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Schools shut, students stranded as ASUU down tools

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Most tertiary, primary and secondary schools across the country have shut down activities, and students turned back home as the Labour Unions on Monday, flagged off an indefinite nationwide strike action.

This followed a declaration by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), on Sunday, that there was no going back on the industrial action

“For now, we don’t have the power to call off the strike, tomorrow (Monday) morning, the strike will kick off as we take their (NASS) plea asking us to call off the strike to our various organs,” said Festus Osifo after the meeting with NASS leadership.

Earlier, Osifo, the President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC); and his counterpart in the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero; met with Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas in Abuja.

The meeting was part of last-minute efforts by the legislators to persuade aggrieved workers to shelve their planned industrial action for a new minimum wage.

The decision of the Organised Labour followed the deadlock between the Federal Government and the unions over a new national minimum wage and the reversal of the recent hike in electricity tariffs.

Our correspondents, on Monday, reported that the commencement of the industrial action, had seen the shutdown of public schools, as the teachers complied with the strike.

Roads leading to major schools across the country, were seen deserted as the strike actions bite harder.

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The stranded students were also captured chatting away, while lamenting the impact of the strike on their academic pursuits.

SEE ALSO:  Boat tragedy: 150 feared dead, 9 bodies recovered in Niger

The labour unions had said the current minimum wage of ₦30,000 can no longer cater to the well-being of an average Nigerian worker, lamenting that not all governors are paying the current wage award which expired in April 2024, five years after the Minimum Wage Act of 2019 was signed by former President Muhammadu Buhari. The Act should be reviewed every five years to meet with contemporary economic demands of workers.

ASUU Joins Strike

The Academic Students Union of Universities (ASUU), has also directed its members to join the nationwide strike.

A statement by its President, Emmanuel Osodeke, to branch chairmen, and zonal coordinators of the association, noted the industrial actions were a result of the failure of government, to conclude the renegotiation of minimum wage for Nigerian workers and reversal of hike in electricity tariff.

“Our branches are hereby enjoined to join in the strike action as an affiliate member of Congress. Consequently, Branch Chairpersons are to mobilise all members to participate in the strike action,” the statement noted. (Channels TV)

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Grid collapse: TCN restores power to 90% substations

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The Transmission Company of Nigeria has said 90 per cent of its substations have received bulk power supply following efforts to recover the grid which suffered another collapse on Tuesday.

It said the ongoing restoration of the national grid which collapsed for the sixth time this year is ongoing and almost completed.

The Public Affairs General Manager of TCN, Ndidi Mbah said in a press statement that it has restored supply to Abuja.

On Monday, the grid collapsed at about 6:18 p.m., plunging many into darkness.

Checks by our correspondent confirmed that power generation dropped from 3.87 gigawatts at 5 p.m. to 3.56GW at 6 pm., and then to 0.00GW by 7 pm and 8 pm.

Reacting, electricity consumers in the Federal Capital Territory decried the incessant grid collapses, describing them as an embarrassment to the country.

But the transmission company in a reassuring message said the problem would be resolved soon.

The statement read, “The Transmission Company of Nigeria hereby states that the national grid experienced a partial disturbance, on Monday, 14th October 2024 at about 6:48 pm and notes that efforts to fully recover the grid are still ongoing.

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“Although the recovery of the grid commenced immediately, with Azura power station providing the blackstart, grid recovery reached advanced stages at about 10.24 am, today when it encountered a challenge that caused a slight setback in the recovery process.

“The slight setback notwithstanding, TCN continued with the grid recovery process, which has reached an advanced stage, ensuring bulk power availability to about 90 per cent of its substations nationwide.

SEE ALSO:  ASUU threatens strike after expiration of 21-day ultimatum to FG

The statement added that supply has been restored to the Abuja axis and other major distribution load centres nationwide.

“Supply has been restored to the Abuja axis and other major distribution load centers nationwide.

“The partial disturbance did not affect the Ibom Gas generating station which was islanded from the grid yesterday and continued to supply areas in the South Southern part of the country such as Eket, Ekim, Uyo, and Itu 132kV transmission Substations during the period.

“Investigation into the cause of the incident will be carried out as soon as the grid is fully restored.”

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FG predicts 5-day heavy downpour across 22 states, FCT

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Buildings partially submerged by flood in Maiduguri in September 2024
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The Federal Government has issued a forecast of five days of heavy rainfall, which could lead to flooding in 22 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), starting today, October 14, 2024, and ending on October 18, 2024.

The prediction was made by the National Flood Early Warning Systems Centre under the Federal Ministry of Environment in a statement released on Monday.

Communities living along the flood plains of Rivers Donga, Benue, and Ogun have been advised to evacuate immediately due to increasing water levels, which could lead to severe flooding.

Affected Areas.

The following states and their surroundings are predicted to experience rainfall that may result in flooding:

1. Osun State: Ede, Ile-Ife, Ilesa, Osogbo

2. Delta State: Escravos
3. Cross River State: Ikon
4. Taraba State: Donga, Ibi, Wukari, Bandawa, Beli, Bolleri, Dampar, Duchi, Garkowa, Gassol, Gungun Bodel, Kambari, Kwata Kanawa, Lau, Mayo Ranewo, Mutum Biyu, Ngaruwa, Serti, Yorro
5. Nasarawa State: Rukubi
6. Kebab State: Argungu, Birnin-Kebbi, Gwandu, Kalgo, Ribah, Sakaba, Yelwa
7. Gombe State: Bajoga
8. Katsina State: Bakori, Funtua
9. Borno State: Biu, Briyel
10. Kaduna State: Birnin-Gwari, Buruku, Kaduna, Jaji

11. Niger State: Bida, Kontagora, Lapai, Lavun, Magama, Mashegu, Mokwa, New Bussa, Rijau, Sarkin Pawa, Suleja, Wushishi
12. Yobe State: Dapchi
13. Adamawa State: Demsa, Farkumo, Ganye, Gbajili, Jimeta, Mayo-Belwa, Mubi, Natubi, Numan, Song, Shelleng, Wuro Bokki
14. Kogi State: Ibaji, Omala
15. Kwara State: Jebba, Kosubosu
16. ⁠16. Bauchi State: Kari, Tafawa Balewa, Kirfi
17. Plateau State: Shendam
18. FCT: Kubwa, Gwagwalada, Bwari 19. Kano State: Sumaila
20. Oyo State: Kishi 21. Sokoto State: Silame
22. Zamfara State: Majara Advisory.

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The government has urged residents in these areas to take precautionary measures and remain alert.

SEE ALSO:  Army debunks media report on attack on troops, death of soldiers, civilians in Imo

The forecast highlights the potential for flash floods, particularly in vulnerable communities.

Residents are encouraged to monitor updates from local authorities and evacuate if necessary.

The Ministry of Environment and disaster management agencies are collaborating with state governments to prepare for emergency responses.

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Nigeria in darkness as national grid collapses again

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The national electricity grid has collapsed again throwing the country into darkness.

The grid collapsed at about 6:18 pm on Monday, leaving Nigerians in darkness.

Reports said the power generation dropped from 3.87 gigawatts at 5 pm to 3.56GW at 6 pm and 0.00GW at 7 pm and 8 pm.

The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company confirmed the grid collapse in a statement on Monday evening.

The EEDC informed its customers “of a general system collapse that occurred at 18:48 hours today, 14th October 2024,” saying this has resulted in the loss of supply currently being experienced across the EEDC network.

“Consequently, due to this development, all our interface TCN stations are out of supply, and we are unable to provide services to our customers in Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo States.

“We are on standby awaiting detailed information of the collapse and restoration of supply from the National Control Centre (NCC), Osogbo,” the EEDC stated in the statement signed by the Head of Corporate Communications, Emeka Ezeh.

EEDC distributes power to the five South East states.

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Also, the Abuja Disco confirmed the grid collapse in a statement Monday night.

“Dear Valued Customer, Please be informed that the power outage being experienced is due to a system failure from the national grid at 6:58 pm today, affecting the power supply to our franchise areas.

“Rest assured, we are working with the relevant stakeholders to restore power as soon as the grid is stabilised. Thank you for your understanding,” the company said.

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