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THE STATES

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Adamawa
The Victims Support Fund (VSF) recently commenced the reconstruction and rehabilitation of public structures damaged by insurgents in Michika Local Government Area of Adamawa State.
Speaking during a ceremony to mark the commencement of the exercise, Executive Director of the fund, Prof. Sunday Ochoche said the sum of N390 million would be expended on 13 structures in the area.
Ochoche said that the fund would work closely with the state government technical team to ensure quality job.
Speaking at the occasion, Governor Muhammadu Bindow of Adamawa State lauded the Federal Government for its intervention through VSF and other agencies in bringing succour to the people of areas affected by the insurgency.

Benue
Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom said last Monday that the state was committed to building a strong and indivisible Nigerian nation and would never support any secessionist agitation.
Ortom, who spoke at a meeting with Benue State Council of Chiefs, also restated government’s readiness to protect the rights of Nigerians resident in the state, irrespective of their ethnic backgrounds.
The meeting, held in Makurdi and attended by various stakeholders and the leadership of tribal and religious groups resident in Benue, was a proactive measure against reprisal violence over skirmishes in some parts of the country.
“Benue is not in support of any secessionist agitation and will not want mischief makers to cause violence in the state. People with such plans are advised to leave in their own interest,” he said.

Borno
The Theatre Commander of “Operation Lafiya Dole’’, Maj.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru has admonished troops to show discipline and professionalism in the counter-insurgency operations of the armed forces.
Attahiru made the call during a visit to 8 Task Force Division at Mongonu, near Maiduguri in Borno State.
His call was contained in a statement signed by the Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, Col. Onyema Nwachukwu in Maiduguri last Wednesday.
Attahiru told the troops to shun vices and to stay away from nefarious activities that would go against the mandate and goals of the operation.
“Discipline is the bedrock of every army and therefore, essential to fast-track total and outright defeat of Boko Haram insurgents.

Kaduna
Governor Nasiru El-Rufai of Kaduna State has reiterated his government’s commitment to reforming the civil service to enable it attain global standards.
El-Rufai expressed the commitment at the opening ceremony of Stream 2 of the National Capacity Building Conference on mainstreaming best practices in public service examinations held in Kaduna.
Reports said that the conference was organised by the Kaduna State Civil Service Commission in collaboration with the Examinations Ethics Marshals International.
The conference had the theme: Towards High Performance Workforce in MDAs, LGAs, Parastatals, and Institutions in a Season of Resource Scarcity.

Kogi
Kogi State Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Mrs Rosemary Osikoya, has  appealed to residents of the state whose houses were located in flood plains to vacate those areas.
Osikoya told newsmen that in spite of warning on the dangers of living in such areas, some of  the inhabitants had refused to relocate
According to her, those who refused to heed to the advice are arguing that “flood is seasonal” and that it will “come and go”.
“We want to plead with everybody in flood prone areas, including businessmen and women, to move out of the area to uplands; this is the time for proactive action,” she said.

Kwara
An Ilorin-based legal practitioner, Mr Abdullahi Suleman has warned parents against denying their children food as form of punishment.
He gave the warning in Ilorin in an interview with newsmen, describing it as “wicked and inhuman.”
He said some parents were fond of starving their wards as punishment for doing wrong, stressing that “such an act is against humanity and dangerous to health.
“Children should never be denied food for whatever reason. It can drive them to stealing as alternative to solve their hunger.
“That is why some children can easily be lured into bad acts, as they will be enticed with things as little as sweets as food, to do what they are not supposed to do.

Lagos
The National Conscience Party (NCP) says it will not participate in the bye-election, slated for September 30 in the Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State.
According to reports, indicate the election is to fill the vacant seat, arising from the death of the lawmaker representing the area, Mr Kazeem Alimi who died on July 18.
The Lagos State Chairman of the NCP, Mr Fatai Ibu-Owo, told newsmen that the NCP was not interested in the election and therefore, had no candidate.
He explained the party was currently pre-occupied with strategising for the 2019 elections and so had no time for the bye-election.

Nasarawa
An Islamic cleric in Nasarawa State, Malam Ishaq Adudu has sued for peace and tolerance in the country, irrespective of ethnic, religious and political affiliations, despite agitation by Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Adudu who is the Chief Imam of Gidi Magoro, Lafia Mosque made the call in an interview with newsmen in Lafia.
He said peace was a necessary requirement for the development of any nation, hence the need for agitators and other Nigerians to embrace peace and be law abiding at all times in the interest of development.
The cleric urged youths not to take the law into their hands but to report unlawful activities to the appropriate authorities for necessary action.

Niger
A cross section of Minna residents have commended Governor  Abubakar Bello for prompt deployment of armed security personnel in and outside the metropolis.
A resident of  Saukahuta Mr Innocent James, told newsmen in Minna that the quick intervention of the governor has prevented 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 had calmed nerves.

Ogun
An Idi-Ogungun Customary Court at Agodi in Ibadan last Tuesday dissolved a  seven-year-old marriage between Samuel Adeboye and his wife,Temitope over the woman’s battering by the second wife.
The President of the court, Chief Mukaila Balogun, leading other assessors — Aare Samotu and Ganiyu Alao — gave the verdict, saying both parties can no longer live together peacefully as husband and wife.
“Evidence of parties have proved that love does not exist between them; moreover, the respondent has agreed to the dissolution of the union as requested by his estranged wife.
“Based on this evidence, the marriage is thereby dissolved and the custody of the two children of the union is to remain with the plaintiff (Temitope).

Ondo
A socio-political group, Ondo State Peoples’ Assembly (OSPA), has lauded the Minister of State for Niger Delta, Prof. Claudius Daramola, for facilitating the first Niger-Delta Summit in the state.
The group in a communiqué in Lagos recently commended Daramola who hails from Ode-Aye in Okitipupa Local Government of the state for his unsung achievements, especially in Ilaje/EseOdo oil producing communities, for enabling peace.
The communiqué was jointly signed by its Chairman and Secretary, Chief Niyi Netufo and Pastor Ishola Omoyele, respectively.
The second National Council on Niger Delta (NCND) summit and first in Ondo State in collaboration with the state government was held in Akure between September 7 and September 14.
The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, on September 12, addressed the meeting with the theme “Fast-tracking the Development and Peace of the Niger-Delta Region: Options and Prospects.”

Plateau
Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State has approved the relaxation of dusk to dawn curfew imposed in the state following violent clashes.
The governor relaxed the curfew from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. to 6 am.
It would be recalled that following last Thursday’s clashes that resulted in the death of two persons, the state government imposed the curfew in Jos-Bukuru metropolis.
A statement last Sunday by Lalong’s Director of Press and Public Affairs, Mr Emmanuel Nanle, said that the decision to relax the curfew was due to improved security.
“The governor of Plateau, having considered the improvement in security, has approved the relaxation of the curfew to now start 10p.m. to 6a.m. with effect from Sunday, September 17 till further notice.”
The governor in the statement appreciated the swift response of security personnel to contain the situation.

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REAN, SON synergise to curb fake renewable energy product

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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.
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Self Help Africa programme expands water access for 320,000 Nigerians

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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.
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Lagos Residents Stranded As Floods Cut Off Ajah, Mafoluku Communities

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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.
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