Nation

THE STATES

Published

11 years ago

December 23, 2015

L-R: Lagos State Commissioner for Wealth Creation, Mr Tunde Durosinimi-Etti (left), presenting gifts to Elder Tayo Soyode, a recipient of Elderly Citizens Assistance Scheme, at the 16th edition of Lagos Central Senatorial District Town Hall meeting and 4th edition of Elderly Citizens’ Assistance Scheme in Lagos, yesterday. With them is convener, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.

Borno
The North-East Entrepreneurship Development
Centre (EDC), of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has distributed 50 knitting machines to 50 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), trained under its Economic Empowerment Initiative Alhaji Idris Bawa.
The EDC Director of Programme, distributed the machines in Maiduguri.
He said the objective of the programme was to provide means of livelihood to the IDPs who had lost some of their worldly possessions.
He said the 50 women were part of the 2, 127 Borno IDPs so far trained in different skills by the centre under the programme.
“The programme started in March with 747 IDPs in Yola out of which 434 IDPs were Borno indigenes.

FCT
A strong political will and adequate funding are
critical elements required to develop Nigeria’s defence industry, says Prof. David Alabi of the Nigeria Defence Academy, Kaduna.
Alabi, a Professor of Political Science and Defence Studies, said this in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.
The don expressed regret that the 51-year-old Defence Industries Corporation (DICON), established in 1964, was producing only bullets, dicon salt and furniture.
According to him, its counterparts in Brazil and India are producing aircraft and Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC).
Alabi described the condition of DICON as “unfortunate’’ and “pitiable’’.

Kano
Chairman, Task Force on Distribution of Petro
leum Products in Kano State, Alhaji Rabiu Bako, has warned fuel marketers against diversion of the commodity.
Bako, who is also the Commissioner for Commerce gave the warning while briefing newsmen in Kano.
He said that any marketer found diverting petroleum products in the state would be sanctioned and risked forfeiting the products.
He said that the warning was necessary in order to ensure that all products reached their designated filling stations across the state.
The commissioner said that the state government deemed it necessary to set up the committee so as to ensure that the lingering fuel scarcity in the state was halted.

Katsina
Katsina State has fewer than 150 medical doc
tors to man its facilities, Governor Aminu Masari has said.
Masari made the disclosure in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.
He decried the deplorable state of health facilities in the state, saying that more than 90 per cent of them were in bad condition when he assumed office.
“Over 90 per cent of health facilities that we met, if you go there, you cannot know that they are hospitals.’’
He said that the government would embark on a four-year development plan of the health sector, starting with the rehabilitation of the three premier hospitals in the state.
He said the rehabilitation programme would be extended to seven other hospitals in Malumfashi and Dutsinma, among others.
“I think health is number three item on our priority list.

Kwara
National Agency for the Control of Aids (NACA),
says Kwara State is one of the states with lowest rate of HIV infection in the country.
NACA Chief Program Officer, Mr Tajudeen Arowolo stated this at the opening of a four-day free medical outreach organised by the agency at Oja Tuntun, Boboko in Ilorin recently.
Arowolo said that North Central geo political zone of the country was reputed to be the most endemic with the highest number of recorded cases of HIV.
“This is because of the high cases recorded in Benue, Plateau and Nasarawa states as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
“Out of the states in North Central, Kwara has the lowest rate of HIV cases and one of the lowest in the entire country”, Arowolo said.

Jigawa

No fewer than 370,000 members of the Peoples Demo
cratic Party (PDP) in Jigawa State have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The National Chairman of APC and eight governors on the party’s platform, received the defectors in Dutse recently, amid jubilation
Our correspondent reports that the governors present at the occasion were Alhaji Bindo Jibrila, Adamawa, Alhaji Abubakar Bello of Niger, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi, and Alhaji Bello Masari of Katsina.
Others were Alhaji Muhammed Abubakar, Bauchi, Alhaji Kasim Shetima, Borno, Alhaji Abdulazeez Yari, Zamfara, and Prof. Hafiz Abubakar, Deputy Governor of Kano State.
Receiving the defectors, the National Chairman of APC, Chief John Oyegun, said the calibre of the defectors was an indication that APC was on the right track.
Oyegun said that anyone who truly loved Nigeria and believed in the leadership of President Muhammad Buhari to lead the country to path of greatness was always welcome to the party.

Lagos
The Vice-Chairman, Kastina State Indigenes’ Associa
tion (South-West), Alhaji Musa Mua’zu, has commended Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State for his dedication to confront security challenges in the state.
Mua’zu spoke against the backdrop of the state recent procurement of security equipment worth N4.8 billion which it donated to the Nigeria Police and the allocation earmarked for security in the state’s 2016 budget.
He told newsmen in Lagos that security was the most important need of the residents of the state.
“We must join others to commend Gov. Ambode for his efforts at improving security in the state because security of life and property of citizen is the primary responsibility of the government.

Nasarawa
Alhaji Murtala Sodangi (APC), representing Nasarawa
Central in the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, has distributed items worth N5.7 million to some unemployed youths and women in his constituency.
Sodangi, who is also the Chairman, House Committee on Urban Development, said his effort was geared toward empowering those concerned for them to be self-reliant.
He also expressed optimism that the gesture would enable the beneficiaries contribute their quotas to the development of the state.
Our correspondent reports that the items distributed include: 200 grinding engines, 150 sewing machines, 50 Knapsack sprayers, 40 gasoline engines, building materials and others.
The legislator also donated a KIA car to vigilante group in the area to its service there.

Ogun
The Grassroots Initiative for Poverty Eradication and
Liberation of the Poor (GIPELP), an NGO, has donated a utility-van worth N3.8 million to the Abeokuta Prisons, Oba, Ogun State.
The President of the NGO, Mr Aliu Kayode, expressed the hope that more inmates awaiting trial would have access to justice with the collaboration of all stakeholders.
Kayode advocated public-private partnership toward improving the welfare of inmates and vulnerable members of the society.
He said that the era of pointing accusing fingers at the government for the deplorable state of the nation was gone.
Individuals and groups should begin the process of contributing to the society as a way of complementing government’s efforts, he said.
“If we love our neighbours as ourselves, nobody will suffer in this country because we are blessed with so many wealthy citizens.
“We have realised that poverty is the root of crime in this country and our organisation is looking at how to contribute its quota toward reducing it,” he said.

Ondo
A total of 4,310 students of the Ondo State-owned
Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA) graduated from the institution during its sixth convocation ceremony.
The convocation was held at the university’s campus at Akungba-Akoko in Ikare Local Government Area of the state.
Presenting the students for awards, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, Vice-Chancellor of the university, said 4,053 earned First Degrees, 107 obtained Diplomas, 130 took Master’s Degrees while 20 earned PhD degrees.
According to Ajibefun, 18 of the 4,053 in the First Degree category graduated with First Class; 787 earned Second Class Upper Division, 2,500 obtained Second Class lower Division; 702 made Third Class and 46 had pass.

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.