The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, on Wednesday, said that the Federal Government paid a total of N135.23 billion to subsidise electricity consumption in the second quarter of 2023.
This was made known in the commission’s Q2, 2023 report.
NERC said that the N135.2 billion was spent by the FG to plug revenue generation shortfall in the power sector in the period under review.
It said that this indicated an increase of N99.21 billion, representing 275 per cent compared to the N36 billion it paid in the quarter I of 2023,
The report stated that the government incurred a subsidy obligation of N135.23 billion in 2023/Q2, which is substantially higher than the N36.02 billion it incurred in 2023/Q1.
The commission stated that the subsidy was due to the absence of cost-reflective tariffs across all distribution companies.
It said that the increase recorded in the period was a result of the government’s policy to harmonise the exchange rate.
The report said that on average, subsidy obligation incurred by the government per month was N45.08 billion in Q2 2023.
The Oyo State House of Assembly on Wednesday condemned Sunday’s attack on the people of Iwere-Ile in Iwajowa Local Government area of Oyo State by suspected Fulani herders which left not less than seven people dead.
This is just as the House called on the Oyo State Police Command to beef up security in the area and arrest the Fulani herdsmen who allegedly perpetrated the killings, and directed its Committee on Security to invite the leadership of Miyetti Allah in the State.
The resolutions followed a Matter of Urgent Public Importance brought before the House by member representing Iwajowa State Constituency in the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Anthony Ogunsola.
The plenary presided over by Deputy Speaker, Hon. Muhammad Fadeyi warned Fulani herders against encroaching on people’s lands and destroying their farmlands.
Hon. Fadeyi who sympathised with the people of Iwere-Ile on the sad development said all security agents must put measures in place to forestall future attack and destruction by Fulani herdsmen.
” Our people are mainly farmers and the Fulanis depend on their cattle for survival. It is completely unacceptable for the herders to be destroying our people’s farmlands. We will not take this hence we are appealing to the Oyo State Commissioner of Police to ensure the fleeing herdsmen who perpetrated the killings are not only arrested but also prosecuted.” The Deputy Speaker said
Trouble reportedly started on Sunday,15th October, 2023 when some Fulani herdsmen whose cattle invaded a farm in Apakolo village in Iwere-Ile killed the farm owner, Mr. Kege Mayowa when he challenged the invaders.
” On Sunday, Mr. Kege Mayowa, an Ohori farmer was murdered on his farmland at Apakolo village by yet-to-be-arrested Fulani herdsmen, after the late farmer challenged his killer when the herders were feeding cows on the farm.
” After the killing, a team of joint security agents comprising Operation Burst, Police, Amotekun LG Vigilante, and members of Oodua Peoples’ Congress, OPC, were alerted and immediately mobilized to the scene.
” But on sighting the team of security operatives, the herdsmen opened fire and this resulted in the death of Mr Ojo Yakubu (Amotekun operative), Mr Wasiu Salau a.k.a Federal, and Mr. Akeem Iroko.
” The herdsmen also wounded another Amotekun officer, Mr Kazeem Hammed; Mr Muraina Jamie, a resident at Apakolo while leaving many others receiving treatment at different undisclosed hospitals.
” The crisis escalated on Monday 16th and claimed three more lives in the Fulani community.”Hon. Anthony Ogunsola
According to Hon. Anthony Ogunsola, drastic action must be taken by Security agents to prevent the situation from degenerating into full blown crisis as the Fulanis have started laying ambush on the farm for the farmers.
This he said has prevented farmers in Iwere-Ile from going to their farms.
The National Chairman of the Labour Party, Julius Abure, has condemned the N160m official vehicle being awarded to each of the 360 members of the House of Representatives.
While urging his party lawmakers to reject the gifts, Abure described the action as the height of insensitivity.
He gave the charge in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday.
The condemnation is coming in the wake of a report that members of the Senate and House of Representatives have started receiving a gift of a new 2023 SUV each.
In the last two days, the media has been awash with news of NASS leadership plans to procure 109 Toyota Land Cruisers for senators and 2023 Toyota Prado for 360 members of the House of Representatives.
But Abure disclosed that the Labour Party was saddened and disappointed at the level of insensitivity being displayed by the executive and the legislative arms in President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Controversy has continued to trail the case of a popular traditionalist; Abdullazeez Adegbola, popularly called Tani-Oloun over who represent him in the case of defamation among other offences charged against him before two different courts of competence in Ilorin, Kwara State.
Oduduwa News reports that two legal practitioners, Barrister Ademọla Banks and Barrister Muftau Olobi have been claiming to be defendant (Tani Olohun) counsel.
Magistrate Muhammed Ibrahim who is presiding over the matter, noted that the two counsel are seeking redress on court jurisdiction to entertain the matter and on the defendant bail.
The court, in his ruling, adjourned the matter till Thursday when the defendant will be in court physically to identify which of the counsel he engaged to represent him.
Earlier, Olobi moved an application for the defendant’s bail which was refused by the court due to the preliminary objection Barrister Ademọla Banks has moved.
The Bobatolu of Ejesi Ile-Ife and Yeyemayegun of Igbaro Town who is also the founder and CEO of Baby Blue Angels Foundation, Chief Mrs. Ramata Agberemi Dabo (RAD) has warmly felicitated with the Ooni of Ife, His Royal Majesty, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, on the occasion of his 49th birthday, joining family, friends and well-wishers across the globe to celebrate an exceptional traditional leader, who exemplifies service to humanity.
Ramata in a congratulatory message personally signed by her commended Oba Ogunwusi for his endearing contributions to the peace and progress of Osun State and Nigeria as a whole.
The former House of Reps aspirant in Lagelu/Akinyele Federal Constituency, Hon. Ramata Agberemi Dabo (RAD) acknowledged the frontline monarch’s transformational leadership, which evidently manifests in the infrastructural and economic upscale that Ife enjoys since he assumed the stool of the ancient town, praising Oni of Ife’s devotion to the promotion of culture and traditions.
“I heartily felicitate with the Ooni of Ife, on this grace of a new age. On this occasion, I join people across race and tongue to note Ooni’s incredible attitude towards nation building, particularly the passion he puts to pursuing the progress of Osun State,” the statement noted.
While saluting the Ooni for his sustained efforts in entrenching peace and developments in his domain, Ramata added that “she remains inspired by Ooni’s sense of purpose to his people and will always treasure his valuable contributions to the promotion of the traditional institution.”
Ramata prays for God’s sustained guidance and strength for Oba Ogunwusi in furtherance of rendering qualitative service towards the peace and growth of not just Osun State, but Nigeria as a whole.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has narrated how he was stuck for hours on the Lagos-Ota-Abeokuta expressway as a result of bad road.
The Senate President said this at the grand finale of the Yewa Cultural Festival in Ilaro in the Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State this weekend.
Akpabio, who was accompanied by 70 senators to the event, said he insisted on driving to the venue for him to have first-hand experience of what people go through on the road everyday, adding that it took his team more than two hours to drive to Ilaro from Lagos.
He said: “When I was coming, I decided to pass through the Lagos-Abeokuta, Papalanto-Ilaro road to experience the pain you people are facing on the road.
“I spent about two hours in traffic along Papalanto-Ilaro road because two tankers fell on the road. I really sympathise with you. I went through what you people are passing through on daily basis.
“I am giving Governor Abiodun the Senate support in rehabilitation of these important roads.
“I was determined to go through the road that you go through. Now, I have seen what you have been seeing. From today, I prophesy that your roads are done.
“Yewaland has the greatest number of industries that local government can ever have in Nigeria, just five local governments.
“Therefore, we recognise the need to use the best set of contractors to do your roads because of the wear and tear. I assure you that we will be working with our brother, Dapo Abiodun. Your lives will not be the same again.
“The 10th Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is going to get the list of things you want us to do here.”
Akpabio, who was conferred with the chieftaincy title of ‘Fiwagboye’ of Yewaland by the Yewa Traditional Council, further called on youths in Yewaland and the state to stay off drugs and other fraudulent activities, assuring them that their lives would be better when they stayed clean.
Some people suspected to be members of a rival cult gang have hacked three persons in Ijoko community in Ota area of Ogun State to death, leaving their remains in an abandoned building.
The attack, it was learnt, occurred yesterday in what some of the residents reckoned was the aftermath of a renewed rival cult gangs’ violence.
The attackers chopped off the left hands of the slain persons while two of the deceased were identified as suspected members of Eiye Confraternity.
The Public Relations Officer of Ogun State Police Command, Omolola Odutola, a Superintendent of Police (SP), who confirmed the incident in a press release, said a community leader in Abibatun Toronbi community, Ijoko, Ogun State reported the incident at the Ijoko Police Station.
Odutola said the community leader noted that on Saturday, October 13, three unidentified young men were found hacked to death in an abandoned building or criminal hideout within their community.
“The policemen, on arrival at the scene, observed that the deceased persons’ left hands were cut off.
“Two were identified as Alias Memory and Rilwan, suspected cultists of the Eiye Confraternity grou, who have been on police look out for several crimes.
Read Also:Rival cult gang hacks three to death in Ogun “Their corpses were evacuated and deposited at the morgue for further investigation while the area is under close monitoring.
“The police have initiated a thorough investigation into the killings with assistance from local informants.
“This led to their identification as members of a rival cult group, the Eiye confraternity.
“Efforts are ongoing to gather more information about the activities of these cult groups and their connections to other criminal acts in the area.
“The police are committed to bringing all perpetrators involved in cultism and related crimes to justice, ensuring the safety and security of the community.
“The community is encouraged to continue providing valuable information to the police to aid in further investigations and the apprehension of other individuals involved in criminal activities in the area.
“Collaborative efforts between the police and the community are essential in combating cultism and ensuring a peaceful and secure environment for all residents,” she stated.
The Governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Oyebanji, on Friday, paid a surprise visit to his tailor during his undergraduate days.
The governor shared his visit to Davis Cuts Fashion House on Facebook, describing it as a heartwarming trip down memory lane, allowing him to rekindle connections with someone who had played a pivotal role in his earlier days.
Sharing photos, Oyebanji said, “I paid a surprise visit to Mr. David Aina, a highly respected tailor who owns Davis Cuts Fashion House, located around Oluyemi Kayode Stadium in Ado-Ekiti.
“Mr. David holds a special place in my heart, as he was my favourite tailor who skillfully made my clothes during my undergraduate days at the Ondo State University in Ado-Ekiti,( now Ekiti State University) The visit was a delightful journey down memory lane, reconnecting with a person who played a significant role in my past and continues to shine in the world of fashion.”
The Lagos State Government under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has announced the immediate closure of Mile 12 International and Owode Onirin markets, for filth and various environmental infractions.
The closure was enforced by officers from the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) and Lagos Environmental Sanitation Corps (KAI), following directives from the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab.
Speaking on the operation, Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, insisted on a zero tolerance for filth in all markets in the state.
He underscored the importance of stringent sanitation measures in Lagos markets, noting that cleanliness and adherence to environmental regulations were essential for a healthy city.
He said, “Recent events at Mile 12 and Owode Onirin markets have brought to light the pressing need for strict adherence to sanitation standards in our markets. The closure, though a difficult decision, is a necessary step to address the prevailing environmental challenges and to ensure the safety and well-being of all stakeholders.”
“The closure of Mile 12 and Owode Onirin markets will enable the stakeholders to assess the situation, improve public health and environmental sanity around those axis. Conditions in the markets have deteriorated to a point where immediate intervention became inevitable”.
Wahab emphasised that the enforcement action was not an isolated event, but part of a broader strategy to instill a culture of cleanliness and compliance with environmental regulations across board for markets within the state.
He urged traders and customers to prioritise hygiene and sustainable practices in their daily business activities.
The Police Service Commission in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force has invited interested and eligible Nigerians to apply for positions as constables within the force.
This announcement was in a bulletin signed by the chairman, Police Recruitment Board and posted on the official X handle of the Nigeria Police Force on Friday, October 13.
The online application portal will be accessible for six weeks, from October 15th to November 26th, 2023., the bulletin reads.
Prospective applicants are required to complete the online application forms and submit them within the specified timeframe, with the portal open to both male and female candidates. Applicants must be aged between 18 and 25, meet specific medical, physical, and psychological fitness criteria, and attain a height of not less than 1.67m for males and 1.64m for females.
Requirements for the online application process include: Nigerian birth origin, possession of the National Identification Number, and a minimum of five credits in not more than two sittings, consisting of either WAEC/NECO or equivalent qualifications with credits in English and mathematics.
