Nation

THE STATES

Published

15 years ago

September 16, 2011

Bauchi

Unknown gunmen have attacked a bank and police station in Misau, Bauchi State, killing an undisclosed number of persons, including a policeman

Eye-witnesses told newsmen that the assailants raided the station and bank on Monday, exchanging fire with policemen.

Our correspondent learnt that the attackers who were trying to force themselves into the bank and the station were repelled by the policemen guarding the bank.

The attack on the police station in Misau is the second this year. A similar attack occurred earlier in the year when unknown gun- men attacked the same station and bank.

FCT

The Commissioner, National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), Mr Fola Daniel, has assured the organisers of the 2011 summit of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) of the commission’s support.

This is contained in a statement signed by the commission’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Lucky Fiakpa, in Abuja..

The statement stated that Daniel gave the assurance when a delegation of the NESG 2011 Summit Organising Committee visited his office.

The committee was led by Dr Abdu Garba, from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

Kaduna

Bishop Adeolu Kolawole of the Church of the Lord (Aladura), Northern Diocese, has appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan to immediately resolve the controversy over the proposed Islamic system of banking.

Speaking with newsmen in Kaduna, Kolawole said educating the Christian community on Islamic banking would make the issue simple enough for all to appreciate.

He said more than half of those commenting on Islamic banking do not know what it means.

The cleric said the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has also helped in spreading the ignorance and confusion.

Kano

The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to sustaining its policy on subsidising fertiliser and other inputs in order to boost food production in the country.

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Adewumi Adesina, gave the assurance on Monday in Kano at the opening of the Second General Assembly of Nigerian farmers.

He said government was aware of the challenges facing the sector and it would do its best to address the problems.

“Logistics and all other unforeseen setbacks that continued to hamper the process of actualising the lofty objectives of agricultural development in the country would be addressed,” Adesina said.

Kogi

The Joint Fellowship of Christians and Muslims of the National Security and Civil Defence Corps in Kogi, has donated gift items to orphanage homes in Ayangba, Dekina Local Government Area.

The items, which included clothes, consumables, provisions and toiletries were donated to three orphanage homes on Sunday during separate humanitarian visits to the inmates by members of the fellowship.

Making the presentation, the Chaplain, Mr Joe Uhunmwangho, said that the visit was part of the reach out programme of the fellowship.

He said the gesture was to ameliorate some of the difficulties confronting the orphanage homes.

Kwara

Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara has promised to be fair to all the three senatorial districts in the distribution of the dividends of democracy.

The governor made the pledge in Ilorin on Tuesday while inaugurating some projects executed by his administration to mark his 100 days in office.

He promised to ensure equitable distribution of projects, saying that no part would be marginalised in the effort to develop the state.

Ahmed expressed his determination to improve the standard of living of the citizens and ensure that necessary infrastructure were provided and maintained across the state.

facilities in their environment.

Nasarawa

Nasarawa State Government has inaugurated a 9- man committee to verify the construction of bore holes awarded by previous administration in the three senatorial zones.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources, Mr Philip Audu inaugurated the committee.

He urged them to live above board as they ascertained the presence of the bore holes in the senatorial zones as the previous government awarded them .

The permanent secretary stressed the need for attitudinal change, saying the present administration would “leave no stone unturned” in providing social amenities to the people.

“Al-makura’s administration is committed to providing basic social needs to the people, especially potable water, as water is essential in human life”.

Ogun

The Vice-Chancellor, Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun, Prof. Segun Awonusi, in Ijebu-Ode has expressed worry over dearth of academic staff in the universities.

Awonusi told newsmen that no university in the country could claim to have enough academic staff.

On the large number of students seeking admission into the universities every year, Awonusi noted that the human resource base of the universities was meagre compared with the number of candidates seeking admission into the institutions.

Besides, Awonusi decried the poor environment, lack of equipment, dilapidated building as well as inadequate funding of the universities.

The vice chancellor, however, appealed to government at all levels to invest more on education to solve these problems.

Ondo

The Chairman of Ondo State Teaching Service Commission, Dr Akin Adegboye, has called on teachers to co-operate with the government on the on-going re-articulation of secondary schools.

Adegboye made the call in Akure at a meeting with principals and vice- principals of schools on how the policy would improve the management of secondary schools for educational enhancement.

“Re-articulation simply means the merger of the erstwhile junior and senior secondary schools into one with one principal and one administrator, for better management,’’ he explained.

Adegboye said the arrangement would provide opportunity for addressing the imbalance in appointments and grading of staff in the commission.

He said the arrangement would also make the commission to be effective in ranking personnel by seniority and schools by population.

“This is a new dawn in the education system in the state and we are optimistic that the policy would make a great impact in the life of our children and the sector as a whole,’’ Adegboye said.

Osun

National Directorate of Employment (NDE) in Osun has trained more than 5,000 youths for its Rural Employment Agricultural Scheme.

Mr Isaac Odebiyi, the directorate’s Acting Coordinator in the state, told newsmen on Tuesday in Osogbo that the youth underwent training at the centre established in Osogbo in 2009.

He explained that the centre focused on arable and livestock farming, and added that the trainees were attached to relevant establishments for a period of three months “to sharpen their knowledge”.

Odebiyi further said that the participants were exposed to the practical aspects of rabbit rearing, poultry, fishery, bee-keeping and cultivation of cassava and plantain, among others.

Sokoto

PDP chieftain Muktari Mapia has called on President Goodluck Jonathan to declare a state of emergency against the high level of insecurity threatening nation’s corporate existence.

Mapia, who is the party’s deputy treasurer, told newsmen in Sokoto that the Federal Government must be resolute in protecting lives and property of the citizenry through effective security network.

He added that the kidnapping and rising bombings in some parts of the country needed government urgent attention.

He also called on Nigerians to rise up and defend the nation’s hard-earned democracy by exposing the people behind the planting of bombs in the country.

Mapia also called for active participation of stakeholders in promoting security in the country.

Zamfara

Zamfara State Government has approved the immediate release of N14 million for the payment of one year salary arrears to workers of Gusau Hotels, the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Alhaji Aminu Dankwangila, said.

The Commissioner told newsmen in Gusau that the government was touched by the plight of the workers who were not paid salaries and other entitlements for twelve months.

He said the salary arrears accrued during the tenure of the previous administration and assured them that the current administration would live up to its responsibilities to the workers and the people of the state.

In this respect, the government, he stated, had conducted a census of the hotel workers, as part of its plans to rejuvenate the hotel to commence full services.

The commissioner charged the workers to reciprocate the gesture by dedicating themselves to their duties and ensuring that all revenue generated from the hotel were lodged into government coffers.

Nation

REAN, SON synergise to curb fake renewable energy product

Published

1 month 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

1 month 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

1 month 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.