
News
UK, Enugu Gov’t, introduce Smart Metre to curb Energy theft, revenue losses
The Enugu State Government and the United Kingdom, through its United Kingdom Nigeria Infrastructure Advisory Facility (UKNiAF) have successfully carried out a pilot programme introducing an AI-enabled smart metering system to curtail energy theft and eliminate revenue losses in the power sector.
This was made known at the Enugu State Investor Forum themed “Driving Revenue Assurance and Private Investment through Data-Driven Metering,” which took place at the International Conference Centre, Enugu, on Tuesday.
The event funded by the UK International Development and implemented by Tetra Tech brought together key sector stakeholders, including electricity distribution companies, investors, and policymakers, to explore opportunities for expanding smart metering and improving electricity access in Enugu State.
It also focused on strengthening Nigeria’s capacity to deliver sustainable and climate-smart infrastructure, with Enugu State as a key beneficiary.
Speaking at the event, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Enugu State Electricity Regulatory Commission, Mr Chijioke Okonkwo, said the project was designed to address persistent challenges of revenue leakages, energy theft, and poor billing efficiency in the power sector.

He disclosed that a pilot scheme involving the deployment of 846 smart meters had already been carried out in the Ugwuaji axis of the state capital, covering surrounding semi-urban communities.
According to Okonkwo, the pilot enabled full tracking of electricity consumption from transformers to individual households.
“This system allows us to drastically reduce, if not eliminate, commercial and collection losses, which have long hindered the growth of the power sector,” he said.
He explained that the AI-enabled meters provide real-time data on energy usage, empower consumers to monitor their consumption, and help operators quickly detect faults or irregularities, including theft and equipment vandalism.
The regulator noted that the initiative also opens opportunities for private investors and energy retail companies to participate in Enugu’s electricity market, particularly in underserved areas.
“We are inviting investors to take advantage of this opportunity by deploying smart meters, expanding distribution networks, and even establishing embedded power generation within the state,” he added.
He said current market prices for meters stand at approximately N130,000 for single-phase units and about N230,000 for three-phase units, adding that flexible payment structures could be arranged to ease adoption.
Also speaking, Team Leader of UKNiAF, Mr Frank Edozie, described the project as a “demonstrator” of how artificial intelligence could enhance transparency and accountability in electricity revenue collection.
“The system ensures that all revenues due to the sector are properly collected and accounted for. It also detects any breach in energy or financial flows, making it a strong revenue assurance mechanism,” Edozie said.
He observed that Enugu was selected for the pilot due to its leading role in implementing reforms under Nigeria’s Electricity Act 2023, which empowers states to develop independent electricity markets.
According to him, the pilot project, which commenced in November 2025, had already shown encouraging results, including significant improvements in revenue recovery and reduction in losses.
In his remarks, Managing Director of MainPower Electricity Distribution Limited, Dr Ernest Mupwaya, said the initiative addresses two critical issues in the power sector—metering gaps and revenue protection.
He emphasised that without efficient metering and strong revenue assurance systems, investments in the power sector would remain unattractive and unsustainable.
“Smart metering, combined with advanced monitoring systems gives utilities visibility across their networks, making it easier to detect losses and improve operational efficiency,” he said.
Mupwaya added that the project has demonstrated the viability of attracting private financing into metering infrastructure, noting that improved revenue collection would enable operators to repay investments over time.
Earlier, Enugu State Commissioner for Trade, Investment and Industry, Sam Ogbu-Nwobodo, said the state was selected for the initiative due to ongoing reforms and progress in its electricity market.
He explained that the successful pilot had shown that smart metering could guarantee revenue assurance across the electricity value chain—from generation to distribution—thereby boosting investor confidence.
“The system assures investors that they will recover their investments, which is critical for attracting funding into power generation, transmission, and distribution,” he said.
News
2027: Mbah Leads the Charge as Enugu APC Unveils Campaign Council
…Sen. Nnamani, Nwobodo, Dr. Nnamani, Chime, Ugwuanyi, Prof. Nnaji, Arthur Eze, Frank Nweke, Madueke, others get advisory roles
…Udeh, Nwoye, Utazi, Egumgbe, Ben Collins Ndu, Onyia, others head 51 Directorates
…Council to be inaugurated on Tuesday
The Enugu State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), on Monday, unveiled the party’s Campaign Council ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Campaign Council, comprising 51 Directorates, is chaired by the Governor of the state, Dr. Peter Mbah, while the Deputy Governor, Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai; Deputy National Chairman, APC (South); Speaker, Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Uchenna Ugwu; and the Chairman of the party in the state, Dr. Martin Chukwunweike, are Vice Chairmen.
The list signed by Chukwunweike and the Secretary of Enugu APC, Hon. Chukwudi Nnadozie, also has Chief Charlie Mbah as the Director-General of the Campaign Organisation and Dr. Eric Oluedo as the Secretary-General.
Deacon Okey Ogbodo, Dr. Dan Shere, and Hon. S.K.E. Udeh-Okoye are Deputy Campaign DGs for Enugu East Senatorial District, Enugu North Senatorial District, and Enugu West Senatorial District, respectively.
Barr. Steve Oruruo is the Campaign Spokesperson and Director of the Public Communication Committee, with Dr. Austin Okolie as co-spokesperson and Dr. Malachy Agbo as Secretary.

Mazi Uche Anichukwu and Dan Nwomeh, both drawn from the Governor’s media team, head the Directorate of New Media and Strategic Communication and the Directorate of Mainstream Media, respectively. Dr. Collins Ogbu is the Secretary of the former, while Dr. Reuben Onyishi is the Secretary of the latter.
Barr. Victor Udeh leads the Administration Directorate, while Dr. Ben Nwoye and Arc. Uche Nwatu are the Director and Co-Director of the Fundraising Committee, respectively.
Former Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ikechukwu Ogalla (Rtd.), chairs the Security Directorate, while former Inspector General of Police, Ogbono Onovo (Rtd.), is the Secretary.
The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology is in charge of the Directorate of Government Appointees Coordination (Federal and State), with Prof. Chidiebere Onyia as Secretary, while former Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Eugene Odoh, heads Inter-Party Affairs.
Senator Osita Ngwu, Senator Ikeje Asogwa, and Senator Kelvin Chukwu are Coordinators of the Campaign Council in Enugu West, Enugu North, and Enugu East, respectively.
Meanwhile, in their co-signed statement, Chukwunweike and Nnadozie said the size of the Campaign Council was a reflection of “the conviction that every community, ward, local government area, professional group, support organisation, youth body, women’s group, elder, party faithful and person of goodwill must be seen, heard and meaningfully engaged.”
“Appointment into the campaign structure is therefore not merely an honour; it is a call to duty, accountability and measurable contribution,” they stated.
The Council will be inaugurated at the International Conference Centre, Enugu on Tuesday, October 27, 2026.
All members of the Campaign Council are to be seated before 3pm.
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News
Terrorists Abduct Sunday Igboho’s Iru Ekun Security Group Members in Kwara
Tension has gripped parts of Kwara State following the reported abduction of members of the Iru Ekun Security Group, a security outfit spearheaded by Yoruba nation agitator Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho.
The assailants reportedly abducted the security operatives and forced them to renounce their activities of protecting communities in the state.
According to reports, the abducted members pleaded for their release and were compelled to renounce their community protection activities.
The Iru Ekun Security Group was established to protect Yoruba communities in Kwara State against terrorist attacks and kidnappings.
The reported abduction has sparked fear among residents who rely on the group for protection against insecurity in their communities.

As of the time of filing this report, Igboho had yet to issue a statement on the reported abduction of the security group members.
News
Ifeanyi Ubah’s Elder Sister, Fidelia Chigbogu, Dies Suddenly at 61
Fidelia Ezinwanne Chigbogu, the immediate elder sister of the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, has died at the age of 61.
Mrs Chigbogu, fondly called “Darling” by her husband, reportedly slumped and died on Sunday morning in Lagos while preparing to attend church.
Her husband, Chudi Chidinma Chigbogu, a native of Nnewi in Nnewi North Local Government Area of Anambra State, described her death as a devastating shock, saying she had shown no signs of illness before the incident.
“It was like a shock to me because, even as I am talking to you now, I never believed it,” he said.
Narrating the circumstances surrounding her death, Mr Chigbogu said the family had experienced an electrical incident the previous Thursday when their electricity meter exploded and burnt their changeover room.

He said they had contacted officials of the electricity distribution company, who promised to visit on Monday to replace and relocate the meter.
“We were busy waiting for them. My wife said she would give testimony in church on Sunday, and we were preparing for that,” he said.
According to him, his wife woke up on Sunday morning without any apparent health complaints and was preparing to leave for church when the incident occurred.
“That Sunday morning, she woke up. There was nothing like a headache, nothing like fever, nothing. She finished bathing and was preparing to go to church. She usually leaves home between 7 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. because of the roles she plays in the church,” he said.
Mr Chigbogu explained that he was washing his car because of dust when he became concerned that his wife had not come downstairs.
“I went to wash the car because of dust. Around 8 a.m., I called my son and said, ‘Why has mummy not come down? Go and check.’
“Only for the boy to go and start screaming that he called his mummy and she did not answer. He lifted her hand, and her hand dropped,” he recounted.
He said he immediately rushed upstairs and found his wife lying unresponsive on the bed.
“I called her names, no way. I alerted neighbours, and we carried her to six hospitals. Anywhere we went, they would take me aside and say I didn’t bring her on time, that she had passed on.
“I said no, it was not possible, until we got to Navy Hospital, where they refused to admit her,” he said.
Mr Chigbogu said prayers continued at their home for several hours as the family struggled to come to terms with the tragedy.
He recalled that around 4 p.m., someone told him she had seen his wife in a vision, moving swiftly without looking back, which she interpreted as a sign that the deceased had made it to heaven.
“That was when I changed my mind and allowed an ambulance to come. She left here after 6 p.m. and got to the village around 7 a.m. the next day,” he said.
Describing his late wife, Mr Chigbogu said she was a natural leader, peacemaker and philanthropist who played a significant role in her family, church and community.
“Aside from calling her Darling, I called her many names because she was a leader. No matter the case in the family, she would settle it.
“She is the founder of a women’s group, played a very big role in the church and was known for her charitable work. Before her passing, she was working on her orphanage.
“Even though she is no more, I will not let her down. I will make sure that project comes to pass,” he said.
On her family background, Mr Chigbogu said her parents had seven children—three boys and four girls—and that his late wife was the second daughter.
He added that she was also one of the trustees of the Ubah family.
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