Nation

THE STATES

Published

12 years ago

April 28, 2014

Adamawa

The Chairman of Ganye Local Government Council in
Adamawa State, Alhaji Farouk Mohammed, has been served with an impeachment notice for alleged embezzlement of public funds.
The impeachment notice, signed by 10 councillors, a copy of which was made available to newsmen in Yola, gave the chairman one week from the date he was served the notice to answer the allegations against him.
“Sequel to the resolution of the legislative council sitting No. 7 of its second session, the House hereby resolved unanimously to serve you with this notice of impeachment,” it said.
Some of the 15 allegations against the chairman included unauthorised collection of bank overdrafts totaling N132 million, unaccounted N10 million excess crude oil revenue received in December 2013, short changing political appointees by paying them half of their entitlements after posting full payment in the local government’s cash book.

Ekiti

Ekiti State Government has distributed modern fire fight
ing trucks to four fire service stations in parts of the state.
The trucks were given to Ijero-Ekiti, Ikole-Ekiti, Omuo-Ekiti and Aramoko-Ekiti fire stations in Ijero, Ikole, Ekiti East and Ekiti West local government areas, respectively.
The Commissioner for Special Duties, Chief Apalara Wole-Adewunmi, disclosed this in Ado-Ekiti while handing-over the trucks to heads of the units Ado-Ekiti.
He said the trucks would aid emergency and firefighting efforts of the state government.
He said that the state government was committed to the security of lives and property of the people.

FCT

A Clinical Psychologist at the Ekiti State University
Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti, Mr Adedotun Ajiboye, has urged civil servants to plan for happy retirement to enhance healthy living.Ajiboye told newsmen in Abuja that it was important and beneficial when one planned on what to do after retirement.The psychologist said that with all the concerns about dwindling pension funds, corruption in the system and unstable economy, many retirees and those preparing to retire were concerned about the financial aspects of retirement plan.
“In spite of financial issues, there is a lot you can do to make retirement living a great time of your life. Make a retirement plan about five years before your retirement.

Gombe

A three-day training on poultry production aimed
at empowering 324 women was has been in Gombe declared open in Gombe by the governor’s wife, Hajiya Adama Dankwambo.Our correspondent reports that the training is a collaboration between the state Ministry of Agriculture and her office.Dankwambo, was represented by the wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs Sintiki Rubainu, said that the programme was aimed at reducing poverty and unemployment.She said the training was organised due to the successes recorded in the first batch conducted last year.

Kwara

The Kwara State Government has warned residents
of the state against indiscriminate dumping of refuse.
The state Commissioner for Environment and Forestry, Mr Abubakar Mora, gave the warning in an interview with newsmen in Ilorin.
He said that the ministry would embark on measures to curb the annual flooding in the state.
Mora said government was not happy about the loss of lives and property caused by a recent flood incident at Atikeke area on the Ajase-Ipo road in llorin.
Kaduna

A Kaduna Chief Magistrates’ Court has sentenced
a 20-year- old woman, Maryam Babangida, to one year in prison for abducting a two-month-old baby.
Babangida, who resides at Sabon Angwar, Agaye, Niger State, was charged with one count charge of abduction. The Chief Magistrate, Ms Joyce Kaka, sentenced Babangida after she pleaded guilty to the charge.
Kaka did not give the convict an option of fine.
“The court sentences you to one year in prison without an option of fine.

Katsina
Governor Ibrahim Shema of Katsina State has be
rated members of the opposition in the state for failing to acknowledge the development projects executed by his administration.Shema said in Katsina while swearing-in newly elected PDP state executives that the administration had executed numerous projects that had improved the lives of people in the state.The governor cited such projects to include the free education of the government, construction of healthcare facilities, roads, and provision of subsidised fertiliser, among others.
He, therefore, faulted comments of some members of the opposition parties, describing it as misleading.

Nassarawa

A Senior Magistrates Court in Mararaba has sen
tenced one Rabiu Abraham, 22 to 15 months imprisonment of trust and cheating.The Magistrate, Mr Iliya Aku, handed down the sentence after Ibrahim, of Tudunwada area of Mararaba, pleaded guilty to the two-count charge.
Aku, however, granted him an option ofN8,000 fine for each offence and ordered that he should pay 80,000 as compensation to the complainant in the case, Abubakar Muhammad. The prosecutor, Mr Jacob John, had told the court that the convict collected the money from the Mohammad in the guise of giving him accommodation

Niger

Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State, said the
state government would establish a Christian and an Islamic centre in Minna to ensure peaceful co-existence among the people.The governor made the disclosure in Minna when he inaugurated the Christian and Muslim centres’ boards of trustees.He said that the centres would gulp N3.2 billion, noting that “the Christian centre will cost N1.5 billion, while the Islamic centre will cost N1.7 billion.
“The centres will be of international standard with modern facilities, libraries, staff quarters and commercial centres, among others.

Ondo

Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State has
expressed the need for security agencies in the country to be more proactive in view of the nation’s security challenges
Mimiko spoke in Akure while receiving the new state commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Mr Andrew Ugwumba, who was on a courtesy visit to his office.
Mimiko, who also said that every Nigerian should make the issue of security his or her concern, commended the contribution of the corps in ensuring adequate security in the state.
He equally lauded the synergy among all other security agencies in the state.

Osun

Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State has as
sured residents of the state that all projects embarked upon by his administration would be completed to specification before the end of his tenure.
Aregbesola gave the assurance while inspecting the ring road project being constructed by his administration at Ofatedo area of Osogbo, the state capital.
The governor said that all the projects were embarked upon by his administration to facilitate socio-economic development of the state.
“All these projects being carried out in Osogbo and other parts of the state were to bring smiles on the faces of our people,’’ Aregbesola said.

Sokoto
The Sokoto State House of Assembly has approved
the construction of a 20- kilometre road to link Kwargaba District with Wurno in Wurno Local Government Area of the state.
The motion for the project was moved by Alhaji Muhammad Achida (APC-Wurno) during the plenary session in Sokoto.
Achida said the measure became necessary to cater for the need of the people who were in need of good roads to enhance transportation of goods and services.
The motion was seconded by Alhaji Bello Goronyo (APC- Goronyo).

L-R: Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Lateef Ibirogba, Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State, Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, representative of Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, Prince Gbade Lana and Chairman, mtn, Mr Pascal Dozie, at the launch of a book titled: ‘Giants of History’ by Ibirogba in Lagos, recently. Photo: NAN

Nation

REAN, SON synergise to curb fake renewable energy product

Published

1 week 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 week 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 week 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.