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Power supply drops as Egbin shuts down for maintenance of 636MW plant

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The country’s power crisis is set to take a worse turn over the next three days as the largest power generating plant in West Africa, Egbin Power has shut down for maintenance works.

The development has thrown major parts of the country into darkness as they are struggling with a power generation capacity of less than 5,000MW.

A statement by the Transmission Company of Nigeria(TCN) said: ‘’This is to notify the public that as at 11:13 hours of 18th December 2023, Egbin Power generating station was shut down to allow the Nigeria Gas Company (NGC) maintain linking gas pipeline supplying gas to Egbin Power station.’’

The statement added that the station will be shut down for 3 days from yesterday.

It said the shut out means a reduction of 676MW of  bulk power generated into the nation’s grid for 3 days and consequently  the quantum of bulk power available to be  delivered to distribution companies load centres nationwide for the period.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government said it spent N375.8 billion on electricity subsidy between January and September this year, as power consumers paid a total of N782.6billion for the power during the same period.

The latest power subsidy figures obtained in Abuja from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, an agency of the Federal Government, showed that the government subsidised electricity in the first, second and third quarters of 2023.

It was also gathered that power distribution companies billed electricity users a total of N1.06tn nationwide during the nine-month period, but collected N782.6billion despite the blackouts in many parts of Nigeria.

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On subsidy payments, it was observed that in the first quarter of this year, the Federal Government subsidised power by N36bn, this increased to N135.2bn in the second quarter, and jumped to N204.6bn in the third quarter. Figures for the fourth quarter are not because we are still in the fourth quarter of 2023.

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JAMB: Igbos won’t accept resit exam, score all affected candidates 300 —Ohanaeze Ndigbo

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Youth wing of apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide has described as unacceptable the decision by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, to fix a fresh examination for those affected by what it called errors in the recently released results.

JAMB Registrar, Prof Ishaq Oloyede, had on Wednesday admitted that errors led to the low score of candidates in the five South-East states and Lagos State.

The Board then said arrangement had commenced to reschedule the exam for the affected candidates.

But, in a statement made available to journalists on Thursday, the National President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike said the arrangement was totally unacceptable.

Okwu said it was a disservice for JAMB to subject the candidates to “another round of mental torture, stress and risk” for no fault of theirs.

“We want to state unequivocally that our people will not accept any fresh examination, having already been subjected to mental torture by JAMB.

“The candidates are not in the right frame of mind to undergo another examination, having been subjected to mental torture ever since the fake results were announced.

“Besides, who is going to bear the cost? The same parents who are facing severe financial challenges?

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“What of the risk of moving to the examination locations, in a country ravaged by insecurity?” Okwu queried.

He declared that, “having said this, we demand that JAMB should allocate 300 score to all the South-East candidates affected by its own error not that of the candidates. Igbos are very brilliant people and could have made 300 and above.

“It was a deliberate design to punish the people of the South-East, clearly to deny them education opportunities.

“Should JAMB fail to heed to our request, we shall not hesitate to drag them to court, no form of crocodile tears by the Registrar will save the Board.”

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JUST IN: Nigeria’s inflation rate drops to 23.7%

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The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has reported a slight decline in Nigeria’s headline inflation rate, which eased to 23.71 percent in April 2025 from 24.23 percent recorded in March.

The Bureau released the latest figures in its Consumer Price Index (CPI) update on Thursday.

According to the agency, the movement for April 2025 “headline inflation rate showed a decrease of 0.52% compared to the March 2025 Headline inflation rate”.

“On a month-on-month basis, the Headline inflation rate in April 2025 was 1.86%, which was 2.04% lower than the rate recorded in March 2025 (3.90%),” NBS said.

“This means that in April 2025, the rate of increase in the average price level is lower than the rate of increase in the average price level in March 2025.”

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Anambra govt bans public almsgiving, street begging

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The Aroma Junction in Awka
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The Anambra State Government has banned the distribution of food items and other gifts to street beggars in public spaces, particularly under the Aroma Bridge in Awka, the state capital, and other locations.

The state government also banned all forms of public begging, loitering, and street trading beneath the bridges in Awka, insisting that the move became necessary to uphold the dignity and order of the capital city, which is the face of the state.

A statement released by the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Anambra State Capital Territory Development Authority, Ossy Onuko, on Thursday, stated that the directive is part of the state government’s efforts to sanitise the capital city and maintain public order.

Onuko said anyone found violating this new directive will be arrested and prosecuted.

He, however, cautioned content creators, philanthropists, and charity groups against distributing food, cash, or any form of alms to street children and beggars in public spaces, particularly.

While acknowledging that some of the “charitable acts” were for good intentions, he expressed concerns that they are inadvertently contributing to the continued loitering and congregation of destitute individuals in dangerous locations.

He said, “The government has closely observed the activities of some content creators, philanthropists, and charity groups who encourage and sustain the indiscriminate roaming of children under the Aroma Bridge by consistently giving out food, drinks, and cash gifts to these kids.

“Although their intentions may be noble, they ultimately contribute to the degradation of the capital city and put the lives of these children at risk. These children are exposed to potential harm, such as being knocked down by vehicles, abused by unruly adults, or even recruited into criminal activities.

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“Such actions are illegal and we hereby warn that any individual or group found engaging in them will be seen as promoting civil disorder and will face legal action.”

He also advised that all charitable activities be conducted through accredited institutions, such as orphanages, care homes, and registered non-governmental organisations, where support can be provided in a more structured and secure manner.

Onuko further urged the general public to work with the state government to uphold the dignity and order of the capital city, which represents the face of Anambra State.

“Charitable acts should be channeled through accredited organisations such as orphanages, care homes, and registered NGOs, where support can be professionally administered to those in need.

“Alternatively, donations can be made to private homes and spaces that do not create public nuisances,” he added.

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One Year of the Tinubu Administration: Building a safer, stronger, and prosperous Nigeria
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