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THE STATES

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12 years ago

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Bauchi

The Bauchi State Universal Basic Education Board
(SUBEB) has commenced a three-month training for 4,215 teachers in the 20 local government areas of the state.
The Executive Chairman of the board, Alhaji Abdullahi Dabo, said at the opening in Bauchi that the exercise was organised to enhance the teachers’ performance.
“Last year, UBEC supported the training of 2,385 teachers, supervisors and education managers using the Teachers Capacity Building Model (clusters schools approach).
“The 2014 programme will feature the training of 2,385 teachers, 1,600 school base management committee members, 100 Quality Assurance staff, 60 Special Education, 70 Early Childhood Care and Development Education teachers,’’ he said.

Benue
A senatorial aspirant on the platform of the APC
in Benue State, Mr Andrew Ayabam, says he is not bothered by the numerous threats against him by those opposed to his senatorial ambition.
Ayabam, a bank worker and immediate past Chairman of the state Board of Internal Revenue Service (BIRS) bared his mind yesterday in Makurdi while addressing newsmen.
The former BIRS boss left the office in August 2013 and was replaced by his deputy.
Ayabam, who has declared intention to run for the Benue North East senatoral seat, will meet strong opponents in the race.

Ekiti

Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State in Abuja said
that protracted poor power supply to the state was militating against the economic and social growth of the state.
Fayose made the call during a courtesy visit on the Chairman of Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Dr Sam Amadi.
He, therefore, appealed to the commission to liaise with Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) whose operations cover the state to help in restoring power supply to the state.
Fayose said that most parts of the state had been in blackout  over the past 10 months.
“Ekiti has been in blackout since I came in as governor. All that I want is a solution to the blackout that has persisted in the state,” he said.
Amadi said that the commission would not encourage indiscriminate disconnection of consumers from power by distribution companies.
He assured Fayose that the commission would meet with the management of the BEDC to proffer solution to the problem.
An official of the BEDC, who spoke to newsmen on condition of anonymity, said that repair work on the transmission line to Ekiti state was in progress.

FCT

Mr Gabriel Johnson, a technician, yesterday
urged his colleagues and scientists to develop products that suit local needs and promote cultural heritage and history.
Johnson, who makes compact discs, told newsmen in Abuja that the role of technology in fostering cultural awareness among the young people could not be over emphasised.
He said that technology was a veritable tool to promote the country’s culture and heritage, adding that “children’s toys can be made with jingles taken from folklores.’’
“Even proverbs and parables that educate children on our cultural heritage and history can be relayed using this medium.
“We can also use them to teach our children moral values such as honesty, humility and contentment,” he added.
Kano

The Kano State Government yesterday closed its sec
ondary schools to enable students who attained the age of 18 years to partake in the Continous Voter Registration (CVR) by INEC.
Our correspondent reports that INEC in the state, had set aside between November 12 and November 17 for the registration of those who had not registered before but now reached 18 years of age.
This is contained in a statement signed by the Assistant Director of Information of the state Ministry of Education, Hajiya Hadiza Habib, and made available to newsmen.
According to the statement, the decison is necessary to allow students who are now eligible to exercise their civic responsibilities.
It directed parents whose children were in boarding schools to pick their wards and return them on November 19.

Lagos

An Ikeja Magistrates’ Court in Lagos yesterday re
manded in prison custody five men over allegations of armed robbery.
The Magistrate, Miss O.A. Akinde, ordered that the men be remanded in prison custody, pending legal advice from the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
The accused — Taiwo Idowu, 32; Jamiu Jimoh, 23; Simon Joseph, 18; Wasiu Ebunoluwa, 22, and Adeyemi Fagnenro, 43;— all unemployed and without any fixed address, are each facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and armed robbery.
Earlier the prosecutor, Insp. Chinalu Uwadione, told the court that the accused attacked their victim, one Mr Hameed Balogun, on Nov. 1 at 9:00 p.m. at the Railway line, Iponri/Costain area in Lagos.
“They forcefully collected his gold necklace, wrist watch, cell phones, cash and wallet, all valued at N406,000,” Uwadione said.

Niger

Governor  Babangida Aliyu of Niger State said in Minna
that the success of the 2015 general elections would depend largely on solving the security challenge in the northeast.
Aliyu said this at the 4th International Literary Colloquium to mark his 59th birthday.
The colloquium had as its theme: “Leadership and National Development and Post Centenary Nigeria: New Literatures, New Leaders and New Nation.’’
“Recently, I told somebody that the legitimacy of our 2015 general elections depends on how we are able to solve the problems in the northeast.
“This is because the moment you cannot conduct elections in an area, you are already questioning the legitimacy of that election.
“I have just signed a Bill into law establishing Niger State Book Development Agency which will sustain the colloquium’’, he said.
Osun

The Osun State Deputy Governor, Mrs Titi Laoye-
Tomori, said that the government would continue to encourage religion tolerance and unity in the state.
Laoye-Tomori stated this at the inauguration of the House of Assembly Christian Fellowship Chapel Complex in Osogbo.
The deputy governor said there was no time the government attempted to Islamise the state, stressing that the government would continue to create an enabling environment for religion tolerance.
She said the government believed in freedom of worship and would never discriminate against anyone based on religion belief.

Plateau

The residents of Plateau State, who turned out in
large numbers for the fresh voters’ registration have continued to groan over the slow pace of the process.
The fresh registration, which started lastWednesday, is to capture those who could not get the Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) because they were not captured in the first exercise conducted in 2011.
Large queues of voters are gradually thinning out as more impatient voters leave out of frustration.
In most centres visited in Jos yesterday, very few voters had been registered in the exercise that had entered the second day.
One of the registrants, Anna Davou, complained that the process had been too slow.
“I was here yesterday and even came back very early today but there are no signs that the machine is working,’’ she said.

Sokoto
The Sokoto State House of Assembly yesterday con
firmed the appointment of the immediate past Head of the  Civil Service, Alhaji Abdullahi Wali, as a  member of the  State Judicial Service Commission.
Our correspondent reports that this was in compliance with a letter forwarded to the Assembly by Gov. Aliyu Wamakko, appointing  Wali as member of the  commission.
A motion moved by the House Leader, Alhaji Abubakar  Buda (APC- Dange/Shuni), said: “this
is in view of the provision of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
He said the appointment of a member of the  State Judicial Service Commission was provided for in section 198 of the Constitution.
The leader described Wali as a man of proven integrity and dedication who had contributed immensely to the development of the state in various capacities.

President Goodluck Jonathan (7th-left), Senate President David Mark (4th-left)in a group photograph with parents and some Chibok Girls during their visit to Presidential Villa in Abuja recently

President Goodluck Jonathan (7th-left), Senate President David Mark (4th-left)in a group photograph with parents and some Chibok Girls during their visit to Presidential Villa in Abuja recently

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REAN, SON synergise to curb fake renewable energy product

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1 month ago

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June 29, 2026

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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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1 month ago

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June 29, 2026

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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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1 month ago

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June 29, 2026

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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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