Author: user user

HAULAGE operators have raised the alarm over an extortion point along the Creek road axis of the Apapa Port, stating that after similar oneswere dismantled.

According to them, security operatives now gather at this new point to extort truckers.

Speaking with the Nigerian Tribune, chairman, Dry Cargo section of the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), Abdullahi Inuwa, explained that truckers are subjected to unreceipted levy at the Mr. Biggs junction along Creek Road in Apapa by state and non-state actors after the dismantling of illegal checkpoints around Lagos ports.

‘The new hotspot is the Mr. Biggs junction along Creek Road when you are approaching the Apapa Port gate.

‘After the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) led other security agencies to dismantle illegal checkpoints around the Apapa Port axis, the unscrupulous elements extorting truckers have now moved to the Mr Biggs junction,’ he said.

‘You will see them hanging around that axis. Once a truck is approaching the port along Creek Road, men in uniform and non state actors emerge from nowhere at the Mr. Biggs junction and subject truckers to all manner of extortion.

‘Haulage operators are losing millions at this junction because it is a major route strategically stationed in-between Apapa and Tin-Can Ports. So, there is no way a truck can come into Apapa or Tin-Can without passing through this axis.’

Recall that the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), alongside the Nigeria Police Force and the Lagos State Government, recently launched a joint task force to dismantle illegal checkpoints and extortion points along the Apapa and Tin Can Island port corridors.

The initiative aims to eliminate unauthorized levies that cause severe traffic gridlock and inflate the cost of doing business.

Among the …… illegal checkpoints were on and beneath the Liverpool Bridge, the approach to the Tin-Can Island Container Terminal (TICT), PTML, and Ports and Cargo terminals.

Also, extortion points at the NAGAFF Junction, Etisalat, and Fidelity roundabouts in the Apapa axis were dismantled.

A Louisiana pastor has been found guilty of stealing more than $340,000 from two churches by diverting church funds into his personal accounts and using the money to pay for gambling, dining and other personal expenses.

Dale Sanders, 56, was convicted after a five-day jury trial on a 25-count federal indictment involving wire fraud, access device fraud and obstruction of a federal investigation.

According to the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana, Sanders transferred church funds into his personal bank accounts and used a church-issued debit card for unauthorised personal spending.

Investigators said the fraud took place between April 2020 and April 2024 while Sanders served as pastor of Fifth African Baptist Church in New Orleans and Second New Guide Missionary Baptist Church in Metairie.

Prosecutors told the court that Sanders unlawfully received cash, goods and services worth more than $340,000 by withdrawing money from church accounts and spending it on his personal lifestyle, including gambling and restaurant bills.

Authorities also said Sanders tried to obstruct the federal investigation by submitting a falsified document in response to a grand jury subpoena.

Although criminal charges were filed against him in April, Sanders later addressed his congregation in a social media video, asking members to pray for those he described as his enemies.

In the video, he thanked church members for their support and prayers, saying he could feel their encouragement during the difficult period.

He also asked them to pray for those opposing him, quoting Matthew 5:44 and insisting that God would deal with his enemies.

Apart from his pastoral work, Sanders regularly shared sermons and worship videos online. He is also the author of Strut Your Stutter, a book that encourages readers to embrace themselves despite their imperfections.

Following his conviction, Sanders faces a maximum prison sentence of 20 years, a fine of up to $250,000, up to three years of supervised release after serving his sentence, and other statutory penalties, including mandatory assessments.

Many homeowners invest in solar energy expecting reliable electricity throughout the year. While solar systems continue to generate power during wet weather, it is common to notice a significant drop in performance when the rainy season arrives.

Meanwhile, if your batteries seem to charge more slowly or your inverter reports lower energy production, the weather is usually the biggest factor. Understanding why solar underperforms during the rainy season can help you manage expectations and improve the efficiency of your system.

Therefore, in this article, Tribune Online examined how a temporary decline in output does not necessarily indicate a fault with your solar installation.

Reduced sunlight reaching the panels

The most obvious reason for lower solar production during the rainy season is the reduction in solar irradiance.

Solar panels generate electricity by converting sunlight into energy. When thick clouds cover the sky, less sunlight reaches the photovoltaic cells.

According to solar energy research and performance data, heavily overcast conditions can reduce solar output significantly compared to clear-sky conditions because the amount of available sunlight drops sharply.

Even though solar panels can still use diffused sunlight, production levels are often much lower than on bright sunny days.

This is why many households notice reduced battery charging during prolonged periods of rainfall.

Longer periods of cloud cover

Rain itself is not the biggest problem. The real challenge is the persistent cloud cover that often accompanies rainy weather.

Solar panels continue producing electricity during light rain and cloudy conditions, but performance declines as cloud density increases. Studies and industry observations show that heavily overcast skies can reduce output to a fraction of normal production levels.

In regions that experience several consecutive rainy days, energy generation may remain below average for extended periods.

Dirt, pollen, and surface build-up

Many people assume rain completely cleans solar panels. While rainfall can wash away some dust and debris, it does not always remove stubborn dirt, pollen, or residue.

Research from the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) found that rainfall alone may not fully clean solar panels, especially when pollen accumulation is involved. Residue left behind can continue affecting performance even after the rain has stopped.

Regular inspections and periodic cleaning remain important, particularly in areas with high dust levels or heavy vegetation.

Poor panel positioning and shading

Rainy seasons often make existing shading problems more noticeable.

Trees, buildings, utility poles, and nearby structures can block already-limited sunlight from reaching solar panels. According to energy performance data, panel orientation and tilt play a major role in determining how much solar energy a system can capture.

A system that performs reasonably well during the dry season may struggle during cloudy months if the panels are not positioned optimally.

Battery and system capacity limitations

In many cases, solar panels are not the only issue.

If your battery bank is undersized, it may struggle to store enough energy during periods of reduced generation. Similarly, older batteries often lose storage capacity over time, making rainy-season performance appear worse than it actually is.

A properly designed solar system should account for seasonal weather variations. Homes with higher electricity demand may require additional battery storage or larger solar arrays to maintain consistent performance throughout the year.

How to improve solar performance during the rainy season

Although the weather cannot be controlled, system efficiency can be improved.

Regular panel maintenance, proper battery management, routine inspections, and professional system sizing can all help maximise energy production. Some homeowners also benefit from adding extra panels or increasing battery capacity to compensate for seasonal reductions in sunlight.

It is normal for solar to underperform during the rainy season because solar panels depend on sunlight to generate electricity. Reduced irradiance, persistent cloud cover, dirt accumulation, shading issues, and battery limitations all contribute to lower output.

However, a drop in performance does not automatically indicate a faulty system. With proper maintenance and realistic expectations, solar energy remains a reliable and cost-effective power solution throughout the year, even during extended periods of rain.

Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has declared the state’s readiness for the establishment of state police, saying the initiative would strengthen internal security and complement the operations of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

Governor Yusuf made the declaration during the inauguration of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Drug Abuse and Trafficking at the Government House in Kano.

In a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature, the governor said the proposed state police should be viewed as a partner to the Nigeria Police Force rather than a competing institution.

He explained that both policing structures share the responsibility of maintaining law and order, protecting lives and property, and promoting peaceful coexistence across the country.

Speaking on the ongoing consideration of the State Police Bill, Yusuf said closer collaboration between the two policing systems would strengthen intelligence gathering, improve rapid response to security threats, and boost public confidence in law enforcement.

‘The state and Nigeria Police Force should be seen as partners working together to strengthen intelligence gathering, improve rapid response to security threats, and enhance public confidence in law enforcement,’ the governor said.

Yusuf expressed confidence that Kano has the institutional capacity, skilled personnel, and political will required to establish and sustain an effective state police system once the necessary constitutional and legal frameworks are put in place.

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting all legitimate efforts aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture, noting that improved security is essential for citizens to freely pursue their economic, educational, and social activities.

The governor added that Kano remains committed to initiatives that enhance public safety and contribute to a more secure environment for residents and businesses.

DANGOTE Petroleum Refinery has increased its ex-depot petrol price to N1,215 per litre from previous N1,075 per litre, representing 13.02 per cent increase, Nigerian Tribune has gathered.

This is coming following the resumption of gantry loading of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in naira after one week of suspension of truck loading.

Recall that the refinery suspended both coastal and gantry loading on Wednesday, July 15, after introducing a dollar-denominated pricing template for refined petroleum products.

This move generated controversy among Nigerians and disrupted supply across the downstream sector.

It also compelled marketers to source products from the private depots.

However, Nigerian Tribune’s survey shows that most filling stations in both Lagos and Ogun States are now sell petrol N1, 300 per litre from N1,220 per litre two days ago.

This is also coming as price of Brent crude hovered around $92 per barrel on Wednesday.

A source said that most marketers have now been notified of the resumption of gantry operations by Dangote Refinery, with loading expected to commence immediately under the revised naira pricing.

The news comes barely a day the refinery resumed coastal loading of PMS, introducing a new coastal price of $1,161.23 per metric tonne, up from the previous $1,044.62/MT, representing an increase of $116.61/MT.

The resumption of coastal loading has also been communicated to customers.

As at Monday, truck traffic across major private petroleum depots in Lagos surged as marketers scramble for petrol supplies amid growing expectations that wholesale prices could rise when Dangote commences operation.

However, with the resumption of coastal loading activities by the refinery, it is expected that the truck logjam will naturally disappear around Apapa depots Before the suspension, Dangote Petroleum Refinery had attributed its decision to migrate to Petrol’s dollar sale to the inability of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited to honour its obligations under the arrangement.

According to the refinery, NNPCL only supplied 3 out 14 cargoes expected under the Naira for Crude arrangement.

This, the refinery said represented less than 25 percent of the expected volume of crude of the obligation.

According to an official of the refinery, crude volumes delivered under the arrangement were insufficient to support the refinery’s expectations.

However, NNPCL maintained it supplied all crude cargoes available under the naira-for-crude arrangement and had not withheld feedstock from the refinery.

At least 533 graduates from Delta State who successfully completed the Nigerian Law School in the 2025 session can now celebrate, as the state government has approved the disbursement of financial assistance to support human capital development and alleviate the financial burden on these young professionals.

The approval was announced by the Delta State Bursary and Scholarship Board, which stated that all beneficiaries, who are of Delta State origin, will receive this financial assistance following the governor’s endorsement.

Dr. Godfrey Enita, the Executive Secretary of the State Bursary and Scholarship Board, encouraged all eligible graduates to adhere to the submission requirements to avoid delays in processing their financial assistance.

‘The latest intervention underscores the Oborevwori administration’s commitment to investing in education and professional development under its MORE Agenda, which places a premium on human capital development and the empowerment of young Deltans.

‘It is also expected to provide financial relief to newly qualified legal practitioners as they begin their professional careers.’

The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to transforming Nigeria’s agrifood system through stronger collaboration, institutional reforms, science-driven agriculture and increased private-sector investment to achieve national food security and reduce poverty.

Speaking during the second biannual meeting of the Agrifood Systems Working Group (ASWG), convened by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in Abuja, Bagudu commended the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, for leading the implementation of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) 2026-2035.

He noted that the continental framework aligned with Nigeria’s long-standing commitment to building a resilient and inclusive food system.

The Minister of Budget stressed that although the African Union’s agricultural agenda runs from 2026 to 2035, food security remains central to Nigeria’s development agenda and is enshrined in the Constitution, which describes agriculture as a shared responsibility of the Federal, State and Local Governments within the country’s cooperative federal system.

Bagudu highlighted the scale of Nigeria’s agricultural landscape, disclosing that the country has more than 42 million agricultural households, predominantly smallholder family farms, which he described as the backbone of the nation’s food system.

He said supporting these households to become more productive and profitable remained critical to ensuring food security, generating surplus production, reducing poverty and stimulating economic growth.

‘The success of Nigeria’s food system depends on empowering our millions of farming households with the support, technology, financing and market opportunities they need to produce more efficiently and improve their incomes,’ he said.

According to a statement by the minister’s media team, Bagudu reiterated the strategic importance of agriculture and cited key institutional reforms, including the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development and the integration of fisheries into the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, to strengthen specialised interventions across the agricultural value chain.

He also highlighted ongoing government initiatives to de-risk agriculture, including increased support for the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) and the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA), to expand agricultural financing, improve land development and promote climate-resilient farming practices.

Bagudu emphasised that agriculture must no longer be seen solely as the responsibility of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, describing it as a sector that requires coordinated contributions from science, technology, finance, women, youth, research institutions and the private sector.

He underscored the need to modernise agricultural production through innovation and scientific research, noting that improved technology would increase productivity and profitability while attracting greater investment into the sector.

Describing Nigeria’s agricultural sector as predominantly private-sector-driven, the minister said government policies were focused on creating an enabling environment that allowed farmers and agribusinesses to thrive, while ensuring coordinated support across all levels of government.

Bagudu further called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to address domestic and global challenges affecting food systems, including rising fertiliser and energy costs driven by international conflicts, as well as trade distortions that threaten local agricultural production through subsidised imports.

While acknowledging that security challenges had affected agricultural productivity in parts of the country, he said significant progress had been made in restoring farming activities in previously affected communities, particularly in the North-East, where improved harvests demonstrated the resilience of Nigerian farmers.