JUST IN; President Tinubu reveals his priority for Nigeria
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu joined other leaders yesterday in decrying the paradox of Africa’s vast energy wealth coexisting with widespread insufficiency.
He described it as an unacceptable reality that demands urgent action.
The President joined other leaders in adopting the Dar es Salaam Declaration, which commits to providing access to electricity for 300 million people in Africa by 2030.
He was in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, where he participated in the Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit.
The President returned to Abuja at about 7:40pm and was received by senior government officials.
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The two-day Summit was hosted by the government of Tanzania in collaboration with the African Union, the African Development Bank (AfDB), and the World Bank Group.
A high point of the event was the presidential endorsement of the Dar es Salaam Declaration by African leaders at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre.
Following the reading of the Declaration, leaders from Nigeria, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, Tanzania, and Zambia signed the document.
Through the Declaration, the leaders from the 12 countries expressed their commitment to ensuring electricity access for their citizens in the next five years.
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The 12 nations plan to achieve the goal through National Energy Compacts, which identify specific policy measures to address constraints across their energy sector and set targets based on their unique context.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Africa Energy Summit in Dar es Salaam
Speaking at the Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, through Minister of Power, Bayo Adelabu, President Tinubu stressed the need for collective efforts to bridge the continent’s energy gap.
According to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President said: “As we all know, Africa is rich in energy resources, yet millions of our citizens still lack access to reliable and affordable energy.
“This situation is unacceptable. It is our responsibility to take collective action to change this narrative.”
President Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to providing reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity to its unelectrified population by 2030.
“This is an ambitious goal, but we can achieve it together.
“As Nigeria’s President, I am committed to making energy access a top priority,” he said.
He lauded the African Development Bank (AfDB), the World Bank Group, and development partners for their collective pledge to bring electricity access to 300 million people in Africa by 2030.
President Tinubu called on African leaders to prioritise energy access, emphasising collective action.
“Let us work together to create a brighter future for our citizens—where every African can access reliable and affordable energy; a future where our industries thrive, our economies grow, and our people prosper,” the President said.
Detailing the substantial progress Nigeria has achieved with the support of international development partners, President Tinubu acknowledged AfDB’s $1.1 billion, expected to provide electricity for 5 million people by the end of 2026.
He noted that its $200 million in the Nigeria Electrification Project will provide electricity for 500,000 people by the end of 2025.
“We also look forward to the AfDB’s planned $700 million investment in the Nigeria Desert to Power programme and its planned $500 million facility for the Nigeria-Grid Battery Energy Storage System, which will provide electricity for an additional two million people.
“We have equally begun making plans to ensure the effectiveness of the World Bank’s $750 million support for expanding Nigeria’s distributed energy access via mini-grids and standalone solar systems that will provide access to power to 16.2 million people,” he said.
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Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) speaks over visa denial by Canada
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Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) speaks over visa denial by Canada
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, says the military met all the requirements and passed through all the processes in respect of the recent visa application to Canadian High Commission.
Musa made this known on Wednesday in Abuja, when he received the Armed Forces of Nigeria Contingent who won medals at the just concluded Invictus Games in Vancouver, Canada.
He said that most people who made comments against Nigeria’s participation in the sporting event spoke from the point of ignorance.
“On the issue of the denial of the visa, we must not travel abroad. Nigeria is good enough for all of us.
“We had an agreement, we were invited, a programme was sent, we followed our requirements and the process.
“Everybody knows members of the armed forces will never take shortcuts. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, the NSA, everybody is aware about this journey and we followed the process.
“But for reasons best known to them, most of the teams remember, like the team captain did not go, the medical doctor was not there, the physiotherapist did not go.
“All those that were important for the team were not given visas. And the question is why?
“Well, I’m happy that the federal government is also looking at that aspect,’’ he said.
Musa said it was important for people to understand that Nigerians deserve respect all over the world, adding that Nigeria must never accommodate disrespect from anybody.
He commended participants in the games for making Nigeria proud, adding that they left an indelible mark on the hearts of all who have witnessed the journey.
“You are the true embodiment of the invictus spirit, unconquered, unbroken and unstoppable,’’ he added.
The issue of visa denial by Canada has in the past week dominated the national discourse with many frowning at the action of Canada. (NAN)
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BREAKING Assembly suspends 13 Lawmakers for dishonourable acts
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BREAKING Assembly suspends 13 Lawmakers for dishonourable acts
The Benue House of Assembly has suspended 13 members of the house from legislative duties due to dishonourable acts.
The suspension followed a motion moved by the Majority Leader, Mr Saater Tiseer, during plenary on Wednesday in Makurdi.
The majority leader stated that the assembly, like any other legislature, was a hallowed assembly of honourable personalities.
He said that 31 members of the house on Tuesday received a complaint from the office of the attorney-general of the state.
Tisseer said the complaint detailed allegations of gross misconduct, abuse of office, bribery and corruption and other sundry allegations against Justice Maurice Ikpambese, the Chief Judge (CJ) of the state.
He informed the house that after exhaustive deliberations, the house went into division
“Thereafter, 23 out of the 31 members present voted in support of the recommendation to remove
Ikpambese as the Chief Judge of the state.
“While the next-in-line judicial officer should be sworn in as the acting chief judge of the state,” he said.
He said that after the house adopted resolutions on the matter, the 13 members, some of whom voted in support of the recommendations dissociated themselves from the legislative process.
According to him, the action of the 13 members contravened the Standing Order 9, Rule 58 (6) of the house.
The rule, he said, provided that it shall be out of order to attempt to reconsider any specific question upon which the house had concluded during the current session except upon a substantive motion for rescission.
He said that the actions of the members were not only dishonourable but also an afterthought and a deceptive posture capable of causing acrimony and casting aspersions on the house.
He listed the names of the suspended members to include Mr Douglas Akya (APC/Makurdi South), Mr Jonanthan Agbidye (APC/Katsina-Ala East),
Mrs Beckie Orpin (APC/Gboko East), Mr Simon Gabo (APC/Mata), and Mr William Ortyom (PDP/Agasha).
Others were Mr Emmanuel Onah (PDP/Oju I), Mr Elias Audu (APC/Gwer East), Mr Anyor Matu (APC/Kwande East), Mr Manger Manger (APC/Tarka), Mr Solomon Gyila (APC/Gwer West), Mr Samuel Agada (APC/Ogbadibo), Mr Abraham Jabi (APC/Buruku) and Mr Ezra Nyiyongo (APC/Ukum).
The seconder of the motion, Mr Peter Ipusu (APC/Katsina-Ala West), said that what their colleagues did was outright mischief because they attended and participated actively in the debate.
Ipusu added that they voted in favour of the recommendations that the CJ be removed and want to deny their active participation in the matter.
He suggested that the suspended members should refund the money given to them for a foreign trip by the Ministry of Finance, as they would not be travelling with them.
Meanwhile, Mr Alfred Berger (APC/Makurdi North) said that their colleagues have disparaged the Speaker, Mr Hyacinth Dajoh, and the house.
He said that before their suspension could be lifted, they should publicly declare that they participated in the legislative process.
Also, Mr Thomas Dugeri (APC/Kwande West), pleaded that the suspension be reduced to one month. (NAN)
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Wanted singer Portable, reports himself to Ogun police headquarters for questioning
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Wanted singer Portable, reports himself to Ogun police headquarters for questioning
Controversial singer Habeeb Okikiola, known as Portable, has voluntarily appeared at the Ogun State Police Command for questioning in connection with an ongoing investigation.
Omolola Odutola, the spokesperson for the Ogun State Police, confirmed his arrival in a statement on Wednesday, February 19, 2025.
Odutola stated that Portable arrived at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Eleweran, Abeokuta, at exactly 13:23 hours.
The singer had been declared wanted by authorities after allegedly assaulting officials from the Ogun State Town Planning Agency, who were enforcing regulations at his property in the Ilogbo area.
The statement reads: “The Ogun State Police Command wishes to inform the public that Habeeb Okikiola, also known as Portable, arrived at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Eleweran, Abeokuta, at exactly 13:23 hours today, February 19, 2025.
“His presence at the SCID is in connection with an ongoing investigation. The Command assures the public that due process will be followed in handling this matter, and updates will be provided as necessary.
“We urge members of the public to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information. The Ogun State Police Command remains committed to upholding justice and maintaining public order.
“For further inquiries, please contact the Ogun State Police Public Relations Department.”
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