Nation

THE STATES

Published

13 years ago

April 15, 2013

Adamawa

The Adamawa State Government has reiterated it’s commitment to play a leading role in achieving the objectives of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

The State Coordinator of MDGs, Alhaji Adamu Garbajo, made this known on Thursday in Yola at the opening ceremony of the MDGs Conditional Cash Transfer training workshop.

Garbajo said that efforts had been made to achieve the objectives of the MDGs in the areas of health, education, water supply, sanitation, agriculture and human development.

Ekiti

Five persons, including two women, on Thursday appeared before an Ado-Ekiti Magistrates’ Court over alleged possession of a human head.

The Police Prosecutor, Cpl. Ebenezer Ewuola, gave the names of the accused as Bakare Itunu (F), Jamiu Aremu, Akeem Abdul, Odekunle Fatai and Kikelomo Bello (F).

Ewuola told the court that the accused committed the offence in March at 53 Iyere St., Erio-Ekiti in Ekiti West Local Government Area of the state.

Ewuola said the offence contravened sections 517, 242 and 329 (a) of the Criminal Code Cap. C16, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012.

Jigawa

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Jigawa State on Thursday arrested a suspected seller of cannabis and hard drugs (name withheld).

The Commandant of the agency in the state, Alhaji Mohammed Gidado, told newsmen in Dutse, that the suspect was arrested in Gumel Local Government Area of the state around 7.30 p.m. on Wednesday.

He said the arrest followed an intelligence report by men of the command operating in the area, adding that the suspect was found with 655 wraps of cannabis, three sachets of Diazepam (10 mg) and three sachets of Rohyphonol Flunitrazepam (1mg), popularly known as Roti.

Kebbi

The Kebbi State Government and the Bank of Agriculture (BOA) on Thursday agreed to jointly provide N2 billion loan to support small holder farmers to improve food production.

The Managing Director of the bank, Dr Mohammed Santuraki, made this known at a media briefing after he met with Governor Saidu Dakingari, in Birnin Kebbi.

Santuraki said that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the loan would be formally signed soon by the two parties.

Kogi

Arrangements have been concluded for the installation of Ndakwo Ameh Oboni as the new Attah Igala on April 27.

Briefing newsmen in Idah on Thursday, the Chairman of the Coronation Planning Central Committee, Dr Ahmadu Ali said that the ceremony would take place at the ancient palace ground at Idah.

Ali, who is also the Ochada Attah Igala said that Gov. Idris Wada would present the staff of office to the new monarch.

He said that the historic event was unique and important to the Igalas because many of them would be witnessing such an occasion for the first time in 67 years.

Kwara

The Kwara State Commissioner for Health, Alhaji Issa Kayode, on Thursday charged health officials in the state to adopt the strategy of timely disease surveillance and control to promote a healthy population.

Kayode made the call in Ilorin at a sensitisation meeting on disease surveillance organised for health officials in the 16 local government areas of the state.

He said that the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Regional Committee for Africa had adopted a strategy called “Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR)”.

According to him, the IDSR aims to create functional disease surveillance system in African countries which will generate information for timely action on control of diseases.

Lagos

A Federal High Court in Lagos, on Wednesday fixed April 30 for hearing in the case of 15 Russian sailors charged with illegal importation of arms and ammunition. The case, which was slated for hearing, could not go on due to the absence of the trial judge, Justice Okechukwu Okeke. No reason was given for his absence.

The accused include Zhelyazkov Andrey, Captain; Savchenko Sergel, Chichkanov Vasily, Varlygin Igor, Komilov Alexander, Lopatin Alexey and Baranovskly Nikolay.

Nasarawa

The Executive Secretary of the Nasarawa State Christian Pilgrim Welfare Board, Mr Clement Odeh, has urged youths in the state to embrace peace.

Odeh made the call on Wednesday during a reconciliatory meeting of all the ethnic groups in the state initiated by the Board in Lafia

“It is only when people agree to forget the ugly experience of what happened during the communal crisis and have accepted to forge ahead that lasting peace will be achieved. “If there is no peace, no meaningful development would be achieved,’’ he said.

Ogun

The Ogun State Police Command said on Thursday that it impounded 35 vehicles across the state within five days for violating the law against using tinted glasses.

The spokesman of the Command, DSP Muyiwa Adejobi, said in an interview with newsmen in Abeokuta that the command would intensify its efforts toward enforcing the order which, according to him, was from the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Mohammed Abubakar.

He said the command was also clamping down on vehicles with fake registration numbers, warning that owners of such vehicles would be classified as criminals.

Ondo

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has challenged security operatives in Ondo State to tackle the spate of abduction of innocent persons in the state.

In a statement signed by the Vice President of NUJ Zone B, Mr Dele Atunbi, in Akure, the union observed with concern that “in the last two weeks, three women had been abducted in the state for ransom with just only one of them out of the crucible”.

“While noting with deep sense of concern the pains and agonies of these women in the fangs of their abductors, the union is alarmed that the security operatives have not been able to unravel any of these incidences.

Oyo

The Court of Appeal in Ibadan has adjourned to June 13 hearing on the motion filed by the former governor of Ogun State Otunba Gbenga Daniel. The court could not sit on Thursday due to the inability of the judges to form a quorum.

The lead counsel to Daniel, Prof. Taiwo Osipitan, said he was not disappointed that the court was unable to sit; “We came here to do our own work, but unfortunately the court is not sitting because two of their Lordships are busy somewhere else on some important assignments. “It happens like that. Sometimes you come and your cases are done; sometimes your cases are not done, but the reason given by the court is a genuine one,” he said.

Daniel was dragged before an Abeokuta High Court by the EFCC on a 38-count charge of alleged financial misappropriation and conversion of state land to personal use.

Plateau

The Plateau State Government has rejected claims that the recent clashes in Wase and Langtang areas were communal strife between two tribal groups.

Commissioner for Information, Abraham Yiljap, said in Jos on Wednesday, after a state security meeting that reviewed the hostilities that had enveloped the southern part of the state in the past four days.

Yobe

Yobe State Government on Thursday approved N192.5 million for the procurement of ballot papers and other electoral materials for the June 2013 local government elections in the state.

The State Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Goni Fika, stated this while briefing newsmen after the state executive council meeting in Damaturu.

He explained that “the council approval N192.5 million being request from the State Electoral Commission for procurement of ballot papers and other electoral materials for the local government election”.

Zamfara

The Coalition of Maternal and New Born Child Health, an NGO, has commended the Zamfara State Government for making provision for nutrition in the 2013 budget.

The State Coordinator of the coalition, Mallam Ibrahim Tudu, made the commendation on Thursday in an interview with newsmen in Gusau, said “we have succeeded after various struggles and complaints to the government, now the government has provided it under the State Ministry of Health’’.

He said the budget would contribute a lot to solving malnutrition problems in the state, and explained that the coalition, in collaboration with Save the Children International, had also organised various seminars and workshops for members of the coalition and journalists.

Nation

REAN, SON synergise to curb fake renewable energy product

Published

2 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

2 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

2 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.