TARIFF HIKE, GRID COLLAPSES, OTHER MAJOR SPOILERS IN NIGERIA’S POWER SECTOR Nigeria’s power sector has continued to face challenges, eleven years after privatisation in November 2013. The last 12 months in the Nigerian electricity supply sector witnessed three key spoilers, including at least twelve national grid collapses, over 200 percent electricity tariffs, vandalisation of Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, facilities, …

DEFECTION: WHY EXECUTIVE OFFICE-HOLDER CANNOT LOSE SEAT While interpreting Section 221 of the 1999 Constitution relating to prohibition of political activities by certain associations, the apex Court rightly held in Amaechi v. INEC (2008) 5 NWLR (Part 1080) 227, 317-318 that: “The above provision effectually removes the possibility of independent candidacy in our elections; and places emphasis and responsibility in …

SOUTH-EAST KILLINGS: EXPERTS INVITE UN, INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT, DEMAND URGENT INTERVENTION A group of distinguished international scholarly experts, clergymen and human rights crusaders have thrown their weight behind the two recent special international reports unveiled by ‘Expert-Leaders’ of the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety). The two Reports unveiled on Sunday, December 22, 2024, in Enugu …

NIGERIANS MAY PAY 40 PERCENT MORE FOR CALLS, DATA There is anxiety over a possible 40 percent telecommunications service tariff hike in Nigeria this New Year. This comes as telecommunications subscribers in Nigeria, under the aegis of the National Association of Telecoms Subscribers (NATCOMS), rejected the proposed telecoms tariff hike. The subscribers said it would be insensitive for the Nigerian …

COUNTRIES THAT DO NOT CELEBRATE NEW YEAR While most countries and cultures around the world celebrate the New Year in some form, there are certain regions, communities, or groups where New Year celebrations are not observed or hold minimal significance. These exceptions usually arise due to cultural, religious, or political reasons. Here are some examples: Saudi Arabia In Saudi Arabia, …

NO SLOWING DOWN IN SPEED OF TRANSFORMING ENUGU STATE – PETER MBAH Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State has assured the residents that, in 2025, there will not be any slowing down in the speed of transformation witnessed by the state in 2024. Mbah stated this in his New Year message on Tuesday, reiterating his commitment to inclusive development and …

HURRAY! HISTORY RETURNS TO PRIMARY, SECONDARY SCHOOLS Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, has announced the return of history studies in Nigerian schools. According to him, President Bola Tinubu has mandated the return of Nigerian History as a subject in primary and secondary schools. The Minister said this on Tuesday when he was featured as a guest on Channels Television’s End-of-Year …

El RUFAI’S CHIEF OF STAFF, BASHIR SAIDI ARRESTED Bashir Saidu, the chief of staff to a former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has been arrested by Operation Fushin Kada, formerly Operation Yaki, on Tuesday. It was gathered that Mr Saidu, a top political ally of Mr El-Rufai, was rounded up by the operatives of the anti-banditry police outfit at …

NIGERIANS HOPEFUL IN 2025 ON REJUVENATED ECONOMY AMID ACUTE HARDSHIP The commencement of domestic production of petroleum products by Dangote Refinery, the restart of Port Harcourt, and Warri Refineries is a glimmer of hope amid the despair Nigerians faced in 2024. In the past 12 months plus, Nigerians have struggled to cope between economic hardship and hope inspired by President …

WE KILLED 10,937 TERRORISTS IN 2024 – MILITARY The Military High Command says the troops deployed to various operations across the country have in the last 12 months eliminated 10,937 terrorists, apprehended 12,538 and rescued 7,063 hostages. The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, made this known while briefing newsmen on the operations of the military in the …

MILITARY, AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL CLASH OVER ACCIDENTAL BOMBINGS The military high command and the rights organisation, Amnesty International, on Tuesday locked horns over the series of accidental bombings carried by the air and land forces in their bid to clear terrorists from their enclaves which also affected some villagers. While the organisation maintained that troops deserve to be probed and held …

NIGERIA SUBMITS EXTRADITION REQUIREMENTS TO FINNISH GOVT ON SIMON EKPA The Nigerian government has formally submitted the necessary requirements to the Government of Finland for the extradition of Biafra agitator, Simon Ekpa. This was disclosed by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, on Channels Television on Tuesday. Musa said: “Well, I’m sure he’s cooling off somewhere. “Legal action …

TINUBU OUTSMARTED BUHARI TO BECOME NIGERIA’S PRESIDENT – OJUDU Former presidential Special Adviser on Political Matters, Babafemi Ojudu, has disclosed that President Bola Tinubu outsmarted his predecessor, ex-President Muhammadu Buhari in 2022. Ojudu said Buhari never supported his then Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo and Tinubu during the All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential primary election. He pointed out that Tinubu outsmarted …

NNPC CEO, MELE KYARI, SEEKS EXTENSION WITH LAST-MINUTE MOVE, REOPENS WARRI REFINERY The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has resumed operations at its Warri oil refinery after nearly a decade of shutdowns. According to sources, the refinery’s reopening despite its lack of readiness to produce Premium Motor Spirit, otherwise called petrol, is seen as a move by NNPCL’s CEO, …

X TO LAUNCH PAYMENT SYSTEM IN 2025 Linda Yaccarino, the chief executive officer (CEO) of X, formerly Twitter, has announced that the social media platform will launch a payment system called X Money in 2025. In a statement on X on Tuesday, Yaccarino said 2025 will connect X users in ways never thought possible. “In 2024, X changed the world. …