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Discos Get 2700mw From TCN As Power Cuts Continue

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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BEDC

Amidst effort to restore electricity across the country, the Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, has disclosed that it transmitted close to 2,700mw to the 11 electricity distribution companies, discos on Sunday.

The clarification comes following the collapse of the national grid two days ago, throwing many households and businesses which rely on electricity into serious hardship.

The magazine reported that the grid collapsed for the first time on Sunday with power generation going down to less than 60mw.

The TCN blamed low supply of gas for the problem, but said yesterday that the “partial system disruption’ has been resolved.

Explaining what has been done to restore power, TCN said It transmitted 2,651MW to the 11 DisCos at 4:38pm on Monday, adding that the national grid is now up and running.

Ndidi Mbah, the spokesman for TCN had issued a statement on Sunday

explaining what led to the collapse of the grid and the effort being carried out to fully restore it back to work.

Part of the statement read: “The Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN hereby states that the grid experienced a partial disturbance at about 11:21Hours today with Ibom power islanded, feeding Eket, Ekim, Itu & Uyo transmission substations, during the period of partial disturbance. TCN initiated immediate restoration of the affected part of the grid, and presently, the grid is fully restored.

“Prior to the incident, total generation on the grid was 3,901.25 MW at 08:00Hours, a little over three hours before time of partial collapse. It is important to note that low power generation has persisted since January 2024, to date, exacerbating daily due to the lingering gas constraint.

“According to the National Control Center (NCC), the Internet of Things (IoT) revealed that just before the partial disturbance, which occurred at 11:21Hrs today, Sapele Steam & Egbin Substations lost a total of 29.32MW & 343.84MW at 11:20:14Hrs & 11:20:17Hrs respectively, totalling 373.16MW. “This, combined with the current low power generation due to gas constraints, caused the imbalance leading to the partial system disturbance.”

FG Working To Cut Food Prices, Edun Says After Niger Protest

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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The federal government is working out a system to cut down the rising price of food prices in the country, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun has said.

The minister made this known during a meeting with a German Delegation to the country led by the Minister of Cooperation, Svenja Schulze in Abuja on Monday.

Edun made the remark amidst concern among Nigerians that much is not being done by the government to stop inflation, particularly as it affects basic household commodities.

The magazine reported a protest that took place in Minna, Niger state on Monday, where angry youths, in their reaction to the skyrocketing food prices in the country, blocked major streets in the state.

Also recently, some angry women stormed the streets in Kaduna state to protest the high cost of flour in the country.

Atiku Abubakar, a former vice president recently called on the government to address the difficult economic problems in the country, saying Nigerians have lost confidence in the administration.

He was immediately rebuffed.

Analysts insist that inflation has risen to as high as 30 percent in the last few months, quoting figures from the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS.

Speaking yesterday during the meeting with the Germans, Edun said the federal government has rolled out various intervention to crash the cost of food.

The interventions, according to him include the provision of grains and fertilizers to farmers in other to increase farm produce.

The minister who spoke to journalists after the meeting, said President Bola Ahmed has approved other intervention in  the agricultural sector with the aim to address the problem of inflation.

He said the rising cost of food is “a concern to the government and everybody in Nigeria. Some of the major steps which i can point out that have been taken to address these issues. Because the issue of demand and supply, and a lot of emphasis have been placed on increasing agriculture production particularly.”

“The president has intervened in that area to provide grains, to provide fertilizers to farmers, to bring additional increase in rice, maize, wheat and cassava under additional acreage, additional production in order to bring out output, and thereby bring down prices, and that will help bring down inflation. And of course, we are in the middle of dry season farming, we are looking forward to a good season harvest that will help ameliorate food prices in particular, and the price level in Nigeria.”

Meanwhile, the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, warned yesterday that its members will be force to protest if nothing concrete was done by the government to address the cost of food in the country.

ABC, GIG Buses Attacked, Scores Of Passengers Abducted

By
Adesina Soyooye
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ABC and GIG Buses Attacked by Kidnappers

By Adesina Soyooye

Two transportation buses filled with passengers, one of them, a luxurious bus, have fallen into bad hands.

The buses which belong to the ABC Transport  and God is Good Motors, took off from Umuahia, Abia State for Abuja, Nigeria’s Federal Capital on Saturday but the over 70 passengers in the two buses never made it to their destinations.

The buses were intercepted and hijacked by hoodlums and all the passengers kidnapped and marched into the forest.

One distraught man whose wife was one of the victims of the incident said the criminals used his wife’s mobile phone to contact him and demanded for the sum of N15m as ransom money in exchange for her freedom.

The Kogi State Police Command has confirmed the sad incident and assured that Security Operatives are on the trail of the hoodlums.

Iconic Artiste, Jimi Solanke Dies At 82 Years, Ogun State Governor Mourns

By
The Source
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Jimi Solanke

By Akinwale Kasali

The Nigerian Creative  Industry has been thrown into mourning, following the passing of veteran Artiste, Entertainer and Poet, Jimi Solanke.

His death was announced in a statement by the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun who described Solanke’s death as great loss to the State and Nigeria.

The versatile dramatist known for his folklorist role in the popular Tales By Moonlight on Nigeria Television Authority, NTA, for several decades died in the early hours of Monday, February 5th, 2024, after a brief illness.

Born in  Ipara Remo, Ogun State  Solankr began his artistic journey as a pioneer member of the Orisun Theatre Group, founded by Nobel  Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, in 1961.

The Late Solanke is known for his contributions to the global entertainment industry which spanned seven decades. He left an  indelible mark on various platforms, from the Western Nigeria Television in the 1960s to international festivals in Senegal and Algeria during the 1970s.

He is survived by his wife, Toyin Solanke.  His passing marks the end of an era in Nigerian entertainment.

Kano: Police Arrests Fleeing Kaduna Notorious Bandit

By
The Source
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Kaduna Notorious Bandit arrested

By Daniel Maduka

The Kano State Police authorities have directed an immediate deployment of more personnel and equipment to all border towns with neighbouring states of Kano.

The directive is coming on the heels of the arrest on Sunday February 4 2024 of one Isah Lawal a suspected bandit in Karaye area of the state ,along Kaduna/ Kano border.

According to a release by the Kano State Police Command ,the said Lawal who was arrested along side 55 Cows and 6 sheep has confessed to being one of the fleeing members if a notorious bandit leader, Bashir of Malumfashi in Katsina state.

Alhaji Muhammad Husseini Gumel, Kano State Police Commissioner said ,Lawal was arrested  late hours on Sunday, February 4, by a team of Police Operatives led by Aliyu Mohammed Auwal ( ASP)while on an Intelligence-led Clearance Operation.

“In the course of  interrogation, the suspect confessed that they were running away from their Maidaro Bandits Camp in Birnin Gwari LGA Kaduna state after the killing of their Gang Leader Bashir , during a Bandits Rival Group Fights.

He said the situation ( killing of his leader ) forced him to relocate to Gwarzo- Karaye Forest within Kano and Kaduna border with the intent to set up s new Camp.” CP Gumel stated.

Alhaji Gumel, however, said, a more discreet investigation is on going as Lawal is providing more useful information that will assist the police in tackling banditry and other related criminal activities in neighbouring states.

He noted that the decision to deploy more men and equipment ,to the border areas between kano and neighbouring states is a proactive measure aimed at nipping in the bud possible infiltrations of bandits and other criminal elements into Kano State.

While appreciating the friendship and collaborative gestures being extended to the  Command by the people, CP Gumel called on the residents to keep reporting any suspicious movements of persons to the nearest police formation.

The Source reports that most Northern States bordering Kano such as Katsina ,Kaduna and Bauchi have been epicenters of banditry and other related criminal activities in the last few years, with hundreds of innocent residents falling victims to their evil operations.

As the commercial nerve centre of the North ,with a  dense population , Kano state authorities and security agencies  have been under intense pressure not to allow the state slip into the hands of bandits.

Kebbi: Governor Idris Dissolves Local Governments

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

Kebbi State Governor,  Nasir Idris,  has dissolved elected Chairmen and secretaries of the 21 Local Government Areas of the state.

Ahmed Idris, Chief Press Secretary to the governor, explained that the dissolution followed the expiration of their tenure which ended Monday.

The governor directed the chairmen to handover the mantle of leadership to Directors of Personnel Management (DPMs) of their local government councils.

Addressing the outgoing chairmen at Government House, Birnin Kebbi  the governor thanked them for the services rendered to their constituencies, while applauding their efforts that they had done well.

He insisted that there were laws governing the local government administration and it had become imperative for government to respect those laws and act as leaders.

“We need to do the needful so that later anything can follow. We did not intend to send anybody away, however, we will make sure that nobody is left behind.

“This is your government, therefore you need to support it to succeed, of course, there is the need for you to work assiduously to see that this government succeeds.”

Idris promised to continue to deliver dividends of democracy to all parts of the state “in fulfilment of our campaign promises.”

Responding on behalf of other local government chairmen, the  Chairman, Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), in the state, Aminu Sarkin-Fada appreciated the governor for his support which according to him aided them to record successes.

“I believe without the support of His Excellency, we wouldn’t have achieved what we have achieved.”

He listed the distribution of fertilisers free-of-charge to farmers as well as cash disbursement to empower people, saying that the gesture had made many people to now stand on their feet.

“They became self-reliant due to the support and magnanimity of His Excellency.”

Nigeria Sprint Sensation, Amusan Set New African Indoor Record

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Tobi Amusan

By Akinwale Kasali

Tobi Amusan, World Record Holder in 100 Meter Hurdle has once again put her name in the history book as she has set a new African women’s indoor 60-meter record of 7.75 seconds at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix in Boston.

The 27-year-old Ogun State born Sprinter’s 7.75 seconds in Boston means she has retired the 7.77 mark she set in Kazakhstan at the Astana Indoor Meet in January.

Despite setting an African record, Amusan’s 7.75 effort was insufficient for first place in Boston, where she finished second to America’s Tia Jones in 7.72 seconds.

Devynne Chalton of the Bahamas came in third place, completing in 7.76 seconds.

With this triumph, Amusan is now ranked second on the world top list for the season behind Devynne Charlton of the Bahamas who ran 7.75 last week at the Corky Classics in Lubbock, Texas.

Amusan has also moved up to number 20 on the world all-time list and the reigning Commonwealth Games champion has now broken all three African records held by Alozie.

She first broke her predecessor’s African Games record of 12.74 set in 1999 when she ran 12.68 to win 10 years later (2019).

Amusan followed up by breaking Alozie’s 12.44 African record when she ran 12.42 seconds on her way to winning her first Diamond League title.

At the moment, the sprint hurdler now owns the Nigeria, Nigerian Championships, African, African Games, African indoor, Commonwealth Games, World Championships, and world records.

N4.7m Hajj Package: Many Intending Pilgrims To Shelve Trip Due To Harsh Economy

By
The Source
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0

By Daniel Maduka

Several thousands of intending pilgrims may be forced to shelve their plans of making it to the Holy land in Saudi Arabia this year. This is no thanks to the current excruciating economic situation, occasioned mainly by the removal of petroleum products subsidy and the floating of the country,s currency against major currencies of the world.

The Source findings have revealed an appreciable decrease in the number of Muslim faithful, particularly in kano and  some other Northern states,ready to embark on the all important pilgrimage to the holy Land ,due to their lean pockets and an astronomical increase in Hajj fares.

Hopes of some prospective Kano pilgrims who, before now, were determined to participate in the exercise were on Saturday February 3 2024. dashed following the announcement of a further increase in the Hajj fares from an initial # 4.5million to #4 .7 million by the State Pilgrims Welfare Board.

In a release issued by the Board’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Dederi, the Director- General Alhaji Laminu Rabiu Danbappa said the  Hajj fare regime is in line with the general Hajj fare review by the National Commission for Hajj .

Consequently, he urged intending pilgrims, who had made the initial deposit payments of # 4 .5 million to promptly pay the balance on or before February 12 2024.

Alhaji Danbappa while assuring of availability of enough Hajj seats, appreciated the Kano government for its support to the Board .

However, findings have  shown that ,a large number of those who made the initial deposit payments , are set to withdraw from the exercise ,while many who have not made any deposit, but were preparing to ,have shelved their plans in the face of the economic realities on the ground.

Before now, the comprehensive Hajj package hovered  between # 1.7million and #1.9 million on the average.

According to an official of the Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board ,unless there is an intervention by the kano state government, most intending pilgrims may have to wait for another opportunity.

“As the situation is now ,only the well- to -do can easily meet up.” the official noted.

Activist, Farotimi, Says Nigeria Is Beyond Redemption

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0

By Akinwale Kasali

Dele Farotimi, Constitutional Lawyer and Human Rights Activist, has said that Nigeria cannot be redeemed from its many reoccurring problems with the set of leaders currently at the helms of affairs of the nation.

Farotimi said the set of leaders in the country are bent on draining the Nigerian State.

He said this on SaharaTV where he was a guest.

The vocal Activist said that Nigerian political leaders are enablers to foreign powers for the subjugation of the Nigerian interest.

In his words, “We need to really ask ourselves serious questions and the Nigerian interest is almost all we have subjugated beneath foreign interest by those who purport to rule the Nigerian people. So it is not about the exertion of powers by these foreign bodies but it is the willingness of those who rule Nigeria to submit the sovereignty of our country and subsume it beneath foreign interest.

“It is foolhardy for anyone to think that sitting down and waiting for another election cycle with a Yakubu as INEC chairman will bring about any solution to our problems as a nation. In fact I’m not even sure if the path to an electoral revolution would be made any easier.

“In the coming weeks and months as the hardship bites harder and we have nowhere to turn to, we have to come to that solitary fact that we are the victims and the division amongst us must stop if we truly want to have a country to call our own.

“Those of us who believe that the 1999 constitution is a fraud and should be done away with and that we should revert to a regional system a parliamentary system that being the last negotiated agreement by the Nigerian Peoples amongst themselves. What we have today as the constitution has been destroyed and that is why we are seeing all of these shenanigans in our land. This constitution has failed us and will fail us again and again until there’s a total change’

“The calls for the reintroduction of the 1963 constitution by several other people including myself has been met with brick walls because some persons are benefitting from the flaws of the 1999 constitution which was forced on us by the then military government of General Abdulsalam Abubakar”.

Farotimi stressed that for us to get it right as a nation and in earnest, electoral recycles should be put aside, rather, Nigerians should demand for a better nation.

“For Nigeria to get it right and get it right as quickly as we can, we cannot keep waiting for electoral cycles to come before we start making demands for a better Nigeria. We must do it and do it now if we are to make any meaningful progress as a nation”, he stated.

Gov Oyebanji Increases Subventions To Ekiti State Owned Higher Institutions

By
Ayodele Oni
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Biodun Oyebanji - Ekiti State Governor

By Ayodele Oni

Three state owned higher institutions in Ekiti state can now heave a sigh of relief as government approved upward review of their subvention.

This is coming as the affected institutions are battling with rise in overhead costs which has led to inability to meet their commitment such as payment of salaries.

Ekiti State, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji,  approved a major increase in the subvention to all state- owned higher institutions in the State.

Government explained that this is being done in recognition of the role played by these higher institutions in the State’s development, and in fulfillment of the Governor’s promise to prioritize higher education and ensure Ekiti maintains its pride of place as the education capital of Nigeria.

With this increase,  announced on Monday by the special adviser to the governor on media, Yinka Oyebode, the higher institutions now have their subventions  increased  as follows:

“Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH): From N261 million to N411 million; Ekiti State University (EKSU): From N260 million to N410 million.

“Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere – Ekiti (BOUESTI): From N175.8 million to N275.8 million;  Ekiti State Polytechnic, Isan: From N45 million to N95 million and Ekiti State College of Health Science and Technology, Ijero. From N26 million to N76 million.”

The statement added that “With these increases, the total subvention to higher institutions  in the state has increased from N767.8 million per month to N1.27 billion.

“Since his inauguration, Governor Oyebanji has also approved the payment of one month of outstanding subvention to all tertiary institutions which has since been paid.

‘He has also directed that the Independent Power Plant (IPP)  be extended to both EKSU and EKSUTH, ensuring both institutions have 24-hour power supply.

“These financial, infrastructure and governance interventions are part of the strategic effort by the Government to ensure that the state’s higher institutions are best in class, and deliver the type of education required to prepare our young people for opportunities in the 21st century.”

The Federation of Ekiti State Students Union (FESSU) has expressed appreciation to the  State Government on decision to increase the subvention allocated to state-owned higher institutions.

According to the students body, the increases in subventions signal a significant stride in fortifying the financial stability and operational capacity of these institutions.

National president of FESSU, Abel Adewale in a statement, stated that “FESSU acknowledges the positive impact this decision will have on the quality of education and overall academic experience for students schooling in Ekiti State owned higher institutions.

“Governor Oyebanji’s unwavering support for the education sector marks him as a true lover of education, and FESSU applauds his dedication to providing an enabling environment for academic excellence.

“FESSU remains committed to collaborating with the Ekiti State Government to advance the cause of education and contribute to the overall development of the state.”

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