Nation

THE STATES

Published

12 years ago

May 19, 2014

Adamawa
No fewer than 102, 560 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)
were registered by the Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency (ADSEMA) between January and March this year, its Executive Secretary, Malam Haruna Hamman, has said.
Hamman said last Thursday in Yola that most of those registered were victims of various insurgents attacks and other conflicts within and outside the state.
The scribe explained that the displaced persons were spread across the 21 local government areas of the state with Madagali local government, which is on the border with Borno, leading with 31,666 IDPs.
He commended the state and local governments for their support to those displaced by the conflicts, and called for more assistance to them and the communities hosting them.

Benue
Assistant Parish Priest, Saint Theresa’s Catholic Parish,
Makurdi, Reverend Fr. Isaac Shityo, yesterday advised Nigerians to seek God’s intervention for the rescue of the Chibok girls.
Shityo, who said this at a sermon yesterday in Makurdi, lamented over the situation where people were insulting and criticising security agents following the delay in rescuing the abducted girls.
“Boko Haram is not the only body committing crime in our society today. Here in Makurdi, we see and hear all kinds of crime perpetrated by our children. Are they too insurgents? “As Christians, we need to go to any length to bring up our children in the best ways possible,” he said.
Shityo said that God and the country’s forefathers who paid supreme prices for the unity of Nigeria would not forgive the present generation if they destroyed the legacy left.

Borno
The Borno State Government yesterday donated N10
million to victims of last week’s suspected Boko Haram attack in Limankara village in Gwoza Local Government Area of the state.
Governor Kashim Shettima, represented by the Commissioner for Commerce and Investment, Dr Asabe Vilita, said he was deeply touched by the incident.
Receiving the donation, the District Head of the community, Mr Baba Lawan, thanked the government for the gesture, and pledged to be fair in the distribution of the money.
Lawan said that about 80 per cent of the houses in the community were burnt by the insurgents in addition to some places of worship.

Jigawa
The Jigawa State Government says it has approved the
release of N718.8 million to the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and the newly established State University in Kafin-Hausa.
The State Commissioner for Information, Youths and Sports, Alhaji Babandi Ibrahim, explained that N604.3 million was approved as a counterpart fund for SUBEB.
According to him, the Federal Government will also contribute to the fund to execute projects in primary and junior secondary schools across the state.
He said N114.5 million was approved for the newly established State University, Kafin-Hausa.
The commissioner said the fund was approved during the State Executive Council meeting held last Wednesday.
Ibrahim said the government was committed to providing quality education in the state.

Kaduna
Governor Mukhtar Yero of Kaduna State last Thursday
directed the Ministries of Works, Land and Education to intervene in resolving the recent crisis in Kachia following a trespass on a Muslims’ prayer ground.
Yero gave the directive during a visit to the town after the crisis which led to loss of lives and property on Sunday.
The crisis erupted when part of the fence surrounding the Muslim prayer ground was allegedly pulled down by a Christian group, claiming that the fence had blocked access to their community.
Yero, in a statement signed by his Media aide, Alhaji Ahmed Maiyaki, directed the ministries to work together in resolving the issue.
The governor also called on people in the area to educate and prevent their children from engaging in violent acts and other social vices.
Katsina
A Sociology lecturer at the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua
University, Katsina, Dr Kwaghmande Joseph, has said that Nigeria must tackle corruption in order to improve its image in the international community.
Joseph said this yesterday in a paper entitled: “The Challenges of Corruption on Ethical Practices and Values of Nigeria in the 21st Century.”
He presented the paper at an interactive summit on anti-corruption, ethics and values organised by the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Ethics and Values in collaboration with an NGO, Global Network, Monitoring and Development Initiative.
Earlier, the Executive Director of the NGO, Mr Muhammad Haruna, said the summit was organised for local government chairmen, vice chairmen and secretaries of councils in the state.
The Chairman of Faskari Local Government Council, Alhaji Isyaku Ahmad, averred that local councils should not be viewed as the most corrupt institution in the country.

Kebbi
The Kebbi State Government says it will spend N4
billion on the provision and improvement of infrastructure and social amenities, including water, electricity and roads in different parts of the state.
The Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Sani Kanya, who disclosed this to journalists in Birnin Kebbi on Thursday, said that out of the amount, about N1.2 billion would be spent on digitisation of equipment at the state-owned radio and television stations.
Kanya said a committee had been set up to ensure the installation of the digital equipment in the two stations by January 2015.
The commissioner said that the installation of the digital equipment was in line with the 2008 Geneva global rules for the replacement of analogue equipment in media organisations.

Kwara
Kwara State Government said it would spend N7.2 billion
on the Ilorin metropolis water reticulation project.
Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Investment, Promotion and Strategy, Mr Yomi Ogunsola, said this at a news conference in Ilorin.
Ogunsola said the state government had spent more than N5.2 billion on the project, bringing it to about 98 per cent completion stage.
He said N2 billion would be used from the proposed N23 billion bond to complete the water project.
Ogunsola said the bond would also be spent on the renovation of 120 schools and the indoor Sports Hall of the State Stadium Complex in Ilorin.

Lagos
The members of the Nigerian Association of Women
Journalists (NAWOJ) have elected, Mrs Ifeyinwa Omowole of the News Agency of Nigeria as its new president.
Omowole, polled 469 votes to defeat her opponent, Mrs Fatima Abdulkareem, who scored 198 votes in the 2014 NAWOJ elections in Badagry, Lagos.
In her acceptance speech yesterday, Omowole pledged to give NAWOJ a responsive leadership that would encourage capacity building of its members to enhance their profession.
She assured that her tenure would wear a human face, adding that the new executive would initiate a website for the association for global interactions.
Earlier, Malam Mohammad Garba, National President, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), advised the new officers to embark on capacity building of their colleagues to be able to match the times.

Osun
Authorities of Osun State Polytechnic, (OSPOLY), Iree,
have directed the staff of the institution to resume administrative and academic activities today, Monday.
The Registrar, Mr Busari Salawu, who gave the directive last Thursday in Osogbo, said, “all members of staff are enjoined to resume at their respective duty posts on Monday, May 19.
“Students who are on mid-semester break are to resume for academic duties on the afore-mentioned date,” the statement added. It will be recalled that members of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) have been on strike in the last 10 months.
The union is demanding increased welfare packages as well as improved funding of polytechnic education in the country.

Zamfara
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC),
said it had arrested a Principal, Mr Mahmud Gaya, for alleged illegal registration of 99 ‘students’ for WAEC, NECO and JSCE examinations.
The Public Relations Officer of Gusau Command of NSCDC, Mr Aminu Ismail, said on Thursday that Gaya is the principal of Alheri Group of Schools, Gusau, and that the matter was reported to the command by the school’s proprietress, Mrs Chioma Ugorji.
Ismail said Gaya registered 27 and 36 candidates for WAEC and NECO examinations respectively, while each of the students paid N16, 650.
When questioned, the principal admitted doing so, saying it was a mistake.
He said he assumed the position of school principal since December 2008 and had never been found wanting. “I am married and have three children.”
The NSCDC said the suspect would soon appear in court.

L-R: NUJ National President, Mr Garba Mohammed, National Publicity Secretary, APC, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Representative of President of Nigeria, Alhaji Garba Kakarfi and former NAWOJ National President, Mrs Asabe Baba-nahaja, at the opening of NAWOJ national delegates conference in Badagry, Lagos, last Saturday.

Nation

REAN, SON synergise to curb fake renewable energy product

Published

3 days 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

3 days 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

3 days 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.