Nation

THE STATES

Published

12 years ago

August 27, 2014

Adamawa
Former EFCC boss, Nuhu Ribadu has promised not to
disappoint the leadership of the PDP if he emerged as the next Adamawa State governor come October 11.
He made the promise last Monday in Abuja, while submitting his expression of interest and nomination form to contest the forth coming Adamawa governorship election on the platter of PDP.
He submitted his document to the National Organising Secretary, Alhaji Abubakar Mustapha.
“I remain ever grateful, I assure you that I will not disappoint you, I will not let you down on the cherished hope and trust you invested in me,’’ he said.
Ribadu described the submission of the form as an epoch-making event in his life.
He added that he decided to contest the election because his associates and Adamawa PDP stakeholders convinced him to do so.
“My decision to contest the Adamawa governorship election under the platform of the PDP is a turning point in my life and my career in public service.

Borno
Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State has advised
residents of the state to remain calm following alleged proclamation of Islamic State in Gwoza by Boko Harm insurgents.
This is contained in a statement by Shettima in Maiduguri.
The governor was reacting to a video released by the terrorists on their operations in Borno.
“With very due respect, I cannot comment on the authenticity or otherwise of that video. I will leave that to security experts.
“I also cannot disclose measures being adopted by security agencies on whatever development in Gwoza or any part of Borno. “I can assure the good people of Borno and other members of the public that the State Government is actively in touch and supporting security agencies deployed to the state.
“We are not just studying the situation with collaborative tact and urgency but indeed appropriate measures are being taken by the right authorities’’, he said.

Ekiti
Peoples Democratic Party in Ekiti State has accused the
Governing Council of Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, of siphoning fund through frivolous awards of contracts.
In a statement in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday, the state’s Publicity Secretary, Kola Oluwawole, alleged that the institution planned to award phoney contracts worth N2.5bn later this week.
He said, “As the party that will form the incoming administration in the state, the PDP has to draw the attention of the people of the state to official misconduct going on in EKSU.
“The Governing Council of the institution has not met for over six months now and a meeting has been fixed for Thursday where phoney contracts valued at N2.5bn will be awarded.
“The contracts were not advertised for tender, there was no bidding process. The contracts never passed through due process as expected, but they want to award them.
“It is disheartening that such actions are being perpetrated in a citadel of learning, a university for that matter. This is coming against the backdrop of the illegal employment of over 1,000 workers in the institution, and all these taking place after the incumbent governor was defeated in the June 21 election.”

FCT
A former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party,
Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, has warned those changing their membership of political parties to desist from it.
He said such action was capable of derailing the country’s democracy.
Tukur, who is Nigeria’s Ambassador-at-large, expressed misgivings on the state of instability in political parties in Nigeria, especially with unrestrained manner of defection by members of different parties in the country.
He said the trend which has already been making mockery of Nigeria’s politics was capable of derailing democracy if not checked on time.
Tukur spoke in Abuja on Tuesday at his private residence, when some PDP youth leaders from the North-Central, led by Mr. Yalla Ibrahim, paid him a private visit.
Jigawa
The Jigawa State Government says it has trained 238
traditional rulers on alternative dispute resolution.
The Chairman, Jigawa Justice Sector and Law Reform Commission, Justice Tijjani Abubakar, made the disclosure at a one-day conference on Traditional Justice System in Dutse.
Abubakar explained that the monarchs were trained on Nigeria’s legal system, record keeping, human rights issues and development of code of ethics.
He said another batch of 191 traditional rulers comprising council members and district heads from the five emirates council were currently being trained across the state.

Kwara
The Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, has
said good governance and delivery of dividends of democracy to the people by political leaders and not empty promises are what would ensure re-election.
Speaking at the Kwara State Signage and Advertisement Agency stakeholders’ forum in Ilorin on Tuesday, Ahmed who was represented by his deputy, Mr. Peter Kisira, urged politicians and their supporters to avoid violence.
He said it was important for political parties, politicians and other political actors to comply with rules for outdoor advertising and signage in the state to maintain integrity and professionalism in the sector.
The governor warned that any group or anyone who defaced or destroyed any approved billboard would be breaking the law and would be dealt with accordingly.

Plateau
The Joint Union of Plateau State owned Tertiary Institutions,
JUPTI has raised alarm over the exodus of experienced professionals who have abandoned the institutions for greener pasture.
The union urged the state government to look into the situation to prevent further deterioration, appealing to stakeholders to prevail on government to do what is right for the schools.
The Joint Union accused the state government of negligence of the institutions thereby forcing credible hands in departments like Engineering, Sciences and the Humanities to be lost to other institutions.
Addressing journalists yesterday in Jos, the Chairman of JUPTI who is also the Chairman, Plateau State Polytechnic Chapter of Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic, ASUP, Mr. Victor Dawurung said the people of Plateau State should not blame the Union as its seeks to resume its earlier suspended strike action.
His words, “It is time for us to tell the world what the State-owned institutions is going through. You would recall that on the 13th May, 2013, we suspended the strike we embarked upon on the 22nd February, 2013 following the personal intervention of the State Head of Service.
Sokoto
Coalition of Sokoto State Youth and Students Leaders,
CSYSL, has called on youths in the state to stop further protest against state government’s plans to borrow money for developmental purposes, noting that the state is empowered by the law to borrow for such purpose.
It also described an earlier protest in the state as the handiwork of enemies of the government, advising that youths should avoid being used to achieve political ends.
This was disclosed in a statement by Messrs. Kassim Nakura, Deputy Coordinator Zone A, National Association of Nigerian Students,NANS; Abdulrahaman Aliyu, General Coordinator, Coalition of Sokoto Youth Associations; Abubakar Salame, Vice President, North-West, National Youth Council; Abdulrahaman Bawa, Deputy Speaker Northern Youth Assembly and Suleiman Mamud, Youth Initiative for Development and Accountability.
The statement reads: ‘’It is surprising that some youths are engaging in activities that are capable of tarnishing the image of Sokoto State over an issue that has constitutional backing.

Taraba
A Chief Magistrate’s Court in Jalingo, Friday adjourned
the case between the Taraba State University and staff members of the State College of Education, Zing, over the occupation of staff quarters till August 25 for further hearing.
The university is praying the court to grant it permission to evict the staff members of the college from the quarters, arguing that all the structures of the college, including the quarters, had been given to the university by the state government.
When the case came up for hearing, counsel to staff members of the college, Saleh Wakili, tendered an application, asking the court to join the Taraba State government and the college of education in the case, saying they were the owners of the disputed property.

Yobe
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Yobe State
yesterday said that the dismissal of alleged impeachment plot against Governor Ibrahim Gaidam by the state lawmakers has diffused tension among the citizenry.
Yobe state Secretary of the party, Alhaji Abubakar Bakabe, made the submission in a statement made available to journalists.
“The party commended the timely response of the legislators to the allegation and also passed a vote of confidence on the governor,” Bakabe said.
“As the ruling party in the state, APC has a sitting governor, three senators, six members of House of Representatives, 24 members of the State House of Assembly and 17 local government chairmen.
He listed the projects to include roads, healthcare delivery, functional education and employment opportunities for the benefit of the people.

L-R: Lagos State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr Ademorin Kuye, Governor Babatunde Fashola and Oba Rilwan Akiolu of Lagos, at a meeting of traditional rulers with the governor in Lagos, yesterday.

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.