News
Electricity: FG To Generate One Megawatt From Small Dams
Vice President Namadi Sambo has said that the Federal Government hopes to generate one megawatt of electricity from each of the small dams to solve the electricity challenges in the country.
Sambo disclosed this when he received members of the Governing Council of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, led by its Pro-Chancellor, Amb. Bunu Sharriff Musa, who were on a courtesy visit to the State House, Abuja.
“As part of efforts to improve power supply, the government is to build small hydro power plants in the numerous dams in the country,” he said.
Sambo said the government was considering building a power plant at the Ahmadu Bello University Dam to address the electricity challenges in the institution.
“Part of the programme I was promoting in Kaduna, which I’m now promoting nationally, is to build small hydro power plants of less than one megawatt.
“If you check the whole of ABU, Zaria, the university may not require more than one or two megawatts,” he said.
Sambo said the government would undertake feasibility studies to ascertain the specific capacity of the ABU Dam, adding that dams like that were capable of generating one megawatt of electricity.
On the numerous challenges facing the institution, Sambo pledged that the government would look into the possibility of assisting it to proffer solutions to them.
“I have been assured by the Education Trust Fund and the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) and other government agencies that ABU is part of their intervention programmes aimed at revitalising the education sector,” he added.
Earlier, Musa expressed appreciation to the vice president for his support to the institution when he was governor of Kaduna State.
“The university prides itself in having several of its alumni as ministers, permanent secretaries and National Assembly members,’’ he said.
He observed that 13 of the ministers serving in the Jonathan administration were products of the university.
He also expressed concern over a ceiling of 5,500 students given to the university by the National Universities Commission when more than 50,000 students seek admission into the institution.
Other members of the governing council on the entourage were the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof. Idris Isa Funtua, the University Librarian, Prof. Zakari Mohammed, Princess Henrietta Ogar and Dr Stephen Oru, among others.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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