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Adamawa

The Speaker, House of Representatives,  Alhaji Aminu
Tambuwal, in Yola has advised winners in the last general elections to ensure good governance when they assume office.
Tambuwal, who spoke at Government House, Yola, said the people were yearning for good governance.
The speaker, who is also the governor-elect of Sokoto State, said upon assumption of office, politicians should stop politicking and concentrate on good governance.
He urged leaders to be honest and committed to their mandate, and advised them to relate well with the people.
“They should be honest and dedicated to the mandate which the people gave to them,’’ he said.
Tambuwal described Adamawa Governor  Bala Ngilari as a man of destiny, commending him for ensuring that normalcy returned to the state.

Benue

Benue State Governor-elect, Samuel Ortom, has  pledged
to be fair to all in making key appointments into his administration.
Ortom gave the assurance when he received All Progressives Congress stakeholders from Kwande Local Government, Masev Development Association and Igede, who paid him a courtesy visit in Makurdi.
The governor-elect appreciated the contributions made by various communities towards his victory at the polls and stressed that no area would be shortchanged.
The former Trade and Investment minister disclosed plan to hold a roundtable with stakeholders to determine the zoning arrangements for positions in the incoming givernment.
“I will strive to promote excellence over sycophancy and mediocrity,” he said, and pledged to revamp state-owned companies in order to open space for employment.

Bornu

The Chairman of  Borno GSM  Market, Malam Musa
Isa has  said property worth N80 million were destroyed in an inferno that gutted the market last Friday.
Isah stated this in an interview with newsmen in Maiduguri.
He said that the fire, which started at about 3.30 a.m. on Saturday, was caused by an electric fault.
He explained that 24 shops and 53 temporary phone sellers’ stands were destroyed in the incident.
Isa said that although no life was lost, the extent of damage was huge.
He added that “most of our people just came back from the market; somebody like Chinedu Mba, a major dealer in mobile phones and accessories lost over N8 million worth of goods to the fire.
It could be recalled that the Maiduguri GSM market popularly called “Jogol’’ had suffered suicide bomb attack in January last year in which 10 people were killed and several others got injured.

FCT

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission
(EFCC) has said it has concluded plans to use drama to promote its anti-corruption crusade in Nigeria.
Chief Detective Superintendent with the EFCC Mrs Nwaninma  Okeanu made the statement last Friday in Abuja in an interview with newsmen. She said the idea would ensure that EFCC anti-corruption crusade was taken to the door steps of every Nigerian. “It was in consideration of the fact that an average Nigerian home spends quality time to watch films that the initiative to use drama to promote anti-corruption crusade was developed.
“The drama is not limited to the EFCC alone; so I encourage every Nigerian who has flair for acting to come and audition for a role,” she said.
Okeanu explained that the use of drama to strengthen awareness in the fight against corruption was a new initiative aimed at sensitizing families through films on the dangers of corruption.
“What people see and hear is what they believe and the new initiative is in consideration of the need for new approach in the fight against corruption,” she said.

Gombe

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)
in Gombe State has called on traditional and religious leaders to preach against drugs abuse and cocaine intake among their people.
The Commandant of the agency in the state, Mr. Aliyu Adole, told newsmen in Gombe last Friday that the leaders should double their effort to sensitise the members of the public, especially the youth, who were expected to be the leaders of the future.
According to him, drugs use by the youth placed them out of control and some time made them to cause problems in the society.

Jigawa

The Jigawa State command of the Nigeria Security and
Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) said it had arrested a suspect for stealing a motorcycle (Boxer brand).
The Commandant, Mr Muhammad Gidado, told newsmen in Dutse that the suspect is a resident of Dingeri quarters in Jama’are Local Government Area, Bauchi State.
Gidado said the suspect was arrested a Andaza town in Kiyawa Local Government Area of Jigawa where he allegedly stole the motorcycle.
“Muhammad Sani of Dingeri quarters, Jama’are Local Government Area, Bauchi State, was arrested for stealing a motorcycle.“
“He was arrested by our men after he stole the motorcycle in Andaza village, Kiyawa Local Government Area, Jigawa,” he said.

Kano

The Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II, has
advised Hausa movie producers to portray real culture of Hausa people in their quest to entertain viewers in the country. Sanusi gave the advice at the launch of a new Hausa movie titled ‘Hindu’ in Kano. Represented by Alhaji Aminu Bayero, Wamban Kano, Sanusi said the advice was necessary to promote the real culture of Hausa people to enable generations yet unborn to understand it very well.
“I want to use this opportunity to advise you (Hausa movie producers) to as much as possible portray genuine Hausa culture, norms, tradition and values,’’ he said.
He stressed the need for Hausa film producers to always seek for useful advice of stakeholders or custodians of the Hausa culture. He said the advice was to ensure that the message they intend to disseminate was true picture of the culture.

Nasarawa

The Nasarawa State Government says it shut down
126 illegal health facilities in Karu Local Government Area of the state.
Dr Thomas Affi, the team leader of the joint task force of the inspectorate unit of the state’s Ministry of Health, disclosed this while briefing newsmen on the ministry’s inspection tour of private health facilities.
He said the tour on health establishments in the area was to eliminate quackery in the state’s health sector.

Oyo

A lecturer at University of Ibadan, Dr Morufat Balogun,
has invented a new agricultural technology to grow yam seedlings all seasons.
Balogun, a senior lecturer, Crop Protection and Environmental Biology, made this disclosure when she spoke to newsmen in Ibadan .
According to her, this newly invented agricultural technology will be put into use by yam farmers by 2016.
She said this would be possible through the production of Dormancy-Controlled Seed Tubers Technology.

Plateau

No fewer than 500 residents of Rantya, Jos South Lo
cal Government Area of Plateau, benefitted from medical outreach organised by the Living Faith Church (LFC).
The event took place at Stonebase, Bwak Community, Rantya where the beneficiaries were given drugs, while some where referred for laboratory tests by the medical personnel.
Resident Pastor, David Arua, told newsmen that the church initiated the programme because a lot of people with health challenges could not fund their treatment in hospitals.

Sokoto

Governor  Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State has inau
gurated a N30 million rice mill established by an investor, Alhaji Nura Attajiri.
According to sources, the combined capacity of the mill is 1,250 kilograms per hour while operating for eight hours daily and six days a week.
Wamakko, who was represented at the inauguration by the Commissioner for Agriculture, Alhaji Arzika Tureta, commended Attajiri for setting up the firm  with two loans of N20 million and N10 million advanced to him by the state government out of the nearly N3 billion loan disbursed to farmers and agro-investors in the state.

Yobe
An NGO, Ibrahim Gaidam Peace and Development Initiative, has pledged to enhance the living condition of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Yobe.
Alhaji Isma’el Yusuf the Director-General of the Organisation, made the pledge on Thursday while presenting relief materials to IDPs in Kasaisa village in Damaturu.
He said the organization was established out of the desire to address the plight of IDPs in the state.
Attending to the needs of IDPs, Yusuf submitted, required the collective efforts of all stakeholders since government alone could not shoulder their responsibility.
Yusuf explained that residents of 13 villages sacked by the Boko Haram insurgents were currently taken refuge in Kasaisa village hence the need for groups and individuals to come to their aid.
“As part of social our resonsiblity, we will continue to provide necessary assistance to victims of the dreaded Boko Haram in Yobe state and in the Northeast in general.
“We are going to develop a database to have clear figures of the number IDPs in this community to enable us attend to their need effectively,” Yusuf said.

Chairman, Presidential Advisory Council on International Relations (Pacir), Chief Emeka Anyaoku (middle), addressing State House Correspondents after a Breakfast Meeting with President Jonathan at the Presidential Villa in Abuja recently. With him are other members of the council.

Chairman, Presidential Advisory Council on International Relations (Pacir), Chief Emeka Anyaoku (middle), addressing State House Correspondents after a Breakfast Meeting with President Jonathan at the Presidential Villa in Abuja recently. With him are other members of the council.

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REAN, SON synergise to curb fake renewable energy product

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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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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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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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