Nation

THE STATES

Published

13 years ago

February 20, 2013

Ekiti

The police have arraigned two men, Sunday Eyinafe, 23 and Adepoju Odunayo, 20, before an Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrates’ Court for alleged assault.

The police prosecutor, Cpl. Curtis Enabulele, told the court that the accused committed the offence on February. 13 at Sabo Area of Ado-Ekiti.

According to him, the accused persons unlawfully assaulted two police officers, Akpamu Nicholas and Faluyi Olalekan, by biting and beating them while performing their official duties.

He alleged that the accused stole one Samsung cell phone worth N21,000 and another item valued at N10,000 belonging to Nicholas.

FCT

The Methodist Archbishop of Abuja, Rev. Chimaroke Iweha, has charged Christians and Muslims to lead godly lives that will impact positively on the society.

Iweha spoke with newsmen last Sunday, in Abuja, after the presentation of the new Abuja Diocesan Lay President of the Church, Mr David Fadairo

Iweha urged adherents of the two faiths to reflect and practise their beliefs and teachings not only in their places of worship but wherever they found themselves.

“Our problem is that we leave God in the Church and our various places of worship, with the feeling that it is the only place we can see God.

Gombe

The Gombe State Government says it will meet the 2015 Millenium Development Goals’ (MDGs) aspirations and the yearnings of the people of the state.

The state Commissioner for Water Resources and Environment, Alhaji Idris Mahadi, said this while speaking to newsmen in Gombe recently.

Mahadi said that the state government had continued to execute projects inherited from the previous administration.

According to him, the state government, in collaboration with the MDGs office, had awarded contracts for the drilling of solar boreholes in over 60 locations in the state.

Jigawa

Alhaji Muhammad Sambo, the Coordinator, National Directorate of Employment (NDE) in Jigawa has praised Governor Sule Lamido, for allocating 30 hectares of land to the directorate.

Sambo, who made the commendation in Dutse in an interview with newsmen, said that public works and housing units would be constructed on the 30 hectares land.

He said that the houses would be constructed on a two-bedroom and three-bedroom categories.

The coordinator said that the project would be financed by the Federal Mortgage Bank in collaboration with the directorate.

Kaduna

The Kaduna Agricultural Development programme (KADP) says it has registered more than 687 women groups under the KADP cooperatives project, to address the challenges of food security.

The Head of Women in Agriculture in the KADP, Mrs. Debora Bakut, told newsmen in Kaduna that the cooperative groups were registered to be able to access farm inputs and financial support.

Bakut said the groups were eligible to benefit from both the Federal and State Government soft loans to smallholder farmers and the newly introduced e-wallet fertiliser scheme, to enhance food production.

Katsina

President Goodluck Jonathan has given the assurance that the Federal Government will adequately fund and equip Nigerian universities to meet world standards and enhance development.

Jonathan gave the assurance at the maiden convocation ceremony of Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, Katsina.

“Our universities must be equipped and modernised to be able to play their role in nation building and compete with other universities in the world.’’

Jonathan, who was represented by the Vice Chancellor of Federal University, Dutsin-ma, Prof. James Ayatse, said the government planned to establish a research and education network to provide national bandwidth and Internet backbone for universities.

Kwara

The IIorin East Local Government Council in Kwara has commenced the rehabilitation of 20 rural roads to boost socio-economic activities of the area.

The Chairman of the Council, Hajiya Aminat Ishola, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Oke-Oyi, headquarters of the council.

Ishola said that more than 40 per cent of work on the roads spread across the 12 wards of the council had been achieved.

She listed some of the roads as Apado, Iponrin, Maya and Ile-Apa, among others.

She said that some of the groups would also benefit from the Bank of Agriculture loans as well as the World Bank Commercial Agriculture programme in the state.

Lagos

Prof. Nnenna Okore of Arts Department, North Park University, Chicago, USA, said on Sunday that the mindset of Nigerian youths could be changed for the better through creative arts.

Okore, who made the disclosure in an interview with newsmen in Lagos, said that changing the mindset of youths through arts was very vital for the country’s development.

The Professor said that engaging youths to develop their skills through the arts would also promote a better awareness of Nigerian arts internationally.

“It will also improve the level of intellectual pursuit in the visual arts sector.

Niger

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, says the Nigerian Army will establish a “reserve force’’ to be able to respond to emergency situations quickly.

“We want a situation where if there are some emergencies, we will have a force we can just call upon and immediately there will be response, whether the emergency is internal or external,’’ Ihejirika told newsmen in Kontagora.

“About 600 of the 2,904 soldiers who just graduated from the basic counter terrorism course at the Nigerian Army Training Centre in Kontagora will form the basis of the reserve force.

Osun

The Public Affairs Manager, Power Holding Company of Nigeria, Osogbo Business Unit, Mr Timothy Adesanya has said that there is adequate power supply in the area.

Adesanya told newsmen in an interview recently that the allegation in some quarters that there was a drop in power supply in the Osun State capital was not true.

He explained that the company was working hard to ensure there was stable supply of electricity across the country.

He said, “such an allegation that there is a decline in the supply of electricity in Osogbo as far as I am concerned is spurious and it is not objective in any way”.

Plateau

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Plateau has tasked its youth wing to embrace democratic ideals and also keep abreast of developments so as to remain relevant.

The state Assistant Organising Secretary of the party, told some youths in Jos that they must seek out and understand what was expected of them as key vanguards of the party.

“The party undergoes all kinds of reforms on a daily basis and it is incumbent on all of you to be in tune with the changes.

“You must also get the party’s constitution so as to know the roles assigned to the local, state and federal levels,’’ he said.

Zamfara

The Zamfara House of Assembly has urged the state government to reconstruct the Birnin-Magaji road connecting Magami-Gabake road to Mesa-Teke and Barkeji and terminating at Zurmi.

The House passed the resolution following the motion by Alhaji Rufai Chiroma (Kaura-Namoda north), saying the people of the area had suffered a lot due to the poor condition of the road.

Chiroma further noted that farmers and business men in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area could hardly carry out their activities during rainy season owing to difficulty in transporting their goods and services.

He said that the roads were not motorable and that movement from Kaura Namoda to Zurmi as well as Birnin-Magajii local government areas for economic activities was almost impossible during the rainy season.

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.