Nation

THE STATES

Published

15 years ago

September 28, 2011

Adamawa

The Federal Government is to tackle poverty in the North East and North West geopolitical zones through agriculture by releasing a new variety of high-breed sorghum that will increase the yield of farmers in the regions.

Dr Adewumi Adesina, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, made this known on Friday, while speaking with journalists in Yola. He said that the high-breed sorghum variety, which would be released next year, would increase sorghum yield per hectare for farmers in the regions from 0.5 tonne to 2.5 tonnes, reflecting a 500 per cent increase.

The minister stressed the sorghum cultivation’s transformation project would generate more earnings for farmers in the regions, while enabling the government to utilise the surplus soghum yield for beverages’ production and its school feeding programme, among others.

FCT

More than three million Naira was realised at the launch of three books on wealth creation written by renowned personal finance coach and motivational speaker, Tayo Ayinla. The books are Building Lasting Wealth, Wealth Capsules and The Pathway to Wealth. Speaking at the launch in Abuja, Dr Jerry Agada, a former Minister of Education and Chairman of the occasion, described the publications as a creative work. The former minister who is the current President of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), said the books would impact on the lives of Nigerians in the area of personal finance. Agada also said the books were a collection of non-fiction literature which drew inspiration from biblical references to guide readers on personal finance.

The guest speaker at the launch, Mr Ayo Arowolo who is a motivational speaker/journalist, urged Nigerians to determine what their potentials were and strive to maximise them.

Gombe

Children totalling 840,850 in Gombe State would benefit in the next round of polio immunisation, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Alhaji Usman Bello, has said.

Bello said at the flag-off of National Immunisation Days in Gombe last Friday, that the ministry had concluded preparations for the successful execution of the exercise.

He stated that special focus would be placed on nomadic Fulanis by the more than 3,136 health and technical personnel that would conduct the immunisation. The Permanent Secretary who was represented by a director in the ministry, Alhaji Salisu Waziri, appealed to parents and all stakeholders to support government in the fight to eradicate wild polio virus in the country. He said the support of traditional and religious leaders since 2009 had helped in curtailing the problem of rejection of polio vaccines by some households.

Bello however, noted that there were still areas with high cases of rejection, but he assured that government and other stakeholders would ensure total coverage in this exercise.

Jigawa

Alhaji Sabo Guri, the Managing Director of Jigawa State Broadcasting Corporation, has described Jigawa as the most peaceful state in the country. Guri made the observation in Dutse on Friday when the executive members of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) came to congratulate him on his appointment as the head of the broadcasting outfit. He urged CAN to support the state government in its efforts to promote peace and understanding among the diverse religious groups in the state.

He also implored the association to sensitise their members to the need to promote peace in the society, noting that peace was one of the central tenets of Islam and Christianity, the two major religions in the country.Guri reiterated the need to always work for peace, saying that no society could develop in an atmosphere of chaos and disharmony.

Kaduna

Dr Abubakar Nuhu-Danburan, the Kano State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, has described unity schools as symbols of national unity.

Nuhu-Danburan said this while receiving an award during a reception organised by the Barewa Old Boys Association (BOBA) ‘Class of 1978 form 1’ held at the college in Zaria on Sunday.

He observed that unity schools played host to different classes of people from different parts of the country with aim of knowledge seeking.

He recalled with nostalgia the good old days and called on the old boys to maintain the close relationship with a view to taking the country to greater heights.

In his speech, the guest speaker and former principal of the college, Alhaji Isiyaku Nuhu, lauded the efforts of the old boys in keeping themselves together.

Katsina

The district head of Malumfashi in Katsina State, retired Justice Mamman Nasir, has enjoined immunisation workers to report parents who reject administration of polio vaccine on their children.

Speaking while launching the 5th round of National Immunisation Campaign in his palace on Saturday, Nasir, former Court of Appeal president, insisted that safeguarding children’s health is the collective responsibility of parents and leaders.

He likened rejection of immunisation vaccines to subjecting of public health to preventable dangers.

He called on parent to submit their children for vaccination during national immunisation campaigns and routine vaccination at the various health care centres in the area.

Malam MusaNaduna, WHO facilitator for Immunisation against poliomyelitis and other child-killer diseases in Malumfashi, said that 105, 677 children were targeted for immunisation in the area.

Naduna said no case of polio had been reported in Katsina State since 2010, and urged parents to sustain the feat by submitting their eligible children for vaccination.

Kano

Malam Habibu Yaro, an elder in Na’ibawa area of Kano Municipality has called on the people to consider environmental and personal hygiene as part of their religious belief.

He decried the situation where people had to be sanctioned before participating in the monthly environmental sanitation exercise.

Yaro, who said all Muslims must be mindful of the fact that cleanliness is part of their religion, advised heads of households to make their people to comply with the directive on the monthly exercise.

Lagos

Mr Ziakede Akpobolokemi, the Director-General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency,said in Lagos on Saturday that a joint anti-piracy patrol of Benin Republic’s waters would start immediately.

Akpobolokemi told newsmen that the Federal Government gave directive for the patrol about a month ago.

“What is happening in Benin Republic is also affecting us economic-wise. When attacks in Benin Republic became so severe, the president of the country met our president and asked us to assist,’’ the director-general said.

He disclosed that the patrol would start immediately with some patrol boats, adding that the Navy was also involved in the exercise.

Ondo

Mr Oludare Fadayomi, the Supervisor of the Skills Acquisition Centre at Igbekebo, Ese-Odo Local Government of Ondo State, has called on the council administration to create more awareness on the importance of the centre.

Fadayomi told newsmen in Ese-Odo that the centre was crucial to the nation’s industrial growth.

“ I believe that supporting the skills acquisition centre in Ese-Odo Local Government Area will usher in an era of industrial revolution that will make Ese-Odo a council to emulate,’’ he said. Fadayomi stressed the need for the council to create more awareness by mobilising indigenes of the local government area to make good use of the centre.

He commended the council for its human capital development programmes, adding that it was one of the few councils that had a permanent structure for its skills acquisition programme. “Because we have a befitting and modern structure for this programme; I want to seek the support of Ese-Odo Local Government to encourage all young school leavers to take advantage of the programme.

Osun

The Osun House of Assembly has urged the state Ministry of Youth and Sports to strive to generate funds from sporting activities in the state. Chairman, House Committee on Youth, Sports and Special Needs, Mr Ajibola Olanrewaju, made the call on Friday at Osogbo, when meeting with the officials of the ministry. Olanrewaju said youths should be physically and mentally developed for them to be better leaders tomorrow, noting that their talents and interest in sports will enhance the state’s progress.

The legislator said the House committee would work together with the ministry in promoting sports and development among the youths from primary schools to tertiary institutions.

Nation

REAN, SON synergise to curb fake renewable energy product

Published

23 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

23 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

23 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.