Nation

THE STATES

Published

14 years ago

June 1, 2012

Benue

The Benue State Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs said it spent N100 million to pay severance allowances to council chairmen between 2004 and 2006.

The Special Adviser to Gov. Gabriel Suswam on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr Solomon Wombo, made the disclosure on Friday in Makurdi at a news conference on the activities of the bureau.

The special adviser said the allowances were paid to ease the hardship of the former council helmsmen, adding that efforts were on to clear the backlog of allowances.

Wombo said the bureau was up to date on its financial obligation to past and serving local government officers in the state.

Borno

Five suspected armed robbers were on Friday shot dead by the 243 battalion troops of the Nigerian Army, Manguno, in Borno State.

The spokesman of the Joint Task Force (JTF) on Operation Restore Order (ORO), Lt.-Col. Sagir Musa, stated this in Maiduguri.

“Following a tip-off, the 243 battalion in Monguno at about 1655 hours on Friday raided a hideout of notorious gang of armed bandits terrorising the people of Monguno and environs.

“Twenty suspected bandits engaged the troops in a shoot-out that led to the death of five persons, and some escaped with bullet wounds,” the statement said.

It said that two soldiers were also wounded during the shoot-out and were responding to treatment.

“The following items were recovered from the hideout, one AK47 rifle, two locally-made pistols, some ammunition and four Nokia handsets.’’

Gombe

The Magistrates’ Court I Kasuwan Shanu Gombe, on Monday granted bail to a 20-year old man, Auwal Mohammed of Malam Inna quarters, Gombe, charged with conspiracy and possession of offensive weapons.

The Police Prosecutor, Cpl. Elisha Luka, told the court that the accused person on May 13, conspired with Ibrahim Bala and Aminu Shaye of the same address, now at large, to commit offence.

He said the accused person was arrested with a cutlass, thereby committing an offence, contrary to Sections 96, 95 and 8 (1) (3) Cap 382 Law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The prosecutor also said that investigation had been completed and asked the court to proceed with the hearing of the case against the accused person.

Kaduna

Children and tutors in Kaduna, Monday, decried the low-key Children’s Day celebration.

Gamji Gate, which used to be crowded with children during such celebration, was deserted.

Some of the children, who turned back on sighting the empty park, said that this year’s celebration was different as there were no special programmes organised for them.

Nine -year-old Danladi Yusuf, a primary 5 pupil of Hall-Mark International School, Kaduna, blamed parents for lack of attention to their children.

Miss Shem Ibrahim, 12, and a JSS two student at Imperial College, Kaduna, urged the government to build world-class amusement parks and special library, where children could interact and gain knowledge.

Kano

The Medical Director of Danfodiyo Islamic Medical Centre, Dr Abdullahi Idris, has called on the National Assembly to investigate the alleged brutality by the Joint Security Task Force (JTF) on Dorayi residents in Kano.

Idris who made the call in an interview in Kano recently said that the JTF operatives had on May 15, raided Dorayi area of the metropolis in an effort to arrest suspected gunmen involved in the recent attack on Bayero University Kano.

Idris said the call became necessary in order to ensure justice and restore the confidence of the people in the security outfit, noting that it was unfortunate that the soldiers who were supposed to protect lives and property of innocent citizens could engage in acts that would portray them as anti people.

Kebbi

Kebbi State Deputy, Governor Ibrahim Aliyu, on Monday urged youths in the state to be security conscious and respect constituted authorities.

The deputy governor gave the advice in Birnin Kebbi at a symposium on the role of youths organised to mark the International Children’s Day and Democracy Day.

Aliyu said the current security situation in the country requires the youth to be alert and to assist in policing their communities.

He said the youths must also “imbibe the virtues of respect for law and order, seriousness of purpose and commitment to earning a living as the bedrock of your future”.

Represented by the Commissioner for Education, Alhaji Abdullahi Kambe, Aliyu pledged that the state government would provide environment conducive to teaching and learning.

Kwara

An expatriate working with Borini Prono Construction Company has been kidnapped in Ilorin, Kwara State.

The victim, who was said to have gone to inspect an ongong road construction at Bishop Smitt road, was whisked away by his abductors at about 5:30 p.m on Monday to an unknown destination.

The Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO) in Kwara, DSP Fabode Olufemi, told the newsmen in Ilorin on Wednesday, that hte police was aware of hte incident.

He siad that no contact had been made with the kidnappers, adding that the police could only confirm the report pending the outcome of its investigations.

The police spokesman explained that the victim was an Italian, working with Borini Prono.

He, however, assured the public that the victim was an would soon be rescued.

When NAN visited the head office of the company along new Yidi road, there was nobody on hand to speak on the incident.

Lagos

Some Lagos-based lawyers said on Friday that the entrenchment of the rule of law was key to the development of Nigeria’s democracy.

One of the lawyers, Mr Spurgeon Ataene, said that the immediate reinstatement of Justice Ayo Salami, as President of the Court of Appeal, would be the rule of law at work.

He said that any action that would influence people to lose confidence in the nation’s judicial system must be avoided. According to him, democracy will not become fruitful to Nigerians if the judiciary is not vibrant and does not play its role without interference.

Another lawyer, Mr Seun Adenuga, said that emergent democracies needed to first address the challenges facing their judiciary before other things to make the political system to succeed.

Niger

The Federal Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development is to collaborate with a private developer, Ofra & Davon to construct 5,000 housing units for the officers and men of the Nigeria Police in Minna.

The Chief Executive of Ofran & Davon, Mr Victor Danjumbo, who disclosed the plan on Sunday at a stakeholders meeting in Minna, said that the agreement was signed in October 2011.

He said that the ministry had since 2007 acquired about 500 hectares in two different locations within the Niger capital, noting that each of the land acquired would house 2,500 housing units.

Danjumbo said that when completed, 60 per cent of the housing units would be allocated to the Nigeria Police Force, while the remaining would be sold to interested members of the public.

Sokoto

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), has called on President Goodluck Jonathan to intervene in the feud between the sacked medical doctors in Lagos State and the government.

The Secretary of the NMA, Dr Abubakar Panti, Sokoto State chapter, made the call in Sokoto at a news conference. Panti also called on the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III and Gov. Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State to also intervene in the crisis.

He further appealed to others, including the Senate President, David Mark, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambowal to wade into the crisis for an amicable settlement

“We want them and all other well meaning Nigerians to talk to the state governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola-led government to heed the voice of wisdom and stop playing politics with the lives of the electorate that brought him to power.

Taraba

The Gassol Local Government in Taraba has begun the screening of 500 members of a vigilante group to confront the current security challenges in area.

The Chairman of the council, Alhaji Tukura Bashir, who announced this to newsmen on Monday in Mutum-Biyu, said the Nigeria Police Force was screening the members.

He said that every member of the group must be endorsed by his Village Head to avoid engaging people with criminal records.

“It is compulsory that every member of the group should obtain clearance and submit same to the police. Through this process, people of questionable character will be fished out.”

Bashir said that a van and office accommodation would be provided to the group to assist it in arresting criminals and handing them over to the police.

On development projects, the council chief said the state government had awarded a contract for the construction of a four-kilometre road in Mutum-Biyu, the headquarters of the council, to open up the area for local and foreign investments.

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.