Nation

THE STATES

Published

14 years ago

April 30, 2012

Bauchi

The newly appointed Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Azare, in Bauchi State, Dr Musa Dambam, has promised to transform the centre to serve the people better.

The CMD, who is the outgoing State Chairman of Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Agency (PHCDA) said this in an interview with newsmen in Bauchi.

He described his appointment as the CMD as a challenge and urged staff of the centre not to entertain any fear as his appointment was for the betterment of the centre.

“I don’t look at it as anything but rather a challenge for me to be an agent of change who has come to work with anybody to transform the new place.”

The new CMD enjoined the staffers to give him the necessary support to enable the centre to deliver quality healthcare services.

Jigawa

The Permanent Secretary Jigawa State Executive Council Affairs, Alhaji Aminu Zakari, says unregulated Almajiri system of education constitutes a security risk in the country.

Zakari made this known in an interview with newsmen in Dutse on Thursday.

He said Islamic Religious Knowledge teachers and traditional rulers in the north should support the Federal Government policy of integrating the Almajiri system of education in the formal school system.

He was speaking at the end of a three-day retreat for political office holders and permanent secretaries in the state, which was held at the Manpower Development Institute, Dutse.

Zakari said: “if the Almajiri system of education was integrated with the formal school system, it will be more attractive and interesting. “

He, therefore, enjoined traditional rulers and the local Arabic teachers to put heads together with a view to harmonising the system.

Katsina

Three former governors of Katsina State and three deputies have received multi-million Naira pension packages from the state government, in line with a recent pension law enacted in the state.

The beneficiaries included two former Governors of the old Kaduna State, Alhaji Lawal Kaita and Alhaji Abba Musa Rimi, and the first civilian Governor of the state, Alhaji Sa’idu Barda.

The three Deputy Governors are, Amb. Abdullahi Aminchi, Alhaji Tukur Jikamshi and Alhaji Surajo Damari.

Our correspondent reports that late President Umaru Yar’Adua, who was governor of the state between 1999-2007, was not among the beneficiaries, as his pension would now be paid by the Federal Government.

Governor Ibrahim Shema said while presenting the package to the beneficiaries in Katsina that the gesture was in recognition of their contribution to the development of the state during their tenure.

According to him, it is also in compliance with the provision of the new state’s Pension Law.

“You have contributed immensely to the development of our dear state during your time, we are still benefiting from your advises in achieving peace, unity and stability, as well as in moving the state to greater heights.”

Kogi

The Kogi Government has announced a 50 per cent reduction in rents payable on the three categories of shops at its Lokoja International Market.

This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Mike Abu, Press Secretary to the state deputy governor in Lokoja.

It said that the reduction was part of government’s efforts to discourage street trading and accommodate more traders in the market.

According to the statement, a small shop, which hitherto attracted N40,000 per annum, is now N20,000, while a medium-sized one now goes for N25,000 against the previous rent of N50,000.

Niger

The Niger State Government is to spend N30 billion on the construction of 8,000 new houses in Minna and Suleja, to reduce the housing deficit in the state.

The Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Alhaji Nuhu Musa, told news men in Minna on Thursday at the end of the State Executive Council meeting, that the project would be executed under Public Private Partnership.

He said the project, which would be completed before the end of 2014, involve the construction of 4,500 housing units in Minna and 3, 500 in Suleja.

Musa said the project was not part of the 2, 000 on going housing works started in 2008 in Minna, Bida, and Kontagora, which had reached 90 per cent completion.

He said five developers had been chosen after due diligence was carried out on their past performances and the sources of their finances.

Musa said the government was expected to release to the companies certificates for the land within the next two weeks, while the developers must show physical presence on the sites within six months.

Ondo

The Jegun of Idepe-Okitipupa, Oba Michael Adetoye, has appealed to government to always consider Okitipupa indigenes while employing workers at the Ondo State University of Science and Technology (OSUSTECH).

Speaking to newsmen in Okitipupa on Thursday, Adetoye said Okitipupa indigenes had not really benefited from the employment opportunities at the university.

“A higher institution is a community on its own; wherever one is sited, it attracts so many things into the area. That area will flourish.

“Those are some of the gains of having a university and consideration should be given to the people in the catchments area regarding employment,’’ he said.

He said the people of the area wanted more dividends from the establishment of the university in Okitipupa, adding that many qualified indigenes had approached him for employment.

Oyo

A 40-year-old suspected ritualist, Femi Akande, who was arraigned over the murder of one Sekinat Emiola, has been remanded in prison by an Ibadan Chief Magistrates’ Court.

Akande and others now at large were accused of killing Emiola on April 19 at Oke Aremo area of Ibadan.

The police prosecutor, Insp. Ade Adebusuyi, said the accused severed the head and wrist of the victim from her body.

The offence, he said, was contrary to Section 316 and punishable under Section 319 of the criminal code Cap 38 Vol II Laws of Oyo State of Nigeria 2000.

Plateau

A member of Plateau House of Assembly, Mr Daniel Dem, has called for the immediate introduction of community policing to stem further violence and bloodshed in the state.

Dem, who represent Riyom State Constituency made the disclosure in an interview with the newsmen in Jos.

He said that the measure had become necessary because the Special Task Force (STF) had not been able to effectively protect the affected communities.

He said after condoling with families of victims of Tuesday’s attack in Riyom that the people must be fully involved in the efforts to safeguard their communities.

“Obviously the STF has not helped much and we must look for other devices toward peace,’’ he said.

The lawmaker expressed regrets that so many attacks were being carried out in spite of the emergency rule in the local government.

Dem urged the Federal government to immediately introduce community policing as members of affected communities were conversant with their terrains.

Our correspondent reports that Mr Emmanuel Ayeni, the Plateau Commissioner of Police, confirmed that five persons were killed and many others injured during the Tuesday attack on Riyom village.

Taraba

The Taraba State Government has approved the implementation of minimum wage for teachers in the state, the state Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) Alhaji Aliyu Mafindi has said.

Mafindi told newsmen in Jalingo that the government had also approved the promotion of teachers as well as yearly increaments on their salaries.

“His Excellency, Governor Danbaba Suntai, has graciously promised officials of the NUT that payment of minimum wage will start in April and arrears will be paid in the next three weeks,” he said.

The chairman urged teachers to be dedicated to their duties to justify the increase in their salaries.

He warned that absenteeism would no longer be tolerated, adding that the union would support any disciplinary measure against erring teachers.

With the implementation of the minimum wage for teachers, staff of local government councils are the only category of civil servants in the state that are yet to benefit from the new wage.

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.