Nation

THE STATES

Published

15 years ago

July 6, 2011

Adamawa

The Adamawa Government has spend more than N594 million in the provision of life insurance cover for its civil servants.

The state’s Head of Service, Alhaji Othman Mohammed, made this known on Friday while signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Adamawa State University (ADSU) for the training of civil servants.

Mohammed said government opted for the insurance cover following incidents of workers collapse and death while on active service.

“The government had to insure the more than 25,000 government workers in the state at the cost of N594 million”, he said.

Mohammed said it was also out of the government’s concern for workers’ welfare and quality of service delivery that the MoU was signed.

“The MoU was for the training of 6,497 civil servants of different cadres by ADSU at the cost of N252 million”, he said.

Benue

Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue has approved N19 million as the state’s counterpart fund contribution toward the implementation of the Rural Finance Institution Building Programme (RUFIN).

Mr Mathew Gbayan, the Permanent Secretary, state Ministry of Agriculture, disclosed this on Monday in Makurdi while welcoming the RUFIN Supervision Mission team to the state.

Gbayan said that of the amount, N12 million was for 2011 while N7 million was the arrears of 2010 contribution.

He said that the state government had directed the Ministry of Finance to release the funds this week.

He noted that the programme had made significant impact in terms of poverty reduction in the three participating local governments of Apa, Gwer-West and Logo.

Mr Marcellinus Atoo, the RUFIN state Coordinator, said that the programme had mobilised 491 informal savings groups and linked more than 322 cooperative groups to Micro Finance Banks (MFBs).

Borno

Suspected armed robbers on Monday ambushed officials of Shani Local Government Council of Borno on their way to pay staff salary, killing four persons. Alhaji Modu Walama, the Caretaker Committee Chairman of the council, told newsmen in Maiduguri

that the incident occurred at Marama junction in Biu Local Government Area.

Walama said that the officials were on their way to Shani after cashing the staff salary from a bank when they were ambushed by the bandits.

“The bandits shot three of the council officials and a police escort before carting away the entire June staff salary of the council.

“Another police escort was also injured by the bandits,” he said.

FCT

Mr Sunny Okpurhe, the Assistant Comptroller-General on Enforcement and Drugs, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has said that the agency seizeid goods worth N3.59 billion in the first quarter of the year.

Okpurhe told newsmen in an interview in Abuja on Monday that the seizures were achieved through proactive steps taken by officers in border areas.

He attributed the success to improvements in terms of equipment and welfare of officers.

“In January, we had 445 seizures, Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N1.86 billion, number of vehicles seized out of the 445 seizures was 214, while general goods accounted for 231.

“In February, the number of seizures was 669 with a DPV of N1.66 billion and this is made up of 441 vehicles and 228, general goods.

“In March, we had 611 seizures with DPV of N664.44 million, number of vehicles seized was 334, while general goods were 227.

“In a place where the seizure reduced, you will see a corresponding rise in revenue in terms of duty collection,’’ Okpurhe said.

Our correspondent recalls that in the first quarter of 2010, the total seizure made was N2. 11 billion, amounting to a difference of N1. 47 billion.

He said NCS was channelling a lot of goods into the normal service in terms of duty payment, explaining that in the month of March, the revenue collection increased even when there was a decrease in seizures.

Kaduna

The Kaduna State Government has said that the monthly sanitation exercise will resume in the state this month to ensure effective waste Management.

Alhaji Aminu Sani, the General Manager, Kaduna Environmental Protection Agency, disclosed this to newsmen in Kaduna on Monday.

Sani said that the re-introduction of monthly sanitation would enable the state government to tackle the problem of indiscriminate waste disposal and associated challenges.

He said that the exercise would also help in meeting the MDG target on sanitation.

He noted that waste materials had blocked most drainage systems, adding that the activities of hawkers had further worsened the situation.

“Hawking and dumping of refuse on highways cause flooding,” he noted.

The general manager stressed that the clearing of and waste management was collective responsibility.

He, therefore, warned residents to shun unwholesome habits that compound the poor sanitation problem, adding that environmental marshals had been recruited to curb the menace.

He disclosed that the re-introduction of monthly sanitation would commence on the last Saturday of this month.

Kano

A former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Gali Na’Abba, has expressed confidence that the Presidential Panel on Post-election violence will execute its assignment well.

“I trust the members of this committee and I believe they will carry out their assignment with a high sense of responsibility,” Na’Abba told newsmen shortly after submitting a memorandum to the panel in Kano on Monday.

He urged the people affected by the post-election violence in the state and others to give information to the panel to enable it to discharge its duty effectively.

Na’Abba, whose house in Kano was destroyed during the crisis, commended the Federal Government for constituting the panel.

The Chairman of the panel, Sheik Ahmed Lemu, had said that the team was in Kano to determine the causes of the violence, establish the extent of destruction and suggest ways of checking future occurrences.

Katsina

Alhaji Ya’u Zakari, the District Head of Sandamu Local Government Area of Katsina State, has raised alarm over the migration of herdsmen into the area in search of pasture.

Zakari, who is also the ‘Bintirawan Daura’, raised the alarm at a joint meeting between traditional rulers and officials of the council on Monday in Sandamu.

He said the herdsmen came to the area two weeks ago from neighbouring Niger Republic, adding that had trespassed into the Sandamu Forest Reserves with their flock.

The stressed the need for the government to take measures to evict them from the reserve as they might enter into people’s farmland and destroy crops.

Zakari urged the local government committee on the prevention of farmers/cattle rearers clash to act quickly to avoid any confrontation between the farmers and the migrant herdsmen.

Kwara

Dr Emmanuel Ojo of the University of Ilorin, has appealed to the Federal Government to review the current revenue sharing formula to enhance the socio-economic development of the country.

Ojo, who teaches political science at the university, said this in Ilorin in an interview with newsmen.

The teacher believed that the current sharing formula could partially be responsible for the slow pace of the country’s development.

He therefore canvassed more funds for states and local governments, pointing out that this would enhance development at the grassroots.

“Under the current sharing arrangement, Nigeria’s central government gets 52.7 per cent of the revenue; the states receive 26.7 per cent and the local governments have 20.6 per cent.

Lagos

Arik Air has named former Miss World, Agbani Darego, the airline’s brand ambassador for the next one year.

Arik Air Chief Executive Chris Ndulue, who unveiled Darego in Lagos, on Monday told newsmen that the move was aimed at showcasing Nigerians who had distinguished themselves in their areas of endeavours.

”This is one of the many steps that we are going to take in trying to make sure that we are establishing a brand and a brand image that actually meets the aspiration of Nigerians as well as the founders of the business.

“It is part of the promise we made to Nigerians when we were taking off from the very beginning,” Ndulue said.

He added that the contract was subjected to renewal, stressing that two more Nigerian brand ambassadors would be unveiled in the future.

A 25-year-old hairdresser. Mercy John, on Friday appeared before an Upper Area Court in Jos for shielding her boyfriend. Usman Isah, who had been declared wanted by the police for al1eged theft.

lsah was alleged to have stolen a car, with registration number, AL757LFA. belonging to a commercial driver, Haruna Ahmadu, and disappeared.

John of No. 40. New Ahuja Area in Lafia and girlfriend of Isah. appeared before Malam Mustapha Hassan on a one-count charge of shielding a criminal.

Sokoto

Alhaji Lawal Zayyana, the speaker of the Sokoto State House of Assembly, has urged the new ministers

to assist President Goodluck Jonathan to sustain his development agenda.

The speaker told newsmen in Sokoto that the minsters should give priority to the delivery of the badly-needed dividends of democracy to Nigerians .

“The president has good plans for Nigerians which will not come if the new ministers are not God fearing, patriotic and dedicated,’’ he added .

Nation

REAN, SON synergise to curb fake renewable energy product

Published

3 weeks 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 weeks 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 weeks 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.