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  • EEDC commences upgrade of injection sub-stations in Enugu, Awka

    Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) has commenced upgrade of its Agu-Awka Injection Sub-station from 7.5MVA to 15MVA capacity, having taken delivery of a brand new 15MVA power transformer.

    “This is coming in less than 24 hours after upgrade of Ebeano Tunnel Injection Sub-station in Enugu from 7.5MVA to 15MVA capacity was completed,’’ Head of Communications, EEDC, Mr Emeka Ezeh, said in a statement on Saturday in Enugu.

    Ezeh said that the upgrades were meant to match the rapid increase in electricity load demand by customers, as well as significantly improve the quality of power supply to the affected areas.

    He said that the upgrade of Agu-Awka Injection Sub-station was planned to last for three days, adding that it would commence on Saturday, April 6.

    According to him, as a result of this development, electricity customers served by the sub-station will be out of supply during the period of the upgrade.

    “The areas to be affected are Agu-Awka GRA, UniZik, parts of Nkwele Awka, Amenyi Awka, CBN area, Juhel Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Millennium Industry and Nodu Okpuno.

    “EEDC, therefore, appeals to its customers to make alternative power supply arrangements during the period of the upgrade and sincerely apologise for the inconveniences this will cause her esteemed customers in Awka.

    Read Also: Teenager raped to death in Enugu

    “It is all geared towards improving the quality of service we offer to our customers,’’ Ezeh said.

    The EEDC spokesman also added that these capital intensive upgrades embarked on by the company were in addition to the ongoing construction of a 1 x 7.5MVA Injection Substation at ABS, Awka.

    He noted that the 1 x 7.5MVA Injection Substation at ABS, Awka would improve electricity supply to Okpuno, Isuaniocha, Mgbakwu, Urum, Amanuke and the university communities.

    “These efforts underscore our organisation’s commitment to strategically addressing the power supply needs of our customers.

    “Customers are also encouraged to reciprocate this gesture by paying their electricity bills and desist from acts capable of undermining the efforts of the company in providing quality and reliable service to its esteemed customers,’’ he said.

    In 2018, EEDC delivered major network enhancement projects ranging from de-loading of feeders, deployment of relief transformers and replacement of failed transformers.

    In Enugu State, EEDC completed and commissioned the 1 x 7.5 MVA Nike Lake Injection Substation at Nike, and also constructed three feeders to improve supply to her customers in Nsukka, they are the UNN 33KV, Orba 33KV and Wilson 11KV feeders.

    This has significantly improved power supply to the area and resulted to the deloading of Eha Amufu 33KV line, with resultant improved supply in Ehamufu, Ikem and some communities in Ebonyi State.

    NAN

  • Group tasks Imo governor-elect on payment of salaries, pensions

    International Society for Civil Liberties and the Rule of Law (Intersociety), an NGO, has tasked Imo Governor-elect, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, on payment of outstanding salaries and pensions owed workers and retirees in the state.

    The Chairman of the group, Mr Emeka Umeagbalasi, who disclosed this in a statement on Saturday in Enugu, said the arrears runs into months and years.

    He said that the immediate payment of the outstanding salaries and pension arrears were of utmost importance to mitigate the hardship faced by all levels of workers and their retired colleagues in the state.

    According to him, Imo people, especially the state’s workers and pensioners, voted for change and somebody that will answer their prayers of paying them their entitlements.

    Read Also: Imo: Tribunal orders substituted service on Ihedioha, PDP

    “The new government should know the amount of unpaid arrears of salaries and other remunerations belonging to serving workforce of the government of Imo and those in its 27 local government areas between May 29, 2011 and May 29, 2019.

    “Those owed by previous administrations in the state before May 29, 2011.

    “Unpaid pensions, gratuities and retirement benefits belonging to retired workforce of the government of Imo and its 27 local government areas between May 29, 2011 and May 29, 2019.

    “And those owed by previous administrations in the state before May 29, 2011; while it should take holistic approach in settling these debts in the benefit of the people,’’ he said.

    Umeagbalasi also urged Ihedioha to set up Verification Panel of Auditors to investigate and verify the mess in the finances of the outgoing government of the state.

    “This is to ascertain the true state of finance of the state and what is left in the state coffers, if any,’’ he said.

    He said that the panel must find out total amount of foreign loans or unpaid debts by the outgoing government between May 29, 2011 and May 29, 2019 and those borrowed by the previous administrations in the state.

    “The panel should verify amount of local loans or unpaid local debts borrowed from commercial banks by the outgoing government between May 29, 2011 and May 29, 2019 and those borrowed by the previous administrations in the state’’.

    NAN

  • No regrets losing senatorial election —Ajimobi

    Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, yesterday said God’s kindness made it possible for him to break the second term jinx and record many unprecedented feats, saying he had no reason to regret over his senatorial election loss.

    The governor said this while addressing guests at a thanksgiving service to mark the 60th birthday of his wife, Mrs Florence Ajimobi, held at the Government House, Ibadan.

    On hand to rejoice with the state’s first family were the Wife of the Vice President, Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo; Wife of Ekiti State governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi; her Imo State counterpart, Mrs Nkechi Okorocha; wife of Ogun State Governor-elect, Mrs Bamidele Abiodun; and wife of the immediate past governor of Osun State, Mrs Sherifat Aregbesola, among other dignitaries.

    Having ruled for eight uninterrupted years, which marked the first in the history of the state, the governor said that God had been merciful and kind to him to use him to rewrite the history of the state for good.

    Ajimobi said that he, therefore, had no reason to regret or worry over his failed senatorial bid and his unsuccessful attempt to hand over to a successor from his party, the All Progressives Congress.

    He said: “God has been kind to me for making it possible for me to break the second term jinx, and in the last eight years, it is on record that we recorded so many unprecedented feats for which posterity and history makers will be kind to us.

    “If you consider the key performance index, we have done well. It is true that I would have loved to go to the Senate. It is also true that I would have loved to hand over to a successor from my party. But God said no, and who are we to query Him? For what He has done for us, we have many reasons to thank Him.

    “As individuals, if we can think deeply on a daily basis, we will know that God has been kind to us. I’m the 27th governor of this state and unarguably the longest serving in the history of Oyo State.

    “So, I want people to be happy for us because God has used us to do many things in this state. I therefore want to say to our supporters again that there is no cause for regrets. They should stop ruing or brooding over our questionable loss in the last election.”

    Extolling the virtues of his wife of 39 years, the governor described her as an embodiment of Godliness and epitome of pure love.

    Ajimobi added that her wife’s generosity, philanthropic gestures and warmth had endeared her to people from every stratum of the society who daily describe her in glowing terms and honorifics.

    Recalling the story of how they met at a Lagos bank 40 years ago, the governor said it was love at first sight and that he had the inkling that she would be his wife on their first date.

    Ajimobi said: “The love I have for my wife is because she is an epitome of pure love; she’s always giving without expecting anything in return; she’s very loving, accommodating, caring, generous, and she has the rare gift of keeping old and new friends, including school mates of over 40 years.

    “Flori, you are an embodiment of Godliness; you are the snow in my winter; you are the USP (unique Selling Point) of my brand; you are my masterpiece of nature. Ever since we met, you have been making high deposit of love, care and Godliness in my life’s bank account; you have been making huge deposit in my emotional bank account. I love you today, and I will always love you.”

  • Buhari vindicated by Onnoghen’s resignation —APC  

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) said yesterday that the resignation of the suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen has vindicated the action taken against him by President Muhammadu Buhari as well as the party’s earlier call for his resignation.

    Justice Onnoghen’s resignation came a few hours after the National Judicial Council reportedly recommended him to President Buhari for retirement with full benefits.

    The National Publicity Secretary of APC, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, told newsmen in his office that the resignation of the suspended CJN should have been the first step for him to take when it became obvious that he made the mistake of not properly declaring his assets as required by law.

    He said with the CJN standing trial for non-declaration of assets and the previous trial of the Senate President for the same purpose, it is gradually becoming clear to public office holders that there is nobody above the law in the country.

    Onilu said a time is coming when a President who misbehaves will also be docked for wrongdoing, stressing that all those who criticised the President for obeying the ruling of the Code of Conduct Tribunal will now realise that their action was not in the interest of the country.

    Onilu said: “The issue we have in this country is that many people, especially those who have been part of the impunity of the past, are struggling badly to adjust to the reality of rule of law.

    “There is so much struggle to allow the past. It is not good enough for us as a country to allow it go. All of us must rise and face the future; a future of promise and a future of change, so that we can move to the ‘Next Level’.

    “When this happened, the PDP and some of their allies in the civil societies read the barometer of politics, and we do know that until we rise above sentiments, no matter what part of the divide you find yourself, we must realise that this is an issue that has to do with our country. That is the only way we can progress.

    “We knew right from the beginning that the allegations against the former Chief Justice of Nigeria were too serious to be swept under the carpet, and we know that the President does not act on frivolities.

    “He must have done his background checks and must have gotten good information to have taken the action he took, especially when there was basis for the action that can be legally proven.

    “Those lawyers, so-called Senior Advocates of Nigeria, who had over the years dipped their hands along with some of these judicial officers into the till of this country, continued to lampoon the President, lampoon the APC and blame this government that is doing its best to right several of the wrongs that we have been used to.

    “We were actually the one trying to deepen democracy. And this party rose in the defence of the President because we understand what the President was doing and that he meant well, and we know the real purpose that drives his actions.

    “Now, events have proven the President right. Events have proven the party, APC, right. Events have proven those Nigerians who believe Nigeria first and any other things after – events have proven them right.

    “We all can only be hiding behind one finger. Otherwise, we knew Nigerians, reasonable Nigerians, knew from the word go that those allegations were not cooked up, and if they were real, the next thing for the CJN to have done was to have stepped aside.

    “If he had done that, the question of he wouldn’t be the only one, why him, should not have arisen. There is nowhere in the world where judgment is passed on every sinner at once.

    “It is not every armed robber you can catch the same day. And even some of you know the slow pace of justice may not catch up with them immediately.

    “But we must continue to see evidence that we are moving towards that sanity and that we are making progressive efforts and sending strong signals to people who think this country must continue as long as they are comfortable and the rest of Nigerians are suffering.

    “We must send that signal to them that it is not going to be business as usual.

    “Now, you have seen the head of National Assembly, Senate President, in the dock. Now, you have seen the CJN in the dock. So, one day, we will see a President that also misbehaves in the dock, which now shows that nobody is above the law and that we are all equal before the law.

    “So, anybody who finds himself in any position should now begin to look closely at his own actions, knowing full well that today may protect him but tomorrow may expose him.”

  • Man kills fiancée for mocking his small manhood

    A man has killed his fiancé in Austria after she mocked him for having a small manhood.

    According to Mirror UK, the man named Daban K. from Iraq, killed the woman after she had sheltered him from the Austrian authorities for several years.

    The woman hid Daban in her flat when he ignored a deportation order to be sent back to Iraq from Austria.

    After he was arrested for murder, the 40-year-old blamed the attack, which saw him stab his partner at least four times in the neck, on her for mocking his masculinity and being unfaithful.

    Read Also: Court remands man for stabbing friend to death

    Daban K., whose full name has not been released due to Austrian privacy laws, said in a conversation with court psychiatrist, Sigrun Rossmanith, that: “She was a very good woman to me, but she repeatedly insulted me.

    “She cheated on me three times with other men and did not want to have sex with me anymore. One day she told me that my penis was too small.”

  • Akeredolu, firms launch two new solar grids in Ondo

    Ondo state governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu on Saturday inaugurated the 85kw Igbatoro Onigari solar mini-grid power project in Akure North.

    He also launched the pilot of  a scalable 45kw cabin-type mini-grid power project in Gbagira town in Ilaje local  government area of Ondo  State.

    Represented by the Special Adviser to the Governor of Ondo State on Public Utilities, Tunji Light Ariyomo, the governor hailed the duo of Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in  the Niger-Delta (PIND) and A4 and T Power Solutions for the success of  the Gbagira project.

    Ariyomo also revealed that another development partner, Community Energy Social Enterprise has recently completed about 85kw solar plant in Akure North local governmrnt area to be completed soon.

    The Special Adviser said the Gbagira power plant now brings to five the number of successfully completed community power interventions by  the Akeredolu-led government in the past two years.

    He explained that “the Ondo  State government just last year provided off-grid solar intervention in Ebute-Ipare, Aboto and Igbobini towns through another private firm, Messrs R. R. Reynolds. Today, we are delighted that PIND and A4 and T Solutions have continued this serious business of providing quality 24 /7 electricity for  our people using alternative technology.”

    Read Also: FG to dualise Akure-Ikere road – Akeredolu

    According to him, there are other ongoing power projects in other parts of the state including the state capital city, Akure.

    He said: “Another private firm is building an independent power plant (IPP) that will service government-owned establishments and government-owned residential estates in Akure while another company is building an IPP around Igbokoda to service the community and adjoining areas as well as the university campus in Igodan Lisa.”

    Commending the people of the state for their cooperation and support for the Akeredolu-led administration, the special adviser appealed to the people of the host communities to jealously guard the facilities

    He said “We wish to appeal to the people to support all these initiatives by ensuring the protection of the facilities.”

    The governor’s aide however, implored the beneficiaries of the power projects to ensure prompt and regular payment of their bills.

    He said “We therefore appeal to the people to ensure prompt payment of their energy bills. It is only by so doing that the respective private companies can recoup their investments and be able to remain in business,” Ariyomo said.

    The Olugbo of Ugbo Kingdom Oba Fredrick Akinruntan commended Akeredolu on the giant stride, saying the various projects being executed in the Southern senatorial district are laudable.

    He pledged the continuous support of the people for the administration.

    The monarch said with the advent of the IPP in the community, the socio-economic nerves of the community would experience meteoric development.

    According to him, the community would guard jealously all the power facilities and ensure prompt payment of their bills.

  • NCDC confirms 16 new cases of Lassa Fever in five states

    The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), says it has confirmed 16 new cases of Lassa fever from five states in Nigeria.

    The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NCDC, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, disclosed this in Abuja on Saturday ,while given an update about the disease and effort by the centre.

    He said that the 16 new cases have now brought the number of confirmed cases to 526 out of the 2,034 suspected cases since Jan. 1 in 21 states.

    He also said that a total of 121 deaths had been recorded since the onset of the outbreak.

    Ihekweazu said Edo, Ondo, Bauchi, w Ebonyi, Plateau, Taraba, FCT, Adamawa, Gombe, Kaduna, Kwara, Benue, Rivers, Kogi, Enugu, Imo, Delta, Oyo, Kebbi and Cross River states have each recorded at least one confirmed case.

    He also confirmed that one health care worker was affected in Plateau state, bringing it to a total of 17 healthcare workers in seven states since the outbreak of the disease.

    The NCDC boss also said that 29 patients have been hospitalized at the designated centres.

    He said that 10 were hospitalized in Irrua, 9 in Owo, three in Abakiliki, two in Bauchi, three in Plateau, two in Taraba.

    Ihekweazu said a total of 6,489 people suspected to have contacts with those infected had been identified across 20 states.

    Read Also: Lassa fever claims 15 lives in Ondo

    He said that 1,443 of the suspected contacts were being followed up, while 4,983 had completed the mandatory 21 days of follow up to and have been declared  symptom free.

    He also said that 112 symptomatic contacts have been identified, of which 55 tested positive.

    The NCDC boss assured that the National Lassa fever multi-partner, multi-sectoral Emergency Operations Centre will continue to coordinate the response activities at all levels.

    NAN

  • Police apprehend two suspected killers of LUTH resident doctor

    The Police in Lagos state say they have arrested two suspected killers of a University of Lagos (UNILAG) graduate, Dr Stephen Urueye, who was a resident doctor at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi Araba.

    The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), for the Police Command in the state, DSP Bala Elkana, who made the disclosure on Friday in Lagos, said the suspects allegedly stabbed the deceased on his right thigh and at the back with a knife while trying to dispossess him of his valuables.

    Read Also: Police arraign 57 suspected homosexuals

    He said: “On April 4, 2019 at about 9.45p.m, Itire Police Station received a distress call that some hoodlums, armed with knives, attacked one Dr Stephen Urueye, a resident doctor with LUTH and dispossessed him of his valuables such as handsets.

    “The incident happened around the  Canal Area of Ishaga Road, Idi Araba while the victim was going somewhere with his female friend, Simbiat Opeyemi, a 200 level student of the Department of Health Education, Lagos State University,(LASU).

    “The victim was rushed to LUTH, Idi Araba where he eventually died in the early hours of April 5.

    “Two suspects were arrested in connection with the case the  Commissioner of Police in the state,  Zubairu Muazu, directed a Deputy Commissioner of Police to take over the investigation,” the PPRO said.

    NAN

  • NAHCON defends 2019 budget proposal of N1.49bn

    The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has defended its 2019 proposed budget of N1,492,160,210 before the Senate Committee on Federal Character and Inter-Governmental Affairs.

    The Head, Public Affairs Division of NAHCON, Mrs Fatima Usara, made this known in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

    Usara said the NAHCON budget performance in 2018 stood at 51.23 per cent with total approved budget at N1,609,281.20 while budget released was N824,506,995.44.

    Read Also: FG budgets N24b for East West road

    She said the Commission also made presentation before the Senate and House Committees on Foreign Affairs as part of the budget defence.

    She said that the Chairman of NAHCON, Abdullahi Muhammad, thanked the National Assembly members for their continued support and cooperation with the commission.

    Usara said the chairman implored their support to facilitate timely release of the budget to enable the commission discharge its responsibilities unhindered.

    She said that Muhammed addressed concerns raised by the members bordering on abscondment, drug and human trafficking, private tour operators breaching contract agreement with pilgrims among others.

    Usara said the chairman assured the members that most of such acts were not during Hajj journeys, adding that no case of drug trafficking was recorded during Hajj in the last two years.

    NAN

  • Dismissed Inspector charged with Kolade Johnson’s murder remanded

    An Ebute Meta Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, yesterday remanded till May 6, a dismissed Police Inspector, Olalekan Ogunyemi, charged with murdering a football fan, Kolade Johnson.

    Magistrate A.O. Salawu remanded Ogunyemi at Ikoyi Prisons, pending advice from the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

    The court’s order was sequel to an application by the police.

    Ogunyemi, 45, of No. 17, Alhaji Ede Street, Igando, was docked on a one-count charge of murder.

    Prosecuting Inspector Kehinde Olatunde told the court that the defendant committed the offence on March 31, at about 5:10pm, at Onipetesi Estate, Idi-Mangoro, Lagos.

    Read also: Yet again, the cops killed Kolade!

    He alleged that Ogunyemi, who served in the Anti-Cultism Unit of Lagos State Police Command, shot Johnson, a 36-year-old father of one, to death, with his Ak47 rifle.

    The offences, the prosecutor said, contravened Section 223 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    Olatunde informed the court that he had a remand application order by the police to remand the defendant for the next 30 days.

    Kolade Johnson

    The plea of the defendant was not taken by the court because magistrates’ courts don’t have jurisdiction to try a charge of murder.

    But the defendant’s counsel, Sola Adeyemi, opposed the 30-day remand request.

    Adeyemi prayed the court to instead remand the defendant for the next 14 days.

    In a bench ruling, Magistrate Salawu upheld the prosecutor’s application and adjourned till May 6.