All Posts in "Day: November 2, 2024"

Hunger:Nigerians Will Vote Against APC In 2027-Makinde

 

    Mohammed Shosanya

 

 

Nigerians would speak against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027 as they did in Oyo and Osun states,Governor of Oyo State, ‘Seyi Makinde,has said.

 

 

 

He attributed this to the harsh economic situation Nigerians are facing without any hope in sight.

 

 

 

He spoke in Ibadan, on Saturday, during the commissioning of the South-West PDP Zonal Office, which he personally built in honour of the late former PDP National Vice Chairman (South-West), Hon. Olasoji Adagunodo-Oluwatukesi, and donated to the party.

 

 

 

He implored Peoples Democratic Party members to come together and work in unison ahead of that time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

He said that despite the clamour for him to join the 2027 presidential race, he had not assigned anyone to campaign for him.

 

 

 

 

 

He said:“People have been campaigning and doing a lot of permutations; but let me say this again: If I want to contest for any position, I will say it myself. Nobody would set an agenda for me apart from myself.

 

 

 

 

 

“They have also been talking that the ruling party, APC, is scheming and infiltrating all the parties to make sure there is division and crisis in those parties. If you are accusing the ruling party of not allowing other parties to get their acts together so that there won’t be opposition in 2027,my position is that there are certain things you have under your control. If Governor Adeleke and I would cooperate for the growth and benefit of our party in the South-West, it is beyond the ruling party to destabilize our party.

 

 

 

 

 

“Please, let us all work together and unite our bases. That is all we need. The next general election would be APC versus Nigerians, not even APC versus PDP. But, let us just do our own bit to unite our party and bases and then allow the people of Nigeria to speak when the time comes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“The people spoke in Oyo and Osun states. They will do it in Nigeria. So, don’t fret. Don’t think external people have control over what will happen in our party. Yes, they may try; they can only succeed when we allow it.

 

 

 

 

“I want to admonish PDP members all over the country, let us unite and the way to demonstrate it is if you know one or two people in Ondo State, call them and tell them that the PDP is united. Tell them that the Ondo election coming up in two weeks from now would be an indication of where Nigeria would be in 2027.

 

 

 

 

“I am glad we are opening this House. It is a demonstration of our unity. I am also glad that our Acting National Chairman is here. The kind of story they would have loved to hear is that the suspension and counter-suspension saga is still on, but that is behind us.

 

 

 

 

“We are even more united to move forward. So, I thank you all for being here.”

 

 

 

 

 

Makinde tasked all PDP members to work together and unite for total victory in Ondo State governorship election coming up on November 16, 2024.

 

 

 

 

 

He spoke on the cooperation and cordial relationship between himself and his Osun State counterpart,Senator Ademola Adeleke, assuring that they would work hand in hand to unite the South-West and that once that was done, it would have effect on the party at the national level.

 

 

 

 

 

Makinde,who extolled the virtues of the late Adagunodo, announced the appointment of his son, Soji Adagunodo (Jnr) as Special Adviser to the Governor on Regional Integration, while he also appointed a member of the Oyo State Cultural Troupe, who performed at the event, as a Special Adviser, with immediate effect.

 

 

 

 

He also commended the acting national chairman of the party, Amb. Umar Ilya Damagum, former governors of Abia and Benue states, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu and Mr Samuel Ortom, among other leaders, for attending the event.

 

 

 

 

 

He handed over the documents of the building to the acting national chairman, Ambassador Damagum.

 

 

 

He said: “My brother, Governor Adeleke, I want to appreciate you today for being here. Yes, we had issues and disagreed, especially on the control of zonal executive positions. But your coming here today has shown your magnanimity, which means that whatever happened in the past is behind us. We fought and settled it, and that is the spirit of PDP.

 

 

 

 

“Those of you thinking that the only way you can excel is for us to keep experiencing division in the PDP, I can tell you that the South-West of Nigeria is leading the way.

 

 

 

“I said it before that when we look at Nigeria, if the South-West is united, Nigeria will unite. The PDP governors in the South-West are here and our leaders are here too. Also from outside of South-West, the lovers of the region are here; former Governor Ikpeazu from the South East, former Governor Ortom from the North Central, thank you so much for identifying with us.”

 

 

 

 

Speaking,Osun State governor, Adeleke, said the commissioning of the PDP South-West Zonal secretariat in honour of the late Adagunodo was a call for the party to forget the past and work for the unity and progress of the party.

 

 

 

 

He admonished all party faithful to be focused to retain the existing PDP states and capture more states and the Federal Government in future elections.

 

 

 

 

Adeleke,who appreciated Governor Makinde for honouring the memory of Adagunodo, who hailed from Osun State, said: “I am in a sober mood, because our brother is not here with us to witness the honour being done to his memory. I pray God Almighty grant him eternal rest.

 

 

 

He added:“The significance of today’s event is the clarion call for unity and deeper brotherhood among PDP at home and abroad. We must forget the past of division and unite for the good of our dear party.

 

 

 

“It is better for us to fight each other inside the Government House than outside. We must refocus attention on building strong administrative operational structures.

 

 

 

 

“With that, we can deploy for elections, retain our existing states and even expand our reach across the six zones of the federation.”

 

 

 

 

In his remarks, the Acting National Chairman, thanked Governor Makinde for his efforts, calling on other zones to emulate and replicate the good gesture.

 

 

 

 

He described the new edifice as a fullfilment of Governor Makinde’s promise and testament to the dedication, commitment and zeal of the late South-West Zonal Chairman, Adagunodo.

 

 

 

 

In a goodwill message on behalf of the Adagunodo family, the son of the deceased, Deacon Oluwatukesi Soji Adagunodo (Jnr), thanked all the leaders of the party and equally encouraged them to use the edifice as a place of solution for the nation’s problems.

 

 

 

In his welcome remarks,the chairman, PDP South-West, Alhaji Kamorudeen Ajisafe, who spoke through the Zonal Secretary, Honourable Owokoniran Rahman, thanked Governor Makinde for fulfilling his promise to build a befitting edifice in memory of Adagunodo.

 

 

 

 

 

Online Editor by — November 2, 2024 in Politics 0
Platforms Africa’s Adeola Yusuf Wins Journalism Entrepreneur Award

       Mohammed Shosanya

Team lead of Platforms Africa, Adeola Yusuf, has been decorated as the Distinguished Journalism Entrepreneur of the Year 2024.

Rector of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY), Dr. Adeoye Odedeji, who decorated the serial award winner at the maiden edition of the Made- In-MAPOLY Distinguished Entrepreneurs Awards, declared that Adeola Yusuf, who was his best student over 20 years ago, has demonstrated that hardwork and diligence are rewarding.

“He was my student,and I can confirm that he was brilliant then. He was my best student, and I am happy that today he had distinguished himself in the area of Journalism.He is a journalist that is employing other journalists today through the art of entrepreneurship in Journalism,” Adeoye said.

“His Platforms Africa,a reputable online newspapers with distinct approach to reporting, is now among those leading the pack in Nigeria, and across the continent today,” Coordinator, Training, Extension Services and Consultancy of the MAPOLY Centre for Entrepreneurship Development (MAPCED), Mr. Olufemi Orunsola, added.

Premium News reports that other alumni of the school,who have distinguished themselves in various skills and areas of call were recognised for the prestigious award.

The list includes:Mobile Classroom Limited App Founder, Akeem Salami; renowned broadcasters, Doyin Kukoyi, Adeyinka Adegbite Omo Baba Tisa, and Ayinde Soaga; and legal luminary, Barr. Abdul-Hafeez Atanda-Shoremi.

Others are:the Special Adviser to Ogun Gov, Olamide Lawal; Serial entrepreneur, Bola Solate-Ayedun; Realtor Olamide Quadri; Taxation Expert, Korede Lawal; and successful make up/make over beautician,Igwe Sylvester Theresa.

      Adeola Yusuf’s Profile

Adeola Yusuf is presently the Team Lead of Platforms Africa, publisher of www.platformsafrica.com, a leading media and leadership group in Africa, with a particular focus on news and issues about development – Health, Education, and Energy.

An investigative journalist of repute, Adeola Yusuf, has, at the global stage and within Nigeria, won many journalism awards, fellowships, bursaries, and recognitions.

He is the winner of the first-ever prestigious award of excellence for a journalist by the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE) in 2013. In 2016, he won the African Investigative Journalism Conference (AIJC) Bursary Award, which took him to The Wits University, Johannesburg, South Africa.

He was in Nairobi, Kenya, in 2017 as a winner of the Tax Justice Network Africa (TJN-A’s) Bursary on tax evasion and illicit finance reporting in Africa.

A serial winner of the Nigeria Media Merit Award (NMMA) as Best Journalist (Oil/Gas and Energy categories), Yusuf has won over 10 nominations taking home the gong for the year 2015, 2017, and 2019 editions of the country’s most prestigious media award.

Yusuf has also, on two occasions, been picked from the pool of entries for The Thomson Reuters Foundation Scheme on Illicit Trade and Finance Reporting in Africa held in Kampala, Uganda, 2015 and 2016.

He won the 2021 Best Story category of the Chevron/Pan-Atlantic University AWARES Alumni Award.

He has,in line of duty as a journalist, travelled to some of the major cities in the world for conferences, seminars, and workshops. He was in London, United Kingdom (UK), for the Gulf of Guinea (GoG) conference (2011).

He has also travelled to Houston, Texas, the acclaimed oil and gas capital of the World for Offshore Technology Conference (OTC). He also attended a conference of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), among others.

He is a sought-after financial and energy (oil, gas, power, renewables) policy analyst who is a regular face on News Central TV, Channels Television, Arise TV, TV Continental, Lagos Television (LTV), Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Ogun State Television, Radio One, Women Radio, Mainland FM as well as Radio Lagos/Eko FM.

Adeola Yusuf was the overall best graduating student at the ND, HND, and BSc.,in an academic sojourn that covered the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic Abeokuta (MAPOLY), and The Crescent University Abeokuta (CUAB) where he studied Mass Communication in 2003, 2005 and 2013 respectively.

 He graduated as one of the best MSc students at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) in 2015.

His journalism experience spanned the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), The Monitor Newspaper, Ogun State Television (OGTV), The SUN newspapers, The Week Magazine, Daily Independent Newspaper, New Telegraph Newspaper, and Platforms Africa.

A PhD. candidate at the Lagos State University (LASU), Adeola Yusuf also lectures Specialized News Writing and Online Journalism at the Lagos State University of Technology (LASUSTECH), and the Eko City Polytechnic (EKOCITY) in Lagos.

He is a member of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP); the Nigerian Association of Energy Correspondents/Editors (NAEC); Education Writers Association of Nigeria (EWAN); and the Thomson Reuters Foundation Wealth of Nations (WoN).

Online Editor by — November 2, 2024 in Next Level 0
FG Hands Over Dr. Ganiyat To Family

 

Mohammed Shosanya

 

 

 

The National Security Adviser, Mal. Nuhu Ribadu,Saturday handed over Dr. Ganiyat Popoola and her nephew to her family,in the presence of  the President of Nigerian Medical Association,Dr. Bala Audu, for rehabilitation and reintegration.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Ganiyat Popoola,who was abducted on December 27,2023,regained her freedom few days ago after 10 months in captivity.

 

 

 

Popoola,a registrar in the Department of Opthalmology at the National Eye Center,Kaduna,was kidnapped alongside her husband,Squadron Leader Nurudeen Popoola and her nephew Abdul-Mugniy,who lives with them.

 

 

 

 

Her husband was released on March 8,2023 following extensive negotiation with the kidnappers.

 

 

 

The Saturday’s hand over ceremony,which included representatives from the Defence Headquarters, Ministry of Health, Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), and the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), provided an opportunity for security personnel to disclose the efforts made to secure Dr. Ganiyat’s release.

 

 

 

They also discussed related operations, including the recent rescue of abducted medical students.

 

 

 

Dr. Audu expressed his gratitude to the security agencies under the leadership of the NSA for their efforts,while urging them to intensify actions to ensure the rescue of other Nigerians,including medical doctors, who remain in captivity.

 

 

 

 

The family also appreciated the Federal Government, NMA, NARD, and all Nigerian doctors for their support during this challenging time.

 

 

Online Editor by — November 2, 2024 in News 0
Shell,NNPC,Partners Upscale Learning In Three Varsities

 

 

Mohammed Shosanya

 

 

Shell companies in Nigeria partnered with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) and other stakeholders to build Information Communication Technology (ICT) centres and a digital library in Nigerian universities this year in their continuing support for education.

 

 

 

 

Shell Nigeria Exploration Production Company Limited (SNEPCo) and NNPC in collaboration with the Nigerian Content Monitoring and Development Board (NCDMB) launched a digital library at Niger Delta University, Amassoma in Bayelsa State in April, while an ICT centre was commissioned at the Sa’adu Zungur University (formerly Bauchi State University), Gadau in Bauchi State in July, by The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd (SPDC) as part of the Joint Venture with NNPC, TotalEnergies and NAOC.

 

 

 

 

In the latest intervention,lecturers and students at Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO,) applauded as SPDC, NNPC and other Joint Venture partners collaborated with NCDMB to unveil a world-class engineering design studios and ICT hub at the institution.

 

 

 

 

“This is Shell working to power lives in Nigeria,” said Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria, and Managing Director, SPDC, Osagie Okunbor said reflecting on the three facilities. The projects have changed the academic and physical landscapes in the three universities and linked the students and lecturers to the global learning arena.”

 

 

 

 

The facilities at FUTO include two state-of-the-art engineering design studios and a fully furnished 100-seater ICT lecture hall, equipped with computers and smartboards with dedicated power and water supplies.

 

 

 

 

 

FUTO was selected for the project as part of the “institutional strengthening” in the catchment area of SPDC’s Assa North Ohaji South Gas Development Project. They were launched at a colourful ceremony attended by representatives of the Imo State Government and principal officers of the university.

 

 

 

Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma, represented by the Commissioner for Digital Economy and E-Government, Dr. Chimezie Amadi,said: “We deeply appreciate the efforts of our partners in NNPC, SPDC, Total Energies, and NAOC JV, who have invested in the future of Imo State by supporting this critical project. Your commitment to human capacity building aligns perfectly with our goals, and together, we will continue to drive innovation, skills development, and sustainable economic growth for our people.”

 

 

 

Okunbor’s address at the commissioning was read by General Manager, External Relations, Igo Weli, in which he expressed happiness “that the collaboration of SPDC, Joint venture partners, NCDMB, and FUTO has resulted in this successful social investment project that demonstrates our commitment to improving access to quality education for every Nigerian.”

 

 

 

Executive Secretary NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, called on Nigerian institutions to domesticate the advancements in AI and other technologies.

 

 

 

He said:“Our AI must understand Igbo, Hausa, Efik, Yoruba, and other local languages,” he said, speaking through Dr. Ama Ikuru, the Director in charge of Capacity Building. “We must leapfrog the innovations of other nations and become a net exporter of advanced technology to achieve the lofty ideals of Nigerian content development.”

 

 

 

 

The Chief Upstream Investment Officer, NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services, Bala Wunti,said in his address which was read by the Senior Advisor Stakeholders Relations, Mrs. Halimat Wilson: “Innovation thrives in an environment where ideas can be freely exchanged and developed. The Engineering Studio and ICT Hub is designed to be such a place where students, researchers, and faculty can collaborate on projects, share knowledge, and push the boundaries of what is possible.

 

 

 

Welcoming guests earlier,FUTO Vice Chancellor,Professor (Mrs.) Nnenna Oti, thanked the sponsors of the project “for a landmark donation” to the university.

 

 

 

 

Shell Companies in Nigeria have been education since the 1950s through scholarships and other initiatives. These efforts have resulted in the award of thousands of secondary, undergraduate and postgraduate scholarship awards, provision of educational infrastructure and establishment of sabbatical and internship programmes as well as centres of excellence in several universities.

 

 

 

 

Online Editor by — November 2, 2024 in Education 0
Police Highest Attackers Of Nigerian Journalists,Report Alleges

   Mohammed Shosanya

 

 

A documentary released by International Press Centre(IPC),and  Safety and Protection of Journalists hub,has alleged that police officers are the highest perpetrators of the attacks on journalists during crises,including EndSARS nationwide protest and EndBadGoverrnance nationwide protests.

 

 

 

 

There were about 40 incidents of attack on journalists,most of which occured in August,according to the findings of SPJ hub,which covers January 2024 to September 2024.

 

 

 

 

No fewer than 65 journalists and other media professionals were attacked,the group said.

 

 

 

These findings were made public on Saturday to mark the International Day To End Impunity For Crimes Against Journalists, with the theme:”Safety of Journalists in Crises and Emergencies

 

 

 

 

The Executive Director of International Press Centre(IPC), Mr. Lanre Arogundade,implored President Bola Tinubu and the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun to publicly give updates on investigations into the killing of some journalists in Nigeria.

 

 

 

 

 

He advised President Tinubu to order security operatives to investigate all unresolved attacks on journalists in the country.

 

 

 

 

In dual statements signed and released by Melody Akinjiyan, Press Freedom Officer, IPC, Mr. Arogundade regretted that safety of journalists during crises and emergencies in the country is not guaranteed judging by the research and data collection carried out by Safety and Protection of Journalists (SPJ) hub

 

 

 

 

 

Mr. Arogundade said:“We are calling for an end to impunity for crimes against journalists in Nigeria. We cannot turn a blind eye to attacks against journalists.

 

 

 

 

“We attach the highest priority to the safety of journalists and other media actors. We oppose any action,legislation,regulation or political pressure that limits freedom of the press.

 

 

 

“Acts of intimidation and violence against journalists in Nigeria have to end for democracy to survive. Attacks against media institutions and journalists are attacks against democratic rights including the right of the public to know the truth about the way they are governed.

 

 

 

“We call on the Presidency to mandate security operatives to carry out the necessary investigations on unresolved cases of attacks on journalists while we also urge the Inspector General of Police to publicly disclose what has so far been done towards unraveling the mystery behind killed journalists in Nigeria.”

 

 

 

On the recommendations of its research unit, IPC stated: “Full details of the analysis of the documented attacks, reveals that the actions taken by SPJ-Hub have been mostly statements of condemnation and requests for investigation to ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.

 

 

 

“We have also produced documentaries that have enabled victims of the immediate past period to provide greater detail about what they went through and the psycho-social effects on them and their close ones.

 

 

 

 

“IPC is glad that arising from the efforts so far, media stakeholders are now working on institutional and legislative frameworks that will expand the frontiers of press freedom.

 

 

 

“We consider this a welcome development and hope that the efforts yield fruits sooner than later.

 

 

 

“Under the SPJ-Hub,we shall also intensify our capacity building for journalists on safety in reporting especially in relation to investigative journalism, conflicts and elections.

 

 

“It would be recalled that with regards to safety in election reporting, we have already produced some guidelines that can be accessed through the downloadable app -IPC Media & Elections.

 

 

 

“As we continue to make efforts with other interest groups, our message to our governments is that they have a constitutional obligation to guarantee press freedom and ensure the safety of journalists.

 

 

 

“We shall not relent in making them to realize that a free press makes democracy meaningful.”

 

 

 

 

Online Editor by — November 2, 2024 in Media 0
Sahara Group Foundation Drives Indigenous Innovation With MADAA

      Mohammed Shosanya

The Sahara Group Foundation,the social impact vehicle of energy conglomerate, Sahara Group, has officially flagged off its Making A Difference Around Africa (MADAA) initiative aimed at giving weight to the aspirations of African entrepreneurs.

At the unveiling of MADAA in Lagos,Chidilim Menakaya, Head of Programs at Sahara Group Foundation, said the initiative was in line with the company’s overarching transformative Extrapreneurship model.

It also promises sustainable economic opportunities to its target demography, which are budding entrepreneurs with remarkable business ideas,she said.

She added:“MADAA is a strategic platform developed by Sahara Group Foundation to identify entrepreneurs and social innovators who are on the cusp of greatness and provides the much-needed impetus to scale their novel ideas, as well as their small businesses, to great heights.”

She explained that the launch of the MADAA initiative underscores Sahara Group Foundation’s unwavering commitment to “building sustainable communities through Extrapreneurship,” and represents the first project amongst an array of curated social interventions designed to promote sustainable development in Africa “by growing and scaling the base of entrepreneurs who have exceptional ideas that can transform the continent’s economic fortunes.”

Open till the end of November 2024, application to MADAA is now underway, with beneficiaries expected to ultimately leverage the platform to assume leadership and influential roles in their various business niches,according to her.

“We are actively on the lookout for the extraordinary,the unusual, those whose business ideas can be nursed to fruition sustainably, particularly with the deployment of locally occurring resources.Entrepreneurs desirous of moving their craft to the next level need to head to :www.saharagroupfoundation.org to apply for MADDAA right away”, Menakaya emphasized.

Shortlisting of candidates commences in December ahead of the final selection of beneficiaries to feature on the actual program which starts in Q1 of 2025.

Besides,MADAA beneficiaries will have access to a robust suite of resources, including financial and investment support worth 100 million USD and mentorship from seasoned industry experts.

MADAA’s launch comes amid Sahara Group Foundation’s drive for inclusiveness and progressive partnerships that promote expansion, business advisory, and capacity development in the Medium Small and Micro Enterprises (MSMEs) sector across the continent.

“MADAA seeks to support African home-grown innovations and businesses to succeed, scale and thrive sustainably, thereby establishing an integrated ecosystem of collaborators actively contributing toward transforming economic development in Africa,”she added.

Online Editor by — November 2, 2024 in Brands&Marketing 0
MRA Seeks Increased Protection For Nigerian Journalists 

 

 

Mohammed Shosanya

 

 

The Media Rights Agenda (MRA)has  implored the Federal Government to take decisive action to ensure the safety of journalists in Nigeria.

 

 

 

 

The group also urged the government to comply with the February 16, 2024 judgment of a Federal High Court in Abuja directing it to take measures to prevent attacks on journalists and other media practitioners and to investigate, prosecute and punish perpetrators of attacks against journalists.

 

 

 

The group gave the suggestion to commemorate this year’s International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists.

 

 

 

 

In a statement issued in Lagos by Ms Obioma Okonkwo, the Head of its Legal Department,MRA punctured the Federal Government’s continued disobedience of the judgment, delivered by Justice Inyang Ekwo in a suit it filed against Attorney-General of the Federation in which the court granted the eight declarations sought by MRA and issued three mandatory orders.

 

 

 

 

She recalled the court’s orders in the judgment directing the Federal Government to take measures to prevent attacks on journalists and as well as to investigate, prosecute and punish perpetrators of all attacks against journalists and other media practitioners.

 

 

 

 

She said: “The culture of impunity being nurtured by the Federal Government through its failure to comply with and enforce the court’s judgment is deeply concerning.

 

 

 

 

“Far too often, crimes committed against journalists remain unresolved, and the perpetrators go unpunished. This impunity not only emboldens those who seek to harm or silence journalists and the media, it also undermines public confidence in the rule of law and democratic governance.”

 

 

 

 

Ms Okonkwo called on the government to prioritize the protection of journalists through concrete measures and action, including strengthening legal protections by adopting and implementing laws that protect journalists from violence and harassment and by ensuring the swift prosecution of those responsible for crimes against media professionals.

 

 

 

 

She also urged media organizations to take proactive measures to protect their staff and engender a supportive environment where journalists can perform their duties safely and without fear.

 

 

 

 

She said: “As we commemorate this day, we honour the courage and resilience of journalists who risk their lives and liberty to bring us stories that matter. We must renew our collective commitment to ending violence and other forms of attacks against journalists and ensuring that every journalist in Nigeria can work freely and safely. Together, let us build a society where truth-telling is celebrated, and those who seek to harm the messengers of truth are held accountable.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Online Editor by — November 2, 2024 in Media 0
Tariff Hike:We’ll Mobilize For More Protests,Communities Tell Ikeja Electric

 

 

Mohammed Shosanya

 

 

Akinola,Ogundimu and Aboru-Estate Communities in Lagos have faulted the recent  tariff increase by the Ikeja Electric,saying they will mobilize others to protest the astronomical adjustment in the cost of electricity.

 

 

 

 

They claimed the power company adjusted the tariff from N68/kWh to N227/kWh on September 1, 2024.

 

 

 

 

 

They expressed commitment to resisting peacefully the outrageous electricity tariff/billing through continued mobilization and sensitization

 

 

 

 

They communities added that they  link up and partner with other communities to build a bigger movement to achieve stable electricity supply to all and at affordable rates.   

 

 

 

 

Expressing these in a petition addressed to the  Chief Executive Officers (CEO) Ikeja Electric Plc, Chairman, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the  Minister of Power,the communities,told Ikeja Electric to revert the Band A tariff to N68/KWh or revert to Band B.

 

 

 

 

A copy of the petition was obtained by Premium News,and quoted the embattled communities as imploring the power company to Issue prepaid meters to all apartments for free as well as provide transformers and other facilities for free.

 

 

 

 

The communities rejected the position of Ikeja Electric (Mr Abayomi Gabriel Bolorunde) which suggests that the way out of this difficult situation is for consumers to manage electricity consumption by reducing consumption or usage.

 

 

 

 

They  also rejected the notion that people waste electricity because the tariff is cheap.

 

 

 

 

They said:”We have concluded that the high tariff will only reduce electricity consumption to the barest minimum far below what is needed. This is the only explanation for the data released by Mr Abayomi Gabriel Bolorunde stating that the load on some transformers have drastically reduced from 90% to 35% after they were put on Band A.

 

 

 

 

“This means customers on Band A have been forced to reduce electricity consumption by switching off gadgets when needed to survive the provocatively high electricity tariff”

 

 

 

 

 

They lamented that since the privatization of the power sector in November 2013, the private power companies have not invested significant funds to develop the sector.

 

 

 

 

They added:” The installed capacity is about 14,000MW. In the past, we have mostly generated and distributed about 2500MW and that explains the reason many communities were in blackout. If the power companies and government were committed to generating and distributing the installed capacity (14,000MW), almost half of our electricity needs would have been met as Nigeria requires about 33,000MW to guarantee stable and uninterrupted electricity. What is now required is a massive investment to generate, transmit and distribute 33,000MW or more to guarantee stable and affordable electricity to all. 

 

 

 

 

“Connected to electricity tariff and pricing is the price of gas sold to the Nigerian power sector market. Gas is significant to tariff/pricing because it is what fuels the power plants. We strongly feel that if gas is sold at a reduced price of $1/MMBTU or lower compared to the present international market price of $ 2.42/MMBTU, the cost of electricity generation will fall drastically and will make the tariff cheaper and affordable.

 

 

 

 

“There is no economic sense in selling gas at an international market price to a Nigerian economy whose people (133 million Nigerians) have low purchasing power and have been crushed into multidimensional poverty.

 

 

 

“Besides,it does not make any economic sense to subject electricity pricing to foreign exchange rates because electricity is not an imported commodity. The minimum wage in Nigeria is N70,000 (yet to be widely implemented) and it amounts to squeezing blood from the stone to expect Nigerians with low purchasing power to pay for electricity just like citizens in the advanced/industrialised economies wherein the standard of living and purchasing power is far higher.

 

 

 

“The implication of subjecting electricity tariffs to foreign exchange rates and the price of gas sold at international market rates is that the already outrageous Band A tariff (N227/KWh) will continue to rise with no end in sight and huge subsidy claims continue. At an increasingly high rate, only the extremely few wealthy Nigerians will access electricity while the vast majority will be denied electricity.

 

 

 

“Segregating Nigerians into different strata (Bands) for determining electricity supply and tariff is a replication of apartheid-styled service delivery. There is no justification for different Bands in a country wherein affordable and stable electricity is supposed to be a right. The power sector was built by public funding. There was no segregation when Nigerian tax payer’s money was used to build the power sector and it is not correct to introduce segregation when supplying electricity’.

 

 

 

 

According to the communities,the overall objective for the regulators (NERC) and power companies is to use high tariffs and billing to drastically reduce electricity consumption within the current installed capacity while making huge profits.

 

 

 

 

They said,on paper,it amounts to supplying electricity to all Nigerians but in reality, many will be disconnected or denied access to electricity and will make electricity the exclusive preserve of the rich.   

 

 

 

 

To develop the Nigerian economy,they said there should be massive investment in key sectors of the economy including the power sector to ensure electricity tariff/billing is affordable.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Online Editor by — November 2, 2024 in Power 0
Kwara Varsity,Two Chinese Firms Sign Deal On CNG Conversion

 

    Mohammed Shosanya

 

 

Kwara State University has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with two Chinese corporations-Zhejiang Sinray Electronics Company and Jiaxing Keyuan Electronics to commence large-scale commercial conversion of petrol vehicles to Compressed Natural Gas and electric vehicles.

 

 

 

 

The Vice-Chancellor of KWASU, Jimoh Shaykh-Luqman,who disclosed this on Friday,said the varsity has successfully converted three vehicles to electric and one to CNG.

 

 

 

 

He said the university KWASU is the first institution in the country to accomplish this milestone in collaboration with the two Chinese firms.

 

 

 

 

Prof. Lukman explained that the decision to collaborate with reputable companies for the supply of CNG conversion kits was a proactive measure to ensure quality and prevent the use of substandard products that could pose safety hazards.

 

 

 

 

 

He also said that the objective of KWASU is to scale up conversions significantly to make this cost-effective initiative accessible to a wider audience.

 

 

 

“Kwara State University has effectively converted three of its vehicles to electric motors, as well as one vehicle from the Kwara State Ministry of Business Innovation and Technology,”he said.

 

 

 

 

 

According to him,the skyrocketing petrol prices and the consequent surge in harmful carbon emissions prompted the university to embark on this research, which has already yielded substantial benefits.

 

 

 

He emphasized the advantages of conversion, such as financial savings and environmental gains, stating, “while a liter of petrol costs approximately N1,200, a kilogram of gas is only N200. Furthermore, the risk of inhaling carbon emissions is eliminated.”

 

 

 

 

He announced KWASU’s intent to inaugurate a site for the official launch of the commercial project, ensuring that it will bolster the university’s internal revenue generation services.

 

 

 

 

“When we converted our initial two vehicles to electric, we presented them to Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, who praised and endorsed our endeavors. Following his endorsement, the Ministry of Business Innovation and Technology entrusted us with three vehicles for electric conversion. We have successfully converted two of them so far,”he said.

 

 

 

 

He said that the governor also facilitated the transfer of 22 vehicles from Kwara Express to KWASU for conversion, and work on these vehicles has already begun.

 

 

 

 

He added:”Recently, we completed the conversion of one vehicle to CNG, allowing it to run on both petrol and gas. We are not novices to this process; we have been engaged in it for some time and are already witnessing promising outcomes.

 

 

 

 

“We are presently in the developmental phase; once we transition to the marketing phase, this project will contribute to the university’s revenue, particularly with the planned site here in town”.

 

 

 

 

 

Online Editor by — November 2, 2024 in Energy 0