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The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has approved the deployment of N28 billion to distribution companies (DisCos) for the provision of meters under the Tranche B of the Meter Acquisition Fund (MAF) scheme.

This was contained in the ORDER NO:NERC/2025/107 that was released yesterday.

The order said, ‘The Commission has further approved the deployment of the sum of NGN28,000,000,000 (Twenty-Eight Billion Naira)for Tranche B of the MAF Scheme.’

NERC recalled that as of the April 2024 market settlement cycle, the sum of N21.84billion had accrued and was made available for the procurement of meters under the first tranche of the MAF scheme.

The order added that the Commission approved the use of the sum of N21 billion only from the accrued amount apportioned pro rata to the contributions of the DisCos, for the procurement and installation of meters under Tranche A of the MAF scheme, which concluded on 30 June 2025.

These funds, according to the commission, shall be allocated in proportion to the respective contributions of the DisCos, and are intended to meter all outstanding unmetered Band A customers while also expediting the closure of the metering gap for customers currently classified under Tariff Band B.

The Order, said NERC, shall become effective on 6 October 2025 and may be amended or revoked by subsequent Orders issued by the commission.

It is for the operationalisation of Tranche B of the Presidential Metering Initiative under the MAF.

NERC said DisCos shall utilise N28 billion of the MAF scheme for Tranche B apportioned in accordance with their respective contributions as at the July 2025 market settlement and detailed in Schedule 1, for the procurement and installation of meters for unmetered Band ‘A’and ‘B’customers within their franchise areas.

The order further said NERC shall adopt the median DisCo MAP online bid prices for the August 2025 bid cycle as the final prices for all meter categories.

It also said the evaluation of all bids in respect of Tranche B shall be on the basis of meter stock availability and technical assessment.

DisCos, said NERC, shall, within 10 days from the effective date of this Order, conduct a transparent procurement process for the selection and execution of a contract with MAPs with verified and ready for deployment meter stock for the metering of end-use customer meters under the MAF scheme.

It also said DisCos shall, no later than 15 days from the date of the Order, submit to the Commission a list of their selected MAPs, details of meter inventory, including meter types, brand names, serial numbers,and meter location, to obtain a ‘No-Objection’approval from the Commission.

The Commission introduced the Meter Asset Provider (‘MAP’) Regulations 2018 and subsequently,the Meter Asset Provider and National Mass Metering Regulations (‘MAP and NMMR’) in 2021 to address metering challenges in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (‘NESI’).

These Regulations introduced multiple options for metering end-use customers.

However, according to NERC, despite these significant interventions, the national metering gap persists and currently exceeds seven million.

The order said a key constraint identified is the inability of Distribution Companies (‘DisCos’) to secure financing, whether through debt or additional equity, for the acquisition and deployment of end-use meters and other critical capital investments.

NERC said to mitigate this challenge, the Commission developed and approved the Meter impact of DisCos’ limited creditworthiness on metering deployment across NESI.

Three prominent African women have been announced as headliners for Women in Leadership Dinner to take place in Lagos.

The event, organised by The Peak Performer Africa will feature the First Lady of Kwara State, Prof. (Amb.) Olubukola Abdulrazaq; the Special Adviser on Policy Coordination, Public Servant, Campaigner, Hadiza Bala Usman; and a Corporate leader, Olatowun Candide-Johnson.

The dinner forms part of the Peak Performer Festival (TPP Fest) 2025, on November 17 in Lagos. It is expected to bring together women leaders from Africa to discuss the evolving dynamics of power, creativity, and purpose-driven leadership.

With the theme: ‘No More Shrinking – How Women Can Unleash Untapped Creativity and Market Growth with 21st-Century Intelligence,’ the event will explore how women can leverage emotional, artificial, communication, and relational intelligence to strengthen leadership and drive economic growth on the continent.

Founder, Dr. Abiola Salami, said the gathering will challenge limiting narratives about women in leadership and encourage bold, intelligent participation in governance and enterprise.

”No More Shrinking’ is not just a slogan; it is a rallying cry for women ready to rise beyond fear, reclaim their power, and lead intelligently,’ he said.

Salami noted that the three headliners represent distinct strands of women’s leadership – from governance and diplomacy to corporate innovation.

Prof. Abdulrazaq, who also serves as Director of the Economic, Consular and Legal Department at Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is Chairperson of the Nigeria Governors’ Wives Forum and has a background in diplomacy and academia.

The Women in Leadership Dinner is one of several events leading up to the 2025 edition of TPP Fest, which aims to highlight and strengthen transformative leadership across Africa.

For Usman, she is currently the special Adviser on Policy and Coordination to President Bola Tinubu and Central Delivery Coordination Unit (CDCU) representing systemic reform, governance excellence, and women in public leadership.

On the other hand, Candide-Johnson is the Founder of GAIA Africa, representing executive presence and authentic leadership.

‘Together, they represent the powerful blend of strategy, creativity, governance, and global influence that defines the next era of African female leadership,’ emphasized Abiola.

The Women in Leadership Dinner is designed as a high-impact experience that blends storytelling, strategy, and sisterhood. It is part of the larger TPP Fest 2025, a two-day festival celebrating peak performance, leadership excellence, and innovation across Africa.

The festival’s four flagship events include The CEO Forum – TITLE: Taming the Invisible Toll of Leadership Expectations; The Women in Leadership Dinner – No More Shrinking; The Emerging Leaders Summit – GRIT: Grow, Rise, Innovate, Thrive; and The Peak Performer Awards Gala – Recognizing Africa’s Exemplary Leaders Across Sectors.

The dinner will also unveil insights from Salami’s forthcoming book, ‘No More Shrinking: A Powerful Story for Women Who Are Done Playing Small’. It will provide attendees with strategic networking opportunities and tools to elevate their leadership influence and impact.

Adding his voice, the Chairman of TPP Fest 2025, Mr. Yinka Adebayo, emphasized the strategic importance of women’s leadership in Africa’s economic evolution:

‘Africa’s competitiveness in the global marketplace depends on how effectively we harness the intelligence, creativity, and resilience of our women.

‘The Women in Leadership Dinner provides a vital platform to connect corporate, civic, and creative powerhouses who are shaping the continent’s next phase of inclusive growth.’

TPP Fest is Africa’s premier leadership and performance gathering – a convergence of CEOs, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and creatives shaping the continent’s next growth chapter.

The Festival empowers leaders to achieve sustainable excellence through emotional intelligence, strategic innovation, and transformative collaboration.

Nigerian Content Academy Lecture Series organised by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has opened a robust debate on the state of local content implementation in the country’s oil and gas sector.

The debate is a strong message to industry players not to undermine the initiative.

Delivering a lecture on ‘Staying the Nigerian Content Course in the Midst of Delivery Challenges,’ pioneer Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Engr. Ernest Nwapa, dismissed claims that stringent local content regulations were responsible for delays in major oil and gas investment decisions.

‘There are many government policies that are affecting Final Investment Decisions (FIDs),’ Nwapa stated, insisting that local content was not the cause of the slowdown.

Instead, he noted, the oil and gas industry is navigating an increasingly complex environment shaped by global energy transitions, shifting investment patterns, and growing demands for value addition.

The Lecture Series, which is held weekly, is part of NCDMB’s efforts to deepen stakeholder understanding of evolving trends and opportunities in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.

Nwapa, who also served as Group General Manager, Nigerian Content Division of the NNPC between 2005 and 2010, cautioned against recurring fears that the local content initiative may lose relevance.

‘Such unfounded fears,’ he said, ‘are often pushed by stakeholders who have always been averse to the policy.’

The engineer expressed concern over emerging ‘unintended ambiguities’ in the Presidential Directives issued in February 2024, warning that these could weaken institutional authority if not clarified. ‘There must be institutional adjustment to re-enact the authority in NCDMB directives,’ he stressed.

He lamented that some operators have failed to respect the Board’s authority, noting that once the NCDMB issues a directive, it must stand. ‘If the Board writes a letter and says this is what stands on Nigerian Content, nobody should question it,’ he said.

Tracing the evolution of local content in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, Nwapa explained that earlier efforts – from the Petroleum Act of 1969 to the Cabotage Act of 2003 – laid the groundwork, but none had the transformative impact of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act of 2010.

He cited tangible outcomes, such as the successful local participation in projects like Egina FPSO’s integration at SHI-MCI Yard, Lagos, which provided practical training and employment for hundreds of Nigerian engineers and technicians.

According to him, ‘Our young engineers and technicians now have opportunities to acquire practical skills because projects are happening locally.’ He warned that failing to sustain the momentum could have ‘serious consequences’ for Nigeria’s economic diversification efforts.

On the recurring debate about the cost of local content compliance, Nwapa urged stakeholders to view it as an investment in long-term competitiveness. ‘If you don’t start practising local content and getting your people involved, the cost gap will only get wider,’ he said.

‘You either bite the bullet now or use local activity to drive costs down, or abandon it and lose capacity.’

He advised that project costs should be evaluated case by case, under the NCDMB’s guidance and in collaboration with operators, to ensure a fair balance between local participation and commercial viability.

Nwapa further encouraged the Nigerian Content Academy to serve as a hub for practical learning, research, and policy testing – bridging the gap between theory and industry practice.

A review of admission policy into tertiary institutions which will liberalize it to accommodate more qualified candidates has been undertaken by the Federal Government.

The review made known yesterday by the Federal Ministry of Education’s spokesperson, Folasade Boriowo is intended to provide opportunities for additional 300,000 candidates to gain admission yearly.

In the current dispensation, no more than 700,000 of about 2 million candidates that applied for admission are able to make it.

In the new plan, Mathematics will no longer be a compulsory subject for students seeking admission into tertiary institutions to study Arts and Humanities-related courses.

The statement said that the revised National Guidelines for Entry Requirements into Nigerian Tertiary Institutions aim to eliminate unnecessary barriers while maintaining academic standards.

Under the new framework, students seeking admission into Arts and Humanities programmes will only be required to present credits in relevant subjects, including English Language, while Mathematics will remain compulsory for Science, Technology, and Social Science disciplines.

For the polytechnic level, candidates must obtain a minimum of four credit passes, including English Language for non-science courses and Mathematics for science-based programmes. Mathematics and English remain compulsory for candidates at the Higher National Diploma level.

Similarly, the guidelines specify that for admission into Colleges of Education, English Language will be mandatory for Arts and Social Science courses, while Mathematics is required for Science, Vocational, and Technical programmes.

The same requirements apply to Innovation Enterprise Academies (IEAs) as Polytechnics for the National Diploma (ND) program.

The government also abolished the National Innovation Diploma (NID).

In addition, the government said that the National Industrial Diploma (NID) previously issued by Innovation Enterprise Academies will be phased out and replaced with the National Diploma (ND) to ensure uniformity, credibility, and progression opportunities for graduates.

It added that the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) was currently re-accrediting all IEAs nationwide to align with the new ND standards. Institutions that fail to transition to full accreditation will be de-accredited.

The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, said the move was part of efforts to expand access and create a more inclusive tertiary education system.

According to him, the reform has become necessary after years of restricted access that left many qualified candidates unable to secure admission.

‘Every year, over two million candidates sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), yet only about 700,000 gain admission. This imbalance, he notes, is not due to a lack of ability but rather to outdated and overly stringent entry requirements that must give way to fairness and opportunity.

‘The reform is a deliberate effort to expand access to tertiary education, creating opportunities for additional 250,000 to 300,000 additional students to be admitted to our Tertiary Institutions each year. It reflects a firm commitment to ensuring that every Nigerian youth has a fair chance to learn, grow, and succeed, putting the Renewed Hope Agenda into action,’ the statement said.

It added: ‘The revised National Guidelines for Entry Requirements into Nigerian Tertiary Institutions are designed to remove barriers while maintaining academic standards. The new framework applies to universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and Innovation Enterprise Academies (IEAs) across the country.

The minister added that harmonising admission guidelines will help reduce the number of out-of-school youths, strengthen vocational and technical training, and align Nigeria’s tertiary education structure with global and industry standards.

He reiterated that young people remain the heartbeat of the nation, and the government is committed to equipping them with the education and skills they need to reach their full potential and contribute meaningfully to national development.

‘The Federal Government remains steadfast in its commitment to inclusive education, human capital development, and youth empowerment in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,’ the statement added.

Chief (Mrs) Olaitan Victoria Abiodun, educationist, businesswoman, and community leader, is 90.

As the Book of Psalms proclaims, it is the Lord’s doing and it is marvelous in our sight. As the day begins with songs of praise, Mama will lack the company of her husband of many years and praise and worship partner, Dr. Emmanuel Adesanya Abiodun, fondly called Baba Teacher, but she will be surrounded by the love, warmth and presence of her dear children, including the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun (MFR, CON); her grandchildren, extended family members, friends and well-wishers. In a country where life expectancy is just a little above 54 years, it is great, in fact glorious, to be 90, hale and hearty, basking in the grace of Almighty God: the celebrations have been fully deserved.

The years have not been without challenges, obstacles, many of them daunting, but as the Holy Writ declares, there is a compassion from on high that is new every morning, and faithfulness that is great. It is too lofty to be properly captured in words.

Mama at 90 is not about sagacity, design, or intention: it is the sheer mercy and love of the Almighty: pure, boundless, and unfeigned. To live to be 90 in a country plagued by many ills, and having fought so many battles, calls for precisely the thanksgiving that Mama and her family and friends are offering today. Let us all join Mama in her feast of thanksgiving.

Born on the 15th of October, 1935, to the family of Mr Raji Alli Balogun and Mrs Adijatu Kubura Alli Sobowale in Iperu Remo, Ogun State, Chief (Mrs.) Olaitan Victoria Abiodun began her primary education at Bishop Oluwole Memorial Primary School, Agege, Lagos, and later proceeded to St James. Anglican Primary School, Iperu, where she completed her primary education in 1955.

In 1956, she started teaching at the African Church Primary School, Iperu, also known as Bethel. The desire to acquire more knowledge took her to the Teacher Training College, Iperu, where she obtained her Grade 3 certificate. It was time to be posted to St Paul’s Anglican Primary school, Ijokun, Sagamu, where she taught from 1958 to 1962.

In 1963, she got admission into the Teachers Training College, Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, for her Grade 2 certificate. Armed with that certificate, she worked at IJABCOL Grade 2 Teacher Training College and Modern School in Iperu, and in 1968, she moved with her husband to Ayetoro Egbado (now Yewa North).

Her husband taught at the Comprehensive High School, Ayetoro, while she was transferred to United Primary School, Ayetoro, where she taught till early 1971 when she moved to Ondo town with her husband who had just joined the staff of the prestigious Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo, an institution affiliated to the then University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. She taught at the Local Authority School (1) in Ondo, then in October 1972, she gained admission into Adeyemi, where she studied Home Economics. After her graduation, she was posted to Ondo High School, Ondo, where she was made the head of the Home Economics Department. And this was where she retired in 1986, following which she took up trading and extended her frontiers far and wide.

At 90, Chief (Mrs.) Victoria Olaitan Abiodun stands as a living testimony to grace, faith, and enduring values: her life reflects devotion to family, service, and community. As she says, ‘I feel deeply grateful to God. Ninety years is not a small journey. It’s been grace all through – grace that carried me through marriage, motherhood, teaching, and service to my community.’

Life as a child, she recalls, was modest but meaningful: ‘We valued hard work, honesty, and community. Education was our key to freedom, and that belief guided everything I did.’ Her marriage was great: ‘My late husband and I were both teachers. We both believed teaching was more than a job – it was a ministry. ‘Baba Teacher,’ as people called him, used to say that when you teach a child, you are shaping the world. We wanted to shape lives, and we gave our hearts to it. In those days, there was no social media – only purpose and prayer. We met through mutual friends in Ibadan, both of us teachers, and we shared the same values. We married in 1960, and it was the beginning of a long, blessed journey. I had 65 years of marriage, a rare blessing.’

The Ogun State Governor is her firstborn born and the bond between mother and son is indeed cast in stone; unbreakable. As the American writer Sara Hale says, there is no influence so powerful as that of the mother. Sometimes the strength of motherhood is greater than natural laws, says the Pulitzer Prize-winning American novelist, essayist, and poet, Barbara Kingsolver; and that is why the great Abraham Lincoln crafted these unforgettable lines: ‘All that I am, or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.’ For Dapo Abiodun, and in the words of the poet, Emily Dickinson, a mother is one to whom you hurry when you are troubled. Mama is her son’s unceasing fountain of support, who trained him to be ready to dare and to go against the norm to set new standards. During his 42nd birthday in Ikoyi, Lagos, she spoke glowingly about him, saying with pride, ‘I am the one and only mother of Dapo Abiodun.’

She trained her children well, and her counsel, combined with great vision, has given the Gateway State a Governor turning barren land into construction sites. Go to the Gateway Airport and see wonders in architecture and engineering; go to Olumo Rock and see the power of renewal. Go to the MKO Stadium and see what it means to have a Governor imbued with strategic foresight.

Her pride in her son is not just because he’s the Governor, but because he has remained humble and focused on service. Her word to him as he hits 90 cheers is to fear God, listen to advice, and never forget the poor: power should bring compassion, not arrogance. The key to success, she avers, is to work hard, respect elders, and build your future with integrity. Why? ‘The world is moving fast, but good character never goes out of fashion.’

Her words are indeed words on marble, and are fitting in closing this piece, ‘I believe in quiet strength. You don’t have to shout to lead. I speak when it is necessary, and I stand by the truth. That is how I was raised, and that is how I raised my children. I want women to see themselves as builders of homes, of society. Women, support your husbands, raise your children well, and never stop learning. Women carry the soul of the nation. My greatest legacy is a good name.

The Bible says a good name is better than riches. If people remember me as a woman of faith, discipline, and love, I am fulfilled. I pray for peace – peace in Nigeria, peace in Ogun State, and peace in every home. May God guide our leaders, bless our children, and let the light of truth never go out in our land.’

Happy Birthday, Mama Olaitan Victoria Abiodun, and many glorious returns. Here’s wishing Mama many more years in sound health and joy of heart.

The African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE), Abuja, has intensified efforts to promote early detection and prevention of breast cancer, emphasising that timely diagnosis remains critical to reducing cancer-related deaths among women.

The hospital noted that with greater awareness, improved access to screening, and prompt treatment, breast cancer survival rates can significantly improve.

The disease remains one of the most common cancers affecting women globally and a leading cause of cancer-related deaths in Nigeria.

As part of activities marking Breast Cancer Awareness Month, AMCE said a 50 percent discount on mammogram screenings throughout October.

The initiative, according to the hospital, aims to make life-saving diagnostic services more affordable and accessible to all women, particularly those from low-income backgrounds.

Dr. Gabriel Boules, Clinical Director of Oncology at AMCE, said early diagnosis remains the most effective tool in saving lives, ‘Early detection remains the most effective way to save lives from breast cancer.

‘A simple screening can make all the difference. At AMCE, we are committed to breaking barriers to access and ensuring that every woman has the opportunity to prioritize her health,’ he said.

He added that the centre’s goal goes beyond treatment to empower women through education and access, saying, ‘Our goal is not just to treat illness, but to empower women with knowledge and access.

‘By making screenings more affordable, we’re helping more people take control of their health because early detection saves lives’.

AMCE said the campaign aligns with its mission to deliver world-class, patient-centered healthcare while advancing cancer prevention and treatment across Africa.

He encouraged the public to take advantage of the initiative by visiting the African Medical Centre of Excellence in Abuja to book mammogram appointments during the awareness month.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday said leaders and governors of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are joining the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) due to the capacity of President Bola Tinubu.

Wike said those who once criticised the president are now members of the APC.

He disclosed this at the flag-off of the construction of the main carriageways on the outer southern expressway in Abuja.

The minister said Tinubu has shown leadership and the ability to deliver the dividends of democracy.

Wike said he has been justified that Mr President is a performer, adding that the governors should rather commend him for ‘doing a good job’ of paving the way for them to join the ruling party.

He said, ‘I have been watching on daily television and social media, people who said I want to destabilize the party, I am working for the APC. All of them are now in the APC. So, which means if it is true, they should commend me for working for where they are heading. So, I should be commended for doing a good job for them’.

In the past 48 hours, the Governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah, resigned his membership of the PDP and joined the ruling APC, stating that his decision was in the interest of national development under President Tinubu’s leadership.

Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri, also resigned his membership of the party on Wednesday, along with 19 members of the State House of Assembly, making the fourth PDP governor to defect ahead of the 2027 general elections, bringing the number of PDP governors from 11 as of October 2024, to only eight as of today.

The Minister noted that the governors no longer had an excuse as the ‘decisive leadership’ of President Tinubu had ensured that every state had enough resources to pay salaries and embark on credible projects and activities.

Wike said, ‘Let every state be sincere to their people, and to Nigerians. I was a governor for eight years. I was a governor running around banks to look for money to do projects. Sometimes, every month, the money that comes will not be enough to pay salaries and all other allowances, not to talk about doing projects.

‘Today, by the leadership of somebody, by the decisive leadership of somebody who has made it possible for all the states, and the Federal Capital Territory, not to be running around banks again. Rather, banks are now looking for states to say ‘look, don’t throw us away, we are here.

‘Somebody has made that possible; every state now has money, not only to pay salaries, not only to carry out government activities, but also to embark on projects. It was not like that before’.

He described the decision to defect and support the Tinubu-led administration as ‘worthwhile’, adding that no governor will leave debts for their successors any longer, as it used to happen.

The minister said, ‘So, if, for that reason, so many people are going to support Mr President, I think it is worthwhile. Now, no governor will talk about leaving debts for his successor, unlike what used to happen before. That is the leadership of somebody.

‘And that’s what this country needs for now. Visionary leadership, purposeful leadership, that will be able to make decisions. Decisions that people were running away from taking when they had the opportunity’.

The FCT Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, described the project as a bold step toward easing traffic flow, stimulating economic activities, and enhancing mobility for residents across the Federal Capital Territory.

She said the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu constantly reminds Nigerians that progress is built not only in policy but in the visible transformation of lives and communities.

In the same breath, Mahmoud hailed the FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike, for his unwavering energy, foresight, and passion in ensuring that infrastructure development in the FCT is both meaningful and people-centered.

According to her, ‘under your watch, the FCT has truly become a construction powerhouse and a beacon of national renewal.’

ADEREMI: Dear Omobola, my name is Aderemi. The reply of PTAD to my complaint which was published on the March 12, 2O25 was correct. Truly PTAD called me and asked me of my account details. My caller said that the account did not reflect my name. He also asked for some other information but I was unable to provide as my documents were not with me and I didn’t know them offhand. He promised to call the next day but he has not called back.

PTAD: Dear Mr, Aderami, kindly note that we placed several calls to you, but were unable to get through as your phone was not answered. You can reach us via 02094621700 for clarification and resolution. Thank you.

RUFIANA: Good day, I am Rufina. My complaint is about short payment of my pension arrears since two years ago

PTAD: Dear Mr. RUFIANA, please send your verification slip to our email [email protected] to enable us to investigate and respond further. Thank you.

ANONYMOUS: Good day, I have been complaining of deduction of N9000 from my pension allowance since September last year. Kindly use your office to rescue me from this situation. l have written several times for correction to no avail why.

PTAD: Dear PTAD PENSIONER, please send your verification slip to our email [email protected] to enable us investigate and respond further. However, note that PTAD obtained a directive for the re-implementation of the CPA based on grade level in line with the clarification from the NSIWC before implementing the new 20 per cent / 28 per cent increment as applicable. The CPA which was as a result of the minimum wage approval in April 2019 was implemented in May 2021 based on pay-band application with subsequent payment of 24 months arrears covering from April 2019 to April 2021. It is, therefore, instructive to mention that arrears reconciliation arising from the re-implementation of the CPA based on grade level is set aside pending further directive.

The clarification from the NSIWC which revised the implementation of the CPA to Grade level was taken into cognisance and accordingly implemented on the payroll before the application of the new pension increment of 20-28 percent as applicable which will take effect from September 2024.

Further to the above, the Executive Secretary gave directive to pay the 20per cent/ 28 per cent pension increment arrears to ONLY the pensioners whose monthly pension have been correctly computed and implemented as per the August payroll.

In line with the directive of the Executive Secretary, the Department reviewed the August 2024 pension payroll to ascertain that only pensioners who are on their correctly computed monthly pension are paid the 20 – 28% pension increment arrears and thereafter identified and excluded the following categories of pensioners:

Pensioners on the payroll with inherited monthly pension and whose monthly pension entitlement is yet to be computed to date;

Pensioners on the payroll with inherited monthly pension but whose monthly pension entitlement have been computed but not yet implemented;

Pensioners on the payroll with monthly pension figure that appears to be higher than the maximum monthly pension for their Grade Level.

OJO: Dear Omobola, I am one a Heritage bank customer at Ado Ekiti. I am one of those who were not paid their pension since May. I sent a message to you with all my particulars. Please, I am waiting for your help. Ojo from Ado Ekiti.

PTAD: Dear Mr. Ojo we are not in receipt of your new bank statement from UBA as we discussed with you and your daughter on the phone. Thank you.

Former Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Yemi Ikuforiji has urged governors and council chairmen at the state and grassroots levels to complement the giant strides of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

He urged the Houses of Assembly and Nigerians should take their governors and council chairmen to task over the huge gap in increased allocations and accomplishments.

Ikuforiji told reporters in Lagos that President Tinubu is being erroneously held responsible for the lapses in governance at the states and local governments.

He said:’Governors and local government chairmen who collect huge money from the Federation Account should complement the efforts of the Federal Government at the lower levels.’

Ikuforiji, teacher, economist, and lawyer, said: ‘People should demand accountability from governors and council chairmen. The Houses of Assembly should take the governors to task over performance.’

The former Speaker praised President Tinubu for hitting the ground running, following his inauguration on May 29, 2023.

He said the heroic feats of the President, which prepared him for the current assignment, should not be forgotten.

Ikuforiji recalled that Asiwaju Tinubu turned around the fortune of Lagos State and fought the infrastructure battle with vigour.

The ex-Speaker noted that the President maintained his vision and sense of direction.

Huawei Technologies has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Nigeria’s transition to cleaner and smarter energy systems through innovative solar solutions and capacity development.

Speaking at the Nigeria Renewable Energy Innovation Forum (NREIF) organized by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) in Abuja on Tuesday, Chief Executive Officer, Huawei Nigeria, Chris Lu described solar energy as ‘the foundation of tomorrow’s energy economy,’

He noted that the global shift toward renewable energy is opening new possibilities for sustainable development..

He commended the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, saying it reflects Nigeria’s commitment to a sustainable and prosperous energy future.

‘Across the world, the race towards a cleaner, smarter, and more sustainable energy future has already begun. At the heart of this transition lies the power of the sun-rich, sustainable, and accessible to all,’ he said.

‘For Nigeria, this isn’t just an opportunity; it is a promising path to a sustainable and powerful economy.’

Huawei, he said, has been integrating digital technology into solar power through innovations such as real-time monitoring, self-optimization, remote fault detection, and smart control systems.

‘We combine bit with watt, and create unlimited new possibilities,’ he added, highlighting Huawei’s focus on smart grids, energy storage, and artificial intelligence for power management.

To further localize innovation, the company has established an Innovation Center and Open Lab in Nigeria to co-develop tailor-made solar solutions with local partners.

These, he said, would not only meet the specific needs of the Nigerian market but also set new benchmarks for global renewable energy standards.

Beyond technology, Huawei emphasized the importance of developing local talent. The company has built multiple training centers and a Service Center in Lagos, where hundreds of Nigerian engineers are being trained to provide technical support for solar systems deployed across the country.

Over the past year, Huawei has deployed advanced solar systems with energy storage solutions for commercial, industrial, and public sector projects, including universities, banks, supermarkets, and rural communities.

‘Huawei will continue working with the Ministry of Power, the Rural Electrification Agency, and other partners to promote Nigeria’s green energy future. Let’s join hands and together, light up a brighter Nigeria,’ he said.

Vice President Kashim Shettima said new investment commitments had been mobilised into Nigeria’s renewable energy manufacturing value chain through engagements facilitated by the NREIF.

He said the commitments cover solar panels, smart meters, battery storage and recycling facilities, projected to create over 1,500 direct jobs across multiple states.

Shettima said renewable energy represents Nigeria’s ‘escape route’ from the historical shortcomings that have defined its power sector, stressing that success would depend not on ‘the elegance of our policies’ but on ‘our ability to transform ideas into practical solutions.’

He said Nigeria’s ambition is to achieve 277 gigawatts of total installed capacity by 2060, a vision that demands not only investment but also innovation, local capacity, and unwavering commitment.

The Vice President commended the Federal Ministry of Power and the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) for their progressive roles in deepening access to electricity, particularly in rural communities.

The Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s resolve to build an inclusive renewable energy market that attracts investment, drives innovation, and ensures universal energy access.

He said the administration’s approach focuses on creating a decentralised, competitive power sector that enables communities and private enterprises to participate actively in energy generation.

Adelabu said the forum marks a pivotal step in implementing the Nigeria Energy Transition Plan (ETP) and advancing President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises industrial growth through sustainable energy.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Abba Aliyu, said the Renewable Energy Innovation Forum demonstrates Nigeria’s readiness to unlock its vast renewable potential and strengthen local participation in clean energy development.

He noted that the REA, under the supervision of the Ministry of Power, is implementing programmes that connect communities, promote local manufacturing, and build resilient renewable energy value chains.

‘Our mission is to power Nigeria’s inclusive growth by driving innovation, supporting private investments, and ensuring that no community is left in darkness,’ Aliyu said.

He said the REA remains committed to working with development partners, investors, and the private sector to accelerate Nigeria’s progress toward a green industrial revolution.

The Nigeria Renewable Energy Innovation Forum brought together policymakers, governors, private sector leaders, and development partners to foster collaboration and accelerate Nigeria’s renewable energy transition.