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Electricity: ‘Nigerians ask me to slow down, freezers are freezing’ – Power Minister

The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, on Wednesday, said some Nigerians had asked him to ‘slow down’ efforts to improve electricity supply because their freezers were now working continuously.

Tegbe made the remark while speaking at the commissioning of a 3-megawatt solar hybrid power project at Yakubu Gowon University, formerly the University of Abuja.

The Minister said areas that previously experienced prolonged power outages were now receiving significantly longer hours of electricity supply.

‘Places that didn’t have light at all for three months are now having 18 hours of light. Some areas called me to say, look, I should slow down, that everything in their freezer is freezing.

‘That is what a freezer is meant to do. Let it freeze the food that needs to be frozen,’ he said.

Tegbe said he had promised during his Senate screening that Nigerians would begin to see noticeable improvements in electricity supply within three to six months.

The Minister, however, acknowledged the challenges confronting the power sector, noting that some of the country’s electricity infrastructure is more than 40 years old.

‘Some of the infrastructure we have in the electricity and power sector are more than 40 years old. We’re systematically replacing them, phasing them out and bringing new ones,’ he said.

Kano: Police arrest 10 suspected interstate car thieves, recover 12 vehicles

The Kano State Police Command has arrested 10 suspected members of an alleged interstate motor vehicle theft syndicate and recovered 12 stolen vehicles linked to the group.

The Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, disclosed this during a press briefing at the Tarauni Area Command in Kano.

According to him, the suspects were arrested during separate operations by the Command’s Special Intervention Squad (SIS).

He said the operation was conducted as part of efforts to dismantle interstate criminal networks under the Inspector-General of Police’s Handshake Patrol initiative. Bakori said five suspects were first arrested in Adamawa State on September 7, 2026, following credible intelligence.

He said one white Mercedes-Benz GLK 350 was recovered from the suspects during the operation.

‘Following the arrest and recovery, the Command immediately commenced discreet investigation and intelligence-led follow-up. This led to the tracing and recovery of additional 10 stolen motor vehicles linked to the syndicate in different locations across Kano and neighbouring states,’ he said.

Bakori said in a further operation on September 12, five more suspects were arrested at Kwankwasiyya City Quarters, Tarauni, Kano, allegedly in possession of a stolen white Toyota Hilux with registration number KATSINA 03L-02KT.

He said the development brought the total number of suspects arrested to 10 and vehicles recovered to 12.

The commissioner said preliminary investigation showed that the suspects had allegedly been involved in motor vehicle theft in Kano, Katsina, Bauchi, Gombe and other neighbouring states.

He said the suspects had also disclosed how the syndicate allegedly operated by stealing vehicles, concealing them at different locations and moving them across state borders for sale.

Bakori said investigation was ongoing, while efforts were being intensified to arrest other fleeing members of the syndicate and recover additional stolen vehicles.

Among the recovered vehicles are Toyota Corolla LE, Pontiac Vibe, Mercedes-Benz GLK 350, Toyota Hilux, Toyota Sienna, Toyota RAV4, Toyota Camry, Hyundai Tucson and another Toyota Hilux bearing Katsina registration number.

The commissioner expressed concern that 11 of the 12 recovered vehicles were unregistered, saying the development had made it difficult for the police to trace some of the owners.

He said the situation reinforced the need for vehicle owners to comply with registration requirements.

‘The Command will not tolerate driving of motor vehicles without number plates or with covered number plates,’ he said.

Bakori said unregistered vehicles could aid criminal activities and make investigation and recovery of stolen vehicles more difficult.

He said the Command had strengthened intelligence gathering and repositioned its Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) and SIS as rapid response units to tackle violent crimes, motor vehicle theft, kidnapping and other security challenges.

He added that the Command would continue to collaborate with neighbouring police commands through the Handshake Patrol initiative to prevent criminals from exploiting state boundaries.

The commissioner also appealed to members of the public to provide timely information on suspicious movements of vehicles and persons.

He said owners of the recovered vehicles could contact the investigating police officer on 07063407910, the office of the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), or the Officer in Charge of the SIS at Court Road, Tarauni Area Command, Kano, with valid proof of ownership.

Bakori said the suspects would be charged to court after the conclusion of the investigation.

She Cranes to open Africa Championship campaign against Nigeria

The national women’s netball team, the She Cranes, will face-off with Nigeria in their opening match of the Africa Netball Championships this Sunday at the Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi, Kenya.

In the tournament that throws off on Saturday, Uganda has fielded both its women’s and men’s national teams.

The men’s national team, colloquially known as The Rock, will launch their campaign on Saturday when they square off against hosts Kenya.

In Sunday’s fixtures, the highly anticipated showdown between Nigeria and Uganda will serve as the final match of the day after three fixtures including Namibia playing Botswana, Malawi against Kenya and South Africa with Zimbabwe.

This marks the historic first time that Nigeria is competing in this tournament.

Consequently, the She Cranes camp admits they have limited tactical data or familiarity regarding Nigeria’s style of play.

However, the team has disclosed that they are approaching every single fixture with the intensity of a final, emphasizing that their primary objective is to kick off the tournament with a victory.

Team captain Rachael Nanyonga noted that while they must exercise caution against unfamiliar Nigeria, they will certainly not underestimate them simply because they are newcomers to the tournament.

‘We are not going to underestimate this team, our aim is winning all our fixtures with the same intensity,’ she said.

A total of nine other nations are participating in this year’s championship.

Uganda is pooled in Group 2 alongside Malawi, Zambia, Kenya and Nigeria while Pool 1 has South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana and Tanzania .

FG insists on King’s College concession

The Federal Government has said it will proceed with the proposed concession of King’s College, Lagos, despite mounting opposition from workers, parents and other stakeholders.

Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, said this on Wednesday in Abuja while addressing reporters.

He said the government had followed due process in reaching the decision and remained committed to the concession as part of efforts to improve the school’s infrastructure, resources, and overall management.

The minister maintained that the proposed concession was not an abandonment of the institution by the Federal Government, but a move intended to address infrastructure and management challenges and improve the quality of education at the college.

Alausa alleged that some directors in the Ministry were fueling the controversy by mobilising workers against the government’s decision.

He alleged that some union members and what he described as ‘unscrupulous’ ministry staff were deliberately circulating misinformation about the concession.

‘Misinformation has been going around, perpetuated by union members and unscrupulous members of staff of the Federal Ministry of Education,’ he said.

Alausa also took a swipe at the Parent-Teacher Association of King’s College, accusing the body of turning admission into a lucrative enterprise and allegedly demanding as much as N20 million from prospective students.

‘The PTA of King’s College has turned admission into King’s College into a criminal enterprise,’ he alleged.

His declaration came amid escalating opposition by workers in the ministry and other stakeholders, who have raised concerns over the concession of the 117-year-old institution to the King’s College Old Boys Association.

According to him, the alumni had spent over N2 billion on the institution with nothing to show for it.

He explained that, contrary to reports circulated by the workers, the school was not for sale, stressing that the Federal Government would retain full ownership of the school despite the proposed management arrangement with the Old Boys Association.

‘We haven’t sold it to them. The property still remains Federal Government property,’ Alausa said, insisting that the government retains 100 per cent ownership of the school.

Alausa also assured workers that the proposed management arrangement would not result in job losses or demotions, stressing that affected staff would retain their appointments and existing levels within the public service.

He said the government had considered workers’ concerns and would ensure their employment rights and benefits were protected throughout the process.

He explained that workers affected by the arrangement would have the option to be redeployed to other federal institutions within the education sector where their services were needed.

According to him, teachers and non-academic staff could be posted to other Unity Colleges and federal institutions, with the government maintaining that no worker would be forced out of employment as a result of the proposed concession.

Also speaking, Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, said the Federal Government has no plans to extend the proposed concession arrangement to other Unity Colleges across the country.

She stressed that the initiative was specific to King’s College, Lagos, and should not be interpreted as a broader plan to transfer the management or ownership of other Federal Unity Colleges to private organisations or alumni associations.

Ahmad said the government remained committed to protecting the public ownership of the Unity Colleges, while exploring measures to address their infrastructure and management challenges.

She maintained that the proposed arrangement for King’s College was being considered as an intervention to improve the school’s facilities and restore its standards, rather than as a move to sell off Federal Government properties.

FFN harps on importance of national flag as symbol of unity, shared value

The Flag Foundation of Nigeria, FFN, has called on Nigerians to embrace the green-white-green national flag with fresh respect as a symbol of shared unity, destiny and hope for a better country.

FFN said this in a statement issued by its Founder and Chief Vexillologist, Chris Agiri to mark the 16 September Nigeria National Flag Day.

In the statement tagged, ‘Honouring Our National Symbol, Strengthening Our National Unity,’ FFN noted that the Nigeria National Flag Day is a day for every Nigerian to pause and consider what the green-white-green asks of every one.

‘A flag is cloth until a people give it meaning. Ours carries the Nigerian state, our shared identity and our resolve to build a nation that is united, peaceful and prosperous.

‘The green speaks of our land, its harvests and its natural wealth. The white speaks of peace and unity. Between them lies a plain truth. We differ in ethnicity, faith, language, culture and politics, yet we are one nation with one destiny,’ FFN said.

While joining Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora to mark 16 September Nigeria National Flag Day, FFN recalled that it is the first organization that marked the day 15 years ago.

It also recalled that it has been at the forefront of campaign aimed at drawing attention to the significance of the national flag.

‘The Flag Foundation of Nigeria did not arrive at 16 September recently. We have stood on this ground for years.

‘Long before the date drew the attention it enjoys today, the Foundation was calling on Nigerians to respect, honour and understand their flag.

‘On 16 September 2011, the Foundation marked the day with clear purpose, using it to carry the meaning of the National Flag to the Nigerian public.

‘That celebration was one step in a long walk. Our aim has always been a flag that citizens understand, not one that only appears at official functions. We want young Nigerians above all to see in it their common citizenship, their shared history and their duty to the future of this country.

‘So let the record show: the Flag Foundation of Nigeria has championed 16 September as a day of reflection on the National Flag for more than a decade. In that time, we have pressed without pause for greater respect, understanding and proper use of the flag.

‘We claim no ownership of the flag or of the patriotism it inspires. The flag belongs to every Nigerian. We place this history on record to honour all who have kept the meaning of our national symbol alive’ FFN said while affirming its commitment to keep working to make the National Flag a living lesson in citizenship and national consciousness.

FFN noted that to inculcate respect for the National Flag from childhood, it instituted the Flag for Schools programme as part of its wider campaign message of the flag across the nation.

‘We call on government institutions, schools, civil society, traditional institutions, the private sector, the media and every patriotic Nigerian to work with us, so that the National Flag receives the dignity it deserves,’ said FFN.

The organization also harped on the importance of National Flag as a symbol capable of pulling the nation together in the face of economic strain, insecurity, political discord and social tension pulling at the seams of the nation

.

‘The flag reminds us that before we are anything else, we are Nigerians.

‘When the green-white-green rises, it does not ask whether you are from the North or the South, the East or the West. It does not separate Christian from Muslim, rich from poor, young from old, or one people from another.

‘It speaks to what we share. It tells us that the troubles of Nigeria belong to all of us, and so does the work of building a better Nigeria.

‘That work begins with the safety of our communities. We call on every Nigerian to rise to the duties of free citizenship and to stand with government against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, corruption and every form of insecurity,’ said FFN.

It therefore reiterated its usual call on Nigerians to always respect the National Flag.

‘On this Nigeria National Flag Day, 16 September 2026, the Flag Foundation of Nigeria calls on every Nigerian to look upon the flag with fresh respect, and to see in it our unity, our shared destiny and our hope for a better Nigeria.

‘Let us raise the flag with pride. Let us honour it with dignity. Let us teach our children what it means.

‘And above all, let the green-white-green remind us that Nigeria is our common home, and together we will build the nation we deserve,’ Agiri concluded.

Lavrov: If Europe attacks Russia, war will be short

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated on Wednesday that Russia will not attack Europe, but if Europe strikes Russia, “the war will be short, as [Russian President Vladimir] Putin warned.”

“We have repeatedly said that we are not going to attack Europe … I emphasize that we have no interest in doing this, but if Europe, which daily talks about preparing for war against Russia, attacks Russia, it will be a completely different war and it will be very short,” Lavrov said at the International Youth Festival.

Furthermore, the Russian top diplomat pointed out that the West is trying to maintain dominance by using “dirty methods,” and added that Moscow does not seek confrontation with Western countries. He also noted that the settlement of the Ukrainian war requires addressing the “root causes” of the conflict.

Ibadan out-of-school children figure worrisome, says community leader

The Mogaji of Omotara Okugbaja in the Ita Baale area of Ibadan, Chief Moruf Oladejo Rufai, has described the number of out-of-school children in the city as worrisome.

Rufai urged the local, state and Federal Governments to urgently provide the necessary facilities and support to address the situation.

He spoke on Tuesday while donating educational materials to primary school pupils in Ita Baale and other family compounds in Ibadan North East Local Government Area.

Rufai said the gesture was part of his contribution to the development of the communities where he hails from and an effort to support children facing difficulties in accessing education.

He lamented that many pupils and students who should be in school were unable to attend due to the rising cost of educational materials.

Explaining the reason for the donation, Rufai said he was supporting educational development in Ibadanland because education remained the bedrock of development in any society.

He called for collective efforts by government and other stakeholders to ensure that children had access to quality education.

‘The number of out-of-school children in Ibadan particularly is worrisome. We need to address the problem now before it is too late. The State government has a lot of work to do in that area, we need more schools and classrooms, the government needs to make school environment attractive to the pupils. The federal government also and local government need to do something to address the problem too.

‘As a private individual, I have just donated 500 copies of exercise books to the pupils and students in primary and secondary in Ita Baale area and other areas in Ibadan North East local government area.

‘It was shared according to classes. Some parents who requested on behalf their children were also given.

‘It is what I have been doing since I became Mogaji of my family compound. I gives pupils from my compound and other family compounds in Ibadan North East local government area educational materials every September.

‘This gesture is part of my own contribution to the educational development of Ibadanland and Nigeria in general. Government cannot do it alone. It is also to support Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Adewolu Rasidi Ladoja’s move to more Ibadanland forward in the area of education.

XRG completes acquisition of stake in Southern Gas Corridor

XRG, the international energy investment arm of the United Arab Emirates’ ADNOC, has completed the acquisition of a stake in the Southern Gas Corridor.

According to a statement from XRG, the investment in the Southern Gas Corridor, a 3,500-kilometer network connecting the Caspian region with Southern Europe, contributes to the implementation of the company’s integrated Caspian strategy, which brings together its investments in upstream projects in Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan.

‘Our investment in the Southern Gas Corridor, a 3,500-kilometer network connecting the Caspian region with Southern Europe, contributes to delivering XRG’s integrated Caspian strategy, combining investments in upstream projects in Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan. This creates a more resilient platform supporting more sustainable, reliable and diversified gas supplies, regional economic development and long-term value creation,’ XRG said.

On November 3, 2025, on the sidelines of the ADIPEC exhibition and conference in the United Arab Emirates, Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Economy and XRG signed non-binding Heads of Terms regarding the acquisition of a stake in the Southern Gas Corridor Closed Joint Stock Company.

The document was signed in accordance with a Memorandum of Understanding on investments in the Southern Gas Corridor between Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Economy and XRG CJSC.

Established in 2014, Southern Gas Corridor CJSC holds stakes in gas production assets and a pipeline network with a total length of 3,500 kilometers. The infrastructure has an annual transportation capacity of up to 26 billion cubic meters and enables the delivery of natural gas produced in the Caspian region to Southern Europe via Trkiye.

Navy hails Uyo court, demands faster trials for oil thieves

The Nigerian Navy has commended the Federal High Court, Uyo, for convicting and sentencing nine people for crude oil theft.

It also called for accelerated adjudication of all pending oil theft cases nationwide to strengthen deterrence against economic sabotage.

Director of Naval Information (DINFO), Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, praised the judgment in a statement on Wednesday, saying successful naval interdictions at sea only achieve their full strategic value when matched with timely convictions that reinforce the rule of law.

He commended the judiciary for the judgment and appreciated the Department of State Services (DSS) for its professionalism in prosecuting the case to a successful conclusion.

The nine convicts were sentenced on Monday to five years’ imprisonment on the first count and 10 years on the second, both without an option of a fine. They were arrested on February 7 during an intelligence-led Navy operation while allegedly siphoning crude from an oil wellhead identified as ASABO-D in Ibeno Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

Folorunsho said the conviction reinforced the impact of Operation DELTA SENTINEL, the Navy’s anti-crude oil theft operation launched in January, which has dismantled over 241 illegal refining sites, recovered more than 6.44 million litres of stolen crude and refined products, and led to the arrest of over 230 suspects across the Niger Delta.

He warned individuals, groups and criminal syndicates engaged in oil theft to desist, stressing that the remoteness of oil-producing communities, waterways or installations would no longer shield perpetrators from justice.

He urged host communities to continue providing credible information on criminal activities threatening oil and gas infrastructure.

The Navy credited the renewed operational momentum to the leadership of the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, whose emphasis on intelligence-led operations, inter-agency collaboration and maritime domain awareness has strengthened the service’s capacity to combat maritime crime.

It linked the effort to President Bola Tinubu’s policy target of raising Nigeria’s crude oil production to 2.5 million barrels per day by 2027.

Folorunsho said the Navy would sustain operational pressure on economic saboteurs while deepening collaboration with the judiciary, sister security agencies and other stakeholders in support of national efforts to grow oil production and the blue economy.

Man Remanded For Allegedly Killing Friend With Cutlass

A Kano Magistrate’s Court has remanded a suspect, Nazifi Kabir Liringo, in a correctional centre over the alleged killing of his friend while they were cutting grass in Abuja.

Liringo, a resident of Dambatta Local Government Area, was arraigned before Magistrate Court 27, Nomans Land, presided over by Magistrate Hauwa Abba Musa, on a charge of culpable homicide under Section 222 of the Penal Code.

Prosecutor Maryam Halilu Dantiye told the court that it was a fresh charge and sought permission to have it read to the defendant.

The court’s clerk, Muhammad Musa Tudun Wada, read the charge to Liringo, but proceedings could not continue as the court lacked jurisdiction to hear the case.

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The magistrate subsequently ordered that the defendant be remanded in a correctional centre and adjourned the matter until October 6, 2026.

Police alleged that Liringo killed his friend, Zaharaddin Adamu, after allegedly striking him with a cutlass while they were cutting grass in Abuja.

Adamu reportedly died from injuries sustained in the incident.