Nation

THE STATES

Published

15 years ago

January 18, 2012

Adamawa

Adamawa governorship candidates of ACN, Markus Gundiri, and that of CPC, Buba Marwa, say the curfew imposed by the state government is an attempt to rig the election.

The state government imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew after explosions in Mubi and Yola, which resulted in the killing of 26 persons.

In separate statements in Yola, the candidates said they would resist any attempt by the PDP-led state government to exploit the development to rig.

They said that if the state government could relax the curfew to create room for the PDP rally in Yola, then peace and calm had returned to the state making the curfew unnecessary.

Marwa on his part said that the state government was trying to make the state look insecure in order to put fear in the electorate to prevent them from coming out to vote.

Borno

Borno State Executive Council on Monday approved the completion of the abandoned multipurpose Maiduguri stadium.

Mr. Inuwa Bwala, the Commissioner for Information, disclosed this at the end of the council’s meeting in Maiduguri.

“The council reviewed the activities of the high-powered committee set up last year by Gov. Kashim Shettima on the completion of the stadium.

“After reviewing the committee’s submission it was agreed that government must hasten up the process for the award of contract for the project.’’

Bwala said that the council also accepted the committee’s proposals of 20-seater capacity for the stadium.

“We agreed that contract for the project should be awarded in a very short while because of its potential in ensuring physical and mental development of our youths who are the leaders of tomorrow.

Benue

The Benue chapter of the PDP will hold an “all inclusive” party primaries ahead of the local government polls in the state.

The decision was taken at a caucus meeting of the party held in Makurdi on Wednesday.

The meeting which was presided over by Governor Gabriel Suswam was also attended by the chairman of the 23 local government councils in the state, and opinion leaders of the party.

It resolved that the election of party flag bearers for the local government election would no longer be on delegate basis.

Speaking to newsmen after the meeting, the caretaker chairman of Gboko Local Government Council, Mr. Ioryue Yaji, said the move was to discourage money politics.

Yaji said it would be difficult for politicians to “bribe their way” through the party congress now, adding that under the delegate system, the practice was possible since the participants were few.

FCT

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in Abuja has sought for the speedy trial of the DPO of Pen Cinema, Agege, Mr. Segun Fabunmi, accused of killing a protester.

The commission also welcomed the steps so far taken by police authorities and the Lagos State Government to prosecute him.

A statement issued by the commission, directed its Zonal Coordinator, South West Zone, Mrs Mausi Segun, to monitor and ensure that the matter was taken to court.

Fabunmi was alleged to have killed one Mr Ademola Aderinde during protests in Lagos on Monday.

It commended the relative order and peaceful conduct of protesters and the maturity exhibited by security agencies on the fourth day of the nationwide protests.

It urged all parties involved to sustain this level of responsibility and professionalism.

Gombe

The Gombe State Government on Friday restricted the operation of motorcyclists, popularly called Okada, from 7pm to 6am throughout the state.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Orubebe Ghandi, made the disclosure while briefing the press on the outcome of the meeting, which religious leaders and security chiefs held with Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo at the Government House on Friday.

Our correspondent reports that the decision was part of measures taken to avert further killings in the state.

The commissioner said, “one of the measures adopted a few minutes ago to curb these incessant killings is to restrict movement of motorcyclists from seven o’clock in the evening to six o’clock in the morning.

Jigawa

The chairman, Jigawa State Scholarship Board, Alhaji Sanusi Gako says N100 million has been released for the payment of allowances to newly-admitted students of tertiary institutions from the state.

Gako disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Dutse on Thursday.

He said that only those admitted in 2010/2011 session in various tertiary institutions across the country would enjoy the fund.

He explained that the gesture was part of Governor Sule Lamido’s commitment to boost educational development in the state.

The chairman said that the board did not owe any arrears to the students because all their allowances were paid promptly.

Kaduna

The Kaduna State Government on Monday donated N10 million to Jama’atul Nasril Islam (JNI), as contribution for the reconstruction of its burnt office.

The JNI building in Kaduna metropolis was gutted by fire on Thursday April 14.

The Special Adviser to Govenor Patrick Yakowa on Islamic Matters, Mallam Haliru Maraya, presented the donation to the National Secretary of the organisation, Dr. Ibrahim Khalid, at the JNI secretariat in Kaduna.

Katsina

No fewer than 143 people have died and 424 others injured in motor accidents in Katsina State since January, according to the Sector Command of Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC).

The sector commander of Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Alhaji Habu Dauda, made the disclosure in an interview with newsmen in Katsina on Monday.

Dauda said that in spite of the reduction in the number of accidents during the year, there were 27 more deaths compared to the 116 persons, who died in the year before.

Lagos

The Lagos State Ministry of Tourism and Inter-Governmental Relations plans to develop a tourism calendar for 2012 in a bid to create more jobs and redefine tourism.

The Commissioner for Tourism and Inter-Governmental Relations, Mr. Disu Holloway, announced the plan at a media briefing on Thursday in Lagos.

He said that the calendar would also boost economic activities and the state’s rich cultural heritage.

Holloway urged stakeholders in tourism to cooperate with the government to restore the lost glory of the state.

The commissioner added that, with the right incentives and proper awareness, tourism could become a major revenue earner.

He gave an assurance that the ministry would continue to project major festivals, such as the ‘Eyo Festival’ and ‘Black Heritage Festival’, as well as collaborate with major organisations to promote notable festivals.

Ogun

Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun has assured indigenes of the state that his policies and programmes would be geared toward rebuilding the state.

Amosun gave the assurance in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communication, Mrs. Fummi Wakama.

The governor, according to the statement, promised to redesign the state’s landscape in line with the master plan he had evolved.

“We would do everything to put smiles on the faces of Ogun indigenes and residents through our policies and programmes,” the statement quoted the governor as saying.

The governor said efforts were on to implement the five-cardinal programmes of his administration.

Sokoto

The Deputy Treasurer of the Sokoto State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Muktari Mapia, has tasked Nigerians to expose the masterminds of the incessant bombings in parts of the country.

Mapia, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday, in Sokoto, said that the current level of insecurity posed a threat to the nation’s corporate existence.

He said that members of the public should supply the security agencies with vital information to enable them to deal with the culprits and the sponsors of the deadly attacks.

Mapia urged the active participation of stakeholders in the nation’s progress to enhance peace, progress and political stability in the country.

He said that the ongoing transformation agenda of the Federal Government could only succeed in an atmosphere of peace and stability.

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.