Nation

THE STATES

Published

13 years ago

February 25, 2013

Adamawa
The Management of Adamawa Polytechnic,Yola, has confirmed the accreditation and approval of seven new courses in the institute by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).
Rector of the Institution Prof. Bobboi Umar told newsmen in Yola that the development was first of its kind in the history of the institution.
Umar said, “ the institution is able to record a remarkable achievement where about seven new courses were accredited by the NBTE.”
He explained that, the accredited programmes include mass communication, social development, business administration and four engineering courses.

Benue
The Business Manager of PHCN in Makurdi, Benue, Mr John Emeruwa, has attributed the current power outage in Makurdi to ongoing power lines upgrade in the state.
Emeruwa disclosed this to newsmen in Makurdi.
Emeruwa said the 132 KV lines that linked Benue with Enugu were no longer adequate for the increasing number of customers and the demand for power supply in the area.
He said the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) had been mandated to improve power supply to Benue by evacuating more power from the national grade to Benue.

Borno
Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno has re-assured the people that the relationship between him and his deputy, Alhaji Zanna Mustapha, was “cordial and progressive”.
Shettima was reacting to speculations of a rift between him and his deputy as well as his predecessor, Alhaji Ali Modu Sheriff, in Maiduguri.
Reports also indicated that the governor was in the process of carrying out a cabinet reshuffle following a rift between him, his deputy and Sheriff.
But Shettima said while receiving a delegation of the Southern Borno ANPP Forum in Maiduguri that the reports were unfounded.

FCT
Assistant Director of Administration, Cyprian Ekwensi Centre for Arts and Culture, Mr Adamu Bigari, Abuja, has decried the neglect of indigenous languages in the country.
Bigari told newsmen that foreign language was eroding the country’s indigenous languages.
He said as the world marked the International Day for Mother Tongue, there was a need to promote indigenous languages to sustain “our culture”.
Bigari blamed the decline in the use of mother tongue on both parents and policy makers, adding that more attention was paid to foreign languages to the detriment of local ones.

Gombe
The Federal Government is to execute N2 billion worth of projects at the Federal University, Kashere, Gombe State.
The Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Kabir Farouk, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen at Kashere, Akko Local Government Area of Gombe State recently.
Farouk said that the amount was the grant approved by the Federal Government last year to each of the nine universities to develop their main campuses.
According to him, the projects comprised the Senate building, Library, Information, Communication and Technology centre and two faculty buildings, which locations have been decided based on the university’s master plan.

Jigawa
The Federal Government has distributed 7,200 tonnes of fertiliser to Jigawa dry season farmers to boost rice production in the state, according to the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN).
The Chairman of the association, Malam Adamu Haruna, made this known in an interview with newsmen in Hadejia recently.
Haruna said that each member of the association received three bags of the commodity at the rate of N2,750 per bag as against N5,000 per bag in the open market.
He said that the Federal Government had given 50 per cent subsidy, while farmers paid the remaining 50 per cent.
He said that the brand of the assorted fertiliser distributed to the farmers included

Kaduna
The Zaria water project has reached 78 per cent completion and will be completed and commissioned by 2013, the Kaduna State Commissioner for Water Resources, Mr Sunday Marshall, has said.
Marshall, who made this known in an interview with newsmen in Kaduna, said that the state government had spent N14.7 billion so far on the project.
He said that the project was awarded at the cost of N15.7 billion in January 2009 and that the cost had been reviewed to N24.6 billion.
In a separate interview, the Project Manager, Mr Yusuf Kobo, told newsmen that the water supply project was being implemented in collaboration with the Federal Government
Kobo said that when completed, the project would provide potable water to 2.2 million people in 23 communities across eight local government areas of the state.

Katsina
The District Head of Kafur in Katsina State, Alhaji Rabe Abdullahi, has called for increased public awareness to boost participation in environmental sanitation activities.
Rabe, who is also the Dangaladiman Katsina, made the call at the inauguration of local government sanitation committee members saddled with the task of ensuring proper conduct of the re-introduced monthly sanitation exercise in the state.
Represented by his son, Alhaji Abdulrahman Rabe, the traditional ruler said public awareness on the importance of the exercise could be achieved through the media and community town criers.
He gave an assurance of the traditional rulers’ support for the success of the exercise and pledged to mobilise wards and community leaders to achieve the goal.

Lagos
The police in Lagos have arraigned two men, who allegedly defrauded a woman of N290,000, and told her that she would die if she disclosed the crime.
Ugiagbe Osamuyimin, 48, and Bernard Obukene, 34, appeared before a Tinubu Magistrates’ Court on a two-count charge of conspiracy and fraud.
They allegedly defrauded a nursing mother, Mrs Kehinde Agbana, at 1:00 p.m.on February 7, at the Lekki Beach area of Lagos State.
Osamuyimin, who claimed to be a herbalist, resides at the Lekki Beach, while Obukene, who claims to be a builder, resides on Badore Kekere St., Ajah, Lagos.
The prosecutor, ASP Augustine Orji said: “They led their victim into believing that they would supply her with clothes, but ended up collecting her phone and ATM card and withdrawing the above mentioned amount from her bank account.Ogun

Ogun
Wife of the late sage, Obafemi Awolowo, Mrs HID Awolowo,Mrs HID Awolowo, has appealed to the people of South-West to be united ahead of 2015 elections.
Awolowo made the appeal during her welcome address at the Yoruba Unity Forum (YUF) meeting held at Awolowo residence in Ikenne-Remo,Ogun.
She said that there was need for Yorubas to come together as one before 2015 so as to know the direction to go.
“Time is now for the Yoruba nation to come together as one for us to take our rightful place in the country.
Awolowo also urged the Yorubas to be patient with one other, adding that Yoruba nation must rise again.
She stressed that the YUF committee was working toward uniting the Yorubas before 2015.

Plateau
The Plateau Government has announced that it had approved the establishment of an Information Communication Technology Agency to boost computer literacy.
“The EXCO has approved the formation of the agency with desk offices in all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), Mr Abraham Yiljap, the Information and Communication Commissioner, told newsmen in Jos.
“We want to be sure that assets acquired by various administrations are documented electronically for easy assessment.
“Government wants a proper inventory of its assets; we don’t want a situation where successive governments will not know what belongs to government and how to access it.’’

Zamfara
The Federal Government has released N158.3 million for the promotion of safe mining practice among artisanal miners in Zamfara State, according to an official.
The Director, Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining, Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, Mr Obiora Azubuike, announced this in Gusua at a news briefing.
Azubuike said money was part of the N850 million released by the Federal Government to control lead poisoning in mining communities in the state.
He said that the government had also mapped out a programme to control lead poisoning in Zamfara.
He said the programme included environmental remediation of Bagega village, treatment of victims of lead poisoning and promotion of safe mining practice.
Azubuike, who is also the Chairman, Technical Committee on the Promotion of Safe Mining, said that the programme would involve the formalisation of mining activities across the state.

Nation

REAN, SON synergise to curb fake renewable energy product

Published

22 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

22 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

23 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.