Nation

THE STATES

Published

10 years ago

July 6, 2016

Borno

The Nigerian Army has inaugurated environmental sani
tation in Maiduguri as part of the 2016 Army Day celebration.
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division of the Nigerian Army, Brig.- Gen. Victor Ezugwu, started the exercise at the Monday Market, Maiduguri.
Ezugwu said the objective of the exercise was to mobilise residents of the state towards cleaning their environment.
He said that the programme was launched in partnership with the State Government to ensure that all parts of the state were kept clean.
“We are here today to flag off environmental sanitation at the Maiduguri Monday Market as part of this years’ Army Day celebration.

Ekiti

Spokesman of Farmers‘ Congress in Ikole Local Govern
ment Area, Ekiti, Mr Olaolu Adeniji, has advised farmers to cultivate cocoyam in large quantities as another means of boosting their income.
Adeniji gave the advice in Odo-Oro – Ekiti during the monthly meeting of the farmers‘ congress.
While noting that demand for cocoyam had increased in recent times, Adeniji said, “there is need for our farmers to expand their cocoyam farms while others should embrace its cultivation.
“Farmlands in the state are conducive for the production of quality cocoyam, especially the red one, which nutritionists confirmed as good and beneficial for a healthy living.
“Large scale cultivation of cocoyam will no doubt increase the income of farmers at the end of the farming season and consequently change their living standard for better, “ he said.

FCT

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development,
Chief Audu Ogbeh, has advised online media operators to endeavour to confirm their reports and ensure professionalism.
Ogbeh made the statement in Abuja while reacting to an online publication which accused him and staff of the ministry of sharing N2 billion from N20 billion meant to pay agro dealers.
The minister noted that criminality in the name of social media was unacceptable and a source of concern to the government.
The minister said the online report claimed that in paying the agro dealers, the leadership of the ministry paid N13 billion and shared N2 billion.

Gombe

Gombe State said that it would resuscitate the dormant
Manto Tomatoes Processing Company in Akko Local Government Area of the state.
Commissioner of Commerce and Industries in the state, Alhaji Bakura Mohammed, gave this indication in an interview with newsmen in Gombe.
He said that apart from boosting commercial activities and generating revenue for the state, the company would also create employment opportunities for the people.
The Commissioner stated that Gombe government was committed to improving its Internally-Generated Revenue (IGR) base and reducing its dependence on Federal Allocation.
According to him, tomato farmers in the state will have a ready market whenever the company resumes production.

Kaduna

The United States Chapter of Southern Kaduna in the
Diaspora (SOKAD) on Saturday donated books and instructional materials worth N330,000 to Local Government Education Authority (LGEA) Primary School, Tunga Nok.
Tunga Nok is in Jaba Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Presenting the items to the beneficiary in Kaduna, the President of SOKAD, Dr Likita Aminu, said the gesture was part of the organisation’s contribution to the state’s educational development.
Aminu said: “On May 6, 2013 our organisation, SOKAD, donated school supplies worth N158, 000 to Zack-Zawan Primary School, Sanga Local Government Area.
“On that day, SOKAD said the gesture was the beginning of series of such donations to come.

Kogi

The National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS)
has given seven days ultimatum to Governor Mr Yahaya Bello of Kogi State to unconditionally reopen the state university in Anyigba.
A statement signed by the National President of NANS, Mr Tijani Shehu, and made available to the newsmen in Abuja, stated that the ultimatum would take effect from July 4.
It said that the association called on the governor to immediately address their requests bothering on the state’s economy, welfare of Nigerian students of Kogi State origin and state workers.
It said that failure of the government to do so; the students would stage a protest on the streets of the state capital, Lokoja.
It said that the position of the association was based on the preliminary report from its Joint Campus Committee, Kogi State chapter.

An environmentalist, Mr Samuel Buoye, has identified
indiscriminate felling of trees as one of the major impediments in the fight against environmental degradation and deforestation.
Buoye, who is attached to Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara, said removing trees deprived the forest of portions of its canopy that was a major component of environmental protection.
“This canopy is meant to block the sun’s ray during the day and hold in heat at night.
“This disruption leads to more extreme temperature swings that can be harmful to plants and animals,” he said.
According to him, fewer forests mean larger amounts of greenhouse gases entering the atmosphere.

A Federal High Court in Lagos has remanded Janilu
Bashiru, a 24-year-old businessman, in prison custody after he pleaded guilty to allegation of drug trafficking.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) had arraigned the accused on the charge.
In a short ruling, the trial judge, Justice Chuka Obiozor, ordered the accused to be remanded in prison custody.
Obiozor then adjourned the case till Sept.15 for a review of facts and sentence.
The prosecutor, Mr Jeremiah Aernan, following the plea of the accused, had earlier urged the court to remand him in prison custody.
In the charge, the prosecution alleged that the accused committed the offence on May 2 at the Iyana Iba area of Lagos.
Aernan said that following a tip-off, about 350g of Cannabis Sativa was recovered from the accused.
Nasarawa

The Nasarawa State Government said that it would as
sist rice millers and farmers in the state to access loan from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to boost rice production.
The Commissioner for Agriculture and Water Resources, Mr Yusuf Lawee, stated this in an an interview with newsmen in Lafia.
He said that the measure was designed to boost rice production for local consumption and export in line with the Federal Government’s drive to diversify the economy.
Lawee said that as soon as the paper works were completed, the rice millers and growers would be able to access the loan and increase their production capacity.
He said the state government was also working towards expanding the scope of the pilot rice incubation plant project in the state.

Osun

The Superintendent in-charge, Christ Apostolic Church
(CAC), Modakeke District Coordinating Council (DCC), Pastor Samuel Esho, has enjoined Christians to desist from every form of immorality.
Esho gave the charge during 11th Osun State Sunday School Rally, entitled: “Going into Perfection”, held at CAC Oke-Anu, Modakeke DCC Headquarters, Ife North-East LG Area of Osun State recently.
He lamented the level of atrocities being committed among Christians today, saying that many had turned away from God.
“This was not the experience among Christians in the olden days; we all have turned away from God.”

Sokoto

The Sokoto State Government says it has concluded ar
rangement to train youth in the state on all-year-round farming.
The state’s Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Alhaji Mohammed Mannir, made this known on Saturday in Sokoto.
Mannir told newsmen that the training was aimed at creating job opportunities for unemployed youths as well as enhance food production for internal consumption and export.
He explained that the state would exploit available fertile land to produce assorted foods crops.
He said that the state government would encourage local government councils to actively participate in farming activities and food production.
The Commissioner said the ministry was partnering with the State College of Agriculture, Wurno, to train the youths on poultry, fish farming and livestock rearing.
He said that the training in farming for economic benefit would also prevent youths’ migration from rural areas to urban areas in search of white collar jobs.
He called on the people of the state, especially youths, to embrace farming for a living.
The commissioner said that government would make available modern farming inputs at subsidised rates to encourage massive participation in the agriculture sector.

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.