Connect with us

Nation

THE STATES

Published

12 years ago

on

Borno
Alhaji Kabiru Turaki, the Minister for Special Duties,
said on Saturday that it was illogical to link the activities of the Boko Haram insurgents to the Federal Government.
Turaki said this while speaking at the PDP Presidential Rally held in Maiduguri.
He described individuals peddling such romour as “most unpatriotic.’’
“It is an open secret that government does not have a hand in the current insecurity facing us.
“Although, some people have been spreading falsehood linking government with the problem,” Turaki said.
“The people of Borno are well known for their intelligence. I am sure that they know very well that government cannot have a hand in this mess,” he said.

FCT
Australia’s High Commissioner to Nigeria has appealed
to political parties and their candidates to refrain from violent acts and inflammatory speeches ahead of the February general elections.
Mr Jonathan Richardson, gave the advice on the occasion of the celebration of Australia Day in Abuja.
Our correspondent  reports that the Australia celebrates its National Day on January 26 every year to commemorate the establishment of the first European settlement at Port Jackson, now part of Sydney, in 1788.
Richardson said that Australia was, however, confident that the poll would be peaceful.
He welcomed the Abuja Peace Accord of January 14, and appealed to all the stakeholders to abide by the non-violence pact.
He said, “Australia wishes Nigeria every success in holding free, fair, credible and peaceful elections.

Gombe

Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State said  that
the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would emerge victorious at all levels in the state in the February general elections.
Dankwambo, who spoke to newsmen in Yola shortly after presiding over a stakeholders’ meeting, said the meeting had resolved all issues within the party in the state.
“I am here on a mission of the PDP to meet some of the stakeholders in Adamawa on how we will move the party forward.
“We met and discussed on how we can carry everyone in the party along to face the February general elections.
“I see Adamawa as one of our strong base and by the grace of God victory is certain,” Dankwambo said.
Also speaking, Prof. Jibril Aminu, a PDP Board of Trustee member, urged those who felt aggrieved and had already left the party to return, saying everyone would be carried along.

Jigawa

Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa has  urged traditional
rulers to caution their subjects against harassment of any leader in the name of politics. Lamido gave the advice when he stopped over to pay homage to Emir of Kazaure, Alhaji Najib Adamu, during the ongoing campaign tour in the area. He said that the recent attacks on leaders were bad for the country’s democracy and tasked monarchs to educate their subjects on what leadership was all about and how people should honour and respect those in power.
“I am not happy with the ugly development where our youths are used to boo leaders during political campaigns. It is a bad precedent that everyone must rise against.
“As Nigerians, we have been living peacefully, people from the North have been living and doing business in the South and those from the South have been living and peacefully doing business in the North, therefore, we have to avoid doing anything that will endanger their lives.’’

Kaduna

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)
said it would use 35, 000 ad hoc staff in Kaduna State for the forthcoming general elections.
The commission’s Administrative Secretary in the state, Alhaji Yusuf Hadejia, said this in an interview with newsmen  in Kaduna  recently.
According to him, the ad hoc staff will include National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members, students of tertiary institutions and facilitators from universities.
He said training had already commenced for staff as the commission was getting set to conduct hitch-free and acceptable polls.
Yusuf added that materials for the elections had started arriving, noting that “we have commenced the collection of non sensitive materials from Abuja, and we are organising series of workshops ahead of the elections.’’

Kwara

No fewer than four shops were saved from being de
stroyed by fire in Ilorin  following the quick intervention of the men of the Kwara Fire Service.
Our correspondent  reports that the incidence occurred opposite Yusjib Industrial Medi-care Hospital in Offa Garage area of Ilorin recently.
The Fire fighters, who got to the scene of the inferno early enough, were able to put out the fire in good time before it could escalate.
Some sympathisers told  newsmen  that the fire was triggered by an unknown person, who was burning debris in the yard behind the shops.
He explained that his men were informed of the fire incident and quickly rushed to the scene.

Lagos

The Chairman of the Presidential Committee on the Re
view of Nigeria’s National Defence Policy, said the outcome of its work would enhance the efficiency of the armed forces.
AVM Mohammed Umaru (Rtd), gave the assurance in an interview with   newsmen  in Lagos
Umaru said, following the committee’s two-day stakeholders’ interactive session in Lagos, the outcome of its work had so far been fruitful.
“From all indications we expect to have a result-oriented review that would ensure the efficiency of the armed forces.
“In Lagos for instance, the sessions dwelt on issues bordering on the people and the efficiency of the armed forces,” he said.
Nasarawa
The Andoma of Doma in Nasarawa, Alhaji Aliyu Onawo,
has cautioned politicians to desist from campaign of calumny  ahead of the February polls.
Onawo gave the advice  in Doma when the Nasarawa State governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr Innocent Lagi, visited his palace to seek royal blessings.
The traditional ruler noted that the ongoing campaigns by the politicians dwelt more on personality rather than on issues and this could heat up the polity as well as instigate violence.
He urged the politicians to eschew bitterness and violence in the overall interest of the country, saying that they should focus on issue-based campaigns for the election.

Plateau

Senator Gyang Pwajok, the PDP governorship candi
date in Plateau State, has decried the ‘utter neglect’ of the tourism sector, and promised “massive investment’’ toward reviving it, if elected governor.
“The tourism sector is the pride of Plateau. It should actually our main source of revenue but that has not been possible because the sector has been neglected over the years.
“There are more than 250 tourist attraction sites and my plan is to develop these sites to international standard, so as to attract local tourists and open up Plateau to investors,’’ he told newsmen in Jos.
According to him, the potential in the sector is vast and has the capacity to rake in revenue and create employment for many because the multiplier effects of a robust tourism sector cannot be quantified.
“Plateau people also have all manners of annual cultural festivals; we shall work toward packaging these festivals to attract more visitors,’’ he said.

Sokoto
Governor Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State has distrib
uted 10,000 bags of rice and N10 million to the needy in 85 districts spread across the 23 Local Government Areas of the state.
The chairman of the State’s Zakkat and Endowment Committee, Alhaji Lawal Maidoki made this known in an interview with newsmen  in Sokoto recently.
Maidoki, who supervised the distribution of the commodity, said that the governor had also provided N 10 million to be given to all the beneficiaries.
“Each person will get a bag of rice and N 1,000 to transport it.
“The gesture is aimed at alleviating the suffering of the beneficiaries,’’ he explained.

Speaker of House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminubello Tambuwal (right) with Ogun State Governor, Senator Amoseun Ibikunle and his Lagos State counterpart, Alhaji Fashola, during the APC presidential rally in Port Harcourt, recently.

Speaker of House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminubello Tambuwal (right) with Ogun State Governor, Senator Amoseun Ibikunle and his Lagos State counterpart, Alhaji Fashola, during the APC presidential rally in Port Harcourt, recently.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Related Topics:
Continue Reading

Nation

REAN, SON synergise to curb fake renewable energy product

Published

1 month ago

on

June 29, 2026

By

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.
Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Continue Reading

Nation

Self Help Africa programme expands water access for 320,000 Nigerians

Published

1 month ago

on

June 29, 2026

By

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.
Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Continue Reading

Nation

Lagos Residents Stranded As Floods Cut Off Ajah, Mafoluku Communities

Published

1 month ago

on

June 29, 2026

By

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.
Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Continue Reading

Trending