Nation

THE STATES

Published

12 years ago

July 1, 2014

Bauchi

Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State, is yet to declare
his desire to contest the presidency or a senate seat, his spokesman, Malam Danlami Takko, has said.
He said in Bauchi that it had become necessary to clear the air to prevent some people from using the people of the state to heat up the polity.
He said though Yuguda had the leadership qualities to contest for any of the posts, he had never declared his intent to do so.
“Judging by his background, the governor is capable and eligible to contest for the presidency or the senatorial seat come 2015 if he so decides,” he said.

FCT

The National Council on Science and Technology
(NCST), has called on Sheda Science and Technology Complex (SHESTCO) to work with Federal Ministry of Science and Technology (FMST) on projects to accelerate national development.
This is contained in a report of its 12th council meeting made available to journalists on Wednesday at the ongoing 13th Council Meeting in Minna.
SHESTCO should work with the ministry and other stakeholders to regenerate its rice, wheat and cassava projects.
The report stated that the council had proposed the establishment of the Nigerian equivalent of the U.S. Silicon Valley to be called SHESTCO Silicon Valley adding that in pursuit of the goal, the ministry hosted a team of UNESCO officials to partner with it to prepare the feasibility studies for the project.
Kaduna

The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) says it
is committed to the training of Nigerian youths under the National Open Apprenticeship Training (NOAT) programme.
The Kaduna State NDE Coordinator, Alhaji Isa Tandama, said in Kaduna on Thursday that this was in line with its mandate to create avenues for job creation for unemployed youths.
He said that the programme was part its Vocational Skills Development (VSD) programme which became necessary as the nation’s educational system did not favour technical education.
Tandama said the training was another platform to enhance economic development and empowerment initiative and that the directorate identified this and introduced the scheme from inception to empower youths.

Katsina

Governor Ibrahim Shema of Katsina State has urged
institutions, communities and individuals to support the government in protecting the environment.
Shema made the call at the inauguration of the Funtua Zonal Forestry Office and tree nursery in Mairuwa Village in Faskari local government area of the state, last Thursday.
Rrepresented by the District Head of Funtua, Alhaji Sambo Idris, he said government needed maximum support from the public, considering its huge investment in annual tree planting.
Kwara

Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara last Wednes
day described the victory of the Governor-Elect of Ekiti, Mr Ayodele Fayose, as a positive development.
Ahmed, who said this last Wednesday in a congratulatory message to the governor-elect, noted that the June 21 election was an indication that democracy was on course.
He said the fact that the election went peacefully and an incumbent was defeated showed that Nigerians cherished democracy, especially when the atmosphere was conducive.
The governor urged the political class to imbibe an enduring lesson from the Ekiti experience that elections could be conducted devoid of hooliganism.
Ahmed also commended the All Progressives Congress candidate, Governor Kayode Fayemi, for his gallantry in defeat and political maturity in accepting the wish of Ekiti people.
Nasarawa

The Nasarawa State Universal Basic Education Board
(SUBEB) last Thursday blamed the deplorable state of infrastructure in public schools on years of neglect of the education sector in the state.
The Executive Chairman of the board, Mallam Abdulkarim Abdullahi, stated this during the board’s assessment visit to one of the public primary schools in Agyaragu Tofa, Lafia Local Government Area of the state.
He said that the neglect of the education sector in the state was responsible for the high level of infrastructure decay in the public schools across the state.
“Gov. Tanko Al-Makura is doing his best to improve on the standard of education in the state through the building of new schools and the renovation of the existing ones to meet with international standard. “The schools are now wearing a new look and equipped with facilities by the present administration under the leadership of Gov.Al-Makura,”he said.
Osun

The Speaker of Osun State House of Assembly, Mr
Najeem Salaam, last Thursday commended Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State for displaying the spirit of sportsmanship by accepting the outcome of the June 21 governorship election.
Salaam who gave the commendation at the assembly‘s plenary in Osogbo said Fayemi’s display of maturity had guaranteed a place for him in the future of Ekiti and Nigerian politics.
“It is only the progressives, particularly the APC, that can produce such a fine, disciplined and compassionate mind to admit defeat gallantly in an election Gov. Fayemi’s action has guaranteed a place for him in the future of Ekiti, Yoruba and even Nigerian politics,” he said.
The speaker said the Ekiti people would continue to appreciate Fayemi’s positive contributions to the state.

Oyo

Chairman, Bodija Corn Millers Association, Bodija Mar
ket, Ibadan, Mr Wasiu Atanda, has called on Oyo State Government to establish a fire service station inside the market.
Atanda, who made the call in an interview in Ibadan following the gutting by fire of some shops in the market last Tuesday, said shop owners lost property worth about N23 million in the incident.
The chairman said there was the need for a fire service station within the market to ensure rapid and early intervention of the men of the service during emergency.
“There is a land at a place called Kara within the market where a fire station can be built for the benefit of traders and, even, the people living around the community,’’ he said.
The fire, which started around 4.30 a.m, destroyed shops belonging to the millers, hairdressers, fashion designers and hot drink sellers.
Plateau

The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has kicked
against taxing of churches as proposed by the National Conference Committee on Religion.
The religious body made its position known in Jos at a press conference by the National Vice Chairman of PFN, Rev. Yakubu Pam, shortly after its North-Central zonal meeting.
Pam said that the PFN noted with concern the reported recommendation of the committee on religion that taxes be imposed on religious institutions.
According to the national vice chairman, the meeting deliberated on several issues affecting the nation and advised the politicians to be circumspect in their utterances and conduct while politicking.
Pam, who decried the plight of Nigerians in northern Nigeria, particularly Christians, however called on Nigerians irrespective of their religion or tribe to unite and defeat the enemy.

Sokoto

The Sokoto State Government last Wednesday, ap
proved a contract for the supply of medical equipment and furniture worth more than N216 million for the Wamakko Orthopaedic Hospital.
The Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Danladi Bako, who disclosed this in Sokoto, while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the weekly state executive council meeting said that state of the art equipment would be installed at the hospital to ensure smooth operations.
Bako said that the government would continue to accord priority to the development of the health sector through the provision of basic working facilities, to manage its health institutions.
Yobe

The Yobe State Government says it would remain fo
cused on institutional reforms to strengthen good governance in the state.
Special Adviser to the state governor on Media, Alhaji Abdullahi Bego, in Damaturu, that the government embraced the reforms in spite of security challenges faced by the state.
Bego said the state government had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for State Partnership, Accountability, Responsiveness and Capability (SPARC) on June 21 with the United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID).
He said the state government under the platform of Yobe State Socio Economic Reform Agenda (YOSERA) convened a summit to provide input to facilitate speedy socio-economic transformation of the state.
The special adviser said the reforms had translated in promoting service delivery, accountability, transparency and good governance.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo (right)with the son of late Alhaji Azeez Arisekola Alao, Alhaji Yisa Arisekola Alao, during his visit to the family in Ibadan, last Saturday. Photo: NAN

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.