Nation

THE STATES

Published

15 years ago

October 14, 2011

Abuja

The Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke, says that she has no plan to contest in the forthcoming governorship election in Bayelsa State.

A statement signed by Dr Levi Ajuonuma, the Group General Manager (Public Affairs) of NNPC, on Wednesday in Abuja, described the speculation about the minister’s intention to contest in the polls in some quarters as baseless.

“The publication is not only misleading but it is 360 degrees different from the reality on ground.

“The fact is that Alison-Madueke is seriously occupied with the ongoing reform agenda in the oil and gas industry, which is an integral part of President Goodluck Jonathan’s transformation programme,’’ the statement said.

Jigawa

The National Association of Jigawa State Students (NAJISS) has concluded arrangements to begin extra lessons for secondary school students to halt mass failure in examinations in the state.

The President of NAJISS, Malam Ibrahim Sule, said during a courtesy call on the Chairman, Yankwashi Local Government, Alhaji Musa Abdullahi, that the association was worried by the failures recorded by the students, especially in WAEC and NECO examinations.

Sule said the gesture would complement the efforts of the Jigawa Government and other stakeholders in reducing examination failures and revamping the education sector in general.

Kaduna

National and State Assembly Election and Petitions Tribunal in Kaduna has concluded the recounting of votes for seven local government areas under Kaduna North Senatorial District.

Makarfi, the immediate former senator representing Kaduna North Senatorial District, is challenging the return of Sen Yusuf Datti by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the winner of the April polls for the district.

Makarfi is alleging electoral malpractice which included ballot boxes stuffing by the CPC and other criminal activities which were a violation of the Electoral Act 2010 as amended.

To prove the allegations of ballot box stuffing contained in his petition, Makarfi tendered 53 ballot boxes for the seven local government areas.

Kano

A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chieftain in Kano State Gambo Dan-Pass on Tuesday called on governors in the northern part of the country to focus on youth empowerment to check the growing rate of unemployment in the region.

He said: “There is an urgent need for governors in the north to concentrate on job creation to reduce redundancy, frustration, restiveness and poverty among our youths.”

Dan-Pass told newsmen in Kano that empowering the youth was necessary if the region was to make any appreciable progress in economic growth and development.

“If the north is to make significant progress in economic development, our leaders must empower the teeming number of unemployed youth that are parading our streets,” he said.

Kebbi

The Bagudo Local Government in Kebbi has earmarked N45.6 million for the construction of a veterinary clinic to curtail animal diseases.

The Sole Administrator, Alhaji Samaila Bagudo, told newsmen in Bagudo on Monday that the large concentration of herdsmen in the area had exposed 20,000 livestock to various diseases.

He added that when completed the centre would also facilitate rapid response to outbreak of animal diseases.

Bagudo reiterated the determination of the council to provide adequate livestock drugs for the health of the animals, pointing out that the council would embark on awareness campaign to educate herdsmen on symptoms of livestock diseases and how to prevent them.

Kwara

The Kwara Government says it has started payment of compensation to more than 700 people, whose land were acquired for the new Government Reservation Area at Budo-Osho, Ilorin.

The Director-General of the state Bureau of Lands, Mr Tope Daramola, told newsmen in Ilorin that payment would commence on Wednesday at the premises of the Bureau for Lands in Ilorin.

Daramola pointed out that those to be compensated included customary land owners, landed property owners, developers and other interest on the plots of land acquired.

He said, “A breakdown of the list of beneficiaries as contained in the list shows that 17 customary land owners, 21 plantation owners, 46 property owners and 143 land purchasers are to benefit.

“Prominent families on the list of beneficiaries include the Budo Osho, Awesu Adepoju,Alagbon, Agbaje, Budo Tapa, Bayero and Dikko families.”

Lagos

Dr Ish-aq Akintola, an Islamic scholar and university lecturer, says the Federal Government’s devotion of “a meagre six per cent” of the nation’s budget to education in the country is not encouraging.

Akintola told newsmen in Lagos that the government as well as school owners, needed to show more commitment to the provision of qualitative education.

“What do you expect from a human developing sector of the economy to which only six percent of the budget was allocated?‘’

Akintola urged the government to accede to the UNESCO’s recommendation that developing countries should devote 26 per cent of their budget to education.

“Acceding to the UNESCO’S recommendation would allow proper training of teachers, provision of basic educational facilities, funding of research programmes and other basic necessities required for educational development.’’

Nasarawa

The Osana of Keana in Nasarawa, Sen. Emmanuel Oyatikpo- Elayo on Tuesday honoured the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Vice Chairman, North Central, Mr Yusuf Ayitogo and six illustrious sons of the area with traditional titles.

Our correspondent reports that Ayitogo was honoured with the title of Ubangarin Keana, while Amese Ogiri and Sabo Ari were given the titles of Bunu and Majin of Keana Kingdom respectively.

Other sons honoured include Mr Amegwa Aritogo as the Okinawe Kha-Keana, Mr Idi Orume-Sabo as the Magajin-Gari Karama of Keana, Mr Jerry Woziri-Elayo as Oyiahosa Kha of Keana and Abiri Owuntoshi as the Leke Kha of Keana.

Speaking at a brief ceremony, the Osana of Keana said that the traditional institution honoured those who had contributed to the Keana Kingdom, the state and country and indeed humanity.

Sokoto

Sheik Yusuf Alibawa, a Sokoto State based Islamic scholar, on Monday tasked politicians to eschew violence in their activities, to maintain the state’s peaceful environment.

Alibawa told newsmen in Sokoto that there was a need for politicians to always exhibit high sense of political maturity during and after the 2012 governorship election in the state.

He urged political leaders to evolve methods that would end violence and thuggery among the political class.

“They must sensitise their followers to realise that seeking elective positions must not be seen as a do-or-die affair.”

Aliwaba also called on parents not to allow their children to be used as political thugs during and after the polls.

Zamfara

A total of 1,007 prospective pilgrims from Zamfara have been transported to Saudi Arabia for this year’s hajj.

Alhaji Yakubu Mafara, spokesman of the state pilgrims Welfare Agency, announced this in Gusau in an interview with newsmen.

He said the pilgrims were from Anka, Maradun and Gummi Local Government Areas.

He urged the next batch to depart on Wednesday to arrive at the airport on time for necessary procedure.

Mafara expressed the hope that the 5,857 pilgrims from the state would be transported without any hitch.

He urged them to be law abiding and ensure that their conduct in Saudi Arabia was guided by the country’s laws.

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.