Nation

THE STATES

Published

11 years ago

March 25, 2015

Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State (right), congratulating a newly appointed Permanent Secretary, Mr Renos Kabiny, during the swearing-in of six permanent secretaries and Six Special Advisers in Gombe State, recently. Photo: NAN

Bauchi
President Goodluck Jonathan said that the Federal
Government would set up a referral hospital in each of the six geo-political zones of the country.
Jonathan, who stated this while inaugurating a 400-bed capacity Specialists’ Hospital in Bauchi, said the effort was to discourage medical tourism abroad.
“As a Federal Government, we have plans to set up referral hospital in each of the six geo-political zones in the country.
“When established, Nigerians will go to these zones for medical attention, instead of going outside the country, “he said.
He added that the federal government would also set up a technical team to come up with strategies on how to properly manage hospitals in the country.

Benue
President of the Senate, David Mark has reiter
ated his commitment to the creation of Apa State for the Idoma people of Benue.
Mark announced the commitment while addressing the electorate in Ogbadibo Local Government Area, Okpokwu Local Government Area and Ado Local Government Area as he continued his campaign tour of Idoma land.
He urged the people to re-elect him to the senate to enable him work towards the realisation of creation of the proposed Apa State.
He also charged them to vote for candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which he described as the future of Nigeria.

Borno

The Borno State Government has presented 450
vehicles to members of the Nigeria Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and the Road Transport Employees Association of Nigeria (RTEAN).
Speaking at the presentation in Maiduguri, Governor Kashim Shettima, said the initiative was to cushion the effects of attacks by Boko Haram insurgents on commercial vehicle operators in the state.
Our correspondent reports that the vehicles comprised of 400 Sharon buses and 50 Golf Salon cars.
He said that beneficiaries were expected to repay only 50 percent of the total cost of the vehicles.
“Each of the Sharon buses was purchased at a cost of N1.1 million.
“But the beneficiaries are to repay only N550,000 to the government through their union officials over a monitored period,” Shettima said.

Gombe
Residents of Gombe State yesterday urged secu
rity agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to take measures which would ensure the neutrality of their officials in the general elections.
In an interview with newsmen they said that the neutrality of the commission and security operatives in the electoral process would contribute to the attainment of free, fair and credible polls in the country.
An expert on Development Communication in the city, Malam Umar Abba, urged President Goodluck Jonathan to prevail on the authorities of the security agencies and INEC to ensure that their officials remained non-partisan in the elections
He said that he was optimistic that the success level of this year’s polls would be higher than what was recorded in 2011, going by the level of sensitisation and awareness of the electorate.
Jigawa

The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) says it rescued
five men and a teenager from suspected traffickers in Birnin-Magaji border town, Babura Local Government Area of Jigawa State.
The state Comptroller of NIS, Mr Isah Jere, announced this while addressing newsmen in Dutse.
Jere said that investigation showed that the rescued men were being transported to Europe through the Niger-Libya axis.
According to him, unfortunately, the traffickers escaped and abandoned their victims before the arrival of officers and men who were on patrol of the area.
“The ugly trend has become more pronounced these days because of the quest for worldly materials among the youth,” Jere said.
The NIS chief said that his command would not relent in its efforts in the fight against illegal immigrants and human trafficking.
Kebbi
INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Kebbi State, Alhaji Abdullahi Zarewa, said the electoral body distributed 95.05 per cent Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in the state ahead of Saturday’s elections.
Zarewa said this in Ambursa, Kebbi State, during a sensitisation programme organised by the commission for the electorate in the area.
He said that out of 1.4 million registered voters in the state, 1.3 million had been issued with their PVCs.
The INEC commissioner said that 13,500 ad hoc staff had been trained to participate in the elections.
He said that on the day of voting, special concessions would be accorded to the elderly and people living with disability.
Zarewa said that there would be separate queues for men and women on election day in line with religious and cultural values of the people.

Ogun

A university lecturer, Dr Olusegun Peleyeju, has urged
the Federal Government and stakeholders in education sector to invest more in the sector, to fast-track development in the country.
Peleyeju, a Senior Lecturer, Department of Education and Management, Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), Ijebu-Ode, told newsmen that much still needed to be done in this sector.
The don, however, lauded the standard of education in Nigeria, in spite of the challenges being faced in the sector.
He said that for the nation to compete favourably in the future, education advancement remained paramount.
“While government is focusing on providing an enabling environment and the required infrastructure, our teachers too must utilise capacity building opportunities and build themselves,” he said.

Oyo

Ahead of Saturday’s presidential poll, a traditional ruler
in Oyo State, Oba AbdulGaniyu Adekunle, has appealed to Nigerians to shun violence during and after the general elections.
Adekunle, the Aseyin of Iseyin, in Iseyin Local Government Area of the state made the appeal in an interview with newsmen in his palace.
The monarch said it was necessary for all Nigerians to behave and act in accordance with the laws governing the electoral process.
“I am a monarch of all, and ordinarily, kings do not support any candidate or political party.
“ We have a duty to appeal to our people to comport themselves.
“It is very important for all of us who can talk to our teeming youths to do so now so that desperate politicians will not turn them into instruments of violence.
“ My message is that everyone should abide by the rules during the elections and the result of the elections should also not lead to violence, he said.

Plateau
The Chairman, Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Plateau
State Chapter, Mr Gunshin Yarlings, has called for the reintroduction of teachers’ training colleges in the state in order to ensure production of quality teachers.
Yarlings, who spoke in an interview with newsmen in Jos, said reintroducing teachers’ training institutions was the only way to ensure training of quality teachers in Plateau.
He said that the poor rating of Plateau at the last Senior Secondary School Certificate Examinations was an indication that there was an urgent need for concerted efforts to train teachers through the training colleges.
He noted that before the abolishment of the Grade II Teachers’ Certificate, students performed excellently in their various examinations.
“The abolishment of the Grade II Teachers’ Certificate culminated to the poor standard of education we are getting now, as seen in students’ performance during SSCE and other examinations,” he said.
Taraba
The Taraba State Government said it had concluded plans to
construct 32 Almajiri Schools in the state.
The Director of Nomadic Education, state Universal Basic Education Board, Alhaji Hussain Kabri, said this in an interview with newsmen in Jalingo.
Kabri said this would complement the two existing Almajiri schools established by the Federal Government in the state.
He said the decision was imperative in view of the growing number of Almajiris in the area.
“A recent survey conducted by the state government indicates that there are over 4000 Almajiri’s of primary school age in Jalingo, Sardauna, Mutum-biyu, Ibi and Gashaka areas.
“The two Almajiri schools built by the federal government in Mutum biyu and Jalingo can only cater for 150 students in those areas.
“Therefore, we are planning to build two Almajiri schools in each of the 16 council areas of the state, so that we can capture thousands of other Amajiris that have no access to western education,” he said.

Nation

REAN, SON synergise to curb fake renewable energy product

Published

1 week 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

1 week 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

1 week 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.