Nation

THE STATES

Published

16 years ago

October 18, 2010

Adamawa

The Adamawa State Government has approved N873.4 million for the renovation of its secondary schools.

The Commissioner for Information and Culture, Alhaji Musa Bubakar, told newsmen in Yola on Wednesday that the decision was taken last week at the state’s executive council meeting.

He said the project would be executed in selected schools in the three senatorial zones of the state including Government Secondary School, Mayo Belwa and Government Day Secondary School, Banjiram in Guyuk local government area.

The commissioner said the executive council had also approved the immediate release of N48.9 million for the implementation of the “Access To Education Programme,” launched by the Vice-President, Namadi Sambo, early in the year.

Bauchi

The Bauchi State Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, Leprosy and Malaria (BACATMA), is to train 20 doctors from private and public hospitals on new guidelines for the treatment of malaria.

The Chairman of BACATMA, Dr Rilwanu Mohammed, made the plan known on Wednesday in Bauchi during an opening ceremony of a two-day workshop, organised by the agency in Yankari.

Mohammed said that 60 per cent of deaths in Nigeria were caused by malaria.

He said that patent medicine dealers in the 20 local government areas of the state would also be trained by the agency on the appropriate dosage of drugs for the control of the disease and prevention.

Benue

The Benue State Government has concluded plans to recruit 1,000 teachers in all academic disciplines to enhance the quality of education in the state.

Mr Benjamin Ashaver, the state’s Commissioner for Education said on Thursday in Makurdi at a news conference said the Benue State Teaching Service Board (BTSB), had been given the go ahead to handle the recruitment.

“The gesture is to minimise the shortage of manpower, to be precise shortage of teachers in secondary schools in the state, the recruitment will commence this October”, he stated.

On promotion of teachers in the state, Ashaver said that those who met the conditions for promotion had been promoted while others were being processed.

Borno

Governor Ali Sheriff of Borno State on Thursday ordered the immediate completion of the fencing and renovation of the permanent site of the NYSC orientation camp in the state.

Sheriff gave the directive in Maiduguri at the passing out ceremony of 2009 Batch “C” Corps members.

He disclosed that the state government would construct additional hostel blocks for corps members before the end of the life of his administration.

The governor, who was represented by Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Amb. Ahmed Jidda, lauded the corps members for their effort toward the development of the state.

FCT

Senator Kolawole Bajomo, (PDP-Ogun West), has called for the construction of more dams, to check the inflow of water into Ogun River and Lagoons.

Bajomo made the call on Thursday in Abuja, while briefing newsmen on the flood in some communities in Ogun and Lagos, which displaced inhabitants and destroyed farmlands.

He called on the Ministry of Water Resources to come out with the design and location of small dams in the adjourning areas, to control the inflow of water.

Gombe

The Gombe State Government is to spend N118.36 million as subsidy for the accommodation of 2,500 pilgrims in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

The Executive Secretary of the State Muslims Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Umar Abdulsalam, told newsmen in Gombe on Wednesday that the government would subsidise each pilgrim with 1,076 Saudi Riyals (N47,344).

He said the 2,500 intending pilgrims comprised 1,510 males and 1,003 females, to be accompanied by 13 officials.

Jigawa

Jigawa State House of Assembly has approved N2 billion for the implementation of a new salary structure for workers in the state service.

The Deputy Speaker of the House, Alhaji Inuwa Udi, told newsmen in Dutse on Wednesday that the legislature approved the salary structure based on a supplementary budget of N3.96 sent by the executive arm of the government.

Udi said that the payment of the salary would take effect from October, adding that the salary structure was agreed between the government and Nigeria Labour Congress.

He said all provisions in the supplementary budget would be funded with money from the federation allocation with some adjustments.

Katsina

Governor Ibrahim Shema of Katsina State has commended the Federal Government for awarding the contract for the installation of 10 megawatts Windmill in the area.

The contract was awarded in June 2009 at N492 million.

Shema made the commendation on Thursday in Rimi village while inspecting equipment at the project site, located in Rimi local government area.

He said that when completed, the project would not only boost power supply to the state, but also enhance the socio-economic status of the benefiting communities.

Kogi

The Speaker of Kogi State House of Assembly, Chief Clarence Olafemi, on Thursday in Lokoja inaugurated 25 House Standing Committees for the 2010/2011 legislative year.

Inaugurating the committees on the floor of the House at a plenary session, Olafemi said the committees were to perform oversight functions of the House in the various ministries, departments and agencies.

He asked the chairmen and members of the committees to ensure proper conduct of government activities in the various ministries, departments and agencies under them, especially as the current political dispensation was on its last lap.

Lagos

The police in Lagos on Thursday arraigned a 34-year-old driver, Abudlkareem Suleh, for allegedly stealing a Toyota Corolla car belonging to his employer, Leadway Assurance Ltd.

Suleh, charged before an Ebute Meta Magistrate’s Court, pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.

The prosecutor, Insp. Eshiet Eshiet, submitted that the accused stole the saloon car with registration No. FF 123 KRD, worth N2.5 million, on September 15 at Bode Thomas St., Surulere, Lagos.

He told the court that Suleh made away with the car when he was sent on an errand by his boss.

Osun

Six lives and property worth about N253.4 million were lost to fire outbreaks in Osun State between January and September.

The state Director of Fire Service, Mr Timothew Ogunje, made the announcement in Osogbo on Thursday in an

interview with newsmen.

He said that 155 persons were rescued, while property worth more than N48 billion were salvaged in fire incidents during the period.

He attributed the success recorded by the department to the six newly acquired vehicles, which enhanced its operations and facilitated quick responses to emergencies.

Plateau

A 75-year-old grandfather, Mr John Davou, has dragged his 20-year-old proposed wife, Hope Joseph, to a Hwolshe Area Court in Jos over alleged cheating and deceit.

Davou, who lodged a direct criminal complaint, told the court that his estranged lover collected the sum of N63,655. after promising to marry him.

“She deceived me with a fake promise to marry me and collected a lot of money from me,” he told the court.

Sokoto

National President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Ayodele Oritsejafor, has urged the media to mobilise the people to actively participate in the electoral process.

Oritsejafor told newsmen in Sokoto on Wednesday that such mobilisation would ensure that all Nigerians contributed to the much needed transparent, free and fair elections in 2011.

He said the 2011 elections are too significant to be left to go the way of past elections, which led the country to the current situation it found itself.

Yobe

The League for Human Rights has alleged that forceful and early marriages are still practised in Yobe State.

Mrs Tamwakat Golit, the Project Coordinator of the League, told newsmen in Damaturu on Thursday that such marriages usually made the girls not to complete their education.

She claimed that in spite of the campaign for free and compulsory basic education by the state government, girls in the villages still suffered forceful and early marriages.

Zamfara

The Zamfara State House of Assembly has announced the death of Alhaji Saidu Bawa Bagega, member representing Anka constituency.

Alhaji Bature Umar Sambo, the Speaker, said in a statement in Gusau on Thursday that Bagega died after a brief illness in Gusau.

Bagega died at the age of 44. Sambo, who prayed for the repose of the soul of the deceased, described the late member as a pillar in the Assembly.

Nation

REAN, SON synergise to curb fake renewable energy product

Published

1 month 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

1 month 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

1 month 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.