Headlines

Bulk power supply flexibility and volume of power into Abuja has reduced by 250MW following destruction of Tower 70 along the Transmission Company of Nigeria’s 330kV Gwagwalada-Katampe Transmission line in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), which said the vandalised tower is now standing precariously on the ground, revealed that the incident occurred on Monday, February 26, 2024, at about 11.32pm.

According to a statement signed by the TCN General Manager, Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, on Wednesday, a copy of which was sent to LEADERSHIP, at the said time of the incident, the Gwagwalada-Katampe Transmission line had tripped at Gwagwalada Transmission Substation and trial reclosure by TCN Operators failed, nessectating a physical patrol of the line.

“The TCN lines and patrol team discovered that the four (4) tower footings of Tower 70 were vandalized, destroying the tower legs and causing the tower to stand on the ground, supported by conductors.

“The incident has reduced bulk power supply flexibility and the volume of power into Abuja by 250MW,” Mbah stated.

Meanwhile, TCN has mobilised to the site of the incident and has commenced an emergency repair of the damaged tower and its associated equipment.

“We reiterate the need for vigilance in the fight against vandalism of power equipment. It is important that we report suspicious movements around all power equipment to security operatives or to the nearest TCN offices nationwide,” the TCN spokesperson added.

The Honourable Minister of Power Commissions Five State Projects Under the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI). These states, includes Okene in Kogi State, Amukpe in Delta State, Potiskum in Yobe State, Apo in Abuja, and Ihovbor in Edo State, collectively mark a leap forward in the nation’s quest for energy sufficiency.

Under the phase 1 of the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI), these commissioned projects are set to amplify the transmission wheeling capacity by 272 megawatts, aimed at ensuring a more robust delivery of electricity to consumers across the nation. The commissioning ceremony, graced by government officials, industry stakeholders, and local community leaders, underscored the significance of these developments in reshaping Nigeria’s energy landscape.

Speaking at the event, the Honourable Minister highlighted the pivotal role these projects play in the revitalization of the power sector. He emphasized that these initiatives represent a masterstroke that will reverberate across industrial, social, and commercial domains, offering tangible benefits to citizens and businesses alike.

The commissioning of these projects not only signifies progress in infrastructure development but also heralds a new era of opportunity for Nigeria, positioning the nation on a trajectory towards sustainable energy growth. With a renewed focus on addressing the challenges within the power sector, stakeholders remain optimistic about the transformative impact these initiatives will have on Nigeria’s socio-economic fabric.

As the nation continues to prioritize energy accessibility and reliability, the commissioning of these projects serves as a testament to the government’s commitment to meeting the evolving needs of its citizens. With the inauguration of these state-of-the-art facilities, Nigeria takes a decisive step forward in its journey towards energy self-sufficiency and prosperity for all.

We are very thrilled to share that the African School of Economics (ASE) has just received its license from the National Universities Commission (NUC) of Nigeria to operate as a private university in the country.

The ceremony for issuing the license held today, the 22nd of February 2024, at the premises of the NUC, with the Minister for Education in Nigeria, Professor Tahir Mamman, the Acting Executive Secretary of the NUC, Mr. Chris Maiyaki, stakeholders from the Nigerian education sector, and representatives of the recipient universities attending.

Professor Mamman, at the end of his speech to the gathering, awarded the license to the representatives of ASE, with which certification ASE may now officially commence academic operations in the country.

We would like to sincerely thank everyone who has contributed towards this outcome, a few of whom we will take the liberty of mentioning.

We want to specially thank the CEO and Country Coordinator of ASE’s strategic partner AUDA NEPAD Nigeria, Princess Gloria Akobundu (FSI), for her unwavering commitment to and support for us from the onset.

We would like to thank the Research Lead of ASE’s strategic partner Kwakol Markets, Mr. Joseph Ishaku, for his immeasurable and altruistic support for ASE.

We would like to acknowledge and thank ASE’s Director of Communications Obinna Obiwulu, who has led the efforts for ASE’s establishment in Nigeria, and the efforts for ASE’s licensing, for his devotion and tireless work towards this outcome.

We would also like to acknowledge ourselves, the personnel of ASE Nigeria, for our conscientiousness and dedication to our work, which has in no small measure contributed to today’s award.

Finally, and most importantly, we would like to recognize and thank our President and Founder, leonard wantchekon, for his visionary leadership, for his relentless and unmatched drive for excellence, and for seeing opportunity where others see disadvantage.

We at ASE represent a transformative vision for Africa’s development through education and research and we look to our future work in Nigeria with the utmost optimism.

Some members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) have arrived the National Assembly to express their displeasure over the economic hardship in the country.

Leading reporters reports that the NLC had announced its intention to embark on a two-day nationwide protests in the country between February 27 and 28.

The protests which commenced across the country early Tuesday morning saw workers march across major streets bearing placards with various inscriptions.

According to video seen on X by Leading reporters, the protesters arrived the National Assembly in the numbers chanting solidarity songs.

As at the time of writing this report, the protesters were headed to the main complex where they will be addressed by a ranking lawmaker.

The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has commenced its nationwide protest against the current living conditions in the country;

President of the Congress, Mr. Joe Ajaero, on Monday, said the union would embark on a peaceful rally to express their grievances over the deteriorating economic crisis and high cost of living in the country.

Speaking with journalists, Ajaero said it is the responsibility of both parties to ensure the protest is peaceful.

He asked the federal government to provide security to members of the union as part of the fundamental rights of citizens as enshrined in the constitution.

He said members of the union will march to the national and state assemblies across the country to submit the demands to the lawmakers and government officials.

“The rally goes on but it’s part of their (government) constitutional responsibility to make sure that the rally is peaceful while we are going to try on our own side to make sure it is peaceful. That’s all,” Ajaero said.

Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa of the Federal High Court in Lagos has restrained telecommunication operators in Nigeria from deactivating or barring any line or sim which has not been linked to the National Identification Number (NIN) by their subscribers.

Justice Lewis-Allagoa ruled while ruling on a suit filed by a lawyer, Olukoya Ogungbeje, seeking to stop the move that infringed on his fundamental rights.

Ogungbeje, in a suit numbered FHC/L/CS/667/23, joined the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, MTN Nigeria Communications Plc and Airtel Networks Nigeria Limited as respondents.

Specifically, the lawyer had asked the court for an injunction pending appeal, restraining all the respondents jointly or severally, whether by themselves or their agents. Outlets, agencies, privies, officials, servants, men, parastatals, units, organs, or anybody or person, however so called, from taking any step or action capable of enforcing the judgment in any way and from further outright barring, deactivating and or restricting any SIM cards or his phone Lines, or of any Nigerian Citizen, slated for February 28, 2024, or any other scheduled date, pending the hearing and determination of his appeal at the Court of Appeal of Nigeria, against the judgment of this Honourable Court delivered on May 8, 2023.

At the court’s last sitting, the judge was informed that none of the respondents had filed their counter to the motion to the suit.

However, after the applicant had moved his application, a lawyer from the Federal Ministry of Justice pleaded with the court that he needed more time to respond to the motion.

The applicant vehemently opposed the application because all parties were served with all the processes and the hearing notice in the matter but failed to file counters.

Justice Lewis-Allagoa, in his ruling after perusing the court file acceded to the lawyer’s request and restrained the telecom operators in the country from barring, deactivating and or restricting any SIM cards or his phone Lines or of any Nigerian Citizen stated for 28 of February 2024.

Justice Lewis-Allagoa also ruled that his order subsists till the hearing and determination of the appeal filed by the lawyer.

Ogungbeje had informed the court that his motion on notice is premised under Order 26 Rule 1 of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2019; Section 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended); Section 6 (6)(B) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and under the court’s inherent jurisdiction.

He listed ten grounds for seeking the application, which include; “That sometimes in April 2022, the Appellant/Applicant herein took out an Originating Summons against the Respondents challenging the action of the Respondents in undermining the judicial powers of the Court and the Nigerian legal system and thus infringing on the applicant’s fundamental rights.

“That this Honourable Court, in a well-considered Judgment delivered on the 8th of May 2023, dismissed the appellant/applicant originating summons.

“The appellant/applicant, dissatisfied with the Judgment, has exercised his constitutional right of appeal by lodging a Notice of Appeal against the Judgment of this Honourable Court on the 26th of July 2023 by the lower Court.

“That the Appellant/applicant’s appeal is against the whole decision contained in the Judgment of this Honourable Court.

“That the Respondents are aware of the appellant/applicant’s appeal to the Court of Appeal of Nigeria as the Respondents have since been duly served with the Appellant/Applicant’s Notice of Appeal.

“That despite the pendency of the appellant/applicant’s appeal, efforts are in top gear by the respondents, specifically on the 28th of February 2024, to ensure further and outright barring, deactivating and restricting of SIM cards and Phone lines of the Applicant and that of Nigerian citizens.

“That the appellant/applicant appeal to the Court of Appeal of Nigeria “has a high degree of success against the Respondents

“There is the need to preserve the rest subject matter of the appeal pending the hearing and determination of the Appellant/Applicant appeal at the Court of Appeal of Nigeria.

“That the appellant/applicant is desirously interested in diligently pursuing the instant appeal that has raised a novel and recondite issue substantially jurisprudential constituting an exceptional circumstance in which this Honourable Court can grant an application of this nature.

“That the Court has the power and jurisdiction to grant application of this nature in the interest of Justice,” he stated.

The Nigeria Labour Congress and other related unions are preparing for the planned protests it declared over the high cost of living, inflation, insecurity and hardship in the country.

Our correspondents who arrived at the Labour House headquarters in Abuja at 7:12 a.m. noticed different union workers and other aggrieved Nigerians trooping into the Labour House.

Also present are operatives of the Department of State Services.

The NLC and the Trade Union Congress had, on February 8, issued a 14-day nationwide strike notice to the Federal Government over the failure to implement the agreements reached on October 2, following the removal of the fuel subsidy.

The FG’s failure to fulfill its promises after the ultimatum by the Organised Labour will be met with a two-day nationwide protest, slated for today (Tuesday), February 27, and Wednesday, February 28.

Organised labour, had last Monday, begun mobilising its members for the nationwide protests over the high cost of living in the country.

The Nigeria Customs Service has suspended the sale of seized food items to Nigerians.

The development comes after a stampede that claimed lives at Nigeria Customs Service Old Zonal Headquarters in Yaba, Lagos State, on Friday.

This was made known in a statement on Monday by Abdullahi Maiwada, a spokesperson for Customs.

LEADING REPORTERS recalls that Customs had on February 20, 2024 said it would disposed seized food items to cushion the hardship in the country.

“Considering the recent unfortunate event, we regrettably announce the suspension of this exercise until we establish what transpired on Friday, 23 February 2024,” Nigeria Customs, however, announced on Monday.

“This should help us to properly articulate more robust and comprehensive action that will not defeat the noble intention,” the statement partly reads.