Nation

THE STATES

Published

14 years ago

February 19, 2012

Adamawa

The Adamawa Police Command has confirmed the death of a police inspector who was killed by suspected armed robbers while on duty.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Aderenle Shinaba, made this known at a news conference in Yola.

“Our men from Dumne District under Song Local Government Area, while on patrol on Sunday on Waldi- Suktu Road, had an encounter with armed robbers.

“On sighting our men, the robbers opened fire and killed the team leader, Insp Emmanuel Yarius, and one passenger in one of the vehicles already stopped by the robbers,” Shinaba said.

Shinaba further said that one of the robbers was killed during the encounter.

He explained, however, that the command, through its men in Girei LGA and the support of C.I.D, was able to arrest a syndicate which specialised in trans-border car-snatching and armed robbery.

FCT

The Federal Government is making effort to manage migration through capacity building, advisory services and technical assistance on migration matters, says a top official.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Chief Anyim Pius Anyim, said this on Thursday in Abuja at a “Validation Seminar for Findings of Institutional Needs Assessments for Migration Agencies in Nigeria.’’

The theme of the seminar was “Promoting Better Management of Migration in Nigeria’’

Anyim, who was represented by Hajiya Jimeta Rabi, the Permanent Secretary on Special Duties in the SGF’s office, said the government had established strong collaborations with national and migration stakeholders to enhance border management.

“Strong collaborations have been established with migration stakeholders to fight trafficking in persons, reduce irregular migration and mainstream migration in the country’s development agenda,’’ the SGF said.

Gombe

Sen. Joshua Lidani (PDP, Gombe-South) has spent N6.5 million on extra-mural classes organised for 1,500 school drop-outs in his constituency.

The Senior Legislative Aide to Lidani, Mr Caleb Ubale, told tnewsmen in Gombe on Tuesday that of the amount, N5 million was spent on salary of staff members employed to teach the students, while N1.5 million was spent on registeration of the students for the Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE).

He said the extra-mural classes were to prepare the students for the SSCE to enable them to secure entry requirements for admission into universities and other tertiary institutions.

Ubale said the students were drawn from Balanga, Billiri, Kaltungo and Shongom Local Government Areas in Gombe-South Constituency.

He said Lidani introduced the progrmme when he was the Deputy Governor of the state between 1999 and 2003, adding that it was a permanent scheme.

Kano

The Kano State Government has awarded N2 billion contract for the construction of six faculties at its proposed North-West University.

The state governor, Alhaji Rabi’u Kwankwaso, disclosed this on Wednesday while distributing 30 Toyota Hilux and five BMW motorcycles to some agencies.

“We have set aside money in the 2012 budget for the establishment of the new university, North-West University in Kano.’’

“I want to assure you that by the end this month, the contractors will be mobilised to site so that by the end of September this year, lectures will commence in the six faculties.”

He said the state government had also earmarked undisclosed sum of money to establish another university in the state in collaboration with Texas AM University in United States.

Kebbi

The Jega Local Government Area (LGA) in Kebbi would adopt measures to ensure total immunisation of all children against polio in line with the newly launched free-Torch campaign.

The UNICEF had adjudged the area was among the most critical areas where 19.2 per cent had missed immunisation against the disease.

The Chairman of the LGA, Alhaji Yahaya Bawa, told newsmen in Jega on Thursday that with 100 per cent increase in the allowances paid to vaccinators, additional efforts would be made to ensure that all children polio was eradicated.

He said the council area had approved that vaccinators be paid N5,000 as against the N2,500 paid to them by the UNICEF while the financial allocation for the entire area had been increased from N800,000 to between N1.6 million and N2.2 million.

“The amount would be determined by how densely populated the location of children to be immunised and we would not be left behind in total eradication of the disease.

Lagos

President of the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC), Mr Bede Opara, has said that liberalisation of the electricity sector rather than outright privatisation will boost the nation’s power supply.

Opara said this in Lagos, while addressing members of the union and those of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) at a meeting.

He said that if the enabling environment was created and the sector liberalised, it would provide an opportunity for interested investors to increase the available megawatts.

“We believe that the government can see reason and appreciate other ways of carrying out the reform in the power sector.

“We have said that liberalisation is what will solve the power sector problem in this country; outright privatisation may not be the best for the sector, ” he said.

Niger

Suspected armed robbers on Wednesday night raided Maje police outpost in Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State, killed a corporal and stole a rifle.

The Niger State, Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Ibrahim Maishanu, confirmed the incident to newsmen in a telephone interview on Thursday in Minna.

According to him, ‘’some armed men attacked Maje outpost on the Dikko-Abuja Road, killed a corporal and stole a rifle.

“The army and the police are at present combining the area in search of the fleeing suspects but, I can assure that we will track down and arrest them, so that they can face the full wrath of the law.

“Similarly, the police have arrested some armed suspects in Lapai and recovered two AK-47 rifles from them,’’ he said.

Ondo

The Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Alhaji Ali Olanusi, on Thursday urged residents of the state to assist internally displaced persons returning home from other parts of the country.

Olanusi, who made the plea in Akure when he received some internally displaced persons in his office, pledged that government would continue to assist such categories of people.

The deputy governor, who expressed happiness at the safe arrival of the returnees, said being alive was an indication of divine intervention.

The leader of the delegation, Chief Anthony Mirayegun, expressed gratitude to the state government for the efforts made to ensure the safe arrival of the returnees.

Oyo

The National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) has called for appropriate legislation on blood donation activities in the country.

Speaking during a parley with journalists in Ibadan on Thursday, the South-West Zonal Coordinator of NBTS, Dr Wale Egbewunmi, decried the lack of legislation on such activities.

Egbewunmi called for strict laws on setting up of blood transfusion centres and their management as well as on blood collection, storage, testing and transfusion.

“Appropriate legislation will go a long way in preventing unauthorised practices as is the case at present,’’ he said.

Plateau

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has appealed to the Plateau Government to establish a functional state emergency management agency for prompt disaster management.

The Assistant Zonal Coordinator, NEMA, North Central Zone, Mr Abdulsalam Mohammed, made the appeal in an interview with newsmen in Abuja on Thursday.

He said the appeal was necessary in view of the current challenges in disaster management in the state.

Mohammed said Plateau was the only state in the North Central Zone that had yet to make a law for the establishment of an emergency management agency.

Sokoto

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, on Thursday in Sokoto reiterated the commitment of the Nigeria Army towards defending the nation’s nascent democracy.

Ihejirika was speaking during a courtesy visit to the Acting Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Lawali Zaiyanu.

He said that the military would continue to complement the efforts of the nation’s security outfits towards promoting internal democracy in the country.

Ihejirika said that welfare, decent accommodation as well as retraining of the Nigeria Army officers, would continue to receive special attention, so as to ensure productivity among the serving personnel.

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.