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THE STATES

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13 years ago

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Benue

A consortium of agricultural experts, Wright Brothers
Farmers, has asked the Benue State Government for land to invest in commercial agriculture in the state.
The leader of the team, Mr Lee Wright, who paid a courtesy visit to Governor  Gabriel Suswam in Makurdi, said they were in the state on the recommendation of the Federal Government, to secure land for commercial farming.
Lee said they had approached the Federal Government for land to establish commercial farms and were referred to Benue State on the grounds that it was the only state with the land mass to accommodate their request.
He said when established, the farm would produce food that would be affordable to the people of the state and the country at large.

Ekiti

An agricultural consultant, Dr Mobolade Famodimu,
has urged poultry farmers to develop more interest in quail farming.
Famodimu, who gave the advice in an interview with newsmen at Ido in Ido/Osi Local Government Area of Ekiti State last Tuesday, said that quail farming was profitable.
“Experience has also shown that cost management of quail farming is less when compared with other poultry.
“Poultry owners who are yet to embrace quail farming should begin to invest in it because it is easier to keep and has little risk.”

FCT

Some persons with disabilities have called on the
government to initiate purposeful policies which would reduce their plight and incorporate them in decision-making processes.
They made the call in separate interviews with newsmen in Abuja, as the world celebrates the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
The theme of this year’s celebrations is “Break Barriers and Open Doors for an inclusive society and development for all’’.
Ms Ekaete Umoh, Executive Director, Family-Centred Initiative for Challenged Persons, said that persons with disabilities ought to start enjoying the rights which they deserved in the society.

Gombe

The Emir of Gombe State, Alhaji Shehu Abubakar,
has appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan to relocate the Federal University, Kashere, in Akko Local Government Area of the state, to Gombe.
The Emir made the appeal when the President visited him in his palace in Gombe.
“Permit me to express our grievances of the majority of our people in Gombe with regard to federal university allocated to Gombe State by your government,” he said.
He said that the current location of the university meant that its potentialities were a loss to the generality of the people of the state and Nigerians.
He said that the university’s employees were facing challenges of shuttling on daily basis from Gombe to the location.

Kwara

The Vice-Chancellor of University of Ilorin, Prof.
AbdulGaniyu Ambali, said in Ilorin that the institution would soon start a degree programme in Entrepreneurship Studies.
Ambali stated this at a book launch entitled “Management and Entrepreneurship in Societal Transformation: Perspectives from Africa”.
The vice chancellor said the book was written in honour of Prof. Jackson Olujide, the Dean of Management Sciences, because of his commitment to duty.
Ambali said that efforts were being made to reform the Technical and Entrepreneurship Centre in the university.
Lagos

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Mr Dikko
Abdullahi, has said that Customs would no longer stop any cargo on the road with the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR).
Abdullahi said this at the launching of PAAR at Trade Hub Centre of the Balogun Business Association (BBA) at the International Trade Fair Complex in Lagos.
He said that all cargoes cleared with the PAAR document would not be stopped on roads by the Customs to encourage people to use them.
“With PAAR, clearing of cargoes is convenient, faster and limits human contact,’’ he said.
Abdullahi advised that an importer should open a PAAR, fill and submit the document before importing a cargo.
He said it was pertinent for the maritime operators to embrace the new system by using the information available to comply with the trade routes to facilitate their business.

Nasarawa

The Chief Judge of Nasarawa State, Justice Suleiman
Dikko, has reiterated his commitment to decongest prisons through speedy administration of justice in the state.
Dikko announced the commitment at the commencement of a four-day working tour of prisons in the state in Lafia recently.
He attributed the delay of justice in cases of most awaiting trial inmates in various prisons to the attitude of the police.
“The police go ahead to assign robbery and capable homicide cases to Magistrates, Area and Upper Area courts, knowing that those courts do not have jurisdiction over such matters,’’ he said.

Ogun

Governor  Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State has said
that the state government would partner with the Malaysian Government to revamp its agricultural sector in the areas of rice and palm oil production.
Amosun said this in Abeokuta while receiving a delegation from the Malaysian Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry, led by Mohammed Abdullah, the Secretary-General of the ministry.
“All the local governments in the state have their own uniqueness in terms of crops production.
“We are looking into where we have comparative advantage like rice, cassava, palm oil plantation, cotton and many others,” the governor said.
He said that if the state government could get it right in agricultural production, it would create massive employment opportunities for the unemployed youths.
Osun

The Osun State University has distributed cheques
to indigenous vegetable farmers’ cooperative societies as part of the efforts to boost food production.
The Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Adekunle Okesina,  presided over the ceremony at a workshop held at the university’s auditorium in Osogbo.
The programme was hosted by the university under the Canadian International Food Security Research Fund (CIFSRF) in conjunction with the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and University of Manitoba.
No fewer than seven organisations including Odi-Aperin God Mercy Cooperative Akanran, Unity Farmers’ Society, Akure, Ijero Ekiti Precious Women Cooperative and Inisa Vegetable Growers benefitted from the gesture.

Oyo

The Oyo State Police Command says that it has
arrested two suspected drug traffickers with 646 bags of Indian hemp, valued at N11 million.
The Commissioner of Police, Mr Mohammed Indabawa, said this at a news conference in Ibadan recently.
Indabawa said that the police acted on a piece of information received from the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) at Ogbere, Ibadan, on November 29 around 9.00 p.m.
“We learnt that a consignment of weeds suspected to be Indian hemp was packaged and already loaded for conveyance in a truck at a cannabis plantation at Eleja Village, near Akanran.
“The DAF truck, marked XR 967 JJJ was intercepted and found loaded with 646 bags of weeds suspected to be Indian hemp.

Plateau

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU),
UNIJOS chapter has said that classes would only resume in the institution if directed by the national body.
The chapter Chairman, Dr David Jangdam told newsmen in Jos that the lecturers were waiting for directives from the national body before the five-months strike could be called off.
“Classes will only resume if directed by the national body,’’ he said.
Jangdam said that the decision of the national body was final and binding on all local chapters.

L-R: Assistant Controller-General of Prisons, Dr Ekpedeme Udom, Chairman, House Committee on Health, Rep. Ndudi Elumelu and representative of I-G, Mr Dauda Fakai, at the official launch of the Police Action Committee on Aids Strategic Plan Document in Abuja, last Tuesday.

L-R: Assistant Controller-General of Prisons, Dr Ekpedeme Udom, Chairman, House Committee on Health, Rep. Ndudi Elumelu and representative of I-G, Mr Dauda Fakai, at the official launch of the Police Action Committee on Aids Strategic Plan Document in Abuja, last Tuesday.

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REAN, SON synergise to curb fake renewable energy product

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1 month ago

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June 29, 2026

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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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1 month ago

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June 29, 2026

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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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1 month ago

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June 29, 2026

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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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