Category: The Nation – Nigeria

The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) on Tuesday morning blamed the dip in electricity generation on the disruption of gas supply.

Its management in a statement said the disruption was due to the industrial actions of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) within the gas supply chain.

‘Public Notice on Generation Curtailment Due to Gas Supply Disruptions

The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) wishes to notify the public of recent major generation shortfalls on the National Grid, caused by industrial actions of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) within the gas supply chain,’ the statement reads.

NISO further noted that the disruptions triggered widespread gas shortages, reducing available generation from over 4,300 MW in the early hours of Sunday, 28th September 2025 to about 3,200 MW at the lowest point.

In response, NISO said it has promptly deployed contingency measures to preserve the stability, security, and reliability of the National Grid.

According to the statement, key interventions include:

Hydropower Optimization: Strategic ramp-ups from major hydro stations, contributing over 400 MW of additional output to cushion the shortfall from gas-fired plants.

The statement added that ‘Generation Dispatch and Load Balancing: Real-time load adjustments to match available generation with system demand, while preventing a system frequency collapse.

Voltage and Frequency Support: Continuous deployment of reactive power compensation and reserve monitoring to safeguard system integrity.

‘Demand-Side Management: Selective load shedding, applied as a last resort, to avert a system-wide collapse and ensure fair power distribution.

‘These timely actions enabled the NISO NCC to minimize the impact of the labour-induced gas shortages, sustain operational security, and maintain supply to critical loads, thereby averting a nationwide blackout.

‘The System Operator reaffirms its commitment to proactive grid management, operational excellence, and the application of best-in-class practices to guarantee a secure and reliable electricity supply for the nation.’

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has praised Speaker Tajudeen Abbas as a nation builder and leader par excellence in a heartfelt message marking his 60th birthday.

Kalu described Abbas as a true democrat with a record of selfless service, whose pragmatic leadership has driven remarkable accomplishments while promoting empathy, humanitarian causes, and good governance.

He extended warm wishes for the Speaker’s continued health and fruitful years, dedicating the message on behalf of his family and constituents in Bende Federal Constituency, Abia State.

‘I wish to commend your exemplary, selfless, and all-inclusive leadership and commitment towards uniting the nation. Since the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly in June 2023, you’ve shown commitment to developing, sustaining Nigeria’s democracy and promoting good governance through effective representation.

‘The House, under your able leadership, has witnessed a peaceful atmosphere and tremendous progress. I am grateful for the confidence you reposed in me to serve and the overwhelming support we enjoy from our colleagues. I wish you many happy returns and more prosperous years ahead. Congratulations, Sir.’

Jose Mourinho’s latest return to Stamford Bridge ended in frustration as Chelsea secured a narrow Champions League victory over his new club Benfica thanks to Richard Rios’ first-half own goal.

Such is the affection Chelsea fans have for Mourinho they serenaded him before and during the encounter.

Mourinho, who replaced former Wolves boss Bruno Lage 12 days ago, responded by waving to both ends of the ground.

But he would doubtless have preferred Benfica not to provide a present to their hosts as Colombian midfielder Rios could not get out of the way when Alejandro Garnacho sent Pedro Neto’s-far post cross fizzing back into the six-yard area, giving goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin no chance of keeping the ball out.

Their was frustration for the Blues though as well, with substitute Joao Pedro sent off in the sixth minute of stoppage time for a second yellow card, Chelsea’s third red card in four games.

Although they dominated possession and had more shots than their opponents, Chelsea hardly threatened the Benfica goal, with Garnacho wasting a couple of opportunities on his second start for his new club.

Teenage substitute Estevao Willian did eventually force Trubin into a decent save near the end as he stretched for a header.

It was Chelsea’s first victory in the Champions League since March 2023.

More importantly, it ended a poor sequence of results in a month where their only victory came in the EFL Cup at League One Lincoln and provides Enzo Maresca some breathing space before Saturday’s Premier League encounter with Liverpool.

The Akwa Ibom State Government has procured 50 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses and commenced the construction of ultra-modern terminals and bus stations across the state.

Commissioner for Information, Aniekan Umanah, disclosed this on Tuesday during a joint press briefing with the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ekem John, and the Chief Press Secretary, Ekerete Udoh.

Umanah also revealed that about 771km of roads are currently at various stages of construction, while 31 completed bridges are set for commissioning.

He noted that the achievements reflect the progress made under Governor Umo Eno’s administration in just two years, across sectors guided by the ARISE Agenda, as Akwa Ibom marks its 38th anniversary.

In the aviation sector, the commissioner said, ‘The aviation sector continues to soar with the acquisition of four new aircraft for Ibom Air, construction of the Aviation Village, and completion of the new Terminal Building and Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility at the Victor Attah International Airport.

On security, he said, ‘In security, the establishment of the Ministry of Internal Security and Waterways, recruitment of 4,500 community watch personnel, provision of gunboats and patrol vehicles, and creation of a Security and Command Centre have strengthened the State’s safety architecture’.

Speaking on tourism, the commissioner said, ‘ecological remediation of 70 hectares of gullies and construction of the ARISE Resort are underway, alongside works at the 5,000-capacity Ibom International Convention Centre and Hotel and the ARISE Shopping City.

‘In training and empowerment, more than 10,000 youths and SMEs have benefited, and the administration is constructing a 2,000-capacity Amphi-Theatre to host the Annual Christmas Unplugged Event.

‘In addition, the newly established ?100 million Creative Industry Fund is being deployed to strengthen talent development, drive capacity building, and expand opportunities for the entertainment and film sector, thereby positioning Akwa Ibom as a creative hub in Nigeria.

‘In roads and bridges, over 771 kilometres of roads are at various stages of construction, and 31 bridges have been completed.

Umanah disclosed that, ‘In agriculture, the State has established the Ibom Model Farm, rolled out the Arise Home Farms Scheme and the Back-to-Farm Initiative, while distributing inputs to farmers.

‘In healthcare, there are now functional health centres across all LGAs, a State Health Insurance Scheme, a 350-bed International Hospital under development, an Emergency Ambulance Service, a Medical Oxygen Production Plant, and an expanded workforce of medical personnel’.

Colonel Emmanuel Ola Arogundade (Rtd)is dead.

He died in the early hours of Friday September 19, 2025, according to a statement on behalf of the family by David Seyi Arogundade.

It reads ‘ It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of our dear husband, father, grandfather, brother Colonel Emmanuel Ola Arogundade (rtd) whose kindness, love, and impact touched many lives’

‘Please keep us in your prayers as we mourn his demise in this period. Further announcements will be made public in due course.’

The Rivers State Government has cancelled the parade to mark the 65th Independence Day in the State.

A statement by Sir Dede Friday of the Special Services Bureau, said the event earlier scheduled to hold at the Sharks Stadium, Port Harcourt was called off.

The statement said the development was in line with the Federal Government’s decision to cancel a similar event.

‘We regret any inconvenience caused by this cancellation,’ the statement reads.

Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is one of the options on the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) shopping list for presidential candidate in 2027, the party said yesterday.

It also said that it was too late for the allies of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in and outside the PDP to stop its convention billed for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The party spoke yesterday through its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Debo Ologunagba, who doubles as the secretary of the Publicity Sub-Committee of PDP’s National Convention Organising Committee.

He told reporters in Abuja that the PDP extended the deadline for submission of nomination forms so that further consultations can be conducted for states to take final decisions on micro-zoning of positions.

Saying he is neither the spokesman for Prof Jerry Gana nor Dr. Jonathan, who Gana recently described as PDP’s likely choice for presidential candidate in 2027, Ologunagba said the party boasts of performing governors and other excellent personalities, who may be considered for the party’s ticket.

He said: ‘I don’t speak for Prof Gana or former President Jonathan but our party has many worthy personalities and we shall cross the bridge when we reach there.’

On reports that a faction backed by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT Minister), Nyesom Wike, has successfully conducted a state congress and re-elected PDP’s former National Publicity Secretary, Venatius Ikem as its chairman, Ologunagba dismissed such perceptions as ‘mere hallucination’.

He said the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), led by Umar Damagum, had postponed the state congress and decided that Southsouth Zonal Caretaker Committee, led by Chief Emmanuel Ogidi, will oversee affairs in the Cross River state chapter until a decision is taken to notify INEC and conduct proper state congresses in Cross River, Plateau and Kebbi states, where the exercises have been postponed.

Ologunagba said: ‘Emphatically, there was no PDP state congress in Cross River State; we are getting into the season of carnival in Calabar and those people only went there to do their carnival and it is okay because Calabar is a friendly place where people have a nice time, drink and have a jolly time.

‘This party has its due process and for those who think they can gather people to have drinks and call it a party congress, that’s mere hallucination; as for anyone who seeks to bring the party into disrepute, we will follow them up with proper and due process.’

Commenting on reports about conflicting letters sent to INEC by Damagum and the PDP National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Ologunagba said the Damagum-led NWC is the sole body that decides for the party and not any individual.

‘There are people in our fold who are working with APC; we know that but we are united as a political party and we are strongly focused,’ he added.

He also dismissed the possibilities that someone from any state or group can sabotage the party’s national convention plans, saying the PDP train has reached Ibadan while the National Convention Organising Committee (NCOC) office at Legacy House in Abuja (which he unveiled on Monday), will serve as a hub for all relevant party activities.

On why the party’s micro-zoning process has not been concluded, Ologunagba said talks were still on in parts of the country.

He said: ‘Out of the need to allow for more consultation and consensus-building, the NCOC few days ago approved an extension of deadline for completion of forms as well as the date for screening of aspirants because we want more people to be involved so that we can have a contention-free national convention in Ibadan.

‘The new dates are to be announced later in line with party guidelines but 15 sub-committees have been appointed for a hitch-free convention and these include the screening sub-committee, venue sub-committee, and other committees for transportation, publicity, accreditation, security and intelligence, entertainment and welfare sub-committee, protocols, medical, accommodation and the Monitoring and Evaluation Committee.

‘We also have a Constitution Amendment and Technical Committee because there is need to look into our constitution again.’

Ologunagba elaborated further on other issues: ‘We have concluded state congresses in Lagos, Oyo, Ondo, Edo, Borno, Niger, Kogi, Adamawa, and in the next few days, the PDP NWC will receive a report on the conduct of those congresses but the NWC has approved the postponement of congresses in Cross River, Plateau and Kebbi states.

‘As far as we are concerned, there was no state congress authorised by this party or consistent with its processes and procedures in Cross River, Plateau and Kebbi states where the congresses have been postponed.

‘In the case of Cross River and Plateau states, the NWC will consider a Caretaker Committee for Cross River State chapter under the direct supervision of the Southsouth Caretaker Committee, led by Chief Emmanuel Ogidi, until the date for a congress because the tenure of the exco in that state expired on September 18.

‘The Ogidi committee will continue to oversee party affairs in Cross River until we give statutory notice to INEC for the conduct of state congresses in Cross River, Plateau and Kebbi states.’

‘In Ekiti State, we have five aspirants who have bought governorship nomination forms with three men – Olumayokun Oluwole Oluyede, Dr. Funso Ayeni and two women who did not need to pay for Nomination Forms because of our party’s effort to boost women’s participation.

‘Their screening will take place on October 2 at the NCOC Conference Hall at Legacy House, Abuja.

‘PDP’s scheduled national convention will be very significant for Nigeria’s democracy; that is why you see APC jittery and it is understandable because we have a history of 16 years’ record of prosperity that was unlike APC’s years of scarcity,’ he said.

A coalition of civil society organisations has applauded the ruling of the National Industrial Court in Abuja halting the planned strike by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) against the Dangote Refinery.

The group, operating under the aegis of the Coalition for the Defence of Economic Rights (CODER), described the interim order as ‘a victory for the rule of law and economic stability’.

In a statement issued after an emergency meeting on Monday night and signed by its president, Comrade Babajide Oresanya, CODER urged all parties to respect the decision of the court and allow due process to take its course.

‘We hail the decision of the court under Justice Emmanuel Sublim to stop the strike and preserve the integrity of our economy,’ Oresanya said.

‘The attempt to cripple operations at the Dangote Refinery by cutting off crude oil and gas supply would have inflicted incalculable damage on the livelihoods of ordinary Nigerians. The judiciary has once again risen to the occasion by protecting both the rule of law and the national interest.’

The coalition further warned that industrial unions must not act in a manner that undermines national development or the survival of critical infrastructure.

‘While we recognise and respect the constitutional right of workers to organise and press their demands, such rights must be exercised responsibly and within the bounds of the law. The refinery is not just a private enterprise; it is a strategic national asset with implications for energy security, job creation, and the wider economy. To hold it hostage for union politics is unacceptable,’ the statement read.

Oresanya urged PENGASSAN to retrace its steps and engage in constructive dialogue rather than confrontation.

He also commended the federal government for acting swiftly by meeting with PENGASSAN and regulatory agencies such as the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), while urging stakeholders to abide strictly by the interim order of the court.

‘The court has spoken. Any attempt to flout this order would amount to contempt and could further escalate the situation. Nigerians are watching, and what the country needs at this moment is stability, not conflict. Respect for the judiciary is non-negotiable,’ Oresanya stressed.

The coalition also expressed concern that the controversy surrounding PENGASSAN’s allegations against the refinery could distract from the broader national goal of energy sufficiency.

‘Independent investigations and facts on ground have shown that the Dangote Refinery has been a net creator of jobs, both directly and indirectly. Rather than peddling unsubstantiated allegations, the union should channel energy into ensuring that the refinery delivers optimally and contributes to reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imported petroleum products,’ the group noted.

CODER concluded by calling on Nigerians to remain calm and trust in the judicial process.

‘The interim order is only the first step. The substantive matter will be heard on October 13, and we are confident that the court will dispense justice in line with the facts presented. What is most important now is that all parties submit to the authority of the court and allow reason to prevail,’ Oresanya added.

The National Industrial Court had earlier on Monday restrained PENGASSAN from proceeding with its nationwide strike after Dangote Refinery’s counsel, George Ibrahim, filed an ex-parte application.

Justice Sublim ruled that the strike could cause irreparable harm to the economy and ordered all parties to maintain the status quo until the substantive case is heard.

The National Association of Catholic Lawyers (NACL), Archdiocese of Ibadan, would host the Jubilee of Hope: Day of Justice events, on Saturday, October 4, 2025.

The event will hold at the Catholic Church of the Ascension, Bodija, Ibadan, Oyo State.

The event will begin with the Holy Mass at 10am, which would have His Grace, Most Rev. (Dr.) Gabriel ‘Leke Abegunrin, Catholic Archbishop of Ibadan as the Chief Celebrant.

President of NACL, Archdiocese of Ibadan, Michael Agbolade and the Chairman, Planning Committee, Williams Tijani, said this year’s edition would be unique in a number of ways. ‘Firstly, it is organised to mark ‘The Jubilee of Hope: Day of Justice’, as declared by His Holiness, Pope Francis.

‘Secondly, it would feature the launch of a booklet titled, ‘Legal Guide for Catholic Faithful’, a practical resource package, compiling insights from the association’s legal clinics on key areas of law that touch on people’s lives in a way that aligns with both civil law and Catholic values.’

They said that the event would serve as an opportunity to reflect on justice as a source of hope in today’s world, and mark the commencement of the new legal year.

The statement said new wigs would be welcomed into the profession, while the St. Thomas More Award would be conferred on some NACL members to recognise their outstanding contributions to justice.

Distinguished guests expected include Catholic Bishops from the Ecclesiastical Province of Ibadan; Chairman of the Day, Hon. Justice Peter Ige (rtd), Patron of NACL Ibadan and Chairman, Board of Trustees, National Association of Catholic Lawyers of Nigeria; and the Chief Host of the Day, His Grace, Archbishop Gabriel ‘Leke Abegunrin.

The keynote address is to be delivered by a Professor of Law at the School of Law and Security Studies, Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Prof. Titilayo Aderibigbe and is titled, ‘Is There Hope for Justice in the Present Nigeria?’; and panel discussion including the Pastoral Secretary, Archdiocese of Ibadan; Very Rev. Fr. Richard Omolade; and a former Secretary to the Oyo State Government, Chief Ayodele Adigun.

The lawyers have expressed appreciation to Archbishop Abegunrin for his unwavering support and fatherly care for the association and the legal profession.

‘With your continued prayers and guidance, we are confident that the Jubilee of Hope: Day of Justice will be a meaningful and impactful occasion, advancing the mission of justice and peace in our Archdiocese and beyond’, the statement added. The Ibadan Branch of NACL is dedicated to promoting justice and upholding the rule of law by bringing together Catholic lawyers from across Nigeria to work towards a just and equitable society.’, the statement said.

The Nigeria Football Federation has confirmed that the senior men national team, Super Eagles, will take on Venezuela and Colombia in the United States of America during the FIFA window for international friendly matches in the month of November 2025.

NFF’s FIFA Match Agent, Jairo Pachon of Eurodata Sport, said the Super Eagles will be up against Venezuela on Friday, 14th November 2025 at the Shell Stadium in Houston, Texas, with kick-off billed for 8pm Texas time.

On Tuesday, 18th November 2025, the three-time African champions will confront the Los Cafeteros of Colombia at the Citi Field Stadium in Flushing Meadows, borough of Queens, New York with kick-off billed for 8pm Eastern Time (1am Wednesday, 19th November in Nigeria).

In their last sojourn in the United States of America, in the summer of 2022, the Super Eagles played against Mexico at the AT and T Stadium in Dallas, Texas, losing narrowly 1-2, with Nigeria’s goal coming off a powerful header by Cyriel Dessers. It was the first match in charge for Portuguese Coach José Peseiro.

The Eagles also took on Ecuador’s La Tricolor in New Jersey, losing by the odd goal.