Nation

THE STATES

Published

9 years ago

June 5, 2017

Ekiti
Ikole Local Government Council in Ekiti State is to embark on the retraining of food vendors and handlers, as part of the efforts to promote hygienic culinary practices and the people’s wellbeing.
Director, Environment and Sanitation in the council, Mr Tunde Famuyisan, made this known last Thursday in an interview with newsmen in Ikole-Ekiti.
According to him, the exercise is aimed at ensuring that those handling meals, particularly food vendors, are free of communicable diseases.
”It is a global practice that food handlers are subjected to routine medical examination to confirm that they are free of any communicable disease.

FCT
The Special Envoy for Human Rights of the Australian Prime Minster, Mr Dario Morosini, has expressed his country’s commitment to support Nigeria’s quest to tackle insecurity and fight against corruption.
A statement by the Foreign Affairs Spokesperson, Dr Clement Aduku, last Thursday in Abuja quoted Morosini as saying this when he visited the ministry.
The Special Envoy was received by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Amb. Sola Enikanolaiye.
Morosini said his country would lend a helping hand to the Nigerian government in its efforts to diversify the economy.
He said that he was in Nigeria as part of his country’s efforts to galvanise support for a strong global commitment toward sustaining the human rights of all citizens.

Jigawa
A 14-year-old physically-challenged girl in Shuwarin, Kiyawa Local Government Area of Jigawa State, Na’ima Hamza, has so far received 20 wheelchairs and three sewing machines as gifts from donors.
The latest donors are two philanthropists, Mr Chidi Okereke and Aliyu Ibrahim Gebi, who donated eight wheelchairs and N20, 000 to her.
The girl drew public attention on May 20, when she wept profusely after failing to get a wheelchair donated by the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC).
Zainab Shuaibu, who represented the donors, presented the items and the cash gift of N20, 000 to the girl last Thursday in Shuwarin.
According to her, two of the wheelchairs were donated by Gebi, an Abuja based businessman.

Kaduna
Kaduna State Government, with support from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), last Thursday launched the state’s Adolescent and Young People (AYP) HIV intervention plan.
The intervention is aimed at curbing the prevalence of HIV scourge among adolescents and young people in the state.
HIV/AIDS specialist with UNICEF in Kaduna State, Dr Idris Baba, said that the intervention was developed for seven local government areas including Chikun, Lere, Kagarko, Birnin Gwari, Jema’a and Jaba.
Baba said, “The effort is to increase comprehensive HIV service delivery for AYPs living with HIV, increase condom use, HIV prevention, reproductive and sexual health education.

Kano
The United Nations Children’s Fund [UNICEF], last Thursday solicited the support of the Emir of Kano State, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II in addressing issues related to child protection, survival and development in Nigeria.
The newly appointed UNICEF Country Representative, Mr Mohamed Malick-Fall, made the appeal when he paid a courtesy visit on the emir at his Palace in Kano.
“We believe that as someone who has the influence, you can help us to address a number of issues that children are confronted with which are related to child protection, survival and development.

Katsina
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has rescued eight persons suspected to be victims of human trafficking in Katsina State.
The State Comptroller, NIS, Mr Rabiu Muhammad, disclosed this at a news briefing in Katsina State on Mongay.
He said that the victims were rescued at Babban-mutum border following a tip-off.
Muhammad said that one of the victims, Ms Priscilla Inerials possessed forged travelling documents, while the remaining seven do not have any travelling documents.

Lagos
An Ikeja High Court has granted an embattled Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia and Godwin Obla, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), both facing trial over alleged corruption, permission to travel abroad.
On May 26, Ofili-Ajumogobia and Obla’s defence counsel, in separate applications, had requested for the release of the duo’s international passports, to enable them seek medical treatment overseas.
In a 17-paragraph affidavit in support of her application, Ofili-Ajumogobia, claimed to be suffering from high blood pressure, hypertension, palpitations, and stress-related issues.

Niger
The Niger State Police Command last Thursday advised Muslims attending religious programmes in various mosques, to be security conscious.
“People attending religious functions should be conscious of happenings around them. They must all be watchful and observe their environment,” the Commissioner, Alhaji Muazu Zubairu, said in Minna.
He gave the advice in an interview with newsmen.
Zubairu said that the security challenges facing the country would be minimised if people were more alert, saying that more security consciousness at public functions would forestall many unpleasant occurrences.

Ogun
For the umpteenth time, Governor Ibikunle Amosun has assured the people of Ogun State that ongoing multi-billion projrcts across the state would be completed before 2019.
Amonsun gave the assurance while inspecting Afon Bridge in Imeko-Afon and the 110km dual carriage way linking four council areas as part of activities marking this year’s Democracy Day.
The governor said the road which would terminate at IIara, a border community between Nigeria and Benin Republic, when completed, would boost economic activities in the state.

Osun
Some doctors, under the aegis of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in Osun State, last Thursday staged a peaceful protest in Osogbo against continued payment of half salaries by the state government.
The Tide reports that the doctors dressed in their laboratory coats and branded shirts during the protest.
They marched from the Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital (LAUTECH) Complex, Osogbo through the popular Olaiya Junction to other major streets in the state capital.
The doctors were armed with placards of various inscriptions and singing anti-government songs.
The state NMA chairman, Dr Tokunbo Olajumoke, told newsmen during the protest that there was no drug nor equipment in any of the state government-owned hospital.

Plateau
Former Minister of State (Foreign Affairs), Mr Bagudu Hirse, has urged the Federal Government to strengthen the institutions charged with fighting corruption to enable them rid Nigeria of the menace.
“Government must strengthen the institutions to enable them deliver on their mandate. Corruption constitutes a massive threat to Nigeria’s growth, so we must deploy every arsenal to tackle it,” he told newsmen.
Hirse, who spoke last Thursday in Jos, said that strong structures would sustain the fight long after the current dispensation had exited power.
He said that the ongoing anti-graft war was “a worthy venture”, and declared that it was crucial to turning Nigeria’s fortunes around, for the better.
“The country went into comatose because some greedy Nigerians stole monies that should be channeled into the health, education, agriculture and other sectors for the benefit of all.

Sokoto
The Sultan of Sokoto State, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, last Thursday inaugurated the Ultra-Modern Tauma Centre at the Sokoto State Specialist Hospital, Sokoto State.
The Sultan commended the state government for constructing the centre which would “radically change the face of healthcare delivery in the state for good”.
Abubakar III further called on people of the state to take full advantage of the facilities.
“As leaders, we will continue to support government policies aimed at improving the lives of the people,” he said.
Governor Aminu Tambuwal said the emergency operations complex was designed to provide 24-hour emergency services to patients free of charge.
Tambuwal said that the centre was established to broaden access to quality healthcare to the citizenry.

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.