The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Buhari to minister, NNPCL: Work together to improve power supply

    Buhari to minister, NNPCL: Work together to improve power supply

    • Commissions 50Mw Maiduguri Emergency Power Project

    President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday directed the Ministry of Power and other relevant agencies to collaborate with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to ensure that millions of Nigerians access affordable electricity in the short term.

    Buhari gave the directive when he inaugurated the Maiduguri Emergency Power Project (MEPP) describing the feat as another testament towards achieving stable, uninterrupted power supply, aimed at improving the economy and lives of Nigerians.

    The gas plant was constructed by the NNPC Limited to supply 50 megawatts (Mw) of electricity to Maiduguri and environs.

    According to a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, the president also expressed confidence that the undaunting spirit of the New NNPC Ltd would continue to engender affordable energy for all Nigerians, not just for the immediate, but for the years ahead.

    He, however, described the feat achieved with the power project as another testament towards achieving stable, uninterrupted power supply, aimed at improving the economy and lives of Nigerians.

    “Therefore, today, I have the honor to commission another power plant, that aimed at improving electricity supply to Nigerian homes, an integral part of the huge successes being recorded by the Presidential Power Initiative.

    “Furthermore, I will like to direct the Ministry of Power and other relevant agencies, namely, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading PLC, Transmission Company of Nigeria etc, to continue to collaborate with NNPC Limited to ensure that millions of Nigerians access affordable electricity in short term.

    “Finally, I commend NNPC Limited, the government and people of Borno State, for this feat. I do hope that the undaunted spirit of the new NNPC Limited will continue to engender affordable energy for all Nigerians, not just for the immediate, but for the years ahead,” he said.

    Speaking at the occasion, Buhari said his administration has worked hard to fulfill the promise of tackling the nation’s electricity challenges and has succeeded in laying the foundation for a strong, prosperous country through the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan.

    He noted that a key execution priority of the ERGP is ensuring national energy sufficiency for Nigerians.

    ”The Maiduguri Emergency Power Project is part of an incremental 4,000Mw of power generating assets that this administration embarked upon to improve national power supply and stimulate economic growth.

    ”The aggressive project strategy deployed to complete this project on schedule is a total reflection of Federal Government sensitivities in identifying and easing the plight of the Nigerians; particularly those recovering from the adverse impact of the insurgency in this Northeast region.

    ”Over the past few years, insurgents had attacked power supply lines along Maiduguri-Damaturu and Maiduguri-Damboa-Biu roads leading to acute power supply shortages to the city of Maiduguri and its environs and crippling the economic activities in the region.

    ”For this purposeful response, I want to commend the NNPC Ltd for following my directive to ensure the immediate restoration of reliable power supply to Maiduguri within the shortest possible time,” he said.

    The president reassured Nigerians of the Federal Government’s resolve to implement programmes, particularly in the power sector, that deepen domestic gas utilization, expands national power generation capacity, revitalizes industries and creates multiple jobs for economic growth.

    President Buhari, who is making his fifth visit to the State since the administration of Prof Babagana Zulum, thanked the Governor for keeping his campaign promises to the people of the State.

    He declared that the governor, who is seeking a second term in office, deserves to be re-elected.

    ”Your Excellency, I cannot remember the number of projects I commissioned during your first tenure, these laudable projects are impressive. I thank you.

    ”We also acknowledge the excellent work that you have done, working closely with the Federal Government and other stakeholders, to bring back the IDPs and refugees from Cameroon and other neighboring countries. I think the Governor deserves another term,” he said.

    While in Maiduguri, the president inaugurated the dualized Ahmadu Bello Way; Shehu Sanda Kura Road; Lafiya Road and Mogoram Road; Ultra-Modern Market, Bama Road; newly constructed Staff Quarters for University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital; Hon. Muktar Betara Aliyu Cancer Centre, and the newly constructed Bolari Market Road.

  • Yiaga Africa seeks audit of delay in upload of election results

    Yiaga Africa seeks audit of delay in upload of election results

    An election observer group, Yiaga Africa has called for a comprehensive audit on the delay by the Independent National Electoral Commission in uploading election results during last Saturday’s presidential and national assembly election.

    The organisation said this would help clear doubts and restore confidence in the electoral processes.

    Yiaga Africa Board Member, Dr. Aisha Abdullahi, said this during the presentation of the group’s findings from Saturday’s election.

    The failure of INEC to upload election results on the IReV portal had generated concerns, with some Nigerians alleging compromise of the process.

    Abdullahi noted that serious logistical and technological shortcomings undermined public confidence in the Independent National Electoral Commission.

    She said: “A comprehensive audit and investigation to unravel the factors that led to the delay in the upload of election results on the online portal is critical.

    “Persons found complicit in sabotaging the critical aspect of the election should be sanctioned. INEC should clarify the inconsistencies in some of the results especially Presidential election results from Rivers and Imo states.

    “Voting hours should be extended to 5pm to increase voter participation in subsequent elections. Legal timelines for testing new electoral technologies should be introduced to Nigeria’s electoral legal framework.”

    “INEC should provide clarifications on its interpretation of key aspects of the legal framework on issues like results collation and transmission process, the threshold for determining the winner in an election and the commission’s power to review election results declared under duress or in contravention of the Electoral Act, INEC guidelines and Manual.

    “INEC should sustain the uploads of polling unit results from form EC 8A on its IReV portal.”

  • Plateau governor’s aide Kuso congratulates Tinubu, Shettima

    Plateau governor’s aide Kuso congratulates Tinubu, Shettima

    The Personal Assistant to Plateau State  Governor and Director General of the Tinubu/ Shettima Presidential Campaign Council (PCC),  Dr Abubakar Kuso, has congratulated the President-elect,  Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President-elect, Kashim Shettima on their victory at the  last weekend’s election.

    At a news conference  at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) National Collation Centre Abuja shortly after Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was declared winner of the election, Kuso thanked Nigerians for standing by APC and voting for Tinubu.

    He said the antecedents of Tinubu stand tall amongst all the presidential candidates and rated Tinubu as the renewed hope for Nigeria and Nigerians.

    Kuso, who is widely followed by the Youths  and popularly known as the “grand commander” of the youths, is one of the most dogged grassroots politicians in the North Central.

    Kuso is one of the first promoters of the Asiwaju Presidential Project when he formed the BTSO, a support group that is one of the biggest forces that drove the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Project to all the nooks and crannies of the country until victory was achieved on  February 25 .

    He admonished the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, the People’s Democratic Party’s Atiku Abubakar and Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP)  to  join hands with Tinubu in building a new Nigeria.

    He said that it is not about the religion of the candidate but competence and capacity.

    A few days ago the political heavyweight and ardent supporter of Tinubu shut down Bida in Niger State for Tinubu/ Shettima in a rally that kept the people of North Central wondering how he could pull such an unusual crowd and support.

    The Niger politician was instrumental in winning thousands of votes for Asiwaju Tinubu  in Niger State and Nigeria at large using the BTSO platform nationwide.

    He prayed that Almighty God would grant Tinubu/ Shettima a very successful term that all Nigerians would be proud of.

  • ADC condemns party agents’ walk out

    ADC condemns party agents’ walk out

    AFRICAN Democratic Congress (ADC) Govenorship Candidates Forum has  condemned agents of Labour Party (LP), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and others for walking out on Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chair, Mahmood Yakubu, during results’ collation.

    Forum Secretary, Dr. Sani Gumel, in Abuja, condemned the action, saying the victory of All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, is proof our democracy is evolving and consolidating.

    He greeted the president-elect and hailed INEC for conducting a free and fair election.

    Calling on those who lost to accept the results, the forum urged them, in the spirit of democracy and national interest, to congratulate the winners.

    “The walk out is condemnable and anti-democracy. If anyone has a grouse, there is a provision that provides for court”.

    Denouncing the violence, it urged INEC to do more at the governorship/assembly poll.

    He urged Nigerians to come out and vote without  fear of intimidation.

  • Buhari visits burnt Maiduguri’s Monday Market

    Buhari visits burnt Maiduguri’s Monday Market

    • As Fed govt donates relief materials to victims

    President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday along with Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State, Vice President-elect Kashim Shettima, and other dignitaries of the state, took a tour round the ruins left of the Maiduguri’s Monday Market, which was completely destroyed by fire last Sunday.

    According to a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, the President was in the state to personally show solidarity with the people, especially victims of the fire.

    The President was also at the palace of the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar El-Kanemi, to register his profound condolences to indigenes of the state who lost property and means of livelihood in the disaster.

    The President visited the market, still smouldering five days after, with Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State, Vice President-elect Kashim Shettima, members of the Federal Executive Council and some eminent citizens of the State.

    The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Farouq, told the President that assessment on the level of damage is still ongoing.

    She announced that the Federal government has provided immediate relief materials to the victims of the fire incident, including 20,000 bags of rice, 20,000 bags of maize and condiments.

    The Minister pledged that the Ministry, in collaboration with the Borno State Government, would provide building materials to rebuild the market.

    “After the assessment, the ministry will submit a full report to Mr President to seek special intervention,” she said.

    Prof Zulum said the market, which was built in the 1970s, with no fewer than 20,000 beneficiaries was completely destroyed by the fire.

    Acknowledging the support by the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, he said the state government has provided an immediate support of N1 billion.

    “Even if the traders share N50,000 each, I do not think that will be enough for them, ” he said.

    The Chairman of the Market Association, Awaji Bukar, thanked the President for the visit, appealing for more support from the Federal Government.

    Earlier at the palace of the Shehu of Borno, President Buhari said he was also in the State to commission projects executed by the Prof Zulum led administration.

    He said: “I am delighted to be here with the Shehu and the good people of Borno State, to commiserate with you on the unfortunate Monday Market fire incident.

    “I’m pleased to be back to commission projects and be part of the unstoppable development drive of this great state. I’m equally happy that the state continues to strive for the normalization of its affairs following the enormous successes achieved in tackling the problem of security that had reached worrying heights in the past.

    “I like to put on record my deep and sincere appreciation of the love and support of the people of Borno State. I don’t take this for granted.”

    The Shehu of Borno thanked the President for overseeing the return of peace and normalcy to the State.

    Lauding the improved security situation in the State, Alhaji El-Kanemi declared that “no single local government area in the state is under the control of Boko Haram terrorists.”

    He said the President has successfully carried out his mission in office and that as far as Borno State is concerned, he had done far more than anyone had expected.

  • Nwobodo to politicians: don’t plunge Enugu into chaos over governorship poll

    Nwobodo to politicians: don’t plunge Enugu into chaos over governorship poll

    Former governor of old Anambra State, Senator Jim Nwobodo, has cautioned politicians in Enugu State against setting the state ablaze ahead of the March 11 governorship election.

    He said beating drums of war over who becomes the next governor of the state can only lead to unimaginable but avoidable consequences.

    The former governor’s call followed a statement credited to a senator-elect in the state, who in a viral video, had said that the March 11 governorship election in the state would be a do-or-die affair.

    Nwobodo, who described the remark as inciting, said it portended looming danger in the polity.

    He added that it was shocking for such comments to emanate from someone who won an election through the ballot.

    “I was shocked that somebody, who has just been elected to represent his people at the National Assembly could make such an inciting statement while addressing a gathering of his people. 

    “He was inciting the good people of Nsukka against the people of Nkanu, literally drumming up war on the day of the next election.

    “First, I want to plead with the peace-loving people of Nkanu not react violently to the unprovoked statement. The people of Nsukka are our brothers and sisters and not our enemies. As a governor of old Anambra State, I had a very good relationship with Nsukka, and they were my great supporters.

    “Peter Mbah is seeking to be governor of Enugu State made of Enugu North, Enugu West and Enugu East, and not the governor of Nkanu”, Nwobodo said.

  • ADC seeks court order over Rivers poll

    ADC seeks court order over Rivers poll

    Action Democratic Congress (ADC) has approached a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja to seek interim injunction to restrain the Independent National Electoral (INEC) from conducting Rivers State governorship election on March 11.

    A suit filed by the party and its governorship candidate, Chief Tonte Ibraye, also asked the court to give an order restraining the state government from enforcing its executive orders 21 and 22 enacted in 2022.

    Joined as defendants in the suit are Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, Attorney General of Rivers State, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and INEC.

    The plaintiffs said the orders, if given, should subsist pending the determination of the motion on notice.

    The ADC said they instituted the substantive suit to challenge the legality of the executive orders and their attendant consequences on the electioneering process and political atmosphere in the state.

    The suit dated February 21, claimed that the implementation of the orders “created a total case of disorder, political crisis and wanton breach of peace in the polity atmosphere of Rivers State.”

    “This has hampered the ability of the first plaintiff (Ibraye) and members of the second plaintiff (ADC) as well as other political parties except the third defendant (PDP) from assembling freely to carry out political activities such as campaigning, holding rallies, processions and meetings within the state.”

    “There is reason to believe that a serious breach of peace is likely to break out in Rivers if the fourth defendant proceeds with its plans to conduct the forthcoming governorship election scheduled to hold on March 11 in Rivers,” they said.

    The plaintiffs said in the interest of justice and fairness, INEC should be restrained from conducting the election pending the determination of the substantive suit.

  • 72 communities benefit in Bayelsa/UNICEF partnership on health care

    72 communities benefit in Bayelsa/UNICEF partnership on health care

    The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has partnered Bayelsa State Government in medical tourism and health care.

    UNICEF and the state Ministry of Health during the week continued in their trajectory of medical collaboration where no fewer than 72 communities across the state benefitted from UNICEF-supported medical outreaches.

    As part of the activities earlier slated to commemorate the third year in office of the Governor Douye Diri administration, the government recently launched a free medical outreach at Igeibiri community in Southern Ijaw Local Government.

    In the wake of the 2022 ravaging floods, UNICEF through the funding of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) and the Central Emergency Relief Fund (CERC) presented medical relief materials to the state government.

    The international organisations also began post-flood activities meant to ameliorate the impact of the floods on the state, including the procurement and supply of medications and distribution of essential commodities and related items to the impacted persons and families, who had started resettling in their communities.

    In Otuabo (Abobiri) community of Ogbia Local Government, the Chairman, Community Development Committee (CDC), Mr. Arimori Igoniwari, hailed UNICEF and the government for the initiative.

    He noted that the community, which had for long been grappling with the difficulties in accessing qualitative and affordable medicare, occasioned by lack of equipment in the old existing health centre in the area, could now better appreciate the partnership of the UNICEF and the state government.

    Earlier in Yenagoa, the capital, the Commissioner of Health, Dr. Pabara Igwele,  represented by his Personal Assistant,  Dr. Appah Williams, praised UNICEF for its commitment to the medical and related partnership with the state.

    The Team Leader of UNICEF Harmonised Approach to Cash Transfer (HACT), Mrs. Pauline Uko, restated the need for a continued partnership in ameliorating the health challenges facing the people of Bayelsa, noting that UNICEF would build on its existing collaboration with the state. 

    Speaking after the conclusion of the medical outreach in Otuabo, Ogbia Local Government, Dr. Parebi Adama, the acting team lead for the council’s batch of medical professionals during the outreach, said no fewer than 250 patients were diagnosed with and treated for ailments.

  • Edo APC warns against ‘planned govt-backed protest’

    Edo APC warns against ‘planned govt-backed protest’

    • ’Allegation false’

    All Progressives Congress (APC), Edo State chapter, has warned against the protest being allegedly planned by Governor Godwin Obaseki’s administration, following the loss of Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) candidates during last Saturday’s elections.

    The Chairman, Col. David Imuse (rtd.), yesterday in a statement by the Assistant Publicity Secretary, Ofure Osehobo, urged security agencies to prevent a breakdown of law and order.

    An Edo-based group, the National Coalition of Edo Voters, yesterday called for cancellation of Presidential and National Assembly elections, and resignation of the Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, over alleged irregularities.

    It threatened to begin daily protests at the National Museum, Ring Road, Benin, and other parts of the capital.

    Imuse alleged: “Obaseki is sponsoring protests across Edo State against INEC and the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as a way of instigating chaos, so that the commission will not hold House of Assembly election in Edo.

    “The governor held clandestine meetings with groups to recruit them for their dubious protests and create panic in Edo State. They will fail, as Nigerians of Edo origin have seen through their scam and will not be swayed by the failed PDP governor.

    The Special Adviser to Obaseki on Media Projects, Crusoe Osagie, however, denied the sponsorship of protests by his boss.

    He accused APC leaders of mischief.

    The presidential election was won by Labour Party (LP) in Edo, while the three senatorial and nine House of Representatives seats were shared between APC and LP, with PDP not being able to win any legislative seat, despite that Governor Obaseki is a chieftain of the party.

  • APC PCC Okocha faction pledges support for Wike’s governorship candidate

    APC PCC Okocha faction pledges support for Wike’s governorship candidate

    Members of Tony Okocha-led All Progressives Congress (APC), Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) in Rivers State have promised to support the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate and House of Assembly candidates in the March 11 elections.

    The group spoke yesterday during Bola Ahmed Tinubu presidential election victory chat with reporters.

    Speaking through their leader, the politicians acknowledged Governor Nyesom Wike’s efforts, which made APC’s day in the February 25, Presidential and National Assembly elections, pledging to reciprocate the kind gesture on March 11.

    Okocha said: “To those who supported us, we will support them also. We are only to reciprocate what we got. The candidate himself should be able to tell Rivers people and Nigerians who voted for Tinubu that day. We are doing something not different from what is natural, what is expected, what is reasonable to be done.”