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THE STATES

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L-R: Senate Majority Leader, Senator Mohammed Ali-Ndume, Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State, Chief Executive Officer, Ayoade Olatunbosun-Alakija Global (AOA), Dr Ayoade Olatunbosun-Alakija and Senate Committee on Health, Senator Lanre Tejuoso, during the 1st annual dialogue on Rebuilding Borno in Abuja, on Tuesday.

L-R: Senate Majority Leader, Senator Mohammed Ali-Ndume, Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State, Chief Executive Officer, Ayoade Olatunbosun-Alakija Global (AOA), Dr Ayoade Olatunbosun-Alakija and Senate Committee on Health, Senator Lanre Tejuoso, during the 1st annual dialogue on Rebuilding Borno in Abuja, on Tuesday.

Borno

University of Maiduguri has presented first class
degree certificates to 172 students of the institution during its 22nd combined convocation.
The Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Ibrahim Njodi,  who announced this at the ceremony said 37, 259 students, comprising five sets of students from 2009 to 2015 graduated at the convocation.
“It is gratifying to inform you that the university graduated five sets of students from 2009/2010, 2010/2011, 2012/2013, 2013/2014, and 2014/2015 academic sessions from 12 colleges, faculties, distance learning centre and 23 affiliated colleges.
“A total of 37, 259 students were graduated, out of this 32, 869 were regular students, 841 students were from affiliated colleges and 3,549 students were from the Distant Learning Programme,’’ Njodi said.

FCT

A 38-year-old auto mechanic, Kolawole Murtala, who
allegedly defrauded one Kunle Dosunmu of N200,000, has appeared before a Wuse Zone 2 Senior Magistrate’s Court, Abuja.
Murtala, a resident of Sector ‘F’ Lugbe, Abuja was docked for allegedly collecting N200,000 from Dosunmu to replace his car engine but failed to do so.
He is standing trial on a two-count charge bordering on fraud and breach of trust.
The prosecutor, Mr Okere Chimaeze, told the court that the accused committed the offences in December 2015.
He alleged that the defendant collected money from Dosunmu to repair his Peugeot 406, but opted to convert the money to his personal use.

Jigawa

The Kiyawa local government council of Jigawa has
banned fishing activities in all rivers and streams in the area.
The council’s Information Officer, Malam Balarabe Abdullahi, said this in an interview with  newsmen in Dutse.
Abdullahi said that the council’s Caretaker Committee Chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Sulaiman, announced the decision after the council’s security meeting recently.
He explained that the action was taken following disputes among fishermen in the area.
The spokesperson quoted the chairman as saying that no fisherman should fish in any of the waters in the area without obtaining permission from the authorities.

Kaduna

Examination Ethics Committee of Kaduna State Ministry
of Education, Science and Technology has paid an unscheduled visit to schools in Kaduna to check examination malpractice in the ongoing WAEC examination.
The committee made of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Jama’atu Nasir Islam (JNI), National Association of Private Schools, Quality Assurance Board, and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), paid the visit.
The state Commissioner for Education, Dr Shehu Adamu, told newsmen shortly after the visit that the exercise was to ensure compliance to examination procedure, rules and regulations in all schools in the state.
Adamu said that members of the committee were going round the schools to serve as invigilators in both public and private schools suspected to be operating as ‘miracle or deliverance centres’.

Kwara

Prof. Adetayo Talabi of the Department of Human Ki
netics, Faculty of Education, University of Ilorin, has advised Nigerians not to over-dress in humid weather to avoid dehydration.
Talabi gave the advice in an interview with  newsmen in Ilorin.
He said that hot and humid environment being currently experienced in the country could cause more loss of water from the body system.
Talabi said that over-clothing in hot and humid environment would disturb the cooling effect of the body which could lead to dehydration.
Lagos

The Acting Director-General, Standards Organisation
(SON), Mr Paul Angya, said the agency would need additional 10,000 staff to fight substandard products in the country.
Angya stated this in an interview with newsmen in Lagos.
He said that if more staff were employed, they would be able to go far places in the country to check substandard products.
“We have just 1,500 staff at hand and there is no how they can cover the market places in the country.
“It was recommended in 1993 by government officials that SON needed 10, 000 staff for its operations,’’ he said.
Angya said that many lives had been lost due to substandard products coming into the country, adding that the integrity of SON concerning the laboratory tests results had not been compromised.

Nasarawa

The Nasarawa State Urban Development Board (NUDP)
has arraigned 2 filling stations owners at Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lafia for operating in residential areas.
The defendants were MM Nigeria Ltd. and Chibo Oil Investment Limited.
Representatives of the two stations, Adamu Usman and Mamman Maji, applied for out of court settlement.
The Acting General Manager Development Control of NUDP, Juliana Haruna, told newsmen that the board instituted a legal action against them because they had not complied with set down rules.
“Everyone knows the degree of hazards posed by siting filling stations close to people’s houses. So, we are out to ensure that things are done properly.
“If anything occurs today, which we do not pray for that to happen, only God knows the level of damage it would cause.

Niger

The Speaker of the Niger House of Assembly, Mr Ahmed
Marafa, has solicited for media support for the state government to deliver on its electoral pledges.
Marafa made the call while addressing newsmen at the state Assembly complex in Minna.
He noted that the developmental progress has been made in the state without adequate publicity.
According to him, the poor media coverage given to such improvement in the lives of the people makes them insignificant.
He said adequate coverage of state government activities was critical to the success of the administration.
“The three arms of government in the state are working very hard to improve the state and its economy since the inception of this administration.
“The media is central to the success of any government, so I want to enjoin you all to help play your part in the development of our state by constantly keeping the people informed of the policies and programmes of government.

Ogun

A 50-year old woman, Omolabake Adeshina, who alleg

edly assaulted one Taibat Akinlabi with electrical wire, has been charged before an Ota Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ogun.
Adeshina, who lives at No. 21 Olayemi St., Iyana-Iyesi, Ota, is facing a charge of assault.
The Prosecutor, Cpl. Abdulkareem Mustapha, told the court that the accused committed the offence on March 28 at about 2:30pm at Oyewole Street, Iyana-Iyesi, Ota.
Mustapha said that the accused assaulted Akinlabi by using electrical wire to inflict injury on her.
He said that the offence contravened Section 355 of the Criminal Code, Vol.11, Laws of Ogun, 2006.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs A.I. Adelaja, granted the accused N200, 000 bail with two sureties in like sum.
Adelaja said that the sureties must  reside within the court’s jurisdiction and should swear to affidavit of means as well as produce evidence of one year tax payment to Ogun State.
Osun

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi Ojaja II, has
described late Governor Adekunle Fajuyi as an embodiment of patriotism, victim of absolute loyalty and symbol of national unity.
Ooni Ogunwusi said this while playing host to a delegation of “Adekunle Fajuyi Education Trust“ led by its Executive Secretary, Mrs Desola Olajuyigbe at his palace, in Ile-Ife.
“Fajuyi, a governor of the defunct Western region, was killed alongside the former Head of State of Nigeria, Maj.–Gen. Aguiyi Ironsi, during the coup d’état of July 29, 1966.
“A patriotic Nigerian, victim of absolute loyalty and symbol of national unity that should not be forgotten in the history of Nigeria, “ he said.
The royal father pledged to give his full support to the trust in its noble quest to uphold and promote the Yoruba race.
Sokoto
Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC),
Sokoto State Command, has beefed up security at Nigeria’s border with Niger Republic to curtail illegal diversion of petroleum products.
The state Commandant of the corps, Mr Adamu Soja, told newsmen in Sokoto, that its officers on surveillance patrols at Gudu, Tangaza, Sabon-Birni and Illela border communities had been adequately briefed.
He warned petroleum marketers against diversion of the products to black market, saying that sensitive security measures had been adopted to monitor the sale of the commodity in and outside the metropolis.
He solicited the assistance of traditional and religious leaders in border communities by providing useful information that could assist in the arrest and prosecution of these ‘saboteurs.’

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REAN, SON synergise to curb fake renewable energy product

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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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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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