Nation

THE STATES

Published

14 years ago

October 26, 2012

Benue

The General Manager, Benue State Environmental Sanitation Agency (BENSESA), Mr. Ediga Akpa, has warned displaced people by flood not to return to their homes until they are fumigated.

Akpa told newsmen in Makurdi that the areas affected by flood needed proper sanitary attention, as they were no longer habitable.

He warned those, who were returning to their homes to desist from doing so, pointing out that the flood had brought many dangerous reptiles to the areas.

The general manager also said that the areas affected must be fumigated to meet the required standard of human sanitation before people would be allowed to move back.

He, however, said that individuals, who insisted on going back should seek professional advice to avoid contacting dangerous diseases.

Kano

The Kano State Council of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), has stressed the need for parents, teachers and governments to close ranks and instil reading culture in children.

Mr. Lawan Abdu, the NUT Chairman gave the advice in an interview with newsmen in Kano.

He lamented that, “many parents do not show interest in inculcating reading culture in their children, only few bother to encourage or assist their children to do homework or assignment”.

He also said it was necessary for all tiers of government to create conducive environment for learning, noting that the congestion of pupils in classrooms was making it difficult for effective learning.

Abdu, who wondered how reading culture could thrive in a congested classroom setting, said, “I teach up to 160 pupils in one classroom.”

Katsina

The police in Katsina State have confirmed the arrest of four officials of the state’s Board of Internal Revenue for allegedly defrauding the state government of an unspecified amount of money.

The police command’s acting Police Public Relation Officers, Malam Lawal Joka, told newsmen that investigation into the case was continuing.

The suspects, including three revenue officers and a Vehicle Inspection Officer, allegedly connived in an illegal sale of vehicle licences and other particulars.

The officials were alleged to have been issuing fake vehicle licences and particulars to unsuspecting vehicle owners, thereby making the board to lose huge sums of money.

Their arrest, it was also learnt, followed the board’s investigation during which they were allegedly found involved in the scam.

Kogi

Kogi State Deputy Governor, Mr. Yomi Awoniyi, has urged flood displaced persons in the state to cooperate with government to ensure that its intention of mitigating their sufferings was not jeopardised.

Awoniyi, in a statement issued by his Press Secretary, Mr Michael Abu, in Lokoja, made the appeal in Ajaokuta during a fact finding and assessment tour of displaced persons’ camps.

He said that the visit was to determine claims by such persons and ascertain some complaints over their welfare.

Awoniyi said that government was doing a lot to make them comfortable and expressed concern that some of the victims connived with some elements to sabotage the efforts.

He said that government could only succeed if those displaced worked with officials to fish out the saboteurs and urged the victims to also show gratitude by making genuine claims over the efforts put in place by government.

Nasarawa

The National Orientation Agency (NOA), Nasarawa State, has urged mobilisation and orientation officers of the agency in the state to take the Federal Government’s transformation programme to the grassroots.

Mr Richard Abimiku, the Director of NOA in the state, who was addressing the Mobilisation and Orientation Officers of the agency in Lafia, said doing that would pave room for speedy development in the state and the country at large.

He said that the task became necessary because people at the grassroots should be aware and understand the transformation programme of the Federal Government in the country for speedy development.

Abimiku urged the officers of the 13 local government areas to take the transformation programme to the grassroots to make the people contribute their quota to the growth and development of the state and country at large.

Niger

Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State has called on donors who made pledges to the Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation to redeem the pledges in the interest of the foundation.

Aliyu made the call at Government House, Minna when he received relief materials donated to flood victims in the state by the foundation.

Reacting to a remark made by the leader of the delegation, retired Lt.Gen. Salihu Ibrahim that only a few of those who made pledges had redeemed their promises, the governor said it was necessary for his colleagues, the Northern states’ governors to remain committed to the foundation.

He said the foundation ought to justify the cause for which it was established.

Ogun

Bandits have killed five policemen in two separate attacks in Abeokuta and Ibafo, Ogun State.

ASP Muyiwa Adejobi, the Police Public Relations Officer of Ogun State Police Command, told newsmen in Abeokuta that the robbers perpetrated the callous acts in the early hours of last Monday.

Adejobi, however, said the command had arrested a member of one of the gangs, adding that the suspect had made a confessional statement.

He said that three policemen died in the Abeokuta shootout, while two were killed in Ibafo, both incidents happening during rescue operations.

He said that the policemen, attached to the Gateway Response Squad (GRS), received calls on robbery attack and rushed to the scene only to be shot at by the suspected robbers.

Osun

The Osun State Government says the late Mrs Sheila Solarin, wife of the late social critic, Dr Tai Solarin, had left a legacy of service to humanity.

In a statement issued by Mr Semiu Okanlawon, Director, Bureau of Communications and Strategy, Governor Rauf Aregbesola said the late Sheila was an educationist of note.

According to the statement, through the efforts of the Solarins, the Mayflower School, Ikenne, has become a reference point in school management.

“One can confidently say that the school, through the hard work, dedication and honesty of the founders, has set the pace for other educational institutions,” it stated.

Oyo

The Oyo State Government says it has awarded contract to convert five major roads to dual carriageways across the state, at a cost of N29.3 billion.

The Commissioner for Information, Mr Bosun Oladele and his Works and Transport counterpart, Alhaji Yunus Akintunde made the pronouncement after the weekly executive council meeting in Ibadan .

According to the state government, the roads include the four-kilometre Ibadan-Oyo Expressway, Iseyin-Oyo Junction to Owode, as well as the expansion of the 2.5 kilometre Owode-Akesan-Palace Road .

The exercise involves repair of a 3.8-km portion of the old Ibadan-Oyo Road and the 6.32-km Ilorin Expressway Junction-Ikoyi-Takie-Palace-Ogbomoso Grammar School in Ogbomoso.

Plateau

The Minister of State for Works, Mr Bashir Yuguda, on Tuesday said the Federal Government spent N4 billion to construct Vom-Manchok Road linking Kaduna and Plateau.

Yuguda made this known in Vom on Tuesday when the National Good Governance team led by the Minister of Information, Mr Labaran Maku, inspected the road.

He said that the 43.2 km road contract was awarded to PW Nigeria Limited. in 1999 and explained that the project was completed and handed over to the government on January 26, 2012.

The minister said the road was given priority because it was an inter-state and inter-region route.

He described the 43.2 Km road as a “master piece of engineering in Nigeria’’ in view of the way engineers tore through high hills to build it.

Sokoto

The Sokoto State government has provided N7 million for the purchase of Sallah cows for the needy and orphans.

The cows will be distributed in the 63 districts of the 23 local government areas of the state.

Each district is expected to receive N100,000 for purchase of cows and N10,000 for the slaughtering and preparation.

In all, 9,450 people are expected to benefit from the gesture.

Speaking at the ceremony, Governor Aliyu Wamakko said the gesture was aimed at enabling the beneficiaries to celebrate Sallah with ease.

Wamakko, who was represented by the Commissioner for Religious Affairs, Prof. Garba Maitafsir, charged the district heads to be diligent in the implementation of the pilot scheme.

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, who was represented by the Magajin Rafin Sokoto , Alhaji Rilwanu Bello, commended the state government for the gesture.

Taraba

The Provost, College of Education, Zing, Taraba State, Mr Joseph Isa has vowed to penalise any student flouting the college’s rules and regulations.

Isa, who gave the warning at Zing while briefing newsmen, was reacting to calls by some people for the recall of the five students the college suspended recently for inciting riot.

“To my surprise, one of the suspended students confronted me, bragging that he was the ring leader of the rioters,’’ he said

The provost wondered how “a student who is proud of organising disorder’’ could be recalled.

“The suspension of those five students is indefinite. That should serve as a lesson to any student who violates the school’s rules and regulations.’’

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.