Nation

THE STATES

Published

9 years ago

October 18, 2017

Borno
The Defence Headquarters last Sunday described the Armed Forces’ medical outreach as part of the Forces’ constitutional responsibility of securing lives and property of Nigerians.
The Director, Defence Information, Maj Gen. John Enenche said in a statement issued in Maiduguri that there were no sinister motive behind the Armed Forces medical outreach exercise.
Enenche dismissed as misrepresentation and smear campaign against the military regarding the Monkey Pox disease outbreak in parts of the country.
He said that the Armed Forces had been conducting medical outreach during operations and routine training exercises such as the war against the Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East and Egwu Eke II in the South-East.
“Categorically, the practice of reaching out to the general public medically is akin to the key task of securing the lives and property of Nigerians; therefore, it can never be done with ulterior motives,” he said.

FCT
The Acting Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Primary Health Care Development Board, Dr Mathew Ashikeni last Friday refuted speculation of polio outbreak in the territory.
Ashikeni told newsmen in Abuja that there was a reported case of polio compatible in Abuja not polio virus.
He explained that the reported case was recorded at Rugan Baraje village in Kwali Area Council of the FCT.
According to him, the polio compatible has same symptoms of polio virus but the one reported was not.
He disclosed that a team of experts were deployed to the area and there were series of tests that confirmed no result indicated polio virus.

Kaduna
A non-governmental organisation on Maternal Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) has urged the Kaduna State Government to accelerate efforts for the passage of contributory health insurance bill.
This is to bring healthcare delivery closer and accessible to the people.
The NGO gave the advice in a document made available to newsmen last Friday in Kaduna.
It said that accelerating the passage of contributory health insurance bill would reduce pocket spending in accessing healthcare.
It also called for the modification of family planning messages to stress the importance of child spacing rather than limiting the number of children.

Katsina
Unknown gunmen last weekend attacked the residence of former Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Coomasie, killing a mobile policeman and injuring another.
Our correspondent learnt that two attackers on a motorcycle opened fire on the two policemen stationed at the gate of the residence at about 8pm, but did not gain entrance into the house.
The attackers were, however, said to have escaped with the rifle of one of the policemen.
A neighbour told newsmen on condition of anonymity, that the former IGP and his family members were safe.
The corpse of the deceased policeman has been deposited at the mortuary of Katsina General Hospital, where the other injured mobile policeman was receiving treatment.

Kogi
Three operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have been shot dead by gunmen in Okene.
The Commandant of NDLEA in Kogi State, Alhaji Idris Bello told reporters last Sunday in Lokoja that the three operatives were gunned down while on patrol.
He said that they were killed at about 8:30 p.m. on October 13 by the gunmen, “who emerged from nowhere’’.
Bello said that gunmen came on foot and that the incident occurred close to the main gate of the Federal College of Education, Okene.
He identified the operatives killed as Nicholas Onwumere, Ebun Peters and Abdulrahman Musa.

Kwara
The Ophthalmology Society of Nigeria (OSN) has called on Nigerians to embark on frequent eye-screening as a preventive measures against blindness.
The society made the call last Thursday in a statement signed by Dr. Taoheed Abdullahi, the General Secretary OSN, Kwara State Chapter in Ilorin.
The statement was issued in commemoration of the 2017 World Sight Day.
Abdullahi said that as the World Sight Day was being marked globally, there was a need for people to be eye conscious and screen their eyes at least once yearly at notable eye hospitals.
He, however, warned Nigerians against patronising quacks and traditional eye medications.

Lagos
Two medical practitioners last weekend called on Nigerians not to wait until disease outbreak before imbibing the culture of regular hand washing.
They gave the advice while speaking with newsmen in Lagos ahead of the commemoration of the 2017 Global Hand Washing Day which held on October 15.
The theme of this year’s event was, “Our Hands, Our Future.”
A Consultant Microbiologist, Dr Bamidele Mutiu told journalists that hand washing would reduce transmission of infectious diseases by over 90 per cent.
Mutiu, who works at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, said that the outbreak of monkey pox should be a clarion call for Nigerians to adhere to regular and proper hand washing.

Niger
Niger State Environmental Protection Agency (NISEPA) last weekend decried the indiscriminate noise pollution in some parts of the state, warning that defaulters would henceforth be penalised.
General Manager of NISEPA, Mr Lucky Barau who issued the warning in Minna told newsmen that owners of musical studio and operators of grinding machines would no longer be allowed to operate in residential areas.
He disclosed that the state government had purchased noise metre machines that would help track unwanted noise.
“There are many problems associated with noise pollution such as stress related illnesses, sleep interruption, hearing problems and loss of productivity, amongst others,” he said.

Ondo
The Ondo State Government says it has adopted a proactive measure to forestall outbreak of monkey pox in the state.
The Permanent Secretary of the state Ministry of Health, Dr Taiye Oni made this known to newsmen last Friday in Akure.
“We have started sensitisation by putting on field responsive surveillance team to make sure that any perceived case would be tackled.
“We should not forget about what we learnt on Lassa fever about personal hygiene and necessary precaution.
“The same procedure applies to the issue of monkey pox because we cannot prevent our people to travel,” Oni said.

Oyo
Striking doctors of LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, Oyo State have appealed to the State Government to pay them their 12 months salary.
They made the call in a statement signed by the branch’s President and General Secretary of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), Drs Sebastine Oiwoh and Ayobami Alabi and made available to newsmen in Ibadan last Saturday.
Our correspondent recalls that the doctors had 75 days ago embarked on industrial action over their unpaid salaries and poor working condition.
The ARD said that their members had indefinite withdrawal of services, saying the management, board and the state government were fully aware of the industrial crisis.
It said that their members were being paid twenty-eight per cent salary since January 2016 with twelve months salary being owed.

Plateau
Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong has vowed to identify and prosecute those behind the resurgence of terror attacks in the state.
Lalong made the pledge last Sunday while reacting to Saturday night attack by unknown gunmen on Tagbe Village, Jebbu Miango, Bassa Local Government Area, where six persons were killed and five others severely injured.
The governor, in a statement by the Director of Press Affairs, Mr Emmanuel Nanle, warned that government would not relent in its renewed efforts at identifying and prosecuting all those behind the heinous crimes.
He said that the killers and their sponsors seek to take the state back to the dark days of violent conflicts and vowed not to let that happen.
According to the statement, the criminal elements perpetrating the spate of vicious attack within the Irigwe Chiefdom of Bassa, were finding refuge among the inhabitants of those areas.

Sokoto
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has signed collaboration agreement with Usmanu Danfodio University Sokoto (UDUS) on knowledge and experience sharing to ensure practical implementation of projects.
UNICEF Chief Field Officer in Sokoto, Mr Mouhuiddini Muhammad said the initiative was conceived for maximal utilisation of the university expertise toward addressing projects implementation challenges in various communities.
Muhammad said university community hosted chain of scholars, research fellows and academic works that when involved in UNICEF activities would surely harness success and overcome hitches at implementation levels.
He said the initiative named, “Partnership and Cooperative Agreement for Research and Knowledge Sharing,” was aimed at holistic involvement of university expertise into UNICEF experiences for the benefit of all people.
He explained that UNICEF conduct variety of activities on educational development that comprised enhancing enrolment, women education and facilitates curriculum development as well as addressing religious, cultural, social norms and barriers in the society.

Nation

REAN, SON synergise to curb fake renewable energy product

Published

10 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

10 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

10 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.