Nation

THE STATES

Published

10 years ago

January 13, 2017

Benue

The Sector Commander of the FRSC in Benue State , Mr Chidiebere Nkwonta, has said that 904 casualties were recorded in 300 road accidents in Benue last year.
Nkwonta said in Makurdi that the figures showed improvements, compared to 1,183 casualties from 362 road accidents recorded in 2015.
He said that 799 people were seriously injured while 105 others were killed in auto crashes last year.
Nkwonta noted, however, that over-speeding was the major cause of the deadly crashes.
He cited March as the month with the highest number of crashes last year, while the least number of accidents occurred in November.

Borno

The Borno State command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), says it has discovered “Count down Timers’’ used by Boko Haram terrorists to detonate explosives.
The Commandant of the Corps, Mr Ibrahim Abdullahi, disclosed this in Maiduguri in an interview with newsmen.
Abdullahi said that the instruments were discovered by men of the Disaster Management Unit of the command at the scene of last Sunday’s bomb blast in Kalari area of the state capital.
“The digital timer countdown displayed served the purpose of allowing the planter of bomb or suicide bomber to know the time to explode his Improvised Explosive Device.
“Since we now know what they are using; the security agencies would trace the roots of where these gadgets are coming fromn”, he added.
Jigawa

The Magistrates’ Association of Nigeria (MAN) has called on all State Houses of Assembly in the country to pass laws creating a separate salary structure for magistrates.
The National President of the association, Mr Saidu Safiyanu, made the call while speaking at its National Executive Council meeting in Dutse, Jigawa Sate.
Safiyanu said that the association had since July 2016 been battling to address issues concerning the working conditions of magistrates throughout the country.
The MAN president noted that the major aim of the association is to protect the rights, honour and privileges of magistrates, as well as safeguard the independence and integrity of its members.
According to him, the national officers of the association had visited the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, where issues of constitutional amendment to include magistrates as judicial officers were discussed, and stated that the national officers had received a favorable response from the Senate leader.

Kaduna

The Kaduna Central Prison has trained 60 inmates in tailoring and Information and Communication Technoogy, the state Prisons Controller, Yazid Alhassan, has said.
Alhassan said in an interview with newsmen in Kaduna that the training was quarterly and in batches.
He said that the training would cover other skills this year, to prepare the inmates with relevant skills to earn a living after serving their release.
According to him, the training, conducted with the support of Kaduna State Government, is a major step in the rehabilitation of the prisoners, who before now were doing virtually nothing to upgrade themselves.

Kano

The Federal Road Safety Commission in Kano State has warned motorists against speeding on bridges, especially at night.
The Public Relations Officer of the commission, Malam Kabiru Daura, gave the warning when he confirmed an accident which occurred at Kwankwasiyya bridge.
Daura said that a white Honda Accord car, NSR 262 GG, fell from the Kwankwasiyya bridge at about 10 p.m.
He said the three men in the vehicle were rushed to the Murtala Muhammed Hospital.
Eyewitnesses said that because of the speed, the driver lost control and the car fell off the bridge.
One of the eyewitnesses,Malam Lawan Abdullahi, said that he went to buy some drugs at a chemist when he heard the noise of the car which fell off the bridge.

Katsina

The immediate former Governor of Katsina State, Alhaji Ibrahim Shema, has appeared in court for alleged financial misappropriation during his tenure as governor.
Shema was arraigned before Justice Ibrahim Bako by the Katsina State Government and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) but did not take plea.
Earlier, EFCC counsel, Jibrin Samuel (SAN), had urged the court to remand Shema in prison so that they could have access to him at will. Samuel asked that the administrative bail earlier given to Shema be revoked, saying, he had shown some signs of not reporting to the commission.
The defence counsel, Joseph Daudu, however, objected to the prayer of the EFFC counsel to have his client remanded in prison custody.

Kebbi

The Kebbi State Government says it has spent N500 million on checking the activities of cattle rustlers and kidnappers in the state.
The Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Babale Yauri, disclosed this in Birnin Kebbi at a ministerial briefing organised by the state chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
“Over N500 million has been expended in order to curb the activities of cattle rustlers and kidnappers operating in Danko Wasagu and Ngaski Local Government Areas of the state,’’ he said.

Kwara

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has called on residents of Kwara State to be on security alert more than ever in the wake of the dislodgement of Boko Haram insurgents from Sambisa forest.
The acting Director of the agency in the State, Mr Olusegun Adeyemi, made the call in a statement made available to newsmen.
He said that the call became necessary due to the reports that the dislodged insurgents were making attempts to infiltrate public and private places across the country.
Adeyemi noted that some of these insurgents, who escaped being killed or arrested by the military were making efforts to wreck havoc in churches, mosques and markets, among other public places.

Nasarawa

The Nasarawa State chapter of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), has called on Governor Umaru Al-Makura to respect the court judgment that ordered dissolution of Interim Management Committee (IMC) chairmen of local government councils.
Nasarawa APGA Chairman Musa Saidu, made the call while speaking with newsmen in Lafia. A High court sitting in Lafia recently dissolved the IMC chairmen and ordered the state government to conduct election.
Saidu said the governor should comply with the judgment and dissolve the IMC immediately.

Niger

Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Shuaibu Gambo has, solicited the support of the mass media in crime prevention in the country. Gambo, in an interview with newsmen in Minna, the Niger State capital, said that crime detection should not be left in the hands of the police alone.
He said that the active participation of the media in educating Nigerians to be security conscious would greatly assist in the provision of effective policing.
Gambo also called on traditional rulers and religious leaders to compliment the efforts of the police by mobilising their followers to volunteer truthful and relevant information to the police about miscreants in their domains.

Osun

The Osun State Government has warned owners of buildings erected close to the road and within the right of way in Osogbo to desist or face sanctions.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works and Transport, Mr Nurudeen Adeagbo, gave the warning in Osogbo.
Adeagbo said such buildings were built along Orisumbare Market, Oja-Oba and other places in Osogbo.
“No builder will be allowed to contravene the prescribed 30-metre setback from the centre of the road in accordance with the highway manual of the Federal Ministry of Works, Power and Housing,” he said.
The permanent secretary said that it was already in the plan of the state government to develop the roads in question into a dual carriageway in the nearest future.

Oyo

The police have arraigned a hairdresser and driver before
an Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court, Ibadan for alleged engaging in public fight.
The accused, Michael Godwin, 30, and Gbemisola Adejumo, both of NW6/116 Ayorinde street, Queen cinema, Adamasingba area, Ibadan, was arraigned on a two -count charge of public fight and polluting the atmosphere with faeces.
The Prosecutor, Sgt. Salewa Hammed told the court that Godwin and Gbemisola engaged in a public fight on January 5, at about 7:30am at their residents in Queen cinema area , Ibadan.

Sokoto

A mobile court in Sokoto State has convicted 34 persons for various traffic offences in the state.
The spokesman of the Federal Roads Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr Aliyu Kanya, made this known in a statement in Sokoto.
Kanya said that the mobile court was conducted January 5 on Sokoto-Illela highway.
He said that one of the convicts bagged two months jail or an option of N30,000 fine,while two others were discharged and acquitted. It further urged motorists to desist from driving without valid driver’s licence as well as endeavour to register their vehicles with the Internal Revenue Board.

Nation

REAN, SON synergise to curb fake renewable energy product

Published

3 weeks 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

3 weeks 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

3 weeks 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.