Nation

THE STATES

Published

9 years ago

January 6, 2017

Ekiti
The Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Mrs Feyisetan Fayose,
has advised parents to train their children in the way of the Lord as prescribed in the Holy Bible.
Fayose gave the advice while presenting gifts to the first and second new born babies of the year at the Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti.
She congratulated the mothers and thanked God for granting them safe delivery and preserving the lives of the babies.
The Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Dr Kolawole Ogundipe, said that the first baby came to life at about 1:15 a.m. weighing 2.8kg and the second one came to life at about 1:50 a.m. weighing 3.8kg.

Jigawa
Former Governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Sule Lamido, has
urged youth to be united and shun ethnic and religious divides for a prosperous country.
Lamido gave the advice when he received PDP youth from various platforms across the country that paid him a visit at his Bamaina village residence in Birnin Kudu Local Government Area of the state.
He explained that youth were vanguard of change who should ensure the country remained one for the betterment of their future.
According to him, there were still some irresponsible elders who preached hatred to divide them, to remain relevant in power.
Kaduna
The Interim Chairman of Kaura Local Government Area, Mr
Alexander Iya, has escaped an attack in Kogoro when a suspected armed youth who stormed his residence was apprehended.
The chairman, who confirmed the incident to newsmen said the suspect came to his house around 11am carrying locally fabricated weapons demanding to see him.
“Upon sighting the security personnel at the house, he jumped over the fence and made straight to my compound.
“ The suspect demanded to see me but unfortunately for him, I was not at home,” he said.
Iya, said the suspect thereupon vandalised his vehicle before he was chased and arrested.

Kano
Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State has expressed
confidence in the ability of President Muhammad Buhari to tackle to current economic challenges in the country.
The governor said this in Kano in his New Year message to the people.
Ganduje, who spoke through the state’s Commissioner for Information, Youth and Culture, Mr Mohammed Garba, also expressed optimism about year 2017, and prayed that it would be full of opportunities, blessings and happiness for all Nigerians.
He said the past year had indeed not been very smooth on account of the economic recession in the country.

Katsina
A joint committee of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria’s
Pastors in Malumfashi Local Government Area of Katsina State has urged Nigerians to ensure increased religious tolerance and embrace government’s anti-corruption efforts in good faith.
Addressing a special prayer session, the committee Chairman, Pastor Daniel Onyeka, urged Nigerians to live in peace with one another and engage in viable economic and social activities that would contribute to nation’s growth.
Onyeka described the economic recession facing the nation as a challenge, and urged Nigerians to ponder on their actions “to correct mistakes and avoid evils that attracted God’s wrath.”
He explained that the special prayer was organised for protection and success of the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari and also to ask for God’s blessings to ensure peaceful country to overcome security.

Kogi
Some unknown gunmen have abducted a traditional ruler
in Kogi State, a family source said in Lokoja.
The monarch, whose name was given as Alhaji Isah Achuja, the Ohi of Ajaokuta, was returning from Lokoja, the state capital, on Saturday when his vehicle was intercepted on the Lokoja-Ajaokuta Road at gunpoint and the ruler taken to an unknown destination.
A member of the royal family, who did not want his name in print, told newsmen that an aide to the traditional ruler and his driver narrowly escaped being hit by the bullets of the abductors.
Kwara
The University of Ilorin (Unilorin) has produced an
automobile speed limiter that could be used by any vehicle including jeep, car, bus and truck.
The Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. AbdulGaniyu Ambali, disclosed this in Ilorin while speaking with newsmen.
Ambali noted that the feat was in response to the challenge thrown at institutions of higher learning in the country by the National Universities Commission (NUC).

Nasarawa
Stakeholders in Akun Development Area of Nasarawa
State, have passed a vote of confidence on President Muhammadu Buhari, for the positive intervention made to boost infrastructure in the country.
The stakeholders, who met in Ogba, Nassarawa Eggon Local Government, said Nigerians needed to be more patient with the Federal Government in order to realise the positive change they desire.
The stakeholders were in Ogba to felicitate with the Overseer of Akun Development Area, Mr Moses Malle over the New Year.
They agreed that Buhari and Governor Tanko Al-Makura were doing well in the areas of infrastructure development, security, fight against corruption, peace promotion, among others.
Niger
The Niger Child Rights Protection Agency say it has so
far received 1,085 cases of child violations since its inception in November 2016.
Director-General of the agency, Mrs Mairam Kolo disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Minna, adding that parents, guardians, neighbours, community reported cases such as child neglect, physical, psychological, sexual abuses to the agency while the agency discovered some during its sensitisation campaign.
She said that some cases reported to the agency were referred to the police for proper investigation and others to the courts directly.
The director-general, however, commended the state Governor, Abubakar Bello, for establishing the agency as part of his political will to end violence against children.

Ogun
The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has con
firmed the death of three persons in a road accident involving a black Honda CRV Jeep and a white DAF trailer in the Sagamu axis of the Lagos /Ibadan Expressway in Ogun State.
FRSC’s Sector Commander in the state, Mr Clement Oladele, gave the confirmation in an interview with newsmen in Sagamu.
He said that the accident could have been caused by overspeeding.
“The accident occurred around 2 pm and the rescue team were on ground to immediately manage the situation.

Osun
The Osun State House of Assembly has urged Nigeri
ans to be optimistic as the New Year will be a year of economic recovery.
The legislature gave the advice on Tuesday in Osogbo through a statement issued by the Chairman, House Committee on Information and Strategy Mr Olatunbosun Oyintiloye.
Oyintiloye said the various programmes and policies which government had put in place would bring succour to Nigerians.
While acknowledging the tenacity and perseverance of Nigerians in the face of economic recession, he called on Nigerians to support government’s policies and programmes aimed at revamping the economy.

Oyo
The founder of the One Love Family sect, Satguru
Maharaji ji has called on the African Union (AU) to tackle the crises rocking some African countries before they get worse.
Maharaji ji made the call while addressing newsmen at the Satguru Maharaji ji Village in Ibadan.
The sect leader listed some of the affected countries as Zimbabwe, South Africa, Liberia, Gambia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, Sudan and South Sudan.
He also called on President Muhammadu Buhari to empower the EFCC to obtain detailed information on constituency projects executed by the National Assembly since 2007.
Plateau
The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), has lauded
road users in Plateau State for the low road crashes experienced during the Yuletide.
The Command’s Public Education Officer, Mr Andrew Bala, gave the commendation in an interview in Jos.
Unlike 2015 when high number of road crashes were recorded, only four road crashes were recorded during the Christmas and New Year celebrations in the state.
Bala said that no life was lost in the crashes.
The public education officer attributed the success to the resilience and total commitment of the officers and men of the command.

Yobe
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps
(NSCDS),Yobe State command, says it will intensify intelligence, surveillance and protection to promote peace and security in the state in the New Year.
The Commandant of the corps, Dr Muhammad Fari, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Damaturu.
Fari said that the presence of NSCDC personnels in the 17 local government areas would scale up intelligence gathering and surveillance on movement of persons across the state to curb criminal activities.
He said the command would improve on proactive measures to check crime before they were committed.

Nation

REAN, SON synergise to curb fake renewable energy product

Published

2 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

2 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

2 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.