Nation

THE STATES

Published

13 years ago

March 15, 2013

Benue

Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State has assured trainees from the state of access to loans to start small scale enterprises.

Suswam gave the assurance in Makurdi at the inauguration of theUultra-Moderne entrepreneurship development centre built to serve states in the North Central zone.

The states include Benue, Kogi, Nassarawa, FCT, Plateau and Kwara States.

Suswam said his administration was committed to youth empowerment, stressing that funds would be available to the youths “as soon as they have completed their training at the centre”.

FCT

Chairman, Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa, Mr Sylva Waribugo, has described the figures declared for the council in the 2006 National Population and Housing Census as grossly inaccurate.

Waribugo stated this while testifying before the Census Tribunal last Tuesday in Abuja.

He said that the 130,966 figure declared for the area did not represent the exact inhabitants in the area, adding that some of the communities were omitted during the exercise.

According to him, 300 communities in the council area were not captured by enumerators during the exercise.

Gombe

Farmers in Gombe State have lauded the efforts of the Federal Government in the distribution of subsidised fertiliser with free improved rice seeds to each registered farmer.

Some of the beneficiaries gave the commendation in separate interviews with newsmen in Kwadon area of Yamaltu/Deba local government area.

They said that each farmer had received three bags of fertiliser at N3, 000 each with a free 50-kilogramme bag of improved variety of rice seed.

Malam Hassan Ahmadu, a farmer, said the Federal Government’s gesture had helped them to cushion the effects of last year’s floods.

Jigawa

Some expectant mothers in Kiyawa, headquarters of Kiyawa local government area of Jigawa State, have commended the Partnership for Transforming Health System (PATHS-3) for renovating the maternity clinic in the area.

The PATHS-3 project, supported by the British Department for International Development (DFID), had initiated various programmes to enhance ante-natal care services in rural communities in the state.

Some of the projects executed under the PATHS-3 programme in the clinic include the renovation of the labour room, wards and upgrading of water supply system.

A cross section of the women, who spoke to newsmen in Kiyawa last Tuesday, said the rehabilitation had encouraged them to attend ante-natal clinic.

Katsina

No fewer than 339 workers of local government councils in Katsina State will benefit from in-service training this year, Chairman of the state Local Government Service Commission, Alhaji Abdulkarim Abubakar has said.

Abubakar, who announced this in Katsina, while presenting funds to some of the beneficiaries, said government had earmarked N29.7 million for the training.

He said that out of the amount, N14.8 million would be paid to 176 workers under the first phase, while the others would receive their money “in due course”.

He urged the local governments to ensure that only genuine workers benefited from the exercise.

Kogi

Kogi Deputy Governor Yomi Awoniyi has appealed to the Presidential Committee on Floods to provide more funds to meet the challenges of rehabilitating flood victims in the state.

He said that the funds would also help in the reconstruction of affected infrastructure.

A statement issued last Tuesday in Lokoja, by his Press Secretary, Mr Michael Abu, said the deputy governor made the appeal when he appeared before the committee in Abuja.

He noted that more funds from the Federal Government would enable the state government to meet the challenges posed by the devastation in the state.

Kwara

A man, Tunde Akanbi, last Tuesday, told an Ilorin Area Court that he was often provoked into beating his wife because she had no respect for him.

His 31-year-old wife, Iyabo, had urged the court to dissolve the marriage on the ground that her husband was temperamental.

The complainant told the court that her husband was often angry at the slightest provocation.

“My husband will at times beat me in the midst of our neighbours whenever he is upset,” she said.

Nasarawa

Gov. Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State has commended the state’s Amirul-Hajj team for the successful conduct of the 2012 pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.

Al-Makura gave the commendation when he received the report of the 2012 Hajj operation from the Chairman of the team, Ahmed Aboki, in Lafia.

The governor thanked members of the team for serving the state in that capacity despite their tight schedules.

“I acknowledge your worthy contribution and for taking the responsibility with diligence in serving your father land.’’

Ogun

The Ogun State government has advised teachers in public schools to ensure timely compilation of examination marks to enable students collect their results before proceeding on vacation.

The Commissioner for Education, Mr Segun Odubela, gave the advice in Remo while monitoring the on-going second term unified examinations in public secondary schools in the state.

He said the advice became necessary to enable students and parents study the document before schools resumed for the third term.

Odubela added that the academic time-table was fashioned in a way that would give examiners ample opportunity to mark the scripts before the end of each term.

Plateau

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has decried the misuse of mobile phones as a tool for examination malpractice.

The NOA Director in Plateau State, Mr Musa Chantu said this during the agency’s campaign against examination malpractice at Government College, Jos.

“Handset is meant to assist in bridging the hitherto communication gap within the society as the world is striving toward globalisation.

“It is rather unfortunate that most students usually misuse the rationale of having access to this communication gadget.

Oyo

An Ibadan Senior Magistrates’ Court has sentenced one Ayobami Adeoti, 35, to six months imprisonment for stealing a mobile telephone handset.

The Senior Magistrate, Mrs Kehinde Omotosho, who handed down the judgement without option of fine, said that Adeoti should serve his term with hard labour.

Our source said that the accused, who was arraigned on March 6, 2012, had pleaded guilty to the charge of stealing.

Earlier, the Prosecutor, Cpl. Sunday Ojeleye, told the court that Adeoti stole a Nokia C2 handset, valued at N8,000 belonging to one Ode Beatrice at City Centre Hotel at Mokola in Ibadan.

Zamfara

The Zamfara Government has introduced the e-payment system to curtail sharp practices in revenue generation, the Chairman, Board of Internal Revenue, Alhaji Mustapha Isa, said.

In a statement in Gusau Isa also said that the government had ordered the immediate stoppage of payments through officials of the Internal Revenue Board.

He said that the measure was in tune with global practice of electronic monitoring transactions.

The chairman also said that the new system would assist the state to improve its internal revenue base to enable it service its development strategies.

Nation

REAN, SON synergise to curb fake renewable energy product

Published

7 days 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

7 days 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

7 days 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.