Nation

THE STATES

Published

14 years ago

June 11, 2012

Ekiti

Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State has barred all elected and appointed officials in the state from campaigning for his second term in office.

Fayemi gave the order in Ado Ekiti on Wednesday at the special sitting of the state House of Assembly while reacting to the vote of confidence passed on his administration by the house.

He called on them to forget about 2014 for now and join hands with him in tackling the various developmental problems confronting the state.

Fayemi, who rejoiced with the assembly, urged the law makers to continue to embrace constructive engagements in dealing with him and forget about campaigning for him for a second term.

“By the vote of confidence you unanimously passed on me today, you have placed a big burden on my shoulder because we have a lot of work to do for our people now. “However, let us limit the encouragement you are giving me to the level of vote of confidence and forget about second term or 2014.’’

FCT

The Director of Assets Declaration, Code of Conduct Bureau, Alhaji Sani Mohammed, has said that civil servants can declare just their bank accounts in the absence of any tangible assets.

Mohammed, who gave the clarification in Abuja on Thursday in Abuja, said assets must not be tangible and big before they could be declared.

He said that some civil servant often complained that they did not know what to declare since they did not own houses, cars or any other assets that they could declare as assets.

The director described asset declaration, as one of the mandatory duties of civil/public servants contained in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“Every public officer shall, within three months after taking office, declare his assets and any officer that fails to comply with this provision of the constitution will be deemed to have violated laws of the land.”

Kaduna

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Transport, Sen. Sahabi Ya’u, says the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT) is a path for Nigeria to meet global transport challenges.

He made this known on Wednesday to newsmen after inspecting facilities at the NITT in Zaria, Kaduna State.

Ya’u said the institute had all it takes to transform the nation’s transport system, noting that the Senate would revisit its enabling law for the good of Nigerians and Africans.

“So far so good, the institute is doing very well. All the same, we want to review its law in such a way that NITT can compete favourably with world class transport institutes.”

The lawmaker lauded the contributions of the institute toward ensuring a virile and standard transport system in Nigeria.

The NITT Director-General, Alhaji Aminu Musa-Yusuf, had said that without transportation nothing meaningful could be achieved.

Kebbi

Some Political parties in Kebbi on Wednesday criticised the new fees and guidelines issued by KebbiState Independent Electoral Commission (KSIEC), for the forthcoming local government polls in the state. The KSIEC had announced September 15, 2012 as date for fresh council elections.

The state Chairman of Labour Party (LP), Alhaji UsmanDan-Gwari, said that the non refundable fees of N150, 000 for nomination forms for the chairmanship position was too much. He said that the N50, 000 fees for the positions of councillors was not acceptable to the party.

Leader of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), observed that women had not been given any special attention in the guidelines.

The state Chairman of Alliance Democracy (AD), Hajiya Hauwa’u Mohammed, Alhaji Boi Isa, called on the commission to provide alternative for voters who had lost their voters cards to enable them cast their votes.

Jigawa

The Jigawa Commissioner for Education Prof. Haruna Wakili, says the State Government will establish sick bays in all the boarding schools across the state.

Wakili said in Dutse on Wednesday that all the sick bays would be equipped and manned by qualified health personnel.

“The sick bays will be established in all the 43 boarding schools we have, where the sick students will be treated,’’ he said.

He said the State Government had approved the school health policy for the well being of its students.

Wakili explained that henceforth any new student admitted into any of the schools in the state would be examined medically to ascertain the health condition of such student.

“The medical tests will enable us to know the history of the student as it is done in tertiary institutions.”

Nasarawa

Governor Umaru Al-makura of Nasarawa State last Thursday naugurated a seven- member commission of enquiry to ascertain the immediate and remote causes of last week’s violent crisis in the state.

Represented by the Deputy Governor, Dameshi Luka, Al-makura, described as “shocking’’ the hostilities between the Eggon and Alago tribes in the area, which left many dead and property worth millions of naira destroyed.

The governor said that appropriate legal instruments were executed in setting up the commission and gave it 30 days to complete its assignment and submit a report to government.

Responding, the Chairman of the Commission, Justice Isah Ramalan (rtd), assured the state government that the members would carry out their assignment diligently, without fear or favour.

He called for the support of the people of the state, especially the affected communities, to facilitate their assignment, aimed at bringing a lasting solution to the incessant crisis in the state.

Osun

The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Osun has described the death of Oba Oladele Olashore, the Owaloko of Iloko-Ijesha as “the end of an era.”

This is contained in a condolence message jointly signed by the party’s chairman, Chief Adelowo Adebiyi and Publicity Secretary, Prof. Moses Awogbade, on Wednesday in Osogbo.

The duo in the statement made available to newsmen said the passage of the traditional ruler was a monumental loss to the state and the country at large.

The ACN chieftains described the late Olashore as one of the nation’s patriots during his life time, adding that his contributions to the country’s financial sector were immense.

“Olashore who until his death was one of the greatest patriots in Nigeria served as a Minister of Finance meritoriously and built a niche for himself in the finance sector.”

Oyo

Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has warned the new caretaker executive of the NURTW in the state against acts of violence and brigandage in the state.

Ajimobi gave the warning on Wednesday when the executive members led by Alhaji Taofik Oyerinde visited his office in Ibadan.

The governor said all acts capable of breaching public peace in the state would be seriously dealt with.

He, however, vowed that government would make the state conducive for every peace loving member of the union to go about his business.

Responding, Oyerinde commended the governor for lifting the ban placed on the union’s activities in the state.

Oyerinde assured government that his members would give necessary support to the restoration programme of the state government by conducting itself peacefully at all times.

Plateau

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr Garba Pwul, has asked the Plateau Government to “immediately” conduct elections into the local government councils.

“Governor Jonah Jang must move immediately to democratise the 17 local governments by conducting council polls without further delay,” Pwul said in Jos on Wednesday.

Noting that appointing administrators to head the councils was illegal, he asked the governor to end such illegality as there was no place for Transition Chairman in the Nigerian Constitution.

The Plateau State government on January 18 appointed transition chairmen for the 17 Local Governments after dissolving the elected council chairmen, whose tenure had expired.

Pwul said that the governor should not have dissolved the former council chairmen without conducting a fresh council election and argued that with the Plateau Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC) in place, there was no need for government to delay the conduct of the polls.

Sokoto

Chairman, Wamakko Local Government Council of Sokoto State, Alhaji Mohammad Kalambaina, said that the council spent about N2.5 million in the renovation of 30 houses in its staff quarters.

Kalambaina told newsmen in Sokoto on Wednesday that the project was aimed at maintaining the building structures for optimal use.

He said the administration would continue to accord priority to the welfare of its workers to ensure high productivity.

The chairman called on the workers to reciprocate the gesture by excelling in the discharge of their primary assignments.

Kalambaina called on the people to always live in peace with one another to enable the council provide social amenities for them.

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.