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NERC Boss Applauds Power Privatisation

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12 years ago

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The Chairman,  Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Dr. Sam Amadi says  privatisation of the power sector is the best step to  improve   power generation in the country.

Amadi said this  in Ibadan at the inauguration of  NERC’s Ibadan Forum Office at Iyaganku Quarters, Ibadan.

The Chairman,  who was represented by Dr Abba Armiya’u, a NERC Commissioner, said  the privatisation of the sector would create more opportunities for Nigerians.

Amadi, who  said a major opportunity would be in the aspect of improved services, added:

“However, the privatisation and the reform cannot work if we do not have the support of all stakeholders.

“As we have noted in the telecom sector, the mobile phone, which was once a symbol of the elites, is now available to all  irrespective of your status.

“In a short while, power generation shall also improve and we therefore urge the public to assist in protecting our equipment and send in their due advice.”

Amadi said the Ibadan Forum Office, established to cater for consumers complaints, would be made up of five members who are not officials of the  company.

“This is another vital step as part of our customers’ complaints mechanism. Prior to this, we have commissioned the Lagos, Abuja, Enugu, Port Harcourt and the Kano offices,” he said.

In his address, Mr Bolaji Oyesiku, the Managing Director, Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, said that the forum was an affirmation that the customer was the king.

“The old negative story about us is quietly passing away and within a year or two, the difference shall be obvious as this forum sets to handle unresolved issues,” Oyesiku said.

The building was inaugurated by Mr Olugbenga Opatunde, the Special Adviser on Infrastructures in OyoState while the plaque was unveiled by Mrs Mary Awolokun, NERC’s Commissioner for Engineering Safety and Standard.

Reports say that Mrs Eniola Oyedele, a member of the forum representing non-governmental organisations, thanked  NERC for giving them the opportunity to serve.

Other members of the forum are Mr Babajide Taiwo of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria and Mr  Ismaila Alapa  of the Nigeria Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Minerals and Agriculture.

A lawyer, Mr. Oseni Wasiu from the Consumer Protection Council and Mr Morakinyo Akindiji of the Nigerian Society of Engineers are also members.

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Kenyan Runners Dominate Berlin Marathons

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3 days ago

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September 22, 2025

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Kenya made it a clean sweep at the Berlin Marathon with Sabastian Sawe winning the men’s race and Rosemary Wanjiru triumphing in the women’s.

Sawe finished in two hours, two minutes and 16 seconds to make it three wins in his first three marathons.

The 30-year-old, who was victorious at this year’s London Marathon, set a sizzling pace as he left the field behind and ran much of the race surrounded only by his pacesetters.

Japan’s Akasaki Akira came second after a powerful latter half of the race, finishing almost four minutes behind Sawe, while Ethiopia’s Chimdessa Debele followed in third.

“I did my best and I am happy for this performance,” said Sawe.

“I am so happy for this year. I felt well but you cannot change the weather. Next year will be better.”

Sawe had Kelvin Kiptum’s 2023 world record of 2:00:35 in his sights when he reached halfway in 1:00:12, but faded towards the end.

In the women’s race, Wanjiru sped away from the lead pack after 25 kilometers before finishing in 2:21:05.

Ethiopia’s Dera Dida followed three seconds behind Wanjiru, with Azmera Gebru, also of Ethiopia, coming third in 2:21:29.

Wanjiru’s time was 12 minutes slower than compatriot Ruth Chepng’etich’s world record of 2:09:56, which she set in Chicago in 2024.

 

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NIS Ends Decentralised Passport Production After 62 Years

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3 days ago

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September 22, 2025

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The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has officially ended passport production at multiple centres, transitioning to a single, centralised system for the first time in 62 years.
Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the disclosure during an inspection of the Nigeria’s new Centralised Passport Personalisation Centre at the NIS Headquarters in Abuja, last Thursday.
He stated that since the establishment of NIS in 1963, Nigeria had never operated a central passport production centre, until now, marking a major reform milestone.
“The project is 100 per cent ready. Nigeria can now be more productive and efficient in delivering passport services,” Tunji-Ojo said.
He explained that old machines could only produce 250 to 300 passports daily, but the new system had a capacity of 4,500 to 5,000 passports every day.
“With this, NIS can now meet daily demands within just four to five hours of operation,” he added, describing it as a game-changer for passport processing in Nigeria.
“We promised two-week delivery, and we’re now pushing for one week.
“Automation and optimisation are crucial for keeping this promise to Nigerians,” the minister said.
He noted that centralisation, in line with global standards, would improve uniformity and enhance the overall integrity of Nigerian travel documents worldwide.
Tunji-Ojo described the development as a step toward bringing services closer to Nigerians while driving a culture of efficiency and total passport system reform.
According to him, the centralised production system aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s reform agenda, boosting NIS capacity and changing the narrative for improved service delivery.
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FG To Roll Out Digital Public Infrastructure, Data Exchange, Next Year 

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3 days ago

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September 22, 2025

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The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has announced plans to roll out Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and the Nigerian Data Exchange (NGDX) platforms across key sectors of the economy, starting in early 2026.
Director of E-Government and Digital Economy at NITDA, Dr. Salisu Kaka, made the disclosure in Abuja during a stakeholder review session of the DPI and NGDX drafts at the Digital Public Infrastructure Live Event.
The forum, themed “Advancing Nigeria’s Digital Public Infrastructure through Standards, Data Exchange and e-Government Transformation,” brought together regulators, state governments, and private sector stakeholders to harmonise inputs for building inclusive, secure, and interoperable systems for governance and service delivery.
According to Kaka, Nigeria already has several foundational elements in place, including national identity systems and digital payment platforms.
What remains is the establishment of the data exchange framework, which he said would be finalised by the end of 2025.
“Before the end of this year and by next year we will be fully ready with the foundational element, and we start dropping the use cases across sectors,” Kaka explained.
He stressed that the federal government recognises the autonomy of states urging them to align with national standards.
“If the states can model and reflect what happens at the national level, then we can have a 360-degree view of the whole data exchange across the country and drive all-of-government processes,” he added.
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