Nation

THE STATES

Published

15 years ago

May 8, 2011

Bauchi

Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State has said he is to offer permanent appointments to all casual workers in the state.

He made the announcement last Wednesday in Bauchi when staff members in the Bauchi State Government House, paid him a congratulatory visit in his office.

Yuguda assured them that he would no longer work with any casual worker, saying that he would make every casual staff member of staff a permanent worker.

“Apart from the bona fide indigenes who are staffers, anybody who has lived up to seven years in every state is an indigene state according to the 1999 Constitution,“ he said

He urged junior workers in the state to improve themselves by acquiring more skills through higher education to enable them get promotions in their work places.

Ekiti

An Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrate’s Court has remanded six suspects in prisons custody for alleged murder of one Miss Salewa Ojo.

The suspects are Oladipo Ebenezer, 45; Aluko Folorunsho, 39; Owolabi Ebenezer, 30; Dada Nathaniel, 29; Owolabi Alaba, 26; and Dada Felix, 34.

They were alleged to have murdered the deceased by shooting her with a gun at Iludun-Ekiti in Ilejemeje Council Area on April 25.

FCT

A 42-year-old man was last week arraigned for an alleged attempt to steal N1,555,000 from the account of one Saidu Bayero.

Olusegun Apalara of Itire Road, Lagos, appeared before Chief Magistrate Hafsat Soso of the Abuja Magistrates’ Court on a three-count charge of joint act, theft and forgery.

The Prosecutor, Sgt. Abdul Alhassan, told the court that on April 28, Bayero reported at the station that Apalara and one Olufemi, now at large, connived and stole his UBA cheque slip.

She adjourned the case to May 31 for further hearing.

Jigawa

The Jigawa Government has approved N1 billion to boost large scale commercial agriculture in the state.

The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Aminu Abdullahi, announced this last Wednesday in Dutse while addressing newsmen after the State Executive Council (SEC) meeting.

Abdullahi explained that the money would be disbursed in form of Agricultural Credit Scheme for farmers to go into commercial farming.

He added that the move represents government’s commitment to boosting agriculture as one of the major ways to tackle poverty in the state.

Kaduna

The Kaduna State Zonal Command of the FRSC has cautioned motorists on hazards associated with driving in the rainy season in order to save lives and property.

Its Commanding Officer, Mr Samuel Obayemi, last Thursday in Kaduna said that the caution was aimed at reducing casualties of road crashes during the wet season.

Obayemi said motorists should desist from using second-hand tyres during the season as the tyres could lose their grip due to the wetness of the road, thereby resulting in brake failure.

Kano

Kano State Governor-elect, Dr Rabi’u Musa-Kwankwaso, has said that he will not encourage the production and circulation of films capable of polluting the culture and religion of the people.

“We will, through the state Censors Board, ensure that films produced or circulated here do not negate our people’s religion and culture.”

Kwankwaso made the statement when he received the members of the executive of Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (MOPAN), who came to congratulate him on his electoral victory, in Kano on Thursday.

Lagos

A visual artist, Alimi Adewale, on Thursday said it was absurd for some religious bodies to regard arts as occultism.

Adewale told newsmen in Lagos that some churches misunderstood artworks to be symbols of occults.

He regretted that the situation had led to poor appreciation of artworks in Nigeria.

Adewale said that churches should appreciate visual arts “because their windows are designed with artworks.

“Even Muslims should appreciate abstract designs.

Nasarawa

Fifty inmates of Lafia Prisons have benefitted from an Information Communication Technology programme, organised by Business Information and Training Centre (BITC), Lafia, .Mr Lawarence Adenitan, the Centre Manager, said.

Adenitan made the fact known in Lafia when a delegation of the German Embassy visited the centre last week to review some programmes supported by the German Government in the state.

He said that 25 inmates were currently undergoing the same training and that since 2007, no fewer than 3,382 inmates had benefitted from different training programmes, organised by the centre.

Ogun

Gov. Babangida Aliyu of Niger last week, told political office holders to ensure judicious use of public resources for the good of the people.

Aliyu gave the advice while receiving visitors in his residence and identified indiscipline among political office holders in managing public fund as the bane of some politicians.

He advised them to be sincere in managing public funds as the people were always monitoring how their leaders utilised public funds.

He said that only prudent management of public resources among political office holders would showcase their integrity and enable them to retain the support and loyalty of the electorate.

Plateau

Vehicle owners in the Jos metropolis are experiencing biting fuel scarcity, forcing many of them to patronise black-marketeers.

Our correspondent who went round the Plateau capital reports that long queues were seen at the filling stations which had fuel in stock.

Tamen Fredrick, a driver waiting to buy fuel at the Mobil Filling Station opposite the Plateau Polytechnic, Jos Campus, told NAN that he had being in the queue since 6 a.m. but had not been served.

Sokoto

The Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) in Sokoto State, Alhaji Aminu Soro, said that officers and men of the command were on red alert to ensure peaceful co-existence in the state.

Soro told newsmen in Sokoto that already operational order on how to effectively manage the entire state had been mapped out.

“We have deployed well trained officers for intelligent gathering in and out of the metropolis on foot patrol to enhance security situation in our state,” he said.

He called for active participation from the stakeholders in ensuring peace, progress and political stability of the state.

Yobe

Civil servants in Yobe are celebrating the 65 per cent subsidy on housing granted them by the state government.

Gov. Ibrahim Gaidam of Yobe announced the package on the 500 housing units that the government sold to the workers on owner/occupier basis.

The governor, who announced the subsidy at the May Day celebration on Sunday, said the gesture was aimed at empowering the workers on home ownership.

Our correspondent reports that Gaidam directed that the beneficiaries pay 35 per cent of the prices of the houses.

Those allocated government quarters between 2006 and 2010 and were initially offered 50 per cent subsidy would also pay 35 per cent instead.

Zamfara

The Secretary of the Election Petitions Tribunal in Zamfara, Hajiya Hannatu Bello, says no petition has been filed at the tribunal in respect of the April 9 National Assembly elections.

Bello made the disclosure to newsmen in Gusau.

She said as at April 30, the expiration of the 21 days of grace for filing grievances arising from the National Assembly elections in Zamfara, not a single petition was received by the tribunal.

Bello also said the tribunal had yet to receive any petition regarding the governorship and State House of Assembly elections.

She, however, said the tribunal was expecting petitions on the governorship and House of Assembly elections held on April 29 before the expiration of the 21-day time limit for collection of petitions.

Nation

REAN, SON synergise to curb fake renewable energy product

Published

4 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

4 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

4 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.