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12 years ago

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Adamawa
The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) last Tuesday
promised to sharpen the skills of INEC staff on effective report writing.
The Director-General of the fund, Prof. Longmas Sambo, made the pledge in Yola while declaring a three-day workshop for electoral officers opened.
He said the workshop was aimed at improving the knowledge, skills and attitude of the trainees in report gathering and writing, especially during elections.
Represented by Alhaji Jibrin Bukar, the Yola Area Manager of the Fund, Sambo said that the workshop was coming ahead of the 2015 general elections.
INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Mr Kasim Gaidam, ssaid that the training would be a continuous exercise aimed at building working capacity of the staff for effective service delivery.

Bauchi
The European Union has pledged to support the
Bauchi State Government in the areas of health, agricultural processing and electricity, to improve the living standard of the people.
The union’s Ambassador and Head of Delegation to Nigeria, Mr Michel Arrion, said this when he visited Governor Isa Yuguda at Government House, Bauchi last Tuesday.
Arrion said that he was in Bauchi to familiarise himself with the state, the needs of the people and to also identify areas of co’operation with the state government.
He said that having gone round to assess the rate of development in the state, the union had decided to support the state in the areas of power, health and agro-processing.

Borno
An Islamic scholar, Sheikh Modu Mustapha, said it
was wrong for individuals to coerce non-Muslims into embracing Islam without their consent.
Mustapha, reacting to the reported conversion of abducted Chibok girls to Islam by Boko Haram sect, said Islam had a distinct way of converting non-Muslims to the religion.
Mustapha said it was stated in the Quran that there was no compulsion in Islam.
Another scholar, Sheikh Ibrahim Suda, corroborated Mustapha’s position, saying that Islam was a religion of peace.
A preacher, Malam Suleiman Bagobiri, contended that the insurgents were only out to damage the image of Islam by their activities.

Ekiti
The  Chairman of   Africa Democratic Congress
(ADC)  in Ekiti State,  Mr Tunji Ogunlola, says his  party would win  the forthcoming gubernatorial election in the state.
Ogunlola said in Ado-Ekiti that the party had nominated a credible candidate, Mr Bola Oroko, as flag bearer  in the  governorship election, adding that he would transform the state.
The chairman  also said that  the party was committed to a  free and fair election devoid of violence, adding
that the party was determined to promote  mechanised farming as well as  put in place  cottage industries to create jobs for unemployed graduates.
According to him, the party will introduce free education from primary to secondary school level   while agriculture will be made compulsory in the school curriculum.
FCT

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has reiterated the Federal
Government‘s commitment to the security of lives and property of Nigerians, in spite of the security challenges.
National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr Olisa Metuh, said this when the Forum of PDP Zonal Publicity Secretaries paid him a visit in Abuja.
Metuh, while reacting to the spate of insurgency in the country and the abduction of the Chibok School girls, said that the PDP was saddened by the development.
He added that though Nigerians might be expecting more from the PDP as the ruling party but  the party was a better alternative for Nigerians.

Gombe

Funakaye Local Government Council in Gombe State has spent
N100 million on the execution of projects in the area.
The Chairman of the council, Alhaji Usman Ribadu, who disclosed this in an interview last Tuesday in Gombe said the projects were provided in all the 10 wards of the area based on the development needs of each ward.
He recalled that Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo had undertaken a constituency tour of all the local government areas of the state where each ward presented its development needs to him.
Ribadu said that it was based on those presentations that the projects were allocated for each of the 206 polling units in the state.
The chairman said the projects comprised of culverts, wells, bore holes, maintenance of health facilities, rehabilitation of veterinary clinics and educational facilities.

Katsina

No fewer than 28,386 people have so far registered for various
mass literacy programmes in Katsina State.
The Acting Executive Director of the state Agency for Mass Education, Alhaji Ahmad Doki, said on Tuesday in Katsina, that the programmes include: Basic and Post Literacy Classes, Integration of Quranic Education, Literacy by Radio, Women Vocational Class and Continuing Education.
He said that the agency had engaged 1,500 facilitators for all the programmes while the state government has spent N50 million on the payment of allowances of the facilitators.
Doki said that each of the 34 local government areas had at least one centre established in rural areas to reach the targeted people.

Kebbi
The Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of  Zone
10, Mr Bala Hassan has warned police personnel in the zone against extra judicial killings.
Hassan gave the warning last Tuesday in Birnin Kebbi while addressing officers and men of Kebbi Police Command.
He commended the Kebbi command of the police for the low crime rate in the state and urged the personnel to sustain the trend.
In a remark, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Benjamin Onwuka, said that the 4,425 policemen currently serving in the state were inadequate for effective policing.
Kwara
The Kwara State Government says it will  need about
N70 billion for the provision of adequate road infrastructure in the state in the next three years.
Dr Amuda Kannike, the state Commissioner for Works and Transport, said this last Tuesday in Ilorin while briefing newsmen on government’s  N23 billion bond.
The forum was  convened to explain  why the administration and the one preceding it took  N17 billion bond  in 2009, N10 billion bond  in 2012 and another N23 billion bond  in 2014.
Also present at the briefing were the state Commissioner for Finance, Alhaji Ademola Bannu, and Mr Yomi Ogunsola, the Senior special Assistant  on Investment Promotions and Strategy to the Governor.
Others present  were the Senior Special Assistant  on Media to the Governor, Dr Muyideen Akorede,  and the Chief  Press Secretary to the Governor, Alhaji Abdulwahab Oba.

Lagos

Some politicians  in Lagos  State have expressed their
support for a new revenue sharing formula proposed by the National Conference Committee on Devolution of  Powers.
The committee had on May 5 proposed that 42.5 per cent of the revenue should be allocated to the Federal Government, 35.0 per cent to states and 22.5 per cent to local governments.
Presently, the Federal Government gets 52.68 per cent, the states get 26.7 per cent and 20.60 per cent goes to local governments.
The Chairman, Lagos State Chapter of African Democratic Congress (ADC), Mr Nkem Lemchi, said that the proposed revenue sharing formula was one that could promote grassroots development.
Malam Auwal Rafsanjani, the Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Center (CISLAC), an NGO, said the proposal would reduce over concentration of resources at the centre.
Nasarawa

Governor  Umaru Al-Makura of Nasarawa State has
been called upon to offer more political positions to the Yoruba community and other non-indigenes with considerable amount of residence in the state.
Leader of the group, Mr Bola Oduleye, made the request last Tuesday in Lafia when he led his members on a courtesy called on Mr Ezedinma Nonso, Special Adviser to the Governor on National Integration.
Oduleye said that offering more political positions to non-indigenes would boost their confidence and offer political appointees the opportunity to contribute to socio-economic development of the state.
He commended the governor for appointing two non-indigenes into his administration, saying like Oliver Twist, they would want him to do more.

L-R:Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Political and Legislative Powers Bureau, Mr Folami Muslim, Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr Wale Ahmed, Deputy Governor, Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, Secretary to the State Government, Dr OlurantiAdebule and General Manager, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (Lasema), Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, at the 2nd Lagos Emergency and Disaster Preparedness Summit in Lagos, recently.

L-R:Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Political and Legislative Powers Bureau, Mr Folami Muslim, Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr Wale Ahmed, Deputy Governor, Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, Secretary to the State Government, Dr OlurantiAdebule and General Manager, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (Lasema), Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, at the 2nd Lagos Emergency and Disaster Preparedness Summit in Lagos, recently.

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REAN, SON synergise to curb fake renewable energy product

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4 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

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4 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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4 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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