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THE STATES

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11 years ago

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Ekiti

Governor  Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State has warned civil
servants in the state against involvement in partisan politics, saying that those found culpable will be made to face the consequences.
Fayose handed down the warning while addressing the public servants on Grade level 01-17 at the State’s Pavilion, Ado-Ekiti, recently.
He said civil servants, by their training and orientation, had no business in party politics, adding that workers’ partisanship in politics had the tendency of destroying the entire service.
According to him, there is no crime in a particular civil servant having sympathy for one political party or the other or voting in an election, explaining that such a scenario will turn out to be something else when it is done to the extreme.
He said his government had no plan to politicise the civil service and urged the workers to also keep off partisan politics in their own interest.

FCT

The Chairman of Bwari Central Market, Alhaji Shehu
Mohammed, has advised the area council against demolition of market stalls,  to promote commercial growth of the area.
Mohammed gave the advice in an interview with newsmen in Bwari, recently.
He appealed to the council to redesign the place, to achieve a meaningful growth in the volume of business taking place in the area.
“I urge the government to look into this issue of demolition; it is disturbing us, everyday we are thinking of it, so many people in this market have vacated based on the planned demolition.
“Our economy is depreciating; our capital is going down because of this very issue; customers are no longer coming steadily to the market. Why, because of demolition of a thing.
“It is not building that is market, it is people; so, when people are vacating the market, others will stop coming there” he said.

Gombe
Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State has ap
proved N750 million for the establishment of the state’s Geographic Information Services (GOGIS) to ease land administration in the state.
The Surveyor-General (SG) of the state, Alhaji Abubakar Umar, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Gombe.
Umar said the system, when fully implemented, would ensure easy access to land information and reduce land dispute.
He said the project would enhance revenue generation as well as connect all ministries, departments and agencies to enable the state chief executive easy access to the activities of the ministries online.
“GOGIS will reduce shoddy deals in land administration; any time you want to find anything, you will just click and find your files.
“There will be no overlapping which generates shoddy deals and there will be recertification of certificate of occupancy which will generate revenue as an amount will be charged for that.”

Kaduna
The Jama’atu Nasrul Islam (JNI), has cautioned Nigeri
ans not to react negatively to the shift in the date of the general elections announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Saturday.
A statement signed by JNI Secretary General, Dr Khalid Abubakar expressed concern over the ‘uproar’ being generated in some quarters by the shift in the date of the polls.
The statement, made available to newsmen in Kaduna, called for restraint and caution on the part of politicians.
It urged politicians not hit up the already tense political situation in the country.
The statement stressed the need for Nigerians to be patriotic, responsible, tolerant and committed to peace and stability in the country before, during and after the elections.

Kano

Traders at the Kofar-Wanbai Market in Kano have called
on the federal government to intervene in the activities of some customs officers allegedly confiscating goods in some parts of the country.
The spokesman of the traders, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi, made the call while addressing newsmen in Kano recently.
He wondered why goods purchased from the eastern part of the country meant to be delivered to the north part were being impounded by custom officers.
“Despite the directive given by the Comptroller-General that goods bought from one part of the country should not be confiscated but they still ignore the directive,’’ he said.
He noted that the activities of such officers were capable of denting the image of the service when the Comptroller- General was making effort to sanitise the operations.
According to him, some of the affected traders have recorded huge loss within the last one year.

Kebbi

The Wife of Kebbi Governor, Hajiya Zainab Dakingari,
has distributed empowerment tools to women in Zuru Local Council of the state.
Dakingari distributed the tools at a PDP governorship candidate, Gen. Bello Sarkin-Yaki’s political rally in Zuru.
Our correspondent reports that the items include 414 deep freezers, 700 irrigation pumps, 200 sewing machines.
She said that the donation was to encourage women to be self-reliant and urged the beneficiaries to utilise the items judiciously to improve their economic status.
She urged the women to obtain their PVCs and vote Sarkin-Yaki as the most appropriate replacement of her husband.
“Gen. Sarkin-Yaki has served the nation competently and has unblemished record and was never found wanting, “she said.
Kwara

The Kwara State Police Command has arrested the son of
an ex-police officer on alleged charges of threatening another person with a gun and illegal possession of firearms.
Mr Salihu Garuba, the state’s Commissioner of Police, said this while addressing newsmen in Ilorin.
Garuba said that the accused person (name withheld) was arrested on Feb. 6 at Tanke, Ilorin, while threatening one Al-Amin Lukman with a gun during a rift between them.
He said the suspect was the son of a late Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) in Nasarawa State.
He said when a search was conducted at the suspect’s residence at Tanke area of Ilorin, a beretta pistol; a revolver pistol and a locally-made double barrel gun were recovered.
Other items recovered, Garuba said, include: 133 pieces of 7.62mm ammunition; 28 pieces of .9mm ammunition; 22 pieces of 7.6mm ammunition; three Bullet proof vests; a respiratory and a complete set of body protector.
He said three blasts; a hand grenade; 11 smoke cartridges; 86 live cartridges; 42 pieces of 5.5mm; two pieces of .36mm ammunitions; and two pairs of handcuffs with key, were also recovered.
Lagos

The All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) has ap
pealed to the Federal Government to provide easy access for farmers to obtain agricultural loans.
The National Secretary of the association, Mr Okon Edehoema, made the appeal in an interview with newsmen in Lagos.
He said that many farmers could not boost their production capacity due to lack of access to government guaranteed loans.
According to him, there are many bureaucratic bottlenecks preventing farmers from benefiting from financial incentives provided by the Federal Government.
“Many farmers have not benefited from various agricultural funds because of stringent conditions put in place by disbursing agencies.
“Some state governments usually divert funds meant for small scale farmers to service other causes.
“They end up issuing paltry sums to the farmers and call it empowerment,’’ he said.

Taraba

National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), has
donated additional relief materials worth millions of Naira to the 27 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in Taraba.
The Head, Gombe operations office of the agency, Alhaji Saidu Ahmed, presented the materials to the state government in Jalingo recently.
In his remark at the occasion, Ahmed said the additional materials were presented to the IDPS camps following a request from the state government and an assessment of the needs of the camps carried out by NEMA
He said the materials included 900 bags of assorted grains, 100 bags of sugar, 100 bags of salt, 100 bundles of roofing sheets and 500 bags of nails.
Others are 500 pieces of blankets, 1,000 pieces of nylon mats, 300 pieces of mattresses and 500 pieces of ceiling boards.
Also presented are 50 kegs of vegetable oil, 2,000 pieces of mosquito nets, 1,500 pieces of guinea brocade and 2,000 pieces of wax prints.

Zamfara

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) in Zamfara has
repatriated a total of 150 immigrants who illegally entered Nigeria from neighbouring countries, this year.
The State Comptroller of the Service, Mr Shehuri Sadiq, stated this at a news briefing in Gusau recently.
Sadiq said the aliens were arrested during the ongoing mop-up operation and removal of irregular immigrants in the state.
He said the raids were carried out in areas including Bungudu, Mada, Mado town, Gusau, Samaru, Filin Jirgi, Gada biyu and Damba.

Cross River State Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke receiving an ipad made in Calabar phone and ipad Assembling plant from the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Arch. Darius Ishaku during a courtesy visit, shortly after the graduation ceremony of first batch of 100 graduates from the Centre in Calabar.

Cross River State Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke receiving an ipad made in Calabar phone and ipad Assembling plant from the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Arch. Darius Ishaku during a courtesy visit, shortly after the graduation ceremony of first batch of 100 graduates from the Centre in Calabar.

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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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