Nation

THE STATES

Published

10 years ago

June 27, 2016

Borno

The Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Garbai, has
appealed to Yola Electricity Distribution Company Plc (YOEDC) to restore power supply to Maiduguri and end the hardship being faced by residents.
He made the call when he received the Manager of YOEDC, Hajiya Zainab Hassan, in his palace in Maiduguri.
Electricity supply to Maiduguri had been paralyzed since May 13, following suspected Boko Haram terrorists’ attacks on the Damboa Power line.
The Shehu said that the continued blackout in the state had crippled economic and social lives.
He added that, “we are appealing to the authorities concerned to please restore electricity supply to the state capital as soon as possible.

Gombe

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA),
said it arrested 60 drug suspects and seized 434.53 kg of hard drugs in Gombe State from January till date.
NDLEA State Commandant, Mr Aliyu Adole,disclosed this in Gombe State in an interview with newsmen recently.
“We have arrested 60 people within this short period and we removed from circulation 434.53 kg of drugs.
“Out of these numbers of suspects, we got 27 convictions and 34 pending cases at the Federal High Court, Gombe,” he said.
Adole said that currently, four suspects are in the cell awaiting prosecution at the same Federal High Court.
According to him, the agency succeeded in establishing five area commands in the state.
“We have moved to interior settlements where drugs are being planted to ensure that we are able to reduce the business to the barest minimum.’’

Jigawa

The Jigawa State Commissioner of Police, Mr Mohammed
Mustapha, said 1,201 officers and men of the command had been promoted to various ranks.
Mustapha disclosed this while decorating the newly promoted officers in Dutse.
He said 11 Deputy Superintendants of Police (DSP) were promoted to Superintendents of Police (SP) and 27 Inspectors were now Assistant Superintendents of Police.
Others were 782 Corporals promoted to Sergents and 381 Police Constables elevated to Corporals, while the promotion result of Sergents to Inspectors was being awaited.

Kaduna

An agrochemical company, Vicampro Farms Ltd., has
called on the Federal Government to invest in mechanised farming to diversify the nation’s economy.
The Secretary and Legal Adviser of the company, Mrs Adediran Adeola, told newsmen in Kaduna that agriculture had gone beyond the use of hoes and cutlasses.
She advised government to invest hugely in mechanised agriculture by deploying modern techniques, to make a meaningful impact in the sector.
According to her, the country will exploit the full benefits of the sector if mechanised farming replaced the subsistence type of agriculture done with hoes and cutlasses.
“I am glad that the government and other state governments noted that agriculture is an untapped goldmine with huge potential for revenue generation and foreign exchange.
Kogi

The wife of Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, Mrs
Rasheedat Bello, has organised free genotype screening for youths in Kogi State to assist them in tackling the dangers of sickle-cell anemia in marriages.
The screening was done at Crowther Memorial College in Lokoja recetly.
Mrs Bello said her pet-project, KOWYEF, in collaboration with office of the wife of the President, Mrs Aisha Buhari, organised the programme to celebrate the world sickle-cell day.
She appealed to the youth to know their genotypes before going into marriage, because sickle cell is an unavoidable disease in couples with wrong genotypes.
Kwara

Administrative activities at the Irepodun Local
Government Area of Kwara State have been grounded as the sit-at-home embarked upon by the workers entered its third week.
Our correspondent gathered that the workers had joined their counterpart in other 15 councils across the state to demand payment of their outstanding salaries.
The gate to the council secretariat in Omu-Aran remained under lock and key when our correspondent visited.
The directive for the sit-at-home was said to have emanated from the state chapter of Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE).
The development had adversely affected some applicants seeking to obtain vital official documents from the council.
Some of the applicants, who are mostly youths, were seen lamenting their difficulties outside the council secretariat.

Lagos

As countries of the world marked this year’s World
Refugees Day on Monday, the United State Government has announced its plan to host Leaders Summit in Refugees on September, recently.
The U.S. Secretary of State, Mr John Kerry, who announced the plan in a statement, expressed his government’s commitment to finding a lasting solution to the problems currently being faced by refugees.
According to the statement, during the summit, the U.S. will ask nations to make concrete commitments toward expanding the humanitarian safety net and creating more long-term durable opportunities for refugees.
“This year’s commemoration comes at a time when brutal conflicts are forcing record numbers of innocent people to flee and challenging the world to find better ways to protect them.
“The U.S. is determined to find solutions. That is why on September 20, at the UN General Assembly in New York, President Obama will host a Leaders’ Summit on Refugees.

Niger

The Niger State Government has inaugurated the sale of
subsidised grains to residents of its 25 local government areas.
Governor Sani Bello of Niger State, who performed the inauguration in Minna, said that the grains – rice, millet and maize, would only be sold in measurements in order to allow more people to access them and touch the lives of people at the grassroots.
Bello, who was represented by his Deputy, Alhaji Ahmed Ketso, said, “we feel the pains of our people and that is why we make it a priority to embark on the sale of 1,508 tonnes of these essential food items.
“Government has invested heavily on this project and we intend to make it a continuous exercise until the economic situation improves.’’

Ogun

A 64-year-old man, Toyin Fagbenro, who allegedly
collected N1.7 million under false pretence, has been arraigned in an Ota Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ogun State.
The defendant, who lives at No. 14 Shilloy Estate, Onigbongbo, Atan, Ota, is facing a two-count charge of stealing and obtaining money under false pretence.
The prosecutor, Cpl. Abdulkareem Mustapha, told the court that the accused committed the offences on October 22, 2015 at about 14:00 a.m. at Shilloy Estate, Onigbongbo, Atan, Ota.
Mustapha said that the defendant collected N1.7 million under false pretence on behalf of Shilloy Estate, to supply community electrical transformer. He said that the offences contravened Sections 309, 419 and 509 of the Criminal Code, Vol. 1, Laws of Ogun, 2006.

Ondo

The Rebuja of Osooro-land, Igbotako in Ondo State, Oba
Shedrack Gbadebo-Bajowa, has urged Nigerians to always pray for politicians to fulfill all their electioneering promises.
Oba Gbadebo-Bajowa, in an interview with newsmen in Igbotako, Ondo State, said that politicians needed prayers for them to do what was right, especially to the electorate.
The monarch said that no one could depend on his or her own wisdom to do anything right except with the wisdom of God.
“The economic status of the nation calls for serious prayers because whatever happens to the country indirectly affects the states, local government areas and all of us at large.
Osun

A human rights’ activist, Mrs Temitope Awe, has called
on the Federal Government to make more policy statements that will completely make child-trafficking a criminal offence in Nigeria.
She told newsmen in Osogbo, capital of the state of Osun, that such statement should make it an offence for parents to give out their children in trafficking.
Awe, the Executive Director of Girl-Child Rights Awareness Initiative in Africa, charged government to protect and save Nigerian children through proactive legislation that would serve as a deterrent to would-be-offenders. She said the rate at which Nigerian children were being trafficked within Africa and beyond was alarming and scaring.

Oyo

The Oyo State Director of the National Orientation
Agency (NOA), Mrs Dolapo Dosumu, has urged Nigerians to embrace peace for the development and advancement of the country.
Dosumu told newsmen in Ibadan that without peace, democracy would be threatened and socio-economic development would be hindered.

Nation

REAN, SON synergise to curb fake renewable energy product

Published

2 days 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

2 days 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

2 days 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.