Nation

THE STATES

Published

14 years ago

September 12, 2012

Bauchi

A former Acting National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Musa Babayo, in Azare town, Bauchi, gave the hand of his daughter in marriage to the son of Governor Isa Yuguda of the state.

Our correspondent reports that the occasion, which attracted a mammoth crowd, had in attendance Governors Ibrahim Dan-Kwambo of Gombe, Ibrahim Gaidam of Yobe and Sule Lamido of Jigawa.

Also present were the immediate-past Governor of Bauchi State, Alhaji Ahmed Muazu and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Alhaji Yayale Ahmed.

Other dignitaries in attendance were the PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed; Speaker, Bauchi State House of Assembly, Yahaya Miya, Senator Babayo Gamawa representing Bauchi North Senatorial District and some prominent traditional rulers.

The marriage between bride, Bilkisu Babayo and the groom, Idris Yuguda, attracted a dowry of N50,000 and 10 cows.

Benue

The Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe has inaugurated two water projects at Katsina Ala and Anyiin in Benue State to boost potable water supply to residents.

Ochekpe described water as a major source of life, and urged the people to form committees to protect the facilities, saying that the water projects would curtail incidences of water borne diseases and enhance the general well-being of the people.

The minister said the Federal Government would continue to partner with state governments in providing safe potable water to Nigerians.

She said that the government had worked with the Benue State Government in the reticulation project for Makurdi, inaugurated by President Goodluck Jonathan last year.

In his speech, Governor Gabriel Suswam appealed to the residents of Katsina Ala and Anyiin to make good use of the facilities and ensure their safety.

FCT

Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke says the Festival of African Culture (FESTAC) can be revived in two years.

Duke said this in Abuja at a presentation of an all-female dance troupe from Cuba.

Our correspondent reports that the event featured the presentation of dances from the Cuban troupe, Obini Bata and the Jukun dancers from Taraba, Nigeria.

The minister said replicating FESTAC ‘77 was a challenge the country faced, and urged stakeholders and the different heads of missions in Nigeria to work towards realising the vision.

“Nigeria has been handed with a challenge and that challenge is to replicate FESTAC ‘77.

“I see it as a possibility, and the only limitation to this is the will and desire of the stakeholders who will make this happen.

We will engage with the various governments, stakeholders in the private sector and the culture community to ensure that this can happen.

“I want to plead with the heads of missions. Let us put in our plans the possibility of replicating FESTAC ‘77”, he said.

Gombe

The Fellowship of Christian Students (FCS), Gombe State, has urged parents to ensure proper education and upbringing of their children, to enable them to be good leaders.

TheTraining Secretary of the association, Mr. Akin Gbadero, made the call in Gombe during the closing ceremony of a one-month holiday school organised by the FCS for children in Gombe.

Gbadero said that the programme, organised under the “Aids For Aid and Family Life Development (AFAAFLD)” section of the FCS, was aimed at inculcating in the students the virtues of obedience, punctuality and attendance to school.

The secretary stressed that as gifts from God, parents must ensure that children were brought up in the way of the Lord so that they would not depart from it when they grew up.

Gbadero said that the participants, comprising primary and secondary school children, were taught life skill education, gender issues in the Bible as well as seminars to tackle some academic subjects.

The Coordinator of the fellowship, Mr. Pile Gaius, also noted that parents had the responsibility of bringing children to Christ in their youthful ages as ordained by God.

Jigawa

The Director-General of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Alhaji Muhammadu Sani-Sidi, has urged state governments to enforce physical planning regulations as part of measures to prevent flooding.

He gave the advice when he paid a courtesy call on the Jigawa Deputy Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Mahmoud, in Dutse.

Sani-Sidi explained that most of the incidents of flooding which occurred in some parts of the country this year were due to the building of structures on the waterways.

“Rapid urbanisation, occasioned by natural population growth and rural-urban migration, has given rise to land use pressure and weak adherence to physical planning regulations in towns and cities,’’ he said.

Kano

Kano State Government has sponsored 25 indigenes of the state to study Marine Engineering in India and the United States.

A statement issued in Kano by the Director of Press to Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, Alhaji Baba Dantiye, said the four year course would cost the government $80 million annually.

According to the statement, Governor Rabi’u Kwankwaso said this during the graduation of over 1,000 youths under the government’s youth empowerment programme, tagged “Lafiya Jari.”

It said that the governor emphasised on the resolve of the administration to give priority to human capital development, adding “We are doing all this because we need to see our youth everywhere in the world and reduce unemployment facing the state’’.

It noted that Kwankwaso further revealed that the government had concluded plans to sponsor 100 students to study avionics and another 100 to study medicine abroad.

Kwara

The University of Ilorin Alumni Association in Ilorin presented the first ‘Leading Lights’ award to Governor Ahmed and three others.

The other recipients were Prof. Is’haq Oloyede, the Vice- hancellor, University of Ilorin, Prof. Rasheed Na’Allah, Vice Chancellor, Kwara State University and Mrs. Folusho Olaniyan, the Managing Director, United African Company (UAC) Nigeria Limited.

In an opening remark at the ceremony, the National President, Univeristy of Ilorin Alumni Association, Mr. Taoreed Odedele, said that the award was organised to showcase the high calibre manpower that the university had produced.

Odedele noted that the university had maintained the lead among Nigerian universities, adding that it was the only institution that could boast of 15 years of unbroken academic session in the country.

Lagos

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola, has approved the appointments of Mrs Ganiyat Afun and Dr Francis Williams, as Acting Permanent Secretaries in the Lagos State Public Service.

The appointment of the two secretaries took effect July 2, and September, respectively.

Afun, until her appointment, was the director, Conservation and Ecology and she is to oversee the Office of the Environmental Services in the Ministry of Environment.

Williams was the Chief Medical Director, Ebute Metta Health Centre and has not been assigned any portfolio.

The appointments were contained in a circular issued by Head of Service of the state, Mr. Adesegun Ogunlewe.

Nasawara

Governor Umar Tanko-Almakura of Nasarawa State has said that arrangements had been concluded to construct an ultra-modern cargo airport worth N7.5 billion at Karshi, Karu Local Government area of the state.

Tanko-Almakura announced this while briefing newsmen at his residence in Lafia.

He said the project would be executed under a public private partnership arrangement with some American and Chinese construction companies.

The governor said the project would boost the economic base of the state and complement the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.

“Considering the proximity of the state to the FCT and the security challenges bedeviling the country, top government officials and foreign investors can have an alternative airport to travel through,’’ he said.

Osun

The Chairman of Osun House of Assembly Committee on Environment and Sanitation, Mr. Folarin Fafowora has condemned the poor condition of Ede Water Works.

Fafowora made the condemnation during a visit by the committee to the facility and urged contractors mandated to supply critical equipment to the facility to do so urgently.

He said the step was important for the people to benefit from the dividends of democracy.

The Manager of the corporation, Mr Adepoju Adegbaju, had earlier told the committee that instead of 18 distribution points pumping water to the people of the state, less than nine were functioning.

He said that most of the pumping machines had broken down, while some had yet to arrive from South- Africa and Pakistan.

Oyo

Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has promised that the Ogunpa Market, gutted by fire would be pulled down to give way for an ultra-modern market.

Ajimobi made the promise in Ibadan when he visited the 70 years old market to assess the extent of damage caused by the fire. He said the new market would be equipped with modern infrastructure while the road passing through it would be reconstructed.

Our correspondent recalls that the fire destroyed a storey building and two bungalows accommodating 75 traders as well as goods. The governor was accompanied on the visit to the market by the Speaker of Oyo State House of Assembly, Mrs. Monsurat Sunmonu, lawmakers and senior government officials.

Plateau

Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State has said that Nigeria would benefit from Germany’s experience in operating federalism after some governors’ visit to Germany.

Jang was among Nigerian state governors who visited Germany on a two-week investment drive.

Addressing newsmen at the Yakubu Gowon Airport, Jos, shortly after arrival, Jang said that the “trip was a successful one“, considering that it gave them exposure.

“We went to see how Germany could assist us in our economic development and how to operate our federalism.

“Germany is a country without natural resources, yet it has the best economy in the whole of Europe. We were able to see how they were able to get things done, especially how their federal system works,” he said.

Sokoto

Governor Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State has approved the release of more than N1 billion for the payment of outstanding scholarship allowances to students from the state studying abroad.

This was contained in a press statement signed by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry for Finance, Alhaji Abdullahi Bala, in Sokoto.

‘’In addition, other students studying in different institutions within Nigeria as well as those on higher schemes outside Nigeria would receive their payments accordingly.

‘’This gesture by governor Wamakko is aimed at ensuring that students of the state go about their academic pursuits in a conducive and peaceful atmosphere,’’ it added.

According to the statement, Wamakko expressed the hope that the students would redouble their efforts in their academic pursuits.

Nation

REAN, SON synergise to curb fake renewable energy product

Published

16 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

16 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

16 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.