The NERC’s decision to adjust tariffs underscores the complex challenges facing Nigeria’s energy sector. With ongoing discussions and debates surrounding the issue, the path forward remains uncertain, as stakeholders continue to advocate for a fair and sustainable solution to the country’s electricity woes.
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Gunmen attack Catholic seminary in Kaduna, abduct students
Gunmen have abducted some students of St Albert the Great Institute of Philosophy, a Catholic seminary in Kaduna state.
The seminary, which is situated at Fayit community in Kagoma chiefdom, Jama’a LGA of Kaduna, was reportedly attacked on Monday night.
Confirming the development in a statement, Emmanuel Okolo, chancellor of the Catholic diocese of Kafanchan in Kaduna, said six other seminarians were injured during the attack.
“We announce with unease the kidnap of three major seminarians of the Christ the King Major Seminary. Christ the King Major Seminary, our diocesan Major Seminary, is domiciled within the St. Albert Institute. It houses mostly the formators and seminarians preparing for the Catholic priesthood,” the statement reads.
“The Seminarians receive academic formation from the St. Albert Institute. The event took place on Monday, 11th October 2021 at about 7.26pm, in the Chapel of the Seminary in Fayit, Fadan Kagoma in Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
“As at the time of the attack, 10 formators including the Rectors of the Seminary and the Institute, 132 seminarians, 6 non-seminarians, one female non-academic staff and one steward were on ground.
“Six seminarians sustained various degrees of injuries. A dispatch of soldiers of the Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) was on ground to accompany some formators and the injured seminarians to Salem Hospital in Kafanchan. There, they were treated and discharged after being confirmed to be stable.
“From the narrative of the seminary security agents, the law enforcement personnel and the headcount conducted after Mass on the 12th October, 2021, it was confirmed that three Theology Four seminarians were abducted. These seminarians belong to the Apostles of Divine Charity and the Little Sons of the Eucharist Congregation.”
The diocese asked the public to pray for the safety of the victims, adding that it would “use every legitimate means to ensure their prompt and secure release”.
Kaduna has been under attack by gunmen — with residents and students kidnapped for ransom.
More than five schools have been attacked by gunmen in the state since the beginning of the year.
TheCable had reported that five kidnapped students of Bethel Baptist High School in Damishi area of the state were recently released by their abductors, after spending three months on captivity.
Bandits had, on July 5, invaded the school, kidnapping 121 students.
The bandits had said the students would be released in batches when they freed the first set of 28 on July 25 — after a ransom of N100 million was reportedly paid.
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Why Atiku is afraid of the coastal highway project success – Presidency
Why Atiku is afraid of the coastal highway project success – Presidency
The presidency announced yesterday that Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) presidential candidate in the last election, is opposed to the proposed Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway because it will end his presidential campaign in 2027.
According to Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, “If not blinded by political ill-will, Atiku knows that the right thing for him to do is to applaud President Bola Tinubu for the ambitious and audacious Lagos-Calabar Highway, which the Federal Executive Council authorised.”
In a statement released on Sunday, Atiku accused President Tinubu of a conflict of interest in awarding the project to Hitech, a company owned by his business partner, the Chagoury family.
The former vice president also revealed that Seyi Tinubu is a board member of one of the companies owned by Chagoury family, saying that demolishing structures to give way for the coastal highway will impede foreign direct investment into the country.
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But reacting to Atiku’s statement, Onanuga said there was no conflict of interest anywhere. Seyi Tinubu is an adult and can conduct his lawful business anywhere in the country or elsewhere.
The special adviser also explained that the statement credited to Atiku that Nigeria is now the fourth economy in Africa was no longer news but added quickly that the country would soon bounce back to become the first economy in the continent.
He said: “Atiku has been waging an unrelenting war against this all-important and transformative project for no justifiable reasons other than bad politics.
“Atiku knows that its grand success and other projects to be unfurled, such as the Badagry-Sokoto superhighway, will be a major boost for President Tinubu and finally upend his perennial presidential ambition.”
He also said that the IMF’s reclassification of the Nigerian economy as the fourth largest in Africa is stale news. This happened because of the devaluation of the naira and President Tinubu’s determined effort to set the economy on sustainable growth.
“Under President Tinubu’s progressive, bold, inventive, and innovative leadership, Nigeria will bounce back to where it rightfully belongs as Africa’s largest market and biggest economy.”
Why Atiku is afraid of the coastal highway project success – Presidency
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Electricity customers insist on reversal of tariff increase, scorn reduction
Electricity customers insist on reversal of tariff increase, scorn reduction
Nigerians across various sectors have voiced their dissatisfaction with the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission’s (NERC) decision to reduce the tariff payable by Band A customers. Despite the reduction from N225/kWh to N206.8/kWh, stakeholders including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, electricity consumers, and civil society organizations are calling for a complete reversal to the subsidy era tariff.
The initial tariff hike, implemented just 33 days prior, saw a staggering 240 per cent increase in electricity tariffs for Band A customers. This move, which withdrew subsidies completely from Band A consumers, was met with widespread criticism and opposition from various quarters.
While the Federal Government cited potential savings of N1.5tn as justification for the tariff adjustment, concerns have been raised about the impact on consumers, particularly the financially vulnerable. The House of Representatives, organized labor, and the Nigerian Bar Association have all condemned the hike, with calls for its suspension and reversal.
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Defending the increase, Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu warned of a nationwide blackout within three months if the tariff hike was not implemented. Despite opposition, government spokesperson Florence Eke asserted that the tariff adjustment would remain in place.
However, in a surprising turn of events, the NERC announced an eight per cent reduction in tariffs for Band A customers, attributing the decision to changes in macroeconomic indices, particularly the appreciation of the naira against the dollar. Following the NERC’s directive, several electricity distribution companies (Discos), including Abuja, Ikeja, and Ibadan, promptly announced the implementation of the tariff reduction.
While the reduction may provide some relief to consumers, stakeholders remain skeptical, emphasizing the need for broader reforms in the energy sector. Critics argue that mere tariff reductions do not address fundamental issues such as inadequate fuel supply and the overall inefficiency of the electricity supply system.
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Nigerian varsity VC suspended over alleged gross misconduct
Nigerian varsity VC suspended over alleged gross misconduct
In an unexpected turn of events, the Governing Council of the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS) has suspended Vice-Chancellor Augustine Angba on allegations of severe misconduct.
The decision was reached at a meeting of the Governing Council on Monday, May 6, 2024, where they resolved to release Angba of his duties with immediate effect.
The council has nominated Professor Stephen Oshang of the Faculty of Agriculture to serve as the interim Vice-Chancellor until further notice.
The suspension comes on the heels of a vote-of-no-confidence passed by some staff members of the university on January 17, 2024.
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The staff, who were protesting the non-payment of five months’ salary arrears, had carried placards with slogans like “This Management and the VC must go” and “We don’t want them any longer.”
Angba had previously criticized the staff unions, claiming that four members had hijacked the union and incited others to protest on the streets.
However, the Governing Council’s decision suggests that they found merit in the allegations against the embattled Vice-Chancellor.
Despite several attempts, Vanguard efforts to reach the university’s spokesperson, Mr. Onen Onen, for comments on the matter were unsuccessful, as his phone line was not answered at the time of filing this report.
Similarly, Professor Angba’s phone line was busy when contacted.
Nigerian varsity VC suspended over alleged gross misconduct
(Vanguard)
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