Nation

THE STATES

Published

10 years ago

February 24, 2016

Governor Akinwunmi Ambodi of Lagos State (right), presenting a souvenir to the German President, Mr Joachim Gauck, during his visit to Lagos State, recently.

Adamawa

An Abuja based Non- Governmental Organisation (NGO),
Adventist-Development and Relief Agency (ADRA), is rendering support to 514 households of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Adamawa State.
The Emergency Management Coordinator of the group, Mr Peter Odiahi, disclosed this at the presentation of relief materials to some households in Michika Local Government Area of the state.
Odiahi said that the gesture was part of efforts by the organisation to assist returning IDPs to integrate them to the society.
He explained that the organisation with the support of the UN Foods and Agriculture organisation (FAO), had provided the IDPs with various agro food processing machines to improve their livelihoods.
According to him, ADRA as an International NGO, has been working in partnership with the FAO, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in providing humanitarian services to displaced persons in seven local government areas worst affected by activities of Boko Haram in Adamawa.

Bauchi

Nigerien citizens living in Bauchi State have expressed
optimism that Sunday’s general elections in their country would reflect the wishes of the electorate.
Some of them, who spoke to newsmen in Bauchi, said they were satisfied with the arrangement made by their country’s electoral body.
They were particularly pleased with the opportunity given to Nigeriens in diaspora, to exercise their franchise.
They however said the number of vehicles provided to enable them travel to designated states to cast their votes, were inadequate.
One of them, Abubakar Mohammed, said six vehicles were provided in Bauchi for them to travel to Kano, the nearest voting centre, as such only few of them could make it.

Borno

Some Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) at the Dalori Camp
II along Bama Road, Maiduguri, Borno State, have called for improved living conditions in the camp.
The IDPs made the appeal while speaking to newsmen during a visit to the camp by the UNHRC.
According to them, some of the challenges they face included inconsistent and poor feeding, poor sanitary conditions, lack of proper medical attention, deplorable sanitary condition and poor security.
The IDPs said although the government was trying, they needed improved welfare, urging the government and NGOs to take their welfare as a priority because they are Nigerian citizens who are just victims of circumstance.
Malam Abatcha Ali, the Men’s Leader of the camp, said in spite of the best efforts of government, displaced persons continue to suffer hunger and other deprivations in the camps.

Gombe

Citizens of Niger Republic residing in Gombe State, have
called on whoever emerge president of the country, to sustain the collaborative effort in the fight against insurgents.
Speaking with newsmen in Gombe, they said that the progress of Niger Republic, Nigeria and other neighboring countries depended on restoration of peace to the region.
They also admonished losers in Sunday’s general elections in the country, to exhibit spirit of good sportsmanship in defeat, while urging winners to be magnanimous in victory.
A Nigerien, Bala Buzu, said whoever would be elected president, should join hands with Nigeria and other countries in the fight against insurgents.
According to him, a lot of people in Niger, Nigeria and other countries are suffering as a result of the activities of insurgents.

Kaduna

Kaduna State Government on Sunday, tasked religious
leaders to assist monitor projects that are being executed within their areas, by ensuring that contractors give the communities value for their money.
The Director- General of Interfaith Matters, Engr. Namadi Musa gave this advice in a press statement made available to newsmen.
According to the statement in sensitisation meeting with Muslim and Christian religious leaders in the three senatorial zones, Musa urged them to report any project that is being shoddily executed to relevant authorities.
It stated that Governor Nasir El Rufa’i had started fulfilling his campaign promises with the ongoing school feeding programme, roads, hospitals and schools rehabilitation across the state.

Katsina

The Katsina State Government has set aside the sum of
N2.5 billion for the rehabilitation and upgrading of Ajiwa Water Treatment Plant to solve the perennial water scarcity faced in Katsina metropolis.
Governor Aminu Masari gave the figure while inaugurating the Association of Retired Civil Servants of the state Water Board in Katsina.
Masari said that the water treatment plant, which was constructed and commissioned in the 1970’s, was neglected by the previous administrations despite serving the Katsina State capital and its environs.
He said that the plant would not be able to provide enough water for the citizens of the metropolitan area due to obsolete facilities that had been overstretched.
The governor revealed that the rehabilitation work at the plant would include replacement of outdated equipment as well as laying of new pipes to provide additional 40 million litres of water daily to the metropolis.

Lagos

Lagos State Police command said it had begun
investigation into the death of one Afape Fatai, who allegedly committed suicide in his kitchen.
The command’s spokesperson, Superintendent of Police (SP) Oladapo Badmos, in a statement said the incident happened on Saturday at about 6 am at No. 28, Orioji Olarenwaju Close, Ijaiye in Lagos.
It stated that the deceased, whose age, marital status and occupation were not mentioned, allegedly hung himself with a rope in his kitchen.
“Police detectives from Meiran Division visited the scene, photographed and examined the corpse.
“The police later visited the scene of the crime, removed and deposited the body at Ijaiye General Hospital morgue.

Nasarawa

The National Council of Muslim Youth Organisations
(NACOMYO) has urged residents of Nasarawa State to avoid rats in order to prevent Lassa fever.
The National President of NACOMYO, Alhaji Kamal’ddin Akintunde, made the call at a one-day awareness campaign on Lassa fever organised by the Nasarawa State chapter of the organisation in Karu.
He said that the call had become imperative due to the effects of Lassa fever on human health and the socio-economic development of the country.
“First and foremost, I want to commend the state chapter of NACOMYO in organising this awareness campaign in Kube, Beti, Kare and Kugwaru, among other communities of Karu.

Ondo

The Ondo State Government says it will sanction any
household that has no registered waste bin and prosecute anyone caught dumping refuse indiscriminately in the state.
The Chairman, Ondo State Waste Management Board, Mr Shina Fadamitan, told newsmen in Akure that the move would ensure cleanliness in the state.
“It is an offence for any household not to have a registered waste bin in Ondo State and anybody caught dumping refuse will be prosecuted according to the laws of the land.
“We have made this decision because we have noticed that there is an increase in the number of illegal dumping sites across the state.
Oyo

Dean, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Prof.
Juwon Arotiba, has called for the introduction of Bio-Medical Engineering courses in more tertiary institutions in the country.
Arotiba made the call in an interview with newsmen in Ibadan.
He said if more tertiary institutions would introduce such courses, the problems of inadequate and ineffective medical equipment in Nigerian hospitals would be resolved.
Arotiba defined Bio-Medical Engineering as biological or medical application of engineering equipment.
“It is the application of biological techniques (as genetic recombination) to create modified versions of organisms (as crops), especially.

Plateau

The Catholic Bishop of Pankshin Diocese, Most Rev. Michael
Gokum, has urged Christians to support the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the North-Eastern part of the country.
The Bishop said this during the launch of the 2016 Lenten Campaign of the diocese in Pankshin, Plateau State.
He said that this year’s campaign was to raise funds to support IDPs, less privileged and the destitute in the society.
The theme of the campaign is: “the Right to Security and Sustainable Development Goals.’’
‘’We are all God’s creation brought into existence by one living God, so there is the need to extend support to the have-nots.
“In our world today, there are many who can’t afford a single meal in a day, others don’t have where to lay their heads, while very many don’t have what to wear.
“A lot of people in our society, especially those in the north-eastern part of our country have fled their places of abode because of the incessant attacks by Boko Haram; these people need support.

Yobe

Chairman, Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Yobe, Alhaji
Umar Kukuri, has urged the state government to conduct elections into the 17 local government councils as required by law.
Umar made the call in an interview with newsmen in Damaturu while reacting to the inauguration of local council caretaker chairmen appointed by Gov. Ibrahim Gaidam.
“IPAC was expecting the state government to conduct election into the local councils after the expiration of the former councils in December last year,” the IPC chairman said
He said political parties in the state had commenced preparations for a new election before the appointment and inauguration of the new caretaker chairmen.
“The council wishes to remind the state government of the constitutional provision which recognises elected officials for local government councils.
“As a state under the national ruling party, we hope the provisions and sanctity of the constitution will be respected and protected,” he said.

Nation

REAN, SON synergise to curb fake renewable energy product

Published

1 week 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

1 week 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

1 week 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.