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FG working to restore power supply –Minister

April 15, 2021Posted in ElectricityLeave a comment

Minister of Power, Sale Mamman has apologised for the power outage experienced by many Nigerians across the country.

According to him, the problem was caused by the breakdown of some National Integrated Power Plants supplying electricity to the national grid.

Mamman, who stated this in a string of tweets via his verified Twitter handle, however, assured Nigerians that the problem would be fixed.

He wrote, “I sincerely regret the recent Power outages across the Nation and the difficulties it has brought with it, and wish to assure my Fellow Nigerians that everyone involved is working assiduously to restore the National grid to its previous historical levels and exceed that.

“The problem is caused by the breakdown of some National Integrated Power Plants supplying electricity to the national grid. The plants are namely, Sapele, Afam, Olonrunsogo, Omotosho, Ibom, Egbin, Alaoji and Ihovbor. The Jebba Power Plant was shut down for annual maintenance.

“Seven other integrated Power plants, namely Geregu, Sepele, Omotosho, Gbarain, Omuku, Paras and Alaoji are experiencing gas constraints while the Shiroro hydroelectric power plant has water management issues.”

Punch

JUST IN: At last FG lifts ban on registration of new SIMs

April 15, 2021Posted in National IssueLeave a comment

The Federal Government has approved the activation of new SIM card registration with mandatory National Identity Number linking, starting from April 19, 2021.

This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Technical Assistant (Information Technology) to the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Femi Adeluyi.

The statement said, “For IoT/M2M activations, SIM security protocols would be implemented on the SIM profile to ensure that SIMs can only be used for point to point data services specific to the URL they are working with. All other services will be barred.

“In the event that a data only service is particular to individual use (eg home car tracking, WiFi, MiFi services, etc), the standard NIN registration process will be followed. A Telecoms Master will also be required for Corporates requiring IoT/M2M activations.”

He stated, “The implementation of the policy will commence on Monday, 19th of April 2021. The issuance of new SIMs and other suspended activities will resume on the same date, as long as verification is done and the guidelines are fully adhered to.

“The minister has also directed Nigerian Communications Commission and NIMC to ensure that the provisions of the policy are strictly followed by all operators and subscribers.”

Punch

JUST IN: Buhari arrives in Abuja after London medical trip

April 15, 2021Posted in National IssueLeave a comment

After over two weeks of stay in London, United Kingdom, the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), arrived at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja .

The President had travelled to London on March 30 for a “routine medical check-up”, according to presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina.

However, Buhari’s “short rest” at the Abuja House in London has been marred with the #HarassBuhariOutOfLondon protest organised by Reno Omokri, an ex-aide to former President Goodluck Jonathan. A counter-protest or a solidarity protest was soon organised in support of the Nigerian president in what could be described as absurd drama.

Buhari has been criticised for his medical trips abroad despite the huge amount allocated to the Aso Rock clinic annually.

JUST IN: Police deploy SWAT officers in state commands

April 9, 2021Posted in SecurityLeave a comment

The police authorities have deployed officers of the new Special Weapons and Tactics Team in state commands, Minister of Police Affairs, Mohammad Dingyadi, has said.

Dingyadi stated this while featuring on Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today’ programme monitored by .

He said, “They (SWAT officers) have ended their training and they have been posted to the state police commands that brought them for training. They are there with them and they are performing the functions of the SWAT.”

About 1,850 members of SWAT were later trained at the Police Mobile Force Training School, Ila Oragun, Osun State and the PMF Training School, Ende Hills, Nasarawa State.

The SWAT officers were subsequently deployed in police formations across the country to fight crimes particularly robberies.

Punch

JUST IN: Lagos eases restrictions on social gatherings, event centres

April 9, 2021Posted in Covid-19Leave a comment

This was contained in a press statement titled ‘Lagos State Government eases restrictions on social and event centres’.

The statement was signed by Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile Yusuff, and the Director-General, Lagos State Safety Commission, Mr. Lanre Mojola.

“The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, after due consultation and deliberations with relevant stakeholders and MDA’s including The Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture and Lagos State Safety Commission has approved the further easing of social centres across the State with immediate effect,” it added.

Meanwhile, Akinbile-Yusuff and Mojola have issued new guidelines for social/event facilities reopening.

While stating that COVID-19 protocols must be complied with, the officials said that “any violation of this protocol shall attract fines and penalties in line with the Lagos State Infectious Diseases Control Regulation 2020”.

Punch

JUST IN: I won’t pay ransom even if my son is kidnapped, says El-rufai

April 9, 2021Posted in SecurityLeave a comment

El-rufai said this during a radio interview .

“I mean it and I will say it again here. Even if my son is kidnapped, I will rather pray for him to make heaven instead because I won’t pay any ransom,” he said.

The Governor also said his administration is not considering paying ransom to secure the release of the students abducted by bandits from the Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation, Kaduna, in March.

According to him, his government is “absolutely not paying ransom” but considering other means to ensure the students are returned to their parents.

According to him, “These bandits have lost their right to life under our constitution and must be wiped out in their entirety. There is no other way to approach the current insurgency situation today as far as governmental action is concerned.

“The bandits are at war with Nigeria and there is no other way to approach the current insurgency but for security forces to take the war to the bandits and recover forests where they are occupying.

“The security agencies mostly react to cases of banditry and abduction, we are in a war with these terrorist challenging the sovereignty of the Nigerian state.

“Our security forces must collaborate to take the war to the bandits and terrorists, recover and restore the forest to enable our law-abiding citizens to engage in legitimate farming and livestock production.”

Punch

WASSCE UPDATE: 2021 Exams to start by August not May –WAEC

April 9, 2021Posted in EducationLeave a comment

The West African Examinations Council, Nigeria, says the 2021 West African Senior School Certificate Examination will commence in August and not May.

In a statement, Acting Head, Public Affairs, WAEC, Nigeria, Demianus Ojijeogu, said WAEC Nigeria Head, Patrick Areghan, was quoted out of context at a briefing on Tuesday when he announced the release of results of WASSCE for private candidates.

The statement was titled, ‘Conduct Of WASSCE For School Candidates, 2021 In Nigeria’.

The statement said Areghan had at the Tuesday briefing said, “Let me also use this opportunity to dispel rumours being peddled about by some people regarding the conduct of WASSCE for School Candidates, 2021. The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are still very much felt in the education sector.

“The academic calendar has been distorted. It will, therefore, not be possible to have the examination in May/June this year. A convenient International Timetable for the conduct of the examination will soon be released.”

The statement added, “The arrangement is in line with the current academic calendar and was done in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education.

“Consequently, the Council wishes to inform schools, candidates and the general public that the examination will hold from August 16, 2021 to September 30, 2021. The International timetable for the conduct of the examination will be released in due course.”

Punch

Energy firm sued as power lines electrocute birds in Spain

April 7, 2021Posted in Foreign NewsLeave a comment

Barcelona prosecutors have filed suit against energy giant Endesa for the deaths of hundreds of birds electrocuted by its high-wire power lines, court documents show.

According to the lawsuit, a copy of which was seen by AFP , prosecutors are suing the utility for offences against the environment and wildlife for failing to adequately insulate its electricity cables and pylons, creating “a death trap” for birds.

Electrocution occurs when birds touch two wires at a time or when they perch on a conductive pylon while also touching a cable.

In their complaint, prosecutors said 255 birds died in the Osona region north of Barcelona between 2018 and 2020, including protected species such as white storks, griffon vultures, short-toed eagles and buzzards.

“The electrocution and death of birds due to direct contact with the exposed conductors on pylons owned by the defendant has affected the whole province of Barcelona, constituting a veritable plague,” the complaint reads.

When contacted by AFP, Endesa was not immediately available for comment.

According to the lawsuit, Endesa had “not taken measures to repair the affected (parts) that fail to comply with the safety measures… deliberately disregarding and ignoring its legal obligations to prevent harm to wildlife and the environment”.

AFP/Punch

Energy firm sued as power lines electrocute birds in Spain

April 7, 2021Posted in ElectricityLeave a comment

Barcelona prosecutors have filed suit against energy giant Endesa for the deaths of hundreds of birds electrocuted by its high-wire power lines, court documents show.

Electrocution occurs when birds touch two wires at a time or when they perch on a conductive pylon while also touching a cable.

When contacted by AFP, Endesa was not immediately available for comment.

AFP/Punch

UPDATE: Ibadan Poly lecturers shun ASUP nationwide strike

April 7, 2021Posted in EducationLeave a comment

Lecturers at The Polytechnic, Ibadan have shunned the nationwide industrial action embarked upon the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics.

The union had, declared an indefinite strike to demand the implementation of a new salary scheme for polytechnic lecturers.

A NAN correspondent, who visited the institution, observed that normal academic activities were going on, with students seen in their various classes receiving lectures.

One of the lecturers, Mr Biodun Akere, told NAN that the school calendar was still running, adding that students had been receiving lectures unhindered since the commencement of the second semester of 2019/2020 academic session.

“Our students and lecturers are on campus, with normal academic activities going on unhindered.

“We are not complying with the industrial action declared by ASUP because our local branch doesn’t have any leadership as at present,” Akere said.

When contacted, the Public Relations Officer of the polytechnic, Alhaji Soladoye Adewole, said that the institution’s lecturers were not on strike and that normal academic activities were going on unabated.

“Our lecturers are not on strike. We are running the semester as it should go,” he said.

NAN