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The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) says the “labour union has shut down” the national grid, resulting in a blackout nationwide. The national grid shut down occured at about 2.19 am on 3rd June 2024. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) kicked off their indefinite nationwide strike today, over the federal government’s refusal to increase the minimum wage from N60,000. The TCN, in a statement on Monday, signed by Ndidi Mbah, it’s general manager, said workers at the Benin Transmission Operator were sent from the control room and beaten by the protesters. “At about 1:15am this morning, the Benin Transmission Operator under the Independent System Operations unit of TCN reported that all operators were driven away from the control r...

Labour union has thrown the entire country in total darkness. The workers at early hours of Monday, shut down the national grid. Currently, the entire country is in darkness. A statement by Ndidi MbahGM, Public Affairs, Transmission Company of Nigeria confirmed the incident. Mbah, however said all efforts are on to recover the grid to enable the restoration of normal bulk transmission The statement reads: "The Transmission Company of Nigeria hereby informs the general public that the Labour Union has shut down the national grid, resulting in black out nationwide. The national grid shut down occured at about 2.19am this morning, 3rd June 2024. "At about 1:15am this morning, the Benin Transmission Operator under the Independent System Operations unit of TCN reported that a...

  By NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA Mr Olayemi Cardoso, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, has commended Dr Umar Useni on his appointment as the Secretary-General of the Arbitration Centre of the Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC).Cardoso gave the commendation at a dinner reception organised to celebrate Useni on Saturday in Abuja.The event was organised by one of Useni’s Mentees, Rahmah Aderinoye, the CEO of Rashak Farms and Agro Allied Limited.According to the apex bank chief, the journey of the introduction of Islamic Banking was started by the CBN.“The journey was led by a then part time pastor, but today, a full time pastor. So, it was not an idea to islamise Nigeria or islamise financing in Nigeria.“This journey saw one of your own poring through documents that started the ...

The G-60, a group of federal lawmakers has said that Governor Siminalayi Fubara, has sufficiently confronted the trying political moments, refused to be dampened and had rode over them to deliver sterling governance that has positively impacted Rivers people. The 60 federal lawmakers, who are members of the House of Representatives, made the remark after a meeting with Governor Fubara at Government House in Port Harcourt on Sunday. They had first attended the Church Thanksgiving Service to mark the first one year anniversary of Governor Fubara, which held at St. Paul's Anglican Church, Garrison in Port Harcourt. Leader of the delegation, Hon Ikenga Ugochinyere, who is the House of Representatives member for Ideato North and South Federal Constituency of Imo State, thanked God for...

The increase would be across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Alake said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja. He said that the move was part of efforts of the Federal Government to secure the mining operating environment aimed at attracting Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) to boost the economic profile of the country. NAN reports that the Mining Marshal Corps inaugurated on March 21, were drawn from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to combat illegal mining. The corps has 2,220 personnel, who have been specially trained by the military in modern warfare as a rapid response squad with 60 deployed across the 36 states and the FCT. “We are looking at adding to the number to ge...

The Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) says it is partnering with other stakeholders in the electricity industry to Light Up Agbara. Mr Sanya Adejokun, Media Adviser to the Managing Director of NDPHC said this in a statement in Abuja on Sunday. Adejokun said that the Managing Director, NDPHC Mr Chiedu Ugbo led other stakeholders in the electricity industry to the groundbreaking of the Light Up Agbara project. He said that Ugbo who represented Vice President Kashim Shettima said that NDPHC is the catalyst as far as provision of electricity is concerned in the country. According to him, the Federation had invested in NDPHC so much to the extent that the company has four thousand megawatts generation capacity built with people’s funds but it is grossly underutilised due to...

The Federal Government has increased the 2024 budgetary allocation of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) by 500 per cent of what was allocated to it in 2023. The Executive Secretary of the commission, Mr James Lalu, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja Lalu was speaking on how the disability community had fared in the one year administration of President Bola Tinubu, "The administration of President Tinubu is truly committed to providing opportunities for People Living with Disabilities (PwDs). "The commission has continued to receive all the necessary support from the administration to ensure that PwDs are carried along. "Since the coming in of the Renewed Hope administration, there are some deli...

The Federal Government says it has secured a Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to the tune of N20billion, to facilitate local production of assistive devices for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs). Dr James Lalu, the Executive Secretary, National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) said this in an interview with newsmen in Abuja. Lalu said, the need to source for investors in the manufacturing of locally made assistive devices for Persons with Disabilities became necessary due to the high cost of imported devices. '' Recently, we secured a Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to the tune of N20billion and the organisation is committed to coming and starting the local manufacturing of assistive devices, an MoU has already been signed. ''The National Commission for Persons w...

Madrid beat Dortmund to win Europe’s elite club tournament, the Champions League at Wembley, GWG.ng reports. With the victory, the Spanish giants have won the competition for a record 15th time more than all English clubs combined. Carvajal and Vinicius Jr scored for Real in second half after a dominant play by Dortmund in the first half that, however, ended goalless. Kroos set up the first goal on his final appearance for Madrid before Bellingham set up for the second goal.

By Jessica Dogo The Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) has launched its Investment Certification Programme for States (NICPS) in Enugu State to enhance the investment climate for economic growth in the country. The Executive-Secretary of NIPC, Aisha Rimi, made this known in a statement on Saturday in Abuja. Rimi said NIPC was partnering with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), under its Integrated National Financing Framework (INFF) Phase II project. She said that the European Union (EU), would also support the implementation of the Nigerian Investment Certification Programme for States (NICPS), of which Enugu State is one of the beneficiaries. Rimi said Enugu State, with its rich natural resources and vibrant economic potential, stands to gain sig...

Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers says his administration will continue prioritising the people’s interests under the mantra“Rivers First.” Mr Fubara remarked during the praise night organised on Friday by the state government to mark his first year in office in Port Harcourt. The governor, represented by his deputy, Ngozi Odu, solicited the people’s support in moving the state forward. He urged the people to contribute their quota to assist the administration in achieving its vision of advancing the state’s fortunes. “We shall continue to have this shared vision of putting Rivers State first, but we can’t do it alone. ‘’We need all of you, big and small, to be there for us, to chip in the little or the much you can, and at the end of this our first tenure, you will see ...

The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO) has urged African countries to adhere to the nuclear weapon testing ban agreement to ensure safety and security on the continent. African countries urged to adhere to nuclear-testing ban agreement“Therefore, the complete adherence by African countries to the CTBT will ensure the full realisation of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in Africa,” he said. The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) is a multilateral agreement that opened for signature in September 1996 and has since been signed by 187 nations and ratified by 178 to prohibit any nuclear weapon test anywhere in the world by anyone. CTBTO executive secretary Robert Floyd spoke at opening the two-day regional workshop organised by the organisation for African ...

The comptroller general of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Kemi Nandap, says 107,646 produced passports remained uncollected nationwide. The service public relations officer (SPRO), Kenneth Udo, said this in a statement on Friday in Abuja. The CG, however, appealed to applicants whose passports have been produced for pick-up at the various passport-issuing centres across the country. Ms Nandap lamented that efforts to contact the owners had proved abortive. “Applicants are therefore strongly advised to always provide verifiable addresses and phone numbers when filling out their online passport application forms for easy contact, “she said. The NIS CG directed that all passport offices in Lagos should operate on Saturdays between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. She said t...

The Association of Investment Promotion Agencies of West African States (IPAWAS) says ECOWAS’ facilitation of the resuscitation of its hitherto moribund statute would engender subregional investment promotion and drive economic growth. Members of the technical committee of the association made this known at the end of a collaborative meeting on Saturday in Abuja. Abayomi Salami, chairman of the technical committee and deputy director, Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), explained that the meeting was essentially for member states to align their efforts, streamline regulations, and promote cross-border investments. He said that the event was basically informed by the need for member states to be united to maximize their potentials and opportunities to promote and faci...

Dr. Joy Iganya Agene, the Senior Environment Specialist at the World Bank Nigeria Office and Task Team Leader for the ACReSAL Project, has expressed concerns about the geological situation in Zone C of Benue state. She recommends conducting a hydrological assessment of the area to explore its groundwater potential. "Let's deploy the necessary technology and conduct a detailed technical study of the area's groundwater potential," she said. Speaking during the ongoing joint World Bank/Federal Government of Nigeria Hybrid Implementation Support Mission for the ACReSAL Project in Benue state, Dr. Agene emphasized the need for an integrated policy on Environment, Water Resources, Climate Change, and Agriculture to ensure the project's sustainability. She commended the state government f...

President Bola Tinubu says Oyo State holds a pivotal role in the nation’s economy, and will remain a top priority in the Federal government’s effort in stabilising and promoting unity and peace across the nation. The President, who was represented by his Vice, Kashim Shettima, stated this at the inauguration of the 76.67km Iseyin-Fapote-Ogbomoso Road named Adebayo Alao-Akala Memorial Highway, in Ogbomoso The road, described as a landmark legacy project, spans 76.76km across many communities between Iseyin and Ogbomoso. The President also lauded the Gov. Seyi Makinde, of Oyo State for being a collaborative partner with the Federal Government in the area of building road infrastructure.He said the road infrastructure provided by the Oyo State government connects communities and ope...

…Traditional Council Divided, As Olori Battles Oluyede Family By Taoreed Alaba An uneasy calm has enveloped Ayede-Ogbese, a community in Akure North Local Government over the demise of Oba Raphael Ajibola Oluyede (Iseoluwa The ll). The late monarch who joined his ancestors in December 29th 2023 at the age of 65 passed on at Anne Arundel Medical Center, Annapolis, Maryland in the United States of America, after two years of protracted illness. Upon arrival in Nigeria, the remains of the late Oba was deposited in a morgue by the Olori which we gathered was contrary to the tradition and culture of the people of Ayede- Ogbese. The battle for the soul of Ayede Ogbese started when the community and the family demanded for the corpse of the Oba (from the Olori for burial accordi...

The Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court, on Thursday, remanded a 34-year-old man, Emenike Agugwo, in a correction facility for allegedly defiling a 16-year-old girl. Mr Agugwo is charged with defilement. The prosecutor, John Iberedem, told the court that the suspect committed the offence at about 7:30 p.m. on April 4 at Okesanya Street, Papa-Ajao, Lagos Barcha, Lagos. Mr Iberedem said that the suspect forcefully had sexual intercourse with the victim without her consent. The chief magistrate, E. Kubeinje, who did not take Mr Agugwos’ plea, ordered him to be remanded in prison custody. She adjourned the matter until June 26 for advice from the director of public prosecution (DPP).NAN

On Thursday, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, said the Edo office’s damaged facilities would be replaced before the September 21 governorship election. Mr Yakubu said this during an on-the-spot assessment of the damage caused to its facilities by the flood disaster occasioned by torrential rain in Benin on May 24. The flood disaster destroyed some voter enrollment machines already configured for the Continuous Voter Registration exercise. Speaking after the facilities were inspected, Mr Yakubu said he was in Benin to assess the level of damage and immediately offer solutions to whatever problems arose from the disaster. He said the flood disaster would not hinder the smooth conduct of the governorship election in the state, adding ...

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has called on member states to promote investment to engender sustainable development in the sub-region. ECOWAS urges Nigeria, other member states to champion investment promotionECOWAS has called on member states to promote investment to engender sustainable development in the sub-region. ECOWAS acting director of private sector investment Anthony Elumelu made the charge during a meeting of the technical committee of the Association of Investment Promotion Agencies of West African States (IPAWAS) on Thursday in Abuja. Mr Elumelu said that the event aimed to allow all member states to shape IPAWAS’ form and structure as the regional platform for cooperation in investment promotion and facilitation. He noted that member sta...