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FG Apologises Over Poor Power Supply

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Assistant Inspector-General of Police Zone 10, Alhaji Mamman Sule (right), addressing officers and men of the Sokoto State Police Command last Thursday. With him is Sokoto State Commissioner of Police, Shuaibu Gambo.

Assistant Inspector-General of Police Zone 10, Alhaji Mamman Sule (right), addressing officers and men of the Sokoto State Police Command last Thursday. With him is Sokoto State Commissioner of Police, Shuaibu Gambo.

The Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, said yesterday in Abuja that the worsening power situation in the country was as a result of gas pipeline vandalism.
Nebo, who said this at a media briefing on the current challenges of power supply in the country, also apologised to customers for the difficulties they “are all going through, particularly at this time of the year”.
The minister, who decried the spate of gas pipeline vandalism in the country, said power generation had dropped to about 3,200MW from a little above 4,000MW as a result of sabotage.
“The recent dip in power supply has been due mainly to inadequate gas supply to thermal power plants,” he said.
He explained that about 2,300MW had been lost in the past few months due to the vandalism of five different gas pipelines that supply power to the national grid.
According to him, the affected pipelines include the Escravos-Lagos Gas Pipeline System with a generation capacity of 800MW and the Trans-Forcados pipeline with capacity of 800MW.
He said the Trans-Niger Pipeline with capacity of 500MW, the Alakiri-Onne gas pipeline and Chevron gas plant with capacity of 2,672MW were also affected.
He said the damage to some transmission lines and towers of the Transmission Company of Nigeria had also adversely affected power situation in the country.
“Other factors that recently impacted on service delivery in the sector include loss of transmission lines and substations across the country.
“You are aware of the collapse of 12 towers on the Sapele/Delta 330KV transmission line that occurred on March 9, thus constraining evacuation of power from the Delta power plant,
“The other incident includes the fire accident at Osogbo in which a 150MVA transformer was completely lost.
“The Federal Government, in collaboration with stakeholders in the sector, has commenced  rehabilitation of the affected pipelines and transmission infrastructure,” he said.
He noted that President Goodluck Jonathan, recently pledged $1billion to address pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft.
On hydropower dams, the minister said the current low water level had greatly affected the use of the dams.
He gave the assurance that rehabilitation work was ongoing at the Kainji and Shiroro dams to upgrade them.
Nebo apologised to Nigerians for the inconveniences the epileptic power situation had caused and called on stakeholders to join government in transforming the sector.
“We also wish to use this opportunity to call on members of the press and the general public to join the fight against acts of vandalism,” he added.
Jonathan never confirmed NNPC withholding $10bn — Presidency
The Presidency on Tuesday refuted reports quoting President Goodluck Jonathan as ‘’confirming’’ in Amsterdam that Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) wrongly withheld 10 billion Dollars from the Federation Account.
Dr Reuben Abati, the Senior Special Adviser to the President Media and Publicity,  made the denial in a statement in Abuja.
The statement described the report as ‘‘completely false and a total distortion of the president’s comments during his meeting with the Nigerian community in The Netherlands.
‘’Sensational reports in the media to that effect are reckless, mischievous and unprofessional misrepresentations of the president’s restatement to the Nigerian community of the Federal Government’s position on the allegation that 20 billion Dollars is “missing” from the NNPC or the Federation Account by reporters who were not at the event or even in Holland at all,’’ it said.
The statement said the president’s speech while responding to questions from members of the community on the allegation and other domestic issues were clear and unambiguous.
It said the president asserted that the allegation that various sums – 49.8 billion Dollars, 12 billion Dollars or 20 billion Dollars – were missing were inconsistent and lacked credibility.
The statement quoted the president as saying: “As at the time, the Finance Ministry was saying they had not been able to reconcile only 10 billion Dollars. There are issues in NNPC but we are on it.”
It added: ‘‘the president  went on to say that to reassure Nigerians of  his administration’s continued commitment to openness, transparency and probity in the aftermath of the unsubstantiated allegations, the Federal Government had authorised a professional forensic audit of NNPC accounts to clear the air.’’
The statement urged the media to show greater regard for truth and accuracy when reporting on the president.

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NPF Warn Applicants Ahead Of Constable Recruitment Exam

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The Katsina State Police Command has cautioned applicants for the upcoming police constable recruitment examination to adhere strictly to laid-down procedures and avoid falling victim to fraudsters.
The Commissioner of Police, Ali Umar-Fage, issued the warning in a statement released on Sunday by the command’s spokesperson, Abubakar Sadiq-Aliyu.
He disclosed that the nationwide examination is scheduled to take place from April 28 to April 30 in Katsina State and that the exercise will be conducted at Hassan Usman Katsina Polytechnic along Dutsin-Ma Road.
According to the commissioner, only candidates who successfully passed the recently concluded physical and credential screening will be eligible to sit for the examination.
Applicants have been directed to log on to the official recruitment portal from April 24 to print their coloured examination invitation slips, which contain details of their specific date, time, and venue.
Mr Umar-Fage stated that candidates must present a valid National Identification Number (NIN) slip issued by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), bearing a clear photograph, alongside their printed coloured invitation slip and a writing pen at the examination centre.
He added that the approved dress code for the exercise is a white T-shirt, white shorts, and white canvas shoes.
Reiterating that the recruitment process is entirely free of charge, the police chief warned applicants to be wary of individuals or groups seeking to extort money under the guise of facilitating recruitment.

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Monarch Pledges Strong Action Against Gender-Based Violence

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The Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council has pledged to take decisive action to curb the rising cases of gender-based violence (GBV) across the state, in partnership with ActionAid and other relevant organisations.
The commitment was made during an event organised by ActionAid in collaboration with the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation in Port Harcourt. The programme, titled “Convening of Traditional Rulers for GBV Prevention,” carried the theme, “From Custodians to Champions: Redefining Culture for GBV Prevention and Community Protection.”
Speaking on behalf of the council, the Okilomuibe of Engenni Kingdom, HRM King Moore MacLean Ubuo, said traditional rulers are determined to move beyond mere responses to incidents of violence by adopting proactive strategies.
“We will establish and empower community-led structures, including traditional cabinets and women leaders, to identify early warning signs of violence and intervene before harm occurs,” he said.
King Ubuo added that traditional institutions are committed to enforcing the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law within their domains, stressing that the longstanding culture of silence surrounding abuse would no longer be tolerated.
“We will ensure that our subjects understand their rights and that the law is respected as the ultimate standard for justice,” he added.
Also speaking, the Rivers State Government emphasised that tackling GBV requires more than policies and enforcement, noting that a transformation in societal attitudes is essential.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Mrs. Lauretta Dimkpa, who was represented by the Director of Child Welfare, Mrs. Fumilayo Adebayo, highlighted the critical role of traditional rulers in shaping societal values.
“As traditional rulers, your voices command respect, your decisions influence behaviour, and your institutions are trusted platforms for conflict resolution and social guidance,” she said.
She urged them to promote cultural norms that uphold dignity, respect, and equality, while also encouraging victims to report abuse without fear of stigma.
In his remarks, the Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Dr. Andrew Mamedu, described the gathering as timely, noting that GBV remains a widespread violation of human rights and a major obstacle to sustainable development.
Represented by Dr. Adedeji Ademefun, he cited data showing that 31 per cent of Nigerian women aged 15 to 49 have experienced physical violence, with many cases going unreported due to fear, stigma, and cultural silence.
“National surveys indicate that nearly three in ten women have experienced physical or sexual violence, underscoring the scale and urgency of this crisis,” he said.
Earlier, the Coordinator of the Rivers State Multi-Stakeholders Action Committee, Barrister Evelyn Asimie Membere, described GBV as one of the most persistent human rights violations, cutting across age, class, and geography.
According to her, traditional rulers are uniquely positioned to influence behaviour and drive meaningful change at the grassroots level.
“In many of our communities, your voice carries more weight than any policy or legislation,” she said.

The event brought together key stakeholders committed to strengthening community-based approaches to preventing GBV and protecting vulnerable groups across Rivers State.

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Tinubu Support Group Canvasses Second Term For President Ahead Of 2027

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A socio-political group, the Tinubu Youths Vanguard Organisation (TYVO), Rivers State chapter, has called on Nigerians to support the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027, citing the need to consolidate ongoing economic and infrastructural reforms.
The State Coordinator of the group, Hon. Emmanuel Fubara, made the appeal over the weekend in Port Harcourt on the sidelines of a meeting of the Southern Traditional Rulers Council.
He said granting the Tinubu administration a second term would enable it to fully implement its transformation agenda, particularly under the Renewed Hope initiative.
“It is important that the Tinubu administration is given another opportunity to complete its economic and developmental programmes for the benefit of the country,” he stated.
Fubara disclosed that the group is preparing for its formal inauguration in the State, along with the unveiling of its local government, ward and unit structures, including student and market women wings.
According to him, the organization will be fully mobilised to promote the policies and achievements of the current administration, with a focus on issue-based campaigns aimed at restoring public confidence in the nation’s economy.
He noted that the administration has made strides in revamping the economy and executing key infrastructure projects, including the ongoing coastal road development in parts of the country.
Fubara expressed confidence that the group’s campaign strategies would resonate with Nigerians, adding that opposition voices would be effectively countered through sustained grassroots engagement.
He also urged members of the group to intensify sensitisation efforts across communities, highlighting what he described as visible results of the administration’s reforms.
On security challenges facing the country, Fubara said the situation was inherited from previous administrations but maintained that the current government is taking decisive steps to address it.
He expressed optimism that ongoing efforts, including international collaborations, would significantly curb insecurity in the near future.
When asked whether the group would also campaign for Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, the TYVO coordinator said the organisation would take a position at the appropriate time, noting that directives from the All Progressives Congress (APC) would guide its activities.

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