Nation

THE STATES

Published

9 years ago

February 22, 2017

Benue
The Benue State Civil Service Commission said last Friday that it was developing a database to have information on every civil servant in the state.
The Chairman of the commission, Prof. Jerry Agada made the disclosure while speaking in an interview with newsmen in Makurdi.
Agada said the database would enable the government to know the exact number of civil servants employed in the state and those due for retirement.
He said the measures were aimed at repositioning the service for higher service delivery.

Borno
The Borno State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) says it has arrested three herbal medicine vendors who disguised as employers to defraud unemployed youths.
The Commandant of the corps, Mr Ibrahim Abdullahi, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Maiduguri on Sunday.
Abdullahi said the suspects were arrested on February 14 at Kofar Shehu area, Maiduguri.
He said that the culprits posed as employers of labour and tried to dupe unemployed youths by taking money from them and promising to give them jobs.
“Their nefarious activities were reported by two of the victims (names withheld) who said that they had collected about N5,000 each from them for a job.

FCT
The Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has assented to Pension Rights of Judges(Amendment) Act, 2017, and six other bills passed by the National Assembly.
This is contained in a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Sen. Ita Enang.
Enang listed other bills assented to by the Acting President as: Oaths(Amendment) Act, 2017; Defence Space Administration Act, 2017; Veterinary Surgeons(Amendment)Act, 2017, and National Film and Video Censors Board(Amendment)Act, 2017.
Others are- Nigeria Institute of Soil Science(Establishment, etc.) Act, 2017, and Mortgage Institutions(Amendment)Act, 2016.

Jigawa
The Chairman of Jigawa State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Malam Sanusi Madobi, last Sunday vowed to check the activities of ‘quacks’ parading themselves as journalists in the state.
Madobi told newsmen in Dutse that the council would not fold its arms and allow people that did not belong to the profession smear the image of genuine journalists.
“As professional and industrial union coordinating the affairs of journalists in the state, we will not allow any body to engage in any act that could dent the image of our profession’’
He therefore advised those that were not having the requisite qualification to practice the profession, to leave the state or risk being handed over to the appropriate authorities.

Kaduna
Col. Kingsley has been appointed as the new Deputy Director 1 Public Relations Officer, Nigerian Army 1 Mechanized Division, Kaduna.
A statement by Col Shuaibu Nuhu in Kaduna last Friday said the new Deputy Director Public Relation, took over from Col. Usman Abdul, who retired from service after 35 years.
Umoh is a product of the Nigerian Defence Academy Regular Course 40, and has a Master’s Degree in Media and Communication of the Pan-African University Lagos.
He is a recipient of Meritorious Service Star and fellow of the National Defence College.

Katsina
The General Manager of Katsina State Radio, Alhaji Sani Kabowo, last Saturday commended physically-challenged persons engaged in business and commercial activities in the state.
Kabomo gave the commendation while receiving members of the Physically Handicapped Association of Nigeria (PHAN), Katsina State chapter, who visited him in Katsina.
“The physically-challenged people in Katsina State deserve commendation for embracing business activities to make ends meet.
“The fact that the physically-challenged have embraced trading, commercial and business activities will surely prevent them from vagaries of begging and over-dependence on relatives and parents.

Kogi
A socio-cultural group, Kogi Integrity Group has urged police to investigate the activities of some politicians as part of efforts to scale down criminal activities in Kogi State.
Addressing a news conference in Lokoja last Sunday, the group said that some politicians did not identify, had been aggravating the security situation of the state through their actions and utterances , saying that they should be investigated.
“ Those who celebrate insecurity can as well sponsor insecurity. Security agencies should place certain politicians on the spot for scrutiny , “ the leader of the group, Mr Dare Michael said during the news conference.
He said that the politicians were not comfortable with the success of the administration of Gov. Yahaya Bello , especially the huge favourable response to his industrial friendly policies, hence their decision to create a state of insecurity.

Kwara
The Commissioner of Police in Kwara State, Olushola Amore has shut down a training camp of Peace Corps of Nigeria in Offa Local Government Area of the state, describing it as illegal.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Ajayi Okasanmi, confirmed the development to newsmen last Friday in Ilorin.
He said the commissioner viewed the camp as illegal, hence the shut down.
The Tide reports that the National Assembly had in November 2016 passed the bill establishing the Peace Corps of Nigeria and it is currently awaiting presidential assent.

Lagos
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) says it has recorded five deaths from 50 different disasters in the last three days within Ogun and Lagos states.
The spokesman of the agency Mr Ibrahim Farinloye, told newsmen on Sunday in Lagos that the incidents happened from Friday to Sunday in the two states.
Farinloye said, “Emergency agencies in Ogun and Lagos states have attended to about 50 different disasters from Friday till now.
“There was a reported case of fire outbreak at Rida National Plastic Company, Oshodi, Lagos on Sunday; a car explosion in Abeokuta, and wild bush fire at Ipokia in Ogun respectively.’’

Nasarawa
Head of Faith Hill Prophetic Assembly, Abuja, Bishop Emmanuel Musa-Jatau, has promised to pay WAEC and NECO registration fees for prison inmates in Nasarawa State.
Musa-Jata, who made the promise lastFriday when he visited Lafia prison in commemoration of his 54th birthday,explained that the gesture was targeted at inmates interested in pursuing their education.
The cleric, therefore, requested the prison management to compile the names of inmates in the state and forward them to him, in good time, for further action.
“We need the names of even those who have secured admission or are seeking admission into the National Open University of Nigeria,” he said.

Niger
Officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have arrested two men-Mohammed Abubakar,22, (a.k.a A3) and Adamu Umar, 25, for allegedly raping a 14-year-old girl in Niger State.
The suspects are commercial vehicle drivers at Kasuwan Gwari Motor Park, in Chanchaga Local Government Area of Niger.
The Director-General, Child Right Protection Agency, Mrs Mariam Kolo, told newsmen last Saturday in Minna, that the suspects were arrested by the NSCDC officials.
He said that they were brought to the agency when it was discovered that the girl was carrying a four-month pregnancy.
Kolo said that the victim’s grandmother reported the case to the security outfit, which led to the arrest of the suspects.

Plateau
Very few motorists in Plateau State have installed the “speed limit” device in their vehicles, three weeks after the deadline, according to Mr Crawford Otti, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) sector commander, Mr Crawford Otti.
The Tide source, reports that FRSC had given motorists, especially commercial vehicles and fleet operators up to February 1, to comply with the directive.
Otti said in Jos on Sunday, that his command was facing “a stiff resistance” from the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).
“Most motorists have complained of the exorbitant price of the device; they say that it is not affordable.”

Taraba
The Taraba Tiv Youth Frontier last Saturday urged Governor Darius Ishaku to expedite action on the resettlement and rehabilitation of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the state.
The Chairman of the group, Mr Dooior Torkula, made the appeal in a statement issued in Jalingo.
Torkula said that the quick return of the IDPs to their homes would enable them to participate in the forthcoming Local Government elections in the state scheduled for February. 25.
“We call on Gov. Ishaku to provide adequate security to enable the IDPs in various camps across the state to return to their homes.
“Most of these IDPs are farmers and you know, the earlier they return home, the better, as it will enhance food security in the state,” the chairman said.

Zamfara
The Zamfara State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has urged residents in the state to be safety conscious while dealing with fire during the harmattan period to avert fire disasters.
The Executive Secretary of the Agency, Malam Sanusi Kwatarkwashi, made the call in an interview with newsmen in Gusau on Sunday.
“We need to be safety conscious and avoid anything that can result in fire outbreaks.
“Also, we should be careful about how to handle candles, matches, electric and gas stoves in daily activities of our various houses.

Nation

REAN, SON synergise to curb fake renewable energy product

Published

6 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

6 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

6 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.