Category: News

At a press briefing in Abuja, the minister said that a large volume of water is flowing through these rivers towards the Niger Delta region.

He called for vigilance in all aspects and proactive measures to address any future flooding events in the southern part of the country.

“This flood disaster that affected the Maiduguri and Jere areas of Borno State was largely due to the overflow of water from the Alau Dam, located about 10 kilometres from Maiduguri city centre, caused by the massive inflow from the Ngadda River, a major tributary of the River Yedzaram,” he said.

“The Minister of State, Bello Goronyo and I have visited Maiduguri with the Head of Agencies and Parastatals in my Ministry to express solidarity with the Governor, Borno State, and to assess the extent of devastation caused by the flood.

“As we mourn the losses in Borno, Yobe, Jigawa, Bauchi, and other states affected by flooding, the attention of Nigerians is hereby drawn to the potential river flooding of the Rivers Niger and Benue, as well as some of their tributaries.

“The daily flow on these rivers indicates a significant increase in water levels, nearing red alert. This warning signifies that a large volume of water is moving through our rivers towards the delta region.”

He emphasised the need for continued vigilance and improved preparedness to address potential flooding in the southern part of the country.

The minister stated, “We will also recall that the Presidential Committee on the Development of a Strategic Plan for Preventing Flood Disasters in Nigeria, which was established with the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation as the Chair of its Steering Committee, has submitted its report.

“This report recommended 10 strategic areas to address the menace of annual flooding in Nigeria, alongside relevant interventions that consider required activities before, during, and after flooding periods.

“These include responsible agencies, expected outcomes, timelines, and indicative costs. Mr President, as part of the recommendations, has graciously approved the sum of ₦108 billion for all 36 states to tackle perennial flooding in the country.

“As we strive to recover from this tragedy, I urge all governments at the sub-national level and stakeholders to heed the flood early warning information from the Ministry and take proactive measures to prevent future flooding, as well as to activate response measures to alleviate the suffering of citizens affected by floods.”

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This initiative aims to curb the rising prices of food items and make essential goods more affordable for residents.

Governor Dapo Abiodun announced the development during a meeting with market leaders in Abeokuta, the state capital. He also revealed plans to introduce a price control system within the state.

In addition, the governor declared the immediate suspension of all market levies, with the exception of development and environmental levies, which are designated for the improvement of market infrastructure.

Governor Abiodun issued a stern warning to those involved in collecting illegal fees in markets, emphasising that they would face strict legal consequences. He also vowed to address the high rents imposed on shop and stall owners, which have become unsustainable for many traders.

Governor Abiodun also announced the formation of a market enforcement task force, which will operate in all 20 local government areas to combat illegal levies and intimidation tactics in the markets.

He highlighted the illegal taxes currently being imposed in markets, including loading, discharge, and offloading fees, and stated that all such levies were now banned in Ogun State.

The governor also raised concerns about intermediaries who exploit farmers by coercing them to sell their produce at inflated prices. To address this, the newly formed task force will ensure such practices are eliminated.

Governor Abiodun further outlined plans to provide support for farmers’ associations through grants, loans, and access to farm equipment. He also mentioned that the government is developing a scheme to provide low-interest loans to market traders.

In response, the President of the Market Women and Men Association in Ogun State and Iyaloja of Yewaland, Chief Yemisi Abass, expressed gratitude to the governor for initiating dialogue with market leaders. She affirmed that they fully support the resolutions made during the meeting.

Newscentral

“There are two major power plants about to be built in the Aba Ringfence”, Nnaji told the team which was led to his office by the Abia State Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, Engineer Ikechukwu Monday, and the Special Adviser to Governor Alex Otti on Energy, Engr Kachi Etolue.

“One of the power plants is a joint venture between General Electric of the United States, the biggest and oldest power equipment-manufacturing firm in the world, and Geometric Power.

“Located in Ukwa West LGA of Abia State, the power utility, which will generate 1,080 megawatts, is the first joint venture GE has ever signed with a local company.

“It would have gone far if not for the Federal Government’s suspension over five years ago of the World Bank partial risk guarantee (PRG) of the power purchase agreements (PPAs)”.

The visiting international team of consultants included Nico Peterschmidt of INENUS, Dipta Majumdar, also of INENUS, and Rajesh Kumar Jain of International Solar Alliance comprising over 100 countries, including Nigeria, that signed an agreement for the development and use of solar energy.

The group is working in Nigeria currently on the invitation of the Nigerian government to help in providing mini solar grids to areas in the country underserved and unserved with electricity, explained Peterschimidt.

Peterschmidt disclosed that the World Bank has provided the Federal Government with a $ 410 million loan to make available to subnational entities for the solar grids, with Abia angling to be among the first states to access it.

“We are going to work closely with the government”, pledged Nnaji, “to ensure that Abia realises its ambitious electricity plans, including participating actively in the creation of the Abia State Electricity Regulatory Commission.

“Governor Otti has been of immense assistance to Geometric Power for decades”.

Commending Prof Nnaji’s favourable disposition towards the new Abia State’s electricity initiatives, unlike in some states where the DisCos with power franchises there opposed similar moves, the Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, who is a former General Electric executive, observed: “The facility fits into the vision of sending a bill to the Abia State House of Assembly setting up the state Electricity Regulatory Commission.

“There are far-flung communities in Nigeria where electricity distribution companies hesitate to give power because of their difficult terrains and even when provided with electricity, the people wouldn’t be able to pay the commercial rates.

“As a key stakeholder, the state government felt that the new electricity arrangement for Abia can’t progress without Geometric Power’s involvement, hence our visit today.

“Besides, some of the areas without electricity fall into the Aba Ringfence serviced by Geometric Power which took over the responsibility of providing the areas with electricity only two years ago”.

Ugo Opiegbe, the Aba Power managing director, enumerated some of the key investments his firm has made, including providing five brand new substations and refurbishing three legacy ones, installing 150,000 kilometres of overhead wires, and a network expansion that will see a new feeder commissioned within one month.

“We are ahead of the other 11 DisCos in Nigeria in several areas like having bilateral agreements with Gencos, despite meeting only five per cent of customers metered when we took over, a problem we have been addressing aggressively as the population of metered customers is now about 30%”, he asserted.

“We officially inherited about 131,000 customers, but that number has climbed significantly and will likely double by the time we meter all our customers and complete our enumeration activities, including bringing back key industrialists who voluntarily disconnected from the public network on account of unreliable and poor supplies”.

The international consultants and the Abia State government officials expressed satisfaction with Geometric Power’s “forward-looking approach and immense investments worth at least $800m in the Aba Ringfence, making it the largest investment in the Southeast”.

President Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday, paid a visit to King Charles III at Buckingham Palace, United Kingdom.

This was disclosed in a statement by Dada Olusegun, the Special Assistant to President Tinubu on Social Media.

In the statement released on his verified X account on Thursday, Olusegun revealed that the visit aimed to further strengthen the diplomatic ties between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

He wrote, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu visited His Majesty, King Charles at Buckingham Palace. The significant meeting, highlighting the continued diplomatic ties and partnership between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.”

The United Kingdom Royal Family also confirmed the visit, posting a photograph of the two leaders at Buckingham Palace with the caption, “🇳🇬 Yesterday, The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria visited His Majesty at Buckingham Palace.”

Also a statement issued on Thursday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President (Information and Strategy), highlighted the enduring and cherished relationship between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

It recalled that Wednesdays’s meeting will be the two leaders’ first meeting since they met in Dubai at the COP 28 Climate Summit last year.

The statement revealed that the latest meeting was at the King’s request.

It added that both leaders discussed global and regional matters of shared priority, focusing on the urgent and complex challenge of climate change.

President Tinubu and His Majesty also explored opportunities for collaboration in anticipation of the upcoming COP 29 Summit in Azerbaijan and the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa.

Tinubu reiterated Nigeria’s firm commitment to addressing climate change in a manner that aligns with the country’s energy security objectives whilst affirming Nigeria’s readiness to adopt global strategies for sustainability.

The statement added that during their dialogue, the two leaders shared ideas for innovative approaches to climate financing and funding, expressing mutual interest in strengthening partnerships by harnessing Nigeria’s leadership position in Africa and the Commonwealth.

Tribune

The Executive Secretary of SEMA, Alhaji Isyaku Abdullahi-Kubarachi, disclosed this on Wednesday while briefing newsmen in Kano.

He recalled that the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) had earlier predicted high risk of flooding in 14 local government areas of the state.

He said the affected areas included Tudun Wada, Gwale, Wudil, Danbatta, Ajingi, Dala, Gwarzo, Madobi, Bichi, Kano Municipal, Karaye, Tarauni, Minjibir, Bebeji, Rogo, Shanono, Kabo, Garin Malam and Ungogo.

According to him, others are Kumbotso, Nasarawa, Kura, Dawakin Kudu, Dawakin Tofa,Gezawa, Rogo and Bagwai Local Government areas.

He noted that the flood destroyed 6,583 houses while 38, 814 persons were affected.

“8,289 farmlands equivalent to ‘36,265 hectares’ were destroyed, 1, 414 persons were displaced and 139 persons were injured,” SEMA boss said

According to him, the agency has taken rapid prompt response by visiting the affected local government areas to sympathise with the victims on behalf of Kano State Government and distributed relief materials to alleviate their sufferings.

“SEMA in collaboration with relevant stakeholders organised several workshops to proffer ways of curtailing environmental hazards especially flood.

He commended Gov. Abba Yusuf for providing logistics and other necessary assistance to alleviate the suffering of the victims.

The executive secretary, who warned against building on water ways, urged residents in the state to always clear drainage system in front of their houses to prevent flood.

He called on wealthy individuals to complement the agency’s efforts by supporting flood victims with relief material

According to him, the agency will not relent in its efforts to ensure the protection of lives and property.

Sun

This follows a rescheduling from the original date of September 17, 2024, as communicated to members via an internal memo by the Clerk of the House, Yahaya Danzaria.

According to the House Spokesperson, Mr. Akin Rotimi, upon reconvening, the leadership of the House will inaugurate the new board of the Public Complaints Commission (PCC) and the Joint Senate/House Ad Hoc Committees on the Petroleum Industry Investigation on Wednesday, September 25, 2024.

He said that further details regarding these activities will be announced during plenary on the day of resumption.

“As the 10th Assembly resumes, it will continue to drive its Legislative Agenda, focusing on impactful reforms aimed at national development and fulfilling its mandate to the Nigerian people”. Mr. Rotimi said.

He added that during the recess, members engaged extensively in constituency outreach across the country, addressing critical issues of concern to constituents, and deepening oversight of ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs), in accordance with functions spelt out in the 1999 Constitution (As Amended) and the House Standing Orders.

The terrorists were killed on Wednesday, September 11, according to Deputy Director Information and Public Relations, Group Captain Kabiru Ali, in a statement on Thursday, September 12.

Ali said the terrorists were engaged after receipt of a request for air support from ground forces.

He said: “Upon arrival, Nigerian Air Force (NAF) air assets observed over 100 terrorists engaging friendly forces in a fierce firefight. After confirming the positions of friendly troops, the NAF conducted precision airstrikes on the terrorists’ positions.

“The strikes were devastating, neutralizing dozens of terrorists in successive passes. As of the time of reporting, 28 bodies had been recovered from the target area, with several more terrorists, weapons, and burnt motorcycles still being cleared.”

According to Ali, the successful operation underscores the NAF’s “commitment to protecting the nation and supporting our sister services and other security agencies in combating banditry, terrorism, insurgency and all other forms of criminality.”

He assured that NAF’s would continue to conduct air operations, “both independently and in collaboration with surface forces,” to eliminate all threats to the peace, prosperity and security of the country.

Nation