Nation

THE STATES

Published

16 years ago

July 7, 2010

Bauchi

The Bauchi State Government has sponsored 44 medical students to study in Alexandra Institute, Cairo in Egypt to boost the state’s health services.

Gov. Isa Yuguda made this known on Sunday in Bauchi, while declaring open a two-day sensitisation workshop organised for traditional rulers and religious leaders in the state.

Represented by the state’s Head of the Civil Service, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdulkadir, Yuguda said that the 44 students, comprising 22 males and 22 females, were selected from various parts of the state.

The governor said that the students were granted full sponsorship, explaining that the state government paid in advance for the accommodation, feeding and other expenses before the departure of the students.

Yuguda said that the students, who were currently receiving lectures, were equipped with necessary facilities such as laptops, clothing and others needed for their studies.

Ekiti

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has deployed 2,320 corps members to Ekiti, its Public Relations Officer for the state, Mrs Funso olusoji, has said.

She told between on Sunday at Ise/Emure in Ise-Orun Local Government Area of the state, that the 2,320 corps members would participate in the ongoing 2010 batch “B” orientation programme.

Olusoji explained that the number included 500 corps members posted to Lagos State but who would participate in the orientation programme in Ekiti.

The three-week orientation will hold between July 6 and July 27.

The public relations officer said that the NYSC had put in place necessary steps to ensure the safety of lives and properties of corps members in the state.

She commended traditional rulers for their efforts at sensitising members on the culture and traditions of Ekiti people “but we are asking for more of their co-operation in the days ahead.”

She appealed to the Ado Business District of Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) to restore electricity to the orientation camp, which she noted had been in blackout “from time immemorial.’’

FCT

Ahead of 2011 general elections, an aspirant to the House of Representatives from Osun State Banji Obabunmi has warned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against imposition of candidates as such may spell doom for the party in the coming polls.

Obabunmi, who is also the Coordinator for Fatai Akinbade Campaign Organisation (FACO) in North Central States, said in Abuja that the battle for the governorship ticket in Osun State was not working well within PDP.

Obabunmi said: “Failure to stop imposition of candidate especially in Osun state, means the party may be heading for its downfall in Osun, if this happens, it will affect the South West PDP equation in large measures.”

The FACO coordinator said that FCT Abuja, the North and Central States should remain steadfast and ready “to accept internal democracy as a model to real democracy”,.

Katsina

The All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) members in Katsina State on Saturday elected new state executives of the party with Alhaji Gide Sabuwar-Kasa emerging as the state chairman.

Our correspondent reports that this was the high point of a peaceful congress of the party which took place at the ANPP state secretariat in Katsina.

Our corespondent further reports that the congress, which started with the screening of delegates at 9 am and ended up at 3.30pm, had all the executive members elected unopposed.

Alhaji Aminu Wada was also elected as the Deputy Chairman of the party during the congress, while Alhaji Musa Maikudi was elected as the treasurer.

Others included Nuraddeen Abdullahi, Abdullahi Ingawa and Shugaba Baidu who were elected vice-chairmen Katsina, Daura and Funtua zones respectively.

Alhaji Mansur Safana was elected the state secretary of the ANPP with Sani Iliya, Aminu Sule and Lawal Garbar as assistant secretaries I, II and III respectively, among others.

The congress which was conducted peacefully also elected the local government chairmen of the party for the 34 local government areas of the state.

Kwara

The former Chief Judge of Kwara State, Justice Raliat Elelu-Habeeb, who was removed by the state government in 2009, has challenged the decision of the Court of Appeal at the Supreme Court.

In the notice of appeal filed on Friday, July 2, 2010, and made available to newsmen in Ilorin through her counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), on Sunday, Habeeb is seeking to reverse her removal by the government.

In the suit No. SC/CA/IL/81/2009, the respondent said she was dissatisfied with the decision of the Court of Appeal which ruled on July 2, 2010, that the Federal High Court which had ordered the reinstatement of the sacked Chief judge lacked jurisdiction.

Joined in the case are the National Judicial Council (NJC), the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, the Attorney-General of Kwara State and Kwara State House of Assembly.

Ondo

The Osemawe Dynasty of Ondo Kingdom in Ondo State on Saturday began celebrations to mark 500 years anniversary of traditional rulership by the Osemawes.

Chief Olu Adeduro, the Chairman of the Anniversary Committee on Publicity and Publication, told the newsmen on Sunday that the celebration was aimed at bringing home the sons and daughters of the kingdom.

Adeduro, who is the Saro of Ondo, said sons and daughters of the town both at home and abroad had arrived for the event scheduled for July 3 to July 18.

“The celebration of 500 years of uninterrupted traditional rulership by the Osemawes was to evaluate the past, the present and propel the future, with a view to facilitating the development of the kingdom and its people,” he said.

The chairman added that after the parade held on July 3, there would be an ‘’Idijo’’, the day for Oba Festival on Sunday, while ceremonies and presentation of gifts to the Osemawe by the indigenes would come up from July 5 to July 18.

He explained that there would be an exhibition of Ondo cultural artefact, traditional wears and drums on July 7 at the palace which would be followed by tree planting and launch of Ondo Heritage Museum at the Osemawe Royal Pack on July 10.

Adeduro said that High chiefs and other chiefs would pay homage to the Oba on July 12, adding that there would be a documentary on the evolution of the kingdom for five centuries at the palace on July 15.

The programme will end on July 18 with an inter-denominational thanksgiving service at the Oba Adesanoye Civic Centre.

The current Osemawe, Oba Victor Kiladejo, from the Jilo Ruling House, one of the three ruling houses in Ondo, is the 44th king to ascend the Osemawe throne.

Oyo

Two unidentified men were killed in Ibadan in the early hours of Saturday in a multiple accident involving a truck, a bus and a motorcycle.

Eye witnesses told newsmen that the truck with registration number AH333LSD was coming from Agodi gate towards Total Garden when the driver suddenly lost control.

“The truck then ran over the two men on a motorcycle with registration number OC535AYT, hit a bus with registration number A694TAN before crashing into a school wall,’’ one of them said.

ASP Stephen Akpan, the Divisional Traffic Officer, Yemetu Divisional Police Station, told newsmen at the scene of the accident that the incident was caused by brake failure.

A fire brigade team led by Supt. William Oladejo, was at the scene to take the mutilated bodies of the victims to the Adeoye Hospital mortuary.

The driver of the truck, who was unhurt, was seen weeping at scene of the accident, and attempts by our correspondent to hear his own side of the story proved abortive.

Plateau

The Plateau government is to float a N1 billion Agriculture Credit Scheme for small-scale farmers, in its bid to boost agriculture in the state.

Mr Na’Allah Mutbam, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, told newsmen on Sunday in Jos, that the state was securing the fund from the CBN.

“CBN has put in place N200 billion Agriculture Credit Scheme but the amount made available for the state for small-scale farmers is N1 billion,” he said.

Mutbam said that the state ministries of finance and agriculture and natural resources were partnering with a commercial bank to secure the fund from CBN.

He explained that the fund, when approved by the CBN, would be deposited in the commercial bank for onward disbursement to the farmers.

The commissioner noted that the fund would be disbursed through the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) in the state “to make sure that the big farmers do not hijack it from the small-scale farmers.”

“We are also partnering with the farmers in the state to key into the scheme because the scheme has three components, namely the farmers, federal and state governments,” he added.

Mutbam said that the Fadama III programme had disbursed cheques worth N100 million to organised farmer groups across the 17 local government areas of the state.

He called on farmers to register with AFAN and to form cooperative societies to enable them to benefit from the schemes and to boost their farming activities.

Sokoto

Gov. Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State has urged members of the Zabarmawa communities to continue to be law-abiding, peace loving and enterprising in their daily endeavours.

Wamakko spoke in Sokoto on Saturday at the inauguration of the state’s youths wing of the Zabarkano association and the presentation of certificates, as well as merit awards to some personalities.

The governor said the state has acknowledged the immense contributions of members of the communities to the socio-economic growth of the state and the nation in general.

Wamakko, who was represented by the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Alhaji Bello Rabah, advised the people in the area to keep the tempo.

Alhaji Mahmdu Lambo, Special Adviser to the Governor on Youths Empowerment, praised the association for complementing the efforts of the government in the monthly sanitation exercise and other programmes.

Lambo promised that the state government would continue to promote cordial relationship among the various communities in the state.

The chairman of the association , Alhaji Aminu Suleiman, represented by the secretary, Alhaji Jaáfar Yarima, said the body was formed in order to foster unity and peace among the various communities.

Shekarau also said that the establishment of NBB&P in the state was a step towards mobilising stakeholders’ support and advocacy for women’s rights to reproductive health.

In an address at the occasion, Dr Ademola Owoduni, a consultant at the Federal medical Centre, Gusau, said that ignorance and poverty were major impediments to women’s attainment of effective reproductive health, especially in the Northern part 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.