Nation

THE STATES

Published

15 years ago

December 11, 2011

Adamawa

The Federal High Court, Yola, has discharged and acquitted former Adamawa State Commissioner for Finance, Mr Emmanuel Vahyla, on corruption charged involving N30 million filed against him by ICPC.

The presiding Judge, Justice S. M Musa, said the prosecutor failed to prove the case beyond reasonable doubt that the accused violated section 14 (1) of the money laundry Act.

Vahyla, who is presently the Commissioner representing Adamawa State in Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Commission (RMFC) was dragged to court by ICPC for allegedly using seven different cheques to withdraw the money from government’s account in Diamond Bank in December 2007 while serving as commissioner.

Bauchi

The Bauchi State Commissioner for Animal Resources and Nomadic Resettlement, Alhaji Abdulkadir Ibrahim, has called for a law prohibiting the consumption of dogs and selected domestic animals.

Ibrahim told newsmen in Bauchi that the law should also prohibit the consumption of donkeys, and horses.

He said that the law became necessary because of the pivotal roles played by the animals in human life.

The commissioner said that the animals due to their cultural heritage had played pivotal roles either as means of transportation or security.

He expressed concern over the extinction of such animals, and said, “their numbers have reduced to a negligible level in spite of their importance to human life”.

FCT

The Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Oluseyi Petinrin, has presented N171 million life insurance benefits to the 41 nearest relatives of military personnel killed in various operations.

Petinrin presented the cheques to the beneficiaries of the military personnel killed between March, 2010 and November 2011 on Wednesday in Abuja.

He urged them to desist from fraud and spend the money judiciously to improve the welfare of their families.

He promised that the Nigerian Armed Forces would stand behind the deceased’s next of kin by ensuring that the payment of their benefits was given priority.

The defence chief commended the leadership of the Budget Office, Standard Alliance Insurance and Leverage Insurance Broker, for making Nigerian Armed Forces realise its dream in terms of the staff welfare.

Gombe

The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) in Gombe state has trained more than 582 youths in various skills since January, the state Co-ordinator, Mr Abdulkadir Mabudi disclosed on Thursday in Gombe.

He told newsmen that 168 other youths were currently receiving training in various skills in the vocational institutions in the state.

Mabudi said that the directorate, in collaboration with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Office in the state, established a training centre in each of the three senatorial zones in the state where the beneficiaries received their training.

Kaduna

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) branch has urged understanding among parents and students over the ongoing nationwide strike by the union.

The branch Chairman, Dr Mohammed Kabir-Aliyu, told newsmen in Zaria, Kaduna State that “the union was pushed to the wall.”

He said that the essence of the industrial action was to press home the union’s demand for adequate funding to pave way for favourable learning atmosphere in Nigerian universities.

Kano

The students of Bayero University, Kano, on Wednesday pleaded for a quick resolution of disagreement between Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Federal Government.

Speaking with newsmen Amar Idris, a 200 level student, noted that ASUU’s decision to embark on the indefinite strike was unfortunate.

He said the strike came at the time the students were already preparing for their examinations.

Also speaking, a 300 level student, Malama Sadiya Balarabe, also argued that the strike should have begun after the examinations so as not to disrupt the academic calendar.

Lagos

Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State has reconstituted the state’s security committee to address more effectively some of the security challenges posed by commercial motorcycle operators.

Inaugurating the committee in Ikeja, the governor said the number of lives lost to motorcycle accidents in the state was unacceptable, saying that the committee also had the mandate to check the problem.

The 32-man committee, chaired by retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG), Mr Waheed Olusegun, had three weeks to submit its recommendations to the state government.

Niger

President of the Association of Fish Farmers of Nigeria (AFFAM), Mr Gogwim Shiumang, says the country can produce two million tonnes of fish for local consumption, if the fish industry is properly harnessed.

Shiumang told newsmen in Minna that the industry was also capable of producing fish for export.

He said that a meeting would be held to create awareness among members on ways to improve their production techniques to achieve maximum production.

Osun

No fewer than 2,000 patients suffering from various diseases are to benefit from the free surgery programme of the Osun Government.

The state’s Commissioner for Health Dr Temitope Ilori, made the disclosure in Osogbo on Wednesday while speaking with newsmen.

The programme was organised by the Oranmiyan Group Worldwide, an interest group, in collaboration with the Osun State Ministry of Health and Hospitals Management Board.

Plateau

A group of the Barewa Old Boys Association (BOBA) and Keffi Old Boys Association (KOBA) is organising a campaign against same-sex marriage in the country.

In a statement signed on Thursday in Jos, the organising committee said that the campaign, tagged: “Trek against Same-sex Marriage”, was aimed at commemorating the 2011 International Human Rights.

It said the trek was aimed at expressing solidarity with African leaders, who were against legalising and celebrating same-sex marriage as part of the fundamental human rights declaration by the UN General Assembly.

“The trek will mobilise those, who are against same-sex marriage to use this year’s International Human Rights Day to express dismay over Western countries concepts of human rights, which allows same-sex marriage.”

Taraba

An educationist, Dr Gambo Matudi, said in Jalingo on Wednesday that 45 per cent of teachers in Taraba’s primary schools have not obtained the required minimum qualifications to teach.

Matudi, the leader of a team charged with the responsibility of developing a new development plan in the education sector in the state, made this known at a one-day education stakeholder’s sensitisation meeting.

He explained that some problems confronting the education sector were identified by the team.

According to him, almost half of those teaching in the Taraba’s primary schools are not trained teachers and are just there because they have no other job opportunities.

Yobe

The Secretary Gashua Vegetables Farmers Union in Yobe Alhaji Mohammed Kaku has warned of an impending scarcity of vegetables because of poor storage facilities in the country.

Kaku told newsmen in Gashua in Yobe that the situation was forcing farmers to abandon the cultivation of vegetables.

“It is the same predicament facing vegetable farmers in Borno, Gombe, Taraba, Adamawa, Benue, Plateau, Jigawa, Kano and all other states in the country,” he said.

Kaku said that there was gross decline in the number of irrigation farmers growing tomatoes, onion and pepper now, when compared to previous years.

He said, “The farmers had in the previous years been forced to sell their produce at give-away prices at the peak of harvests and, therefore, operating at a loss.

Nation

REAN, SON synergise to curb fake renewable energy product

Published

1 day 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 day 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 day 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.