Nation

D-YEAF Hails Fubara Over Achievements .Tasks Outgoing LG Chairmen On Peace

Published

2 years ago

June 7, 2024

The leadership of the D-Young Elite Advocacy Forum(D-YEAF) has poured encomiums on the Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara on the monumental achievements of his administration within the past one year in office.
This is even as it has called on the chairmen of local government councils in the State to give peace a chance, and honourably bow out of office at the expiration of their tenure on June17, 2024.

The forum, which gave the indication in a statement signed by its Coordinator, Mr Opurum Loveday; and its Secretary, Mr Bright Nnadi, noted that Governor Fubara has so far demonstrated courage, steadfastness, determination and peaceful disposition towards governance, even in the face of political affronts and provocative political utterances by some individuals in the State.

“This rare attribute of His Excellency is worthy of commendation and emulation. You have not only shown inspirational leadership but very high level of humility and tolerance which is a major attribute of an outstanding leader”, it said.

The group also applauded the Governor’s detailed, expository and chronological presentation of his account of stewardship and performance report, during the one year in office celebration of his administration, describing it as a democratic testament which must be treasured by all lovers of democracy, political advancement and transparent leadership.

It further indicated that the forum is very pleased with Governor Fubara’s leadership and development strides, going by the quality of projects being commissioned and flagged off by his administration across the length and breadth of the State, adding that the Governor has, indeed, proven and shown his willingness and commitment in delivering quality service and projects to the people of the State.

“In view of the above, the entire members of D-YEAF, in solidarity with the good people of Rivers State are not only happy with your performance in the last one year in office but have consciously resolved to pledge their support and commitment to the government of the State and your administration for a more prosperous State and development of the youths in particular”, it said.

Against this backdrop, therefore, D-YEAF urged Governor Fubara not to be distracted or feel weak but to remain strong and focused in his resolve to defend democracy, sustain the mandate given to him by the fathers of democracy and the entire Rivers people, as well as continuously uphold the tenets of good, productive, impactful development and people-oriented governance, as always advocated by him.

The forum equally urged outgoing chairmen of local government councils in the State not to expose the youths and the people to needless political crisis by their negative utterances, instigating some youths and publicly blowing the trumpet of war, which it noted are capable of breaching the existing peace in the State.

“Attempting to disobey the rule of law, as their tenure elapses this June would be the height of dishonour both to their person and the exalted office they occupy”, the group said.

According to the forum, there is no justification that the council chairmen would remain in office beyond June 17, 2024.It, therefore, condemned in strong terms unguarded utterances credited to some of the council chairmen, particularly those of the Chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Council, Engr Samuel Nwanosike.

“As a group of young elites, we specifically appeal to the Ikwerre Local Government Chairman to reconsider his position before June 17,2024, by following and obeying the rule of law, and not to maintain a stance that would expose our youths to political crisis.At this critical point in our political history as a State, all council chairmen must show high sense of responsibility, rationality, pragmatism, administrative competence and political maturity, which we believe they have”, it said.

According to the forum, what Rivers people need now is the voice of progress, advancement, unity, peace, equity, justice, equal rights and sustenance of our democratic heritage as a people.

The group advised the political class to regurgitate the eternal political words of former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, which eschew political violence and bloodshed because as D-YEAF puts it, no politician’s ambition, aspiration and interest are worth the blood of any Nigerian.

In the face of the political crisis currently rocking the State, the forum advised the State government under the watch of Governor Fubara to rise stoutly and firmly to guarantee the safety of lives and properties in the State, particularly in the coming days when the tenure of council chairmen will elapse.

It also reiterated the need for the council chairmen to honourably bow out of office at the expiration of their tenure instead of becoming the instrument for the destruction and destabilisation of the State and the society.

The group appealed to the youths not to allow themselves to be used by political gladiators in the State to cause chaos and the breakdown of law and order but to solidly and consistently oppose illegality, while at the same time defending democracy and upholding the rule of law.

The forum, however, paid glowing tributes to leaders and founders of democracy in the State like Dr Peter Odili, Chief Rufus Ada-George, Sir Celestine Omehia, Senator John Azuta Mbata and a host of others for the roles they are playing to stabilise the polity.

By standing with Governor Fubara and supporting his administration, the forum said Senator Mbata in particular has shown that the feud between the Governor and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike has no ethnic undertone, and therefore, should not be given ethnic colouration.

The group also commended the Rivers State Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria(NYCN), Hon Chijioke Ihunwo for his steadfastness, consistency and practical commitment to the defence of democracy.

Nation

REAN, SON synergise to curb fake renewable energy product

Published

2 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

2 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

2 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.