Nation

THE STATES

Published

13 years ago

February 13, 2013

FCT

Minister of Youth Development, Inuwa Abdul-Kadir has called for value orientation and reorientation for Nigerians.

Abdul-Kadir who made the call in Abuja said Nigerians below the age of 18 years should go for orientation, while those between the ages of 18 years and 35 years should go for reorientation as they fell within the definition of youth as stipulated in the National Youth Policy.

He said lack of orientation had made people not to obey laws because they did not value the laws.

Abdul-Kadir noted that the impunity with which Nigerians violated the law was not an exclusive preserve of public officials and that the trend had become a general societal problem that could only be addressed by looking inward and telling ourselves the truth.

Gombe

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Gombe State chapter, has condemned the killing of nine women on polio immunisation duty in Kano on Friday.

The Chairman of the association, Dr Jauro Degri, while briefing newsmen in Gombe, described the development as unfortunate considering the efforts made by various stakeholders in the country to eradicate the polio disease.

The chairman said that such attacks were capable of undermining the efforts by stakeholders toward the eradication of polio in the country.

Degri called for more measures aimed at protecting health workers and those involved in delivering healthcare services in the country.

He also urged Nigerians to support the National Health Bill, currently at the National Assembly saying, when passed it would go a long way in improving healthcare delivery to Nigerians.

Kaduna

Governor Muktar Yero of Kaduna State has said the government had provided N1 billion to empower youths under the Subsidy Re-investment Programme (SURE-P).

Speaking in Zaria at the inauguration of new executive members of National Youth Council of Nigeria, Zaria branch, Yero, who was represented by the Chief of Staff, Alhaji Yahaya Aminu, said the amount was meant to enable the youth in the state to get something doing.

The governor said the programme would train the youth on different trades, establish places of work and provide them with take-off grants, and urged youths to always promote peace in whatever they did to sustain the prevailing peace in the state.

Kano

Governor Rabi’u Kwankwaso of Kano State has condemned the killing of nine polio workers in Kano.

Kwankwaso, who made the condemnation in a special broadcast, described the attack as shocking.

The governor condoled the state and the families of the victims and prayed for the souls of the deceased, assured the people that “government will not relent in its efforts to treat diseases such as HIV/AIDS, polio and malaria throughout the state’’.

He added that the administration would provide more educational and job opportunities to the teeming youths in the state.

Gunmen attacked some polio immunisation centres in Kano on Friday and in the process, killed nine female workers.

Kwara

The wife of Kwara governor, Mrs Omolewa Ahmed, has called on parents and guardians to give more attention to the education of their children and wards to secure their tomorrow.

Ahmed, who made the call in Ilorin in an interview, described education as a veritable tool for building a virile nation, advised parents to give their children home training.

She said that home training was the basic requirement needed “to turn around the future of the child and society for good.’’

“There is need for parents to redouble their efforts in giving quality education and home training to their wards in order to make them useful to themselves and the society at large. “The future of our children lies in how much love and concern we have for them and that behooves on us to discharge our responsibilities as expected,’’ she said.

Lagos

The Canadian International Trade Minister, Mr Edward Fast on Saturday called for the strengthening and growth of Canada-Nigeria relations in the area of education.

Fast who made the remark when he visited the International Learning Network (ILN) in Lekki, Lagos State, said that he would also hold discussions on other fundamental areas that would benefit both countries.

“I think most of you know that Canada has perhaps the highest quality and level of education in the world”. “I just want to say to all of you students and to your parents whoever you may be, you will feel at home in Canada and welcomed,” he added.

Ogun

The Ogun State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mr Bimbo Ashiru, says the current suspension on dredging activities in the state continues until operators comply with laid down regulations.

Ashiru stated this in Abeokuta at a meeting with members of the Sand Dredgers Association in the state.

The commissioner insisted that nobody could carry out dredging activities in the state until he had obtained necessary permit and approval from the state government.

Ashiru explained that anyone who intended to dredge in the state must seek and obtain an approval from his ministry.

Oyo

Former Minister of Sports, Prof. Taoheed Adedoja, has told PDP members in Oyo State to be more committed to building the party.

Adedoja said in Ibadan that there was nothing more important than for members to do everything possible to make the party stronger.

He said the party had achieved remarkable progress in bringing everybody together in the state.

Speaking on speculations of his governorship aspiration, Adedoja said he was currently concerned with the welfare of members and less concerned about contesting an election.

Plateau

No fewer than 5,000 ghost workers are in Plateau civil service, Mr Yakubu Jang, the Special Adviser, Special Duties, to Plateau governor, has said.

Jang, who is chairman of the Biometric Data Capture Committee, authenticating the state’s 21,000 workers, made this known in an interview in Jos.

He said that 11,176 workers had so far been cleared and certified as authentic, adding that only those cleared would be paid the January salaries.

“We have set up an appeal panel to determine their cases. So at the end of the day, we may end up with about 16,000 workers. There is practically nothing about the other 5,000 “employees’’.

Sokoto

Commissioner of Police, Sokoto State, Alhaji Shua’bu Gambo, has called on officers and men of the command to be polite while dealing with members of the general public.

Gambo gave the advice in an interview in Sokoto .Gambo said that officers and men of the command had been taught, practically, on how to demonstrate courtesy while discharging their primary responsibility.

The police boss explained that, plain clothes security personnel had been deployed on foot patrols across the state to gather intelligence reports to boost the security situation in the state.

He also called on the people to avail police with useful information; about people of questionable movement to sustain the peaceful atmosphere the state was known.

Yobe

The police in Yobe confirmed the killing of three Korean health workers in Potiskum by unknown persons.

The Commissioner for Police in the state, Alhaji Sanusi Rufai, said in Damaturu that the health workers were killed in the early hours of Sunday.

Rufai said that the workers, three men and one woman were posted to the Potiskum General Hospital.

Sanusi explained that investigations had commenced to unveil those behind the murder of the expatriates.

In its reaction, the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) in the state condemned the killing of the Korean health workers.

Zamfara

A Magistrates’ Court in Gusau, Zamfara, has remanded two men in prison custody over alleged theft of 17 cows.

The accused, Muhammad Muhammad, 30, of Bakinwa village in Wanke near Gusau, and Umar Mareri, 30, of Mareri Area of Gusau, are facing a three-count charge of brigandage, conspiracy and theft.

The prosecutor, Sgt. Daniel Longwan, told the court that the three conspired on October 5, 2012, invaded and stole the herds of cattle belonging to one Yahya Mustapha of Kanwuri area of Gusau.

Longwan said that the accused persons stole the 17 cows, whose value was yet to be ascertained and disappeared, but were arrested by the police two days after the incident.

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.