The Pacesetter Frontier Magazine

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  • Power Outage: Discos apologise over insufficient electricity generation, allocation

    Power Outage: Discos apologise over insufficient electricity generation, allocation

    Amid the current nationwide power supply outages and the sufferings caused Nigerians due to low power generation and resultant inadequate load allocation to distribution companies (Discos) by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), many of the Discos have continued to apologise to their customers.

    The outages, which started last week in many of the Discos’ franchise areas in the country has worsened the energy crisis facing Nigerian citizens, who have been battling with petrol scarcity and price hike across the country since last year.

     

    THISDAY observed that many electricity consumers, especially those on Band C, D and E, which are areas that receive the lowest duration of power supply, have been having prolonged power outages since last week.

    The Discos including Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC), Ikeja Electric (IE), Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC), Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC), Abuja Discos among others have blamed the situation to the drop in power generation.

    They also attributed the situation to the TCN, whom they said had been forced to reduce load allocation to Discos as power generated and sent to the TCN-managed national grid had declined lately.

    In its notice to customers, EKEDC said the irregular power supply being experienced by them was due to reduced load capacity from the national grid.

    In a statement signed by the Disco’s General Manager, Corporate Communications, Mr. Godwin Idemudia, EKEDC apologised to its customers in Lagos and Ogun states over irregular power supply they were currently experiencing. According to him, the outage affected some customers in some parts of Badagry, Lagos, and Ogun State under Agbara District of the company.

    He assured the residents that normalcy would be restored to the affected communities as soon as the capacity was increased.

    Idemudia added: “What we are presently getting from the Grid is not enough to meet the demand of our customers.

    “At the same time, this is to notify our esteemed customers in Lagos Island of an impending maintenance work scheduled for Sunday, Jan.22, between 9am -1pm.

    “This maintenance work will require Fowler injection substation to be temporarily shut down. So, Ikoyi and environs under Island District, will be out of supply during the period of the outage.

    “We are therefore appealing to customers to bear with us. EKEDC highly regrets any inconveniences caused by this irregular supply.”

    He also implored the company’s customers to be vigilant at this crucial time to prevent hoodlums from vandalising their cables.

    On its part, Ikeja Electric in its notice published on the company’s Twitter handle, also apologised for the current poor power supply being experienced in certain parts of their network lately.

    “This is due to the inadequate allocation received, hence the load shedding. We regret the inconvenience this has caused and wish to assure that we are engaging the responsible stakeholders in the electricity value chain to improve the situation.

    “This is due to a drop in power generation and allocation. Our technical team is working with relevant stakeholders to improve the situation,” Ikeja Disco added.

    In the same vein, BEDC in a statement, empathise with its customers over the shortage of supply currently being experienced in its franchise states.

    According to Benin Disco, “We regret the inconvenience cause by the situation, and appeal for your patience and understanding even as we relentlessly engage stakeholders in the electricity value chain, in a bid to resolve the situation and improve supply.”

    However, EEDC in its statement, said power generated on 18 January, 2023 stood at 3,650 megawatts (mw), adding that, “Out of this quantum generated, allocation to EEDC was 268mw. This would be distributed across Abia, Anambra, Ebony, Enugu and Imo States.”

    Also, Abuja Disco in an update to customers, said total power allocated to it by the TCN were 377mw on January 18 and 404mw on January 29, 2023 for distribution to its franchise areas in Abuja, Nasarawa, Kogi and Niger States.

    It also attributed the current power supply to the inadequate power allocation by the TCN, appealing to its customers to be patient while it worked with stakeholders to improve the situation.

    “This is to inform our esteemed customers that we are aware of the decline in power supply across our franchise areas. This is due to the insufficient load allocation received, hence we are compelled to load shed power temporarily across the different areas.

    “While we sincerely regret the inconvenience caused, we appeal for your patience as we are in collaboration with all our stakeholders to ensure power supply is improved and stabilised soonest”, Abuja Disco said.

    Similarly, PHEDC in its notice to customers said, “Kindly be informed that due to the present constraints on the grid, load allocation to all Discos have been reduced and this is impacting our capacity to to supply power to our customers. However, we are engaging with TCN and NCC to manage the situation and as soon as the situation improves, stable power supply will be restored. All inconveniences are regretted.”

    Meanwhile, the latest power outages that started last week in many of the Discos’ franchise areas in the country have worsened the energy crisis facing Nigerian citizens, who have been battling with petrol scarcity and price hike since the first quarter of 2022 till date.

    Although, petrol remains regulated and the pump price set by the government is between N162 to N170, many petrol selling outlets, especially the ones owned by members of the Independent Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) are selling it between N250 and N400.

    Last week, there were news making the rounds that the federal government, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) and the marketing companies had secretly increased the price of petrol, which was the reason the product is N400 in Lagos.

    But the Minister of State for Petroleum, Chief Timipre Sylva, had debunk the news, insisting that government had not approved any price increase.

    The Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN) comprising of TotalEnergies, Ardova, MRS, Mobil, Oando, NIPCO among others, have also debunked any increase in fuel price.

    MOMAN in a statement issued last Friday, said the current hike in petrol price was as a result of high cost of hiring Daughter vessels to convey products from the highsea to their terminals, adding that it sympathized with customers and Nigerians over the current challenges with getting fuel.

    MOMAN stated, “These queues are caused by exceptional high demand and bottlenecks in the fuel distribution chain. The major cause is the shortage and high (US dollar) costs of daughter vessels for ferrying products from mother vessels to depots along the coast. Next is the inadequate number of trucks to meet the demand to deliver products from depots to filling stations nationwide.

    “These high logistics and exchange rate costs continue to put pressure on prices at the pump. Over the past three months, staff and management of MOMAN companies have worked diligently at depots and filling stations to relieve the stress faced by customers through the Christmas and New Year period. Our members have again agreed to extend depot loading hours as well as keep strategically situated service stations open for longer hours to ease access to fuels for our customers.

    “MOMAN shall continue to use its best endeavours to ensure that the product is sold at the pump at prices currently approved by the Regulatory Authorities, despite pressure on price by demand and costs in our immediate operating environment.

    “A final resolution to these challenges will be the full deregulation of the petroleum downstream sector to encourage the liberalisation of supply and long-term investments in distribution assets. We urge the government to work towards this end goal.”

    (Arise News)

  • Frank Nweke to explore opportunities of coal, gas, solar energy to meet Enugu’s power needs

    Frank Nweke to explore opportunities of coal, gas, solar energy to meet Enugu’s power needs

    Frank Nweke Jr, the Enugu State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), on Sunday, January 22, 2023, said his government would explore the opportunities of resources like coal and natural gas (CNG) which the state has, as well as solar technology to meet the power needs of the citizens.

    Nweke who spoke during a virtual town hall meeting with the Enugu Association, Canada, noted that Enugu has one of the highest electricity tariffs in Nigeria, an issue he would work closely with the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) as Governor to understand and resolve.

    “Electric power is critical for domestic use and economic progress. While working with the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company to improve supply and reduce tariffs, we have some opportunities available to us as alternatives to power from the mains.

    “The use of coal has been stalled due to agreements induced by Western powers on the basis of managing climate change. What we have now are illegal miners and private companies who have expanses of coal deposits concessioned to them.

    “As a government, we will work to retrieve these concessions by making deals with the people concerned or by making a strong representation to the government at the centre who hold the rights to mineral resources on the exclusive list under section 39 of the constitution.”

    He also noted that the developed economies that had opposed large scale mining for reasons of climate change had fallen back to the use of coal due to the effects of the Russian-Ukraine war. He declared that he had the political will to ensure that all resources and opportunities available to the State would be explored.

    On the use of natural gas (CNG), Nweke referred to Lagos and Abia where communities are sequestered, and clean energy provided to them. He revealed his team have had conversations with licensed operators who are willing to do the necessary due diligence checks and explore that opportunity whenever his government is ready.

    Nweke further stated that as Governor he will also explore the opportunity of solar technology. He noted that Enugu already had young companies assembling inverters and looking to extend their production to solar panels.

    “We will work with these local companies and with some established international companies from Japan, Turkey and other parts of the world to establish a ‘Partnership in Technology Program” to set up plants for assembling solar panels and training our people to do the same in Enugu State.

    “Our intention is to put in place a policy that will mandate developers of new estates to deploy structures for renewable energy, taking sections of the State off-grid by providing power from natural gas or solar technology”, he concluded.

  • Gunmen behead abducted Imo LG chairman after N6m ransom

    Gunmen behead abducted Imo LG chairman after N6m ransom

    Abducted Sole Administrator of the Ideato North Local Government Area of Imo State, Christopher Ohizu, has been beheaded.

    It was gathered that his abductors had allegedly received a N6m ransom before beheading him on Sunday.

    Recall that Ohizu was abducted with bullet wound alongside two others on Friday after his country home at Imoko community in Arondizuogu area of the LGA was razed.

    Viral videos of his beheading surfaced online on Sunday evening.

    A source said ” they beheaded the Ideato North Sole Administrator on Sunday. They posted the video of his beheading with his phone on his own WhatsApp status. This was how people got to know that he has been beheaded.

    “He was sliced after collecting a ransom of N6m. He was killed in such an inhuman way. The videos are terrifying. May God heal our land.”

    When contacted, the spokesperson for the Police in the state, Henry Okoye promised to get back with his response.

    (Sun)

  • Methodist Church ordains first female Bishop in Nigeria

    The Methodist Church Nigeria, on Sunday, enthroned Rt Rev. Nkechi Nwosu as the first female bishop of the Church in the country.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nwosu was enthroned by His Grace, Most Rev Dr Joseph Nnonah, Archbishop of Kaduna at the Christ Methodist Cathedral, Jos.

    The new bishop in a brief interaction with newsmen revealed that “God is using what has happened in the Methodist Church, Nigeria to tell the whole world that the time to release women to fulfill their destiny has come.

    She said that women and men needed to join hands to achieve the mandate of God.

    “God knew that by creating only Adam, He will not be able to bring his heart’s desire, so He had to make the woman to complement him.

    “So, for the word of God to reach the end of the world, “man must put their hands together to serve God”, irrespective of gender because God is a spirit.

    “He is not a flesh, the flesh we are seeing is just for our comfort, as He said that everybody who believes in Him and is led by the spirit of God is the son of God.

    “And so every child of God who is born again and dwell in the Holy Spirit is a son of God.

    “And when men or women of God in charge of denominations understand this, I believe we will conquer more for the Lord than what we have done,” she said.

    On the 2023 general elections, Nwosu called on Nigerians to listen to the voice of God who knows the best leader for the country at this moment.

    She said that God gave Nigerians conscience and power and that the power is in the Permanent Voters Card (PVC).

    “We must all go out there and agree with God, listen to the spirit of God, and do what God said we should do.

    “Do that so that God will use us and anybody He wants to put on that seat to restore Nigeria to a place of pride in Africa, and the world,” she added.

    His Eminence, Dr Samuel Uche, Prelate Emeritus, Methodist Church Nigeria, during whose tenure Nwosu was elected bishop, said that God made all humans equal.

    Uche said that Jesus Christ elevated the position of women by being born of a woman.

    “So I believe there is no difference between a man and woman, after all, in Hebrew language, a man is a he man and a woman is she man, so we are all men.

    “And moreover, in Methodist Church, we taught that people who have reached menopause, who are no longer childbearing can hold responsible office in the church, because they have the capacity.

    “They have the ability, they are meticulous, resourceful, and spiritual.

    “So we decided that we should have in Methodist Bishop a woman and I know that some time ago, the President of the British Church was a woman from Ireland,” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nwosu will serve as Bishop of Jos Diocese.

    (NAN)

  • Over 300 passengers stranded as train derails in Kogi forest

    Over 300 passengers stranded as train derails in Kogi forest

    A train enroute the Warri-Itakpe has reportedly derailed, leaving over 300 passengers stranded in a Kogi forest amid public fears for their safety and security.

    It was learnt that following the incident, the passengers quickly abandoned the train for fear of being kidnapped.

    The train that derailed yesterday, it was learnt, was the same attacked at a station in Igueben, Edo State on January 7 leading to the abduction of 20 passengers.

    Sources in the train said: “The incident happened inside Kogi forest, over 300 passengers were said to have abandoned the train for fear of being kidnapped, as no other coach was sent to rescue them after an hour the incident happened.”

    The sources said the train left Warri early Sunday, but derailed at about 12noon inside a thick forest between Ajaokuta and Itakpe.

    “Till after 1pm there was no help from anywhere,” the source said.

    However, in a statement by Coordinator Warri Itakpe Train Service, Sanni Abdulganiyu, which confirmed the incident, said all passengers and crew were safely evacuated.

    “The Warri Itakpe Train Service WITS 01 derailed at km 30 Ajaokuta-Itakpe section of the track at About 12:30hrs on Sunday, January 22, 2023.

    “Thankfully, there was no fatality and no casualty. We were immediately alerted and security personnel comprising the; Army, Police, NSCDC, and the community vigilante were immediately drafted to the accident point with the assistance of the Local government Chairman.

    “All the 148 passengers and 30 crew members were evacuated to a safe place and arrangements were made to convey 148 passengers to their various destinations and they have been successfully conveyed.

    “The cause of the derailment is not yet determined. Due to this incident, the service along the corridor has been suspended. Further details would be communicated to members of the public. Repair and operation will resume as soon as possible,” he said.

    Also, a staff of the Nigerian Railway Corporation at the Itakpe Station, who spoke on the condition of anonymity said the incident took place at about 20km from the destination of the train.

    He hinted that some of the NRC workers got vehicles that evacuated the passengers safely from the forest where the incident took place.

    (Sun)

  • Banks battle new naira shortage ahead of deadline

    Banks battle new naira shortage ahead of deadline

    Eight days to the January 31 deadline set by the Central Bank of Nigeria to stop the old N1,000, N500, and N200 notes from being legal tender, banks’ Automated Teller Machines in Lagos, Abuja and other parts of the country are still dispensing the old notes, findings by The reporters have revealed.

    Despite the apex bank and depositing banks’ assurances that Nigerians would begin to receive the new naira notes from ATMs across different platforms, findings as of Sunday showed that many ATMs belonging to the financial institutions were dispensing the old notes.

    Although some of the ATMs visited in Lagos, Abuja, Ogun, Osun, and Gombe, among others, dispensed the new notes, The PUNCH observed that banks were still loading a significant number of their ATMs with the old naira ntes which are due to be phased out by the CBN in about a week’s time.

    ATMs in Lagos

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    When The reporters visited some bank ATMs along the Ikotun-Idimu Road, Lagos on Sunday morning, it was observed that several ATMs were dispensing the old notes with only a few dispensing the new notes.

    While customers got the new notes from Sterling Bank ATM on the axis, Access Bank ATMs dispensed the old notes.

    Findings by The reporter showed that five of the seven banks visited by our correspondent were still dispensing the old notes to customers.

    At the Guaranty Trust Bank on 50, Ogunusi Road, Ojodu area of Lagos, all three ATMs adjacent to the main building of the bank were dispensing old notes around 1 pm when one of our correspondents visited the place.

    When The reporter visited the ATMs at Access Bank in the same Ojodu axis, only the old naira notes were available to the customers.

    Meanwhile, a different report was observed at all the ATMs in the premises of First Bank Plc located opposite Michael Agbaje World Outreach, Aina Junction, Ojodu.

    All three ATMs were dispensing the newly redesigned naira notes when The reporters visited the bank.

    However, the eight ATMs at the Zenith Bank located on Ogunusi Road were seen dispensing the old notes in different denominations.

    Although some bank customers said they received the newly redesigned notes, when The reporters visited the United Bank for Africa’s ATMs in the area, some of the machines were however seen dispensing the old ones.

    The ATMs located inside the premises of GTBank at Gate, Oke-Afa, Lagos, were seen dispensing a mixture of old and new notes, with the old notes surpassing the new ones.

    One of our correspondents who monitored ATMs on Oba Akran Road in the Ikeja area of Lagos found a Wema Bank ATM dispensing old N1,000 notes.

    Also, The reporter observed that several Point of Sale operators were still paying their customers with the old notes as of Sunday. However, a few of them were seen paying their customers with the new notes.

    “Banks are still limiting the amount of new notes they give to us. So, we also have a few to give to our customers, ” one of the PoS operators in Ikorodu told The reporters.

    Abuja ATMs

    In Abuja, some of the ATMs visited along the Airport Road dispensed old notes while a few others dispensed new naira notes.

     

    The reporter visited ATMs of Access Bank and United Bank for Africa located at the Federal Secretariat on Sunday.

    Our correspondent observed that the Access Bank ATMs dispensed the new naira notes in N1,000 denomination only. Similarly, the UBA ATMs dispensed the new notes.

    However, one of our correspondents who visited UBA and First Bank ATMs located at Maitama observed they were out of network and, as such, couldn’t tell if they were dispensing the new notes.

    The ATM stands visited include GT Bank, Stanbic IBTC and Zenith Bank.

    At GTBank, Sauka Branch, crisp N200, N500 and N1,000 were available for withdrawal.

    Meanwhile, only the old naira notes were dispensed at Zenith Bank in the area.

    When our correspondent asked for explanations, an official on duty queried, “Is the money no longer a legal tender?”

    States

    In Osogbo, Osun State, some bank ATMs dispensed the old notes, especially in some remote parts of the state. However, most of the banks in the Osogbo capital failed to load their ATMs apparently to avoid CBN sanctions.

    Meanwhile, it was observed that the majority of the PoS within the Osun State capital were still giving their customers the old notes, explaining that they had yet to get the new notes.

    A PoS operator at Sabo Area of Osogbo, Tiamiyu Omoyeni, said many of the operators still had large volumes of the old notes.

    He said, “Most of us don’t have enough new notes and we may continue to give our customers old notes for now.”

    In Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, as of Sunday, several commercial banks’ ATMs were still dispensing the old naira notes to their customers.

    Many customers, who made withdrawals from bank ATMs in Abeokuta, were disappointed at the development.

    The ATMs located in Oke-Ilewo, Abeokuta, Panseke and Asero were still dispensing the old naira notes.

    In Gombe State, several ATMs were still dispensing the old notes with PoS operators complaining of not being able to access the new notes.

    Also, customers could not access the new notes in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. CBN had last Thursday threatened to sanction banks over the development.

    Banks’ officials react

    Meanwhile, bank officials who spoke to our correspondents complained of a shortage of new notes.

    The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the development had made it difficult for them to fully comply with the CBN directive on the need to load ATMs with new notes.

    When asked why the Access Bank had yet to comply with the CBN’s directive on the new note, a source close to the bank said the lender had yet to get enough new notes for adequate distribution across its branch network.

    “The new currency is not enough for the bank to start dispensing; that is why they are still given the old currency.”

    Another official of the bank told The reporter that there was a scarcity of the newly redesigned notes, adding that no bank would deliberately want to flout the directive of the CBN.

    He said, “The CBN has gone around our ATMs and found out that we are very compliant with their entire directive. No bank will hoard the new notes. CBN is going around and monitoring. No bank would want to be caught flouting the rule. There is scarcity. If a bank’s ATM does not have the new notes, it means the bank does not have it.”

    Also reacting to the scarcity, a top official of Zenith Bank said, “If the new currencies are exhausted from the ATMs, is it not better to fill the ATMs with old currencies so that people will have access to cash? It is still legal tender until the end of January. It is only when the branches have the new currencies that they can fill the ATMs will them.”

    The reporter observed that banks were still loading their ATMs with the old notes amid threats by the CBN to sanction errant banks.

    A Director at the CBN and serving Managing Director of NIRSAL Microfinance Bank, Dr Abdullahi Kure, had said the CBN would query banks found hoarding or diverting the new notes and dispensing old cash.

    He said the CBN had enough “stock of cash to meet the requests of banks.”

    Kure noted that the CBN would go through its “record to ascertain the quantity of new notes given to banks found to be dispensing old notes via ATMs. Where we detect any infraction, such banks would be sanctioned.”

    He urged Nigerians to exchange old notes in their possession through established channels in return for new ones.

    Customers demand extension

    Meanwhile, the President, Bank Customers Association of Nigeria, Dr Uju Ogunbunka, said there would be a need for the CBN to extend the deadline.

    He said, “It seems like we don’t have enough and if we don’t have enough, what we expect to be done is that the date for the deadline should be extended, otherwise we can run into trouble where I am still holding a bunch of old notes and the date has expired. Even when I go to the bank, I cannot get the new currency. My suggestion is that the authorities should look at this and we still add a week or so to the date. I believe that is enough to make changes where necessary. There is a need for an extension.”

    Several bank customers had also spoken with The reporters in the past, appealing for an extension to the CBN’s deadline due to the scarcity of the new notes.

    Ex-NSPM director reacts

    Meanwhile, a former Director of Administration and Assistant General Manager in the Nigeria Security Printing and Minting Company Limited, Brown Mene, has asked the CBN to sanction any commercial bank still dispensing the old notes.

    Mene, a member of the Olu Advisory Council and Ogwaolusan of Warri Kingdom, while assessing the ongoing advocacy by the personnel of the CBN on the new naira, said the advocacy had come too late.

    “The advocacy the CBN is just doing now, they ought to have done it even before the notes are out. Sensitisation of members of the public is the proper thing to do. But it is long overdue,” he stated.

    CBN reacts

    The CBN has taken the ongoing sensitisation on new naira notes to the Abubakar Mahmud Gumi Market, Kaduna with an appeal to traders to ensure that the old notes are deposited at commercial banks.

    The apex bank stressed that there would be no extension of the January 31 deadline.

    The CBN’s Director of Capacity Development, Mohammed Abba, who briefed journalists on the benefits of the new naira notes while sensitising traders at the Central Market Motor Park, Kaduna on Saturday, urged traders to hasten up and deposit their old naira notes in exchange for the new notes.

    He also noted that the CBN would sanction errant commercial banks which refused to dispense the new naira notes through their ATMs or were found hoarding the notes.

    “For now, I don’t think there is any possibility of changing or extending the January 31 deadline within which the old naira notes will cease as legal tender,” he added.

    The CBN had at various programmes vowed to sanction any commercial bank found hoarding the new naira notes, saying it had produced enough for distribution to all the banks across the country.

    The CBN Kano Branch Controller, Alhaji Umar Biu, said during a sensitisation programme on the new naira notes organised for traders at the Sabon Gari market in Kano last Thursday that traders had the right to report any bank found either hoarding the new naira notes or charging customers before depositing their old naira notes.

    “You have the right to report any bank found hoarding the new naira notes or refusing to collect your old naira notes before the 31st January 2023 deadline.

    “No bank should refuse to collect the old naira notes until the deadline of 31st January 2023,” the branch controller said.

    According to him, the apex bank has directed commercial banks to desist from payment on the counter as part of effort to check the favouritism of customers.

    He maintained that there was no going back on the 31st January 2023 deadline adding that all the old naira notes would cease to be legal tender on that date.

    (Punch)

  • UK Prime Minister fined for not wearing car seat belt

    UK Prime Minister fined for not wearing car seat belt

    Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, has been fined for not wearing a seatbelt in a moving car while filming a social media video.

    Lancashire Police on Friday said a conditional offer of a fixed penalty had been issued to the Prime Minister.

    Notably, passengers caught failing to wear a seat belt when one is available can be fined Pound 100, a fine that can increase to Pound 500 if the case eventually goes to court.

    Lancashire Police in a tweet announcing the fine wrote: “Following the circulation of a video on social media showing an individual failing to wear a seat belt while a passenger in a moving car in Lancashire we have today (Friday, Jan 20) issued a 42-year-old man from London with a conditional offer of fixed penalty.”

    The prime minister was in Lancashire when the video was filmed, during a trip across the north of England.

    Reacting to the announcement, Sunak’s office said in a statement: “The prime minister fully accepts this was a mistake and has apologized. He will of course comply with the fixed penalty.

    “It was an error of judgment, he removed it for a short period of time to film a clip, which you’ve seen, but he accepts that was a mistake.”

    This was the second time Mr Sunak had received a fixed penalty notice while in government.

    He was fined along with Boris Johnson and wife Carrie last year for breaking Covid lockdown rules by attending a birthday gathering for the then-prime minister in Downing Street in June 2020.

    (Ripples)

  • Ohanaeze: Obiozor’s burial rescheduled to February 10

    Burial for the demised President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide, Prof. George Obiozor has been rescheduled to take place on February 10 2023 at his home town, Awo-Omamma, Oru-East local government area of Imo state.

    However, the burial for the Deputy President General of the apex Igbo organization, High Chief Joel Kroham, remains February 4 at Ahoda, Rivers state.

    Rising from a second emergency meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC) of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Enugu, on Friday, Secretary General of the group, Amb. Okey Emuchay disclosed the activities prior to the burial of the late President General.

     

    “We are going to have a valedictory at the National secretariat in the building which was renovated during his tenure as PG, at the building where we held our Ime-Obi with him, on Thursday 5th of May 2022.

     

    “There will be activities in Lagos Ohanaeze state chapter and other groups are planning to honour him at the Nigeria Institute of International Affairs Victoria Island Lagos. Other groups in Abuja are also planning to honour him and we as NEC of Ohanaeze will have a valedictory session for him in our national secretariat Enugu,” Emuchay disclosed.

     

    He further revealed that the burial committee would be chaired by a former President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Garry Igariwey, while the secretary of the committee is the President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Imo state, Barr. CB Ihenedu, with all members of Ohanaeze NEC as members of the committee together with other stakeholders and Ohanaeze members from the seven states of Ohanaeze.

     

    “As you can notice, these two seats (pointing at two unoccupied seats) are vacant. That used to be the seat of the deputy President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo and the other, that of the President General of Ohanaeze. They are all in the mortuary.

     

    “This is the first time in the history of Ohanaeze that Ohanaeze will have its President General and the deputy President General dead about the same time, but Ohanaeze NEC wants to assure that the ship of Ohanaeze is in safe hands. We shall pass through this difficult period and everything will be done to ensure that the PG of Ohanaeze, the deputy PG of Ohanaeze and that of Mbazulike Amaechi, the first republic minister of Aviation, who is also going to be buried on the 16th of February, Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide will ensure that these three patriots, these three sons of Igbo nation are accorded the dignity and honour that they deserve,” Emuchay said emotionally.

     

    He appealed to all Ohanaeze members, chapters, all structures of Ohanaeze both in Nigeria and in diaspora to open condolence books, such as has been done in the national secretariat in Enugu, so that people could go and have opportunity to say bye-bye to the late President General.

     

    “Formal letters will go to the Governors of the seven Ohanaeze states, to the leaders of our partners in Southern Nigeria and the Middle Belt Forum, together with the leadership of Northern Elders’ Forum. We’ve been in touch with them and they are shocked at what has happened. So we will write to them formally as we have done with the seven Ohanaeze governors and other stakeholders including the former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and others, to convey the new date of 10th of February 2023 for the burial of our departed PG,” Emuchay said.

    (Vanguard)

  • FG Fixes March 29 to April 2 for National Population Census

    FG Fixes March 29 to April 2 for National Population Census

    Nigeria’s National Population Commission (NPC) has assured citizens that there will be no room for the manipulation of the 2023 population census saying it will conduct a more credible exercise with the aid of available technology.

    Chairman of the Commission, Nasir Isa Kwarra, who gave this hint on Friday while speaking with newsmen, after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House, Abuja, also said technology would make it difficult for anyone to manipulate the exercise.

    The NPC boss said the exercise will be different from the past ones marred by controversies as the Commission will be making use of cutting-edge technology, including Global Positioning System (GPS) and satellite images, noting that every building in the country has already been coded for the purpose.

    According to him: “This census is going to be different from past censuses. The theory and practice is essentially the same, but we’re using high-end technology to conduct this census and it’s such that nobody can tamper with any figure. Nobody will be counted more than once.

    “We’re visiting households to do direct interface with the household, collect data and in the past in the past if you’re doing an operational manually, it’s very cumbersome, but this is being aided by technology and I believe it’s going to be transparent and very fast and it is going to be verifiable because we are able to provide data up to local government, up to wards level. So it is something that you can always verify”.

    Kwarra said the demarcation of enumeration areas has been completed, affirming that the exercise proper will take place between late March and early April.

    He also stated that a portal has been opened by the Commission to recruit ad-hoc staff for the conduct of the exercise, adding that people recruited will be deployed to work in their localities.

    Speaking against the worrisome security situation in parts of the country, the NPC Chairman expressed hope that the exercise can be conducted smoothly in the areas affected.

    Kwarra also disclosed that the 2023 national population and housing census will hold from March 29 to April 1, 2023.

    His words: “By March 29 to April 2, our staff will be in the field enumerating people”.

    (Arise Tv)

  • Fmr. Governor Nnamani appeals for calm amidst suspension, says party violated provisions of her constitution on fair hearing

    Fmr. Governor Nnamani appeals for calm amidst suspension, says party violated provisions of her constitution on fair hearing

    Chetanne Chinelo, Enugu

    The former governor of Enugu State and Senator representing Enugu East senatorial zone at the National Assembly, Chimaroke Nnamani, has called for calm among his supporters.

    He made this known in a tweet on his verified Twitter handle, @ChimarokeNnamani, on Saturday, January 21, 2023.

    He said he was rudely shocked to hear about his suspension especially since he was neither notified of any petition against him nor invited to any disciplinary committee hearing to be informed of the grounds that formed the decision of the National Working Committee, NWC, of the PDP to suspend him for what they called “anti-party activities”.

    Suing for calm and asking his supporters to be law abiding, he stated he will “continue our campaign to a hopefully victorious conclusion”.

    The tweet reads in full: “Earlier tonight, the National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) announced the decision of the National Working Committee (NWC) of PDP, suspending me from the party.

    “I have since been inundated with telephone calls and messages from various persons, seeking my clarification on the matter.

    “Just like every other person, the decision and announcement of my purported suspension from the PDP came to me as a rude shock and huge surprise.

    “I was never at any time notified of any petition or complaint against me or informed of the grounds that formed the decision of the NWC of the PDP to suspend me from the party.

    “I was also not invited to any meeting, proceeding or hearing of the NWC of the party where my supposed offence(s) was/were discussed. I was therefore not afforded the opportunity to make representations on my behalf at any meeting where the proposal and decision to suspend me from the party was made. My right to fair hearing was consequently violated against the clear provisions of the Constitution of the party, especially in disciplinary proceedings, more importantly, the superior constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    “I therefore, appeal to all of you to remain calm and law abiding, while we continue our campaign to a hopefully victorious conclusion. To God be the glory”.

    Recall that the Peoples Democratic Party, in a statement on Friday, January 20, 2023, by the party’s spokesman, Debo Ologunagba, announced the suspension of Nnamani, saying the suspension is with immediate effect. Those suspended alongside him were Ayeni Funso (Ekiti north), Ajijola Lateef Oladimeji (Ekiti central), Emiola Adenike Jennifer (Ekiti south II), Ajayi Babatunde Samuel (Ekiti north II), Olayinka James Olalere (Ekiti central), Akerele Oluyinka (Ekiti north I), and Fayose Oluwajomiloju John (Ekiti central I).

    Ologunagba explained that the decision to suspend Nnamani was based on allegations of anti-party activities leveled against the ex-governor and was taken by the National Working Committee(NWC).

    Lately, Nnamani has publicly expressed his support for Bola Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Recall that his name was at a time included as a member of APC Presidential Campaign Council but was later dropped.

  • Nigeria loses over 500 citizens to violence, accidents, others less than 20 days into 2023

    Nigeria loses over 500 citizens to violence, accidents, others less than 20 days into 2023

    AFTER surviving the insecurity and other socio-economic challenges of 2022, death is the last thing on the minds of most people who crossed over to January 2023.

    However, less than 20 days into 2023, the Nigerian polity is littered with untimely and aborted dreams. No fewer than 508 people, across the country, have had their lives violently terminated in their prime, according to Saturday Vanguard checks.

    A deadly combination of violence, accidents, cult clashes, activities of Boko Haram insurgents, unknown gunmen and separatists in, kidnappers, and bandits have practically created many killing fields across Nigeria in the last 19 days.

    On December 31 of every year, many people troop to religious and prayer houses where they thank God for the ending year and pray for better tidings— good health, long life, prosperity and other favours in the new year.

    Often, many people outline a litany of lofty goals they want to pursue in the coming year.

    They top it up with the exchange of goodwill wishes and messages with friends and family. No matter how old, instant death is usually ruled out. Even those who are ill expect to get well in the New Year.

    The 508 deaths, according to Saturday Vanguard’s checks, include 25 Nigerians who were snatched by the outbreak of Diphtheria disease in Kano. Two persons died of Diphtheria in Lagos. They also include those of a couple set ablaze by suspected arsonists shortly after they returned from cross-over church service in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on January 1.

    The death figure is not exhaustive because it is based on reported cases.

    How 508 lives were wasted in January 2023

    January 1

    * Seven persons were confirmed dead in an accident on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, and sixteen others were injured in the crash.

    *Five persons were killed and four others were injured as a motorist rammed into a group of friends at Akinmorin near Oyo town.

    *Gunmen killed a seven-month pregnant woman, Mrs Urenma Chima, Ebubeagu commander’s wife in Ebonyi State.

    *Two persons were shot dead as gunmen attacked a military checkpoint at Ubomiri/Nwaorie Ubi Road in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State.

    *A medical doctor, Dr Uyi Iluobe was shot dead at Olive Clinic, in Oghareki, Ethiopia West council.

    *Suspected arsonists set a couple ablaze, shortly after they returned from cross-over church service in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

    *Eight persons died, 22 sustained various injuries in two separate accidents in Ogun State.

    * Airstrikes killed 33 Boko Haram militants in Bama, Borno.

    * Bandits killed three and abducted one in Abeokuta, Ogun.

    * Five were killed when someone deliberately drove into a party in Afijio, Oyo.

    * Police killed one bandit in Gusau, Zamfara.

    * Gunmen killed five in Awka South, Anambra.

    January 2

    * Gunmen killed four police officers during an attack on Ohakim’s convoy in Ehime-Mbano, Imo.

    * Police officers killed one bandit in Jibia, Katsina.

    * Gunmen killed one and abducted six in Toto, Nassarawa.

    * Troops killed four bandits in Giwa, Kaduna.

    * Ohakim escaped death as four of his police orderlies were killed in a bomb attack on his convoy.

    * Four persons were shot dead by suspected hoodlums in Nodu Okpuno in Akwa North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

    * Police Command in Katsina State neutralised a suspected terrorist while repelling their attack on Magamar Jibia, Jibia Local Government Area of the State.

    * Nigerian Air force Super Tucano jets between January 1 and 2, eliminated 33 Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists during air strikes at four of their camps in Bama Local Government Area.

    January 3

    · Gunmen killed five in Akoko North-East, Ondo.

    ·Kehinde, a herbalist died during a marathon sex romp with his girlfriend in a hotel room in Ekiti State.

    · Remains of Oreoluwa Fatinoye, son of the couple killed and set ablaze afterwards by assailants, was fished out from Ogun River.

    · Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, confirmed that 15 persons were killed and five others were injured in an auto crash that occurred in Kogi State.

    · Troops of Operation Forest Sanity eliminated four terrorists and recovered arms and ammunition in two encounters in Kaduna State.

    .More than 20 farmers were feared killed after a boat carrying about 100 farmers capsized in Kebbi State.

    January 4

    ·Councillor and five others were killed in the Sapele bloodbath.

    ·A vigilante operative was killed and two others were injured by gunmen in Anambra State.

    · Police in Zamfara repelled the bandits’ attack, killed one and arrested five others.

    ·Multiple auto crashes that occurred a few kilometres from Nabardo village on Bauchi-Jos Federal Highway burnt 18 people to death.

    ·A couple, and six others were arrested for killing and dismembering a 26-year-old lady in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.

    · A cult war resulted in four deaths in Sapele, Delta.

    · Gunmen killed one vigilante in Ihiala, Anambra.

    ·Police officers killed one bandit in Malumfashi, Katsina.

    ·One police officer and two bandits were killed during a clash in Akwanga, Nasarawa.

    January 5

    ·Family of a 35-year-old baker, Hanofi Taofeek was thrown into mourning after he was crushed to death by a commercial bus driver, Arinze Okafor, in Lagos.

    January 6

    ·No fewer than seven people from Kwanar Dangora town in Kiru Local Government Area of Kano State were killed in an auto crash that occurred along Kano-Zaria Road.

    ·Seven people from Kwanar Dangora town in Kiru LGA died in a motor accident along Kano-Zaria road.

    ·Three persons died and eight others were injured when a speeding Toyota Corolla hit a taxi from the rear at the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway.

    ·Nuhu Usman from Bauchi State was arrested for killing one of his wives with a dane gun.

    ·Burnt body of an unidentified man, concealed in a sack, was dumped by alleged cult members in Akure.

    ·Gunmen shot four persons dead including the legislative leader of Warri North Local Government Council.

    ·Taiwo Ajalorun was arrested by police operatives in Ondo State with a container full of a human dead body and an Itel phone of a dismembered 26-year-old mother of two.

    ·Ondo State government imposed a 24-hour curfew on Ikare-Akoko, Akoko North East, following a bloody clash, which claimed five lives during the youths’ carnival.

    ·Precious Adiele, member of a cult group was killed in a gang war that also left an unidentified elderly resident burnt to death in Port Harcourt.

    ·Kidnappers killed one and abducted one in Ethiope West, Delta.

    January 7

    · Police officers killed two gunmen in Gusau, Zamfara.

    · Boko Haram killed 35 Islamic State in West Africa (ISWA) militants in Kukawa, Borno.

    · Police officers killed two kidnappers in Alkaleri, Bauchi.

    January 8

    ·A woman was killed while her husband and son sustained injuries in a motorbike accident on the Abeokuta-Ibadan road.

    ·12 persons were killed and five others were injured in a road accident that occurred in Sokoto.

    · Communal violence resulted in one death in Pategi, Kwara.

    January 9

    · One person was confirmed dead with many others injured during the Yoruba Nation agitators rally in Ojota, Lagos.

    ·Police neutralised two suspected gun runners and recovered explosive shells in Zamfara.

    ·Kano State Police arrested Ghadiffi Sagir for allegedly killing his step mother and her daughter.

    ·Bandits killed twelve security operatives in Birnin-Gwari, Kaduna.

    ·Bandits killed one vigilante in Rafi, Niger State.

    ·Three men were arrested in Katsina State over a clash between the police and some hoodlums on New Year’s Day which resulted in the death of a nine-year-old boy.

    ·Police in Zamfara killed two gun runners who were conveying arms to terrorists’ camp in Zamfara from Taraba State.

    ·A member of a vigilance group was killed as local hunters repelled bandits’ attacks In Niger State.

    January 10

    ·Warri cult groups killed one person in his home in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra.

    ·A 200-level student of Nnamdi Azikiwe University was shot dead by armed robbers.

    ·A young man, Uchenna Okafor, allegedly died in police custody in Anambra State.

    ·An unidentified woman was killed by motorists around NNPC junction along the Kubwa-Zuba Expressway, Abuja.

    ·Suspected hoodlums murdered an intending couple in Imo State.

    ·Gunmen killed four in Ihiala, Anambra.

    ·Gunmen killed three in Ideato North, Imo.

    January 11

    ·Residents of Ushafa in Bwari Area, Abuja were thrown into confusion as gunmen invaded the community, killed Benjamin Ogundare and abducted his family members.

    ·Trailer killed an official of the Nigeria Security Defense Corps, NSCDC in Niger State.

    ·Bandits killed one and abducted two in Bwari, Federal Capital Territory.

    ·Bandits killed two and abducted four in Igabi, Kaduna.

    ·Nigerian troops killed five Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) militants in Mbaitoli, Imo.

    January 12

    ·The lifeless body of a man, identified only as Segun, was found in a hotel in Ogun State.

    ·Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers killed a man, Benjamin Ogundare and abducted two of his relatives, Goodluck Ogundare and Janet Ogundare in Abuja.

    ·13-year-old committed suicide in Niger State after she was caned by her parents.

    · A community leader in Kaduna State was killed by suspected bandits at his residence in Unguwar Mai Awo village.

    · Anambra State Joint Task Force on security recovered four bodies suspected to have been killed by unknown gunmen at Eziani village in Ihiala Local Government Area of the state.

    · A Deputy Superintendent of Police attached to the Anti-kidnapping Unit of the Edo State Police Command died during a shootout with kidnappers.

    · Five persons were killed in a bomb attack in Anambra State.

    · Gunmen killed four Anambra vigilantes and bombed multiple buildings in Ihiala, Anambra.

    ·Kidnappers killed one police officer in Oredo, Edo.

    · Troops killed two kidnappers in Toto, Nassarawa.

    ·Police officers killed five bandits in Magama, Niger State.

    January 13

    · Troops killed seven Indigenous People of Biafra members and arrested six others during operations conducted in Imo, Anambra, Abia and Enugu states.

    · Gunmen attacked men of the Anambra Vigilante Service and killed four.

    · Kaduna State Fire Service confirmed that an inferno killed four family members.

    · Gunmen killed two members of a vigilance group in Delta State.

    · Gunmen killed two vigilantes in Sapele, Delta.

    · Troops killed “several” (est. at ten) ISWA militants in Damboa, Borno.

    January 14

    · DSP Michael Adams, who was involved in the rescue operation of a kidnapped President of Iruegben Area Customary Court, Mrs. Precious Aigbonoga, was reported dead.

    · Ogundeji Ojo set his father’s house and died in the inferno.

    · Kingsley Enageghe was arrested for allegedly shooting a guest at Queens Victory hotel in Lagos.

    · 20 people lost their lives in both Ogun and Plateau states during road crashes.

    · 16 supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Plateau State lost their lives following a road accident in Mangu Local Government Area.

    · 15 persons died in Lagos and Bauchi road crashes.

    · Head of Lambata village in Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State, Mohammed Abdulfasur, was killed.

    January 15

    · 10 persons were feared dead and several others were injured in an auto crash on Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway in Abuja.

    · Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service rescued one and recovered another dead from a fallen fuel tanker in Lagos.

    · Reverend Father Isaac Achi of St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Kaffin-Koro, Niger State was killed by bandits and his corpse was burnt in his room.

    · The military killed two Boko Haram terrorists in Borno

    ·One Peter Abah was killed in a robbery attack in IgalaMela/Odolu Local Government Area of Kogi State.

    January 16

    · Noah, an 18-year-old boy died in Lagos after being allegedly poisoned by his friends.

    January 17

    ·18 persons and 16 cows died in an accident in Kebbi State. Forty two others sustained injuries.

    · Policeman detailed to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, office in Enugu South Local Government Area of Enugu State was killed when suspected hoodlums set the facility ablaze.

    ·Three people were killed after suspected terrorists attacked Jajar Kanwa village, in Katsina State.

    · Police killed a protester in Minna, Niger State.

    ·A yet-to-be-identified trader was shot by a policeman at the Alaba Rago Market, Lagos State.

    · Ndiegoro neighbourhood in Aba South Local Government Area of Abia State was thrown into turmoil following a shootout between police and hoodlums, resulting in the death of a Police Inspector.

    · Troops killed 10 bandits in Danmusa LGA, Katsina State

    January 18

    · A leader of a suspected gang of robbers in Delta State, Bobo Ononibe, was killed during an exchange of gunfire with police operatives.

    January 19

    ·Mallam Zubairu died after a vehicle ran over him on the premises of Jos University Teaching Hospital, JUTH, Plateau State.

    ·Cult clash in Benin City, Edo State, claimed the lives of four persons around Erediauwa and Sakponba roads.

    · Police in Abuja arrested 11 suspects in connection with the lynching of a man identified as Salihu, by a mob, which mistook him for a motorcycle thief in Anguwar Dodo, Gwagwalada Area Council.

    · An unidentified car dealer was stabbed to death by suspected hoodlums on Ordnance Road, Trans-Amadi, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

    ·Police Inspector in Ndiegoro Divisional Headquarters, Aba, Abia State, reportedly died in a gun battle between policemen and gunmen.

    ·Six persons were killed as they attempted to foil the kidnapping of two persons in Zonkwa, Zangon Kataf, Kaduna State

    ·Police killed one armed robber and arrested another over the murder of keke rider in Delta

    · Suspected armed herdsmen attacked an IDP camp in Abagena community, Benue killing eight including a family of six.

    (Vanguard)

  • Buhari to commission Rice mill, Lekki Deep Sea Port, others next week

    Buhari to commission Rice mill, Lekki Deep Sea Port, others next week

    President Muhammadu Buhari will be in Lagos State between January 23 and 24, on a two-day working visit to inaugurate projects undertaken by the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration.

    President Buhari will open five iconic projects between his arrival and departure on Monday, January 23 and Tuesday, January 24.

    The projects slated for commissioning are the Lekki Deep Sea Port; the 32-metric tons per hour Lagos Rice Mill; the 18.75-kilometer six-lane rigid-pavement Eleko Junction to Epe Expressway; the John Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History, and the Lagos Blue Line rail project.

    He will also open a private sector project, the MRS Lubricant factory, in Apapa.

    Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy Gbenga Omotoso disclosed this while addressing reporters on the government’s plans for the president’s visit.

    At the press briefing, Omotoso was supported by Commissioner for Transport, Frederic Oladeinde, Special Advisers to the governor Mrs. Aramide Adeyoye (Works and Infrastructure) and Femi Martins (Tourism, Arts and Culture), General Manager of the Lagos Metropolitan Transport Authority (LAMATA) Abimbola Akinajo, and Permanent Secretaries Mrs. Oyinade Nathan-Mash (Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture) and Femi Osayintolu (LASEMA).

    Omotoso said: “Mr. President is scheduled to arrive in Lagos on Monday, January 23, where he will be received by Governor Sanwo-Olu, top government officials and dignitaries. Thereafter, Mr. Governor will lead the guest to the Lekki Deep Sea Port for the official commissioning of the largest Sea Port in Sub-Saharan Africa. There will be a tour of the Lekki Deep Sea Port facility. The President is then expected to commission the newly constructed Eleko Junction to Epe road project before departing for the Lagos Rice Mill in Imota. There will be a state banquet on Monday January 23. On day two (January 24), Mr. President will commission the MRS Lubricant factory, a private sector project in Apapa. He will depart Apapa for the John Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History for its commissioning. After that, Mr. President will move to the Lagos Blue Line Rail Project in Marina, where different activities have been lined up for him. At the Blue Line Terminal, Mr. President will witness the signing of the second phase of the rail project, from Mile 2 to Okokomaiko. He will also commission the Phase I and take a train ride from Marina to Mile 2 and back, before departing for Abuja.”

    Meanwhile, the state government has announced that traffic will be restricted on the fixed date for the commissioning. In a statement released by the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, the Commissioner, Oladeinde assured that alternative routes have been mapped out as well as the deployment of the State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA to manage Traffic flow during the two-day visit

    (Sun)