Nation

THE STATES

Published

11 years ago

April 22, 2015

Ekiti

An expert on guidance and counselling, Mrs Bola Adeniyi,
has urged parents and guardians to be vigilant in order to protect their children against kidnappers.
Adeniyi, who spoke with newsmen on Tuesday in Ikole, Ekiti State, on the recent reported cases of kidnapping of children, stressed the need for adequate protection of underage children.
“Adequate protection of children is the primary parental responsibility of a rational human being with kids and it is imperative for parents to ensure that their young ones are well protected against unpleasant occurrences.
“Loopholes where these agents of satan can use to penetrate into our family such as engagement of strange persons as house maids, drivers and guards should be blocked.
“Hawking by underage children should be discouraged and movement of strange faces around our premises should be reported to security operatives without delay,“ she said.

Gombe

The Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board in Gombe State has
offered automatic seats to 506 intending pilgrims out of the 1,934 allocated to the state for the 2015 Hajj exercise.
The Executive Secretary of the board, Alhaji Usman Gurama, stated this in an interview with newsmen in Gombe on Tuesday.
He said that those who got the automatic tickets were declared qualified after the screening exercise of 2014 but were unable to get the slots.
Gurama said that the board had promised to give them slots in this year’s exercise without undergoing another screening.
“ We resolved last year that since the seats were not enough and the people were many, we promised to start with them this year.
“We have gone round to all the local government areas in the state and distributed the bank teller to them,’’ he said.

Jigawa

The Jigawa State Command of the Nigerian Security and
Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has recorded 232 cases of criminal assault, sexual abuse and other offences in the first quarter of 2015.
The Commandant of the Corps, Mr Muhammad Gidado, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen on Tuesday in Dutse.
Gidado said the cases also involved debt recovery, family disputes, commercial, communal, land and tenancy disputes.
He said other cases had to do with vandalism, fuel diversion, drug peddling, public nuisance and criminal trespass.
He said some arrests were made through the combined efforts of the command’s detectives.
The commandant said 51 of those arrested had been convicted; seven cases were transferred, while others were still pending.
Kaduna

A Fulani community leader, Alhaji Dodo Oroji has appealed
to the incoming administration of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari to address the problems of grazing reserves and stop cattle rustling in order to save fulani herdsmen in the country.
Oroji made the appeal in an interview with newsmen on Monday in Kaduna.
He said it was important to properly tackle the two problems which had resulted in conflicts, avoidable deaths and loss of means of livelihood to hundreds of cattle breeders cross the country.
Oroji advised the government to devise a new policy to settle the herdsmen in one place, so as to maximally tap the economic benefit of their vocation.
“Once you halt cattle breeders from migrating from one country to another in search of food for their animal and families, you not only ensure their safety but also have the opportunity to tap the vast economic benefits from their occupation.”
Lagos

The Lagos State Council for Arts and Culture
(LSCAC), on Monday said it would host a Hall of Fame night in the last quarter of the year to immortalise past heroes.
The Director of LSCAC, Mrs Saidat Otulana, told newsmen in Lagos that it was essential to celebrate individuals who were instrumental to the development of state.
Otulana, who declined to mention those to be honoured, said the council would make a burst of each of the heroes and heroines to be honoured.
The director added that the contributions and achievements of everyone to be honoured at the night would be engraved on their burst for future reference.
According to her, among heroes celebrated in the past was Orlando Martins Award Trust Fund, established in 1988 but which, she said, was now moribund.
Nasarawa

Residents of Lafia on Tuesday called for an im
proved synergy between the executive and legislative arms of government, to enhance harmony and rapid development of the state.
The forth Nasarawa State House of Assembly was dominated by the PDP with 20 members as against four by APC which produced the chief executive.
The trend has now changed after the 2015 general elections as the APC won 18 seats, leaving the remaining six to PDP in the assembly.
A cross-section of the residents, who spoke with our correspondent including a lawyer, Samuel Simon, observed that the PDP-led assembly’s tenure was characterised by conflict with the executive due to political differences.

Ogun

A 47-year-old man, Solomon Ojo, was on Mon
day arraigned in an Ota Senior Magistrates’ Court in Ogun over alleged rape of his daughter.
Ojo, who lives at No. 15, Abinuyo St., Ijoko, in Ota, is facing a one-count charge of rape.
The Prosecutor, Sgt. Rosemary Brown, told the court that the accused committed the offence sometime in 2013 at about noon at his residence.
Brown said that the accused forcefully had carnal knowledge of his daughter (name withheld).
She said that the offence committed contravened Section 358 of the Criminal Code, Vol. 1, Revised Laws of Ogun State, 2006.
The Magistrate, Miss Temitope Adebutu, granted the accused bail in the sum of N200, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

Plateau

The Plateau State Internal Revenue Service (PSIRS) on Mon
day said it collected N1.84 billion as Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) between January and March.
The Chairman of the service, Mr Pam Samuel told newsmen in Jos that the amount fell below expectation.
“If you look at what we generated in the first quarter of this year, it fell short of the N2.18 billion we raked in the corresponding period of 2014,’’ he said.
Samuel blamed the short fall to non-payment of salaries of workers, whose Pay as You Earn (PAYE) accounted for the bulk of the service’s revenue.
The PSIRS chairman, in his analysis, said about N875 million was collected as PAYE and N658 million from Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
He said that January recorded the highest collection during the period, accounting for about N838 million of the total amount while February recorded the lowest with N501 million.
Sokoto

Governor Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State has assured
Nigerians that the President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari will not fail the nation.
‘The APC-led Federal Government under Buhari will strive to meet the expectations and yearnings of Nigerians, irrespective of religious, ethnic or cultural differences,’’ he said.
Wamakko spoke on Monday in Sokoto when the members of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in the state paid him a courtesy visit.
‘’Buhari will ensure social justice, adherence to the rule of law, youth and women empowerment, improvement of security and the power sector.
‘’ All Nigerians will be treated equally and fairly under Buhari; the electorate in the country as well as the international community will find Buhari to be a worthy democratic leader.’’ he added.
Zamfara

The Zamfara State Government on Monday said it would
offer skills training to 75,000 women in the state, to enhance their economic wellbeing.
Hajiya Balkisu Bungudu, the Commissioner for Women and Children Affairs, said in an interview with newsmen in Gusau.
The commissioner explained that the mass training was in fulfilment of the promises made by Gov. Abdul’aziz Yari to support the women to live productive lives.
She said that the beneficiaries would mostly be widows, divorcess, orphans and other less privileged women in the state.
‘’We will train them in trades like sewing, knitting, grinding, tailoring, shoe making, weaving, fish and poultry farming, pomade making, soap and jelly processing, computer literacy among others.
‘’After the training we will give them capital to start their businesses so that they will take care of themelves’’, the commissioner said.

L-R: NLC Deputy General Secretary, Comrade Chris Uyot, President Comrade Ayuba Wabba, Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo and NLC General Secretary, Comrade Peter Ozo-Esa, during Governor Oshiomhole’s courtesy visit to NLC President in Abuja last Tuesday. Photo: NAN

Nation

REAN, SON synergise to curb fake renewable energy product

Published

3 weeks 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

3 weeks 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

3 weeks 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.