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THE STATES

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Bauchi

The Federal Government said it approved N100 million
in 2011 for the establishment of Entrepreneurship Centres in both federal and state universities in the country.
Prof. Suleiman Bogoro, the Executive Secretary, Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), made this known on Wednesday in Bauchi, while declaring open a two-day workshop on “Entrepreneurship for lecturers in higher institutions in the North East Zone’’.
Bogoro, represented by a TETFUND coordinator,  Murtala Mustapha said that the centre would produce the needed platform for lecturers, students and members of the public to articulate appropriate strategies for entrepreneurship skills for national development.
He said that TETFUND Board of Trustee, in line with the policy had approved a five-year vision from 2014 to 2019 to deepen its focus on economic content, quality and excellence.

Borno

The Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) said that
it planned to make provisions for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to cast their votes in the 2015 general polls.
The Borno State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof. Tukur Sa’ad, said this during a visit to the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Garbai in Maiduguri.
Sa’ad, however, said that the commission was yet to work out modalities for the IDPs to vote.
He said that the INEC had slated Nov. 28 for the commencement of distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in Borno.
Sa’ad explained that the exercise would hold in 12 out of the 27 local government areas of the state due to the current security challenges.
“The issuance of PVCs to registered voters will take place in only 12 LGAs considered to be relatively safe in Borno.
“The exercise will last for six days,” he said.

FCT

The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development,
Hajia Zainab Maina, has called on the leadership of political parties to create enabling environment to enhance engagement of  women in politics.
Maina, who was represented by the Director of Women and Gender Affairs in the ministry, Mrs Iran Ajufo, made the call when she led women groups in a meeting with chairmen of political parties in Abuja recently.
Maina said that the ministry recognised the role of political parties in determining the political participation of Nigerian women in politics and decision making.
“The National Gender Policy, which has been passed by the Federal Executive Council, has established the benchmark of 35 per cent women representation in public office in Nigeria.
“Poor performance in the basic human development indices in Nigeria reflect the low level of women participation.
He said that in an effort to promote their participation in politics, many of the parties offered free nomination forms to women interested in contesting in the 2015 general elections.

Jigawa

The Government Secondary School in Aujara, Jigawa
State, emerged winner of the quiz competition organised by the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) for six select secondary schools in the state.
Announcing the result in Dutse, the Head of the North-West zone of the commission, Malam Adamu Sambo, said GSS Aujara scored the highest points of 35.
Sambo said that Dutse Model International School got 32.5 points to place second, while Salem Group of Schools scored 30 points to clinch the third position.
He said that the competition was organised for secondary school students to enable them acquire knowledge on capital market.
“Capital market is an arm of the financial system that strengthens the economy, and no economy can develop globally without it,” he said.

Kogi

The Nigerian Press Council (NPC) has urged journalists
to always follow the ethics of their profession while carrying out their duties.
This is contained in a communiqué signed by the Acting Executive Secretary of the council, Mr Nnamdi Njemanze, at the end of a training workshop for journalists in Lokoja.
The communiqué urged journalists to exercise restraint in their choice of language in order not to overheat the polity and undermine efforts to achieve a peaceful electoral process.
It advised journalists to exercise professionalism in news gathering and not to compromise the tenets of truth, accuracy, balance, fairness and objectivity in their reportage.

Kwara

An Ilorin Magistrates’ Court has remanded Jimoh
Oniwuridi, 30, at the Federal Prison, Oke-kura, Ilorin, for defrauding a man under the pretext of helping him out of his childlessness.
The accused, who resides at Oniwuridi Compound, Pakata area, Ilorin, was arraigned on a charge of Advance Fee Fraud, Contrary to Section 3(1) of Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act of the federation, 2004.
The prosecutor, Sgt. Zaccheus Folorunsho, told the court that on October 28 the accused went to the house of Tajudeen Onibon and convinced him that he could solve his wife’s barrenness.
Folorunsho said that the accused fraudulently collected an initial N200, 000 from the complainant and also collected N320, 000 for some sacrifice he claimed he would perform.
He said that investigation also revealed that the accused deceived the victim to dispose of his car at the sum of N140, 000 and his Jincheng motorcycle for N30, 000, and he collected all the money.

Lagos

A Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered that a 38-year-old scavenger, Ismail Ali, charged with drug trafficking be remanded at the Ikoyi Prisons, Lagos.
The accused, a resident of Abutu Alaba Rago in Ojo, Lagos, was arraigned by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
He pleaded guilty to the one-count charge preferred against him.
The trial judge, Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia, consequently ordered his remand at the Ikoyi Prisons and adjourned the case to December 4 for a review of the facts of the case and sentencing of the accused.
According to the charge, the accused is said to have committed the offence on June 3.

Ogun

The Road Safety Officers’ Wives Association of Nigeria
(ROSOWA), Ogun chapter, yesterday donated food items to accident victims at the Ogun State Hospital in Ijebu-Ode.
Our correspondent reports that the items include tins of milk, beverages, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, disinfectants and tissue-papers.
Mrs Adekunbi Adetunji, the leader of the delegation and wife of the Ogun sector commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, said the gesture was to commemorate the UN World Day of Remembrance of Road Accident Victims.
According to her, it is also part of the association’s contribution towards alleviating the plight of the victims.
She urged the beneficiaries to use the items judiciously and join the campaign for the prevention of road accidents in the country.

Plateau

Auntie Mary Secondary School, Langtang, in Jos
emerged Plateau State champions in the ongoing Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) national quiz competition, aimed at exposing students to the capital market.
Our correspondent reports that the school clinched 40 points from the seven-round quiz to beat its closest rival, St. Louis Secondary School, Jos, who garnered 35 points.
The duo had tied at 35 points at the end of the seven rounds and had to be separated by a fresh round of questions.
Newsmen reports that Nakam Secondary School, Panyam, came third with 25 points, while Pankshin and Barkin-Ladi Government Secondary Schools, with 17 and 10 points, clinched the fourth and fifth positions, respectively.
Government Model Secondary School, Doemark, however, came last with five points.

Yobe

The military, Police and State Security Services in Yobe
State have stressed the need to install Close Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras to monitor movements in schools.
Malam Wakil Kaku, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) state Director, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Damaturu.
“The military, Police and State Security Services authorities noted that all schools must be provided with wall fence and installation of close circuit Television (CCTV) cameras to monitor movements and objects in and around the schools.
“The security authorities also emphasised on the need to provide designated entry and exit points to check unauthorised movements around the schools,’’ he said.

 A Youth Leader, Mosunmola Umoru (left), presenting an award to Vice President Namadi Sambo, at the 2014 International Youth Day celebration in Abuja recently

A Youth Leader, Mosunmola Umoru (left), presenting an award to Vice President Namadi Sambo, at the 2014 International Youth Day celebration in Abuja recently

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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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