Nation

THE STATES

Published

12 years ago

October 3, 2014

Adamawa

The presidential committee on relief materials has
initiated the distribution of relief materials to persons displaced by attacks in Adamawa State.
The Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okwonjo-Eweala, who presented the materials, said they were meant to cushion the effect of insurgency on the victims.
The event took place at Bajabure displaced peoples camp in Girei Local Government Area of the state.
The minister said the gesture had no political undertone as being insinuated, adding that the victims were Nigerians and that government had the obligation to ease their suffering.
In his address, Mr Boni Haruna, Minister of Youth Development, said government was concerned about the victims.
“Government is very concerned and is bound to respond on issues in the North-East region of the country. It is making progress in the war against insurgency,” he said.

Borno

The Borno State chapter of the Christian Associa
tion of Nigeria (CAN) yesterday advised political and religious leaders in the country to examine their conduct and lead with the fear of God.
This is contained in a message delivered by Bishop Naga Mohammed at the October 1, Unity Prayer organised by the association in Maiduguri.
The association said God had freed Nigeria and Nigerians from the clutches of under-development, corruption and endemic poverty but expressed regret that the nation’s leaders had repeatedly held the country in captivity.
“God has given us freedom but the devil is usually out to snatch it from us through our act, especially most of our leaders. Nigeria got independence from the British colonial masters but we are not free from poverty and many problems,’’ CAN stated. It urged Nigerian leaders to purge themselves of selfish interest and seek truth so that the nation could be set free.

Ekiti

Former Head of State and All Progressives Con
gress (APC) presidential aspirant, General Mohammadu Buhari (rtd), has urged Nigerians to use the opportunity of the 2015 general election to stop what he referred to as “the tyranny of the Peoples Democratic Party in the country.”
Buhari, who was in Ado Ekiti, on Wednesday, to inaugurate the newly-constructed Ekiti Parapo Square built by Governor Kayode Fayemi, said it was time for Nigerians to take their destiny in their hands “and rescue themselves from bad governance and oppression.”
Buhari, who was a special guest of honour at ceremonies to mark the 18th anniversary of the creation of Ekiti State, lamented that Nigerians had “been traumatised by the PDP reign in the country,” saying it was time for them to make a change.

FCT

Senate President, David Mark, on Wednesday, cau
tioned politicians against inflammatory and treasonable statements, ahead the 2015 elections.
Mark, at a special church service to mark Nigeria’s 54th Independent anniversary at St. Mulumba’s Catholic Chaplaincy, Apo, Abuja, added that unguarded statements could overheat the polity and create avoidable tension.
He insisted that ambitions of individuals were subordinate to national interest, adding that “Nigeria must exist as a nation first before we could pursue our individual ambitions.”
Mark also stated that those who had been seen fanning the embers of war must immediately desist as, according to him, Nigerians had a lot to gain by being united.

Kaduna

All Progressives Congress (APC) members in the
Kaduna State House of Assembly have endorsed General Muhammadu Buhari to contest the 2015 presidential election.
The APC members that constituted the opposition at the Assembly said they endorsed Buhari on behalf of their constituencies.
Minority Leader in the Assembly, Mohammed Ali, in company of other members of opposition, said many people fear General Buhari because they are beholden to corruption and greed, adding that many adore him because they believed he has the ability to turn things around.
“Never in the history of this nation have we come close to a failed state as it is presently experienced owing to the ineptitude of those charged with the responsibility of leading the nation but history has it that when General Buhari was the Military head of state, Nigeria blossomed as a nation while discipline was restored and Nigeria was respected worldwide, “ he said.

Kwara

The Project Director, Ambico Sendivian Limited, Mr.
Idowu Salawu, has said that the cause of the floods which had destroyed properties worth millions of Naira in Illorin, the Kwara State capital, was not because the federal government had abandoned the channelisation of the Asa River in Kwara State.
In an interview with our correspondent in Ilorin yesterday, he stated that it is incorrect that the Federal Government had abandoned the project, adding that the project is still on course and that the Federal Government had mobilized the company for the channelisation of the Asa River.
He blamed the flood on the heavy rains currently being witnessed as a result of climate change.

Ogun

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Thursday de
scribed the death of Dame Remi Oyo, the former Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) as painful.
Oyo, who was the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to Obasanjo when he was president between 1999 and 2007, died in a London hospital on Wednesday at the age of 61.
Reacting to the death, Obasanjo said in a statement in Abeokuta that: “The sudden death of this thorough-bread journalist left a very sour taste in our mouths.”
He noted that Oyo, through her public service as his media aide, earned the recognition and admiration of many of her compatriots across the length and breadth of Nigeria.
“She was a dutiful and hardworking woman and did her very best to the end in the service of her fatherland.

Osun
In its quest to eradicate corruption in Nigeria, the Secre
tary of the National Universities Commission, Professor Akinsola Okebukola has tasked educationists to fight against corruption in the education sector.
The call was made at the 2014 Foundation Day Lecture of the Osun State University, with the theme: When will the Glory days of Nigerian Universities be here?
In his lecture, he stressed the importance of operating and maintaining a standard academic atmosphere. According to him, “the practical way of handling corruption is by including reward and sanction and rewarding good behaviour and punishing bad behaviour.”

Lagos

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) yesterday said
the implementation of the minimum standards for haulage at the ports would commence on October 2.
The Apapa Port Manager, Mr Anas Nasir, told newsmen in Lagos that the new haulage policy would be inaugurated at Lagos ports with an awareness campaign for truck drivers.
The NPA had earlier informed the Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO) of its intention to implement the policy.
“We are going to adopt a gradual approach in enforcing the minimum standards for operational trucks at the port following the association’s appeal. Being the last quarter of the year, there may be high demand for their services and it may harm their business if a number of them cannot operate, ’’Nasir said.
The port manager, however, noted that adopting a mild approach for now did not mean safety standards would be compromised.
Taraba

A Taraba group, DSK Project 2015, yesterday faulted
General TY Danjuma over his reported endorsement of the minister of state for Niger Delta, Architect Ishaku Darius as consensus candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Southern Taraba.
Director General of DSK Project 2015, Senator Abdulaziz Ibrahim, at a press conference in Jalingo said Gen. Danjuma was ‘misinformed’ by ‘Abuja-based politicians’ into endorsing Ishaku as against the earlier decision of the southern zone which chose Chief David Sabo Kente as its consensus candidate.
“While we respect General TY Danjuma as a national elder-statesman and distinguished military general of Taraba State extraction, we fear he has faulted as he allowed himself to be misdirected-through misinformation-by a group of politicians who are based in Abuja, who have no direct contact with the grassroots-our local populace in Taraba”, he said.

Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zainab Maina (left) with the Deputy Head of Chancery, British High Commission, Josephine Guide, during the visit of Josephine to the ministry in Abuja, recently. Photo: NAN

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.