Nation

THE STATES

Published

11 years ago

June 19, 2015

Adamawa
Members of the Adamawa State House of Assembly
have agreed to contribute 50 per cent of their salaries to the development of the state.
The Majority Leader, Alhaji Musa Mahmud, made this known in Yola while speaking to newsmen.
Governor Mohammed Jibrilla had last Monday said 50 per cent of his salary and that of his deputy would be donated to the state.
He also urged the state’s lawmakers to consider donating part of their salaries to the state.
Mahmud told newsmen that the lawmakers made the sacrifice willingly in view of the financial condition of the state.

FCT
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has
reiterated the need to end early and forced marriage, saying that it constitutes a serious human rights abuse.
The Executive Secretary of the commission, Prof. Bem Angwe, made the call in Abuja at an event organised by the commission to mark the Day of the African Child.
Angwe, who was represented by his Special Assistant, Mr Harry Obe, said that early and forced marriage could represent a threat to both the child and the society.
“Early and forced marriage is a serious human rights abuse, which threatens not just children, but the society at large.
“This menace undermines the rights and development of children as it impacts on their emotional, physical, psychological, health, education, economic well-being and dignity.
Gombe
The Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), has began the distri
bution of food items to 1, 200 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Gombe State.
The items were presented to the IDPs by the Emir of Gombe, Alhaji Abubakar Shehu-Abubakar on behalf of the organisation.
He said that the gesture was to support the IDPs as they struggle to regain themselves after their traumatic experience in the hands of Boko Haram insurgents.
The Emir urged the inmates to be patient as the items would not be enough for all of them.
He said that a screening committee set up by the JNI had identified families in dire need of assistance, who would benefit from the gesture.

Jigawa
An environmentalist, Malam Sadiq Ado, has called on
the Federal Government to ban tree felling to check deforestation in the country.
Ado made the call in an interview with newsmen in Hadejia, Jigawa.
The environmentalist also called for the adoption of practical measures to encourage development of alternative energies to curb use of fuel wood.
He said the measure was imperative in view of the quantum of destruction of forest resources through tree felling.
Ado listed the effects of tree felling to include extinction of wildlife, desert encroachment, soil erosion, flood and climate imbalance.

Kaduna
The Director-General of the National Youths Service
Corps (NYSC), Brig-Gen. Johnson Olawumi, has challenged corps member to be agents of change and promote core societal values.
Olawumi gave the charge when he visited Batch “A” stream B corps members at the NYSC Orientation Camp in Kaduna.
“As young men and women you are going to be the vanguard to drive the change from some negative aspect or vices within the country to positive ones.
“You must imbibe the virtues of honesty, loyalty, integrity, hard work and sacrifice for the good of your country”, he said.
He advised the corps members to imbibe good qualities that would lead to the realization of their potentials as prospective leaders of the country.
Kano
The Kano State Hisba Board has distributed rice and
cooking oil to 1,200 widows who have children.
The Director General of the board, Dr Abba Sufi, presided over the distribution of the items in Kano.
He explained that the items were donated by an Islamic Group, Jama’atul Nasril Islam (JNI), to assist orphans and other less privileged persons during forthcoming Ramadan.
Each of the beneficiaries was given one bag of rice and a gallon of cooking oil.
Sufi called on wealthy individuals and corporate organisations to support the poor, especially during the forthcoming Ramadan fast to earn the blessings of Allah.

Kogi
An appeal has gone to the three tiers of governments
and citizenry in Kogi to embark on massive afforestation to minimise global warming and preserve its ecosystem .
The Vice President, North Central of the Environmental Health Officers Association of Nigeria (EHOAN), Mr Nuhu Anyegwu, made the appeal in an interview with newsmen in Idah, Kogi.
Anyegwu also suggested that sustained environmental enlightenment programmes should be organised to encourage positive actions that will preserve the ecosystem.
He added that Environmental Impact Assessment(EIA) must be carried out by relevant professionals before embarking on any major project.

Lagos
A university don, Prof. Michael Akur, has called for
more autonomy for local governments to boost business activities at the grassroots.
Akur, a political science lecturer at the University of Jos, gave the advice in a telephone interview with newsmen.
He said that policies of local governments for grassroots development were the more viable approach to grow enterprises in those areas.
Akur said that granting more autonomy to local governments would aid the growth of local businesses.
“Independence for local government is sacrosanct for entrepreneurship at the lowest level of government of government to improve,’’ he said.
Nasarawa
Governor Umaru Al-Makura of Nasarawa State has
expressed determination to block all revenue leakages in order to shore up the state’s finances for enhanced development.
Al-Makura said at the inauguration of a task force on illegal collection of revenue in Karu area of the state, the administration would explore all available revenue sources to enhance its earnings.
The governor was represented by Mr Muazu Adamu, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, at the inauguration in Lafia.
He said the task force was empowered to review activities of Karu Area Planning and Development Authority regarding revenue collection.
Plateau
The Governing Council of the University of Jos
(UNIJOS) has approved the promotion of 17 readers to the rank of professors and 22 others to that of readers.
This is contained in statement signed by Abdullahi Abduallahi, Principal Assistant Register, Information and Public Relations, UniJos, and made available to newsmen in Jos on Tuesday.
The statement said some of the promotions took effect from October 1, 2013 while others took effect from October 1, 2014.
The new professors include: Ahmedu Ibrahim Musa, (Religion and Philosophy) ; Gideon Umezurike Egezie, (Human Physiology); Grace Mebi Ayanbimpe, (Medical Microbiology); Noel Nenman Wanang (Pharmacology); Nyager Elizabeth, (Theatre and Film Arts); and Agaku Jacob, (Theatre and Film Arts); who was promoted post-humously.
Others who were promoted to professors are : Ikonji Ogaji, (Pharmaceutical Technology); David Pam Yakubu, (Zoology); Bakwa Dirting Dakup (Physics); and Barnabas John Kwaha (Physics).
Taraba

The Academic Staff Union of Universities ( ASUU),
Taraba State University chapter, on Tuesday said that the state government should give cash-backing to the N100 million cheque issued to it.
It said that it would suspend its three-month-old strike as soon as the state government fulfilled this condition.
Dr Reuben Jonathan, the chapter’s chairman, gave the condition in Jalingo while reacting to the call by the government that the union should suspend the strike.
The state government gave the union a bounced cheque for N100 million in March, as part payment for the lecturers’ outstanding allowances of over N400 million.
Jonathan, however, urged the government to fulfill its commitments.
He said that though the bounced cheque was issued by the immediate past administration, the present administration should respect the earlier agreement “because government is continuity”.

Zamfara
The Emir of Anka in Zamfara State, Attahiru Ahmad,
has received his certificate of appointment as the Chancellor of the Federal University of Petroleum Resources in Effrun in Warri, Delta.
The Emir received the certificate at his palace in Anka from the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Akaehomen Akii Ibhadode.
Speaking at the occasion, Ibhadode said: ‘’ we are here in Anka to present the certificate of appointment as chancellor of our great university following your appointment by the Federal Government few months ago’’.
‘’The Federal Government considered your capacity and ability in line with your academic records in both Islamic and Western education and your commitments towards the development of education in Nigeria,’’ he said.

Nation

REAN, SON synergise to curb fake renewable energy product

Published

6 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

6 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

6 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.