Nation

THE STATES

Published

10 years ago

April 1, 2016

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos (left), condoling the widow of Dr Tunji Braithwaite, Mrs Grace Braithwaite, during a condolence visit to Braithwaite’s family in Lagos, recently. With them is Dara Rhodes.

Bauchi
Bauchi State Police Command has arrested three women
suspected to be “specialists” in child trafficking.
Public Relation Officer (PPRO) of the command, DSP Haruna Mohammed, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Bauchi.
He said the suspects were arrested by detectives of the command on March 25.
Mohammed one of the suspects from Plateau, was arrested for selling a 17-month-old baby to a woman from Imo State at the cost of N200,000.
He also said the woman also sold a 14-month-old-baby to another woman, who hailed from Benue, at the cost of N80,000.
He said that the two babies had been recovered.

Borno
The Borno Government has appealed to the Comman
dant General of Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Mr Abdullahi Gana, to employ more youths from the state.
The call is contained in a statement issued by Malam Isa Gusau, the Special Adviser on Media and Strategy to Governor Kashim Shettima in Maiduguri.
The statement noted that Governor Shettima made the appeal when he visited Gana in Abuja and appealed that the gesture would help to fill the vacuum left by indigenes of the state who died while serving the organisation.
“Shettima submitted a comprehensive data of about 90 Borno youths who died either through natural causes or got killed in the course of serving the NSCDC to Gana,” Gusau stated.

Ekiti
The National Coordinator, Wireless Application Ser
vice Providers Association of Nigeria (WASPAN) Mr Chijioke Ezeh, has called for favourable revenue share for Value Added Service (VAS) providers in the country.
In an interview with our correspondent on Monday, in Lagos, Ezeh said that the current revenue sharing formula was not favourable to VAS providers.
Our correspondent reports that there is currently a revenue share of 60 by 40 per cent, between the telecommunications network providers and the VAS providers.
He said that such revenue share might run down the businesses of VAS companies, which in turn would affect job creation.
Ezeh called on the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to look into the area of revenue-sharing among mobile operators and VAS providers in its proposed regulations to guide the sector.

FCT
The Nasrul-lahi-li Fathi Society of Nigeria (NASFAT),
has called on Muslim parents and guardians to inculcate good moral values into their children at infancy.
The Chief Missioner of NASFAT, Sheik Abdullahi Akinbode made the call in Abuja at the public presentation of a book titled; “Read Arabic with Ease,’’ Book 1 and 2 ‘ written by Hajiya Amina Abdulganiyu.
He said that it was imperative for parents to expose their children to good virtues at the early stage of their lives to ensure decency in the society.
He said that the failure of some parents to train their children well often produced bad people who became problem to the society.

Gombe
The Gombe State Ministry of Women Affairs and So
cial Welfare says it has handled 66 cases of child abuse in the past eight months.
Director of Child Development in the ministry, Mr Jenis Maiyamba, disclosed this in Jos at the sidelines of a Child Protection System Strengthening Meeting organised by UNICEF.
He told newsmen that the cases involved rape, drug, abandonment and forced marriages, among others.
According to him, 20 of the cases bordered on sexual abuse and rape, five cases each of drug and physical abuse, four cases each of forced marriage and abandonment and one case of human trafficking.

Jigawa
Buji local government area of Jigawa said it had
screened 27 prospective pilgrims for the 2017 Hajj.
The Information Officer of the council, Alhaji Ali Safiyanu, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Dutse.
Safiyanu said that the council was allotted 27 Hajj seats by the state’s Pilgrim Welfare Board.
He explained that the committee had taken adequate measures to ensure that only indigenes of the council participated in the screening.
The spokesperson pointed out that the gesture was to ensure that only the indigenes were given the seats.

Kano
The Legal Aid Council in Kano said it received no
fewer than 64 cases from aggrieved individuals in February.
The Coordinator of the council in the state, Alhaji Abubakar Umar, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Kano.
Umar said 42 of the cases were criminal, while the remaining 22 were civil cases.
He said the council had disposed eight of the criminal cases and nine civil cases, while the remaining were pending in various courts.
“Some of the complainants prefer to solve their cases at our office. Complainants are always encouraged to resolve their cases out of court to ensure amicable solution.”

Kaduna
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), in partner
ship with a U.S based firm, JAF Technology Solutions, is to train corps members in Kaduna State on use of technology to develop businesses..
The NYSC State Coordinator, Mohammed Momoh disclosed this while briefing newsmen recently.
Momoh said the NYSC , as the largest body of youth motivators in the country, would train corps members to make them job creators instead of job seekers.
He said that the scheme would partner with genuine individuals and organizations to add value to all corps members.
“The scheme would compliment efforts of the Federal Government to provide employment opportunities for young Nigerian graduates through Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneur Development (SAED) programme.

Lagos
The Lagos Police Command has commended residents
of the state for their collaboration in fighting crimes, particularly during the Easter celebrations.
A statement by the spokesperson of the command, SP Dolapo Badmos, stated that the celebration was observed without any major crime owing to the efforts of the residents.
“The Easter celebration period was peaceful and crime free.
“This wouldn’t have been achievable, but for the active partnership between the Lagos state police command and members of the public.

Ogun

A 32-year-old man, Bashiru Azeez, has been docked at
an Ota Magistrates’ Court in Ogun for allegedly collecting N49,500 under pretence from one Bosede Adebisi.
The accused, who lives at No. 12, Ilo-Awera St., Ota, is standing trial on a one -count charge of collecting money under pretence.
The Prosecutor, Sgt Chudu Gbesi, told the court that the accused committed the offence on February 9 at about 4:00 p.m. at Atan Garage, in Ota.
He said that the accused collected N49,500 from one Bosede Adebisi under the pretext to supply seven bags of rice, an agreement he did not fulfil.
Gbesi said that the offence contravened Sections 390 and 419 of the Criminal Code Vol.11, Laws of Ogun, 2006.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The Senior Magistrate, Mr S.O. Banwo, admitted the accused to bail in the sum of N100, 000 with one surety in like sum.
Oyo

Sen. Rilwan Akanbi (APC-Oyo South), has said that
the 2016 national budget passed by the Senate would ensure rapid economic growth.
Akanbi gave the assurance during a town hall meeting he held with Owala, Temidire, Isokan, Akataapa and Ekerin communities at Owala playing ground, Ologuneru in Ibadan.
He urged the people to be patient with and support the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, saying the nation’s dwindling economy would soon be revived.
“The last administration mismanaged so much of our resources not minding the future of the country.
“The president had since the inception of his administration been confronted with transforming the economy.
“He has shown more commitment to rejuvenating the economy and Nigerians would soon smile. I implore you all to give him maximum support in achieving this,” he said.

Plateau
The Special Task Force (STF) in charge of security in Plateau has advised citizens to remain vigilant after the Easter celebration which was generally peaceful.
Capt. Ikedechi Iweha, STF Spokesperson, in an interview with newsmen in Jos also advised the people not to let down their guard.
Iweha said that Easter celebration had come and gone but there was still need for the people to be security conscious.
“The people must be vigilant and report any suspicious persons, movement or objects to security agencies for prompt action.
“The STF, on its part, will sustain its efforts toward ensuring that all Plateau citizens stay peacefully with one another,’’ he stated.
Meanwhile, the Plateau Police Command has urged citizens to continue to cooporate with security agencies even after the festive period to sustain the existing peace in the state.

Nation

REAN, SON synergise to curb fake renewable energy product

Published

1 month 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 month 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 month 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.