Nation

THE STATES

Published

12 years ago

January 5, 2015

Bauchi

Bauchi State Government has said it spent N9.73
billion in seven years on various projects under the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in the state.
The State Focal Person, Alhaji Mohammed Ibrahim, made this known in an interview with newsmen in Bauchi recently.
Ibrahim said the amount was spent on the construction of 60 Primary Health Care Centres, 24 Clinics, 27 blocks of classrooms and 627 VIP latrines.
Others were purchase of 60 ambulances, drilling of 427 boreholes, construction of 40 dispensaries, four units of health centres, equipping of health centres and supply of drugs.
He said that renovation of health centres, classrooms, installation of Solar Inverters, supply of drugs, medical equipment, school furniture under 2012 Conditional Grant Scheme gulped one billion naira.

FCT

The presidential candidate of the Alliance for Democ
racy, Dr Rafiu Salau, on Saturday pledged to create two million jobs if elected into office in next month’s election.
Salau made the pledge while unfolding his manifesto in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.
To attain such a feat, Salau said his administration would ensure more local content involvement in the exploration and sale of crude oil as well as shipment by local maritime companies.
He said: “First, a minimum of 70 per cent of the exploration of the crude oil in the nation must be done by local companies.
“Whatever the profit made by local companies will be invested in the economy of the nation. This will go a long way in increasing the revenue that will be generated in the industry.

Kano

The Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), Kano
State chapter, on Friday directed all its members in the state to go on an indefinite strike.
Mr Suleman Aliyu, the secretary of the union in the state, disclosed this while speaking with newsmen in Kano.
He said the action was part of decisions taken by judiciary workers to persuade the Federal Government to grant autonomy to judicial arm of government.
“The union has ordered all it members to start an indefinite strike action from Friday, meaning that all courts in the state will remain closed indefinitely,” he said.
According to him, the action is necessary following the alleged failure of the Federal Government to implement a verdict of a Federal High court of the January 13, 2014.
“We have passed the directives to all our members in Kano and they have complied because we went round and we are satisfied with the level of compliance”, he said.

Kwara

One person died while several others sustained inju
ries in a lone accident that occurred last Saturday at Eleyin Village on the Ilorin-Omu-Aran Highway in Kwara State.
The accident involved a truck with registration number Lagos KRD 457 XJ which was loaded with food and household items.
The vehicle, our correspondent learnt , was said to be heading to Ilorin from Kabba in Kogi when the incident happened.
An eyewitness said that the driver of the truck suddenly lost control and rammed into a PHCN pole before spilling its content in the bush.

Lagos

Some members of the Lagos State House of Assembly
have urged INEC to embark on sensitisation campaigns on procedures for collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and the voting process.
The lawmakers told newsmen on Saturday in Lagos that the campaign was necessary specifically because of the newly introduced PVCs.
Mr Abiodun Tobun (APC-Epe I) urged the electoral body to take proactive measures in sensitising the electorate on collection of PVCs.
“I think INEC should prepare more for the elections in term of public sensitisation on PVCs collection and the voting process.

Nasarawa

The All Progressives Grand Allaince (APGA) last Sat
urday presented the immediate past Minister of Information, Mr Labaran Maku, as its governorship candidate in Nasarawa State.
The party also presented Mr Ibrahim Abu as Maku’s running mate in February’s governorship election.
The Chairman of the party in the state, Chief John Amako, presented Maku and his running mate in Lafia to the party’s officials and supporters from the 13 local government areas of the state.
“By this pronouncement, all rumours making the rounds that Maku is not the governorship candidate of APGA in the state should be disregarded,” Amako said.

Niger

The General Manager, Niger State Emergency Manage
ment Agency (NSEMA), Alhaji Mohammed Shaba has said that no fewer than 395 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) are residing in the state.
He told newmen in an interview on Sunday in Minna that most of the IDPs were from the north-eastern zone of the country.
“We have 107 IDPs from Kalaah Hong Madagli in Adamawa that are living in Gurara Local Government and 288 IDPs from Gwoza in Borno residing in Shiroro Local Government.
“Those living in Gurara claimed that they followed their relatives and they are camping in Dikko Central Primary School, Gurara.
“Some of those residing in Shiroro also claimed that they are fishermen with women and children from Doron Baga in Borno, a riverine area.

Osun

The Deputy Chief Imam of Ife Central Mosque, Alhaji
AbdulHammed AbdulSemiu, has called for unity and peaceful co-existence among Nigerians.
AbdulSemiu made the call during Friday prayers that marked the birth of Mohammed at Ife Central Mosque, Enuwa, Ile-Ife.
He said that it was remarkable that last week Thursday, Christians celebrated the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ and Muslims were now celebrating the month of birth of Prophet Mohammed.
He said that meant that there should not be any disagreement between the two religions but cordial relationship.

Plateau

The Chairman of Mangu Local Government Area in Pla
teau State, Mr Caleb Mutfwang, on Saturday confirmed that seven persons were killed in recent attacks on some parts of the area.
Mutfwang told a news conference in Jos that the area witnessed some security challenges in which lives were lost.
He said the attacks occurred in Maitumbi, Jwak-Maitumbi, Kyampus, Mai-Rana, Sarbot and Kantoma villages and their immediate environs.
According to him, the enemies struck in the night of Dec. 26 and shot one Mr Yoila Micah dead in his residence in Jwak-Maitumbi.
He said that while the community was recovering from the attack, the gunmen struck again on Tuesday and shot two men riding on a motor-cycle, killing and beheading one Longji Mikyes while another unnamed person escaped with gunshot wounds.

Sokoto

Senate President David Mark last Saturday called on the
people of Sokoto North Senatorial District to return Sen. Ahmed Maccido to the Senate in 2015.
Maccido (PDP-Sokoto), is the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriation.
Mark made the call during the distribution of motorcycles, water pumping, sewing and grinding machines purchased by Maccido to the constituents in Sokoto on Saturday.
Mark was represented by former Senate Leader and PDP gubernatorial candidate for the 2015 general elections in Sokoto State, Amb. Abdallah Wali.
Mark explained that Maccido’s re-election would enable him to continue with the good work he had been doing in line with the manifesto of the PDP.

From left: 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 Governor Fashola in Lagos last Tuesday

Nation

REAN, SON synergise to curb fake renewable energy product

Published

4 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

4 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

4 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.