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THE STATES

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14 years ago

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Bauchi

The Bauchi State Government, has released about N10 million to sensitise nomads across the state on the need to allow their children to acquire Western education.

Chairman Bauchi State Agency for Nomadic Education,    Alhaji Umar Mustapha , disclosed this on Tuesday in Bauchi in an interview.

Mustapha said the agency was established by the incumbent administration in the state to cater for the educational needs of pastoralists, fishermen, nomads and immigrant farmers.

He expressed satisfaction with the increase in the number of primary schools for nomadic pupils and said that the number increased from 233 some few years ago to 245 this year.

 

Benue

The Chairman, State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) in Benue, Mr Anum Iho,  said on Tuesday that the welfare of teachers in the state would soon be enhanced.

Iho stated in Makurdi while addressing teachers at the Makurdi Local Government Education Authority (LGEA)  that he had already initiated discussions with appropriate authorities towards enhancing the teachers’ package.

The chairman said that, being a teacher; he would take up the challenges of the sector with urgency,  urged primary school teachers to always channel their grievances to the appropriate authorities through dialogue.

Also,  the Education Secretary of Makurdi LGEA, Mr Godfrey Torgeri, commended the state governor for appointing a teacher as the head of the board.

 

Borno

The Shehu of Borno, on Tuesday renewed call Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Garbai, on the Boko Haram sect to dialogue with the government to end the violence in parts of the country.

Ibn Garbai made the call at the opening of a capacity workshop for Local Government Hajj Fare Collectors in Maiduguri.

“Let me add my voice to the numerous appeals to our brothers in the Jama’atul Ahlis Sunnah Lida’awati Wal Jihad by well meaning Nigerians. “They should seek the course of peace and harmony in the months ahead and beyond.’’

Ibn Garbai pointed out that Islam did not encourage violence in any form. “The bedrock of Islam is peace and this great attribute of our religion must not be overlooked.

“I am appealing to our brothers to stop the acts of violence and come forward for dialogue if they wish to seek redress on any issue.”

 

Gombe

A consultant haematologist with the Federal Medical Centre, Gombe, Dr Ahmed Girei, has advised intending couples to ensure they go for genotype test before planning marriage.

He gave this advice during the World Sickle Cell Day commemoration in Gombe.

“It is important for intending couples to know their genotype so that they will not produce children who are carriers.   “People should be aware that sickle cell condition is an inherited disorder and is in existence.’’

Girei advised people to seek the necessary information to enable them take precautionary measures, noting that  for those that inherited the gene, it was possible to live a normal live with proper care.

According to the consultant, sickle cell is not curable but there are measures that patients need to take to limit the crisis and complication.

 

Kaduna

The Kaduna State chapters of  Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Jama’atul Nasir Islam (JNI) on Tuesday appealed to residents of the state to be calm “no matter the provocation or agitating passion’’.

Addressing a joint news conference in Kaduna, the organisations also called on the residents to be law abiding and not to take the laws into their hands.

The conference was addressed by the chairmen, Rev. Samuel Kujiat and Alhaji Ja’afaru Makarfi of CAN and JNI, respectively.

The chairmen also told the residents that they would render account of their deeds before God, urging them to cooperate with government and security agencies to restore peace.

 

Kogi

The Police in Kogi have arrested four persons for allegedly exhuming a corpse for ritual purposes at a cemetery in Ayetoro-Gbede, Ijumu Local Government of Kogi.

Briefing newsmen on Tuesday in Lokoja, the Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Mohammed Katsina, said the suspects were arrested on June 7 by the command’s ambush squad at the cemetery after exhuming the body.

He said his men laid ambush for the alleged ritualists and watched them “desecrate the serenity of the environment” as they exhumed the body.

Katsina said the suspects were in the process of dismembering the head when policemen swooped on them.

 

Kwara

A labour activist, Mr Emmanuel Aiyeoribe, on Tuesday urged the Federal Government to prosecute those involved in the oil subsidy scam in the interest of the masses.

Aiyeoribe, former Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Kwara chapter,  said in Ilorin that the report of the House of Representatives ad hoc committee was unique.

He said it should be separated from the bribery allegation leveled against Rep. Farouk Lawan and others. “The Federal Government should separate the issue of subsidy scam from the bribery allegation in the interest of the Nigerian masses and justice.

 

Lagos

A former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), on Tuesday said that good leadership would sustain Nigeria’s existence in the face of security challenges.

Agbakoba, also a rights activist, said  that providing dividends of democracy would avert religious and ethnic clashes among Nigerians.

He spoke against the backdrop of continued bomb attacks on churches in some northern states of the country.

“Until the leadership ensures that Nigerians partake in the dividends of democracy, terrorism, kidnapping, robbery and other vices will thrive. “There is the need for governments to make sure that Nigerians are provided with good education, adequate and free medicare. “This is the only way to prevent a revenge of the people,’’ he said.

 

Plateau

Justice Ambrose Allagoa of the Federal High Court, Jos,  Tuesday reprimanded lawyers who appeared before him and expressed regrets that standards had fallen “abysmally low.”

“Some lawyers who come to this court are not worthy to be addressed as lawyers because they mess up cases with their very poor knowledge of even basic processes. “Sometimes, I have to be a teacher for things to move smoothly; this is not good for the law profession to which I also belong,” Allagoa lamented.

The judge said that only “very few solicitors” were serious with the profession.

 

Sokoto

Secretary of Aliyu Magatakarda Advocacy Group (AMAG), Sokoto, Alhaji Abubakar Yabo,  on  Tuesday called on members of the National Assembly (NASS) to come up with more stringent laws that would end the senseless killings of Nigerians in some parts of the country.

Yabo said  in Sokoto that the NASS should also ensure adequate provisions for the purchase of modern equipment and up-to-date training for security agencies to ensure they could more effectively tackle the current crime situation in the country.

He was of the view that a better trained security force would be able to map out strategies that would lead to the arrest and prosecution of all those involved in planting bombs in some parts of the country.

Yabo said that as representatives  of the people, time has come for them to work out security modalities that would guarantee the safety of Nigerians.

 

Taraba

The Deputy Chairman, Taraba chapter of the PDP, Alhaji Danladi Shehu, on Tuesday called on political appointees and elected representatives of the people to commit their earnings into the well-being of their  communities.

Shehu said  in Jalingo that a situation where politicians stayed away from their constituencies only to resurface during campaigns was not encouraging.

He added that restiveness in some of the communities nationwide was due to unfulfilled promises by the political class.

Shehu said it would not take much for politicians to create jobs such as vulcanising, carpentry, bricklaying and farming to keep youths in their communities.

He said governments at all levels must also wake up to their responsibility of meeting the challenges of development by providing the required basic infrastructure and social services.

 

Zamfara

The Zamfara Government has voted N50 million to upgrade facilities and renovate dilapidated structures at the College of Agriculture and Animal Sciences at Bakura.

The Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Alhaji Malami Yandoto disclosed this on Tuesday during a facility inspection visit to the college.

Yandoto said that the college would continue to attract the attention of the state government to stand the test of time.

He said that the college remained one of the lasting and virile legacies of the late premier of the defunct Northern Region, Alhaji Ahmadu Bello Sardauna, adding  that the state government had prioritised agriculture as the mainstay of the state economy, adding that it would provide facilities that could assist farmers to imbibe mechanised agriculture.

“The government would do everything possible to provide facilities that could transform our farming,’’ he said.

The commissioner said that provision of standard facilities at the college would enhance better learning of modern agricultural techniques and open more grounds for technical training of extension workers.

He said that the knowledge would be imparted to rural farmers by the extension workers so that agricultural production in the state would triple while the local economy could grow fast.

Yandoto said that some of the facilities that would be renovated included classroom blocks and students hostel while laboratory and research equipment would be upgraded.

The Provost of the College, Malam Umaru Muhammad, commended the state government for coming to the aid of the institution.

He promised to make use of the facilities for high quality teaching and learning.

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REAN, SON synergise to curb fake renewable energy product

Published

3 weeks 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

Published

3 weeks 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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3 weeks 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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