Nation

THE STATES

Published

10 years ago

January 27, 2016

Benue

Monday Ogoh, a 27-year-old driver, who resides be
hind AP Filling Station, Aliade, Benue, was on Monday arraigned before a Makurdi Magistrates’ Court for allegedly robbing two of his passengers of N735,000.
Ogoh was charged with criminal conspiracy and robbery, punishable under Section 97 of the Penal Code Law of Benue and section 1 (1)(2)(a)(b) of the Robbery and Firearms Act, 2004.
According to the Police Prosecutor, Insp. James Zungwe, the case was transferred from Aliade Divisional Police Headquarters to the State CID Makurdi through a letter dated December 31, 2015 zungwe said that the letter stated that Moses Adoh of Abulu-Ulu LGA of Delta reported the matter at Aliade Police Station in December 2015.

Borno

The Borno State Government said that it had inaugu
rated a 12-man committee to capture biometric data of its workforce.
Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Jidda Shuwa, who stated this in a statement in Maiduguri, said that the committee was inaugurated by Gov. Kashim Shettima in Maiduguri.
He quoted the governor as saying during the inauguration that the objective of the exercise was to remove loopholes or infractions that might impede implementation of government policies and programmes.
“The biometric of the state workforce will also ensure effective and qualitative workforce and create employment opportunities as confirmed vacancies will be filled up,” the governor was further quoted as saying.

FCT

The residents of Karu Local Government Area of the
FCT has called on the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, to provide them with a general hospital.
Alhaji Suleiman Musa, the Sarkin Hausawa of Karu, made the appeal in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.
Musa explained that a tertiary medical facility was initiated by former FCT minister Nasir El-Rufai for the community, but suffered neglect by his successors.
According to him, the structure put in place by El-Rufai was eventually handed over to an Indian firm under a Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) arrangement.
“However, the exorbitant services being offered by the Indians are beyond our means and as such most residents do not patronise the hospital.
“If this project is actually designed for the benefit of poor Karu community, the APC change government should urgently address the situation,’’ said the traditional ruler.

Jigawa

The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Ni
geria (MACBAN) has urged the Federal Government on the provision of welfare services to nomads in the country.
The National President of the association, Alhaji Muhammad Kirowa, made the plea while speaking with newsmen in Dutse.
Kirowa particularly urged the government to provide adequate grazing lands, watering points, cattle routes and dams for Fulani herdsmen across the country.
He recalled that President Muhammad Buhari had while heading the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF), planned to address some major issues affecting the welfare of nomads including problems of grazing lands, watering points and cattle routes.
Kaduna

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Moro’a
chiefdom, Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State, is to hold a-10-day consecration prayers for peace and unity in the chiefdom.
The chiefdom’s secretary of the association, Rev. Mapunu Yohanna, made this disclosure in an interview with newsmen in Kaduna.
Yohanna explained that the prayers, which would be held in the 10 districts of the chiefdom, were organised in collaboration with the Moro’a traditional council.
According to him, the prayer is to consecrate the people and rededicate them to God as well as strengthen the prevailing peace and unity in the land.
“This prayer has become necessary in view of the current atmosphere of insecurity, mistrust and suspicion among the people along ethnic, religious and political divide”.
Kastina

The Federal University, Dutsin-ma, Katsina State, has
given 11 students, who graduated with First Class degrees, automatic employment.
The Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. James Ayatse, made the disclosure in Dutsin-ma at the maiden convocation of the institution.
Ayatse said that the students graduated from 11 departments in the Arts, Management/Social Sciences and Education faculties.
‘’I am glad to inform you that the university’s Governing Council has approved that appointment letters of the First Class graduands be issued to them during this ceremony,’’ he said. Division.

Kwara

The National Council of Women Societies (NCWS)
has constituted a committee to enlighten people in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara on the signs, symptoms and prevention of Lassa fever.
Mrs Moradeyo Abidoye, Chairperson of the society in the area, said this during an interview with newsmen in Omu-Aran.
She said that the assignment would take members of the committee to markets, churches and mosques, where they would also sensitise the grassroots on other similar ailments.
The chairperson called for adequate public awareness on how to prevent the outbreak of Lassa fever, especially at the grassroots.

Lagos

The Chairman, Lagos State House of Assembly Com
mittee on Finance, Mr Yinka Ogundimu, has said that the legislature would ensure the full implementation of 2016 budget by the executive arm of government.
Ogundimu told newsmen in Lagos that the legislature had the constitutional responsibility through its oversight functions to ensure that the executive arm implemented the budget to its letter. .
According to him, the House through its standing committees would ensure strict compliance to the Appropriation Bill as passed by the Assembly on December 31, 2015. The lawmaker said that the legislative arm would ensure that the executive arm stressing that the assembly would fulfill its statutory responsibilities to the citizens of the state without any hindrance. “If, we members of the legislative arm perform our oversight functions dutifully, there is no way the executive arm will be smarter than us.’’
Nasarawa

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, has
appealed to the three tiers of government to make teaching of both Islamic and Christian Religious Knowledge to be compulsory subjects in the school curriculum.
Abubakar made the call during the closing ceremony of the 30th National Qur’anic Competition in Lafia on Saturday. “

Ogun

The Chairman, Ogun State House of Assembly Commit
tee on Health, Mr Akinpelu Aina, has urged the federal and state governments to take awareness campaign against Lassa fever to rural areas.
Aina, representing Ado Odo Ota I constituency, made the call in Abeokuta in an interview with newsmen.
The lawmaker said this had become necessary following the increasing number of casualties of the disease.
He said that people living in rural areas were more prone to the disease because of their environments
Aina urged the Federal Government to pay more attention to the health of the citizens.
He, however, commended the Minister of Health, Dr Isaac Adewolu, on steps taken so far to prevent the spread of the disease.
“Ogun State Government has also taken a bold step by setting up three isolation centres in its bid to contain any case of an outbreak of the dreaded Lassa fever”.

Oyo

Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has charged clubs
and associations in the state to support government policies aimed at developing the state.
He made the call at the investiture of Prof. Ezekiel Idowu as the 18th President of the Omo Aj’orosun Club, Ibadan.
Ajimobi said that the contribution of everyone in developing the state was obligatory, urging them to “ stop playing the ostrich.’’
“You all should be at the fore front of Ibadan progress. Irrespective of our status in the society, we are all responsible to the society, “he said.
He urged the people to shun character assassination, politics of bitterness while rallying for unity and peace among the citizenry.
In his remarks, Alhaji Sharafadeen Alli, former president of the club and one time Secretary to the Oyo State Government, stated that the club was non-political as stipulated in its constitution.
Alli said that the club had contributed immensely to the development of Ibadan and the state at large, promising that it would continue to do more.

Sokoto

Sokoto State Government will assist the victims of the
fire that razed the tubers, vegetables and fruits market in Sokoto, Gov. Aminu Tambuwal, has said.
Our correspondent reports that the market popularly called ‘’ kasuwar daji’’ was razed by fire recently.
The fire destroyed no fewer than one hundred shops, an articulated vehicle loaded with yam tubers, among others; but no life was lost and nobody sustained injury.
The State deputy governor, Alhaji Ahmed Aliyu, who visited the market on behalf of the governor, commiserated with the affected traders.
He expressed shock at the extent of damage caused by the fire and prayed Allah to compensate and reward those who lost their shops and goods.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (right), presenting an Award of the Icon of Democracy’ to former Vice President, Dr Alex Ekwueme, at the 2016 Annual National Political Summit in Abuja on Monday

Nation

REAN, SON synergise to curb fake renewable energy product

Published

2 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

2 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

2 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.