Nation

THE STATES

Published

13 years ago

May 17, 2013

Abuja

The police has arraigned Kabiru Salisu, 26, of Kurudu and Ebijimi Adeola, 35, of Karu at the Karu Upper Area Court for alleged disturbance of public peace.

Police prosecutor, Francis Udifai told the court that on May 4, at about 9 a.m., the accused persons engaged in physical combat at Abattoir market in Karu, Abuja.

He added that during police investigation, it was discovered that the accused had disagreement during meat supplies to their customers at the market.

He further said that the offence contravened provisions of section 113 of the Penal Code.

The accused persons, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The presiding judge, Alhaji Umar Kagarko, granted bail to the accused in the sum of N20,000 each and a surety each in like sum.

He adjourned the case to July 1 for further hearing.

Adamawa

Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State has inaugurated the sale of fertiliser for the 2013 farming season to farmers in the state.

Nyako urged farmers to take advantage of the government’s various agricultural programmes to facilitate agricultural production.

The governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Kobis Aris, gave assurance that the government would continue to support farmer groups in the state.

He also assured farmers that the government would partner with international and national agencies in promoting the state’s agriculture sector.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Mrs Lucy Ishaku, said that the launch was an annual event intended to herald the formal commencement of the sale of inputs to farmers.

Benue

Wife of Benue State governor and founder of the SEV-AV Foundation, Mrs. Yemisi Suswam has been named the face of Akata fishing and Cultural Festival.

The festival, a celebration of the rich culture of the Tiv people in Benue State, will begin on Tuesday, June 4, 2013.

A statement issued in Lagos by the principal consultant, Gren Business Dimensions, Mrs. Rosemary Duamlong named the first lady of the state as the ambassador and face of Akata 2013 because of her achievements in the area of women and youths empowerment through the SEV-AV Foundation.

The statement commended Mrs. Suswam for the establishment of crafts and skills acquisition centres at Vandeikya and Gboko, Sev-Av Agro-processing Centre in Katsina-Ala and Ukum Local Government Areas and the three PMTCT Clinics in Vandeikya, Gboko and Otukpo.

Jigawa

The Jigawa State Scholarship Board on Thursday said it had disbursed more than N200 million bursary to indigent students in the state.

The Executive Secretary of the board, Alhaji Babandi Abubakar, said in Dutse that, 11, 218 students benefited from the exercise.

Abubakar said the beneficiaries include 3, 074 students studying in various state and federal universities and 4, 606 students of the colleges of education. He said that 3, 538 students of the polytechnics also benefited from the scholarship.

Abubakar explained that, the board had deployed personnel to more than 60 universities and other tertiary institutions in the country for the payment of the money.

He said that the gesture was part of the state government’s effort to assist the students and promote academic excellence.

Kebbi

The Kebbi State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has said that it would prosecute three suspects for theft.

Our correspondent reports that the suspects were arrested in Dukku section of the metropolis for possession of diesel suspected to be stolen.

The state NSCDC Commandant, Alhaji Aminu Abubakar, told newsmen in Birnin Kebbi that the suspects had been in the custody of the corps.

He said the first suspect confessed to the theft while the second denied involvement in the crime. He said the third suspect, a commercial motorist, however, admitted that he was instructed by the second suspect, a businessman, to load the commodity for him before they were arrested.

Kogi

Hundreds of people displaced in the current face-off between Fulani herdsmen and Agatus in Benue State are now taking refuge in some communities in Kogi State.

Governor Idris Wada of Kogi State confirmed this in Lokoja during a meeting with the chairmen of the 21 local government councils in the state.

He said that the displaced persons, including women and children, took refuge in Bagana, Abejukolo and six other communities in Omala Local Government of area of the state.

The Governor said that the influx of people from Benue to Kogi was an indication that the government and the chairmen of local government councils must be on red alert.

Earlier in the day, the Chairman of Omala Local Government, Alhaji Labaran Oigebe, expressed concern over the influx of Agatus from Benue into his local government.

Kwara

The newly-appointed Commissioner of Police in Kwara State, Mr. Agboola Oshodi-Glover, on Tuesday formally assumed office at the police headquarters, Ilorin.

Our correspondent reports that the police boss arrived at the office at about 8.00 am.

Oshodi-Glover, while addressing newsmen, warned criminals to keep away from the state.

The commissioner urged the people of the state to continue to give useful information to police to curb crime to the barest minimum.

Oshodi-Glover is the 28th commissioner of police in Kwara and succeeds the late Mr Chinweke Asadu who was assassinated at his native home in Enugu in February.

Lagos

The Director of Studies, Lagos School of Travels and Tourism, Mr Segun Adeshina, said the institute had trained 2,800 students in eight years.

Adeshina told newsmen in Lagos that the management of the school had been training an average of 350 students per year since 2005.

The director expressed the need to train more professionals to explore and develop the industry to meet foreign standard.

He noted the shortfall of professionals in the industry, and called for establishment of more tourism schools to produce additional professionals.

Adeshina urged the Federal Government to invest more resources in the sector so that more people could be employed.

Nasarawa

The Nasarawa State Commissioner for Education, Mr Hussaini Abubakar, said on Thursday that principals and teachers found to be aiding students in examination malpractice would be sanctioned.

The commissioner who gave the warning in an interview in Lafia said that government would not spare anyone found indulging in the act.

He warned that chief education officers of any examination centre that had been de-registered by WAEC or NECO as a result of malpractice would also be sanctioned.

He charged education officers to ensure proper monitoring of the ongoing WAEC examinations in their schools to reduce malpractice.

Abubakar also called on parents, conniving with teachers to perpetrate the act to desist as the government would not hesitate to sanction them.

“Anybody that is caught involved in it, be it a teacher, principal, student, parents or anybody in the system would face the full wrath of the law,” he said.

The commissioner also called on the management of private schools across the state to also guard against the act.

Plateau

A Federal High Court in Jos, Plateau State has dismissed a case of negligence brought against security agencies by some victims of 2011 attack at Rukuba road, Jos.

One Mohammed Abdullahi and 10 others had filed a suit on behalf of 27 others before Justice Ambrose Allagoa, claimed that they were attacked by some miscreants on Auugust 29, 2011 at a praying ground.

The plaintiffs, through their counsel, Mr. Hassan Liman (SAN), claimed that during the attack, they sustained injuries while some lost their lives and property worth millions of naira.

Liman prayed the court to compel the Federal Government and its agencies to pay his clients N100 million as general damage and N280,000 being expenses incurred on treatment of injuries sustained during the attack.

But the counsel to the security agencies, Mr Ali Zachariah, who also represented the Attorney-General of the Federation, objected to the claims, saying that the court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the case.

Zechariah prayed the court to dismiss the entire case for lack of merit.

Allagoa, in his ruling, struck out the case for lack of merit.

“This case didn’t fall within the purview of section 251 (1) of 1999 Constitution in view of the proviso therein, therefore this court lacks the jurisdiction to entertain this matter.

“Since the case was not brought in a way of writ of summon, it is hereby struck out, “ the Judge said.

He added that by virtue of that ruling, three similar cases before him had collapsed and therefore dismissed.

Shortly after the ruling, Zachariah told newsmen that he was satisfied with the ruling and described it as “well thought out“.

But Liman, who spoke through Mr. Aliyu Sange, said “we are heading to the court of appeal to challenge this ruling which is a miscarriage of Justice.”

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.