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THE STATES

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12 years ago

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FCT
The National Insurance Commission (NAICOM)
has  promised to invest more funds in other projects to be embarked upon by the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) in 2015.
The Chairman, Finance and Appropriation of the commission,  Mr Bashir Birni-Gwari, made the disclosure in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.
Our correspondent reports that NAICOM funded ABU’s N93 billion Digital Centre Project which took about six months to complete.
Birni-Gwari said the commission also had ongoing projects in about 11 other universities.
He commended the efforts of the ABU management in the effective execution of the digital centre project.
“Money has been appropriated in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between NAICOM and ABU.

Katsina
The Katsina State Immigration Command says it
has arrested 10 suspected victims of human trafficking and the trafficker at the Kongolam border in the state.
The Comptroller of Immigration in the state, Mr Emmanuel Ogbumuo, made the disclosure on Tuesday in Katsina while briefing newsmen.
Ogbumuo said that the victims were arrested in a bus with Registration No. XC 997 APP.
“Our eagle-eyed patrol officers arrested them at about 5 a.m. at the Kongolam border in Katsina State.”
He said all the suspected victims and the trafficker were found lying or sitting on the floor of the vehicle as it had no seat.
He gave the name of the trafficker as Mohammed Usman, who was arrested while conveying his victims to Niger Republic.

Lagos
The National Emergency Agency (NEMA) has con
firmed five persons dead in an accident involving four vehicles at Igando area of Lagos State in the early hours of Tuesday.
Our correspondent reports that the accident involved three trucks loaded with alcoholic drinks and a Honda salon car.
The accident occurred near the Igando General Hospital in Alimosho local government area of the state.
The Spokesman of NEMA, Mr Ibrahim Farinloye,  who confirmed the accident, told newsmen that the corpses have been deposited at the morgue of the hospital.
He said that the victims, who were all male, were burnt beyond recognition.

Nasarrawa
A former Attorney-General and Commissioner for
Justice in Nasarawa, Mr Innocent Lagi, has declared his intention to contest for the state’s governorship seat in 2015.
Lagi, who made the declaration in Wamba Local Government area of the state, said that he was contesting on the platform of the Labour Party.
He told journalists that he had informed the national headquarters of the party of his intention.
The former attorney-general said that his aspiration was borne out of the desire to facilitate the development of the state.
He dispelled insinuations that he was being used as a mole by other aspirants for the governorship seat.
Ogun
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has urged Ni
gerian youths to be God-fearing and to develop good characters and values to enable them succeed as future leaders.
Obasanjo made the appeal at the First Green Legacy Moments With Chief Olusegun Obasanjo On Leadership and Human Security In Africa.
The programme was organised by the Centre For Human Security (CHS), an arm of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), in collaboration with the University of Ibadan and the Green Legacy Resort.
The former president said the fear of God, good character, values and the ability to impact on lives and the society were marks of successful life.
According to him, the totality of a man’s character determines who he or she is and also influences his or her reputation.
“Character influences your reputation and your reputation determines your altitude,” he added.

Osun
A senior lecturer at the Department of  African
Languages, Obafemi Awolowo  University, Ile-Ife, Osun, Dr Biodun Ogunwale has described youths as indispensable change agents.
Ogunwale said this in an interview with newsmen at Ede, Osun State.
He said the only way a nation could grow without hindrance was to breed and have productive youths.
“The youth, who is vibrant, is always in a better position to make a change. That is where the question of culture and values come to play.
“There is no way the young minds will be productive without instilling a clear-cut culture and values that will guide them.
“A good value system in a cultured environment brings about reliable, productive and patriotic youths who are completely equipped to change their nation for the better.
Oyo
The immediate past Chairman, Nigeria Union of
Journalists (NUJ), Tribune Chapel, Mr Tunde Ogunesan, has joined the house of assembly race in Oyo State.
Ogunesan picked the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) nomination form to contest for the Saki East House of Assembly seat in 2015.
He told newsmen in Ibadan that his entrance into politics was a call to serve his people.
Ogunesan, who hails from Sepeteri in Saki-East council area, was a Senior Reporter with African Newspapers of Nigeria Plc publishers of the Nigerian Tribune newspaper.
Plateau
The former Plateau House of Assembly Speaker,
has picked the All Progressives Congress (APC) nomination form for 2015 governorship poll.
Lalong, who paid N5.5 million for the nomination and express of interest forms at the party’s headquarters in Jos, said there was need for “urgent change’’ in the Plateau.
“Plateau must change its political leaders if we must move forward,’’ Lalong, a former member of the PDP, told newsmen shortly after he picked the form.
He said he had prayed and fasted before making up his mind to contest, and declared that he was in the best position to bring “sanity’’ to the state because of his experience.
The ex-speaker, however, expressed the optimism that he would clinch the APC ticket.

Sokoto
The  Chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association in
Sokoto State, Mr Steven Nwoke, says it is morally wrong for the police to withdraw security personel attached to Speaker Aminu Tambuwal.
Nwoke told newsmen in Sokoto that the Speaker’s defection to the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC)  did not warrant such an action by the  police.
He said that the police should have waited  for the members of the House of Representatives to impeach the speaker before the withdrawal of his security details.
He advised  the police to, as matter of urgency, restore the speaker’s security details for peace and political stability in the country.
Zamfara
The Zamfara chapter of the All Progressives Con
gress (APC) says it will not conduct primary elections, following a consensus among the aspirants for various positions of the party.
The state Publicity Secretary of the party, Alhaji Sani Gwamna, announced this to newsmen in Gusau.
Gwamna said the party’s Reconciliation Committee in the state, headed by Governor Abdul’aziz Yari, had succeeded in reconciling the aspirants vying for all the positions, from governorship to the state House of Assembly.
He said that the success was due to the cooperation and maturity shown by the aspirants.
He said it was “an indication of success of the party towards 2015 general elections”.
“Even before setting up the reconciliation committee, our members were united and always worked together; we therefore expect such cooperation and understanding from them in all elections.”

A Youth Leader, Mosunmola Umoru (left), presenting an award to Vice President Namadi Sambo, at the 2014 International Youth Day Celebration in Abuja, recently.

A Youth Leader, Mosunmola Umoru (left), presenting an award to Vice President Namadi Sambo, at the 2014 International Youth Day Celebration in Abuja, recently.

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REAN, SON synergise to curb fake renewable energy product

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1 month 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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1 month 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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1 month 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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