Nation

THE STATES

Published

12 years ago

January 15, 2014

Bauchi

The Bauchi State Commissioner of Police, Alhaji
Mohammed Ladan, has doled out N50,000 to the state police command football team for beating State Security Service (SSS) team 2-1 in a friendly match.
Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Mohammed Haruna, who made the disclosure in a statement in Bauchi on Saturday said that the match, played last Friday, was organised by the SSS management to foster cordial relationship between the two sister organisations.
Haruna said the commissioner commended the team for making the state police command proud and added that the commissioner had promised to organise a similar friendly match to reciprocate the SSS management gesture.

Benue

The Benue State Commissioner for Lands and Survey,
Mr John Tondo has said a restroom in his Makurdi residence was last Sunday completely burnt down by fire.
Tondo, who is also a gubernatorial aspirant in the 2015 elections in the state, however, said while conducting newsmen round the scene of the incident that the inferno had nothing to do with his political ambition.
“This has nothing to do with my political ambition. It was as a result of a problem from public power source which can happen to anybody. “The incident occurred as a result of a spark from the transformer that gutted the bushes around it and mistakenly through the air gutted my restroom. “I thank God that it has not affected the main building and nobody was hurt,” he said.
Men of the State Fire Service and some of the commissioner’s neighbours helped to put out the fire.

Borno

The Borno State Government has announced the eleva
tion of the Emir of Uba, Alhaji Ismaila Mamza and that of Gwoza, Alhaji Idrisa Timta to First Class status.
A statement issued Sunday in Maiduguri by Mr Kwapchi Pata, a Senior Special Assistant to Gov. Kashim Shettima stated that the elevation was with immediate effect.
The statement reads in part: “Gov. Kashim Shettima has approved the elevation of the emir of Uba in Askira-Uba Local Government Area (LGA), Alhaji Ismaila Mamza and the Emir of Gwoza in Gwoza LGA to First Class status.”
No reason was given for the elavation, but the statement reiterated that the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Garbai, remains the Chairman of the State Traditional Council.

FCT

The Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC),
Department of Development Control, last Sunday demolished two recreation spots, FESCO Security Gardens and Deos Gardens in Imo Crescent Area 1, Garki, Abuja.
Both spots also accommodated Churches at the time of the demolition. Deos Gardens accommodated the Redeemed Christian Church of God’s Sunday service, while FESCO Gardens accommodated the Illumination Gospel Assembly.
Coordinator of AMMC, Mr Rueban Okoya, said that the spots were removed because they engaged in illegal activities, adding that even the Churches were illegal.
Okoya said that it was not abnormal for the Department of Development Control to carry out demolition of structures on Sunday because it worked round the clock.

Jigawa

The Federal Government said last Saturday that it had
provided fertiliser and seedlings for distribution to 145,000 registered farmers in Jigawa State.
The Minister of Agriculture and Water Resources, Mr Akinwumi Adesina, who made this known in Auyo, Jigawa said that the farm inputs were provided to the farmers under the Growth Enhancement Support (GES) programme.
He said that the fertiliser was provided to the irrigation farmers for the current dry season and aimed at accelerating paddy rice production adding that more than 100, 000 farmers have redeemed fertiliser from the scheme in the 2012 and 2013 cropping seasons.
The minister said the government had also concluded plans to establish four agriculture equipment hiring support centres in the state and explained that the centres would be equipped with tractors, riggers and ploughs.
Kaduna

Alhaji Muttaqa Darma, a former Executive Secretary of
Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), last Sunday lamented that most Nigerian universities’ graduates were “half-baked and unemployable”.
Darma, who made the assertion in an interview in Zaria, Kaduna State, noted that the situation appeared to “get increasingly worse every day”.
He attributed the situation to “massive corruption in academic institutions”, pointing out that students gain entry into the institutions “through all kinds of means and use such means to pass examinations”.
Darma advocated for increase collaboration between universities and other systems toward building strong networks that would check wrong practice and put premium on quality.
Kano

The Kano State Government has fined three tanneries
N500,000 each for careless discharge of industrial wastes.
The Chief Executive Officers of the companies have also been summoned to a meeting with government officials.
The state Commissioner for Environment, Alhaji Abdullahi Abbas, who made this known
said that the body found the three companies culpable inspite of several warnings.
“The three companies, Unique Leather at Sharada Industrial Area as well as Mahaza and Mamuda tannery at Challawa Industrial Area were fined by the mobile court operating under the sanitation committee,’’ he said.

Kogi

The Obaro of Kabba, Dr Michael Olobayo, has appealed
to security agencies to intensify efforts toward curtailing increased bank robberies in the country.
The monarch made the appeal on Saturday while reacting to Friday’s attack on a bank in Kabba, Kogi State. He stressed the need for the Federal Government to buy police helicopters for surveillance.
“Nigeria should have advanced to the level where government should procure helicopters for all police commands in the country for surveillance. “If a chopper was stationed in Lokoja, the police would have flow it to Kabba to support their men in their confrontation with the robbers,’’ he said.
He, however, commended the police bravery in confronting the bandits and condoled with them for losing one of their men in the gun battle with the robbers.

Lagos

Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, South
West zone, Archbishop Magnus Adeyemi Atilade, called for the commencement of 31 days of national fasting and prayers to save Christians and Nigerians from imminent danger and disintegration.
Atilade, who spoke with the media in Lagos said, “Christians all over Nigeria, particular in the South west should embark on prayer and fasting commencing from Tuesday to February 14 to abate insurgencies and promote peaceful co-existence of Nigerians irrespective of our religious differences.
The Archbishop while lamenting the alarming rate, at which Christians were killed in various attacks on innocent citizens in northern part of the country, enjoined all to partake in the spiritual exercise.

Osun

Scores of residents of Osogbo, the Osun State capital,
last Saturday commended the state government on the bi-monthly sanitation aimed at improving the health of the people.
A resident of Oke-Ijetu area of the town, Mr Adelani Tijani, said the policy was a move in the right direction.
“I am personally delighted about the exercise. It has seriously changed the face of our environment and made it clean, and the metropolis is now carrying the real face of a state capital.
“It is obvious that environment determines the survival of its inhabitants. It is the number one thing to consider in human development policies as a government,’’ he said.
Also, Mrs Akinyemi Daisi, a shop owner at Ogo-Oluwa area of the town, described the initiative as a proactive approach to healthy living.
“A serious government must take as an optimum responsibility the need for a healthy environment for its citizens, as it will transform to better economic conditions,’’ she said.

Oyo

A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspir
ant in Ekiti State, Prince Adedayo Adeyeye last Sunday said the party would win convincingly in the forthcoming gubernatorial election in the State.
Adeyeye said in Ibadan that the party would win the election because it was the only alternative that could save the state from maladministration.
He said that the present administration in the state had failed and disappointed the people by spending so much on the purchase of four bullet-proof cars.
The Ekiti State PDP Chairman corroborated Adeyeye’s views, Chief Makanju Ogundipe, adding that the party would win the next election in the state.
essive Congress (APC) administration in the state.

Plateau

The National Provost, Catholic Laity Council of Nigeria,
Mr Boniface Gwotbit, last Saturday, urged Christians in the country to fully participate in politics.
Gwotbit made the call in a Mass at the Church of Immaculate Conception (CIC) Parish, Jos, as part of the ongoing national conference of the council with the theme; “A new Nigeria is Possible.’’
He charged Christians to take part in politics and use the spirit of God to do the right things for the good of the society.
Also, Rev. Father Dennis Kaye, the Parish Priest, CIC Jos, prayed to God to give Christians the wisdom to take decisions that would affect the Church and the country positively.

Sokoto

Nigeria’s Ambassador to Morocco, Senator Abdallah
Wali, says the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will
win the 2015 general election in spite of the current challenges facing it.
Wali told newsmen last Sunday in Sokoto that the current challenges facing the party were “normal and not unexpected”.
According to him, it will be impossible for the party to lose its present control of most states in the country and three quarters of local government councils where it has solid structures.
The envoy said that the party must, however, work harder to convince Nigerians on its outstanding performances since 1999.

L-R: FCT Minister of State, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide; PDP Bot Chairman, Chief Tony Anenih; Senate President David Mark; President Goodluck Jonathan; Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Chief Emeka Ihedioha; Mother of the President, Mrs Eunice Jonathan; Secretary to the Government of The Federation, Sen Anyim Pius Anyim and the Chief of Staff to the President, Chief Mike Oghiadomhe at the Armed Forces Remembrance Day Inter-denominational Church Service In Abuja on Sunday.

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.