Nation

THE STATES

Published

16 years ago

January 5, 2011

Adamawa

Senator Jubril Aminu (PDP-Adamawa Central) has commenced a tour of local government areas in Adamawa Central Senatorial District to canvass for delegates’ votes in his quest to return to senate the third time.

Addressing party delegates in Gerie, Gombi, Hong and Song local government areas on Sunday, Aminu urged delegates to return him as party candidate for continuity and more dividends of democracy.

Aminu urged delegates “not to be deceived by frivolous promises by other aspirants but insist on quality representation which I have been providing you.”

The senate committee chairman on foreign affairs urged for fairness and level playing field for all aspirants by the party.

He also urged people of the constituency to work toward peaceful primaries and general elections.

Aminu is being challenged by many aspirants for the party ticket in the zone.

Prominent among them are Alhaji Bello Tukur, the immediate past Adamawa Deputy Governor and currently, the Chief of Staff to Gov. Murtala Nyako; Mr James Barka, former Speaker of the Adamawa Assembly and Sen. Abubakar Gerie.

FCT

INEC Chairman Attahiru Jega has said that the lack of internal democracy in most political parties was posing a serious concern to the commission.

He stated this in Abuja on Monday, adding that lack of internal party democracy had been noticed in most political parties.

“Our worry in the commission is that it does not appear as if our politicians and the political parties are learning the lessons that we ought to have learnt from our past mistakes and past errors, unfortunately these are being repeated.

“Internal party democracy is very important in our democratisation process and in ensuring that there is a credible electoral process in place but from what we are seeing, there is a serious concern.

“Many parties do not take the issue of internal party democracy with the seriousness it deserves.

“We are hearing complaints about lack of following due process and we have sent monitors because we are entitled to monitor party congresses, we have been monitoring and there are a number of cases that we have heard,’’ Jega said.

Bauchi

A political movement, Arewa Citizens Action for Change (ACAC), has called on Gov. Bokola Saraki, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida and Gen. Aliyu Gusau, to participate in the forthcoming PDP presidential screening.

Malam Muslim Maigari, Secretary of Board of Trustees of ACAC, made the call on Monday in Bauchi at the joint session of the National Working Committee, state executives, Local Government Coordinators and Ward Liaison Officers of the state chapter of the organisation.

Maigari explained that the appeal did not mean the organisation had rejected the decision of Malam Adamu Ciroma-led committee which selected Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as the consensus candidate for the PDP.

“We did not reject Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as the choice of the committee but we rejected the criteria that was used to arrive at the option,’’ he said.

Gombe

More than 60 per cent of the PDP candidates for the 2011 State Assembly Election in Gombe State are consensus candidates.

Alhaji Sa’ad Hassan, a member of the State Monitoring Committee for the PDP State Assembly Primaries, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Gombe on Monday.

He said that in most of the 11 local government areas in the state, candidates that were returned unopposed were affirmed by delegates in fulfilment of the electoral guidelines.

Hassan, who is also the Special Assitant to Gov. Mohammad Goje on Assembly Matters, said that the conduct of the exercise was generally peaceful.

Kano

Governor Ibrahim Shekarau of Kano has urged youths in the state not to allow themselves to be used “to subvert the course of the electoral process.”

He made the remark on Monday at the presentation of the 2011 Appropriation Bill to the State’s House of Assembly.

Katsina

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Defence, Sen. Ibrahim Ida has urged the Federal Government to expose the perpetrators of the recent Abuja bomb blast and bring them to justice.

Ida, (Katsina Central), made the call in Katsina on Monday while answering questions from newsmen.

He said government should in addition; identify the perpetrators of other internal ethno-religious conflicts around the country.

“We have to identify those behind the ugly happenings and ensure that the law takes its course,” he stressed.

He advised the government to implement reports on investigations of previous crises, stressing that this would curb recurrence of disturbances.

Ida urged the government to place emphasis on public security rather than on that of individuals, where security agents were deployed to the homes of top government officials.

He appealed to the government to adequately equip, motivate, train and deploy the nation’s security forces to address insecurity.

Lagos

The Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), on Tuesday in Lagos alleged that there was massive corruption in the nation’s political system.

Mr Dennis Aghanya, the National Publicity Secretary of the CPC, told newsmen that corruption was part of the character of Nigerian politics.

Aghanya spoke against the background of incessant defection of politicians from one party to another, adding that corruption had affected their mindset.

It will be recalled that President Goodluck Jonathan’s Adviser on Amnesty Matters, Timi Alaibe, resigned and dumped PDP for the Labour party.

His action followed that of the former Information and Communications Minister, Dora Akunyili who resigned and left PDP to run for a Senatorial seat under APGA.

“This is not a PDP affair, I think the bottom line is that there is massive corruption in our political system and that corruption is affecting the mindset of our politicians.

“There is no more trust, even in my own political party there are lots of in-house-fighting that has devastated us.

“It is just that we keep hiding it but today, it is coming to limelight,’’ he said.

Niger

The Niger State Government has integrated 60 Almajiri schools (Qur’anic education schools) with western schools to ensure education for all its citizens.

The Permanent Secretary in charge of Non-Formal Education, Malam Ibrahim Malik, made the disclosure on Monday in a chat with newsmen in Minna.

He said the process of implementing the integration of the Almajiri pupils to the modern style education had been smooth.

Malik said: “I have gone round the schools that were integrated and the process was very smooth, with the Almajiris (Qur’anic pupils) integrating very well in these schools.

Oyo

The Comptroller of Agodi Prison, Ibadan, Mr Joseph Olorunmola has assured that the new prison under construction at the Olomi will be completed in June.

Olorunmola announced this when he received an ambulance donated to the prison by the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) on Monday.

He said the new block was part of the ongoing prisons reform in the country.

He said the new prison will be fitted with modern facilities which would further improve the welfare of the inmates.

He said the Comptroller General, Olusola Ogundipe, inherited dilapidated infrastructure nationwide when he assumed duties in 2006.

Olorunmola thanked the RCCG for the gift which he said would go a long way in assisting the prison service in terms of logistics.

Plateau

Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama, the Archbishop of Jos Catholic Archdiocese, has lauded the efforts of journalists in their efforts to find a lasting peace in Plateau.

Kaigama was speaking yesterday in Jos at a luncheon he organised for journalists in the state to mark the New Year.

He said that journalists had contributed in informing the world about happenings in the state and suggested some ways out.

The archbishop particularly commended the journalists for the manner they usually handled their stories during “difficult times” in the state.

He said, “People read and hear a lot, in some cases, pictures are even shown.

Sokoto

The Sokoto State Police Commissioner, Alhaji Abubakar Manku, has said that the command is to engage religious leaders to curb political thuggery.

Manku told newsmen in Sokoto that the leaders would sensitise their congregation on the need to prevent their children from being used as political thugs during and after campaigns.

“The approach will enable parents to monitor the conduct and behaviour of their children to prevent them from being used to cause trouble in the state,’’ the commissioner said.

He said the command would do everything possible to prevent political violence and thurgery as the area commanders and divisional police officers had been briefed on ways to liaise with religious leaders in their area.

Zamfara

The Speaker, Zamfara State House of Assembly, Alhaji Bature Sambo (Gusau 1), has been returned unopposed as PDP candidate in the primary held in Gusau on Monday.

The Presiding Officer, Alhaji Ibrahim Nabature said although the constituency had 122 delegates, 113 voted for Sambo. “He was unopposed.

“The primary election was free, fair and in line with the party’s constitution.

Nation

REAN, SON synergise to curb fake renewable energy product

Published

7 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

7 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

7 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.