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THE STATES

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11 years ago

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Adamawa

Switzerland’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Chad and Niger, Dr
Hans-Rudolf Hodel, has urged Nigerian youths to work towards a peaceful general elections.
Hodel made the call in Yola while interacting with staff and students of American University of Nigeria, Yola, on democracy in Switzerland.
He said that violence in any form must be avoided, insisting that dialogue had remained the best way of resolving any conflict.
He lauded the university’s authorities for what he described as ”quality education” being provided to students, adding that education was the bedrock of all developments.
According to him, an educated population will ensure peace and prosperity of a nation.
On bilateral relations with Nigeria, Hodel said that Switzerland, currently with a population of eight million people, supported Nigeria’s independence in 1960 and established its embassy in the country in 1961.
He said currently Switzerland has about 60 companies doing business in Nigeria with Nestlé being the most popular among them.

Borno

The Borno State government said it planned to explore the
possibilities of completing the long awaited Biu Dam project using its own resources.
The state Governor, Kashim Shettima, stated this when he paid a courtesy visit to the Emir of Biu, Alhaji Mustapha Aliyu in his palace in Biu.
Shettima said the government had been worried over the continued abandonment of the dam in spite of its socio-economic potential.
He added that the state government had already paid its counterpart funding for the completion of the project.
“The state government has paid its counterpart fund for the completion of the dam but the Federal Government is yet to release its own for the commencement of work on the site.”
He said that the dam, when completed, would assist in tackling the problem of perennial water shortage as well as providing water for irrigation farming for the people.
The governor added that his administration had executed many developmental projects worth about N10 billion in the area since his assumption of office in 2011.
He named some of the projects to include the construction of the Miringa-Gunda road and reconstruction of Government Secondary School (GSS) Miringa.
Shettima said the administration also carried out mass overhaul of structures at Government Secondary School, Marama, as well as upgraded general hospitals in Biu, Kwaya-Kusar and Bayo local government areas.
Responding, the Emir thanked the governor for the visit which he described as historic.

FCT

A coalition of women, youths and persons with disability
in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have announced support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming elections.
They said, at a rally in support of APC’s presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, in Abuja, that the party was better prepared to address the plight of vulnerable groups in the country.
They stated that women and the youth had been abandoned for too long while the welfare of disabled persons had been neglected.
National Coordinator, Harbingers of Change for Buhari, Hajiya Hasiya Suleiman, a member of the coalition, said that though the present administration had done its best, it was time for Nigerians to embrace change.
She said that Buhari represented the change that vulnerable groups in the country had yearned for in the past 15 years of democratic rule in the country.
Suleiman said that the group was committed to its support for Buhari’s candidacy ”till the results of the elections are announced”.

Kaduna

Authorities of Shehu Idris College of Health Science Tech
nology, Makarfi, Kaduna State, have shut its main campus following a fire outbreak in the female hostel.
Our correspondent learnt that the fire destroyed 25 rooms in the “female hostel block B”  and left 200 students without accommodation.
The Provost of the college, Mr Musa Garba-Abdullahi, told newsmen that the college had been closed and examinations suspended.
“We have already started the first semester examination, which we are supposed to have completed on Wednesday, February 12, but this ugly incident happened.
“We decided to shut down the main campus and the examination suspended till further notice,” he said.
The provost, however, said that there was no loss of life because the incident happened while the students were writing their examinations.
Kwara

The Vice Chancellor of Al-hikmah University, Prof Suleiman
AbdulKareem, has urged the Federal Government to extend its grants and financial assistance to private universities as part of measure to provide quality university education to youths.
Abdulkareem made the call at the 10th matriculation of the institution for the 2014/2015 academic session in Ilorin recently.
He also stressed the need for both the federal and state governments to continue to give priority attention to education through adequate funding, by providing basic infrastructural facilities.
The vice-chancellor noted that apart from being the best legacy a nation could bequeath to its youths, education is also the pivotal which the national development rests.
He, therefore, cautioned the newly admitted students against examination malpractice and other immoral behaviours, saying that the university had zero tolerance to them.

Lagos

The President, Society for Women in Taxation (SWIT), Mrs
Justina Okoro, has called for synergy between tax institutes and governments to combat double taxation in the country.
Okoro told newsmen in Lagos that many companies had crumbled as a result of double taxation.
“This also is retarding rapid industrial growth in the country, especially now that the country’s benchmark of crude oil is dwindling, we should encourage diversification and industrial growth,” she said.
She said that multiple taxations could discourage diversifications and industrial expansion.
“I urge all tax stakeholders to join hands to resolve this challenge. A good tax system should be targeted at consumption and not at investment.
“And whether consumptions or investments, none should be doubly taxed,” she said.

Oyo

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has
urged Nigerians not to be frustrated by the shift in the dates of the general elections.
Chairman of ASUU, University of Ibadan chapter, Prof. Segun Ajiboye, made the appeal while reacting to postponement of the February elections on Saturday by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Ajiboye said that Nigerians should rather ensure that they collected their Permanent Voter Cards before the rescheduled dates for the elections.
He described the INEC decision as a serious setback for Nigerian democracy.
“We condemn the shift in the dates for the polls but, however,we encourage Nigerians to keep calm in the face of unnecessary provocations.
“The decision is a serious setback for Nigerian democracy. But we should remain steadfast. Let us organise and not agonise,” he said.

Plateau

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)
in Plateau, has started the distribution of more Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), especially for those who registered in November 2014 in the state.
The commission’s Head, Voter Education and Publicity in Plateau, Mr Imahiyereobo Osaretin, told  newmen in Jos, that the distribution began last week.
Osaretin explained that the PVCs were for those who registered in November 2014, while those who registered in 2011 and were yet to collect theirs, could also collect their cards.
“We have collected over 1. 3 million PVCs from our headquarters for those, who registered in 2011 and we have so far distributed more than 1.2 million out of the number brought to us, which represents 88.3 per cent.
”No fewer than 643,241 PVCs have again arrived from our headquarters solely for those who registered in 2014, and we have started distribution immediately,” he said.
He said that prospective voters, who registered in 2011 and had yet to collect their PVCs, should return to their registration centres as the newly arrived PVCs also had some of the missing ones.

Sokoto

The Sokoto State Government said it was sponsoring 42
students in Niger and Burkina Faso to obtain bachelor’s degrees in French.
Chairman of Sokoto State Scholarship Board, Alhaji Jelani Kalgo, made this known at the inauguration of an eight-month Intensive Preliminary French Programme for 70 persons in Sokoto recently.
Kalgo, represented by the Director of Administration of the board, Alhaji Salihu Galadanchi, said the first batch of 17 students were pursuing their first degrees in French at Abdou Moumouni University in Niamey, Niger Republic.
Another batch of 25 students will be leaving for the University of Ougadougou, Burkina Faso, for a similar programme.
“The board has also paid registration fees for fresh, returning , spill over and amnesty students at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto.
“The gestures are aimed at grooming interested and qualified indigenes to pursue degree programmes in French language.

Taraba

The Commissioner of Police in Taraba State, Mr Ademola
Omole, has warned governorship candidates of vari
ous political parties against attacking opponents at campaign rallies.
Omole gave the warning at a meeting with governorship candidates of political parties in Jalingo where an accord to end attacks on opponents was later signed by the candidates.
The commissioner decried the clash among political parties in Suntai village which claimed two lives, warning that the command would come hard on anyone that went against the terms of the accord.
Our correspondent reports that seven out of the 15 governorship candidates in the state signed the accord.

From Left: Governor Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers, Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa'ad Abubakar Iii and Governor Aliyu Wamakko, during Governor Amaechi's visit to the Sultan in Sokoto on Thursday

From Left: Governor Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers, Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar Iii and Governor Aliyu Wamakko, during Governor Amaechi’s visit to the Sultan in Sokoto on Thursday

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REAN, SON synergise to curb fake renewable energy product

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1 month ago

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June 29, 2026

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

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1 month ago

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June 29, 2026

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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.
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Lagos Residents Stranded As Floods Cut Off Ajah, Mafoluku Communities

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1 month ago

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June 29, 2026

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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.
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