Nation

THE STATES

Published

16 years ago

June 1, 2010

Bornu

Participants at a workshop on Sunday in Maidiuguri, called on media owners to expose journalists to training on conflict reporting.

A communique issued at the end of a workshop in Maiduguri on Reporting Conflict, also called on media owners to provide capacity building and exposure particularly in the area of conflict and violence reporting.

They also called on journalists to strive hard to ensure that they discharge their duties in professional manner.

The participants called on regulatory agencies, like the Nigeria Press Council (NPC) and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), to be more proactive to ensure adherence to best practices.

They called for the immediate passage of the Freedom of Information Bill by the National Assembly.

“The National Assembly should expedite action in the review of the NPC and the enhancement of Journalism Practice Bills.

“We also call on employers to ensure that only professionals are employed in media related agencies and departments,” the participants said.

They urged the NUJ to be more proactive in the defence and protection of its members.

“Journalists should be in the vanguard for the promotion of peace.

“Women should be encouraged to develop more interest in the practice of journalism,” the participants added.

They also advised journalists to give more prominence to issues related to women and children in their stories.

They commended the Justice Development and Peace Commission Ibadan, the Konrad-Adenauer Foundation Abuja for organising the event.

Ekiti

Governor Segun Oni of Ekiti on Sunday donated N1.5 million to some farmers who engaged in FADAMA farming at the Hausa settlement along Ado-IjesaIsu road, Ado-Ekiti.

The 30 farmers received the sum of N50,000 each.

Oni, who was impressed by their farming methods, said the donation was aimed to help them boost their business.

“The state government has approved the disbursement of the sum of N50,000 each to all the 30 farmers in this settlement.

“The amount is to be disbursed immediately by the commissioner of Agriculture.

“Please do not use it for frivolities but make sure it is used to boost your financial base,” the governor charged them.

He assured them of adequate government support and protection at all times.

“If anybody is disturbing your farming activities make sure you inform the government on time for us to take appropriate actions”, Oni stated.

The desire of government, Oni said, was to ensure that the settlement served as a centre where fresh farm produce could be bought all year round.

Responding, the Leader of the farmers, Malam Ahmed Adamu, who said that they have been farming in the area for the past 17 years, promised proper utilisation of the money.

Adamu while commending the governor for the gesture, assured that the farmers would always cooperate with the state government in all its policies and programmes.

Jigawa

The Federal Government is to begin discussions with its development partners in the Education sector, for financial assistance.

Education Minister Ruqayyatu Rufai told newsmen in Dutse on Sunday that this became necessary because the government could not depend solely on what was budgeted for the sector alone.

The issue of funding for the education sector, she said was a major challenge confronting the sector.

Rufai, however, said that the problem would be addressed through collaboration and partnership.

She also said that the ministry would embark on the recruitment of more qualified teachers and training of some others within the next few months.

“A good teacher can teach even under a tree and student will comprehend. But if we provide infrastructure and instructional materials alone without training, we have not changed anything.

“In this regards, improvement of technical education would also receive government’s attention to address problem of unemployment,” she said.

Kaduna

The Nigeria Union of journalists (NUJ), Kaduna State Council, has set up a contact committee in Zaria axis to sanitise the profession.

The Tide’s source reports that the committee was set up to promote ethical conduct among members as well as protect and promote the interest and welfare of members.

The committee has Alhaji Aminu Ishaq-Abbas of Nigeria Television Authority as chairman while Bello Habib of Leadership Newspapers is Secretary.

Other members are Mohammed Lawal of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) and Abubakar Danyaro of KSMC.

Speaking at a meeting in Zaria, the state’s NUJ Chairman, Alhaji Yusuf Idris, said the committee would liaise with the state council.

“The committee will remain the eyes of the state council to bridge the communication gap,” he said.

While appealing to members to be just and transparent, he advised journalists to be diligent, disciplined and humble in discharging their responsibilities.

In his acceptance speech, Ishaq-Abbass promised to carry the members along by seeking their advice.

Katsina

The Katsina state command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has prosecuted 63 persons, including a married woman, for various drug-related offences in five months.

The NDLEA commander in Katsina, Alhaji Ahmadu Garba disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Katsina on Sunday.

He said that the 63 persons have since been convicted and sentenced by the Federal High Court Katsina.

Garba said that among those convicted by the court, was a married woman, Abu Sale, who was arrested in possession of Indian hemp in Katsina metropolis and was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment.

He disclosed that the command had during the period, arrested 154 suspects including the convicts for possession of various illicit drugs.

According to him, the command had seized a total of 63.1 kilograms of assorted illicit drugs such as Indian hemp and other psychotropic substances from the suspects.

He also said under the Drug Demand Reduction (DDR) activities, a total of 124 clients were counseled and rehabilitated, while aggressive campaigns against drug abuse were conducted during the period.

Kebbi

The Emir of Yauri in Kebbi, Prof. Muhammad Zayyanu, has called on Governor Saidu Dakingari to provide amenities in Yauri Emirate.

Zayyanu, who led a delegation of title holders and top government functionaries from the area on a visit to the governor on Friday in Birnin Kebbi, said his domain lacked roads and a comprehensive water supply system.

He called for an immediate rehabilitation of the only dam in considering the relevance of water to human beings and animals.

The Emir lamented that in spite of the passage of the River Niger through his domain, water had not been adequately provided for the people.

Zayyanu prayed for the repose of the soul of late President Umaru Yar’Adua, who was father-In-law to the governor, who also lost a senior brother recently.

The governor assured the people of the emirate that amenities would be provided, stressing that he would personally monitor and ensure that the area got the amenities on time.

He commended the role played by traditional rulers in the protection of lives and property in the state.

According to him, the role played by the emirate in ensuring security in the area is worthy of emulation.

Lagos

The Aholu of Kweme Kingdom in Badagry, Sejiro James, said on Friday that the rate of unemployment in Nigeria was responsible for the involvement of youths of the area in smuggling.

James, who was speaking on his third anniversary, told newsmen that there was the need for the Federal Government to empower youths, especially in Badagry and other border areas.

“We are not known to be smugglers in my kingdom, but unemployment has forced my people into the business.

“But if the government gives our people job opportunities and a sense of belonging, they will not go into this vice and they would be contributing more meaningfully to the national project,” he said.

James called on banks, corporate bodies and licensed agents within the kingdom to employ indigenes as part of their social responsibility.

The monarch pledged the support and corporation of his people to the Federal Government.

Osun

The Obafemi Awolowo University Muslim Graduates Association (UNIFEMGA) has awarded scholarships to 26 students of the institution.

Alhaji Ahmed Popoola, National President of the association said this at a public lecture and presentation of scholarships at the University of Ile-Ife on Sunday.

The association released N1.4 million to the beneficiaries.

The award is under the UNIFEMGA Scholarship and Indigent Endowment Fund instituted in 2009.

Popoola said 10 of the awards were based purely on merit while 16 others were for those in need of financial support.

He said that the association had given 35 scholarships awards in the last two years as well as paid the tuition fees of five students in the 2008/09 academic session.

According to him, this brings the total sum spent by the association to date to over N1. 8 million.

According to him, the objective of the association is to raise the fund to at least N20 million.

Alhaji Femi Abass, a veteran journalist, who delivered a lecture on “Nigeria at 50: Confronting the Realities”, called on Muslims to embrace western education to complement Islamic knowledge.

He urged governments in the country to place emphasis on education to boost mass literacy and the economy.

Nation

REAN, SON synergise to curb fake renewable energy product

Published

18 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

18 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

18 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.