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THE STATES

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15 years ago

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Adamawa

The new Speaker of the Adamawa State House of Assembly, Alhaji Ahmadu Umaru, has told groups and individuals kicking against the new change in the assembly to sheath their swords and respect the will of God and rule of law that brought the change.

“Leadership belongs to God and He gives it to whoever he wants at the chosen time. Those insisting that the assembly must return to status-quo are challenging the will of God,” Umaru told newsmen in an interview in Yola.

Umaru who described the change that led to his emergence in the PDP-dominated house as the popular wish of the lawmakers who had lost confidence in the former leadership, accused the groups and individuals agitating for the return of the former leadership of trying to blackmail the house by spreading rumours that the change was a plot against the executive.

 

Bauchi

Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 12, says with the right approach and tools, the police can tackle security challenges in the country.

Abubakar, who made the observation last Wednesday at a news conference in Bauchi, called on men of the force to exhibit professionalism in handling security problems.

Abubakar said the current state of criminality in the country, especially in Zone 12, was of great concern to the government and the force.

He warned his men not to abdicate their responsibilities, adding that any commissioner of police who allowed his command to be attacked “shall bear the consequences of his inaction’’.

 

FCT

The National Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Economic Reconstruction Fund (NERFUND) on a Public Private Partnership (PPP).

Speaking during the ceremony in Abuja last week the National President of NASSI, Mr Chuku Wachuku, said that the MoU would give credit to entrepreneurs to rapidly grow the economy through small scale businesses.

According to him, the relationship of NASSI and NERFUND is to transform talk into action, particularly, to create opportunities for the unemployed to set up businesses.

Commenting on the process of registration, Wachuku said that applicants should apply through their local and state governments to enable the body to get their details.

The Managing Director, NERFUND, Mr Baba Gimba, said that the relationship was to empower Nigerians and reduce poverty among the people.

 

Gombe

Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State has appointed Hajiya Fatima Shehu-Abubakar, daughter of the Emir of Gombe, Alhaji Shehu Abubakar, and 18 others as commissioners in the state.

Others are former member of the House of Representatives, Mr Hassan Adamu, and the chairmen of Billiri and Shongom local governments, Messrs. Rabenson Wasa and Samuel Bulus, respectively.

Mrs Aishatu Ahmed, Malam Shehu Hadi, Malam Babagoro Abdulkadir, Alhaji Ahmad Walama, Malam Jalo Bajoga, Malam Hamza Wuro-Bokki and Malam Mijinyawa Labaran also made the list.

 

Jigawa

Jigawa State has recorded two new cases of polio virus in Gwiwa Local Government Area of the state, bringng the number of cases reported this year to 11

UNICEF Representative in the state, Mrs Jane Nyanzi told a meeting in Dutse ahead of preparations for polio-free torch campaign scheduled for Friday, that other LGAs where cases had been reported are Ringim, Babura, Guri, Roni, Birnikudu, Dutse and Gwiwa.She called on residents to embrace immunisation, noting that non-compliance to the exercise and high number of missed children were the reasons for incessant outbreaks.

Nyanzi said that poor commitment by vaccinators also remained a big challenge to a successful eradication.

She called on all relevant stakeholders to intensify efforts in the fight against polio for its eradication by 2012.

 

Kaduna

The Kaduna State House of Assembly said last Wednesday that political and ethno-religious crises advsersely affected smooth implementation of the state’s 2011 budget.

The legislators made the declaration while debating the general principles of the 2012 budget presented by Gov. Patrick Yakowa on Dec. 15.

They noted that the spate of violence witnessed in the state posed serious threat to the execution of development projects in 2011.

The lawmakers said the 2012 fiscal policy must be religiously implemented to redeem electoral promises.

In his contribution, Mr Yohanna Jatau (PDP-Jaba) said that peace and harmony were essential for the development of the state, stressing that stability is imperative for faithful implementation of the budget.

 

Kebbi

Governor  Saidu Dakingari of Kebbi has approved the construction of a 12 Km road from Birnin Kebbi to Makera settlement at the cost of N3.4 billion.

The governor announced the approval during an inspection tour of the N270 million Danyeku Bridge in Bunza Local Government Area, a statement said.

The statement, issued by the Press Secretary to the Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Mua’azu, in Birnin Kebbi on Wednesday, said the road had five bridges covering 345m.

It, however, said the government might revoke the N4.8 billion contract for the construction of the 110km road linking Bunza and 23 other settlements.

 

Lagos

The West African Examination Council has withheld the results of 39, 066 of the 404,863 candidates that sat for the Nov/Dec. 2011 West African School Certificate Examination (WASC).

Dr Iyi Uwadiae, the Head of National Office of the Council, disclosed this at a news conference in Lagos last Wednesday.

Uwadiae attributed the development to the various reports of alleged examination malpractices that characterised the exercise, pointing out that 179,840 females sat for the examination

He urged candidates who sat for the examination to check the details of their performance with their scratch cards on the council’s website within 24 hours.

Uwadiae expressed optimism that with more attention being given to the education sector by the various states governments, the country would soon witness a positive turnaround in examination results.

He lauded Ebonyi government for providing accommodation for the take- off of the council’s branch office in Abakiliki.

 

Niger

Traders in Niger State have attributed the low sales of goods for Christmas to the delay in the payment of workers’ salaries in the state.

A survey by our correspondent on Wednesday revealed that most of the traders at the two main markets in Minna had low patronage.

They complained about poor sales as the usual rush associated with sales before Xmas was lacking.

Some traders said that the situation had left them with a lot of unsold goods.

Mr Moses John, a trader in Minna market said he spent thousands of Naira to buy goods specifically for sales during the period.

“The poultry we normally buy chicken from increased its price by 20 per cent and we have to increase our price in the market to enable us make profit as this is festive period.’”

 

Ondo

Irele local government in Ondo State has pledged continued support for the state chapter of the Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (ANTAP) .

Mr  Oluwatobi Akinbiola, the chairman of the council, made the pledge on Wednesday during the inauguration of Irele chapter last the association.

Akinbiola, who received an award from the chapter, for being the “Best Ondo State Local Government Chairman”, commended its executive members for their contributions to the development of the state’s cultural heritage.

 

Plateau

Otunba Segun Runsewe, the Director-General of Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation, has decried the lack of tourism investment in Plateau as a result of the recurring crises in the state.

Runsewe said at an interactive session with community leaders on Wednesday during the “National Peace Week ‘ in Jos that the state had lost a huge investment in the tourism sector.

He pleaded with the community leaders to put behind them whatever might have transpired in the past.

 

Sokoto

Governor Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State has approved the payment of more than N172.5 million as bursary for 34 indigenes of the state undergoing various medical programmes in the U.K.

Alhaji Abdulkadir Kalgo, the chairman of the state’s Scholarship Board, disclosed this in Sokoto on Wednesday in a statement signed by Malam Isa Abubakar, the board’s Information Officer.

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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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