Nation

THE STATES

Published

9 years ago

September 20, 2017

Adamawa
Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo last Saturday in Yola, reinstated the commitment of the Federation Government to keep one, indivisible Nigeria.
Osinbajo made the commitment while speaking at the reception in Yola in honour of the new President of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), the Most Reverend Musa Filibus.
The vice-president, therefore, urged Nigerians to sustain the unity which he said was the dream of the fore fathers of the country.
According to him, Christians are encouraged to pursue justice and reconciliation with people of other faith.
While congratulating Filibus for being the first Nigerian and second African to emerge President of LWF, Osinbajo urged him to work toward uniting the church and promoting peace and love.

Benue
The Senate Committee on Works has asked the Federal Government to revoke the N3.2 billion contract for the reconstruction of Wannue-Yadev road in Benue, citing alleged incompetence by the handler.
Reports that the 19-kilometre road contract, awarded in 2013, had a completion period of 24 months.
Its chairman, Sen. Kabiru Gaya, told newsmen in Gboko that his committee was “greatly disappointed” that not much had been achieved in the execution of the project four years after it was awarded.
“We have gone round several portions of the road; we have asked questions and made observations. Our conclusion is that the contractor lacks the capacity to handle the job.

Borno
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has called on Boko Haram sect to stop the recruitment and use of children as suicide bombers in the North-East.
UNICEF also called on all parties in the conflict to respect international child right laws.
The UNICEF’s Country Representative, Mr Mohamed Fall, made the call after the official signing of Action Plan Agreement against recruitment of children between the organisation and Borno State Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF).
Reports that the Action Plan Agreement was signed by the UNICEF, Borno State Government and CJTF, in Maiduguri.
Fall noted that the increase in the use of children in the conflict in the North-East was a source of concern to the UN and it must stop.

FCT
The President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, said the Senate would meet with security chiefs to chart a path for resolution of contentious issues engendering tension in the South-East.
He said that the meeting, expected to hold shortly, would address the tension in the South-East and the skirmishes in Plateau State.
Saraki said in a statement last Sunday in Abuja that security agencies, political and religious leaders must work for the promotion of dialogue as means for tackling agitations, to ensure peace in the country.
In the statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, he urged all Nigerians to maintain peace and avoid statements or actions capable of aggravating the tension in parts of the country.

Kaduna
Kaduna State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board last Saturday said a total of 2,842 pilgrims from Kaduna had returned home after performing 2017 hajj in Saudi Arabia.
The Board Public Relations Officer, Yunusa Abdullahi, made this known in a telephone interview with newsmen in Kaduna.
Abdullahi said that the pilgrims returned by Medview and Max Air in six flights.
He said Medview transported 1,786 pilgrims while Max Air transported 1,078 pilgrims.
“The 6th batch with 542 pilgrims will return on Saturday via Max Air airline.

Kogi
The World Bank-sponsored Kogi State Integrated Financial Management Information System (SIFMIS) is to commence operation in October.
Mr Aminu Ibrahim, the Manager of the project, disclosed this while speaking at a presentation of the integrated system during a seminar for journalists in Lokoja last Wednesday.
Ibrahim said that the system would ensure efficiency, effectiveness, accountability and transparency in public finance as part of the requirements for reform agenda of the Federal Government and the National Economic Council.
He said that project contract agreement was awarded in April and signed by the state Public Sector Governance Reform Development Project and the contractor, Messrs Counterhouse Consultants Ltd.

Lagos
The Consul-General of Germany in Lagos, Mr Ingo Herbert on Saturday enjoined more young Nigerians to begin to engage themselves in vocational programmes that would make them employable.
Herbert gave the advice in Lagos at the graduation ceremony of 19 young Nigerians that benefited from the German Dual Vocational Training (DVT) Partnership with Nigeria.
The Consul-General, who was represented by the Consulate’s Commercial, Political, Cultural and Press Attaché, Mr Sebastian Polzin said that Germany had always encouraged DVT for young men and women.
“We want to also see more young Nigerians engage themselves in vocational training; this way, unemployment would be reduced.

Nasarawa
Governor Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State has appealed to the Federal government to gazette the state-owned Lafia-Kwandere-Keffi road as a federal road.
He made the appeal in Lafia last Saturday when members of the Senate Committee on Works, led by its chairman, Sen.Kabiru Gaya paid him a courtesy visit.
The governor said the call became necessary to speed up the completion of the road for the benefit of travelers.
“Basic infrastructure starts and ends with roads, road being the most flexible infrastructure gives every citizen the opportunity to link up from one place to another.

Niger
A cross section of Minna residents last Saturday lauded Governor Abubakar Bello for prompt deployment of armed security personnel in and outside the metropolis.
Mr Innocent James, a resident of Saukahuta told newsmen in Minna that the quick intervention of the governor has avoided unnecessary tension.
“Miscreants have started looting shops and threatening residents at Chanchaga, Saukahuta, Bosso and city gates.
He said that the deployment of security personnel in strategic locations in the metropolis has calmed nerves.

Osun
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is to organise a workshop on Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) for secondary school girls in Osun, Kano and Enugu to identify the challenges with the condition and ameliorative measures.
The UNICEF Coordinator of Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) Mr Femi Aluko, in Osun, told newsmen Sunday in Osogbo that stakeholders would gather to address the challenges facing MHM such as taboos and poor hygiene among female school girls.
NAN reports that menstruation is a normal biological process and a key sign of reproductive health, yet in many cultures it is treated as a negative, shameful or dirty condition.
A study from UNICEF revealed that one out of three girls in South Asia knew nothing about menstruation prior to getting it while 48 per cent of girls in Iran and 10 per cent of girls in India believe that menstruation is a disease.

Plateau
Rev. Fr Philip Jamang of Church of Assumption, Chongo-Pyel in Jos, has charged Nigerians, especially Christians, to eschew violence and imbibe the virtues of love and forgiveness.
Jamang, in his sermon in Jos last Sunday, said that the two virtues were key to the harmony and stability craved by all Nigerians.
He said that unity would be enhanced if Nigerians were quick to love and forgive each other as one people bound by the same destiny.
The cleric attributed most of the challenges threatening the country to bitterness bottled up in the minds of Nigerians, saying that growth and prosperity would continue to elude the nation if that continued.

Zamfara
The Eze Igbo in Zamfara state, Igwe Egbuna Obijiaku has commended the South East Governor’s Forum for banning the activities of the Independent Peoples of Biafra (IPOB).
Obijiaku, who gave the commendation last Saturday while speaking to newsmen in Gusau , said that Igbos in Zamfara were not in support of the activities of IPOB.
He urged the Igbo community in the state to disregard the Biafra agitation by members of the IPOB.
According to him, the IPOB agitations for Biafra nation apart from its threat to national unity, peace and stability is also a big threat to Igbo economic stability.
“We are solidly behind our leaders and governors in this regard, we are also in support of the decision of the Forum of Igbo traditional leaders of all the 19 Northern state,” he said.
“If we look at the entire population of Igbo community, only 40 per cent are living on Igbo land, about 40 per cent are living in the Northern parts of Nigeria, almost 15 percent are living in South Western parts of the country and the remaining five per cent are living abroad.

Nation

REAN, SON synergise to curb fake renewable energy product

Published

1 week 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 week 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 week 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.