Connect with us

Nation

THE STATES

Published

on

Adamawa

The Adamawa House of Assembly says it has set up a committee on how to generate 30 megawatts of electricity for the state.

The committee chairman, Mr Wafari Theman (ACN, Hong) told newsmen in Yola that the low power supply to the state was worrisome.

Theman said that the committee had visited PHCN and other stakeholders because power supply to the state was fluctuating between 20 and seven megawatts.

He said that the committee had visited the state Special Energy Department and the Gongola Basin Energy Development Commission

He said that the panel had also visited Laddo Dam in neighbouring Cameroon Republic and Kiri Dam in Adamawa.

He said that the purpose of visiting the establishments was to ensure they generate additional electricity power to the state.

 

Bauchi

Bauchi State has detected three new cases of Polio Virus between January and March.

The WHO Consultant in-charge of Gamawa, Zaki and Itas Gadau, Mr Emmanuel Katuga, disclosed this on Saturday in Kari-kacaf, in Gamawa Local Government Area of Bauchi State.

Katuga told newsmen that one case each was recorded at Kari-Kacaf, Dagaleri and Taranka, all in Gamawa Local Government Area.

He explained that the case of Kari-Kacaf and Taranka had been confirmed to be the “Wild Polio Virus” while that of Dagaleri had been sent to Maiduguri Laboratory for test.

Katuga attributed the new cases to uncompleted dosage of Polio immunisation within the affected areas.

The consultant said that his team had introduced weekly immunisation in spite of the routine ones within the affected areas to ensure that the virus was eradicated in the area.

 

Borno

The wife of Borno State Governor, Hajiya Nana Kashim Shettima, has called on traditional and community leaders to work collectively to wipe out the polio virus from the country.

Shettima, who made the call in Maiduguri when she launched the National Immunisation Plus Days (NIPDs), urged wives of the Chairmen of Local Government Caretaker Committees to ensure mass mobilisation of parents at the grass roots for the exercise.

She said that the state government had instituted an award for best local government council in immunisation coverage to encourage better performance.

“I want the wives of the caretaker committees chairmen to compete with one another in the area of mass mobilisation of parents on polio immunisation.

“Each one of you must strive hard to ensure that her council becomes the best so you can win the state government award for the best performing council in immunisation coverage,” she said.

 

FCT

Chairman House Committee on Gas Resources Rep. Bassey Ewa, says stopping gas flaring in the country requires the political will of the Federal Government.

Ewa told newsmen in Abuja that there was also the need for the Federal Government to collaborate with multinational oil companies to end gas flaring.

He said the committee was determined to ensure that the gas master plan was implemented to the letter.

“On the issue of gas flaring, my committee is putting necessary things in place to ensure the issue is finally put to rest.

“The Federal Government has a gas master plan and as the chairman of the committee on gas resources, it is my desire to ensure that the plan is implemented to the letter,’’ he said.

 

Gombe

President Goodluck Jonathan has condoled with Gov. Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe over the death of his four-year-old daughter, Hajara.

The president who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr Mike Oghiadome, said in Gombe on Saturday, that he (Jonathan) and the good people of Nigeria sympathised with the family of Dankwambo.

Jonathan noted that death was inevitable and called on the governor to take it as an act of God because “every soul must pass through it.”

“This is because God gives and takes, we have no right to question Him,’’ he said.

 

Kano

Kano State Government has concluded plans to construct 56 new courts in the 44 local government areas of the state, our correspondent reports.

The Public Relations Officer of the state High Court, Malam Baba Jibo made this known to newsmen in Kano.

Jibo said that the government had kick- started the construction of 23 of the courts in its first phase, pointing out that the second phase would be inaugurated soon.

He said the project was part of the government’s determination to ensure that the people of the state had access to justice by bringing justice to their door steps.

 

Katsina

Herdsmen in Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State have called for increased government commitment to animal vaccination.

Alhaji Ardo Abubakar, the leader of herdsmen, made the call during the launch of the 2012 animal vaccination.

Abubakar expressed the appreciation of the herdsmen to the state government for its policies on animal production, saying that the “huge investment ” would ensure the good health of animals.

He noted that many nomads had been mobilised to submit their animals for the vaccination, adding that the exercise would improve the health of cows and other domestic animals in the area.

According to him, not less than 6,000 cows have been targeted for vaccination in the two-week programme.

 

Kebbi

Kebbi  Governor-elect State Alhaji Saidu Dakingari, has said that the fresh mandate he received  in  Saturday’s election was an indication of his acceptance by the people of Kebbi.

The Media Adviser to  Dakingari, Malam Alhassan Musa, told newsmen that  the new  mandate was an indication of the popularity of the governor-elect’s  policies and programmes over the years.

He promised to bring  the opposition on board in efforts to develop the state.

“In this election, there is no victor or vanquished. The PDP will carry everyone along in major decision making and progarmme implementation,’’ he said.

Dakingari urged the people to expect development, especially in the areas of agriculture, rural development, education and health.

 

Lagos

Five-time World Boxing Champion, Evander Holyfield, is visiting Badagry, Lagos State, to reconnect with his African roots and seek the possibility of investing in the country’s tourism industry.

The Alabama, U.S.-born retired pugilist believes he is of African descent.

He visited the historic town of Badagry on the invitation of Mr Yomi Ajose, a former Senior Special Adviser to the Badagry Local Government Council.

Holyfield, who visited the traditional ruler of the town, Wheno Aholu Meno Toyi I, the Akran of Badagry, said that he was visiting to trace his African roots.

 

Niger

The Niger House of Assembly has approved the appointment of Alhaji Abdullahi Kagara as its new Clerk.

Members of the Assembly had unanimously approved the appointment of Kagara following his recommendation by the Assembly Service Commission.

Majority Leader Mohammad Dada moved the motion for the approval and it was unanimously adopted by members.

The Speaker, Alhaji Mohammed Tsowa, commended Kagara’s contribution to the legislative activities of the Assembly, especially the committees assignments.

He directed the acting clerk to convey the approval to the Assembly Service Commission for it to issue a letter of appointment to the new Clerk.

Kagara, who was born in 1964 in Kagara, obtained a degree in Mass Communication from Bayero University Kano, 1988.

He started his career as a reporter with the Newsline newspaper in 1990 and joined the Assembly service in 1992 as its Public Relations Officer.

 

Ondo

The Ondo State House of Assembly has called for the establishment of “Obafemi Awolowo Academy of Ideology’’ to promote political and economic ideals of the late premier of the defunct Western Region.

The Majority Leader of the House, Mr Ifedayo Akinsoyinu, who moved the motion in Akure, said, the proposed academy would immortalise Awolowo and facilitate access to his political ideas and leadership qualities.

“The late sage, a nationalist, in his books and essays propounded a robust ideology for governance, which, he called, “Social Democracy”.

“Late Awolowo, who was described as the best president Nigeria never had, came up with major tenets of his political ideology in his books, publications, lectures for our political emancipation,’’ Akinsoyinu said.

The majority leader pointed out that the Yoruba leader’s approach to politics was devoid of violence and that the idea had distinguished his character as far as the game of politics was concerned.

Mr Victor Akinwe, representing the people of Odigbo Constituecy I, said the academy would serve as an instrument of reconstruction for prospective and serving politicians in the country.

 

Sokoto

The Sokoto State Urban and Regional Planning Board on Thursday began the demolition of illegal structures in Sokoto and its environs.

Our correspondent reports that the board demolished illegal structures in Sokoto old market and the state’s School of Developmental Studies, an arm of the state university.

The Permanent Secretary of the board, Alhaji Abubakar Mohammed, said the action was to rid the state capital and its environs of all illegal structures.

‘’We will not allow any person or group of persons to tinker with the master plan of the state capital, no matter how highly placed the person is.’’

Mohammed said the owners of the illegal structures were given a month notice to remove them or face sanctions but they allegedly refused to comply.

Continue Reading

Nation

REAN, SON synergise to curb fake renewable energy product

Published

on

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.
Continue Reading

Nation

Self Help Africa programme expands water access for 320,000 Nigerians

Published

on

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.
Continue Reading

Nation

Lagos Residents Stranded As Floods Cut Off Ajah, Mafoluku Communities

Published

on

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.
Continue Reading

Trending