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Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ending persistent power outages, by setting a target of increasing electricity supply to about 3.5 gigawatts (GW).

He spoke at the Lagos State High-Level Strategic Power town hall meeting held to examine the state’s electricity challenges and develop practical solutions to improve generation, transmission and distribution.

The engagement brought together key stakeholders across the electricity value chain, including regulators, distribution companies, transmission operators, investors, asset managers and representatives of the Federal Government.

Speaking at the event, Special Adviser to the President on Power and Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Power Sector Reset and Restoration, Dr Rilwan Babalola, said the challenge facing Lagos and Nigeria was no longer simply about generating more electricity, but building a functional and sustainable electricity market.

Babalola said the country must move away from a system in which government continuously acted as buyer, guarantor and absorber of losses across the electricity value chain.

He said the proposed Clean Lagos Electricity Market (CLEM) could provide a model for converting Lagos’ huge electricity demand into a structured and investible market through demand aggregation, bilateral contracting, open access, payment assurance and transparent settlement.

He said the proposed initial 500MW CLEM project must first demonstrate that electricity could be reliably delivered, properly metered and paid for before the model was expanded.

Babalola said stakeholders must establish the location of demand and customers, sources of electricity and gas, the capacity of the network to deliver the power, appropriate tariffs and a transparent payment system for generators, network operators and gas suppliers.

He highlighted the opportunities created by the decentralisation of the electricity sector following constitutional amendments and the Electricity Act, which allow states to establish and regulate their electricity markets.

He, however, cautioned against fragmentation, stressing the need for coordination between state electricity markets, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), interstate electricity trading and national transmission network.

Lagos State Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Biodun Ogunleye, said the town hall was convened to end what he described as the ‘culture of blackout’ in Lagos.

Ogunleye said the state had conducted studies and assembled critical stakeholders to identify the challenges affecting electricity supply and agree on practical solutions.

He disclosed that Lagos currently receives less than one gigawatt from the national grid, despite the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) having the capacity to transmit about 3.5GW.

The commissioner said the state was working to secure an additional 2GW, with the ultimate objective of moving towards 3.5GW of electricity supply.

He said achieving the target would enable more electricity feeders to operate and improve power supply to homes, businesses and industries across the state.

Ogunleye added that newly-inaugurated substations would strengthen the state’s electricity infrastructure, while the government would work with distribution companies to monitor selected feeders and measure improvements in supply.

On electricity tariffs, he said consumers should not be made to ‘pay for darkness’, stressing that improved metering and infrastructure must accompany any tariff increase.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos State Electricity Regulatory Commission (LASERC), Temitope George, identified inadequate generation and transmission capacity, energy theft, vandalism and non-payment of electricity bills as some of the major challenges confronting the sector.

George said electricity demand in Lagos, which had previously exceeded 1,500MW, had recently fallen below 1,000MW.

She urged consumers to pay for electricity consumed, warning that non-payment distorted the electricity market and ultimately affected the ability of other consumers to enjoy reliable supply.

The regulator also disclosed that the state was restructuring its existing Independent Power Projects to make them bankable without placing excessive pressure on government finances.

George said Lagos was also exploring embedded power generation to complement electricity from the national grid and reduce dependence on the national system.

She said the ongoing decentralisation of the electricity sector should lead to a more efficient electricity market in Lagos.

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the domestic steel industry after executing a major sub-lease and operations pact to unlock over $1.3 billion in private-sector investment for the full revival of the dormant Delta Steel Company.

The agreement, signed between the National Iron Ore Mining Company (NIOMCO), Itakpe, and Premium Steel and Mines Limited (PSML), marks a decisive step towards reactivating the Ovwian-Aladja steel complex in Delta State.

Under the operational framework, the Federal Government is resolving longstanding raw-material supply bottlenecks by guaranteeing sustainable iron-ore access from NIOMCO to power the steel plant’s operations.

The Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, emphasised that the resuscitation forms a core pillar of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at accelerating local manufacturing, driving import substitution, and creating high-value jobs.

‘The revival of Delta Steel Company is not merely about bringing an old industrial facility back to life,’ Minister Audu stated. ‘It is about restoring Nigeria’s capacity to produce steel locally, creating opportunities for our young people, supporting downstream industries, and strengthening the foundation for sustainable industrialisation.’

Commissioned in 1982 as an integrated greenfield complex with a capacity to produce one million metric tonnes of liquid steel annually, the Delta Steel Plant suffered years of operational decay-peaking at just 25 per cent capacity before shutting down entirely.

Efforts to privatise the asset in 2005 were stalled by financial distress, leading to its acquisition by PSML via the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) in 2015. The facility has remained inactive as a fully integrated plant ever since.

Under the newly executed agreement, PSML has committed to injecting over $1.3 billion into raw-material exploration, site rehabilitation, and modernising the production lines. Commercial operations are targeted to resume within 18 to 24 months, returning the complex to its full capacity of 1 million tonnes of liquid steel per annum.

The Ministry outlined key economic deliverables expected from the deal, including a capital injection of over $1.3 billion in direct foreign/private investment into Nigeria’s real sector, creating about 5,000 direct jobs and over 20,000 indirect jobs across logistics and fabrication chains.

The deal is expected to ensure immediate upstream commercial reactivation of NIOMCO and the expansion of the Ajabanoko iron-ore deposits, target a push of 10 million tonnes of annual liquid-steel capacity by 2030, and increase freight transport along the Central Rail Line and the full deployment of the DSC Jetty for maritime logistics.

The Minister noted that the government will closely monitor progress to ensure the firm adheres strictly to the 18 to 24-month timeline.

‘The Federal Government is committed to working with responsible private-sector investors to unlock the enormous potential of Nigeria’s steel sector, while ensuring that investments are supported by the necessary raw materials, infrastructure, policy coordination, and an enabling business environment,’ Audu added.

The Ministry of Steel Development commended the strategic collaboration of the Federal Ministry of Justice and the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development in finalising the agreement, reiterating that actualising local steel production remains central to positioning Nigeria as an industrial hub across Africa.

Those aggrieved by the outcomes of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries got soothing words from the chairman of the ruling party, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, who took responsibilities for post-primary grievances.

He took the responsibility on behalf of the National Working Committee (NWC) for all the disputes generated by the primaries that produced the party’s candidates for the 2027 general election.

Yilwatda said he was tendering a public apology to all aggrieved members over what he described as perceived wrongs for the entrenchment of unity in the party.

The party chair spoke yesterday in Ibadan during the launch of the Oyo State APC Campaign Office, located around Dandaru Junction, Mokola – UCH Road, Ibadan.

Flanked by some NWC members, Yilwatda appealed to members who felt hurt, injured, prevented or excluded in any form to forgive the party and remain united ahead of the 2027 general election.

He said the responsibility extended beyond Oyo State, stressing that the committee that conducted the primaries was constituted by the national leadership and therefore, any mistake committed by it amounted to a mistake by the leadership of the party.

He urged all state party chairmen across the country to take the message of apology to all members of the party.

Yilwatda said: ‘This is not for Oyo State alone. Anywhere anybody made a mistake in a state, it is our mistake because the committee was set up by us and they are representing us.

‘If anybody is hurt, if anybody is injured, if anybody is prevented or excluded in any form or the other, we take responsibility. On television and before Nigerians, we take responsibility of all that has happened. I appeal to everybody that we are sorry.’

The APC national chairman urged members at polling units, wards and local government areas across the country to regard the matter as an internal family affair

Yilwatda assured that the party was taking Oyo State seriously because of its strategic importance and large voting population, second only to Lagos.

He noted that through its governorship candidate Senator Sharafadeen Alli, the party is seeking to restore Oyo to its glory days, urging all members to work together in unity.

Alli commended Yilwatda for fulfilling his promises to the state within two days.

He appreciated him for honouring the invitation to meet with governorship aspirants and stakeholders, saying the achievements recorded within the period surpassed what the stakeholders had been able to accomplish on their own.

He said the promises made when the national chairman invited the aspirants had now been fulfilled.

‘We cannot thank you enough for what you have come to do. What you have achieved successfully in two days, we have not been able to accomplish,’ Alli said.

He assured the national chairman that the party in Oyo would continue to do what is expected.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in last Saturday’s Osun State election, Asiwaju Bola Oyebamiji, on Friday called on Governor Ademola Adeleke to rein in his supporters and halt alleged attacks on members of the opposition party in the state.

Oyebamiji, popularly known as AMBO, made the appeal while speaking with journalists at the State House, Abuja, shortly after meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The APC candidate alleged that attacks on members of his party had continued after the election, claiming that four or five people were attacked in his hometown, Ikire, on Friday morning.

He said the incidents had been reported to security agencies and urged Adeleke to prevail on his supporters to embrace peace and allow political actors in the state to coexist without violence.

‘I want to advise the governor that it’s important for him to talk to his people. Violence against our people is not too good, and he needs to talk to them so that each and every one of us can be on the same page’, Oyebamiji said.

Asked to shed more light on concerns he had earlier raised over alleged attacks on APC members following the declaration of the governorship election results, Oyebamiji said the situation had persisted.

‘Well, yes. Even as of this morning, in my own village, Ikire, some were attacked; about four, five people were attacked. We have informed the security operatives accordingly. That’s what I have to say about that’, he said.

Oyebamiji, however, appealed to APC members and his supporters across Osun State to remain calm and peaceful, stressing that electoral contests should not be allowed to undermine the peace of the state.

According to him, elections should be approached peacefully because the ultimate purpose of government is to serve the people.

‘The most important thing is to run every election with a peaceful mind. It is important for us Nigerians to know that government is about people, and because it’s about people, it is important that we be peaceful. I want to appeal to our people in Osun that they need to be peaceful,’ he said.

The APC candidate also said the party was still reviewing the outcome of the August 15 governorship election and had yet to make a final decision on its next course of action.

He said the party would make its position public after completing its examination of the election results and other relevant records.

‘For now, the APC is still examining the books, and by the time we spread our sheets, we’ll be able to get back to the public on what our own opinions are and what decisions we want to take, but the take-home is that they should be calm,’ Oyebamiji said.

Oyebamiji’s visit to the Presidential Villa came less than 24 hours after Adeleke met President Tinubu at the State House on Thursday.

Adeleke, who contested the August 15 election on the platform of the Accord Party, was declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) after polling 511,067 votes.

Oyebamiji, his closest challenger, scored 444,815 votes, leaving a margin of 66,252 votes between the two leading candidates.

Adeleke won 19 of the state’s 30 local government areas, while Oyebamiji carried 11.

Following his meeting with Tinubu on Thursday, Adeleke had thanked the President for allowing what he described as a free and fair election in Osun, saying Tinubu’s conduct reflected his longstanding commitment to Nigeria’s democratic struggle.

Oyebamiji’s comments on Friday, however, indicated that the APC was keeping its options open on the election outcome, even as he urged party members to remain peaceful pending the conclusion of its review.

‘Darkness returns to Long Bridge’. That was the screaming headline that introduced the story. The word ‘returns’ meant the place was in darkness before, that is; there was no light there and light was provided to illuminate one of the obvious dark spots on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

This was only last year.

Sadly, as at last week when the darkness on the bridge was reported, at least 168 of the solar lights installed on the about five-kilometre Long Bridge stretch connecting the OPIC end toward Wawa, had been stolen.

These were public facilities provided to illuminate the dark corridor, improve night visibility, and curb criminal attacks on motorists whose vehicles have the misfortune of developing faults on that part of the ever-busy expressway.

Of course, the next logical question is how? Long Bridge is not in any part of rural Nigeria.

The bridge is at the boundary between Ogun State and Berger Bus Stop in Lagos State, which is about 7.3 kilometres distance. It takes approximately 11 minutes travel time from Berger to the bridge.

Not only that, the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway is regarded as the busiest interstate highway in Nigeria. So, it is ever busy.

All of these should make one curious that some 168 solar lights could vanish from such a highway without anyone knowing.

One, such a number of lights could only have been stolen over a period.

Two, these lights are not within reach as the poles are very high. Therefore, removing the solar lights could only be possible with the use of special equipment that mainly those maintaining such facilities have access to.

It does not seem to us as something that can be done without the active connivance of some internal collaborators.

Unfortunately, we do not have a strong record of apprehending such criminals. That explains the impunity with which the criminals operate and the frequency of such crimes in the country.

Just imagine the vandalisation that has been occurring on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway that is still under construction, but which some miscreants and scavengers have been caught cutting and removing parts of its metal fencing, barbed wire, and structural iron fittings?

How do we explain the actions of rail vandals who remove rails or tracks, that is the metal path that guides the train safely along its route? This can lead to fatal accidents.

There is no reason for people to be so callous to the point that they can just strip public utilities without a thought for the lives of fellow Nigerians.

Mercifully, the Federal Government has swiftly responded to these thefts on the coastal highway by deploying a specialised security team – the Coastal Highway Guards- to patrol the corridor.

.People who vandalise public facilities do not deserve any pity. Apart from the economic loss to the country, they also make life difficult for fellow Nigerians. That is where the criminality of the vandals does not lead to the death of their compatriots.

Penalties for vandalism would seem stiff enough, ranging from 21 years in prison to life imprisonment, or even the death penalty under anti-sabotage laws.

Where the problem lies is in the arrest and prosecution of the suspects. This is where the government and Nigerians generally have to wake up.

The government must ensure that the facilities are well protected. It can deploy technology in monitoring such facilities. Like the coastal road that now has a security outfit after some of the road’s facilities had been stolen. There is need for proactiveness on the part of the government even as Nigerians must be vigilant, and report something when they see something.

Arsenal’s new signing Bruno Guimaraes is doubtful for today’s Premier League opener against promoted Coventry City, manager Mikel Arteta said as he acknowledged that they must try to keep ?players fit as they face the task of defending the title.

Brazil midfielder Guimaraes joined Newcastle United this month for a fee put at £75 million ($102 million) by British media. The 28-year-old applied ice to his leg after he came off in Sunday’s Community Shield win over Manchester City.

‘It’s evolving well, but?let’s see,’ Arteta told reporters on Thursday about Guimaraes’ fitness problem.

Injuries threatened Arsenal’s title ?charge last term as they missed key players at crucial times, with Kai ?Havertz, Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Jesus and others absent for long periods.

‘The more dominant we are, the ?bigger the margins, the better… we need to improve the availability of the squad in certain ?areas in order for those margins to become much bigger,’ Arteta said.

Arsenal, third on the all-time list with 14 English top-flight titles, have never retained the Premier League trophy, although they won three championships in a row ?back in the 1930s, but Arteta said this season feels different.

‘I feel good. Different. Hopefully better. ?More excited than ever, hungrier than ever … I have no question that our players have the desire. Now it’s ?we have to do daily,’ he said.

Arteta said Arsenal were trying to reinforce their defensive options amid media reports saying they have agreed a £51 million deal with Aston Villa to sign England centre-back Ezri Konsa.

‘When we’re ready to announce something, we’ll let you ?know,’ the Spaniard added.

Arteta ?also put to bed ?reports linking the versatile Myles Lewis-Skelly with a move away from Arsenal, saying he was ‘100% sure’ that the 19-year-old would remain at the club.

But ?the manager acknowledged that some players might have to leave, amid speculation ?that Gabriel Martinelli, ?Gabriel Jesus and Ethan Nwaneri could depart.

‘It’s a really, really tough moment … but you have to face it with a real honesty and transparency,’ he said.

‘We all know everything has a start and an ?end. ?When it ends, our job and duty is to do ?it in the best possible way, with respect and admiration for the player and the relationship. But at the end, ?we need to make difficult decisions.’

An old video of actress Shaffy Bello discussing respect and how younger people address elders has resurfaced online amid debate over a viral exchange between UBA Chairman Tony Elumelu and a young woman who called him ‘Tony’.

In the clip from a past podcast, Bello said she does not appreciate being called ‘Shaffy’ by people younger than her.

‘When a child calls me by my name, Shaffy, I pull them closer and tell them, ‘You haven’t earned the right, and you never will,” she said.

The actress explained that having children around the same age as those who address her casually makes it particularly uncomfortable.

‘I have a child as old as you are, and even if I do not have children, you have not earned the right, and you will never earn the right at your age to call me by name,’ she added.

Bello also questioned the use of casual greetings.

‘Whatever happened to Ma’am?’ she asked. ‘There is even something about this ‘Hi’; I can’t stand it.’

She attributed differences in address to upbringing and culture, noting that even children in the United States use respectful titles.

‘Even children in the U.S. call me ‘Ma,” she said, stressing that respect for elders remains important to her.

The video has gone viral again following the Elumelu clip, with many Nigerians debating generational etiquette and respect.

The US Open will offer the biggest prize fund in Grand Slam history with a total of $108 million (£79.2m) on offer – marking a 20% increase on last year.

The singles’ champions will receive $5.5m (£4.03m) each in a 10% increase on 2025.

First-round losers will take home $140,000 (£102,667) – which is $30,000 and 27% more than last year.

The prize pool includes a $2m (£1.47m) contribution to a welfare fund, which leading players have been demanding from all the Grand Slams.

The four Grand Slam tournaments have also jointly announced the formation of a Grand Slam Player Council. This was another key request from players, some of who limited media appearances at the French Open and Wimbledon to 15 minutes to highlight their grievances.

Their other main demand is for each Grand Slam to dedicate 16% of its revenue to prize money, with the figure rising to 22% by 2030.

It is possible the US Open has become the first Slam to hit that target, but the US Tennis Association (USTA) has not yet published its financial statement for 2025.

Player representatives have also not seen the figures. However, if you allow for 10% growth to the $559.7m (£410.5m) the US Open generated in revenue in 2024, then prize money of $98.5m would have be in line with player expectations.

The USTA says the financial statement will be published before the start of the main draw.

Chief executive Craig Tiley, who previously headed up Tennis Australia, described the offer as ‘a significant first step in a multi-year investment in athletes’.