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THE STATES

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Adamawa

The Adamawa State Government is disturbed by the daily
influx of displaced persons from Borno to some parts of the state due to insurgents’ attacks.
The Commissioner for Border Integration, Alhaji Hamza Bello, made the government’s position known during a condolence visit to Bitiku-Valti Village in Madagali Local Government Area to sympathise with victims taking refuge in the area.
Bello said the Adamawa State Government was worried about the frequent influx of the displaced persons now taking refuge in Madagali area of the state.
Consequently, he said, Gov. Murtala Nyako of Adamawa had inaugurated a committee that would take care of the displaced persons.
Borno

The wife of Borno State Governor, Hajiya Nana Kashim-
Shettima, recently, distributed 100 rams to widows, orphans and other less privileged residents of Maiduguri.
Represented at the distribution ceremony by, the Chairman of her foundation, Support for Widows, Orphans and Tsangaya Pupils (SWOT), Alhaji Mohammed Bello, said the gesture was to ensure that the beneficiaries were not left out in the forthcoming Eid-El-Kabir celebrations.
She said “as a woman and a mother, I deem it necessary to assist women and the less privileged in the state through the SWOT foundation.
“That is why we are distributing 100 rams to widows, orphans and other less privileged members of the society to enable them to celebrate the Sallah festival like other people in the society.’’

Ekiti

Governor  Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State said his admin
istration was still committed to bringing unprecedented development to every community in the state.
The governor gave the commitment at the 2013 Ikole National Day celebrations.
Fayemi, who was represented by his Special Adviser, Governor’s Office, Mr Abiodun Akin- Fasaye, said his administration recently approved the rehabilitation of eight kilometres of township roads in Ikole.
“This was done alongside other projects in some parts of the state,’’ he said.
The governor then advised the people on peaceful co-existence and the need to engage in activities which would improve their community.

FCT

Stakeholders in disaster management have urged gov
ernments at all levels to sustain the current efforts at preventing flood disaster in the country.
This is contained in a statement issued in Abuja by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
The statement signed by NEMA’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Ezekiel Manzo, said the stakeholders made the call in a communiqué issued at the end of the 3rd South-South Emergency Management meeting held in Asaba.
It stated that the stakeholders advised government to undertake regular dredging of rivers, canals and creeks to minimise frequent occurrence of floods.

Gombe

Low patronage has forced a drop in the prices of rams in
Gombe metropolis.
A survey conducted in different markets across the metropolis, indicated about 16 per cent drop in prices.
It showed that a ram that cost N60,000 last week, now sells for N50,000 while that of N30,000, had its price tag dropping to N25,000.
The survey also indicated a drop in the price of small rams, from N11,000, to N8,500.
Secretary of Livestock Dealers Association, Pantami Livestock market branch in Gombe metropolis, Malam Abubakar Yellow, told newsmen  that the drop in prices, was anticipated as there was a general problem of cash squeeze in the state and the country.

Kano

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Kano State
said says it has deployed 600 officers and men to various parts of the state to ensure accident-free Sallah celebrations.
The FRSC Sector Commander in the state, Malam Mohammad Garba, gave the figure while answering questions from newsmen in Kano.
He said the measure was part of the strategies mapped out by the command to ensure accident- free Eid-el-Kabir celebrations across the state.
“The 24-hour patrol will be a continuous process throughout the ‘ember’ period in the state,’’ he said.

Kwara

The Bishop of Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Anglican
Communion, Omu-Aran in Kwara State, The Rt. Rev. Phillip Adeyemo, has advised religious leaders in the country to exhibit a high level of integrity in a bid to command true followership.
Adeyemo gave the advice in a message to the first session of the second Synod of the Diocese held in the church on Saturday with the theme: “Integrity.’’
According to him, lack of integrity on the part of leaders led to the reformation of the early church.
Adeyemo stressed the need for church leaders in the country to embrace virtues such as honesty and integrity to avert revolt among their followers.

Lagos

Dr Frederick Fasehun said that the Unity Party of Nige
ria (UPN ) was waiting for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to invite it to receive its certificate of registration.
Fasehun, the interim chairman of the yet-to-be registered party, told newsmen in Lagos that the party had “fulfilled the conditions for registration as contained in the nation’s constitution.”
“It is the prerequisite of INEC to register us within 30 days but there is an electoral law that says if within 30 days the commission fails to write to us, such a party should deem itself registered. “So what we are doing now is, we are not just waiting for registration, we are waiting to be invited for our certificate,’’ Fasehun said.

Nasarawa

Prices of rams, vegetables and clothes are on the in
crease in Nasarawa, Nasarawa state, two days to the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations, the reports say.
Eid-el-Kabir is the Muslim festival which marks the end of the pilgrimage to Mecca known as Hajj. It is also known as the “Feast of Sacrifice’’ commemorating Abraham’s faith and devotion to God.
According to a survey conducted in Nasawara LGA and Ara village prices of rams ranged from N25,000 to N80,000 as against N10,000 to N50,000 some months ago.
Osun

Prices of rams have risen in Ile-Ife and Modakeke in Ife,
Osun, few days to the Eid-el-Kabir celebration, reports say.
A survey conducted at the ram markets in Ile-Ife and Modakeke, indicated an increase of about 15 per cent to 20 per cent.
The Chairman of the Goat and Cow Sellers Association at Sabo market, ile-Ife, Mr Francis Oladosu, said a big ram, which cost about N80,000 few weeks ago, now attracts between N90,000 and N95,000.
Oladosu said the price of medium size ram rose from about N50,000, to N60,000, while small rams that sold for N18,000 each , now cost N20,000.
He blamed the hike on the prevailing security challenges in some parts of the Northern states and the increase in the cost of transportation.

Oyo

The National President, Ansar-ud-deen Society (ADS),
Alhaji Lateef Okunnu, has urged politicians to concentrate more on delivering democratic dividends than overheating the polity.
Okunnu made the appeal in his Eid-el-Kabir message made available to newsmen in Ibadan recently.
“I appeal to our politicians not to overheat the polity unnecessarily as the 2015 general election is still far.
“Everybody from the president downwards who is involved in governance in this country should concentrate on delivering on his or her campaign promises such that this country once again can flourish, “ he said.

Plateau

The Plateau Government says it spent over N42 million to
purchase some items which were distributed to some Muslims in the state as Eid-el-Kabir gifts.
Malam Idi Waziri, the state’s Commissioner for Water Resources and Rural Development, made the disclosure on Tuesday in Jos.
He said this while presenting some of the items to inmates of the Jos prison and some disabled persons at the city’s central mosque, which is otherwise known as “Masallachin Juma’a’’.
The commissioner said the donation to the Muslim faithful was a clear indication that the Gov. Jonah Jang administration has the interest of all Muslims residing in the state at heart.

Sokoto

The police command in Sokoto State has banned the
transportation of more than one passenger on a motorcycle, its Spokesman, DSP Al-Mustapha Sani, said.
Sani told newsmen in Sokoto that the ban followed the prevailing security situation in the country “and we should not be complacent in Sokoto.
“Motorcyclists have been banned from carrying more than one passenger. There should always be two people on a bike, consisting of the rider and one other passenger.

L-R: Chairman, Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (Neiti), Mr Ledum Mitee; President Goodluck Jonathan; International Chairman, Neiti, Mrs Clare Short and Executive Secretary, Neiti,  Hajiya Zainab Ahmed, during their visit to the President in Abuja on Monday      Photo: NAN

L-R: Chairman, Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (Neiti), Mr Ledum Mitee; President Goodluck Jonathan; International Chairman, Neiti, Mrs Clare Short and Executive Secretary, Neiti, Hajiya Zainab Ahmed, during their visit to the President in Abuja on Monday Photo: NAN

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REAN, SON synergise to curb fake renewable energy product

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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.
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Self Help Africa programme expands water access for 320,000 Nigerians

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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.
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Lagos Residents Stranded As Floods Cut Off Ajah, Mafoluku Communities

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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.
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