Nation

THE STATES

Published

15 years ago

December 15, 2011

Adamawa

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Nomadic Settlement in Adamawa, Dr. Louis Mandama has said that government is resolved to stem any crisis between farmers and nomads in the state.

He gave the assurance on Monday in Yola, on the heels of a threat allegedly made by some nomads, asking farmers in Song Local Government Area to ensure that they harvested their crops before December 15.

Mandama told newsmen that though the ministry had not received any official report on the threat letter, he was aware that the state House of Assembly had waded into the issue.

Mandama said that officials of the ministry were making efforts to ensure peaceful coexistence between farmers and herdsmen across the state.

Benue

Governor of Benue State Gabriel Suswam has advised youths to embrace entrepreneurship, saying that white collar jobs are difficult to secure.

Suswam gave the advice in Makurdi while inaugurating the Royal Shopping Mall built by Mrs Helen Torkula, wife of the Tor Tiv, Orchivirigh Alfred Torkula.

He stressed the administration’s desire to continue to rehabilitate dilapidated infrastructure to boost economic growth in the state.

According to him, the state government under his leadership, has provided an enabling environment for businesses to thrive by ensuring that lives and property are adequately protected.

Ekiti

The Ekiti State Government has called on owners of undeveloped plots of land in the state to clear them immediately or risk losing such lands.

It noted that bushes on the undeveloped lands had become haven to criminals in the state.

The state Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mr. Funminiyi Afuye, in a statement said that government was not pleased with the many pockets of bushes that abound in the state capital particularly.

He noted that the bushes, apart from being used as hideouts by miscreants to carry out their nefarious activities, do not portray a good image for the state capital.

Afuye tasked owners of the undeveloped plots as well as other citizens in the state to imbibe the habit of clean and healthy living.

FCT

The Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Julius Okojie has blamed Nigerian universities for failing to advise students on the needs of the labour market.

Okojie made the statement in Abuja on Monday at the inaugural meeting of the National Labour Market Information Systems (NLMIS).

He said that the lack of regular advice to the Nigerian Universities System on graduate needs of the labour market had led to a mismatch, thereby, aggravating the unemployment situation in the country.

He said that the quality and focus of training offered by the universities were not in tune with the needs of the society and that the situation had led to a high rate of unemployment.

Gombe

There was low turnout of women in parts of Akko Local Government Area of Gombe State at the on-going vaccination against Cerebro Spinal Meningitis (CSM).

Our correspondent, who monitored the exercise in Kumo, headquarters of Akko Local Government on Tuesday reports that the women, who turned out for the exercise were few.

Akko Local Government Council, Primary Health Care Coordinator, Miss Lois Lakurbe, said women in Kumo East ward refused to come out based on the instructions given to them by their husbands.

She said that when she noticed the problem, she decided to deploy a team of vaccinators who went from house to house to immunise them.

“Initially, that was not the arrangement, the vaccinators were supposed to be stationed in all the health centres in the local government so that people will go and meet them.

Kano

A sickle cell anaemia patient, Hajiya Bilkisu Hassan, has appealed to the Kano State Government to establish special centres for the treatment of the disease.

She told newsmen in Kano on Tuesday that the provision of the facilities was necessary to provide drugs to the patients to enable them to effectively manage the disease.

Hassan said sickle cell patients needed serious counselling, support and assistance.

“We want Gov. Rabi’u Kwankwaso to emulate his Katsina State counterpart by establishing such centres to cater for sickle cell patients in the state.

“When established, such centres will only take care of sickle cell patients, because of the peculiar nature of the disease.”

Kebbi

The Birnin Kebbi Local Government chapter of Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has appealed to the state government to absorb the 1,000 unemployed NCE holders in the council.

The NUT Chairman, Mallam Sarki Zaki, told newsmen in Birnin Kebbi on Tuesday that the graduates had been idle for two years.

He said that the employment of NCE holders into teaching jobs would reduce the dearth of teachers currently being experienced in the area.

Zaki described the condition of the unemployed graduates as pathetic, noting with regret that most of them were roaming the streets and exposed to anti-social activities.

Lagos

Head of Civil Engineering Department at Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Prof. Olubayo Olateju said the property industry in Nigeria did not record the anticipated improvement this year.

Olateju said in an interview on Tuesday in Lagos that the impact could be measured by the level of transactions and construction done during the year.

“Globally commercial real estate transactions and constructions, considered key indicators of economic activities, have started to show signs of recovery, but this have not fully been experienced in Nigeria,” he said.

Nasarawa

No fewer than 100 members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Agwatashi, Obi Local Government Area of Nasarawa have defected to the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC).

The defectors were received at the CPC’s office in Agwatashi,amid pomp and ceremony.

Speaking on behalf of the defectors, the duo of Samuel Agena and Baba Ado explained that their decision to join the party was informed by the leadership style of Gov. Tanko Al-makura.

Niger

An outbreak of diarrhoea has claimed two lives in Bangi headquarters of Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State.

The Permanent Secretary in the Health Ministry, Dr Ibrahim Chindo, told newsmen in Minna on Tuesday that only two persons died as a result of the outbreak of the disease, contrary to claims that eight persons lost their lives.

He said the ministry had deployed its personnel and medical supplies to the town to contain the possible spread of the disease and treat the victims free of charge.

“I have directed that a query be issued to the affected health officials for not reporting the outbreak to the ministry on time.

“We have also advocated for the prompt report of any outbreak to the ministry, so that necessary investigations are carried out and medications supplied to the affected communities to contain the outbreak.”

Plateau

The Plateau Chamber of Commerce, Industry Mines and Agriculture (PLACCIMA) has announced the cancellation of the annual Jos Trade Fair due to the security challenges in the state.

“The security situation does not seem to be improving much, and we are compelled to cancel the trade fair,” Mr Yusuf Sarumi, PLACIMMA’s Vice-President, told newsmen in Jos.

He said the chamber had to take the decision because of constant threats to lives and property.

“With the spate of bombings everywhere, we don’t want to endanger the lives of the exhibitors, participants and organisers. We have shifted the activity to next year and hope that the security situation would have improved.”

Sarumi noted with regret, the disappointment stakeholders might suffer, saying the decision was “in the best

interest of all’’.

He, however, commended stakeholders that had participated in planning the event, and appealed to them to “understand and bear with us”.

Yobe

Director of the Yobe State Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS (YOSACA), Hajiya Farida Mamudo says the agency is to recruit traditional birth attendants to complement the fight against the disease, ahead of the 2015 target.

Mamudo said in Damaturu in an interview with newsmen that the agency would train the attendants on safe practises in handling maternal and child health care, to prevent the spread of the disease.

“This is one of the key activities contained in our work plan for 2012, to boost safe maternal and child delivery across the state. “

She explained that the plan would also provide testing kits, anti-retro viral drugs and food supplements, to health centres in the state to combat the scourge, “for appreciable progress towards the 2015 target.

Nation

REAN, SON synergise to curb fake renewable energy product

Published

21 hours 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

21 hours 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

22 hours 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.