Nation

THE STATES

Published

13 years ago

March 27, 2013

FCT

The National Chairman of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Dr Ogbonna Onu, has described the late Prof. Chinua Achebe as a patriot with uncommon vision.

Onu said that Achebe was “a patriot with an uncommon vision, an intellectual pillar of universal appeal with a distinct literary prowess”.

He described Achebe as an administrator of profound convictions and above all, an illuminating pathfinder, whose works placed him on the mountain top.

The chairman said that Achebe remained tireless in his resolve of showing the way for others to follow and that in his writing, he showed extraordinary skill and ability.

“ As the widely acclaimed father of African literature, his contributions to knowledge will continue to influence the thoughts of many generations yet unborn.

Gombe

Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State has in-augurated a 14-member committee to study the problems of divorcees in the state.

Inaugurating the committee, Dankwambo decried the high rate of divorce in the state and said the committee’s objective was to facilitate marriages between the divorcees and interested suitors.

He said the high rate of divorce was undermining the family unit in the state.

According to him, government had constituted the committee of eminent persons to examine the whole gamut of the phenomenon and proffer workable solutions.

The governor said the terms of reference of the committee include reviewing the Kano State Zawarawa Committee’s report for a possible adoption by the Gombe government.

Kaduna

The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, and Senator Joshua Dariye last Saturday commiserated with the Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris, over the death of his elder brother, Alhaji Umar Idris.

Umar was Dangaladiman Zazzau and District Head of Rigasa in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

Tukur and Dariye prayed God Almighty to give the emir and the bereaved family the fortitude to bear the loss.

While describing Umar as a dedicated, humble, kind and gentle traditional ruler, they advised the emir to accept what happened as the will of Allah.

The PDP National Vice-Chairman, Northwest Zone, Malam Ibrahim Kazaure and the Kaduna State Deputy Governor, Mr Nuhu Bajoga, were on the delegation.

Kano

The Kano State Government plans to establish an education trust fund to help in sustaining the state’s education sector, Governor Rabi’u Kwankwaso has said.

Kwankwaso who made this known during a visit to the North-West University’s temporary site at Ado Bayero House in Kano said the fund would guarantee the sustenance of both the State University of Technology at Wudil and the new North-West University.

The governor said the new institution might not stand on its feet without proper funding, adding that the state government had spent about six billion Naira in procuring facilities and infrastructure for the university.

He charged members of staff of the institution to be good examples to the students and guard them against social vices like cultism, drug abuse and inappropriate dressing, among others.

Katsina

The leader of Dutsen-reme women stone crushers in Bakori Local Government area of Katsina, Malama Binta Ibrahim, has solicited for increased government support for the development of their business.

Ibrahim who made the call in Bakori on Saturday said business had attracted public patronage, explaining that they started with 38 members but now had no fewer than 500 women.

She said more women were joining the stone crushing business because of the proceeds from it and other financial gains in the community.

While commending the wife of Katsina State Governor, Hajia Fatima Shema, over her support and visit to the site, Ibrahim called for construction of shades and toilets within the premises.

Kwara

The Kwara State Government last Sunday promised to provide immediate succour to victims of the recent rainstorm that ravaged some parts of the state.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Emergency and Relief Services, Alhaji Musa Abdullahi, gave the assurance when he paid a sympathy visit to some Local Government Areas affected by the rainstorm.

One of the areas visited was Omuaran, headquarters of Irepodun Local Government Area, where over 50 houses were affected. Abdullahi was conducted round some of the damaged buildings, including the private residence of the vice chairman of the council.

The special adviser was also at IIoffa in the Oke-Ero Local Government Area, where the traditional ruler of the area, Oba Samuel Ogunniyi, solicited government’s assistance to rebuild about 90 houses damaged by the rainstorm.

Lagos

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) last Sunday said that corruption was responsible for a lack of access to clean water by majority of Nigerians.

The Executive Director of the group, Mr Adetokunbo Mumuni, said in an interview in Lagos, that corruption accounted for failure by governments at all levels to provide functional and potable water supply

Mumuni said that majority of Nigerians, especially children, had no access to clean water, in spite of the huge funds being expended yearly by government on water supply.

“Some of the monies being expended on the provision of pipe-borne water across the country are being obviously mismanaged.

“Some Nigerians are being forced to drink contaminated water which causes various diseases and endangers their lives,’’ he added. Mumuni told newsmen that SERAP had filed a suit against the Federal Government, seeking to know how much it had spent on the provision of safe water since the past five years.

Nasarawa

Governor of Nasarawa, State Tanko Al-makura, has commended the Alago ethnic group for their peace initiative.

Al-makura specifically lauded the Alago efforts in ensuring peaceful coexistence between them and other tribes in the state

“I enjoin other ethnic groups to emulate the right path taken by the Alago people towards ensuring lasting peace and mutual understanding amongst the different ethnic, cultural and religious groups in the state,” he said.

The governor made the commendation when a 23-member Alago Consultative Committee on Peace and Unity, constituted by the Alago Development Association, paid him a courtesy call in Lafia last Saturday.

Niger

The Registrar of National Examinations Council (NECO), Prof. Promise Okpala, has expressed delight over the improvement recorded in the final examinations for secondary schools conducted by the council recently.

Okpala made the remarks when he received the Chairman/ Chief Executive of DAAR Communications, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, in his office in Minna, last Saturday. He said there had been significant improvements in candidates’ performances in the last three years and attributed the development to the Federal Government’s support and commitment to education.

Okpala said the planned partnership between NECO and DAAR Communications was part of measures aimed at improving the standard and quality of education in Nigeria, with a view to developing media content for broadcast.

Dokpesi said his organisation was seeking partnership with NECO towards developing media content for educational programmes to be aired on African Independent Television, and disclosed that his organisation in collaboration with Teacher-media international based in the UK signed an agreement with the Federal Ministry of Education to develop content.

Ondo

A reporter with the NTA in Akure, Mrs Olubunmi Oke, who was abducted last Thursday had been released, the Ondo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).

In a statement signed by the Chairman of the council, Mr Akinfolayan Owanikin,said that Oke was released late last Saturday and had reunited with her family.

“The NUJ wishes to thank all those who played one role or the other in securing her release from the den of kidnappers.

“We commend the spirited efforts made by the family and we pray that nothing of such will take place in the family and our union again.

“We also use this medium to call on government and security agencies to step up protection of Nigerians against criminals,” the council stated.

Taraba

The police in Taraba State said that 53 people have been charged to court over the recent Wukari crisis.

The Commissioner of Police, Mr Jubril Adeniji, told newsmen in Jalingo, Saturday that 125 people were arrested by the command, but 72 were freed after investigations.

“We arrested 125 persons in connection with the crisis; 72 were freed after investigations and 53 were charged to court,’’ he said.

The commissioner, however, said normalcy had since been restored to the area, crisis broke out in Wukari in February where many lives and property were lost.

Adeniji warned that the police would not tolerate activities of miscreants in the state.

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.