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Benue

Makurdi Magistrates’ Court has remanded five accused
persons, including two brothers, in prison custody for allegedly killing a herdsman, Dahiru Idris.
Those remanded were Adah Effeche, Gabriel Ejeh, Daniel Ugwueke, Sunday Ugwueke and Boniface Onoja of various addresses in Edumoga, Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue.
They were arraigned on a two count-charge of criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide.
They were charged with punishable under Sections 97 and 222 of the Penal Code of Benue, 2004.
Prosecutor Terzungwe Kajo told the court that the case was transferred from the Divisional Police Headquarters, Okpokwu to State CID on December 28, 2015 via a letter for investigation.

Ekiti

Ekiti State Government said that it had recorded one case
of the dreaded Lassa Fever.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Olurotimi Ojo, made this known at a Stakeholders Forum on Lassa Fever in Ado-Ekiti.
Ojo said that the patient was discovered at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido Ekiti at the weekend.
“The state has confirmed a Lassa Fever case that is being managed at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido Ekiti.
“The patient is stable and has commenced treatment,” he said.
Meanwhile, the government has said that no fewer than 500,000 children will be immunised against measles in all parts of the state between January 28 and February 1, 2016.

FCT

Tourists and guests have called on hotel owners in Abuja
to provide better security and improve their facilities to justify the high charges on services.
The respondents made the call in separate interviews with newsmen.
Mr Franklin Andrew, a tourist from Canada said that he was visiting Africa for the first time and decided to start with Nigeria, adding his experience in terms of security was not too pleasant.
“I have been to other countries where people use encoded keys to protect their rooms; it was only at the Protea and Transcorp Hilton hotels that I used a card to open my room doors.
“When I wanted to experience a close-to-nature-touch, I went to another hotel; here in Abuja, where the experience was nothing to write home about.

Jigawa

The Sole Aministrator of Malammadori Local Government
in Jigawa State, Alhaji Ali Alkali, said the council had adopted measures to control soil erosion in the area.
Alkali stated this in an interview with newsmen recently  in Malammadori.
He said that the council had implemented steps to control erosion at Maudachi burrow pit which he said, was threatening road and adjourning farmlands.
He said that the council had sought for the intervention of the state’s Ministry of Land for boundary definition of the pit site.
“We called for clear demarcation of boundary between Malammadori and Hadejia local government areas on the eroded land, this will facilitate effective management of the pit,” he said.

Kaduna

The National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and
Non-Formal Education (NMEC) says it is targeting a literacy-target of five million people in 2016.
Its Executive Secretary, Alhaji Jibrin Paiko, said this in Kaduna at the opening of a two-day workshop on coordination and management of non-formal education in Nigeria.
Our correspont reports that the workshop was jointly organised by NMEC and the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC).
It was for executive directors of agencies for mass education from the 36 states of the federation and the FCT.
According to Paiko, the workshop is designed to provide the managers with skills and schemes that will serve as a guide in achieving the set target.

Katsina

Sheikh Dayyib Haruna-Rasheed, National Leader, Madinatul
Ahbab Waltalmiz Islamic Schools, has called on parents and community leaders to support teachers on inculcating moral training in children.
Haruna-Rasheed made the call at the graduation of 23 students who mastered the reading of the Holy Qur’an from the Fayamasa Malumfashi branch of the Madinatul Ahbab Waltalamiz Islamic Schools.
He said the school was set up to provide moral training and education on Islam, including inculcation of the right ideologies and knowledge on interpretations of the Holy Qur’an.
He, therefore, urged parents to support the schools in promoting religious ideals and morality in their children.
The cleric disclosed that the organisation had established 474 schools in 450 communities located in Nigeria and Niger Republic.

Kwara

An Indian philanthropist, Mr Naranbai Patel, has pledged
a donation of N25 million to support researchers at the University of Ilorin.
This is contained in the university’s bulletin, according to the bulletin, Patel, who was impressed by the collaboration between the University of Ilorin and Uka Tarsaida University (UTU), Bardoli, India, sent a letter to the University of Ilorin’s Vice Chancellor.
The bulletin said that in the letter, Patel, promised to redeem his pledge in five equal installments of N5 million over a period of five years.
It said the philanthropist expressed confidence in the ability and visionary skills of the university administration under the leadership of Prof. Ambali.

Lagos

A 70 -year-old man, Mutairu Afolabi, has sought the
dissolution of his 36 years marriage to Monsurat, 60, over alleged bleaching and conversion of his wife to Christianity.
Afolabi told the court that as an Imam his wife’s conversion from Islam to Christianity had brought him shame.
He said that the marriage was consummated in 1980 and produced four children, from age 20 to 33.
“The smell of her body since she started bleaching is not good for my health, why should she be bleaching at her age, she now a grandmother.
“Her name is Monsurat before I married her, my wife is now known in the whole Celestial Churches in Lagos; I’m an Imam how do I explain that.
“She goes out at will, without my permission, she curses a lot and I can see that her curse is coming to pass in the lives of my children.
“I told my wife that I have diabetes the next day she started singing that God should add honey and sugar to her life.

Nasarawa

The police have arraigned a 29-year-old trader, Agbo
Michael, in a Mararaba Grade 1 Area Court, Aso Pada, over the alleged theft of his neighbour’s generator.
The accused, who resides behind the Catholic Church, Aso, Mararaba, is standing trial on a two-count charge of house breaking and theft.
According to the Prosecutor, Cpl. Friday Adaji, one Itodo Leonard of same address with the accused reported the matter at the Aso Pada Police station on January 18.
Adaji said on the same date at about 2 p.m., the accused broke into the complainant’s house and stole the generator, valued at N31, 000.
“The accused also stole the sum of N10, 000 which the complainant left at home, when he went to work.

Ogun

A 39-year old man, Emeka Uboh, has appeared before an
Ota Chief Magistrates’ Court, Ogun, for allegedly damaging a gate and other items worth N100,000 belonging to one Boniface Ibeh.
Uboh, who resides at No. 11 Banjo St., Ishaha, Ota, Ogun, is facing a two-count charge of malicious damages and threat to life.
The Prosecutor, Sgt. Itaita Ebibomini, told the court that the accused committed the offences on October 11, 2015 at about 12:00pm at No. 3, Agbala Itura, Ishaha in Ota.
Ebibomino said that the accused damaged a building gate and other items worth N100, 000, property of Ibeh.
He said that the accused also threatened the complainant with a broken bottle.

Osun

The Osun State House of Assembly has directed the state
Ministry of Health to suspend the proposed increment in tuition fees of state-owned schools of nursing, health technology and midwifery.
Mr Kamil Oyedele, the Chairman, House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, gave the directive in Osogbo when the management of the ministry appeared before the committee for the defence of its 2016 appropriation bill.
The Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Temitope Oladele, in her defence had told the committee that one of the ways the ministry could boost its revenue generation for the year was by increasing its tuition fees.

Plateau

An elder statesman, Ambassador Yahaya Kwande, has
commended the success so far recorded in the fight against corruption and challenged the judiciary and the police to “play their roles effectively”.
“The Federal Government’s fight against corruption is gaining the right momentum and is in line with the cardinal goal for which President Muhammadu Buhari was voted into office.
“What remains is for the judges and police to play their own roles, so that the suspects would be convicted if culpable, to serve as a deterrent and also rid the nation of this canker-worm,” Kwande told newsmen in Jos.
According to him, the constitution is clear on how to tackle the menace.

Former National Security Adviser (NSA), Retired Col. Sambo Dasuki, arriving the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory where he is standing trial over alleged misappropriation of N32billion arms fund in Abuja on Friday. The case was adjourned till February 4 for the hearing of the Ex-NSA's application for stay of proceedings.

Former National Security Adviser (NSA), Retired Col. Sambo Dasuki, arriving the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory where he is standing trial over alleged misappropriation of N32billion arms fund in Abuja on Friday. The case was adjourned till February 4 for the hearing of the Ex-NSA’s application for stay of proceedings.

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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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