Nation

THE STATES

Published

13 years ago

March 18, 2013

FCT

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), says it has commenced a nationwide training of police personnel on fundamental human rights.

This is contained in a statement by its Director, Public Affairs, Muhammad Ladan, in Abuja recently.

It stated that the training was being conducted in 14 centres across the country, noting that it embarked on the training following a request by the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Mohammed Abubakar.

The statement said the NHRC Executive Secretary, Prof. Bem Angwe, explained that the police officers were being trained on fundamental human rights as contained in Chapter 4 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Kano

Gunmen have attacked Hausawa-Danmaliki Primary School in Kumbotso Local Government Area of Kano State.

Our correspondent said that three teachers, including the headmaster were injured during the incident.

A witness said the incident took place around 8.30 a.m, adding that the attackers arrived in the school shortly after some of the teachers reported for work.

“’Nobody can tell whether the gunmen were on tricycle or not but I just heard the gunshots,’’ he said.

The Police Public Relations Officer of the Kano State Police Command, Mr Magaji Majiya, confirmed the incident.

Kaduna

Kaduna State Government has urged the National Boundary Commission to resolve its land ownership dispute with the Kano State Government.

Governor Mukhtar Yero made the call in Kaduna when the Directors-General of NEMA, NOA, Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, and the National Boundary Commission, paid him a courtesy visit at Government House.

The visit was to intimate the governor on a three-day workshop on “Peace Building and Conflict Management for Sustainable Development in Nigeria’’ which took place in Kaduna recently.

Yero said the resolution of the land controversy in the border towns of Kubau Local Government Area of Kaduna State, and some parts of Kano State had become necessary to end the conflict once and for all.

Kebbi

The Kebbi State Ministry of Education has begun, the transfer of some students in boarding schools as part of measures to de-congest the institutions.

The Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Muhammed Maiyama, told newsmen in Benin Kebbi that the exercise would create an enabling environment for easy learning.

He also said that more teachers would soon be recruited for the schools.

Also, the Principal of Dr Amina Abubakar Government Girls’ College, Birnin Kebbi, Hajiya Suwaiba Salihu, said already, the school received 500 students from Government Girls’ (Unity) College, Birnin Kebbi.

Kwara

The Acting Commandant, Nigerian Army Education Corps (NAEC) , Brig.-Gen. Sunday Adebayo, says the corps will continue to pay priority attention to the training of its officers.

Adebayo made this known in a lecture he delivered at the NAEC first quarter conference at the Nigerian Army Cantonment, Sobi, Ilorin.

He said his vision for the NAEC was to rejuvenate the corps for better performance of its roles in support of the Chief of Army Staff vision.

According to him, the mission of the Education Corps is to plan and execute the Nigerian Army programme of education in liberal, scientific and doctrinal studies.

He said further that NAEC was to manage service educational establishments and training support facilities as required for the professional excellence of the army.

Lagos

National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN), says it is collaborating with Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria and Nigeria Institute of Public Relations to address the issue of quacks in marketing.

The Chairman of Ikeja Branch of NIMN, Mr Babatunde Akinsanya, told newsmen in Lagos that the council was poised to restore the old pride of the profession.

He said that the professional image of the institute had been shattered in recent times by the influx of unqualified professionals.

“The council is aware of companies and individuals parading themselves as marketing professionals.

“Very soon it will not be business as usual for the unqualified marketers in the country.

Ogun

The Ogun Stte Government has restated its commitment to transparency and accountability in its revenue generation drive.

The state Commissioner for Forestry, Mr Ayo Olubori, who made the remark at a news conference in Abeokuta, added that the state was determined to block all avenues of revenue leakages to enable its residents enjoy the dividends of democracy.

Olubori, who was reacting to the recent attack on the state’s toll point at Ogere-Remo, in Remo North Council Area, said that the ugly incident would not force the government to abandon the toll point.

He recalled that the state government recently introduced an automated system for payments of fees concerning forestry operations in its bid to block leakages.

Osun

Osun council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) said that it had set up a machinery to identify and flush out fake journalists from the media practice in the state.

The Chairman, Mr Abiodun Olalere, told newsmen in Osogbo that his office had been inundated with reports about fake journalists prowling in the state.

He promised to bring the culprits to book in no distant time.

He said the council had distributed membership forms to its chapels with a view to registering authentic members.

The NUJ chairman said that arrangements had been made to ensure that chapel leaders compiled only the names of practising journalists with recognised media employers.

Olalere said as part of the measures to nip quackery in the bud, the NUJ leadership had begun registration of members for a life insurance scheme.

Oyo

A 27-year old Amos Akinbosoye has been arraigned before an Ibadan Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly assaulting a police officer.

The prosecutor, Insp. Olookoba Bola, told the court that the defendant seriously assaulted a police officer, Adigun Olufemi, by tearing his uniform while performing his lawful duty at a traffic point.

Bola also said that the wrist watch valued at N1,500 belonging to another police officer, Onen Bassey, was also damaged during the process.

Bola added that the incident happened during an alleged reckless driving by the accused in a Mercedes Benz car with registration No AZ 88 FKJ.

Plateau

Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State, has advocated for the extension of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) service to two years, to allow for military training.

“The youth corps members are supposed to receive military training for a year so that when they are through, they can be useful to the society, “ Jang said during a courtesy visit by the Minister of Youths Development, Mr. Inuwa Abdullahi.

Jang said that one year service was not enough, therefore, “we need to re-evaluate it and improve on it to include proper military training“.

He criticised the situation whereby after the service, youths had nothing, adding that it called for proper counselling.

Sokoto

Alhaji Yusuf Abdullahi, former Chairman of Isa Local Government in Sokoto State, has advised members of the National Working Committee of PDP to reconcile with aggrieved members of the party.

Abdullahi told newsmen in Sokoto that reconciliation with the members nationwide would ensure the party’s victory in 2015 elections.

He said “ the task ahead of the leadership is to set in motion political machinery that will bring back those who have left the party for one reason or the other”.

Abdullahi explained that the move would enable the party to ‘’practically and politically confront the opposition in future elections’’.

Taraba

The Taraba State House of Assembly has set up a five-man committee to investigate the Chief Medical Director of the state’s Specialist Hospital, Prof. Aliyu Zakari, for revealing the health condition of Gov. Danbaba Suntai.

Zakari had in an interview with one of the national dailies said that Suntai had developed a brain injury that impaired his ability to speak and “makes it extremely difficult for him to return to duty anytime soon”.

Speaking on the floor of the House, the Deputy Speaker, Mr Abel Diah, said that Zakari, as a civil servant, had no right to grant interview without permission from appropriate authorities.

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.