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THE STATES

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9 years ago

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Borno
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) says the living conditions of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Borno State have significantly improved.
The North-East Coordinator of the agency, Malam Muhammad Kanar, stated this while speaking with newsmen in Maiduguri.
Kanar said this followed collaborative efforts by stakeholders.
He said unlike before, the IDPs were now living in a better environment due to such efforts.
“Actually, everything is going on well for the IDPs now, this is because of the collaboration between all stakeholders toward addressing their problems.

Ekiti
An Ado-Ekiti State Customary Court yesterday dissolved the 15-year-old marriage between Mercy Augustine and her husband, Linus Augustine on grounds of frequent beatings.
Other grounds for the dissolution were unruly behaviour, assault and adultery.
Mercy, 35, a public servant had filed a divorce petition, accusing her husband of maltreating, beating, and disgracing her in the presence of his relatives.
She also said that her husband was dating other women.
Mercy a mother of three children, explained that since she left the house of the respondent in August 31, 2013, he had refused to allow her visit the children in his custody.

FCT
The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Alhaji Abubakar Malami, says President Muhammadu Buhari is worried over the delay in the passage of the Proceeds of Crime Act by the National Assembly (NASS).
Malami stated this when he briefed State House correspondents on the outcome of a closed door meeting with President Buhari in the Presidential Villa, Abuja last Tuesday.
According to him, the President noted that there has not been any expeditious determination on the passage of the anti-graft bill by the NASS.
“It’s a routine briefing of the president as it relates to general issues that have to do with anti-corruption.
“Mr. President is worried about the anti-corruption bills that are pending before the National Assembly overtime. There has not been any expeditious determination on the passage of the bills and indeed, the asset management agency was also part of the discussion.

Jigawa
Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Jigawa State Command, recovered over N3.93 million debts owed some residents of the state between January and March this year.
The spokesman of the command, Mr Adamu Abdullahi, made the disclosure yesterday in Dutse in an interview with newsmen.
He said that the amount was recovered following complaints the command received from aggrieved creditors.
He said that the command’s Disputes and Conflicts Resolution Unit (DCRU) amicably resolved disagreements between the debtors and their creditors.

Katsina
The Katsina State Emirate Council, last Tuesday suspended four village heads for alleged encroachment into Rugu Forest.
The suspension was announced in a statement signed by Alhaji Bello Ifo, the Council’s Secretary on Tuesday in Katsina.
Those suspended were the Village head of Illelah, Alhaji Adamu Aliyu, that of Muniya, Alhaji Hamisu Ahmad, and Alhaji Ibrahim Aliyu of Guzurawa, all in Safana Local Government Area.
Also suspended was Aihaji Isah Madogara and that of Madogara in Batsari Local Government Area.

Kogi
The Police last Saturday said they had arrested six suspects in connection with an assignation attempt on Senator Dino Melaye in his home in Kogi State on April 15.
The force Spokesman, CSP Jimoh Moshood, told newsmen in Abuja that the arrested suspects included a Kogi State local government sole administrator and his orderly.
Moshood said that items recovered included one Hyundai Ambulance bus allegedly used in conveying the attackers, five AK 47 rifles, One Beretta pistol and two locally made single barrel shot guns.
Others were 25 expended shells of 7.62 mm ammunition, 13 expended sheels of 9 mm ammunition and 12 expended shells of gauge cartridge.
Moshood said that the firearms had been sent for ballistic expert examination, test and analysis at the Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department in Lagos.

Kwara
A philanthropist, Chief Jide Ajide, yesterday donated a Mathematics laboratory to a public secondary school in Isanlu-Isin, Kwara State.
Ajide said at the inauguration of the project that the laboratory equipped with modern instructural materials would encourage youths to study mathematics.
He urged well-meaning people to complement governments’ efforts in funding and developing education especially at the grassroots.
Ajide noted that many students had developed phobia for Mathematics, saying the attitude has continued to impede scientific and research breakthroughs.
“The laboratory is intended to complement government’s efforts toward enhancing learning, especially in Mathematics and Sciences.

Lagos
The United State  last Monday began an anti-bomb training for 60 Nigerian Police officers to equip them to clear explosives from reclaimed communities in the North-East and ensure safe return of citizens.
The Inspector-general of Police (I-G), Mr. Idris Ibrahim, said at the commencement of the four-week training in Lagos State that the communities are in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa.
The I-G who was represented by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG), Operations, Mr. Joshak Habila, said that the training would also improve the capacity of personnel to be deployed to the Niger Delta.
According to the I-G, the officers are from the Explosives Ordinance Department (EOD). “These trained personnel are to ensure that the communities were cleared of all explosives for the safe return of displaced persons to their lands.

Niger
Commander, 31 Artillery Bri­gade, Minna, General Moshood Olanrewaju, has assured of the army’s readiness to tackle cattle rustling, kidnapping  and armed banditry in Niger State.
Olanrewaju gave the assurance in an interview with newsmen in Minna on Thursday.
He said that the army, in collaboration with other security agencies, had mapped out strategies to flush out criminals in the state.
According to the brigade commander, adequate security personnel has been mobilised for the operation.
“We have put in place sensitive security methods that will enable us apprehend all those involved in illegal activities.

Ogun
The FRSC has confirmed that two persons died while eight others sustained injuries in an accident along the IIo-Awela Road Road at Sango Ota in Ogun State yesterday.
The Unit Commander of the FRSC in Ogun, Mr. Adekunle Oguntoyinbo, made the confirmation while speaking on the development in Sango-Ota.
He said the accident, which he blamed on break failure, occurred at about 8.20 am.
Oguntoyinbo said the incident involved two buses, one of which was a commercial bus.
He said that the brake of the commercial bus failed and ran into a bus at the tollgate, resulting in the death of two persons and injuring eight others.
The unit commander said that the bodies of the dead had been deposited at the morgue of the Ota General Hospital in Sango-Ota, while the injured persons were also receiving treatment at the same hospital.

Sokoto
The Sokoto State Government yesterday said it had distributed 172 transformers of various capacities to different communities across the 23 local government areas of the state.
The State Commissioner for Rural development, Alhaji Abdullahi Maigwandu, who stated this during a chat with journalists in Sokoto, added that the 172 transformers were procured by the state government at the cost of N623 million.
Maigwandu explained that N103 million was spent on the supply and installation of the electrical equipment in different parts of the state.
According to him, the categories of transformer distributed included 500 kva, 300 kva and 200 kva and that some local government areas got five while others got three depending on request.
He further said the state government had concluded plans to install additional 100 transformers in some selected communities in the state.

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REAN, SON synergise to curb fake renewable energy product

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1 month ago

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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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1 month ago

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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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