Author: Gbenga Oluranti OLALEYE

The Transmission Company of Nigeria has announced that the ongoing repairs to the damaged transmission line that led to a blackout in northern Nigeria will be completed by Sunday, 3 November 2024. It noted, however, that alternative measures have been implemented to transmit 400 megawatts to certain areas within the next 24 hours. The Managing Director of TCN, Sule Abdulaziz, disclosed this development at a press briefing on Tuesday in Abuja, updating Nigerians on efforts to restore electricity to the northern region. On 22 October, TCN reported a power outage in the north-east, north-west, and parts of north-central Nigeria after…

The Confederation of African Football has picked November 18 for Nigeria’s final 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Rwanda. The match is scheduled for the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo. This is contained in a statement on Tuesday by the Nigeria Football Federation. The Matchday 6 encounter will draw the curtain on the race from Group D for slots at the 35th Africa Cup of Nations finals to be held in Morocco. The competition kicks off in December 2025/January 2026. CAF has also appointed Moroccan match officials for the game, with Samir Guezzaz in the role of referee for…

The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has dismissed reports that the president is Nigeria’s substantive petroleum minister. Onanuga made the rebuttal on Sunday while fielding questions on Sunday’s edition of Channels Television’s Politics Today programme. When asked if the president hopes to hold on to his job as the ‘Minister of Petroleum,’ Onanuga fumed, saying the president had never addressed himself with such title, adding that the nation already has two ministers handling the affairs of the oil sector. “I think I have answered this question somewhere. The President has never called himself the…

Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, said yesterday that contrary to popular opinion, his principal, President Bola Tinubu, did not acquire a new official jet but a refurbished one. “It’s not President Tinubu’s plane, it belongs to the people of Nigeria, it is our property,” Onanuga said on the Sunday edition of Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, a socio-economic programme aired on Channels Television. He said some jets in the presidential fleet, such as the 19-year-old Boeing B737-700 purchased under ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, are all in bad condition, adding that their maintenance costs were outrageous. He said instead of spending a bogus…

Former Niger Delta militant leader, Asari Dokubo, has accused President Tinubu of betrayal and neglect. Asari, who made the accusation in a viral video on social media, said Tinubu had betrayed him after working for his emergence as the Nigerian president in the 2023 elections. Dokubo claimed that he spent his money canvassing for votes for Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election, only to be abandoned. He, however, vowed to form an alliance with the Northern region and dump Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections. Dokubo recalled asking Nigerians to hold him accountable if Tinubu failed as president. He…

Northern Nigeria is grappling with a devastating electricity crisis as 17 out of 19 states face prolonged blackouts, leaving residents frustrated and desperate. The once-thriving region has seen its commercial and industrial activities come to a halt, with many now relying on alternative means to power their phones, laptops, and other essential appliances. According to The PUNCH, the national grid has collapsed 108 times since the privatisation of the power sector, exacerbating the current crisis. Apart from Niger and Kwara, which have maintained regular power supply, states like Kaduna, Kano, Jigawa, Gombe, and Katsina have been without electricity for over…

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) convened an emergency meeting today at Iran’s request, following a series of deadly missile strikes by Israel in retaliation for an October 1 attack attributed to Tehran. The meeting, initiated by Iran and supported by Algeria, China, and Russia, underscores the escalating tensions in the region. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that the “precise and powerful” strikes on Iran were a success, stating that they achieved their intended objectives. This development comes amid ongoing Israeli military actions targeting positions in Gaza and Lebanon. Reports indicate that Israeli airstrikes on military installations in Iran…

As the race for Lagos State’s governorship in 2027 intensifies, three key figures have emerged as frontrunners to succeed Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. Senator Tokunbo Abiru, Deputy Governor Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, and businessman Seyi Tinubu are all vying for the coveted position, according to a ThisDay report. Senator Abiru is known for his financial expertise, having transitioned from banking to politics seamlessly. His background and strategic engagement with Lagos business leaders have drawn attention, as he positions himself as a technocrat with the vision to propel Lagos forward. Abiru’s connections within the financial sector are a major asset, making him…

The Federal Government of Nigeria is taking significant steps to enhance safety on inland waterways by moving towards a ban on wooden boats, which constitute over 90% of the vessels currently in operation. This announcement was made by Bola Oyebamiji, the Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), during a recent interaction with editors in Lagos. Oyebamiji highlighted that wooden boats are responsible for the majority of accidents on the country’s waterways. He pointed out that many of these vessels often violate crucial operational guidelines, such as traveling at night, overloading, and neglecting to use life jackets both…

The Disciplinary Committee of the Confederation of African Football has awarded the Super Eagles of Nigeria three points and three goals in their abandoned matchday 4, 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Libya, which was scheduled to be held in Benina on 15 October. In its ruling on Saturday, signed by chairman Ousmane Kane, the Disciplinary Board determined that the Libyan Football Federation was in breach of Article 31 of the Africa Cup of Nations Regulations and Articles 82 and 151 of the CAF Disciplinary Code. “The Libyan Football Federation is found to have breached Article 31 of the…