Nation

THE STATES

Published

13 years ago

April 5, 2013

Adamawa

The Adamawa Government last Tuesday distributed 31 motorcycles to district and village heads to monitor ongoing government projects in their areas.

Speaking at the occasion, the Project Manager of Local Apprenticeship Scheme, Alhaji Sani Jada, said the distribution of motorcycles was aimed at encouraging village heads to monitor government projects in their respective areas.

He said: “I wish to state that the motorcycles are meant for the supervision of Local Apprenticeship Scheme training activities and other government projects in your respective districts.’’

He warned against the use of the motorcycles for other purpose, adding that government would not hesitate to retrieve them and assign them to more serious person.

Bauchi

Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State has appealed to religious, traditional and political leaders in Northern Nigeria to take urgent steps to re-build the region currently being ravaged by insurgency.

He made the appeal when he met with former President, Court of Appeal, retired Justice Mamman Nasir, in Bauchi, Tuesday.

According to him, the leaders have the responsibility to restore lasting peace by identifying the main causes of the insurgence that has devastated the development of the entire region. Earlier, Nasir said the religious, traditional and political leaders had been disturbed by the lingering crises that had assumed communal and ethno-religious dimensions.

Borno

Gunmen last Sunday shot dead Malam Murtala Mohammed, a lecturer at the Mass Communication Department of the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) at his residence in Maiduguri.

According to Eyewitnesses Mohammed was shot at his 202 Housing Estate, opposite the university campus.

Also speaking, Malam Yusuf Ibrahim, a neighbour of the deceased, said the victim appeared to have been trailed by his killers from the university campus before coming to his house. Ibrahim also said the killers fled immediately after shooting the deceased severally at close range.

FCT

Malam Mohammed Garba, the President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, was on Sunday elected the new President of the Federation of African Journalists (FAJ).

According to a release in Abuja on Monday signed by Mr Joseph Mutah, the Press Secretary to the Minister of Information the election took place at the third Congress of the Federation, which ended in Casablanca, Morocco, on Sunday.

“Garba had earlier been elected into the nine-member Steering Committee of the continental body, which unanimously elected him to lead the group for the next three years,’’ it said.

The statement said Mrs Louisa Rogerio from Angola was elected the Vice President, while Mr Stanislas Nkundiye from the Democratic Republic of Congo bagged the post of Treasurer. It said that 73 delegates from 28 countries voted during the election.

Kaduna

The National Youth Leader of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Mr Obadia Haruna, has blamed “intruders bent on disintegrating Nigeria” for the worsening security situation in some parts of the North.

Haruna made the observation on Tuesday in Kaduna at a unity forum organised by an NGO, Peace Revival and Reconciliation Foundation of Nigeria.

The CAN youth leader observed that the current violence and insecurity in the region had caused major set backs to the social and economic growth of the nation. The leader of the NGO, Pastor Yohana Buru, said the gathering was meant to bring together Muslims and Christians in the divided city to promote unity, love and understanding.

Kano

Local farmers in most parts of Kano State have started clearing their farms in readiness for this year’s planting season.

Farmers in Rimin Gado, Gwarzo and Kabo local government areas of the state, had commenced the clearing exercise about two weeks ago.

Investigation showed that some of the farmers who had completed the clearing of their farms had since been bringing local manure to their farms.

Farmers who travelled to some parts of the country in search of greener pastures during the dry season (popularly known as Ci Rani) had also started returning home.

Katsina

No fewer than 900 victims of last year’s flood disaster in Sandamu Local Government Area of Katsina State have shared N11.3 million as assistance by the Federal Government.

The Special Adviser to the state governor on Community Development Alhaji Abubakar Yusuf, stated this while distributing the donation to the victims in Sandamu, Tuesday.

Yusuf said the amount was part of the N300 million released to the state by the federal government to assist last year’s flood victims in addressing some of their problems.

The Caretaker Chairman of Sandamu local council, Alhaji Sani Sabo, said the victims had earlier received relief materials from the state and local governments, as well as Non Governmental Organisations and philanthropists.

Kogi

Victims of the 2012 flood disaster in Kogi have rejected the offer of N3, 000 compensation from the state government, describing the gesture as inadequate.

The flood, which affected nine local government areas of the state, destroyed more than 500 houses and rendered15,00 residents homeless.

Some of the victims said that they were paid N3, 000 compensation on Thursday by a team of government officials at LGEA Primary School at Gadumo, Lokoja.

Among the victims were Mr Zacheus Momorebe, Mr James Oguche, Mr Suleiman Ogidi and Mr Olaitan Ayorinde, who claimed to be landlords.

Kwara

The Catholic Bishop of Ilorin Diocese, the Most Rev. Ayo-Maria Atoyebi, has urged the three tiers of government to do more for the citizenry to ensure their well-being.

Atoyebi who made the appeal in an interview on Monday in Ilorin urged governments at all levels to embark on people-oriented programmes.

“Most of the political manifestoes and electioneering promises remain unfulfilled and many projects unimplemented. “Government exists for the welfare of the people, and as such, they are to cater for their common good and lift them up socially,’’ he said.He advised the political class to be honest and desist from acts capable of causing division among the people.

Ogun

Members of the various PDP factions in Ogun last Monday, held a closed-door reconciliatory meeting at the hilltop residence of former Olusegun Obasanjo.

Those who attended the four-hour meeting were Chief Segun Oni, a former PDP National Vice-Chairman, South-West, Sen Jubril Martins Kuye, a former Minister of State for Finance and Chief Sarafa Ishola, a former Minister for Mines and Steel Development.

Kuye told newsmen that the development was part of the moves to reposition the party ahead of the 2015 General Elections and that the intra-party crises had caused a lot of setbacks to the party in the state,

He said that it was necessary for elders of the party to come together and “mend broken fences”, to move the party forward.

Oyo

The Oyo State government said on Monday that its urban renewal programmes were geared toward safeguarding and empowering the people.

The Commissioner for Trade, Investment and Cooperatives, Mr Adebayo Olagbenro, said in an interview in Ibadan that to ease the hardship of the traders, the government had put in place temporary and permanent palliatives to further boost socio-economic development

He said that ownership of shops in the new complexes was not too rigid as they had been constructed on a Public Private Partnership (PPP) flexible payment module, for different business categories.

‘’We are poised towards aiding business development at all levels and not killing businesses as some people wrongly want to believe,” the commissioner said and called for patience on the part of the citizenry, saying that the ongoing restructuring in the state would be beneficial to all.

Plateau

The University of Jos will graduate 7,946 students, including nine in first class division, at its 26th convocation on Saturday April 6.

The university’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Hayward Mafuyai, who made this known when he briefed newsmen on Tuesday, said 613 students graduated with second class upper degrees.

“Out of the total number of grandaunts, 50 will be awarded doctorate degrees, 491 will receive master’s degrees, 67 will have postgraduate diplomas.

Mafuyai said that the university had made landmark achievements in the academic year, adding that one of the major achievements was that it became an ICT-driven institution.

Yobe

Water and sanitation projects are to be commissioned in 256 communities in Yobe under the 10th European Union Development Fund (EDF.

The General Manager of Yobe Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, Malam Mohammed Bukar, who disclosed this in Damaturu said that 256 rural communities would be provided with water and sanitation facilities under the 10th EDF intervention.

The manager said that under the programme, European Union will provide 70 per cent of the funds, Yobe government 18 per cent, while local governments of the communities would provide 12 per cent.

Bukar said that the programme would promote clean water supply and storage, household cleanliness and the culture of hand washing among women and children.

Zamfara

Vice President Namadi Sambo says the Federal Government will establish 100 “Almajiri” Special Schools across the nation as part of its efforts to prevent street begging.

He stated this in Gusau, Zamfara , on Sunday at the end of the week long National Qur’an Recitation Competition.

According to Sambo, the schools when fully established, will promote both Islamic and western education among school-aged children who are now roaming the streets.

He stated that although the schools would be built across the country, a larger number would be established in the northern part of the country.

Nation

REAN, SON synergise to curb fake renewable energy product

Published

22 hours 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

22 hours 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

22 hours 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.