Nation

THE STATES

Published

11 years ago

December 7, 2015

L-R: Convener, Coalition for Minority Rights (CMR), Mr Mark Lipo, representative of vice President, Joseph Malomo and representative of plateau Governor, Mr Stephen Gadong, at the commemoration of stefanos Foundation Internally displace persons (IDP) camp anniversary and launching of coalition for CMR in Jos on Saturday.

Borno

The Borno State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teach
ers (NUT) has donated reading glasses to 140 teachers with eye problems after free medical treatment.
The state Chairman of NUT, Alhaji Bulama Abiso, disclosed this in Maiduguri in an interview with newsmen
He said 14 out of the beneficiaries would undergo eye surgery, while others were given free eyeglasses.
Abiso said the free eye screening was conducted by a team of medical experts from Afro Eye Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO).
He said patients with minor eye problems were treated at its medical centre, while those with surgical cases were referred to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital for operation.
Abiso said that the gesture was part of the union’s efforts
Ekiti
An Ado-Ekiti High Court has sentenced one David
Olugboyega to death by hanging for armed robbery involving N14,570.
Justice John Adeyeye passed the judgment following the confessional statement of the convict and the conclusion of trial by the prosecution.
During trial, the prosecutor, Mr Alaba Adeyemi, told the court that the convict committed the offence on March 20, 2003 at Araromi Street, Ikere -Ekiti.
He said the convict, armed with dangerous weapons including gun and cutlass, robbed three people of N14,570.
Specifically, Adeyemi said the convict robbed Kola Owolabi of N8,000; Beatrice Olawumi, N5,000 and Idowu Abiodun, N1,570.
The prosecution called seven witnesses to prove the case.
The convict, who made confessional statement at the police station, opted to defend himself without a lawyer.

FCT
Director-General of Centre for Management Develop
ment (CMD), Dr Kabir Kabo has warned unaccredited management training institutions and uncertified consultants to close shop or face the wrath of the law.
Kabo gave the warning in a statement in Abuja by his Special Assistant on Media, Alhaji Abdulkadir Ibrahim.
Kabo said the Nigerian Council for Management Development Act gave it a regulatory role to sanction any management consultant or training institution that undertook training programme without accreditation.
CMD, which is a parastatal agency under the National Planning Commission, is the operational arm of the council.
The visit took Kabo to some organisations, including Jheyah Nig. Ltd., PAN Training Centre, Shehu Shafi’i and Co. and Rafisa Safety and Management Consultants.
The DG added that the council was determined to ensure quality assurance, control and intervention in the operations of manpower and management developers.

Jigawa
The Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate
(PTAD) has commenced the verification of federal pensioners in Jigawa State.
This is contained in a statement by the PTAD Director-General, Nellie Mayshak, in Dutse. The statement stated that the verification, which began on November 2 with pensioners in the North-West – Jigawa, Kano, Kebbi, Sokoto, Katsina, Kaduna and Zamfara, would end on November 14.
It stated that South-East – Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi, Abia and Imo would hold between November 30 and December 12, while North-East, South-West, South-South and North-Central would hold in the first quarter of 2016.

Kaduna
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of
Nigeria (IPMAN), Kaduna branch, has appealed to the Department of Petroleum Resources to urgently address the current fuel scarcity in the area.
The IPMAN Spokesperson, Alhaji Sani Yushau, made the appeal in an interview with newsmen.
Yashau said the problem had been worsened by the inability of the refinery in Kaduna to produce as well as the non transportation of fuel from Lagos by marketers.
Kano

The Department For International Development (DFID),
has promised to partner the Kano State Government in addressing the problem of unemployment in the state.
The Manager in charge of DFID’s training programme in Kano, Dr Muhammad Sagagi, stated this in an interview with newsmen in Kano.
Sagagi had had an audience with Alhaji Kabir Rurum, the Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly.
He said the programme focusing on Kano, Kaduna and Katsina States was tagged Way Out ‘Mafita.’
According to him, the three states have the highest number of unemployed people in the country.

Katsina
Senator Mustapha Bukar (Katsina North), has rolled out
his free eye treatment for no fewer than 7,000 people in his constituency.
Speaking at the inauguration of the free eye programme, Bukar noted that the beneficiaries were selected from the 12 local government areas of the senatorial district.
He said the free eye treatment and surgery was instituted as part of welfare programmes for the people.
“Many of the beneficiaries could not afford such medical treatments or operations due to financial constraints.
“We engage 20;qualified doctors for the exercise and it is expected to be completed within one month.”
He restated his commitment to introduce more programmes that would improve the living standards of the people.

Lagos
The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities
(SSANU), has called on the Federal Government to find ways of improving the working conditions for its members.
The National President of SSANU, Mr Samson Ugwoke, made the appeal in an interview with newsmen in Lagos.
According to him, rather than relieving workers in the system, the government should seek means of improving the living conditions in the universities.
It will be recalled that members of the association had in June, protested a circular directing Vice-Chancellors of Federal Government universities to stop accommodating their staff school teachers in their emolument structure.

Nasarawa

Governor Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State has of
fered free medical services to all persons living with disabilities in the state. Al-Makura disclosed this during the commemoration of World Disability Day in Lafia.
He said the state government had embarked on a census and registration of all persons with disabilities across the 13 local government areas to enable them to access the service and other gestures from the government.
He said the state had tried the free medical services in the past without success due to activities of saboteurs.

Oyo
An Alternative Therapy Medical Practitioner and Nutri
tionist, Dr Ayelara Oni, says lemon is an anti-cancer food.
Oni made the disclosure in an interview with newsmen in Ibadan. She said lemon was acidic to taste but was an alkaline-forming food, explaining that this was why it was good for balancing a highly acidic condition in the body, thereby balancing the body’s pH.
She added that lemon contained 22 anti- cancer compounds, including limonene, which was the natural oil that help to slow or halt the growth of cancer.
Oni, who is also a Director at a herbal store, said lemon had a substance called flavonol glycosides which could stop cell division in cancers.

Plateau

The Executive Chairman, Plateau State Universal Basic
Education Board, Prof. Mathew Sule, has called for the establishment of health clubs in public schools to enlighten children on prevention of HIV/AIDS.
Sule made the call in an interview with newsmen in Jos.
He said such clubs would be good platforms to enlighten pupils and students on the ultimate target of eradicating the pandemic in the society.
He added that “the best time to inculcate knowledge in children is when they are minors; that is the time such awareness could be firmly rooted in their subconscious.’’
The SUBEB boss explained that the health clubs, which were already part of school curriculum activities in Plateau, should serve as platforms for enlightenment on AIDS and the dangers it posed to the society.
He exressed regret that many children had been made orphans by the scourge, pointing out that such persons were worst hit because they would find it difficult to acquire education and other neccesities of life.

Sokoto

Former Treasurer of APC in Sokoto State, Alhaji Muktari
Mapia, has advised the state independent electoral commission to use card readers in the forth coming local government election.
Mapia told newsmen in Sokoto that using card readers would enhance the credibility of the conduct of the election.
He called on the commission to provide a level playing field for the conduct of transparent election to usher in democratically elected leaders at the grassroots.
The former treasurer also called on leaders of political parties in the state to sensitise their followers to the dangers of involvement in political violence and thuggery.
He advised security agencies to brace up for the challenges by providing a peaceful atmosphere for the conduct of the election in the state.

Nation

REAN, SON synergise to curb fake renewable energy product

Published

14 hours 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

14 hours 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

14 hours 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.