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Tinubu Presses Panic Button, Summons Govs To Aso Rock

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The twin evils of economic hardship and insecurity threatening Nigeria appear to have moved President Bola Ahmed Tinubu into panic mode.

He has summoned an emergency meeting with the governors, in Aso Rock, on Thursday before departing for Ethiopia for the African Union (AU) meeting.

Biztellers reports that the meeting is coming on heels of continuous outcry from relevant quarters including the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the Northern Traditional Rulers Council, being chaired by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhi Muhammad Abubakar lll.

The Sultan, who is also the leader of the Muslim in Nigeria, lamented that despite the President Tinubu administration being a continuation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) party governance, the hardship had gotten worse, breeding national anger induced by hunger.

He said, “To me, this government is a continuation of the former government; it is the same party. So, what really is the problem? I think that is one of the reasons we are here to talk to ourselves.

“We owe it a duty to the teeming millions of people that believe in the traditional institution to bring solutions to the various problems facing them. We will not fail in doing that. We will do our best.’’

He was addressing a gathering, which could be described as a mini national summit of the northern Nigeria in Kaduna on Wednesday.

Among the Sultan’s audience were prominent citizens and leaders including top members of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) as well as the representatives of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), the Tor Tiv, Prof. James Iyerste, other traditional rulers, and citizens.

He challenged his audience to come up with ideas that could address the twin challenges of poverty and insecurity confronting the northern region.

This would have prompted President Tinubu to summon today’s meeting.

It was gathered that the Vice President Kashim Shettima would meet President Tinubu at the Council Chamber as a prelude to the meeting with the governors.

Shettima would go on to preside over the 139th session of the National Economic Council (NEC), the first in 2024, with the President set to depart for Ethiopia later in the day to participate in the 37th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the AU.

Aside what is in public space – economic hardship and insecurity, not much is known of the agenda, but the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga had expressed the opinion that attention for solution should also be focused on the state governors and Local Government Chairmen.

He took to his verified X handle on Wednesday to assert that they should “wake up to their responsibilities” and resolve the food crisis and hardship in Nigeria.

He wrote, “The Federal Government is not the only actor in town. You have your duties cut out for you. Imagine each state making efforts to boost food production in its domain, build one world-class hospital, good roads, good schools etc. Imagine what our country would have become.’’

The ruling APC, the Presidency and the main opposition, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have been trading blames on the crisis confronting Nigeria.

Governors elected on the platform of the PDP had expressed concern that the ship of state was drifting uncontrollably.

They compared Nigeria’s economic situation to that of Venezuela, a South American country in the throes of hyperinflation, escalating starvation, disease, crime, and high mortality rates.

To this, the Presidency fired back, pointing to the poor performance of the governors, including their failure to pay salaries, pensions, and the N30,000 minimum wage.

Recall that hardship induced protests had broken out in different parts of Nigeria including Niger, Kano, Kogi, Ondo, and other states.

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TCN Restores Power Supply to Katampe Substation After Shiroro Line Fault

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The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has restored bulk power supply to its Katampe 330kV Transmission Substation in Abuja following an earlier disruption caused by a fault on the Shiroro–Katampe 330kV Line 1.

The development was disclosed in a statement released by TCN management on Friday, October 9, 2026.

SEE ALSO: Kainji–Birnin Kebbi Power Line: TCN Begins Final Phase of Restoration

According to the statement, bulk power supply was restored to the Katampe substation at 4:15 p.m. through the Gwagwalada–Katampe 330kV Line 1.

TCN explained that the Shiroro–Katampe 330kV Line 1 remains out of service due to a fault, necessitating the use of the Gwagwalada–Katampe line to restore supply to the substation.

The company also announced the suspension of planned maintenance work on the Gwagwalada–Katampe 330kV Line 1 to enable the line to continue supplying the Katampe substation.

The suspended maintenance work involved replacing defective line isolators and the associated earthing switch.

TCN apologised to electricity consumers in the affected areas for any inconvenience caused by the disruption and maintenance arrangements.

 

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2027 Elections: FG Warns Politicians Against Promises on Fuel Subsidy

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The Federal Government has warned politicians against making promises that could reverse Nigeria’s economic reforms, insisting that it will not restore fuel subsidy amid renewed debate over the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s (NNPC) petrol discount.

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, disclosed this during an interview on Channels Television on Friday, saying the government would not bring back subsidies on petroleum products.

“This government is not bringing back subsidy on fuel products. We need to be clear,” Oyedele said.

ALSO READ: NNPC Petrol Discount: Oyedele Explains How Lower Margins Could Boost Profits

The minister also criticised politicians who, according to him, make promises to win elections without fully considering the implications of implementing them.

He suggested that some politicians make sweeping promises during election campaigns only to offer excuses when confronted with the realities of governance.

“I think I would pardon people who say all manner of things because they want to get elected. It’s almost like ‘whatever I need to say, when I get there, I’ll give excuses.’ But we have the data,” he said.

Oyedele added that he felt a personal responsibility not to remain silent about the economic realities known to the government or allow populist positions to push Nigeria in the wrong direction.

“I feel the personal responsibility that I cannot see what I see and keep quiet, or populism to move our country in the wrong direction,” he said.

NNPC Petrol Discount Sparks Fresh Subsidy Debate

The minister’s remarks come amid renewed debate over fuel subsidy following the Federal Government’s announcement of a 30-day petrol discount at NNPC retail stations.

The initiative was introduced as a temporary measure to provide relief to Nigerians amid elevated global crude oil prices and concerns about the cost of petroleum products.

NNPC Retail had also announced a N66-per-litre petrol discount to mark Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary, with the offer scheduled to run until October 31, 2026, across its retail stations nationwide.

The company maintained that the discount was a customer-relief initiative and did not represent a return to the petroleum subsidy regime.

The distinction has become central to the debate, with the government insisting that temporary price relief at NNPC stations does not amount to restoring the subsidy policy abolished in May 2023.

The administration has maintained that the current arrangement differs from the former subsidy system, under which the government intervened to cover part of the cost of petrol.

FG Defends Economic Reforms

During the interview, Oyedele also referred to a World Bank update, saying the institution had acknowledged a reduction in poverty levels and increased spending on infrastructure, particularly roads.

He urged Nigerians not to reverse the progress he said had been made, arguing that the country was approaching a point where the benefits of ongoing reforms should begin to emerge.

 

 

 

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Kaduna Moves to Clear 5-Year Promotion Backlog for 24,000 Teachers

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The Kaduna State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) has commenced a promotion exercise for 24,000 eligible staff as part of efforts to clear outstanding teachers’ promotions dating back to 2021.

The development was disclosed on Friday as the administration of Governor Uba Sani intensifies efforts to address promotion backlogs, recognise teachers’ years of service and improve staff welfare across the state.

The exercise covers outstanding promotions from 2021 to 2026 and is expected to provide eligible teachers and other staff with opportunities for career progression.

SEE ALSO: Kaduna Clears N18bn Pension Arrears, Raises Agric Funding to N100bn

According to the announcement, eligible personnel will undergo an assessment process, after which promotions will be implemented for those who successfully meet the requirements.

The initiative is part of efforts to strengthen the education sector by recognising the contributions of teachers and supporting their professional development.

The state government has emphasised the importance of investing in teachers, noting that a motivated and valued teaching workforce is essential to building a stronger education system.

The exercise is also expected to address long-standing staff concerns relating to career advancement within the state’s basic education sector.

 

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