Category: Society & Lifestyle

Adeleke urges S’West to embrace renewable energy

 

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has called for the adoption of renewable energy sources to provide electricity across the six states of Nigeria’s South-West region.

 

Represented by his deputy, Mr Kola Adewusi, Adeleke made the remarks in Osogbo on Tuesday while officially opening the South-West Post-Conference Stakeholders’ Roundtable on Renewable Energy.

 

The governor stressed that climate change is no longer a distant threat but a pressing daily reality, and highlighted energy poverty as a fundamental human rights issue requiring urgent attention from all stakeholders.

 

“In this region, richly endowed with sunlight, wind, and innovation, it is deeply concerning that many communities still remain in darkness.

“The time for waiting has passed; localised action is imperative. We must power the South-West sustainably. In Osun State, we are embracing bold, evidence-based, and people-centred solutions.

 

“Today, we unveil our Climate-Smart Investment Portfolio, a strategic roadmap designed to attract responsible capital into renewable energy, sustainable infrastructure, and the circular economy,” Adeleke stated.

 

The governor also outlined plans to soon present the Draft Osun State Renewable Energy Policy, aimed at establishing a robust legislative and institutional framework for an inclusive energy transition at the subnational level.

 

Additionally, he revealed intentions to launch the Draft Osun State Climate Action Plan, developed in consultation with experts, grassroots communities, and development partners.

 

He added, “We are equally proud to introduce the IMOLE Solar Lantern Project, a practical and symbolic initiative for last-mile energy access. ‘One Child, One Lantern’ is our promise. Every child deserves light to study, dream, and grow, regardless of location or background.”

 

Earlier, the Lead Technical Consultant on Climate Change and Renewable Energy to the Osun State Governor, Professor Chinwe Obuaku, described the roundtable as a forum for honest dialogue, technical exchange, and legislative clarity.

 

“We will listen, challenge each other, and leave with a shared understanding of what it takes to enact sub-national renewable energy frameworks that are ambitious, bankable, and just,” Obuaku said.

 

She stressed that the roundtable marks a critical turning point.

 

“Following the momentum of the Renewable Energy Conference, we must ask: What next? How do we translate shared vision into state-backed action? How do we ensure national policies, from the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Policy (NREEEP) to the Climate Change Act, become tangible instruments for job creation, clean energy access, and inclusive growth in Osun and the wider South-West?

 

“As Lead Consultant, I have engaged deeply with diverse actors — from lawmakers to community stakeholders, private sector pioneers to youth advocates. The truth is clear: we are ready. We have the intellect, infrastructure, and institutional awareness that renewable energy is not a luxury but a necessity.”

Tinubu orders repair of Niger bridge damaged by floods

 

President Bola Tinubu has directed the Federal Ministry for Works to repair the damaged bridge linking the north and southern parts of the country washed away by recent flood in Mokwa, Niger State.

 

The Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, disclosed this on Tuesday when he led a delegation from the ministry on a condolence visit to Mokwa to commiserate with the people over the flood disaster.

 

NAN reports that the flood disaster, which occurred on May 29, claimed the lives of 158 people.

 

Goronyo told the village head of Mokwa during the visit that the president directed the ministry to provide an access road for vehicular movement and to do everything possible to restore the damaged bridge.

 

“The President gave a clear directive for me to come and commiserate with the government and people of Niger state over the ugly incident.

 

“In his directives, he said we should do everything possible to restore the access road for vehicular movement on the damaged bridge washed away by the flood.

 

“The president directed that we provide an access road for vehicular movement and create an access road due to the high volume of articulated vehicles carrying goods from the north to the south,” he said.

He said that the ministry would continue to do more in areas of infrastructure in the country, particularly in Niger that host alot of Federal road networks due to its strategic location connecting North and South.

 

Responding, the village head of Mokwa (Ndalila of Mokwa), Alhaji Mohammed Aliyu, disclosed that over 200 houses and four bridges collapsed, with many people still missing.

 

He said the affected bridges included the rail bridge and the main bridge connecting the North and South.

 

He appealed to the government to resettle affected persons.

 

Also speaking, the Deputy Governor of Niger, Yakubu Garba, thanked President Tinubu for the condolence visit and expressed happiness over the show of concern from the Federal government.

 

NAN

Enugu orders disco to refund 20,000 customers for over-billing

 

The Enugu State Electricity Regulatory Commission has directed MainPower Electricity Distribution Company to refund over 20,000 customers who were overbilled in April 2025.

In a statement signed and released by EERC Chairman, Chijioke Okonkwo, and the Commissioner in charge of Market Operations, Reuben Okoye on Monday, the commission said the order followed a thorough investigation into the company’s billing practices, which revealed a significant increase in estimated billing violations.

 

“The commission has issued an Order to MainPower to refund the affected customers the overbilled units for energy consumed in April 2025,” the EERC notice reads.

 

It was stated that the list of affected customers has been published on the commission’s website, and MainPower has until the July 2025 billing cycle to complete the refunds.

It warned that failure to comply with the order will attract a fine of N500,000 for each day of non-compliance, as stipulated in the Enugu State Electricity Law 2023.

 

The commission made it known that it has been monitoring the disco’s billing practices since October 2024, and had issued several letters to the company, highlighting its concerns.

 

Despite this, EERC claimed the company failed to adequately address the issues, which prompted the commission to take enforcement action.

 

“The commission recently reviewed MainPower’s April 2025 estimated report, and observed that the degree of violation of the caps on estimated billing by MainPower had further deteriorated from the 24 percent observed in February and March 2025, to 34 per cent in April, 2025,” EERC stated.

 

The commission, however, advised affected customers who did not receive their refunds by the deadline to contact them via email at info@eerc.en.gov.ng or call 09122642755 for assistance.

Peter Obi visits Niger flood victims, donates N20m 2nd

 

The Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has donated N20 million to victims of the flooding disaster in Mokwa Local Government Area in Niger State.

 

Obi made the donation on Monday when he paid a visit to the state, and he promised to personally visit the families of the victims and meet them one on one.

 

The philanthropist who was received on arrival at the Niger State Government House, Minna by the Deputy Governor, Yakubu Garba, expressed sympathy to the government and the people of the state over the loss.

 

153 people have been reported dead with over 100 others missing in the flash flood that ravaged the Mokwa communities last week.

The ex-Anambra State Governor “prayed for the repose of the souls of the victims and for God to grant the affected families the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”

 

The Deputy Governor who received Obi thanked the former Anambra state Governor for supporting the distressed Mokwa flood victims.

 

He also commended him for his kindness and love for humanity, especially in the support of victims of natural disasters.

WHO, TY Danjuma Foundation sign $2.26m deal to boost health

 

The World Health Organization in the African Region and TY Danjuma Foundation have signed a landmark $2.26m agreement to strengthen Nigeria’s national health priorities over the next decade.

 

The partnership, formalized on Monday in Abuja, marks a significant step in leveraging African philanthropy to address the country’s health challenges, according to a statement on WHO’s website.

 

“The fully flexible funding will support the WHO Country Office in Nigeria’s work plan until December 2034, enabling strategic resource allocation to tackle evolving health needs. The initiative will prioritize expanding access to integrated health services for women, children and vulnerable populations in the states of Taraba in the northeast, Edo in the south, and Enugu in the southeast of Nigeria.

 

“Established in 2009, the TY Danjuma Foundation is a Nigerian philanthropic organization dedicated to improving health and education. With state offices in Taraba and Edo, the foundation supports local nongovernmental organizations to deliver impactful community programmes,” it stated.

 

“We are proud to partner with WHO to advance Nigeria’s health priorities,” said the Founder and Chairman Emeritus of TY Danjuma Foundation, Lieutenant General Theophilus Danjuma. “This agreement reflects our dedication to improving lives and fostering sustainable development in our communities.”

 

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, emphasized the national significance of the collaboration, stating: “This agreement is a testament to Nigeria’s commitment to health equity. We welcome the collaboration with WHO and the TY Danjuma Foundation to deliver sustainable, high-impact health solutions.”

The Acting WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu said, _I extend our sincere appreciation to the TY Danjuma Foundation for your generous and visionary support for WHO’s work in Nigeria.

 

“At a time when the global health sector is grappling with a significant funding crisis, this long-term, flexible support could not be more timely. It strengthens our ability to support national leadership, serve communities and drive impact where it is most needed.”

 

On his part, the WHO Representative in Nigeria, Dr Walter Mulombo highlighted the wider impact of the initiative.

 

“This collaboration sets a new standard for health partnerships in Nigeria. The flexible funding and shared vision will drive measurable progress in addressing the needs of our most vulnerable populations.”

 

The statement added that a visit to Taraba State on June 3rd, 2025, will highlight the partnership’s on-the-ground impact.

 

The delegation will tour the TY Danjuma Foundation’s Medical Centre and commission the newly constructed Christian Reformed Church of Nigeria Hospital in Takum, donated by the foundation. The visit will assess the quality of care and explore opportunities to enhance community access to health services.

FG needs N880bn yearly for road maintenance — Minister

 

The Minister of State for Works, Mohammed Goroyo, on Monday, declared that the Nigerian government must spend approximately N880 billion for the maintenance of the federal road network across the country.

 

This is just as the Managing Director of the Federal Road Maintenance Agency, Chukwuemeka Abbasi, said that the template for deducting the road user charge from the prices of petrol and diesel has never been implemented by the defunct Petroleum Product Pricing Regulatory Authority, now the Nigeria Midstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority.

 

The two government officials spoke in Abuja at an investigative hearing of the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee investigating the implementation and remittances of the five per cent user charge for road maintenance under the Federal Road Maintenance Agency.

 

Speaking at the event, Goroyo said, “FERMA requires an estimated ₦880bn annually for optimal road conditions. Budgetary allocations have consistently fallen short—N76.3bn in 2023, N103.3bn in 2024, while N168.9bn was budgeted for 2025.

 

“Though these figures show gradual increases, they remain far below the necessary threshold for sustainable road maintenance. This persistent funding gap has forced FERMA into a reactive mode of maintenance rather than a preventive approach.

 

“The consequences of this are glaring — deteriorating road conditions, increased repair costs, and prolonged disruptions for commuters and businesses alike. A proactive strategy, backed by adequate funding, is essential to ensure smooth, safe, and efficient roadways nationwide.

 

“Thus, the diligent implementation and timely remittance of the 5% user charge are paramount. This dedicated funding stream offers a viable solution to bridge the financial gap, providing consistent resources to address Nigeria’s infrastructure needs without over-reliance on annual budget appropriations.”

 

He added that inadequate funding has been the major bane of the nation’s road infrastructure, stressing that even though the user charge was supposed to address the gap, the agency and the Ministry have not been able to access it.

On his part, the FERMA boss said, “Under the visionary leadership of His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu, the Federal Ministry of Works remains steadfast in the Renewed Hope Agenda, an agenda dedicated to delivering world-class infrastructure that fosters economic growth, strengthens connectivity, and enhances the daily lives of our citizens.

 

“Our roads are the lifelines of commerce and social integration, and their maintenance is not merely a policy directive but a national imperative.

 

“The 5% user charge, as enshrined in the FERMA Act, was designed to serve as a sustainable funding mechanism for road maintenance and rehabilitation. However, for years, FERMA has grappled with severe funding inadequacies, hampering its ability to maintain our vast road network effectively.”

 

Declaring the event open, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, recalled that the House had on 19th March considered a motion at plenary revealing the non-implementation of the remittance of the 5% user charge on petroleum products meant for road maintenance under the FERMA Amendment Act, 2007.

 

He said, “We owe Nigerians the obligation by sections 88 and 89 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the status of the 5% user charge to determine the extent of the violation of the law and the amount of money unremitted and those responsible for the non-implementation.”

 

He stressed that the investigative hearing should also be able to make strong recommendations on how to forestall further abuse of the law and streamline the remittance processes for ease of access to the funds by the relevant government agencies.

The Chairman of the Committee, who doubles as the Chairman, House Committee on Rules and Business, Francis Waive, said the user charge is not an attempt to increase the prices of petroleum products or to amend the law since it has been part of the law since 2007.

 

He added that the purpose of the investigation is to address the anomalies existing through disobedience to existing laws, adding that the House will ensure that every law passed by the Parliament is complied with both by individuals and agencies of government.

US mourns Niger flood victims

 

The United States Mission in Nigeria has expressed sadness over the floods that struck Niger State last week, leaving at least 151 people dead and displacing more than 3,000 residents.

 

In a statement released on Monday via its X, the US Mission conveyed condolences to the victims and praised the efforts of emergency responders.

 

“The US Mission is deeply saddened by the news of last Friday’s devastating floods that have impacted Niger State.

 

“During this time of immense loss and hardship, our hearts are with all those who are grieving the loss of loved ones, displaced by loss of homes and livelihoods, or struggling to find shelter.

 

“We are holding in our thoughts you and the federal and state emergency workers who are working to provide relief and alleviate the effects of this disaster,” the statement read.

The disaster has triggered a significant humanitarian crisis.

 

According to the Niger State Government, the floods destroyed over 260 homes as well as key infrastructure, including township roads and major bridges in Mokwa and Raba.

 

In response, President Bola Tinubu on Saturday dispatched a high-level delegation to the affected areas to assess the damage and support ongoing relief operations.

 

State officials have appealed for additional federal and international assistance to help manage the unfolding crisis.

Saudi Arabia turns back over 269,000 unauthorised pilgrims from Mecca

 

Saudi authorities have prevented more than 269,000 individuals without official permits from entering Mecca ahead of this year’s Hajj pilgrimage, officials announced on Sunday as reported by AlArabiya and AP.

 

The move came as part of a broader effort to control overcrowding and ensure safety during the annual Islamic ritual.

 

The Interior Ministry stated that the measure targets both foreign nationals and Saudi residents attempting to perform Hajj without authorisation.

 

Fines of up to $5,000 and possible deportation have been imposed on violators.

 

In addition, authorities have penalised over 23,000 residents for breaking Hajj regulations and revoked the licences of 400 Hajj service providers.

 

At a press conference in Mecca, officials said they had stopped 269,678 people without permits from entering the city.

 

According to the rules, only those with permits are allowed to perform the pilgrimage, even if they live in the city year-round.

 

Lieutenant General Mohammed al-Omari told the media, “The pilgrim is in our sight, and anyone who disobeys is in our hands.”

The strict enforcement came amid growing concerns about the impact of unauthorised pilgrims on public safety.

 

Last year, many of those who died during extreme summer heat were found to be unregistered participants, according to government sources.

 

Currently, approximately 1.4 million pilgrims with permits are in Mecca, with more expected to arrive in the coming days.

 

In a sign of increased surveillance and technological intervention, Saudi Civil Defence has deployed drones for the first time during the Hajj.

 

These drones will assist in crowd monitoring, surveillance, and even firefighting, officials said.

 

The Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, is a religious duty for Muslims who are physically and financially able to undertake the journey at least once in their lifetime.

This year’s pilgrimage is being held under high temperatures, raising further concerns for health and safety.

Take It Back Movement to protest insecurity, economic hardship June 12

 

The Take It Back Movement has announced plans to hold a nationwide protest on June 12 to draw attention to the country’s worsening insecurity, shrinking civic space, and growing economic hardship.

 

In a statement on Monday by its National Coordinator, Juwon Sanyaolu, the movement condemned the rising wave of insecurity in the Middle Belt and northern parts of the country, pointing to continued attacks in Benue, Plateau, Southern Kaduna, and other states.

 

According to Sanyaolu, communities have been wiped out while thousands remain displaced, with the government either turning a blind eye or denying the scale of the carnage.

 

“In Plateau, Benue, Southern Kaduna, and across the Middle Belt, mass killings continue with terrifying frequency.

 

“Whole communities are decimated. Lives are snuffed out without consequences. Internally displaced persons multiply, while perpetrators roam free.

 

“The bloodletting has become a routine, and the state remains complicit, through its inaction, negligence, or outright denial. This is not a democracy. This is organised cruelty,” the statement partly read.

 

Sanyaolu also criticised the Federal Government’s alleged crackdown on dissent, citing arrests of protesters, detention of activists, and the targeting of journalists and social media users under the Cybercrime Act.

He described these actions as part of a broader campaign to silence opposition and stifle democratic expression.

 

Sanyaolu said, “Across the federation, the signs of democratic collapse are unmistakable. Democracy which was won through struggle, sweat, and blood has been dismantled by the very forces that once promised change. Nigeria stands today not as a democratic nation, but as a country at war with its own people.

 

“Freedom of speech is under attack. The state has turned on its citizens with an unrelenting campaign of intimidation and censorship. Journalists are harassed. Activists are detained. Citizens are arrested for social media posts.

 

“Through weaponisation of the Cybercrime Act, government agents now stalk the digital footprints of dissenters, silencing legitimate criticism and criminalising free expression.”

 

Rejecting official celebrations of Democracy Day, he urged Nigerians to take to the streets in peaceful protest, calling on workers, students, civil society groups, artisans, and members of the diaspora to join the action.

 

“This June 12, we march not just for ourselves, but for the slain in Benue, the displaced in Plateau, the silenced in detention, and the starving masses abandoned by a corrupt elite,” the statement concluded.

Turkey mourns victims of Niger flood

 

Turkey has expressed sympathy to Nigeria following the devastating floods that hit Mokwa and surrounding communities in Niger State.

 

In a statement released on Sunday, the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs conveyed condolences to the Nigerian government and the families of those affected by the disaster.

 

The statement expressed sorrow over the loss of lives and extensive damage caused by the flooding in the Mokwa region.

 

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of lives and destruction caused by the devastating floods in the Mokwa region of Niger State, Nigeria.

“We extend our condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and to the people of Nigeria,” the statement read.

 

In response to the disaster, President Bola Tinubu on Saturday dispatched a high-level delegation to Niger State to assess the situation and support relief efforts.

 

According to figures released by the Niger State Government, at least 151 people have been confirmed dead, and more than 3,000 residents have been displaced.

 

The floods have also destroyed over 260 homes, township roads, and major bridges in Mokwa and Raba, compounding the humanitarian crisis in the area.

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