Nation

THE STATES

Published

14 years ago

September 5, 2012

Bauchi

The Deputy Accountant-General of the Federation, Alhaji Babayo Shehu has said that the introduction of International Public Sector Accounting Standard (IPSAS) would check corruption in public service.

Shehu said this in an interview with The Tide in Bauchi on the sideline of a 2-day sensitisation workshop on the introduction of the accounting system for government’s establishments in the North- East zone.

“When you have a system that you report more transparently, you promote more accountability and the reports are easily understood by the general public, then, it makes it difficult for people to commit and hide fraud.

“The world has decided to adopt the international standard, so, Nigeria cannot be left out because we are just one out of the many nations in the world.

Ekiti

Students of Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, are facing hard times on the campus as most of them could not register for the second semester.

Their problem stemmed from the decision of the university authorities that all part-time programme students should pay the N1,000 registration fee at the campus branch of the institution’s bankers.

This led to a long queue of students waiting to pay the fee to the only approved teller at the counter, a development which made some of the students, who reside in Ado-Ekiti, to arrive the campus as early as 5 am.

Some of the affected students, who spoke to newsmen on the issue, said that the school authorities insisted that they should all pay the registration fee at the campus branch of the bank.

FCT

Dr. Folashade Momoh of FCTA/FCDA Secretariat has called on Nigerians, especially workers, to exercise regularly to promote healthy lifestyles and enhance productivity.

Momoh is director, Public Health Department of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA)/Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) Secretariat in Abuja.

She told The Tide in Abuja after the workers’ trekking exercise that the whole essence was to keep the body fit.

Momoh said that physical exercise would help “maintain the body weight and keep the body organs functional, especially the heart.”

Kaduna

No fewer than 360 patients would benefit from the ongo ing free surgery being provided by the Kaduna State branch of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA).

The Tide reports that patients would be treated of various ailments free by members of the association in the next three weeks.

The immediate past state Chairman of the association, Dr Solomon Avidime, told newsmen at the inauguration of the exercise in Kaduna that the programme began in the Central Senatorial zone.

Avidime said that 120 patients each would benefit from the scheme in each of three senatorial zones of the state.

Kano

The Kano State Government has said the demolition of illegal structures in Kano metropolis was aimed at transforming the town into a mega city.

The General Manager of the state Urban Planning and Development Agency (KNUPDA) Alhaji Muntari Kura, made this known while answering questions from newsmen in Kano.

He explained that owners of the affected structures had been served with notification letters before the commencement of the exercise.

Kura, who was reacting to complaints on the exercise, said all the structures being demolished were erected illegally and not in accordance with the laid down rules and regulations on urban development.

Katsina

The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has concluded plans to embark on enlightenment campaign against the use of defective vehicles in Katsina State.

The state’s FRSC Sector Commander, Alhaji Habu Dauda, told our correspondent in Katsina that the week-long campaign, tagged “Operation enlightenment all through”, commenced on September 3.

He said that during the campaign, special marshals would stop motorists, check their vehicles and enlighten them about the dangers of using defective vehicles.

According to Dauda, motorists found with defects on their vehicles will be issued with a free check list to go and effect repairs of the defective parts of their vehicles.

Kogi

The 25,000 tonnes capacity food storage facility, being built by the Federal Government at a cost of N1 billion in Zango Daji, Lokoja, has reached 75 per cent completion.

The Site Manager of the project, Mr Isaac Oguche, made the disclosure in Lokoja while speaking with newsmen after a guided tour of the facility.

He said that all hands must be on deck to ensure the completion of the facility in November, to put it in use early next year.

Oguche said the contract which was awarded in 2008 was among the 20 projects being executed in Ilorin, Abuja, Yenagoa, Ilesha and other parts of the country.

Lagos

A criminal justice law expert, Prof. Adedokun Adeyemi, has in Lagos stressed the need for collaboration among the security agencies in the country to check terrorism.

Adeyemi, an emeritus professor of law and former dean, Faculty of Law, University of Lagos, who gave the advice in an interview with newsmen, also called for synergy among the agencies and the Interpol.

He noted that in the US, the Department of Homeland Security was established comprising representatives of the various security agencies to tackle terrorism.

Adeyemi appealed to emirs and other community leaders in northern part of the country to do more in the fight against terrorism and the activities of the Boko Haram sect.

Nasarawa

A Karu Area Court in Nasarawa State has remanded a 19- year-old man, Monday David, in prison custody for alleged criminal intimidation and theft.

Police prosecutor, Inuwa Maigida told the court that Monica Adama, who resides at Aso Pada in Mararaba reported the matter at the Aso Police Station in Mararaba, Nasarawa State on August 21.

Maigida said that on August 21, the accused, who resides behind Vita Camp, Aso Pada, snatched David’s Nokia 200 handset valued at N13,500 near New Filling Station, Aso Pada.

He said that in the process of chasing the accused, the complainant lost her second phone valued at N15,000.

Maigida added that after the accused was arrested, he threatened to attack the lady and her family anytime he was released from cell.

Niger

The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) in Niger State has said it collaborated with the state Ministry of Religious Affairs and Poverty Eradication to train and empower 50 physically-challenged persons.

The state NDE Coordinator, Alhaji Abdullahi Mohammed, made this known in an interview with The Tide in Minna recently.

Mohammed said that the training was carried out under the physically-challenged persons training scheme.

“We have collaborated with the state ministry to train and resettle 50 physically challenged persons,’’ Mohammed said.

He said that besides the 50 physically challenged persons, the directorate also assisted some graduates of the National Open Apprenticeship Scheme (NOAS) in the state to set up their own businesses.

Osun

The Osun State FRSC Sector Command recorded eight road accidents, leading to the death of six persons and injuries on 62 persons, including five children, during the recent Eid-El-Fitr celebration in the state.

The Sector Commander, Mr Imoh Etuk, disclosed this in Osogbo in an interview with our correspondent.

“The breakdown of the figures showed that five female adults and one adult male died in the crashes, while 24 male adults and 33 female adults were among the injured persons.

According to him, 516 traffic violators were booked, while 239 vehicles were impounded between August 16, and August 22, when the special patrol was carried out.

He said that fines ranging between N2,000 and N5,000 were imposed on offenders, while 84 persons with minor offences were cautioned and discharged.

Oyo

The Chairman, Oyo State Water Corporation, Prof. Wale Oyemakinde has in Ibadan said the problem of unemployment should be the concern of all tiers of government as well as other stakeholders.

Oyemakinde said this at the presentation of his book entitled, “Zero Tolerance for Unemployment, “ held at the conference hall of the University of Ibadan.

He said the aim of writing the book was to draw attention to the centrality of employment and how to ensure that the issue was taken seriously.

Oyemakinde said unemployed persons should not be left to their fate, adding that every effort should be made to ensure they were gainfully employed.

Sokoto

Senator Ibrahim Gobir ( PDP –Sokoto) has said in Sokoto that about N 70 million has been earmarked for the construction of eight solar-powered bore holes in the Sokoto East senatorial district.

Gobir told The Tide that each of the local government areas in the zone would have a befitting bore hole to boost the provision of adequate potable water for both human and animal consumption.

He said that already, feasibility studies had been carried out in each of the local governments where the projects would be sited.

He added that the project was part of his campaign promise to provide the needed social infrastructure that would enhance the living condition of the electorate.

Nation

REAN, SON synergise to curb fake renewable energy product

Published

19 hours 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

19 hours 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

19 hours 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.