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THE STATES

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11 years ago

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Governor Umaru Al-Makura of Nasarawa State (middle), his Wife, Mrs.salamatu Umaru-Al-Makura (7th left), with trainees of Mothers and Child Care Education Foundation (MCCEF), during their graduation in Lafia on Saturday

Governor Umaru Al-Makura of Nasarawa State (middle), his Wife, Mrs.salamatu Umaru-Al-Makura (7th left), with trainees of Mothers and Child Care Education Foundation (MCCEF), during their graduation in Lafia on Saturday

Bauchi
Wife of Bauchi State governor, Hajiya Hadiza
Abubakar, has said the state government was committed to reforming the health sector in the state.
Abubakar said this at the 2015 Maternal, Neo-natal and Child Health Week (MNCHEW) held in Bauchi.
She said that the flag of has clearly shown the willingness and commitment of the government towards giving priority to the sector.
She said that MNCHEW, which was aimed at reducing childhood mortality and improving maternal health, would provide various packages for women and children across the state.
“The week is a strategy to achieve Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) of reducing child mortality and improving maternal health, the programme is going on in all the 20 local government areas of the state,’’ she said.
Benue
Wife of Benue  State governor, Mrs Eunice Ortom,
has advised hospital owners in the state to upgrade their facilities with a view to screening blood samples.
Ortom gave the advice in an interview with newsmen last Wednesday in Makurdi.
She said that upgrade of blood sample facilities would checkmate the units of blood from donors with questionable lifestyles.
The wife of the governor noted that intensive screening was the only effective way to reduce the spread of hepatitis virus and other blood related diseases.
She alleged that available statistics obtained from the state ministry of health showed that many people in the state had the virus but had refused to go for testing.

Ekiti
Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State has said that
his administration would collaborate with the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) to maintain peace in the state.
Fayose made the remark when the national executives of the union paid him a courtesy visit at  Government House in Ado-Ekiti.
He said that leaders must ensure that peace remained the hallmark of their governance, stressing that being a leader was not about driving the best cars but the number of lives impacted.
Fayose said his administration was able to resolve the issues between RTEAN and security personnel in the state by encouraging them.

FCT
Some stakeholders in the education sector have criticised
the West African Examinations Council (WAEC’s) decision to withhold the 2015 results due to debts owed by some states.
The stakeholders, who spoke with newsmen in separate interviews in Abuja on Wednesday, described the decision as insensitive and irrational.
One of the stakeholders, Mrs Perpetua Okorie, said WAEC had not considered the interest of the children in taking that hasty decision.
Okorie, a parent, said that students should not be held to ransom for any inaction on the part of government.

Jigawa
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC)
command in Jigawa State, says  it  has arrested two suspects for alleged theft of three motorcycles and a cell phone.
The NSCDC Commandant in the state, Malam Muhammad Gidado, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Dutse.
Gidado said one of the suspects, Inuwa Ali, aged 19, was arrested in Shuwarin village, Kiyawa Local Government Area.
He explained that the suspect allegedly stole one motorcycle (Daylong brand) from Jahun Local Government Area and rode it to Shuwarin village in Kiyawa Local Government Area.
The commandant added that when the suspect got to Shuwarin, he abandoned it and attempted to take another one (Boxer brand).

Kaduna
Chairman, Interim Management Committee of Zaria Lo
cal Government in Kaduna State,  Alhaji Ja’afaru Abbas, said 35 trucks of fertilisers had been procured by the council for farmers.
Abbas made this known while inaugurating the sales of fertilisers for this year’s farming season in Zaria.
The chairman said the sales of fertilisers to farmers at subsidised rate became necessary in enhancing bumper harvest during this year farming season.
He said that NPK fertiliser would be sold at a subsidised rates of N3, 750; Unrea fertiliser would cost N3,600, while SSP fertiliser would attract N2,940.
The chairman said the commodity was specifically meant for the small scale farmers and warned them against any act that could lead to diversion of the fertilisers.

Kebbi
Kebbi Maternal and Child Health Care Civil Society, an
NGO, has distributed Treated Insecticidal Mosquito Nets to 150 pregnant women in Kebbi.
Hajiya Maryam Mustapha, Chairperson of the NGO, who presented the nets to beneficiaries in Takalau community in Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area, said the group would ensure that pregnant women were protected from health hazards.
“The group would sustain support that would safe guard the health of mother and child, especially against mosquito bites that is rampant during raining season,” she said.
She explained that the group was established to support efforts made by the state and local governments as well as donor agencies in reducing the rate of maternal and child mortality.
Lagos
The Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Mr Fatai
Owoseni, on Thursday urged traditional rulers in the state to be “the eyes and ears” of security agencies in the fight against crime.
Owoseni made the appeal when he met with the royal fathers at the government house to brief them of his programme and his expectations.
He said the royal fathers occupied a very important position in the society since they were in better position to know and get information about individuals and their activities.
Owoseni assured them of the command’s determination to ensure adequate security in all parts of the state, adding that the command was working out new strategies on how best to make the state crime-free.
Osun
Governor  Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State, says work
ers’ backlog of salaries would be paid soon.
This promise is contained in a statement issued by the governor’s media aide, Mr Semiu Okanlawon, in Osogbo.
The statement said Aregbesola made the promise when Ijesa Society, a social group, visited him.
Aregbesola, according to the statement, expresses his displeasure over the delay in payment of workers’ salaries.
The statement said every government initiative in the state represented the fulfillment of campaign promises made to the people.

Plateau
Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State has met with
leaders of Berom and Fulani herdsmen in Riyom and Barkin Ladi local governments to find solution to lingering crises in the areas.
Lalong said the meeting was to give the leaders opportunity to openly express themselves and suggest ways to stop attacks and reprisals in the areas.
The governor said he earlier met with the Beroms and Fulani herdsmen at separate occasions where they expressed themselves..
“The summary of all the meetings is that everybody is tired of crises and we all want peace. Today is an opportunity for all of us to find lasting peace in Plateau’’, he said.
The governor said the essence of governance was peace, hence the reason for the series of meetings his administration had held with various stakeholders within the last two months.
Mr Nasiru Oki, Commissioner of Police in Plateau, said the meeting was very fruitful.
Oki said a committee had been set up to look into key issues deliberated upon by the parties towards bringing the desired lasting peace.

Yobe
A Non Governmental Organisation, Advocacy Part
nership on Environment, Water and Sanitation, has urged Yobe State Government  to rescind its decision scrapping the Ministry for Environment in the state.
The NGO made the call in Damaturu when its officials visited the Speaker, Yobe House of Assembly, Alhaji Adamu Dala-Dogo.
Chairman of the organisation, Alhaji Sheriff Ibrahim, said retaining the ministry will go a long way to effectively fight the challenges of desertification and other environmental threats.
“Although the rationalisation of government ministries was done to save cost and improve service delivery, we wish to call on government to have a rethink on the scrapping of the ministry for environment.

Zamfara
Zamfara State Government has donated N450 million
to the Federal University in Gusau for the construction of additional lecture theatres and students accommodation.
The Acting Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Haruna Sallau, announced the donation at the First Matriculation of the university in Gusau recently.
Sallau said the donation was part of the state government’s commitments to ensuring that a concrete foundation was laid in the university, for better educational development.
He noted that the government also provided additional land at the permanent site of the university worth N700million.
Sallau added that utility vehicles were also provided for officials of the institution.
He reiterated government’s commitment to continue to partner with the university in order to ensure sustainable development of education in the state.

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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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