Nation

NATION

Published

12 years ago

October 1, 2014

Bauchi
The Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar, has
assured that substantial portions of the ongoing rehabilitation of rail track in the Eastern corridor from Port Harcourt to Maiduguri will be completed latest by December this year to enable trains to move from Port Harcourt to Gombe.
The minister gave the assurance yesterday while speaking with journalists at Inkil in Bauchi, shortly after inspecting the ongoing rehabilitation work, saying that over 90 per cent of the work had been completed so far.
According to Senator Umar, “At the moment, we are rehabilitating and indeed we completed over 90 per cent of the rehabilitation exercise. We hope that by December this year, substantial portions of this particular important corridor from Port Harcourt to Maiduguri will be completed. The only portion that will probably be left will be from Bajoga to Buni Yadi up to Maiduguri. This is because of the obvious reason we all know; the security challenges around Maiduguri side.

Benue

The police in Benue State, yesterday said it arrested
two persons in connection with the killing of a girl at her family farm in Mballagh village of Makurdi Local Government Area.
Spokesman of the command, DSP Daniel Ezeala, said the two men had traced two girls to their farm where they were working and killed one of them, leaving the other seriously injured.
He said the incident happened on Friday, but the men were apprehended by a police search party with support from the civilian task force.
Ezeala confirmed that the injured victim is now receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital while investigation into the matter has commenced.
He added that calm has returned to the area, and urged residents to go about their businesses without fear.

Ekiti

The pace-setting Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti
(ABUAD), has expressed its readiness to support the Federal Roads Safety Corps (FRSC) towards reducing the alarming rate of road accidents in Ekiti state in particular and in Nigeria in general.
Speaking while receiving the new FRSC Corps Commander, Barrister Stanley Chinedum, in his office, ABUAD’s Founder and Chancellor, Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, said the move was part of the university’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in ensuring the safety of road users and curbing the un-salutary consequences of loss of innocent lives and billions of Naira in both ambulatory and non-ambulatory properties round the country.
Babalola said his university would support the Corps in all ways possible to enhance its capacity for educating drivers, motorists and other members of the public on the proper and safe use of highways, particularly as he sees the FRSC as one of the most viable, effective and efficient public institutions in Nigeria whose contributions towards enhancing the safety of road users cannot and should not be underestimated.

FCT

The Federal Ministry of Education may lose four of its
cars if it fails to settle its indebtedness amounting to N7.2 million to a company by name Sirius Global Resources Limited.
The debt is as a result of the ministry’s failure to pay for the supplies of 200 pieces of printer toner among other office items.
The ministry has five days to settle the debt or forget the vehicles, which some staff of the ministry said are worth N50 million.
Our source saw towing vans moving the vehicles out of the ministry late Thursday on the order of an Abuja High Court.
The high court had ordered that movable items of the ministry should be impounded to help settle the debt.
Kaduna

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kaduna State
chapter, yesterday called on the federal government to apply similar security measures in the North-East to Southern Kaduna.
Over 5, 000 people have been killed in Southern Kaduna following various attacks by suspected terrorists.
In a communique issued at the end of its congress, the NUJ, led by its council chairman, Yusuf Idris, said the federal and the Kaduna State governments should be proactive in handling incessant attacks on the people of Southern Kaduna.
“The union condemns the continued attacks. Government and security agencies have not done much to curtail the killings in Southern Kaduna.
“The union is also of the view that the federal government should equally extend the same security measures in the North-East to the southern part of Kaduna, Plateau and Nasarawa states,” the communique read.

Kogi
Teachers in public primary and junior secondary
schools in Kogi in Kogi have refused to resume for the 2014/2015 academic session on Sept. 29 as directed by the State Government.
The teachers, under the aegis of Basic Education Staff Association of Nigeria (BESAN), said in a statement in Lokoja on Sunday that they would not resume duty until they were paid the N18,000 national minimum wage.
The statement, signed by the state Chairman of the association, Mr Suleiman Adomu, said that the issue of promotions and incremental steps without cash backing should be addressed by the state government without further delay.
Another demand made by the association was a stop to irregular payment of salaries to its members and full payment of the arrears of leave allowance being owed teachers from 2011 to date.

Lagos

Nominations for the 2014 Edition of The Nigeria Entre
preneurs Award have revved up with over 2,000 individuals and Corporate Organisation jostling for the prestigious awards scheduled to hold December 13, 2014 at the Eko Hotels & Suits, Lagos.
The Nigeria Entrepreneurs Awards is an exclusive award that seeks to reward excellence among the most committed and dedicated businesses operating in Nigeria.
The statement made available by the coordinating director of the Award, Mr. Uwabor Joshua, said that this year’s award is designed to reward excellence service delivery and create the consciousness among CEO’s in Nigeria.
The idea behind the awards, according to him, is to imbibe a culture of excellence in young and emerging business leaders and showcase thriving businesses in the Nigerian economy that will serve as model businesses for others to emulate.
Nassarawa
A 25-year old Fulani herdsman, Abdullah Buldi,
arrested by Eggon youths after the invasion of Gidan Gambo village in Lafia Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, has confirmed that he participated in series of attacks and destruction of properties in the on-going face-off between farmers and nomads in the state.
Buldi, who was captured while trying to escape after the invasion, said he was hired alongside 200 others to carry out serial attacks in Nasarawa South Senatorial District of the state.
He explained that N300, 000 was given to his leaders, who brought same to them at Ikposogye village where they were residing.
According to him, “when they gave us the money, we were also given arms and ammunition, including food and water. I never knew it will turn out bad for me. About 200 of us from Keana, Azara and Obi areas were hired to attack the village”.

Ogun

The Federal Government has concluded plans to part
ner with Odua Chamber of Commerce, Industries,Mines and Agriculture (ODUACCIMA), for a regional international trade fair billed to attract over 5,000 exhibitors and participants.
The Chairman, 2014 Odua International Trade Fair Planning Committee, Asiwaju Olaitan Alabi disclosed this at a press conference held at the MKO Trade Fair Complex, Abeokuta to herald the trade fair which will hold between November 21 and 30, 2014.
Accompanied by the National President of Oduaccima, Iyalode Alaba Lawson,and other south-west executives, the planning committee chairman explained that, the fair would take place at the Trans Amusement Park, Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital.
‘Oduaccima, an association of all Chambers of Commerce and Industry drawn from all states in the South-West of Nigeria comprising Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Ekiti States, is organising this trade fair in collaboration with the Federal Government and the respective state governments’ the chairman stated.

Osun

There was confusion in Iwo, Osun State, recently when
some Muslim youth clashed with traditional worshippers (masquerades), setting the regalia of one traditionalist on fire.
The man behind the masquerade, simply called Ogundeji, was beaten to pulp before the regalia ws burnt. The victim sustained severe injuries and barely escaped the scene to safety.
The incident occurred during the annual Egungun Festival in Iwo and almost disrupted the activities of the traditionalists in the ancient town.
The Muslim group, known as Kamarudeen Muslim Society, was said to be organising a religious programme when the traditionalists came by and demanded that they must stop their drumming, which drew the anger of the Muslims following which a free-for-all fight ensued.

President Goodluck Jonathan (left) with President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya during a meeting in Abuja, recently.

Nation

REAN, SON synergise to curb fake renewable energy product

Published

2 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

2 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

2 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.