Year: 2025

17 African countries back electricity reforms—World Bank

 

 

The World Bank said seventeen African governments have committed to reforms and actionable plans to expand electricity access as part of Mission 300, an ambitious partnership led by the lender and the African Development Bank Group that aims to connect 300 million Africans to electricity by 2030.

 

The lender said in a statement on Wednesday that governments from Benin, Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Comoros, the Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, São Tomé and Príncipe, Sierra Leone, and Togo endorsed National Energy Compacts at the Bloomberg Philanthropies Global Forum.

 

The Bank described the compacts as policy blueprints intended to guide public spending, drive reforms, and attract private investment, while serving as a model for the rest of the world.

 

Nigeria was not part of the latest group; it had joined earlier this year alongside Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, Tanzania, and Zambia. Collectively, those countries pledged more than 400 policy actions to strengthen utilities, reduce investor risk, and remove bottlenecks.

“Electricity is the bedrock of jobs, opportunity, and economic growth.

 

“That’s why Mission 300 is more than a target; it is forging enduring reforms that slash costs, strengthen utilities, and draw in private investment,” World Bank Group President Ajay Banga said.

 

Since the launch of Mission 300, 30 million people have already been connected, with more than 100 million in the pipeline.

 

African Development Bank Group President Dr Sidi Ould Tah said, “Reliable, affordable power is the fastest multiplier for small and medium enterprises, agro-processing, digital work, and industrial value-addition.

“Give a young entrepreneur power, and you’ve given them a paycheck,” he added.

National Energy Compacts are at the core of Mission 300, developed and endorsed by governments with technical support from development partners. Tailored to each country’s context, these practical blueprints integrate three core tracks: infrastructure, financing, and policy.

 

The World Bank Group and the African Development Bank Group are working with partners, including the Rockefeller Foundation, Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet, Sustainable Energy for All, and the World Bank’s Energy Sector Management Assistance Program trust fund, to align efforts in support of powering Africa. Many development partners and development finance institutions are also supporting Mission 300 projects through co-financing and technical assistance.

 

President of Botswana, Duma Boko, said, “This National Compact is our shared pledge to ensure accessible, reliable and affordable energy as a basic human need, to transform our economy and create jobs, and to electrify our journey to an inclusive high-income country.”

President of the Republic of Cameroon, Paul Biya, said, “The government of the Republic of Cameroon is committed, through its Energy Compact, to a determined transition towards renewable energies, promoting inclusive universal access and sustainable development based on partnerships and ambitious reforms to build a low-carbon future.”

 

President of the Union of the Comoros, Azali Assoumani, noted, “The Comoros Energy Compact is a call for collective action to achieve universal access to electricity by 2030, to ensure the country’s emergence in dignity, equity, and shared progress.”

 

President of Ethiopia, Taye Atske Selassie, noted, “Our National Energy Compact exemplifies Ethiopia’s unwavering dedication to ensuring universal, affordable, and sustainable energy access for all.

“By unlocking our vast renewable resources and strengthening regional interconnections, we aim to foster inclusive growth domestically and propel Africa’s collective momentum toward ending energy poverty. Together, we are committed to building a resilient, equitable, and sustainable energy future for generations to come.”

Olubadan: Obasanjo congratulates Ladoja, urges separation of tradition, politics

 

 

Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has congratulated the 44th new Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Abdul-Rasheed Adewolu Ladoja, on his formal ascension to the throne of Olubadan of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, in a ceremony slated for Friday.

 

In a statement released by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, and made available to newsmen on Wednesday, Obasanjo, in Yoruba royalty salutation, prays “Ade a pe lori, bata a pe lese”, even as he observed that the formal coronation ceremony was only a formality.

 

The former President, who, according to the statement, is presently in New York for the 80th United Nations (UN) General Assembly session, however, advised the new monarch to separate tradition and politics, noting that the new position requires humility and tolerance among others.

 

Obasanjo, in the congratulatory statement, said, “I take this opportunity to congratulate you in advance of a formal announcement. Ade a pe lori, bata a pe lese.

“It is an exalted and responsible position to be the traditional ruler of all Ibadan people. It requires humility, patience, divine wisdom, tolerance, and advice from wide and varied quarters to succeed.

“Traditional rulership does not compete or conflict with political rulership. I wish you all the best and the grace, guide, and direction of Almighty God.”

 

PUNCH Online had, on September 23, 2025, reported that the organising committee, inaugurated by the Oyo State Government to oversee the coronation of the former Governor of the state as new Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, announced the closing of some routes leading to the ancient Mapo Hall.

 

A statement issued by the committee stated that the affected routes include Beere Junction inward Mapo Hall; Born Photo Junction inwards Oja’ba; Idi-Arere Junction inwards Oja’ba, and Itamerin Junction inwards Mapo Hall shall be shut by 7:00 am on Friday.

 

According to the statement, the security committee, which is under the General Committee, chaired by the former Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes President, Bayo Oyero, informed that traffic diversions on the routes were occasioned by the coming of President Bola Tinubu, who promised to attend the coronation ceremony of the new Olubadan.

Family of five found unconscious, one dead in Benue

 

Five members of the same family were discovered unconscious in their home at Akaajime community, Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State, on Wednesday, with one confirmed dead.

 

The victims – a mother and her four children – were found in a coma before neighbours rushed them to a private hospital in Gboko.

 

One of the children, a four-year-old boy, was reported dead before help arrived.

 

A family member who identified herself as Mohivinze Terkura told journalists that she escaped the tragedy after spending the night in her aunt’s house due to heavy rain.

According to Terkura, she only returned to their residence around 10 am on Wednesday to discover that her mother and siblings had yet to open the door of their house, as it was locked from the inside.

 

She said, “I did not come back home to sleep due to heavy rain yesterday, and I decided to sleep in my aunt’s house, but when I returned home this morning, I met the door still shut, and several attempts to open the door failed.

 

“So, I decided to force the door open, only to find my mother and other siblings unconscious.

 

“Upon seeing them in that condition, I immediately raised an alarm, which drew the attention of our neighbours who came and assisted me to convey them to the nearest hospital. However, before we could get to the hospital, my younger brother who was four years old, had died.

“I can’t actually ascertain what led to the incident. However, when we forced the door open, I noticed an unusual smell of chemical-like cooking gas in the room. But we don’t have a gas cooker in the entire house, nor do we use insecticide in our house aside from mosquito nets that we use constantly.”

 

One of the victims, who was later resuscitated by the doctor at the hospital, told journalists that he woke up to prepare for school activities but couldn’t move from the bed.

 

“I called our mother, but she could not answer me. Only for me to discover that all of us in the room were unconscious, and were helpless till my sister returned this morning at about 10 am. Regrettably, my brother died in the process,” he said.

 

When contacted on the phone, Dr Joshua Atime of Vawar Hospital, Akaajime, Gboko, confirmed that some patients of the same family were brought to his hospital on Wednesday morning, but they had been transferred to the General Hospital, Gboko, after stabilising them.

 

Meanwhile, the Chairman of Gboko LGA, Torseer Yina, said he was yet to receive a formal report about the incident.

He said, “I have not received any formal information about the incident, but I saw it on social media, and that is where I learned about it.”

Efforts to get a reaction from the State Police Command were unsuccessful as the command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, did not respond to texts or calls put across to her cell phone.

Tinubu orders BOA to clear N30bn agro-dealers debt

 

President Bola Tinubu has directed the Bank of Agriculture to clear outstanding arrears of N30bn owed to agro-dealers and input suppliers under the National Agricultural Growth Scheme and Agro-Pocket.

 

According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the bank’s External Media Relations Lead, Judith Ekwebelem, the directive followed the release of funds from the African Development Bank.

 

The bank explained that the move was aimed at strengthening support for farmers and stabilising the country’s food supply chain.

 

The Federal Government has also designated BOA as the custodian of all agricultural financing programme funds.

Ekwebelem said, “The move (the directive ) is seen as a turning point for the sector, with BOA tasked to ensure smooth and timely disbursement of funds to critical stakeholders in food production.

 

“The bank has, however, pledged to execute the approved payment schedule with urgency using its robust electronic wallet system to achieve payment to all complying agro-dealers within 24 hours, while also providing weekly progress updates until completion.”

 

She noted that the N30 billion represented the second tranche released by AfDB for the implementation of NAGS-AP, saying, “the funds are targeted at settling outstanding obligations from the 2024 dry and wet season programmes.

 

“Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, O.F.R., directed that the process be treated with the highest priority.”

 

“Accordingly, the NAGS-AP Secretariat and BOA formally kicked off the exercise on 18th September 2025 with the handover of beneficiary data.”

According to the statement, the Managing Director/Chief Executive of BOA, Ayo Sotinrin, described the appointment as a historic responsibility, saying, “This is a truly defining moment for our agricultural sector. This is more than just a fund; it is a bold commitment to ensuring our nation’s food security.

 

“By working hand-in-hand with the NAGS-AP team, we are cutting through bureaucratic delays to get payments directly to agro-dealers and suppliers.

 

“We are unlocking opportunities for farmers to move beyond subsistence farming into sustainable and profitable agribusiness.”

 

It added that BOA had outlined conditions for pre-qualified and registered agro-dealers and suppliers eligible for payment under the scheme, which include opening a BOA account, a mandatory step for claim processing.

 

Registration is free and can be completed online.

Sotinrin, who lauded the President and other stakeholders over the funds, urged all beneficiaries to comply without delay, warning that failure to do so could result in processing setbacks.

 

Tinubu, during a recent meeting with the Brazilian President, Luiz Inacio Lula Da Silva, has expressed assurance to remove all bottlenecks hindering the realisation of the agricultural sector’s potential to enable food sovereignty and export.

 

The President, in a bilateral meeting held with the Brazilian President, noted that bureaucracy contributes to delays in realising the agricultural sector’s potential.

 

He informed the Brazilian leader and delegation that Nigeria was already undergoing reforms to reposition the economy for global competitiveness, particularly in agriculture, where it already had a competitive advantage.

We’ve repaid one-third of inherited debt, says ATBU Vice-Chancellor

 

 

The management of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, has pledged to adopt financial prudence and academic justice in addressing the institution’s challenges.

 

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ibrahim Garba, gave the assurance when officials of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities and the Non-Academic Staff Union paid him a solidarity visit in his office on Wednesday.

 

Garba, who expressed delight over the visit, said the university community’s pride lay in seeing ATBU progress in its mandate as a citadel of learning.

 

According to him, his administration inherited a huge debt profile but has succeeded in offsetting nearly one-third of the loan without taking additional credit.

 

“When I assumed office, I met a huge amount of debt at the university. I have been able to settle nearly one-third of that loan in the last few months without incurring any fresh loan at all,” he said.

 

On welfare, the VC disclosed that five luxury buses had been refurbished to ease students’ shuttle between Gubi and Yelwa campuses, while a 32-seater bus was also being prepared to support staff transportation.

He further revealed that six of the 11 grounded tractors owned by the university had been refurbished for this year’s farming season, with two more almost ready.

 

The intervention, he explained, was to support staff and members of the Bauchi community farming on the campuses at subsidised rates of less than 30 per cent of commercial charges.

Garba also announced that management was working on a seamless promotion process to eliminate delays in staff promotion exercises.

 

Commending the university community for its support since he assumed office, Garba assured that his administration would continue to uphold transparency and justice in running the institution.

 

Speaking earlier, the SSANU Chairman, Comrade Sulisma Jatau, praised the VC’s leadership style, particularly in financial prudence, staff and students’ welfare, and academic quality assurance.

 

He, however, described a recent media campaign against the VC as regrettable, noting that the institution did not deserve negative publicity.

 

Similarly, the NASU Chairman, Yusuf Yusuf, faulted the escalation of negative reports linking the VC to a Federal Government policy decision on restructuring some faculties and courses.

 

He explained that the decision, announced by the Pro-Chancellor, was wrongly attributed to the VC, leading to the controversy.

Both unions assured Garba of their continued support in his efforts to reposition the university.

 

PUNCH recalls that a Bauchi-based group had accused the VC of unilaterally misleading the Governing Council to shut down the Faculty of Management Sciences and some courses in the Faculty of Technology Education, a decision later clarified as a directive from the Federal Government.

 

BudgIT ranks Gombe second in fiscal transparency

 

Gombe State has once again been recognised as a top-tier performer in fiscal transparency and accountability, ranking second nationwide with an impressive 99 out of 100 points, according to BudgIT’s latest Subnational Transparency Assessment.

 

The ranking, which evaluated fiscal transparency across the 36 states and the FCT in the second quarter of 2025, placed Gombe among the “Progressive Performers,” second only to Ekiti State, which led with a single point higher.

 

The report attributed this remarkable performance to Gombe State’s “strong commitment to openness and accountability” in the implementation of projects and policies under the leadership of Governor Muhammadu Yahaya.

 

This was contained in a press statement sent by Director General Press Affairs Ismaila Misilli, obtained on Wednesday by our correspondent.

Gombe excelled particularly in the timely publication of critical fiscal documents, including its Approved Budget, Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), Citizens’ Budget, and Quarterly Budget Implementation Reports (BIRs).

 

“The state also stood out for maintaining an updated e-procurement portal and a functional website with fiscal data, ensuring easy public access to financial information,” the report noted.

This unprecedented achievement reflects the sustained efforts of Governor Inuwa Yahaya, who has made open governance and transparency in policy and project implementation a cornerstone of his leadership.

 

The governor’s commitment to transparency and accountability is instilling fiscal discipline and giving citizens clear insight into how their resources are being managed and spent.

 

Misilli’s statement added, “In a country where fiscal secrecy often hinders progress, Gombe State’s strides have positioned it as a model of transparency and smart resource management. Its commitment to good governance is winning the trust of citizens, attracting investors and drawing in support from development partners.”

 

With Gombe already excelling in most of the indices, the state is on course to maintain its leadership in fiscal transparency and continue to be a benchmark for governance reforms across Nigeria.

 

On August 21, 2025, PUNCH Online reported that BudgIT had accused the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Budget Office of the Federation of flouting the Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2007, by failing to publish Quarterly Budget Implementation Reports.

In a release by BudgIT’s Group Senior Communications Associate, Nancy Odimegwu, and made available to PUNCH Online, the group described the omission as a breach of law, a departure from established practice, and a setback to transparency reforms championed by previous administrations.

FCT CJ frees 35 inmates to decongest Nasarawa custodial centre

 

The Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory, Justice Husseini Baba-Yusuf, has discharged no fewer than 35 inmates awaiting trial across the two custodial centres in the Keffi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

 

Our correspondent reports that Baba-Yusuf discharged the inmates during a visit to the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Keffi on Tuesday.

 

The intervention facilitated by the Public and Private Development Centre, a Non-Governmental Organisation, saw to the release of the 35 inmates, who included 33 males and two females.

 

One of the males, Mohammed Abdullahi, was discharged after being incarcerated for a year without a single appearance in any court in Nigeria.

In an interview with newsmen shortly after the exercise, the Chief Judge said the essence of the prison visit was to ensure that those who are not supposed to be in the facility are allowed to go free.

 

“Today, we have been able to set free 35 people who have no business being here, and that is a huge boost,” he said.

 

He explained that the exercise would be a routine one to ensure that people are not allowed to suffer unnecessarily in custody when they should not be there.

 

Baba-Yusuf said, “Some of those we have set free are those who are not well, people who have been here unnecessarily for a long time and people who have not been cited for any genuine offence.

 

“This will continue to be a routine thing to ensure that the rights of our citizens are guaranteed and well catered for.”

 

He also noted that all other inmates facing one delay or the other in the conclusion of their cases have been assured that their cases will be attended to, and new dates given to them to appear in court.

“We have rectified all that, and dates have been given to all those who are involved in that category. I have also given directive to the Director in charge of the magistrates to do oversight functions on some of these courts whenever the matters come to the courts so that we ensure that the proceedings of the courts runs smoothly.

 

“Magistrates handling cases in the FCT courts have also been chastised to improve on case management strategy so that trials of the cases run expeditiously and inmates are able to know their fate,” the Chief Judge added.

Also speaking, Programs Officer at the Public and Private Development Centre, Cynthia Onyeka, appreciated the Chief Judge for taking out time to visit the custodial centres so as to set free those who are not supposed to be there and also decongest the centres.

 

She added, “This is because in Nigeria, we have a high rate of anti trial detentions and this has led to overcrowded custodial centres across Nigeria. So, this activity presents an opportunity for the Chief Judge to come to the custodial centres in an effort to decongest the system.”

She further explained that the PPDC supported the exercise because it wants the Nigeria’s justice system to be fair and transparent, and for all Nigerians to have access to justice including the vulnerable who cannot afford legal representation.

 

“For activities like this, when we come, we support the Chief Judge by paying fines and today, we were able to pay fines amounting to N1.5 Million to support the releases of some persons just to ensure that the numbers in the custodial centres reduce,” she said.

 

In another interview, the Chairperson of International Federation of Women Lawyers, Abuja Branch, Chioma Onyenucheya-Uko, while expressing gratitude to the Chief Judge for showing mercy to the released inmates, thanked the PPDC and other Non-governmental Organisations for regularly paying fines for the release of inmates especially the female inmates who for one reason or the other cannot pay the fines and compensatory orders sanctioned by the courts.

 

Earlier in his remarks, the Officer in Charge of the Keffi Medium Security Custodial Centre, Sumaila Bulus, thanked the FCT Chief Judge for the visit and the release of some inmates which according to him will help decongest the facility which is currently occupied by 667 inmates.

He further pleaded for logistics support, most especially in transporting inmates from the custodial centres to courts in the FCT, adding that the two working vehicles available in the facility were no longer enough to transport the inmates for their courts appearances.

 

On August 12, 2025, PUNCH Online reported that sixteen inmates escaped from the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Keffi, Nasarawa State after breaching the facility’s security.

 

In a statement issued by the spokesperson for the Nigerian Correctional Service, Umar Abubakar, the inmates reportedly overpowered personnel on duty during the breakout.

 

Five officers were injured in the incident, with two currently (as of the time of this report) in serious condition and receiving treatment at a government hospital.

 

Seven of the escaped inmates have since been recaptured, while efforts are ongoing to locate and apprehend the remaining nine.

Priscilla Ojo, Rakeem, reunite with Juma Jux in Tanzania

 

Priscilla Ojo, daughter of Nollywood actress Iyabo Ojo, has returned to Tanzania with her newborn son, Rakeem Mkambala, where her husband, Tanzanian singer Juma Jux, gave them a grand welcome. The homecoming coincided with the day Rakeem turned one month old.

 

In a series of videos shared on Wednesday by a popular fan page, the_prisjuxsourcee, Juma Jux was seen warmly receiving his wife and son at the airport with fresh flowers and gifts.

 

Upon their arrival home, Priscilla was surprised with an elaborate blue-themed welcome party featuring balloons, framed photos, and a banner reading “Welcome Home Mommy and Rakeem.” A large standee spelling “RAKEEM” completed the décor.

 

Iyabo joined the celebration and playfully teased her son-in-law.

 

“Juma, you are so extra. What happened? Rakeem is actually one month old,” she said.

 

Juma proudly replied, “My son. Yes. My first son.”

Iyabo admired the gesture, responding, “This is so beautiful.” Even Priscilla was moved, exclaiming, “Oh my God, Papa Rakeem is extra.”

 

The family had earlier faced a challenge when Juma Jux was denied a Canadian visa and could not be in Canada during his son’s birth due to what reports linked to strict immigration scrutiny. Despite his absence, he marked the reunion with a lavish celebration in Tanzania.

 

Rakeem, born in August in Canada, recently received his Canadian passport, confirming his citizenship, a development Iyabo Ojo proudly shared on social media.

 

Priscilla and Juma Jux, who got married in Tanzania in February, shared clips of the homecoming on their Instagram story.

 

Priscilla posted a photo captioned “Home,” while Juma uploaded a short video featuring baby Rakeem and Iyabo Ojo, adding to the outpouring of congratulations online.

 

The celebration has been widely praised on social media, highlighting the couple’s joy and commitment as they embrace parenthood.

Only the best for my lady, Davido gifts wife Chioma 2025 G-Wagon

 

 

Nigerian Afrobeats superstar, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has spoiled his wife, Chioma, with a brand-new 2025 Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon.

 

The luxury SUV, which recently hit the market, is priced at over $150,000 (₦240 million) depending on specifications. Known for its cutting-edge design and electric model options, the 2025 edition marks a major upgrade from earlier versions.

 

Davido, in a video posted on his Instagram Story on Wednesday, was seen hyping the moment as he picked up the vehicle, explaining how he traded in a previous model and added more funds to secure the latest release.

 

“First of all, we had to take the one I got, then obviously add more money to get the new one.”

 

He fawned over the moment and emphasised his motivation, declaring, “Only the best for my lady,” he said with excitement.

When he eventually presented the G-Wagon to Chioma, she was visibly excited, while Davido cheered her on, declaring, “We do 2025!”

 

Davido and Chioma Adeleke’s wedding was a grand and highly publicised series of ceremonies, culminating in a lavish white wedding held in Miami on August 10, 2025.

 

The Miami event was the final of three weddings, following a court marriage in March 2023 and a traditional wedding in Lagos in June 2024.

 

This star-studded white wedding reportedly cost about $3.7 million and was attended by notable personalities, including business moguls, political figures, and top entertainers from Nigeria and beyond.

Teacher in police net for tying, beating pupil in Bauchi

 

 

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested a 28-year-old Almajiri teacher, Lawal Nasiru, for allegedly assaulting one of his pupils in the Darazo Local Government Area of the state.

 

The victim, identified as 11-year-old Sa’id Sani, was reportedly tied with a heavy rope and beaten with a stick and thick cable, leaving him with multiple injuries.

 

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Ahmed Wakil, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.

 

He explained that the incident was reported to the Divisional Police Headquarters, Darazo, on September 22, 2025, by one Idris Mohammed, 50, of Gidan Waya, Darazo, who was accompanied by the injured minor.

 

The statement read, “On the 21st September, 2025, one Lawal Nasiru, aged 28 years, of Unguwar Jarmai, Darazo, criminally used a heavy rope to inhumanely tie the said Sa’id, an Almajiri boy, and further assaulted him with a stick and thick cable, causing various degrees of injuries to his hands and legs.”

“Upon receipt of the complaint, the Divisional Police Officer, SP Auwalu Ilu, led a team of operatives to the scene where the suspect was arrested. The victim was immediately taken to General Hospital, Darazo, for medical examination and treatment.”

 

Wakil noted that during interrogation, the suspect confessed to the act, claiming that the boy had attempted to flee from the school, and he tied him to prevent him from running away before his parents arrived.

 

“The minor also narrated how the suspect mercilessly confined him with a thick rope for a prolonged period,” the police spokesman added.

 

He said the Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, has directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Bauchi, for discreet investigation.

 

Wakil further assured that the suspect would be profiled and charged in court upon completion of investigations.

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