Nation

THE STATES

Published

10 years ago

April 11, 2016

Former Senate President, Sen David Mark(4th left), his wife Helen (left) cutting cake with some National Assembly members, during the Thanksgiving Mass in honour of Sen. Mark’s 68th birthday in Otukpo, Benue State last Friday.

Borno

The Nigerian Army has announced the re-opening of the
Maimalari Cantonment Mammy Market, Maiduguri, three years after it was closed down due to insurgency.
Brig.-Gen. Victor Ezugwu, General Officer Commanding (GOC), 7 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maiduguri, made the announcement at the launch of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Investment Initiatives for Barracks Community in Maiduguri.
Ezugwu said that re-opening the market was to alleviate the sufferings of the barracks community which had been negatively affected by the long closure.
He also distributed N1 million soft loans to 10 women corporative groups as well as 10 tricycles to 10 barrack youths as part of the initiatives.
He said that the women were expected to use the money as start-up capital for their own businesses while the tricycles would provide jobs for the unemployed beneficiaries.

Benue

A Makurdi Magistrates’ Court remanded five men in
prison custody for conspiracy and unlawful possession of firearms.
The defendants, Henry Agene, Samuel Orne, Alabar Simon, Terzungwe Tyonginengen and Aondohemba Ahungwaor, all of Vandeikya Local Government Area, Benue, were arrested following a tip-off on March 18.
The Prosecutor, Cpl. Adama Owochio, said that they were arrested by the Operation Zenda surveillance team led by Insp. Philip Yankyaa.
Owochio said that the team was on a special duty at Vandeikya with some youths that were granted amnesty by the Benue state government.
He said the team received information that the defendants were in a hideout at Mbarumum village in Kwande, manufacturing, selling arms and ammunition.

FCT

An Abuja-based legal practitioner, Prof. Yemi Akinseye-
George (SAN), has decried the delays in the conclusion of criminal cases in the country.
Akinseye-George told newsmen in Abuja that it was not good that courts were unable to conclude criminal cases in due time.
“We only hear when cases are filed or when suspects are arraigned, especially wealthy suspects and we also hear when they are admitted to bail.
“But we rarely hear when the cases are concluded; that is a big embarrassment to our criminal justice system.’’
Akinseye-George commended the judges for their hard work, but decried unfruitful results because of the use of interlocutory appeals that stall trial cases.

Kano

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)
has donated relief materials worth millions of Naira to the Mariri Boarding Primary School, Kano State, for Borno children orphaned by insurgency.
The school was established by the immediate-past Governor of the state, Rabi’u Kwankwaso, to cater for 100 selected children. The NEMA North-West Zonal Coordinator, Alhaji Musa Ilallah, said the items were donated to support the pupils whose parents were killed during the peak of the Boko Haram insurgency in Borno.
“We were here in the school some months ago for an assessment to establish the needs of the school.

Kebbi

A team of medical personnel from Uganda have
concluded a nationwide study tour on the success of prevention of Postrartum Haemorrhage and maternal mortality in Nigeria.
Our correspondent reports the team, led by the Ugandan Director-General of Health, Dr Jane Agenghad, had been in the county to study Nigeria’s success on the dispensation and effectiveness of the Misoprostol drug. The drug prevents incessant bleeding during child delivery.
Agenghad, who led a delegation of Ugandan Association of Family Health on a tour to Kebbi, told Governor Atiku Bagudu that the team would interact with communities and nurses in the state.

Niger

The Niger Government has called on the Federal
Government to complete the Baro Inland Port project.
Governor Abubakar Bello of Niger, who made the call during a visit to the site, said it would boost economic activities in the country.
He said that the state would make the road accessible while awaiting the Federal Government’s intervention.
“The road to the port is very bad; it is extremely bad and I understand the Federal Government has awarded the contract to construct a new road.
“I have directed the state Ministry of Works to grade the road as well as construct culverts pending when the Federal Government will commence the work to make it more motorable,” he said.
Bello said that a committee had been set up to look into the activities in Baro and advised the state on how the Federal Government could expedite action on the realisation of the inland port.

Osun

Striking medical doctors in Osun under the aegis of
Association of Medical and Dental Officers, have suspended their seven months industrial action.
The chairman of the association, Dr Isiaka Adekunle confirmed the suspension of the strike in a telephone interview with newsmen in Osogbo.
He said the doctors would report for duty on Monday..
Adekunle told our correspondent that though the government was yet to meet any of their demands, their decision to resume work was in response to appeals from well-meaning people of the state.
He, however, said that the association would continue to dialogue with the government.
Adekunle said the association took the decision to call off the strike at its Annual General Meeting held on March 30.

Plateau

The Plateau House of Assembly Special Committee on
Solid Minerals has condemned the neglect of Zurak, a community in Wase local government area of the state, by mining companies.
The Chairman of the committee and Deputy Speaker of the Assembly, Mr Yusuf Gagdi made the condemnation after inspecting mining sites in the community.
According to Gagdi, the effect of the exploration by the miners has turned the community to an “eyesore.’’
He said the total neglect of the host community by the companies with regards to non compliance with the rules of engagement was unacceptable, warning that they must do the needful.
The lawmaker expressed concern over the environmental degradation as well as poor infrastructure in the community.
Our visit to these sites today have made us see things for ourselves, and it is a confirmation of the complaints we have been getting from the community.”

Sokoto

Chairman-elect, Sabon-Birni Llocal Government Area of
Sokoto State, Alhaji Idris Gobir, has promised to provide farm inputs at subsidised rates to youths and women to increase agricultural production.
Gobir told newsmen in Sokoto that the master plan on how to provide farm inputs had been drawn and was only awaiting implementation.
“We are just waiting to be inaugurated and move into action in providing qualitative leadership that will improve on the living standard of our people, “ he said.
He opined that engaging youths and women in agriculture would enable them to be self-reliant and contribute positively towards the nation’s quest for food sufficiency.

Taraba

Taraba Government said its new Log tax regime was to
increase the state internally generated revenue profile.
Chief Press Secretary (CSP) to Governor, Alhaji Hassan Mijinyawa, disclosed this in an interview with our correspondent in Jalingo on Sunday.
Hassan said with the new tax regime, trucks conveying a particular variety of log called Madrid would be charged N400,000.
He noted that the Madrid logs which were in high demand were exported to China and other Asian countries.
Hassan said government was looking inward and cashing in on large expanse of timber cultivation that was found in many local government areas of the state.

Yobe

The Executive Secretary of the Yobe State Emergency
Management Agency, Alhaji Musa Jidawa, has advised response groups to work as partners rather than competitors to avoid duplication and wastes.
Musa told newsmen in Damaturu that the emergency response actors had constituted a forum to coordinate areas of intervention to avoid over lapping and duplication.
Musa, who is also the chairman of the forum, listed the actors as the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Red Cross, the World Health Organisation (WHO), UN Population Fund (UNFPA), World Food Programme (WFP), the UNICEF and Action against Hunger, among others.

Zamfara

The Police Command in Zamfara has arrested Alhaji
Muhammadu Danmliga, the Village Head of Wabi in Maru local government Area, over alleged connection with the killing of 13 persons. The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Sanusi Amiru, told newsmen in Gusau that the killing of the 13 followed a meeting held in the village head’s house on March 24 by members of the outlawed ‘Yansakai group.’
According to him, 13 persons were allegedly killed at Tubgar Wabi, a neighbouring Fulani settlement on the evening of that day.

Nation

REAN, SON synergise to curb fake renewable energy product

Published

5 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

5 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

5 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.