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Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has urged eligible residents of Oyo State to take advantage of the two-week extension of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise and avoid waiting until the final days before the registration window closes.

This was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by the Oyo State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Professor Rahmon Adeniran Tella, who reiterated that the ongoing third and final phase of the CVR exercise will end on Sunday, July 26, 2026, despite the earlier two-week extension granted by the commission.

According to the statement, the extension was approved to enable more eligible Nigerians to register and update their voter records ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The REC said the extension is for citizens who have attained the age of 18, those registering for the first time, voters seeking to transfer their registration, replace lost or damaged Permanent Voter Cards, or correct their personal details.

Tella, in the statement, urged prospective registrants not to wait until the closing days of the exercise, warning that doing so could result in unnecessary congestion, long queues and avoidable disappointment at registration centres.

He also announced that the commission had introduced a Self-Service Online Registration Portal for first-time voters through cvr.inecnigeria.org, describing it as a major innovation aimed at making the registration process more accessible and convenient.

According to him, the online platform allows first-time voters to complete their registration without physically visiting INEC offices, thereby reducing crowding and enabling applicants to register at their convenience.

The REC, however, advised all eligible residents of Oyo State to take advantage of the online facility and complete their registration within the stipulated period.

He reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to conducting a transparent, inclusive and credible voter registration exercise ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Advisory Board of The Nigeria Prize for Literature has unveiled the longlist for the 2026 edition of the prestigious award, with 11 poetry collections shortlisted from 223 entries submitted for this year’s competition.

Announcing the longlist on Thursday, the Chairman of the Advisory Board, Prof. Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, described the selection as a reflection of the outstanding quality, creativity and diversity of contemporary Nigerian poetry.

The longlisted titles, arranged alphabetically, are:

Adult Love by Tanure Ojaide

Bakandimiya by Saddiq Dzukogi

Black Passport by Paul Akpomuje

2000 Blacks by Ajibola Tolase

Ceremony of The Nameless by Theresa Lola

Corpus: Animistic Verses by Ayo Oyeku

Floral’s Love Colony by Tares Oburumu

The Origin of Wounds by Malik Gbolahan

The Years of Blood by Adebayo Agaru

Unbind Me Now by James Ugwu Eze

Why Does God Need a Gun by Ogaga Ifowodo.

Prof. Adimora-Ezeigbo described the announcement as an important milestone in the 2026 edition of what she called one of Africa’s biggest and most prestigious literary prizes.

She said the selected collections demonstrate poetry’s enduring ability to illuminate human experiences through thoughtful reflection, cultural memory and artistic expression.

According to her, the works revisit history while interrogating dominant historical narratives and exposing the forces that shape collective identities and social relationships. Despite their different themes, she noted that the books share a commitment to exploring resilience in the face of violence, oppression and social fragmentation.

Commenting on the literary quality of the entries, she said the collections exhibit remarkable diversity in style, characterised by lyrical intensity, symbolic depth and artistic innovation.

She noted that many of the works employ allegorical and elegiac techniques that invite multiple interpretations, while others draw from folklore, oral traditions and contemporary realities to create a rich fusion of the past and present.

‘Many employ densely poetic, allegorical, and elegiac modes that invite multiple layers of

interpretation, while others draw extensively on folklore, oral traditions, and contemporary

realities to create a compelling fusion of past and present. Their language is generally fluid,

evocative, and aesthetically refined, relying on vivid imagery, emotional resonance, and

intellectual sophistication to communicate complex ideas. These works demonstrate how

poetic language can illuminate social realities; challenge established perspectives and give

voice to both individual and collective experiences.

‘The next stage will demand a closer reading of each work, with attention to language, form,

originality and lasting literary value,’ she stated.

She also commended the panel of judges for their dedication and reaffirmed the Advisory Board’s commitment to maintaining a credible selection process while promoting literary excellence and a vibrant reading culture.

The announcement formally opens the next phase of the competition, with a shortlist of three books expected in August, while the winner will be announced in October.

Sponsored by the Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG), The Nigeria Prize for Literature carries a cash award of $100,000 for the winning author. Now in its 22nd year, the prize rotates annually among four genres-prose fiction, poetry, drama and children’s literature-with the 2026 edition dedicated to poetry.

Stakeholders have urged the Federal Government to move beyond policy formulation and ensure the effective implementation of energy sector reforms to unlock Nigeria’s vast energy potential.

They identified poor policy execution, weak institutions and inadequate infrastructure as major barriers to sustainable energy development and investment in the country.

The call was made on Wednesday at the 4th Dr. Diran Fawibe Annual Lecture Series held at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, Oyo State.

The event, organised by the Centre for Petroleum, Energy Economics and Law (CPEEL), University of Ibadan, in collaboration with International Energy Services Limited (IESL), brought together energy experts, academics and industry stakeholders.

Delivering the keynote lecture titled ‘The Public-Private Energy Shift: Innovation, Investment, Implementation,’ Professor Yinka Omorogbe (SAN) said Nigeria possesses abundant natural resources capable of meeting its energy demands but has continued to underperform due to governance challenges and poor implementation of existing policies.

She stressed that government and the private sector should focus on their respective strengths instead of competing for the same responsibilities.

According to her, government should concentrate on strengthening policy and regulatory frameworks and creating an enabling environment for investment, while the private sector should drive financing, innovation and project execution.

Omorogbe noted that investors would be more willing to commit resources to Nigeria if they were assured of stable policies, transparent regulations, enforceable contracts and credible institutions.

She also emphasised the need to strengthen collaboration between research institutions and investors to ensure innovative ideas are adequately funded and commercialised.

Chairman of the occasion, Dr. Layi Fatona, said Nigeria could harness its enormous energy resources to drive economic growth if government agencies, universities and private sector operators worked more closely.

He observed that policies alone would not transform the sector without adequate investment, innovation and effective implementation.

Fatona added that consistent execution of reforms would determine the long-term success of Nigeria’s energy industry.

Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Kayode Adebowale, said the country must urgently bridge the gap between policy formulation and implementation.

He reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to supporting national development through research, capacity building and evidence-based policy recommendations, particularly through the activities of CPEEL.

Earlier, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of IESL, Mr. Bayo Ige, said the annual lecture series was established to deepen collaboration between academia and the energy industry.

He disclosed that the partnership between IESL and CPEEL has produced several innovative projects, including artificial intelligence-powered solar irrigation systems, smart electricity meters, hybrid biodigesters, solar-powered generators and agricultural robotics.

Ige also announced that construction of the Dr. Diran Fawibe CPEEL Research Centre is progressing steadily.

He called on indigenous energy companies and corporate organisations to invest more in research and development, noting that government alone cannot deliver Nigeria’s energy ambitions.

In his remarks, the honouree, Dr. Diran Fawibe, urged stakeholders to ensure that discussions at policy forums translate into measurable actions.

He said Nigeria requires consistent policies, stronger public-private collaboration, practical research and sustained industry commitment to achieve energy security and stimulate industrial and economic growth.

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.

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.