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THE STATES

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Borno
Members of Maiduguri Monday Market Youth Trad
ers Association in Borno State, recently donated relief materials worth millions of Naira to victims of Boko Haram crisis in the state.
Alhaji Kashim Abdullahi, the Chairman of the association, presented the materials to Gov. Kashim Shettima at the Government House, Maiduguri.
Abdullahi said that the gesture was aimed at assisting victims of the numerous Boko Haram attacks who had lost their means of livelihood.
“We are here to present these items as donation to victims of the Boko Haram crisis in the state.

Ekiti
The Director General of the National Orientation Agency,
Mr Mike Omeri, NOA, has advised the people of Ekiti State against act capable of disrupting the state’s gubernatorial election slated for June 21.
He gave the charge at a workshop last Thursday at Oye-Ekiti, organised by the agency to sensitise the public on the need to create an environment conducive for free, fair and credible election.
Omeri, who was represented by Fam Anene, Director, Political Matters, said politicians should embrace dialogue, accommodate each other, and work towards transforming the state.
He cautioned the people against voting more than once, called on parents to ensure that their children are not used as thugs.
FCT
UNESCO has renewed its commitment to develop a
framework to improve the quality of education in Nigeria.
The Director-General of the organisation, Prof. Hassana Alidou, made the pledge in Abuja recently at the ongoing workshop to pre-test an action research guidebook for youth and adult literacy in multilingual context.
The theme of the workshop is: “Empowering learners in a multilingual world”.
Alidou said the Universal Basic Education in Nigeria was constrained by finance, limited number of qualified teachers and supervisors, huge class size and high rate of school drop-out.
She observed that the problems undermined the efforts of the government to expand access to basic education to all children.

Gombe
Gombe State Executive Council has approved the re
lease of N5.8 billion for the execution of various road projects in the state.
The Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Alhaji Shehu Hadi, told newsmen in Gombe that N1.4 billion of the amount would be spent on the construction of additional roads in Bajoga town.
He said N2.5 billion would be for the construction of Gaji Bauchi-Jurara-Daban, Fulani-Lubo-Zambuk-Baure roads, including the reconstruction of Lubo bridge.
According to him, N1.1 billion of the amount is for the provision and installation of street lights on 20 roads in Gombe metropolis.

Kwara
The Kwara State Government last Thursday demolished
two petrol stations within Ilorin metropolis for building without approval.
Our correspondent reports that the demolition was carried out by the state Town Planning and Development Authority (KTPDA).
One of the stations was situated on waterway near the Kuntu Bridge, while the other was directly opposite the Alawonla Compound, Okelele.
The Executive Secretary of KTPDA, Mr Raimi Adeoti, who led the demolition team, said the owners of the structures built illegally without approval.
Adeoti said the structures would hamper the free flow of water and endanger the lives of people living around the area, adding that KTPDA took the action to save lives and property.

Kebbi
The Kebbi State chapter of All Farmers Association of
Nigeria (AFAN) has appealed to the government to build more markets for the sale of agricultural products in the state.
The secretary of the association, Alhaji Muhammad Idris, made the appeal in an interview with newsmen in Birnin Kebbi recently.
He said the quest for the provision of outlets to sell farmers’ produce was occasioned by the increase in farming activities due to incentives for wet and dry season farming.
Idris said that farmers had responded to the call for increased rice production, especially considering the prompt purchase of the commodity by the SURE-P Office.

Lagos
A man, Francis Enyi, who stood surety for an accused,
was charged before an Itire Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for failing to produce him.
Enyi, 48, who resides at No. 8, Ali Ijaiye St., Lawanson, Lagos, is facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and an attempt to pervert the course of justice.
He, however, pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, Insp. Olakunle Shonibare, told the court that Enyi, who stood surety for one Chika Adole, had failed to produce him at Lawanson Police Post, Anjorin-Ikate, Surulere.
He said Adole was being investigated by the police over alleged threat to life.

Nasarawa
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Nasarawa State
said recently that the party would be stronger despite the defection of two lawmakers to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
Mr Stanley Buba, the Interim State Chairman of the party, told newsmen in Lafia that the recent defections would not affect the fortunes of APC in the state.
Our correspondent recalls that Mr Ahmed Kana (APC-Karu/Kokona/Keffi) and Mr Nathaniel Agyomesa (APC-Lafia North state constituency) recently defected to the PDP.
Buba described the action of the two legislators as good omen and not a setback for APC.

Osun
The Special Adviser on Environment to Osun State gov
ernor, Mr Bola Ilori, has advised residents of the state to ensure they clear their gutters and waterways as heavy rainfall begins.
Ilori, who spoke with newsmen in Osogbo recently, added that gutters, culverts, and other waterways must be cleared of grass, domestic wastes and sand, to prevent flooding.
“The few rains experienced so far this year may not have carried the wastes and sand far away; therefore, it is necessary to clear the debris to give room for water to flow.
Taraba
Member representing Wukari II Constituency in Taraba
State House of Assembly, Mr Daniel Gani, has called on the Federal Government to deploy soldiers in the area to avert further attacks by suspected herdsmen.
Gani made the call while addressing news conference in Jalingo.
He said the low presence of security personnel in the area was responsible for the ongoing senseless killing of innocent people.
“The only way to avert these brutal killings in Wukari and its environs is to massively deploy troops just like what the federal government did in Benue and Nasarawa states”, he said.
Gani said lack of seriousness on the part of the state Government left him with no option than to seek intervention from the federal government.

Yobe
The Speaker, Yobe State House of Assembly, Alhaji
Adamu Dala-Dogo, has urged politicians to promote ideals of democracy and good governance to enhance service delivery in the country.
The speaker, made the call in an interview with newsmen in Damaturu.
He noted that Nigeria’s 15 years of uninterrupted democracy should have equipped politicians with the basic tenets of democracy and good governance, which were critical to service delivery.
“After this long experience, we are supposed to have surpassed sentiments and other primordial differences to institutionalise a strong democracy of service delivery and development.
“It is regrettable that after this experience, the political parties are still battling with the problems of internal democracy, while the rule of law which is the backbone of democracy is also lacking.”

Zamfara
A Gusau Magistrates’ Court has ordered the remand
of a 23-year-old man, Musa Sani of Mayana Area, Gusau, charged with the rape of an eight-year-old girl.
The Magistrate, Alhaji Aminu Ibrahim, ordered that Sani should be remanded in prison custody and adjourned the case till April 22 for mention.
Earlier, the Prosecutor, Sgt. Daniel Longwal had told the court that on April 7, one Abubakar Salisu of Mayana Area, Gusau, reported the case at Central Police Station, Gusau.
Longwal said that on March 26, the complainant’s daughter was returning from an Islamic school when the accused took her to an isolated place and raped her.

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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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