizeable number of shops equipped with tyres and other goods were razed before the arrival of the fire fighters at about 6 a.m.

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REAN, SON synergise to curb fake renewable energy product

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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.
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Self Help Africa programme expands water access for 320,000 Nigerians

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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.
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Lagos Residents Stranded As Floods Cut Off Ajah, Mafoluku Communities

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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.
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