Nation

THE STATES

Published

14 years ago

August 2, 2012

Adamawa

A bill to legitimise the setting up of caretaker management committees for local governments in Adamawa has passed through the first reading in the state House of Assembly.

The motion was moved by the House Majority Leader, Alahaji Ishaq Bala (PDP-Yola North) on Monday in Yola at the plenary and it was seconded by Mr Aloysius Babadoke (PDP-Leko/Koma). The bill is seeking for a law to amend the Adamawa Local Government Establishment and Administration Law No. 4 of 2000.

Bala observed that for the past one year when the tenure of elected local government councils in the state expired, the state Independent Electoral Commission had not conducted elections.

The House also considered the report of its standing committee on Information on a bill for a law to establish the Adamawa Local Apprenticeship Scheme Agency. The scheme is aimed at training and empowering youths in the state to contribute more effectively to the economic development of the state.

Benue

The Benue Rent Tribunal on Monday ordered Krees Danyi to surrender the house keys belonging to Mr Iorver Tsegba and to refund N1,890 spent on litigation by the plaintiff.

The tribunal Judge, Priscilla Uche, who gave the order, said the defendant should also pay the rent arrears accruable for the period the keys were in his possession, faulted the plaintiff for not supplying the details of monetary transactions with the defendant.

Tsegba had dragged Danyi to the tribunal alleging that he defaulted in rent payment after vacating a one-bedroom apartment leased to him without surrendering the keys.

The plaintiff said that the defendant took possession of the apartment in June 2010 on an agreement to pay N50,000 per year, a charge that was later reviewed to N80,000 per year.

He explained that he served two quit notices to the tenant but he refused to vacate.

FCT

The Bwari Area Council has evacuated the refuse dump close to the Dutse Alhaji Market to create a favourable environment in the area, Mr Haruna Labaran, the Head of the Environment Department, of the council, has said

Labaran said that the evacuation of the refuse and relocation of the market would eliminate the traffic jam usually experienced in the area.

According to him, the traffic jam has been a thing of concern to residents of the council, adding that department was doing a lot to sanitise the environment.

He advised residents to desist from indiscriminate dumping of refuse and imbibe good hygiene practice to prevent disease outbreak in their area.

Labaran also said that the council was poised to partner with stakeholders to create approved refuse dump sites for the people.

Gombe

No fewer than 143 youths in Gombe State have been trained in the area of renewable energy devices, Alhaji Labaran Mijinyawa, the Commissioner for Youths and Poverty Alleviation, said.

Mijinyawa said in Gombe on Monday that the 10-day training was conducted by the state government and Energy Commission of Nigeria.

He said the trainees were expected to establish their own businesses and become employers of labour on graduation . They were also expected to serve as resource persons in subsequent trainings on renewable energy.

The commissioner said the trainees were taught how to construct solar panels, bio-digesters, solar dryers and stoves for cooking.

Mijinyawa said the trainees would access loans through the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) to enable them to establish their own businesses, while the state government would serve as guarantor of the loans.

Jigawa

The Dutse Municipal Council of Jigawa has recruited 63 environmental and sanitary workers to enhance sanitation services in the area. The Director, Primary Healthcare Agency in the council, Alhaji Tasi’u Muhammad, disclosed this in an interview in Dutse on Tuesday.

Muhammad said that the council engaged the workers to clear drains, evacuate solid waste and ensure effective refuse control. He said that teams of environmental cleaners had been deployed to government offices, departments, markets and strategic locations to keep the environment clean.

Kano

A total of 1,277 of the 2,150 corps members posted to Kano State for the 2012 ‘Batch B service year have so far sought for redeployment to other states.

The state NYSC Coordinator, Alhaji Bashir Yakasai, who disclosed this in Kano on Monday said that of those, who sought redeployment, 1,108 were posted to other states on health grounds and for security reasons, while the remaining 169 were re-deployed on marital ground. He, however, said that the state NYSC had also received more than 50 corps members re-deployed from other states to Kano.

On the issue of rejection, the coordinator said that the number so far rejected by employers was negligible considering the number of corps members, who relocated to other states. The coordinator, however, assured the corps members serving in the state of adequate security during their one year stay in the state.

Kebbi

The Kebbi Police Commissioner, Mr Adisa Bolanta, has ordered Police formations in the state to remain on alert, apparently to prevent attacks on sensitive locations similarly carried out in other states.

Two Police stations were attacked in neighbouring Sokoto State on Monday during which lives were lost.

Bolanta, while addressing newsmen dispelled the rumours that bomb attacks had been carried out in some parts of Birnin Kebbi, and advised people to shun spreading of rumours.

“The decision to place Police formations on alert is the result of the bomb attacks on some Police stations in neighbouring Sokoto State.’’

Bolanta said that the command, in conjunction with other security agencies, would remain alert to ensure that crime level remained at the lowest level nationwide.

He called on members of the public to assist the command with relevant information on suspicious people and their activities, stressing that efforts would not be spared to protect lives and property.

Kogi

The newly appointed Commissioner for Education in Kogi, Mrs Grace Elebiyo, has promised to promote qualitative leadership in the ministry.

Elebiyo’s pledge is contained in a press statement issued on Tuesday in Lokoja by the Public Relation Officer of the ministry, Mrs Janet Ekundayo.

The statement said that Elebiyo promised to lead the ministry by example and would not tolerate laziness and lateness to work during her tenure as commissioner.

“I will not tolerate absenteeism, laziness and late coming; everybody must work,” the statement quotes the commissioners as saying when she addressed the workers on assumption of duty.

She commended Governor Idris Wada for having confidence in her ability to contribute her quota in such capacity, and She urged every member of staff of the ministry to work very hard in other not to betray the opportunity given to them.

Kwara

A father of three, Abdulrazaq Haruna, whose wife wants a divorce over his drinking habit, on Monday told an Ilorin Area Court that he was not a drunk.

Haruna admitted that he drank beer but pleaded with the court to persuade his wife, Rashidat Olayinka, to change her mind.

Olayinka, a resident of Adabata Area in Ilorin, had told the court that she wanted their union dissolved on the ground that her husband was a heavy drinker. She said Haruna was addicted to alcohol and never cared about the welfare of the children.

However, Haruna urged the court not to grant Olayinka’s prayer but to give him a second chance to make amends.

Lagos

The South-West Zonal Office of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) received 1,611 young Nigerian returnees in Lagos between March 2011 and July 2012.

Zonal coordinator, Mr Iyiola Akande, said on Monday in Lagos that the returnees came in from Egypt, Tunisia and Libya.

Akande said that NEMA, within the period, received, fed and clothed the returnees, while also giving them financial support to enable them to re-join their family members in other parts of the country.

“Most of them came dejected, with children who had no food and clothes, but as soon as we received them, we always ensured that they were well fed and the children were given clothes.

“We have tried to make them to realise that it was needless leaving Nigeria and that there is a better Nigeria,’’ he said.

Nasarawa

A Mararaba Senior Magistrate Court in Nasarawa State on Monday sentenced a 35-year-old man, Michael Sunday, of Ado Karu in Nasarawa State, to six months in jail for insulting a police officer.

The convict was charged with using abusive word on police officer, who was performing his lawful duty. The convict pleaded guilty to the charge, and was sentenced by Chief Magistrate V. D. Ishaku to six months in jail for the offence. Ishaku, however, gave him an option of N1,000 fine.

The Police Prosecutor, Mr Jospeh Ahuwa, had told the court that on July 28, the Divisional Motor Traffic Officer ASP Musa Abubakar attached to ‘A’ Division Mararaba reported the case to the police.

Ahuwa said the officer was posted to control traffic along the high way popularly known as Mararaba Junction.

He further explains that the convict packed his Wagon Golf marked AR 881 LKJ, under the bridge obstructing the flow of other vehicles.

Nation

REAN, SON synergise to curb fake renewable energy product

Published

3 days 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

3 days 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

3 days 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.