Nation

THE STATES

Published

11 years ago

August 17, 2015

Governor Ibrahim Gaidam of Yobe State (left), welcoming the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai and National Ssecurity Adviser, Retired Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno, during their visit to Damaturu on Saturday.
Photo: NAN

Adamawa

A Maiduguri-based businessman and philanthropist, Alhaji
Mohammed Indimi, has donated N100 million to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Adamawa.
Governor Bindow Jibrilla of Adamawa State, who disclosed this to newsmen in Yola, said he would set up a committee to ensure judicious disbursement of the donation to all affected IDPs.
He also spoke on the Federal Government’s bail out fund, saying that the state was yet to receive the money.
The governor said the administration would empower 9, 040 people from the 226 wards of the state under the first phase of its empowerment programme.

Benue

The National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in
Makurdi fixed August 18 for former Senate President, David Mark to testify in person.
Mark was dragged to the tribunal by his only contender, Daniel Onjeh of the All Progressives Congress (APC) over his declaration by INEC as the winner of the Benue South Senatorial election.
Onjeh had argued that the elections were marred by electoral malpractices and substantial breaches of the Electoral Act 2011 as amended.
The petitioner, therefore, urged the court to nullify the election and order for fresh poll.

Borno

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)
has distributed free delivery kits to 410 pregnant women in Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in Borno.
NEMA Director-General, Alhaji Sani Sidi, presented the items to the women at a ceremony in Maiduguri.
According to him, the kits are part of NEMA’s effort to prevent child mortality among displaced persons in the country.
Sidi said that the objective was to put the mind of the women at rest and reassure them of safe delivery.

Gombe

Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State has said
that the government would sustain its welfare package for health workers for effective service delivery.
Dankwambo announced the measure while declaring open the 2015 annual general meeting of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) in Gombe.
The governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Mr Charles Iliya, urged the members of the association to be dedicated to their duties, adding that the government would continue to give them the required support for optimal performance.
He said that the government would expedite action to complete the College of Nursing, Dukku and Gombe State University Teaching Hospital to improve healthcare delivery in the state.

Kaduna

A Kaduna-based Non Governmental Organisation,
ALFACARE, said early signs of brewing dispute and its quick resolution through dialogue would enhance peaceful co-existence among communities in Kaduna State.
Its National Coordinator, Mr Hassan Alfa, gave the suggestion in an interview with newsmen in Kaduna.
He said that all mechanisms capable of sustaining peace in communities should be explored to guarantee sustainable peace and stability in the state.
Alfa said that building sustainable peace was a collective responsibility of government, institutions, families, individuals and other relevant stakeholders.

Kano

The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) says it has
arrested eight persons for allegedly selling pirated materials in Kano.
The commission’s North West Zonal Manager, Alhaji Hassan Usman, told newsmen in Kano that pirated copies worth N6 million were siezed from the suspects.
He said that the suspects were arrested at different locations in Kano metropolis while selling pirated films, books and other materials in violation of the Copyright Act.
Usman urged the public to always purchase original copies from vendors in order to encourage local artists and send pirates out of business.
Kogi

A cleric, Pastor Chris Okafor, has urged President
Muhammadu Behari to carry on with the fight against corruption in the country, regardless of the status of the culprits.
Okafor, who spoke in Lokoja, said the coming of Buahri was divine , urging Nigerians to forget their differences, pray for the president, and join hands with him to correct the ills plaguing the country.
The cleric, who is the Senior Pastor in charge of the Lagos- Liberation City, advised Nigerians not lose hope or despair, saying that God would use Buhari to restore the lost glory of Nigeria.
He urged the president to remain focused and selfless in the fight against corruption, regardless of the status of the culprits.

Kwara

President Muhammadu Buhari has been told to be firm and
painstaking in the anti-corruption crusade.
Chairman Forum of Professionals in Kwara, Alhaji Ahmed Olayiwola, made the call when he spoke with newsmen in llorin.
He suggested that efforts should be made to fast track the judicial process to make the whole effort productive.
Olayiwola called for prudent management of resources to pave way for sustainable socio-economic stability of the country.

Lagos

The Head, Animal Production Department, Lagos State
Polytechnic, Dr. Adegbemi Onigemo, has urged the Federal Government to support livestock producers in the country by subsidising the cost of feeds.
Onigemo told newsmen in Lagos that the high cost of feeds remained a major challenge to poultry farmers.
According to him, the production of feeds which constitutes between 60 and 80 per cent of total production cost is further bedevilled by human’s competing demand for maize, a major component of animal feed.
“Most of the ingredients that are being used in the production of feeds are those in competition between the livestock and men.

Nasarawa

The management of Mararaba Medical Centre in Karu Local
Government Area of Nasarawa State, says 30 unidentified corpses are in its mortuary.
The Medical Director of the centre, Dr Ibrahim Adamu, made the fact known in an interview with newsmen in Mararaba.
Adamu said that the situation was unhealthy and worrisome to both the patients and members of staff of the centre.
“These corpses have been here since 2013 with no record of ownership.
“They were brought or dumped here by the police as most of them happen to be victims of accidents or armed robbery.
Ogun

The police in Sango-Ota, Ogun State has arraigned two
men, Gideon Idedia, 25, and Wednesday Idesia, 30, in an Ota Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing a Bajaj motorcycle, valued at N124,000.
The accused, of no fixed addresses, are being tried on a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.
The prosecutor, Sgt. Rosemary Brown, told the court that the accused persons committed the offences on August 9 at about 1.30 p.m. at No. 14, Ahmed Akindele St., Oju-Ore, in Ota.
Brown said that the unregistered Bajaj motorcycle belong to one Joseph Eche.

Ondo

The Ondo State Government says it will soon inaugurate a
Well Being Clinic at the state Specialist Hospital, Akure, to enhance good living among the citizenry.
The state Commissioner for Heath, Dr Dayo Adeyanju, revealed this in Akure while briefing newsmen.
He explained that the clinic would ensure regular check up for the people to enhance healthy living and to prevent any future sickness.
He said one unit of the clinic would attend to youths where they could have proper access to information about the status of their health.

Oyo

The Police Command in Oyo State has said it arrested a 42-
year-old ex-banker for impersonating an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP).
The Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Katsina, told newsmen in Ibadan that the impersonator, identified as Olayinka Olatunji, was arrested for impersonation
Katsina, who was represented by the Command’s Public Relations’ Officer, Adekunle Ajisebutu, said the suspect was arrested in his office at Iwo Road Shopping Complex where he was defrauding innocent people.
The suspect said he had been in the business since March this year and bought the police accessories from an undisclosed Police Training School.

Sokoto

Governor Aminu Tambawal of Sokoto State, has expressed
confidence that President Muhammadu Buhari would reposition the country’s armed forces for optimal performance.
The governor made the remark in Sokoto during the inauguration of the refurbished Army Officers Mess at 1st Brigade Command.
He also expressed confidence that with the state-of-the art equipment currently being provided for the armed forces, the security challenges, especially the North-East would soon be overcome.
Tambuwal commended the officers and men of the 1st brigade command for the contributions they had made in sustaining peace in the state.
Earlier, the Brigade Commander, Brig.-Gen. Oluwafumilayo Soleye, pledge to work to sustain the cordial relationship existing between the army and the people of the state.

Nation

REAN, SON synergise to curb fake renewable energy product

Published

3 days 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

3 days 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

3 days 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.