Nation

THE STATES

Published

9 years ago

February 15, 2017

Borno
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) last Sunday disclosed that its operatives rescued one Abdulkarim Garba, 15, a student of El-kanemi Islamic College of Theology (EICT), in Maiduguri from kidnappers.
The Borno State Commandant of the corps, Mr Ibrahim Abdullahi, disclosed this in Maiduguri last Sunday in an interview with newsmen.
He said Garba was abducted by suspected kidnappers and dumped at Njimtilo area in Maiduguri about 5 p.m. on Saturday.
Abdullahi said that the victim, who is from Yobe, resides at Kasuwar Grain area in Potiskum.
“At about 14:00 our personnel on routine checks along Njimtilo, spotted a young boy who was said to have been abducted, indoctrinated and dumped by suspected kidnappers.

FCT
The former Speaker, Imo State House of Assembly,Mr Nwoha Amaechi, last Sunday, urged the Federal Government to intensify efforts in recovery of stolen common wealth.
He made the call in an interview with the The Tide in response to the 9.8 million dollars recovered from former Group Managing Director (GMD) of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Andrew Yakubu..
He said “the reckless and mindless looting of the country’s common wealth could only be reduced if more culprits would be exposed.
“The recently discovered loot typifies the level of mindless looting of the treasury in the last government.

Jigawa
The Jigawa State Environmental Protection Agency (JISEPA), says it evacuated 2,000 tonnes of solid waste in Auyo and Hadejia local government areas of the state.
The Acting Managing Director of the agency, Alhaji Umar Ahmad, stated this while inspecting the ongoing waste evacuation exercise in Hadejia.
JISEPA had embarked on a 10-day waste and drain clearance exercise to enhance sanitation in the affected areas.
The exercise was part of a comprehensive campaign to enhance effective waste management and sanitation in rural communities in the state.
Ahmad said that the exercise took place at Tagurza, Garko and Tazalla quarters in the past five days.

Kaduna
Apostle Daniel Aguocha of Divine Solutions With Favours Assembly, Kaduna, last Sunday led a prayer session for President Muhammadu Buhari‘s sound health.
The priest appealed to God to elongate the President‘s life with good health to enable him fulfil his God-assigned assignments.
Aguocha led the prayer during a thanks giving service in honour of Mr Charles Uka, a civil servant and a member of the Church, who turned 58 years.
He said that no man can cut shot the life span of President Buhari until he fulfilled what God had ordained him to accomplish on earth.

Katsina
The Katsina State Government has awarded contract for the establishment of a Tomato Paste Processing Plant at Kokami Village, Danja Local Government Area of the State.
“The contract is awarded to National Research Institute of Chemical Technology (NARICT) Zaria, at the tune of N500 million.
The Acting Chairman of Danja Local Government Area Aliyu Bello Abubakar, disclosed this to members of the correspondents chapel of NUJ inspecting projects executed by Governor Aminu Masari on Saturday in Danja
“The Katsina State Government has already paid 70 per cent of the contract sum to NARICT.

Kebbi
The Kebbi State Commissioner for Agriculture, Alhaji Garba Dan-Diga, says the state government plans to procure 300,000 metric tonnes of fertiliser, for the next farming season to boost agricultural production.
Dan-Diga, who did not disclose cost of the commodity in a news conference in Birnin Kebbi yesterday, stated that 100,000 metric tonnes would be procured from private firms.
According to him, the other 200,000 metric tonnes will be provided through an agreement between the Federal Government and Morocco.
He added that additional efforts would be enhanced to boost production.

Kwara
The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) says about 30 million set up boxes are required for the complete switch over from analogue to digital transmission in Nigeria.
Mallam Moddibo Kawu, the Director-General of NBC, told newsmen in Ilorin yesterday that the set up boxes would cost billions of naira to procure.
The NBC chief said that the country had already procured 850,000 set up boxes costing $ 26 million to commence the switch over process.
He also said that the commission was able to switch over 30 local, national and regional channels to digital in Abuja.
Kawu said that the technical process would be carried out in all the geopolitical zones of the country.

Lagos
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) says the air return made by a Qatar Airways aircraft on February 9 at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, was caused by a bird strike on one of its engines.
The NCAA made the clarification in a statement signed by its General Manager, Public Relations, Mr Sam Adurogboye and obtained by The Tide source in Lagos on Sunday.
“The Qatar Airways Airbus A330 with Registration No.A7 – AED, Flight No.1408 scheduled operation from Lagos to Doha ,received a push back to take off from the MMIA at 14.45hrs UTC.
“On board were 256 passengers and 10 Crew members.
“At 16.18hrs UTC, the Pilot-in-Command (PIC) made an air return to MMIA. He took this decision after the aircraft suffered bird strike in flight.

Nasarawa
The Overseer, Udege Development Area of Nasarawa State Mr Adamu Agulu, has banned the movement of people in the night to check insecurity in the area.
Agulu made this known yesterday during the peace and security meeting of the area in Mararaba, Udege.
He said that the restriction of movement from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. had become imperative in order to curtail the activities of men of the underworld.
According to him, this will enable people of the area sleep with their two eyes closed as well as to go about their normal businesses without fear of attack.
“The aim of this security and peace meeting is to brainstorm on ways of ensuring peace in the area and the state at large.

Niger
The Catholic Bishop of Minna Diocese, Martins Uzoukwu has advised Nigerians to show goodwill and love during the Valentine Day celebration.
The bishop said this while speaking to newsmen shortly after the church’s Sunday morning service in Minna.
He urged the people to demonstrate love toward their neigbours irrespective of religious, ethnic and political leanings.
“Love is what is required for us to build a strong nation. We should also remember to protect our common human heritage.

Osun
Osun State Police Command says it has arrested a man who allegedly killed his 85-year-old mother with a machete.
The police spokesperson in Osun, Folashade Odoro, said in a statement in Osogbo that the suspect, allegedly machetet his mother, Mrs Taibat Ayiola, to death at Akinleye Village near Osu last Friday.
“The reason for the killing is yet to be ascertained because the suspect has not given any reasonable cause for his action.
“The corpse of the victim had been deposited at the OAU Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife for autopsy while the case is under investigation,” said the police spokesperson.
Similarly, the police in Osun said it had arrested a 45-year-old man in Ikirun on Thursday for allegedly killing a man who bought a piece of land from him.

Taraba
The Chairman of Nigeria Union of Teachers ( NUT ) in Taraba State, Alhaji Jauro Mafindi, yesterday advised union members to maintain law and order in all their endeavours.
Mafindi said this at a press conference in Jalingo while reacting to the decision by some teachers to embark on a protest over non payment of salaries without informing the leadership of the union.
He said though teachers had the right to protest non-payment of their salaries, due process should be followed.
“To be frank with you, nobody officially informed me about the decision to embark on protest against the non-payment of our members’ salaries.

Nation

REAN, SON synergise to curb fake renewable energy product

Published

7 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

7 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

7 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.