Nation

THE STATES

Published

13 years ago

December 30, 2013

Bauchi

The diverse ethnic and multi-religious communities of Yelwa, Kagadama, Gwallameji and Lushi of Birshi-Miri District, Bauchi, Bauchi State last Saturday celebrated six years of living together in peaceful co-existence.

The programme was organised by Muslim and Christian Youth Movement for Peace in conjunction with Birshi-Miri Concern Citizens Forum.

The communities are home to diverse ethnic groups in the country, the Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, Idoma, Fulani, Seyawa, Jarawa and Ninzom, among others and from different religious backgrounds.

In his speech, Mr Yusuf Kumsu, the Chairman organising committee of the programme, explained that the event was organised to celebrate six years of peaceful co-existence among the diverse ethnic groups in the communities.

Benue

Benue State, Police Command says it has recovered 17 bodies from the river after the Boxing Day boat mishap that claimed the lives of over 40 persons at River Buruku, in Buruku Local Government Area.

The State police public relations officer, PPRO, Deputy Superintendent, DSP, Daniel Ezeala, who spoke in a telephone interview in Makurdi ,said search and rescue operation was still going on at scene of the disaster.

He said “We have so far recovered 17 bodies from the river but we are still continuing with the search and rescue operation until we are convinced that there are no survivors or bodies in the river. I can also assure you that we have commenced investigations into the matter with a view to finding the immediate and remote causes of the tragedy.”

Ekiti

Buoyed by the recent signing of the Equal Opportunities Bill into law by Dr Kayode Fayemi, Ekiti State’s first lady, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, that she may be considering sponsoring a prize at the next Nigeria Media Merit Award, in collaboration with other stakeholders, for gender-friendly reporting.

Mrs. Fayemi who initiated the bill that was signed penultimate Tuesday is upbeat that the new law would strengthen existing legislations put in place to promote gender equality and women empowerment, widowhood rights, among others.

She said, “It is almost impossible for any society to think that they can achieve any kind of transformation while leaving women behind. It’s just like trying to clap with one hand.”

If the first lady makes true her plan, then it would be a notable contribution to robust journalism by a woman who has been in the fore-front of the clamour for women’s rights even before she became a first lady.

Gombe

The Gombe State Government has allocated N1.9 billion for women and youths development projects in the coming year.

The allocation is contained in the 2014 budget of N107.4 billion presented to the State House of Assembly by Gov Ibrahim Dankwambo on Friday in Gombe.

He said that N1.1 billion would be used to train women through the office of the Hajiya Adama Women Empowerment Programme (HAWEP), the pet project of his wife.

Dankwambo said the programme had impacted positively on the economic empowerment of women in the state, promising to sustain the tempo in 2014.

Kaduna

Kaduna State Government last Saturday said it would establish four new Science Secondary Schools in 2014 to enhance the study of science-related courses.

The State Governor, Alhaji Muktar Yero, disclosed this at the 21st Annual General Meeting of the Zaria Education Development Association (ZEDA) in Zaria, Kaduna State.

Yero, who was represented by the Chief of Staff, Kaduna Government House, Alhaji Yahaya Aminu, said the schools would be located in different parts of the state.

Kebbi

The Senator representing Kebbi State South, Retired Major General Muhammadu Magoro, has appealed to the Boko Haram sect to embrace dialogue in resolving grievances to fast-track development.

Magoro told newsmen in Zuru last Friday that the continued violent agitation by the sect had retarded development in the north east and the country.

He said without peace, meaningful development could not be achieved and called on members of the sect to embrace dialogue in order to resolve the crises. Magoro said that the present leadership of the country was desirous of development and he urged security agencies not to relent in the fight against terrorism.

Kwara

A socio-cultural group, the Igbomina Development Forum, last Saturday rallied support for President Goodluck Jonathan in his bid to tackle the nation’s challenges.

The group, at a forum organised at Agbamu, Irepodudun Local Government Area of Kwara, also called for participatory politics and internal democracy in parties to strengthen the nation’s democratic institutions.

The forum, which was organised by Mrs Shola Adedoyin-Adeoti, a business magnate and community leader, appraised the current socio-political developments in Kwara State and urged the Igbomina “ to work for their political emancipation.’’

Lagos

Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State has approved the procurement of 120 new vehicles of various brands for traditional rulers in the state. The state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr Ademorin Kuye, disclosed this in an interview last Saturday in Lagos.

The commissioner, who said the vehicles would be purchased in 2014, noted that they would enable the traditional rulers to discharge their responsibilities effectively.

Kuye also said that the state government was renovating palaces and building some new ones to strengthen the traditional institution and improve the living standards of the traditional rulers.

Niger

The Niger State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) plans to construct a 20-room Motel at the council’s secretariat at the cost of N50 million.

The Chairman of the union, Mr Ilya Garba, who announced this at a media briefing last Thursday in Minna on the council’s plans for its Press Week said the venture was to boost the revenue base of the council.

He said other structures including a Cyber Cafe would be provided at the motel to serve the interest of the union members.

Ogun

The Peoples Democratic Party in Ogun State has said the party is bigger than individuals who have defected from it to opposition parties. It said those that defected from the party usually left with political qualities the PDP had instilled in them.

The party said the Ondo State Governor, Olusegun Mimiko, and the former Ogun State Governor, Gbenga Daniel, owed their political success to the PDP.

In an interview the Chairman, PDP, Ogun State, Adebayo Dayo, pointed out that the Labour Party in the state would fail like it did in the Anambra State governorship election.

Oyo

A mysterious spacecraft, which residents of Awotan in Ido Local Government Area of Oyo State called a “drone”, was reported to have crashed into a building at Omiremi Quarters in the community, leaving a crater on the roof of the building, just as aviation sources confirmed the object as a United States’ drone on an espionage mission in Nigeria.

Considering the registration number, TX 5803, inscribed on a black battery under the craft, a source said the space craft must have taken off from NASA base in Texas in the US, stating that the battery attached to the spacecraft powered it and enabled it to move around so that it could do the bidding of those who sent it.

Sokoto

Members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Sokoto State have accused the party’s deputy National Chairman, Alhaji Aminu Bello Masari, of causing disaffection within the party in the state.

Addressing a press conference on behalf of the members on Saturday, former chairman of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Alhaji Hassan Turakin Tureta, said members of APC in the state recognised former Governor Attahiru Bafarawa as the leader of the party in Sokoto State.

He alleged that Masari was using his connection in his former party to create discord in the Sokoto APC

Yobe

Voters across Yobe State yesterday turned out in large numbers to cast their votes to elect Chairmen and Councillors of the 17 Local Government Councils in the state.

There was heavy security presence in all the polling booths as well as major streets in Damaturu with combine team of soldiers, police, civil defence corps and immigration officers watching over.

Shops and other businesses were closed while restriction on movement was imposed throughout the state from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m as there was security build up to forestall any unforeseen circumstances.

Only 10 parties participated in the polls while the major opposition party in the state, the PDP, boycotted the election.

Speaking to journalists after casting his vote, the state Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Gaidam, said the conduct of the election had proved sceptics wrong on the security situation in the state.

Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State (left), presenting the 2014 Appropriation Bill (Budget) to the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Alhaji Inuwa Garba, in Gombe, last Friday.

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.