Nation

THE STATES

Published

12 years ago

August 18, 2014

Adamawa
The decision of the Acting governor of Adamawa State,
Alhaji Ahmadu Fintiri, to seek for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ticket for the October 11 governorship by-election has attracted mixed reactions around the state.
Fintiri had on Friday told newsmen in Yola that he had picked PDP’s “Expression of Intent” form for the by-election.
A PDP chieftain in the state, Alhaji Abubakar Kari, told newsmen that the development was welcome as the acting governor would be a popular candidate, if picked by the party.
Also commenting on the development, some civil servants, including Bello Abubakar, Janet Ibrahim and Emmanuel Danlami, lauded the development and called for support for the acting governor’s ambition.

Borno
The All Progressives Youth Forum has said it is plan
ning a nationwide thanksgiving with a special Sunday church service and Jumma’at prayers over the planned defection of former governor of Borno State, Ali Modu Sheriff from the APC to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Its Chairman, Barrister Ismail Ahmed, said the forum received the news with so much joy as it considers his exit as the best thing that would ever happen to the life of the party, due to what it calls “strategic blackmail” of the APC by the PDP, using Sheriff’s alleged links with the Boko Haram sect.
The forum noted that it had conducted very serious investigations about all the games in trying to attach a bad name to the APC locally and internationally.
“We found out that the PDP uses sponsored commentators in Nigeria to link Sheriff with Boko Haram, rightly or wrongly, and because he was a chieftain of the APC, it was easy to sell that to Nigerians using the media,” it said.

Ekiti

Ekiti State Governor-elect, Dr Ayodele Fayose and Min
ister for State of Works, Prince Dayo Adeyeye have reiterated their determination to work together to ensure rapid and sustained development for Ekiti State.
Fayose and Adeyeye, who spoke during the thanksgiving service in honour of Adeyeye at St Mark Anglican church, Odo Ise, Ise Ekiti on Saturday, said the only way to appreciate God for what He had done for them was to use their positions for the betterment of the people.
Fayose, who described the appointment of Adeyeye as a minister as “well deserved” said; “I will join hands with Adeyeye to promote the interest of every Ekiti indigene at the Federal level.
“We will work very closely for the betterment of Ekiti and its people and I want to assure you that my minister will not be that minister that won’t be readily available to his people.

FCT
The Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) has called on
Federal Government to provide adequate infrastructure for the service to enhance its productivity.
In an interview with newsmen in Abuja yesterday, the Deputy Postmaster-General, Counter Operation, Mr Emem Samuel, said some capital projects were being done by the service alone.
“We need capital investments from the Federal Government to upgrade NIPOST as this will attract investors to invest in the service.
“Britain drove the Royal Mail to its present enviable position and the British government is still investing in it because of the importance of postal service as employer of labour.
Kaduna

There are allegations that several road projects awarded
by the administration of the late Governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa of Kaduna State in 2012 have been abandoned.
Some of the projects are said to have been abandoned by the contractors at early stages after collecting mobilisation fees.
Government sources alleged that most of the contracts were awarded to politicians and friends of policymakers without adherence to due process. Such contractors deliberately refused to fulfill their promises, the source said, adding, however, that some of them were not given enough money to complete the projects.
Kano
The Emir of Kano, His Eminence, Muhammad Sanusi II,
has turbaned his uncle, Munir Sanusi as Danmaje and Yahaya Inuwa Abbas as Dokaji of Kano emirate respectively.
The ceremony took place at Soron Nadi, the emir’s palace.
Munir Sanusi is among the sons of the grandfather of the present Kano emir, the 54th emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi and was turbaned Danmaje of Kano emirate; the traditional title held by Emir Sanusi before he became Emir of Kano.
While Yahaya Inuwa Abbas who is the son of the 56th emir of Kano, the late Muhammad Inuwa was turbaned Dokaji of Kano emirate.
In his remarks shortly after turbaning, Sanusi prayed that they would work diligently for the sake of the uplifting of the Kano emirate.
Kebbi

First Military Governor of Kebbi State and second term
serving President-General of Urhobo Progressive Union (UPU) worldwide, Major General Patrick Aziza (rtd) is dead.
Aziza died early last Saturday morning after a protracted illness in Abuja hospital. He was aged 66 years.
The late Gen. Aziza will always be remembered as the chairman of the Special Military Tribunal that convicted and jailed former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and late former Chief of Staff, Gen. Shehu Musa Yar’Ádua, over an alleged 1995 phantom coup during regime of late Head of State, General Sani Abacha.

Kwara
Chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party in Kwara State,
Mr. Dele Belgore (SAN) and Senator Gbemisola Saraki have canvassed for peaceful and active participation of eligible voters during the ongoing permanent voter cards issuance and the forthcoming continuous voter registration in Kwara State.
Claiming that the PDP will defeat the All Progressives Congress (APC) in presidential election and all elections in Kwara State in the 2015 general elections, they enjoined eligible voters to take the exercises seriously so as to qualify to choose their leaders.
There had been pockets of violence in some areas in Ilorin during the PVC issuance. A corps member was injured during one of the fracas while some people and groups including the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) had alleged that some of the thugs involved in the violence were suspected supporters of Belgore.

Lagos
One of the passengers who were involved in a boat
explosion last Friday in Lagos is yet to be found two days later.
Emmanuel Onu was involved in the accident which injured several passengers who were immediately rescued and taken to different hospitals in Lagos Island.
“The boat which was said to belong to Aquitien Oil and Gas, took off from V-Craft Jetty, Lekki Phase One, and while trying to refill gasoline at Capital Oil Jetty at Victoria Island, the engine exploded,” Ibrahim Farinloye, Spokesperson, South-West, National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA.

Nasarawa
Nigeria’s main opposition party, All Progressives Congress
(APC) has condemned the renewed plan by the Nasarawa House of Assembly to impeach Governor Tanko Al-Makura, saying the state lawmakers are bent on thumbing their nose at the constitution in their desperation to remove the governor, who has been cleared of the charges against him by a duly constituted impeachment panel.
The party said that the illegality is being “contemplated under the watch of President Goodluck Jonathan and is clear for all to see.”
The party said the position of the constitution is clear that only the Chief Judge of the state can set up such a panel, upon receiving a request from the Speaker of the House of Assembly, hence any attempt to draft a Vacation Judge to set up another panel will mean working against the spirit and letter of the same Constitution that gave the legislature the impeachment power in the first instance.

Ogun
Given the intervention by the National Chairman, Labour Party,
Chief Dan Nwanyanwu and a national leader of the party and Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, the suit against a former governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel by a factional state executive of the party led by Mr. Bode Simeon, would be withdrawn anytime from now.
A pointer to this was contained in a statement jointly signed by the state Secretary, Mr. Sunday Oginni and state Financial Secretary, Mr. Abayomi Arabambi, and the national leadership of the party.
The party had been enmeshed in leadership crisis between Daniel and the Mr. Olabode Simeon-led executive, which polarised the party into two factions in the state.
In the statement, the party said it has commenced a move to discontinue with the suit filed against Daniel challenging his authority in the party before a Federal High Court, Ikeja, Lagos.

Osun
The governors of the 36 states of the federation under the
auspices of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) have urged all national institutions and security agencies to emulate the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), eschew partisanship and learn to discharge their responsibilities with professionalism.
“They should put their services at the disposal of all Nigerians irrespective of political affiliations. Our security agencies are important national assets in which all Nigerians have stakes and must not only be fair to all parties during elections, but must be seen to be so,” the governors advised in a congratulatory message issued by the NGF Director General Asishana Okauru.
The governors congratulated Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, the governor-elect of Osun State on his re-election at the just concluded gubernatorial election and urged all the other 19 candidates to work with the Governor to take Osun State forward.
Oyo
The popular Alesinloye market in Ibadan was in the early
hours of yesterday gutted by fire, which destroyed several shops and goods estimated at millions of naira.
The fire was reportedly caused by surge in electricity. Goods were burnt or looted as touts pounced on the shops under the guise of helping to put out the fire.
One of the affected traders was said to have just stocked up her shop on Friday before the incident.

Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State (right) registering for National Identity Card in Ibadan, recently. Photo: NAN

Nation

REAN, SON synergise to curb fake renewable energy product

Published

3 weeks 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 weeks 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 weeks 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.