Nation

THE STATES

Published

9 years ago

March 15, 2017

Bauchi
The Bauchi State Government is to partner with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) to improve on the capacity of the youth for job creation through Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
Governor Mohammed Abubakar said this, in a statement signed by the Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Abubakar Al-Sadique, and made available to newsmen on Thursday in Bauchi.
“Worried by the state of unemployment and the need for governments to diversify their sources of income, the governor unveils plans by the Bauchi State Government to partner with the National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA.
“To use the untapped opportunities provided by the Information and Communication Technologies, which will improve the capacity of unemployed youths and make them not only self-reliant but employers of labour”, he said.

FCT
The Minister of Communications, Mr Adebayo Shittu congratulated Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, describing him as a very dependable ally of President Muhammadu Buhari.
The minister’s congratulatory message, is contained in a statement issued by Mr Victor Oluwadamilare, his Special Assistant on Media on Wednesday in Abuja.
According to Shittu, Osinbajo is a God-sent able lieutenant to Buhari in the task of salvaging the country at this critical period of our national life.
“The Acting President had not disappointed the All Progressives Congress (APC), on which platform he was jointly elected with President Buhari and several millions of Nigerians in discharging his duties.

Kano
Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun, says all hands should be on deck to ensure that democracy offers the best opportunity for good governance and nation building.
Aregbesola, made this known in a statement by his Media Aide, Mr Semiu Okanlawon, in Osogbo on Thursday.
According to the governor, leaders are not just elected to massage their ego, but rather, they are responsible for the development of the people.
The governor called on political scientists in the country to be more focused on taking assertive positions on issues of national interest as a means of contributing to national development.
He described politics as a primal activity which any society that wanted development and progress should do everything possible to get right.

Katsina
A member of the Katsina state House of Assembly, Malam Nasir Yahaya (APC- Daura), has donated 8,000 exercise books and 200 sets of school uniforms to pupils in 52 primary schools in his constituency.
He told The Tide on Thursday in Daura that the headmasters of benefiting schools received the items directly.
Yahaya said the gesture was to promote education in the grassroots, adding that, all schools in his constituency would soon benefit it.
The lawmaker also provided medical assistance to 500 patients at the General Hospital and a Comprehensive Health Centre in Daura.
Yahaya, said that, he gave money to some patients for purchase of drugs as well as assisted others with surgeries on different ailments.

Kebbi
The Acting Managing Director of Bank of Industry, Mr Waheed Olagunju, says the bank will give N1 billion in loans to small and medium-scale enterprises in Kebbi State.
Olagunju made the promise when he visited Kebbi Governor Atuku Bagudu in Birnin Kebbi on Thursday.
He said the bank would give the loans at highly concessional terms, while the state would advance the loan at five per cent interest rate.
He said the bank would partner with the state to support agricultural production, especially processing and packaging of agricultural products.

Kwara
Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara has advocated constant training for Medical Laboratory Scientists (MLS) to ensure quality healthcare delivery.
Ahmed, made the call in Ilorin on Wednesday at the 1st Annual Scientific Conference of the Kwara branch of the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria.
The governor said that the state government established the Harmony Advanced Diagnostic Centre to acknowledge the importance of laboratory investigation in medical treatment.
He, however, noted that the procurement of modern facilities would not achieve its desired purpose without constant training.
He added that, “it is pertinent to state that the existence of diagnostic and research laboratory and laboratory personnel without constant training may not achieve the desired purpose for the laboratories.

Lagos
The Federal Government is committed to continuous training of personnel on issues that bothered on maternal health in the country, a government official, Mr Greg Izuwa, has said.
Izuwa, who is a family health expert in the Federal Ministry of Health, made the assertion in an interview with newsmen in Lagos.
He spoke on the sidelines of the unveiling of Nollywood actress, Stephaine Linus-Okereke, as the Regional Ambassador on Maternal Health in West and Central Africa Regions.
Izuwa, also the deputy director said that such training was part of the Federal Government’s efforts to improve maternal and child health.
Izuwa said, “The Federal Government is doing a lot to improve the lives of women and girls.

Niger
A Lokoja Chief Magistrate’s Court has remanded two brothers, Adamu Yahaya, 20 and Mumuni Yahaya, 25, in prison custody over the death of five fellow Fulani herdsmen.
The duo are accused of using machetes to kill the five persons.
Mr Levi Animoku of Lokoja Chief Magistrate’s Court I, gave the remand order after the duo appeared before him on Thursday.
Animoku held that the charges of culpable homicide against the two herdsmen carried death penalty upon conviction, and declared that Section 341(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC) precluded the court from granting bail in the circumstance.

Ondo
A 29-year-old man, Abdulahi Makinde, last Thursday appeared before an Akure Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing N10,000 cash and a mobile phone of an accident victim.
The Police Prosecutor, Sgt. Suleiman Adebayo, said that the money and the phone, worth N3, 500, belonged to one Mr Agunbiade Victor, an accident victim rushed to the police clinic for treatment.
Adebayo alleged that, the accused person committed the offence on March 1 at about 10.00 a.m. at the police clinic in Akure.
According to the Prosecutor, the offence contravened Section 390(9) of the Criminal Code, Cap. 37, Vol.1, Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the offence.

Oyo
Oyo State Government, has warned herdsmen operating in the state to desist from carrying guns and other dangerous weapons.
The government gave the warning in a communiqué issued at the end of the State Inter-Religious/Ethnic Committee (OYSIREC) meeting in Ibadan last Sunday.
According to the communiqué, any herdsman caught with guns and dangerous weapons would be treated as criminals and prosecuted accordingly.
OYSIREC was inaugurated by Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo state on March 9, in Ibadan.
The committee comprised religious, ethnic and community leaders as well as security agents and it is to proffer solutions to ethnic and religious conflicts in the state.

Plateau
Prof. Sabastian Maimako, Vice Chancellor (VC), University of Jos, has solicited the support of the Plateau House of Assembly toward rebuilding the institution’s burnt library.
Maimaiko, made the appeal on Thursday in Jos, when he led the school’s management team on a courtesy visit to the the Speaker, Mr Peter Azi.
The Tide reports that, the library complex, which houses faculties of social sciences and management sciences, was gutted by fire on Oct. 8, 2016.
Maimako, described the fire disaster as “very devastating”, and disclosed that the destruction was “very massive”.
He said that, it would cost the school “a huge fortune” to rebuild the burnt edifice.

Taraba
The Ussa Development Association in Taraba on Thursday commenced the rehabilitation of the 5-km Takum – Ussa road to ease the suffering of motorists in the area.
The economic road linking the area with some parts of the state and the country has been in a terrible state for nearly two decades.
Speaking with The Tide correspondent at the site, the Chairman of the Association, Mr Mamri Ndeiri, said grading the road was part of the association`s activities to complement government’s efforts.
He said the road was critical to revenue generation as no fewer than 15 trucks loaded with timber and other farm produce ply the road daily to other parts of the country.

Nation

REAN, SON synergise to curb fake renewable energy product

Published

3 days 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

3 days 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

3 days 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.