Nation

THE STATES

Published

13 years ago

April 22, 2013

Adamawa

The Adamawa State Government has announced the release of over 3,000 of its workers for in-service training in various institutions of learning in the country.

The Head of Service of the state, Mr Musa Kaibo, said this at the opening of a five-day workshop on “Plan And Budget Management At the State Level.”

The event was organised by the North-Eastern State Governments in conjunction with National Centre for Management Development, in Yola last Wednesday.

Kaibo said that providing quality knowledge and skills to civil servants to improve their capacity and efficiency was among the top priorities of the government.

The head of service also said that 6,962 staff were engaged in different training by the State’s University, Mubi in 2012.

Earlier, the Director-General of the centre, Dr Kabir Kabo, said the workshop was to bring together planning and budget officers at the sub-national levels of government in the country.

Benue

Following the recurring crisis between herdsmen and farmers in Benue State, a legislator has appealed to the Federal Government to deploy more soldiers to Makurdi, Guma and Gwer West Local Government Areas.

A former Speaker of the Benue House of Assembly, Mr Emmanuel Jime, who made the appeal on Wednesday in Makurdi, said the deployment would quell the crisis between farmers and herdsmen in good time.

Jime, who is a member of the House of Representatives, representing Makurdi/Guma Federal Constituency, said at a news conference that the measure would enable farmers to return to their homes to commence farming activities in earnest.

He expressed regrets that the crisis was happening when the rains have just begun for farming activities to take off in the affected areas, and commended Gov. Gabriel Suswam for restoring relative peace to the crisis torn areas.

In their remarks, the Chairmen of the three LGAs, Godwin Donko, Usar Adi and Eunice Mbajuwa stressed that the soldiers deployed to their local governments should ensure the safety of lives and property.

Kaduna

The Director of Education Quality Assurance Board in Kaduna State, Mrs Elizabeth Garba, says the state has recorded 44 per cent improvement in the 2012 WAEC examination.

She said the board was established by the state government to raise literacy level of students, which had been very low in spite of huge investment in the sector.

According to her, since the establishment of the board, the state has constituted compulsory self evaluation practises in all schools below tertiary level.

She said the schools were being evaluated and screened before getting full accreditation that would qualify them to present candidates for external examination.

The director said that the board was also responsible for the evaluation and re-accreditation of schools at least once in every three years.

Kano

Kano State Scholarship Board said it would begin e-payment of scholarship allowances to students in various institutions of higher learning this year.

The Executive Secretary of the Board, Alhaji Usman Ririwai, said last Wednesday in Kano that the measure would check fraud among students and staff of the board and ensure transparency and accountability.

The executive secretary said the board had selected School for Rural and Community Studies Rano, for the pilot scheme, stating. “As soon as the pilot programme is completed, we shall commence the e-payment in all the institutions, where we have students.”

According to him, each student will be required to open an account with one of the commercial banks for the implementation of the programme.

Ririwai said the board had begun screening of fresh students to ensure speedy payment of their allowances, and added that the board would ensure prompt payment of the allowances to the students, to enable them to concentrate on their studies.

Kebbi

Top officials of Kebbi State Ministry of Education are invigilating students in the ongoing Senior Secondary School Examination (SSCE) to prevent examination malpractice.

The Birnin Kebbi Zonal Inspector of Education, Alhaji Shehu Wali, made this known in an interview with newsmen in Birnin Kebbi on Wednesday. Wali said that students from the public schools preferred to write the examination in private schools because they stood better chances of passing the examinations in the schools.

He said that such practice would be checked to forestall decay in the public schools and collection of examination fees.

The zonal inspectorate department, he said, would invigilate examination in all the schools within the zone to ensure that they comply with the rules of the examination.

Kogi

Six councillorship aspirants last Wednesday dragged the Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission (KOSIEC) to court, seeking an order to stop the May 4 Local Government elections.

The PDP chairmanship aspirant for Omala Local Government, Labaran Oyigebe, and the Attorney-General of the state, were joined as co-defendants.

The plaintiffs, Akpa Salisu, Amodu Omada, Josiah Achimugu, Zackari Abubakar, Karim Paul and Onuh Abraham, contested in the March 15 PDP council primary elections in Omala council.

They prayed the court to determine whether KOSIEC could validly conduct local government election in Omala Local Government as well as the entire 21 Local Government Areas.

Nasarawa

Governor Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State has urged the newly appointed commissioners and Head of Service to see their appointment as a call to ‘selfless service and public trust’.

Al-Makura, who made this known when he inaugurated the commissioners in Lafia last Wednesday, said their appointment was in tandem with his administration’s vision, mission and programme of action.

According to him, it is aimed at providing good governance, enduring peace and development. “You should realise that your appointments are a call to selfless service. Indeed, the oath you have just taken is a litmus test to your public service career,” he said.

Niger

The Niger State Government says it will continue to accord priority to the education sector through provision of basic learning and teaching materials.

The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Saidu Idris, said this last Wednesday when members of the Amalgamated Union of Niger State-owned Tertiary Institutions paid him a courtesy call in his office in Minna, that education had remained the greatest source of empowerment in the world, adding that government would ensure that the sector received the desired attention.

The SSG, who observed that most of the infrastructure in the tertiary institutions in the state were in serious decay, assured that government would rectify the problem.

In his remarks, the Acting Chairman of the union, Alhaji Abdullahi Hassan, commended the State Government for re-shaping the education sector and improving the welfare of staff of tertiary institutions in the state.

Osun

Violators of the National Environmental (Protection of Endangered Species) Regulations risk seven years jail term or N20 million fine, the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has said.

A Regulation Officer with the agency, Mr Hena Emmanuel, while addressing facility managers at a forum in Osogbo tagged: “ Environmental Compliance and Enforcement,’’ last Wednesday, stressed the need to protect and preserve wild life in the environment so that the country could have something to show to the incoming generation.

Emmanuel also warned against the violation of the National Environmental (Control of Bush/Forest Fire and Open Burning) Regulations and advised the public against bush burning in order to protect the ecosystem.

Oyo

More than 50 illegal structures built on major roads in Sabo area of Ibadan have been demolished under the on-going urban renewal initiative of the state government.

Owners of the demolished structures were sighted last Wednesday removing valuables from the ruins of the structures while motorists experienced difficulties passing through the area.

The state Commissioner for Environment, Mr Lowo Obisesan, said that the government’s decision to demolish the structures was to boost sanitation in the area, and described the sanitary condition of the area as worrisome.

“ Before we started implementing the decision, we decided to carry the leaders and youths of the area along so that they will not start to have a wrong impression that we wanted to chase them away from the area,’ he said.’

Obisesan said that government had given owners of the demolished shops three different sites in Ibadan, adding that the sites are located at TCTC motor-park, Eleyele Water Works and the old airport acquired by government.

Plateau

Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State would complete all ongoing projects in the state before the end of his second term in 2015.

The state Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Mr Solomon Maren, who stated this on Wednesday during an inspection tour of some projects in Bokkos Local Government Area of the state said the pace with which the indigenous contractors were working had convinced him that the vision of the governor was realisable.

He said, “Our redemption Governor is determined to complete these projects before the expiration of his tenure in 2015, and I think the contractors are toeing the line.’’”I am highly impressed with the pace at which the indigenous contractors are handling these projects within the central zone, just within the last one month they mobilised to their various sites. “What we have seen here today is totally different from what we saw earlier in the southern zone, where some of the contractors have not even mobilised to site.

Yobe

The Yobe State Government has approved the release of N192.5 million to the State Independent Electoral Commission to ensure timely preparation for the June council elections.

The Special Adviser to State Governor on Political Affairs, Alhaji Maimala Buni, made this known in an interview in Damaturu on Wednesday.

“Government approved the funds to ensure timely procurement of ballot papers and all other necessary materials needed for the success of the election. “The commission on its part has commenced preparations, according to the time-table, for a successful and credible exercise,’’ he said.

Buni commended political parties in the state for their commitments to the election time-table and process, and disclosed that the stakeholders forum “has given politicians a true sense of belonging in the forthcoming election’’.

Nation

REAN, SON synergise to curb fake renewable energy product

Published

4 weeks 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

4 weeks 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

4 weeks 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.