Unstable power supply in the country is sometimes caused by deliberate vandalism – Minister

Goddy Agba, minister of state for power, has said that the unstable power supply recorded in the country is sometimes caused by deliberate vandalism and not necessarily a grid collapse.

Agba made the claim during the investigative hearing of the house of representatives committee on power in Abuja on Thursday October 20.

The Minister also noted that some of the blackouts came from a trade union matter in the power supply structure.

He said; “In September, there was a blackout nationwide for a short while and some youths were seen on social media switching off the system.

“That was not a system collapse. That was deliberate vandalism. In fact, it was sabotage.

“How can young men go and switch off the light, thereby putting the nation in blackout just because of some grudges.”

Sule Abdul’aziz, managing director, Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) who also spoke at the hearing, said total system disturbances declined between 2017 and 2021.

He added that there’s been significant and sustained improvement in grid stability with every passing year.

Joy Ogaji, Executive Secretary of the Association of Power Generation Companies, on her own part blamed the unstable power supply in the country on obsolete infrastructure and excessive volatile load.

Ogaji revealed that some of the equipments used in the Nigerian power sector are over 25 years old.

She added;

“The instability and unavailability of most transmission lines are other problems.” Ogaji further revealed that the improvement recorded in power supply is because generation companies’ machines are now being used to manage the grid, contrary to the grid code provision.

She concluded by revealing that 97 percent of the time, the grid was on high frequencies.

The Federal Government says N3.36tn has been allocated for fuel subsidy in 2023 as Nigeria’s debt profile hits $102bn

The federal government says N3.36 trillion has been allocated for fuel subsidy in the first half of 2023.

Zainab Ahmed, minister of finance, made this known on Wednesday, October 19, in Abuja.

Ahmed said the 2023 budget proposal has a deficit of N10.78 trillion. She said the deficit will be funded through domestic and multilateral borrowings and proceeds from privatisation.

According to her, of Nigeria’s $102bn debt, 35% is foreign and 65% is domestic, adding that the current public debt is at 23% of the country’s gross domestic product.

The minister also said the 2023 budget also factored in 17.16% inflation. According to her, the draft 2023 budget has been prepared on the background of international challenges such as the Russia-Ukraine war and COVID-19 pandemic, adding that revenue generation has been a major challenge to national development in the country.

On allocations for critical sectors, Ahmed said the sum of N2.05 triliion was allocated to education and N1.58 trillion for health. She added that N2.74 trillion was earmarked for defense and security, infrastructure got N998.9 billion, while social development and poverty reduction has N756 billion.

Meanwhile, Ahmed had said the federal government will halt spending on petrol subsidy in June 2023.

Ghana deports 16 Nigerians for engaging in online fraud

16 Nigerians have been deported from Ghana for allegedly committing cybercrimes there.

Dr Chukwu Emeka, the Controller of Seme Command of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) disclosed this on Friday October 14.

Speaking at a news conference in Seme, Lagos State, Emeka said the deportees are young Nigerians who claimed that they were deceived or intentionally went out of the country in search of greener pastures.

He said;

“Ghana’s Financial and Intelligence Agency accused them of cybercrime but from our preliminary investigation, we discovered that some of them were lured into these criminal activities due to the get-rich syndrome our youths are developing.

“Some of them are victims because they were deceived that they can make money if they leave Nigeria. Unfortunately, they don’t get the actual thing they bargained for in Ghana.

“Further investigation also showed that most of them left the country through illegal routes or through the sea to other West African countries.”

Urging Nigerians to always travel with valid documents and also live and do their businesses according to the law of the land they had travelled to, Emeka added that it is shameful to see young Nigerians getting involved in some unholy activities when they were supposed to be building their talents for their future.

“I pray Nigeria never happens to you” – Man mourns his brother killed by bandits

A Nigerian man, Victor Olapade Idowu has taken to Facebook to mourn his brother who was killed by suspected bandits.

According to Idowu, bandits killed his brother and abducted the deceased’s little daughter on October 4, 2022.

Idowu said the abductors demanded ransom before releasing his niece.

“To those of you still praying and clamouring for One Nigeria, I pray may Nigeria never happen to you!,” he wrote. “It was so unfortunate that bandits killed my own blood Brother on the 4th of October, 2022. kidnapped his daughter and demands for ransom before they could released his daughter last two days. “I will never say more than this, but I pray and I cursed whomever that thrown stone of sorrowness into my family, may that persons/group of people never know peace in Jesus name.

“We laid my blooda to rest today October 11th, 2022 in Bukuru, Jos. May your gentle soul continue to rest in peace. God Almighty will uphold my family.”

Nigerian sprinter, Tobi Amusan nominated for Women’s World Athlete award

Nigerian sprinter and World Champion, Tobi Amusan, has been nominated for 2022 Women’s World Athlete of the Year.

The 25-year-old, who is the current world’s record holder for 100m hurdles, made the list alongside nine others.

The World Athletics (WA) said on Wednesday that the list was compiled by an international panel of athletics experts, comprising representatives from all six continental areas.

Other contenders for the prize are the Jamaican duo of Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Shericka Jackson, Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon, Chase Ealey of the US, and Yulimar Rojas of Venezuela.

Others include Shaunae Miller-Uibo of the Bahamas, Sydney McLaughlin of the US, Ukraine’s Yaroslava Mahuchikh, and Kimberly Garcia of Peru.

WA said the five finalists will be determined by “a three-way voting process.” Votes from fans on social media and the federation’s ” family” each hold 25 percent of the result.

The remaining 50 percent count of the vote goes to the World Athletics council.

The voting will close on October 31 while the winner of the grand prize will be revealed in December.

“The World Athletics Council and the World Athletics Family will cast their votes by email, while fans can vote online via the World Athletics social media platforms.

Individual graphics for each nominee will be posted on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube this week; a ‘like’ on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube or a retweet on Twitter will count as one vote,” WA wrote.

“The World Athletics Council’s vote will count for 50% of the result, while the World Athletics Family’s votes and the public votes will each count for 25% of the final result.

“Voting for the World Athletes of the Year closes at midnight on Monday 31 October. At the conclusion of the voting process, five women and five men finalists will be announced by World Athletics.

“The winners will be revealed on World Athletics’ social media platforms in early December.”

Billionaire businesswoman, Folorunsho Alakija shares story of Nigerian man who discouraged his daughter from studying engineering

Billionaire businesswoman, Apostle Folorunsho Alakija, has narrated a story of a Nigerian man who discouraged his daughter from studying engineering.

Mrs Alakija shared the story on Tuesday, October 11, 2022, while marking the International Day of the Girl Child, a day set aside to celebrate the girl-child all over the world.

The mother of four said she persuaded the man to allow his daughter to pursue her dream and today, the young lady is a successful engineer.

Nigeria’s Super Eagles drop in latest FIFA ranking

The Super Eagles of Nigeria have dropped in the latest FIFA rankings after a poor outing in September.

In the latest rankings released by the world football governing body, FIFA, on Thursday October 6, the Super Eagles have now dropped to 32 in the world for October.

The Super Eagles lost 6.23 points after two poor matches against Algeria during the last international break.

Nigeria, who lost one in Oran and drew the other game against the Desert Warriors home based team in Constantine.

The West Africans are now ranked 32nd in the world, but maintained the number four position in Africa.

Meanwhile, at the top of the ranking, five time champions Brazil remains the best football playing nation.

Brazil is top of the log after impressive outings against African giants, Ghana and Tunisia in September.

The Red Devils of Belgium remain second, with Brazil’s South American rivals, Argentina, in third position.

Former World Champions, France in fourth and England in fifth, complete the top five ranked nations.

Police Service Commission fires 7 senior officers, demote others

The Police Service Commission (PSC), has dismissed seven senior police officers over gross misconduct. The dismissal of the officers was announced during the continuation of the 15th plenary meeting of the Commission. The meeting, presided over by its acting chairman, Justice Clara Ogunbiyi, also approved the reduction in rank of ten other officers.

Addressing newsmen shortly after the meeting in Abuja, the spokesman of the commission, Ikechukwu Ani said, the dismissed officers include: 1 CSP, 1 SP and 5 ASPs.

He added that one SP was also retired in public interest. The Commission reduced the ranks of 1 CSP to SP, 3 SPs to DSP, and 2 DSPs to ASPs.

The Commission further reduced the ranks of 4 ASPs to Inspectors. Ani said 10 senior Police Officers, including an ACP, a CSP, a SP and 2 DSPs were given the punishment of Severe reprimand.

Five ASPs were also awarded the punishment of severe reprimand. He mentioned that 13 Officers received the punishment of reprimand; 2 are to receive letters of warning while 4 officers were exonerated.

Ani quoted Justice Ogunbiyi as saying the Commission would henceforth give the desired attention to Pending Disciplinary Matters so that those found guilty are punished immediately while those found not guilty are cleared to continue with their career progression.

Nigeria’s lost glory will be restored – Ooni of Ife

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has said that the lost glory of Ile-Ife and Nigeria at large would be restored soonest.

The traditional ruler gave the assurance at the grand finale of Olojo festival in Ile-Ife, on Monday, as he visited the family royal compound, Agbedegbede and some other notable areas.

Ogunwusi appreciated the Almighty God for sparing Nigeria, in spite of the challenges facing the nation and its people till date.

Noting that the Olojo festival would bring light and comfort to the people of Osun State, Nigeria and the entire continent after the celebration.

“Whenever we celebrate Olojo festival, all the prayers offered are speedily answered, for the Aare Crown that comes out once in a year is a symbol of peace and harmony.

“And it’s a point of contact to God Almighty towards resolving all issues in Nigeria, as the country gears up for the next general elections in 2023,” he said.

According to Ooni, this year’s festival would bring an end to the lingering strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities which has paralysed academic activities in the nation’s universities.

He assured that with his prayers, the next general elections would be free, fair and credible, saying that the celebration of Olojo festival would restore normalcy.

“By God’s Grace, we are coming back here next year to thank God and to testify to the power of God that everything is settled,” he added.

Lagos teenager stabs friend to death over food

A teenager, Daniel Akindele, has allegedly stabbed his friend, Ayo Bameke, to death during a fight over food at Abattoir Complex in the Agege area of Lagos State.

PUNCH Metro gathered that Akindele and Bameke, alongside other friends, usually visited the complex to play football.On the day of the incident, our correspondent learnt that the duo and their friends visited the complex as usual.

Bameke was said to have left his friends to buy food.He later returned to meet his friends at the complex and was said to be eating when Akindele, who was also hungry, requested to share in the food.

The request reportedly created an argument that degenerated into a scuffle between the two friends.

During the scuffle at the front of the Harmony Abattoir Management Services Limited, Bameke allegedly used a pair of scissors to injure Akindele.

A security guard with the company, Segun Ijaola, while speaking to our correspondent during a visit to the scene, said Akindele overpowered Bameke, collected the scissors, and stabbed him in the chest.

He said, “The teenagers were four in number and between the ages of 14 and 15 years. They are always together. Around 11am on that Saturday morning, they were in front of the Harmony Abattoir Management Services Limited.

One of our female workers was on her way out to get something at the slab when she saw one of the boys (Bameke) lying on the ground.

“While trying to ascertain what was wrong with the boy, she beckoned on the three friends to ask what happened.

In the process, she discovered that Bameke had been stabbed in the left side of his chest with a pair of maternity scissors.

Upon realising that Bameke was lying motionless on the ground, Akindele tried escaping but the woman apprehended him.

“While questioning him, Akindele started confessing. He said Bameke was the one that used scissors to cut his hand before he collected the scissors and used it to stab the left side of his chest.

Bameke was immediately rushed to Merit Hospital, Agege, by our company’s workers, but he was pronounced dead by the medical doctor. The corpse was taken to a mortuary.”

It was gathered that policemen attached to the Abattoir Police Station arrested the three friends, but during investigation, two of the suspects were released, while Akindele was detained.

During a visit to the station, an officer, who declined to give a progress report on the matter to our correspondent, said the case had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Yaba, for further investigation.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the incident.

Hundeyin said, “Akindele was arraigned before the Yaba Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, on September 13, 2022, on the charge of murder. The magistrate ordered the teenager’s remand thereafter.”

71-year-old Nigerian Anglican priest and his wife welcome triplets after years of waiting

Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi has visited a couple blessed with a set of triplets at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH) in Ado-Ekiti.

The babies are the first children of 71-year-old Venerable Hezekiah Akenroye, a retired Anglican Priest and his wife, Mrs Durodoluwa Akenroye (45) who were married in April 2016.

The babies were delivered through a cesarean section on Wednesday 21st September 2022, and weighed 2.3kg, 2.0kg and 1.8 kg.

Congratulating the couple, Erelu Fayemi who got a hint of the birth of the triplets through a viral news on social media platforms presented the babies with cash and material gifts and charged the couple to ensure they raise the children in the way of the Lord.

The first lady who made a detour to the hospital on her way to a social function today expressed happiness on the birth of the babies saying that it is an evidence that God answers prayers.

She congratulated the couple and used the medium to advise trying couples not to lose hope and keep believing in God.

The aged father of the babies, Venerable Akenroye who appreciated the first lady for her kind gesture, said he was happy to be blessed with the triplets after many years of waiting.

He said that he never believed God can still make him a father in life. He appreciated God for the pleasant gifts, stressing that God’s time is always the best.

Nigerian man detained in India prison for 9 years without trial

A Nigerian identified as Okowa Collins Chigozie, has been in custody in India for nine years without trial.

A Denmark-based Nigerian man, Ezike Samuel Buchi, who disclosed this via Twitter on Thursday, September 22, said Chigozie was arrested in April 2015 and detained in Kerala prison since then.

Ezike claimed that Chigozie did not commit any offence and appealed to the Indian Government to release him.

“I want to bring to the notice of the general public that this young Nigerian Okowa Collins Chigozie was arrested in India in April 2015 and has been kept in Kerala prison without any charge, statement, or justice.

I hereby appeal to the Indian govt to aid his release,” he wrote.

“Please help us sir, it’s getting 9 years since he has been in prison in Kerala, I beg @IndianExpress to publish this.

He has no offense, he appears to court without a file, he did nothing, his only offense was being a Nigerian” he added.

World Athletics ratifies Tobi Amusan’s 100m hurdles record

The World Athletics has ratified the women’s world 100m hurdles record set by Tobi Amusan at the 2022 World Championships.

This was disclosed on Tuesday September 20, in a statement published on the athletics body’s official website.

They also ratified the record times of two other athletes, Mondo Duplantis and Sydney McLaughlin.

All records were set at the World Athletics Championships that took place in Oregon, the United States in July. The statement read,

“The world records set by Tobi Amusan, Mondo Duplantis, and Sydney McLaughlin at the World Athletics Championships Oregon22 have been ratified.

“Amusan’s 12.12 in the women’s 100m hurdles semi finals, Duplantis’s 6.21m in the men’s pole vault final and McLaughlin’s 50.68 in the women’s 400m hurdles final are all now officially in the record books, as is the world U20 mark of 9.94 set by Letsile Tebogo in the men’s 100m heats.”

The 25-year-old Amusan took the world by storm when she ran a time of 12.12secs – shaving almost a tenth of a second off the previous world record held by American Keni Harrison (12.20secs) – in the semi-finals of the World Championships in Oregon, USA, before going on to win gold in the final at the Hayward Field stadium.

Since 1999 Governors have been the problem of the country – Former Speaker, Ghali Na’abba

Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Ghali Umar Na’abba, has said that Governors have been the country’s issue since 1999.

Na’abba made the claim while hosting a delegation of the Na’abba Youth Organization.

He claimed that Nigerians are now running from politics because Governors have pocketed political parties and now decide who would contest for positions in elections.

The former speaker also said that the action of these Governors is crippling the country’s democracy as what they are doing is rotating power among themselves without considering competency.

Na’abba said;

“Since 1999 governors have been the problem of the country. They contributed to the death of democracy within the political parties.

And when there are no elections within the parties, then incompetent leaders will emerge and that will affect the whole political system and the country’s development too.

The governors have caused all these. They will hardly hold primaries. Rather they will ask you to go for consensus; which is wrong.“If we really want to see changes in the country, we must change our democracy and give equal chances to all.

Give chances for elections within parties so that the masses and the rich will have roles to play. Only that can bring changes. Not what they (governors) are doing. That will not lead us anywhere.

Rather it will deteriorate the situation of the country.” Also acknowledging that youths have lost confidence in politicians, he added that he returned to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from the All Progressives Congress (APC) after realizing the ruling party is not doing the right thing.

He said;

“When I realised that APC is not doing the right thing, I stepped aside.

Later I was contacted by some of my associates to go back to where I belong; that was why I returned to PDP.”

Nigerian football league is on its deathbed – Sunday Dare

Minister of youth and sports development, Sunday Dare has described the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) as a league on its deathbed.

Speaking at the ministerial briefing at the presidential villa, Abuja, on Thursday September 15, Dare noted that the league is currently in a state of disarray, with coaches, players and referees owed salaries and allowances.

He also said they’ve made efforts to speak to those in-charge but never got any response. Dare said;

“Between May and August, we did not issue a directive because we wanted the Premier League to complete its season without any disruption.

But also, during that period, the ministry made efforts to speak with those in charge. We never got any response.“As we sit here, our league is on its deathbed. We know the nature of our domestic league. And just yesterday (Wednesday) I got a letter from the club owners. I met with them two weeks ago. I also met with the female football leaders.

There’s a letter that came on September 1, I only got it yesterday stating clearly that they have numerous problems with the LMC running the league. Unpaid emoluments, referees are not paid, coaches are not paid.

“So, in May 2022, there was a presidential directive and as a ministry, we applied reasonable judgment and delayed that communication.

But at a point when the league ended, and we saw the continuous decline of our football, we thought it was the right time to take the necessary action. And that was what we did.

There’s no connection between that decision with the NFF election, it stands alone.” Dare also revealed that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has received over N15 billion from the Muhammadu Buhari administration.

Customs seize explosives in Ogun, arrest suspects

The Nigeria Customs Service said it had seized 20 drums of carbide in Ijebu-Ode area of Ogun State.

Addressing journalists in Ikeja on Tuesday, the Acting Custom Area Controller in charge of the Federal Operations Unit Zone A, Comptroller Ejibunnu Hussain, said that the seized explosives had a Duty Paid Value of about N33 million.

Explaining further, Ejibunnu said that the material was used for the production of Improvised Explosive Device.

He added that importation of such substances must get an approval from the office of the National Security Adviser.“The unit seized 20 drums of Carbide, along Ijebuode in August. The substance used for the production of IED.

If allowed to get into the hands of unscrupulous persons, it could cause very serious security concern. And the importation of this has to be approved with an End User Certificate from the office of the National Security Adviser.”

Nigerian-born Artist, Ibe-Russell, Exhibits Work In Paris

Nigerian-born artist, Chinwe Ive-Russell, is exhibiting her art in Paris.

According to her brother and former Imo Speaker, Ike Ibe, the artist is showing some of her pieces including Ikenga and Onugotu at a four-day exhibition holding in the city.Ibe-Russell, who runs her gallery out of Doncaster, UK, is showing her work at the Focus Art Fair at Carrousel Du Louvre, Paris.

Nigeria is derailing towards dictatorship – Jonathan

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has raised an alarm of the country’s democracy derailing towards dictatorship.

Speaking at the 70th birthday of Mathew Kukah, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, in Abuja, on Wednesday August 31, Jonathan urged Nigerians not to lower their guards as this would make democracy recede into fascism.

The former President also called on Nigerian leaders to accommodate different views.

He said;

“Obviously many people, especially our youths, are becoming increasingly disillusioned about our politics and democracy.

“However, we must remain on the democratic path because it is the only practical way of effectively managing our diversity, developing sustainably, and recording progress as a nation.

“The task before all of us is not to lower our guards lest the democracy we cherish today succumbs to threats and recedes into fascism tomorrow because there are signs.

“Looking at the states and so on, we are derailing towards quasi-fascist form of government, but democracy is not only about winning elections alone, it is about accommodation. We, as leaders at the centre and at the state levels, especially at this time when elections are coming, must accommodate different views.

“Towards this goal, we are again faced with a good opportunity of choosing our leaders as the nation prepares to go to the polls next year. Let us choose those that will take us to the desired destination and the promised land.”

Urging Nigerians not to give up, he added;

“Nigeria may not be where we want it to and should be, but we should not give up or lose hope by focusing on only the negative.

“Judging from where we are coming from since independence in 1960, we may have been moving slowly in our journey of nationhood, but it is a journey of progress, all the same.”

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