Mohammed Shosanya

 

A professional group,Legacy Stars of Ibadan, (LSI),has implored the Federal Government to suspend and probe the current and the previous management of the University College Hospital (UCH) in the last 10 years

 

 

 

The group noted that this is necessary in order to address and find the lasting solutions to the incessant power outage in the teaching hospital.

 

 

 

 

The club suggested this in a press statement issued at the end of its monthly meeting held on Sunday at Ibadan House, Oke Aremo.

 

 

 

 

The management of the hospital,had in the last few months being experiencing power outage over debt from Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC).

 

 

 

 

IBEDC in March this year cut off the power supply to the hospital due electricity debt.

 

 

 

 

The electricity distribution company also in November this year cut off the power supply to the hospital due to debt.

 

 

0

In a statement on Monday signed by its President, Mogaji Saheed Oyewale and Secretary, Barrister Kazeem Oladepo,the group called on the federal government and the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, to probe the current and previous management of the hospital over the incessant power outage in the hospital.

 

 

 

 

“The monthly meeting of LSI was held on Sunday, 1st December, 2024. Various issues affecting Ibadan, Oyo state and Nigeria in general were discussed and deliberated upon.

 

 

 

 

“One of the issues discussed and deliberated upon is the issue of incessant power outage at UCH and this was deliberated by members present.

 

 

 

 

“We observed at the meeting that UCH has been having power outage in the last few months. The power supply was cut off in March this year. It was resolved when some individuals intervened. Recently, the power supply was cut off due to electricity debt.

 

 

 

 

“When there is no light, major things that should be done will not be done. The hospital is facing a lot of challenges and we don’t want this to continue.

 

 

 

“Many people who supposed to get medical attention in the hospital could not be attended to and this will have negative consequences on the health outcome of the people in general.

 

 

 

“We observed that this is an embarrassment. We want the federal government under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Minister of Health and Social Welfare to beam their searchlights and probe the current management and the previous ones.

 

 

 

 

“We have heard a lot of challenges facing the hospital. UCH as a tertiary health institution should not be in this sorry condition. The federal government should do something”.

 

 

 

 

       Mohammed Shosanya

 

 

The Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) Plc has upscaled its efforts against energy theft across its network.

 

 

 

 

 

It announced a partnership  with the Special Investigation and Prosecution Task Force on Electricity Offences (SIPETO),to identify,investigate,and prosecute  individuals involved in energy theft.

 

 

 

Acting Managing Director/CEO, Engr. Francis Agoha,emphasized the company’s zero-tolerance stance on energy theft, highlighting the severe consequences for offenders,a statement said on Tuesday.

 

 

 

 

“Energy theft is a significant challenge that impacts our ability to provide reliable service to our customers. We are intensifying our efforts through partnerships like this to ensure that those who engage in such practices face the full force of the law,” Engr. Agoha stated.

 

 

 

 

He disclosed that between January and October 2024, IBEDC recorded over 8,000 cases of energy theft, including meter bypass and illegal meter tampering,resulting in financial losses totaling hundreds of millions of naira.

 

 

 

 

He emphasized the import of the ongoing collaboration with SIPETO, adding:“Our partnership with the Special Investigation and Prosecution Task Force is crucial. It not only enhances our capacity to detect and prosecute offenders but also sends a strong message that energy theft will not be tolerated. This undermines the integrity of our operations and deprives us of resources needed to improve service delivery.”

 

 

 

The company implored customers to refrain from any form of energy theft, warning of the severe penalties, including imprisonment, as stipulated under the Electricity Act.

 

 

 

 

It further assured customers that SIPETO patrols are active and vigilant, investigating reported cases thoroughly.

 

 

        Mohammed Shosanya

 

The Federal University of Technology, Akure(FUTA) has commenced the construction of a large solar power farm on the campus in order to ensure regular power supply.

 

 

 

Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Adenike Oladiji disclosed this while briefing newsmen on the outstanding achievements and accomplishments of the institution, members of staff and the students in the last two years.

 

 

 

 

According to her,the university is working on how to rely mostly on green energy without depending on the national grid.

 

 

 

The university would supply adjoining communities with power when the project was completed,she said at the briefing on Friday to herald the commencement of the celebration of the institution’s 34th and 35th convocation ceremonies.

 

 

 

“I have no doubt that we have every cause to look forward to a brighter and more inspiring second half of my vice-chancellorship.  A lot of interactions have elicited our core challenges and how we could address them, especially the energy challenge.

 

 

 

“I am very optimistic that with a very stable and convivial industrial ambience, we shall take FUTA to higher heights,” the Vice Chancellor said.

 

 

.

Speaking on the breakdown of the graduation statistics, the Vice Chancellor disclosed that for both academic sessions, the total number of the graduates is 6,405.

 

 

 

 

Five hundred and nineteen had  First Class, 3408 bagged Second Class (Upper Division), 2139 finished with Second Class (Lower Division) and 339 had Third Class.

 

 

 

 

She further explained that among the 519 First Class,293 are 2022/2023 academic session sets,while 226 belong to the 2023/2024 academic session set.

 

 

 

The varsity,which currently has 59 accredited academic programmes, “in the Times Higher Education Ranking of Universities for year 2025, FUTA ranked among the Top Ten (number 7) in Nigeria, and also maintained its enviable position as The Best University of Technology in Nigeria, a position she has maintained consistently for two decades.”

 

 

 

Speaking on some of the accomplishments of the varsity, Prof. Oladiji said: “The position of FUTA as a leading research-intensive institution with global relevance and recognition was confirmed, as a number of its faculty members and alumni earned pride of place in the ranking of the Top 2% scientists in the world, according to the latest report released by Elsevier/Stanford University,USA on September 16, 2024.

 

 

 

 

“Ten (10) academic staff of the University featured in the Career-long Impact Category and thirty (30) in the single year impact category.”

 

 

 

 

On the programme schedule, the vice Chancellor said: “The 34th and 35th Convocation Ceremonies begin today and will peak on the 29th and 30th of November with the award of first and postgraduate degrees.

 

 

 

 

“At this Convocation,we will welcome Our Visitor, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. It will be an opportunity to physically express our gratitude for various interventions of the Federal Government in our University, especially, the approval for the establishment of FUTA Teaching Hospital.”

 

 

 

 

The convocation lecture entitled: “Technological Innovations: A Panacea to Food Insecurity,” would be delivered by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on Friday, November 29, 2024.

 

 

 

Also,Honorary Doctoral degrees would be conferred on founder of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministry(MFM), Prof. Daniel O. Olukoya(Doctor of Management Science), the first Administrative officer of the varsity, Mr. Ayorinde O. Ogunruku(Doctor of Management Science), and an alumnus of the varsity, Mr Joel Ogunsola(Doctor of Information and Communication Technology).

 

 

 

 

According to Prof. Oladiji,the distinguished personalities are decorated because “Apart from their impressive contributions to humanity, they have also identified with FUTA’s great ideals and vision such that the entire University community can continue to identify with their legacies.”

 

 

 

The Vice Chancellor revealed that the valedictorians for 2022/2023 academic session are; Faromika, Ifeoluwa Faith (EEE/17/3175) with CGPA: 4.96, and Vitowanu, Johnbull Aanuoluwapo (IPE/17/3299) with CGPA: 4.96.

 

 

 

For 2023/2024 academic session, the valedictorian is Ajakaye, Oluwasegun Joshua (MME/18/7019) with CGPA: 4.95.

 

 

 

The university will also be conferring Postgraduate Diploma, Masters and Doctoral degrees on 960 graduands. Among them are 299 Postgraduate Diploma, 2 M-Phil, 3 M-Phil/PhD, 536 Masters and 120 PhD.

 

 

 

 

        Mohammed Shosanya

 

The Runjin Sambo Chief Magistrate in Sokoto State,Chief Magistrate Isa Idris Marafa has sentenced one Dahiru Ibrahim and four others to seven years imprisonment each for vandalism and theft of a 50KVA distribution transformer and other power supply infrastructure in Runjin Sambo area of Sokoto metropolis.

 

 

 

A statement signed by Abdulazeez Abdullahi,the Head of Corporate Communications of Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company,disclosed that the five accused persons were arrested by men of the Sokoto State Police Command after a distribution sub-station located at Runjin Sambo area of Sokoto metropolis was vandalized.

 

 

 

According to him,Dahiru Ibrahim,the principal culprit and his co-conspirators were charged and convicted of Criminal Conspiracy, Mischief and Theft, contrary to sections 60, 323 and 275 of the Sokoto State Penal Code Law of 2019.

 

 

 

He described the verdict as “a victory to decency and the collective resolve of all stakeholders to fight vandalism of power supply infrastructure in the company’s franchise”.

 

 

 

He commended both the Sokoto State Police Command and the judiciary for diligent investigation and prosecution as well as the courage to impose the punishment which shall serve as a deterrent to others”.

 

 

The convicts were however,given the option a fine of 50,000 naira each for the first count; 150,000 naira each for the second count and 100,000 naira each for the third count,while the first accused person, Dahiru Ibrahim was ordered to 1.5m naira as compensation to Kaduna Electric.

 

 

 

In a related development,Chief Magistrate Isa Idris Marafa has sentenced one Sirajo Umar and one other person for Criminal Conspiracy and attempt to commit Mischief, offences punishable under sections 60 and 323 of the Sokoto State Penal Code Law of 2019.

 

 

They were arrested in Sanyinna village in Yabo Local Government of Sokoto State while trying to vandalise an aluminium conductor belonging to Kaduna Electric.

 

 

 

The two convicts will spend the next two years and eight months behind bars or pay the sum of 50,000 naira and 150,000 naira respectively as fine.

 

 

All sentences are to run concurrently,the statement quoted.

 

 

 

 

Mohammed Shosanya

 

 

The National Economic Council (NEC) has constituted a committee on National Electrification to help address the challenges in the power sector.

 

 

 

 

The formation of the committee was among decisions taken by NEC at the end of its 146th meeting on Thursday chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja,according to a statement signed by Stanley Nkwocha,Senior Special to The President on Media & Communications
(Office of The Vice President)

 

 

 

The committee headed by Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, is to work towards deepening states’ engagements within the Electricity Reform Act 2023 and the National Electrification Strategy and Implementation Plan.

 

 

 

 

Members of the committee include Governors Dikko Radda of Katsina, Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe, Ademola Adeleke of Osun, Hope Uzodimma of Imo, and Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau.

 

 

 

 

Others are Ministers of Finance, Mr Wale Edun; Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Atiku Bagudu; Power, Mr Adebayo Adelabu; Special Adviser to the President on NEC and Climate Change; Special Adviser to the President on Power; Managing Director, Rural Electrification Agency (REA), and Managing Director, Niger Delta Power Holding Company.

 

 

 

 

Sequel to a presentation by the Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), NEC observed that Nigeria needs a reformed and diversified electricity system, noting that by empowering states, accessibility and affordability of electricity can be enabled, ensuring that all regions effectively meet their specific energy needs.

 

 

 

 

In his address,Vice President Shettima maintained that access to energy is a fundamental right and not a privilege because electricity is the oxygen of economic growth.

 

 

 

According to him,issues that require urgent attention to include energy infrastructure, human capital development, creative industries, fiscal strategy, industrial innovation, and long-term development planning, describing them as foundational to the transformation Nigeria needs.

 

 

 

He explained that it is for this that experts and stakeholders from some of the critical sectors have been invited to share their insights and contributions.

 

 

 

He added:”The past few months of collapses in our national power grid compel us to reinforce the pace with which we are adopting and implementing the National Electrification Strategy. Energy access is a fundamental right, not a privilege. It is the oxygen of economic growth.

 

 

 

“Our blueprints must, therefore, strive to expand access, empower rural communities, and drive productivity, especially for MSMEs. I hope that our discussions today will inspire solutions to light up homes, power businesses, and fuel Nigeria’s industrial future.

 

 

 

 

“Whatever path we agree upon, it is clear that a private-sector-led distributed renewable energy generation approach is essential to increasing electricity access for households and small enterprises alike”.

 

 

 

The Vice President also urged the Council to take Nigeria’s creative industry seriously, saying it presents an avenue to redefine the nation’s economic trajectory.

 

 

 

According to him, “new technologies have not only amplified the global appeal of our arts, crafts, and culture but also opened up revenue streams and job opportunities for Nigerians.

 

 

 

“Our music, films, art, and cultural heritage are not just global symbols of Nigeria’s soft power but also vital engines of economic growth. We cannot afford to relegate the promise of turning creativity into wealth, empowering our youth, and positioning Nigeria as a hub of innovation and cultural excellence,” he added.

 

 

Deliberating on the updated submission on the establishment of state police, Council mandated states that were yet to make their submissions on the subject matter should comply within the next one week to enable NEC to come up with a unanimous position on state police at the next meeting.

 

 

 

       Mohammed Shosanya

 

 

A power expert, Professor Stephen Ogaji,says Nigeria loses $28 billion annually to electricity outages from grid collapses and disturbances.

 

 

 

He disclosed this on Thursday at the  2024 Association of Power Generation Companies  (APGC) Media Engagement and Training in Abuja.

 

 

 

According to him,data from the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) shows that from 2013 to 2020, the national grid system failed 84 times and partially collapsed 43 times, while  the World Bank data on countries with the most electricity outages in Africa showed that in 2019 alone, Nigeria suffered outages for 191 days out of 365.

 

 

 

He said:”The economic cost of power shortages in the country is estimated at around $28 billion annually- equivalent to two percent (2%) of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP)”.

 

 

 

The country records great loss in revenue due to the inability to generate power into the grid, stressing that the scenario affects not only the utilities but also the entire economic system that depends on a stable power supply,he said.

 

 

 

He also said recent study revealed that energy losses due to grid collapse and shutdowns at Odukpani NIPP,  due to frequent shutdown and startup instructions from NCC and grid collapse (Turbine Trip), in the past six months was humongous.

 

 

 

He added:”Frequent startup and shutdowns result in ineffective utilization of gas during the startup process through FSNL, about 25mins, decreasing the energy generated to gas consumption ratio as well as decreasing thermal efficiency.

 

 

 

 

“During the shutdown process, a gas that has already entered the system may not be fully combusted or utilized and will be vented out thereby causing a waste of gas.

 

 

 

“Also, turbines operate at high temperatures, and when they shut down, the heat energy dissipates without being converted to power, thereby resulting in power losses.

 

 

 

“Due to the FIRM Gas Supply Agreement (GSA) of Take or Pay (ToP), If the gas is not utilised, it results in serious financial losses to GenCo.

 

 

 

 

“Without a backup Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) contract, the business can fold from much accumulated costs for gas payments that may even expire”.

 

 

 

Ogaji further disclosed that due to the incessant outages key components such Combustion liners, Flow sleeves, Crossfire tubes, Fuel nozzles, Flexible (pigtail) hoses, Gas turbine first stage bucket, shrouds, among others are  impacted by thermal fatigues, adding that the resultant damage to these hardwares takes millions of Dollars to fix.

 

 

 

 

He offered key recommendations urging that NERC should approve the procurement of Ancillary Services that provides secondary controls (Spinning Reserve

 

 

 

 

“The System operator should as a matter of urgency complete and commission the SCADA project to enable them to oversee all the power systems properly,

 

 

 

“The System operator should put in effect the earlier proposed Generation Dispatch Tool (GDT).The System operator should implement and enforce all the provisions of the grid code.

 

 

 

“From the foregoing, it is an established fact that there is an urgent need to take proactive actions to prevent the incessant disruption of normal grid operation and, by extension, improve the lives and performance of thermal gas turbines.

 

 

 

“Failure to do so, may lead to reduced plant availability as spares are not locally sourced and cost of generation will be astronomically high, even beyond the current 59% average contribution to end user cost” he said.

 

 

 

       Mohammed Shosanya

 

The Managing Director/CEO of Transmission Company of Nigeria,Engr. Sule Abdulaziz,has promised to support Lagos as it prepares to take up regulatory responsibilities under the new electricity act.

 

 

 

 

He disclosed this when hosted a delegation from the Lagos State government at its corporate headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday,a statement by Ndidi Mbah, TCN’s General Manager Public Affairs,said.

 

 

 

Welcoming the delegation,led by Biodun Ogunleye, Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources,Abdulaziz highlighted TCN’s completed and ongoing projects in Lagos, including the ongoing 300MVA, 330/132kV power transformer, 2 x 60MVA 132/33kV at Lekki substation, 300mva 330/132kV power transformer at Alagbon,  100MVA 132/33kV commissioned power transformer at Alausa, Alagbon, ijora substations as well as 2x 60 MVA, 132/33kv at Apapa road substation.

 

 

 

According to him, Lagos is a critical market, and efforts will continue to be be geared towards improving infrastructure for enhanced power supply.

 

 

 

 

He emphasized the agency’s openness to collaboration with states and stakeholders to improve bulk power supply,adding that the Market Operator is working to create a conducive electricity market between TCN and state governments.

 

 

 

 

In his remarks,the Commissioner,Mr. Abiodun Ogunleye explained that the visit aimed to seek TCN’s support and collaboration as Lagos enters a new phase in the electricity market.

 

 

 

He said:”the bill to create the Lagos State Electricity Commission has been passed and awaits the Governor’s assent. So, in preparation for the full implementation,  we’re here to discuss areas of collaboration, learn from TCN, and understand its constraints to develop our strategic plan.”

 

 

He added that Lagos contributes significantly to TCN’s revenue, stating, “We’re an affiliated state with 1% of Nigeria’s landmass but 30% of the population. We contribute about 50% in terms of consumption and revenue to TCN and will take over regulatory responsibility of 60% of TCN markets”.

 

 

      Mohammed Shosanya