284km Kano-Katsina rail project at 80 percent completion level – Ministry of Transportation

The Federal Ministry of Transportation has disclosed that the 284km Kano-Katsina railway project is at 80 percent completion level.

Speaking after inspecting the project, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, Engineer Funso Adebiyi, represented by the Director, Rail Transport Services, Engr. Habibat Buhari, said the project remains fully on course despite some setbacks.

She explained that the rainy season has slowed down construction activities slightly, but stressed that significant work had been accomplished.

The director stated that the current level of physical progress is around 80 percent, noting that materials required for tracklaying had been stockpiled at the project camp.

‘We have done a lot of work and the project has reached a stage where major construction activities could be accelerated,’ he said.

Buhari identified insecurity in some sections of the corridor and disputes over land and canal areas as the two major issues affecting the pace of construction.

‘These will only cause delays, not stop the project. We have had similar cases in the past and they have been attended to,’ she said.

She also disclosed that the government was intensifying engagement with affected communities, and other stakeholders to resolve the land-related disputes and enable contractors to move into the affected sections.

‘Even if we don’t get all of it, at least we will get the ones to commission by December. We are targeting the commissioning of the project by December, God’s willing, and there is no going back. So we are on course,’ she stated.

Also speaking after the inspection, the representative of the ministry of finance, the Director, office of the permanent secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance, Alhaji Muhammadu Kamal said government releases were being made as and when due and the federal government has released it 15 percent counterpart funding.

He said the level of work already completed demonstrated the federal government’s commitment to fulfilling its financial obligations under the project agreement.

Kamal explained that the project was being financed through a combination of loan facilities and counterpart funding, with the federal government responsible for 15 percent of the project financing while 85 percent was covered by the financing facility.

In his part, the Senior Country Officer and representative of the Development Bank of Southern Africa, Siya Biniza disclosed that the bank had invested about $250 million in the project.

Biniza described the railway as a strategic infrastructure investment with significant potential economic benefits for northern Nigeria and the wider region.

He said the inspection demonstrated that substantial financial resources had already been committed to the project.

Meanwhile, the contractor, Mota-Engil Nigeria, also reaffirmed its commitment to delivering the Kano-Katsina section by December 2026.

Representing the company and speaking in his capacity as chief financial officer, Vladislav Bystrenko said the first phase of the project, covering the Kano-Katsina corridor, was expected to be completed by December.

He disclosed that the extension from Katsina to Maradi in Niger Republic was expected to be completed by the end of 2027.

Nigerian, 9 Africa creatives set to showcase at fashion week London

Ten Africa fashion designers are gearing up to showcase their creative products at African Fashion Week London (AFWL) 2026, taking place at 8 Northumberland Avenue and the British Council Headquarters.

Among the ten designers include Nigerian designer, Adedayo Ilori, founder of the Dimeji Ilori label and a beneficiary of the British Council’s Creative DNA accelerator programme, among its showcased designers this year.

This edition is expected to build on the success of the partnerships with AFWL and British Council, reaffirming the council’s ongoing commitment to championing emerging African fashion talent on the global stage.

A statement said the initiative aligns with the British Council’s vision to drive sustainable growth by championing creative talent and expanding access to global markets for the next generation of African fashion entrepreneurs while investing in creative economy ecosystems that are rooted in local contexts and globally connected.

It added that Creative DNA is the British Council’s fashion initiative designed to support and uplift the fashion ecosystem in Africa.

‘It achieves this objective by nurturing designers’ skills, deepening their knowledge and expanding their networks.

‘Through their partnership, AFWL and the British Council have developed a thoughtfully designed eight-day programme that provides emerging African designers opportunities to explore market access pathways and share their work with new audiences,’ the statement read.

Adedayo founded his brand Dimeji Ilori in 2021. Based in Lagos, Adedayo has quickly gained attention for his emotionally charged design language, where heritage textiles, artisanal techniques, and contemporary silhouettes come together in collections that feel both deeply rooted and globally relevant.

‘My fashion label has benefitted immensely thanks to the mentorship I have received from Creative DNA. I am looking forward to engaging with other participants on current trends in the fashion industry,’ said Adedayo.

Some of the topics that will be discussed at the panels include African Fashion in Education, Creativity Beyond Borders and African Futures: Where African Design Is Going Now.

Director, British Nigeria Council Country, Donna McGowan said Adedayo’s brand has come a long way since Creative DNA started working with him.

‘We are delighted at the opportunity he has to represent Nigeria at African Fashion Week London.

‘Nigeria is the hub of Africa’s creative industry, and we will continue to collaborate with young Nigerian designers as they seek to grow their businesses,’ she said.

First Lady’s RHI lifts 1,638 widows of fallen heroes with N819million

No fewer than 1,638 families of police officers killed in the line are to receive financial support totalling N819 million from the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) to help them rebuild their livelihoods.

One thousand, three hundred and fifteen of the widows will receive N657,500,000 from the office of the Chief of Defence Staff, while 323 others will get N161,500,000 from the office of the Inspector-General of Police.

Each of the widows is expected to receive N500,000 under the programme, organised by the Office of the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, through the RHI Social Investment Programme.

Yesterday’s presentation of the sum by Senator Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja yesterday, is the second edition of the initiative since the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration came into office on May 29, 2023.

In attendance at the ceremony were Chief of Defence Staff(CDS) Olufemi Oluyede; Service Chiefs; the Inspector-General of Police(IG) Tunji Disu; wife of the Vice President, Nana Shettima; wife of the Senate President, Ekaette Akpabio; President of the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA Funmilola Disu; and wives of heads of security agencies.

The First Lady said: ‘Today( yesterday), we are providing financial support of N500,000 each to 1,638 widows of our fallen heroes, covering those who have lost their husbands in line of duty since the assumption of office of Mr President.

‘This will enable you to recapitalise an existing business or start a business of your choice to care for your families.

‘Today(yesterday), we will make a presentation of the sum of N657,500,000 to the Chief of Defence Staff for 1,315 widows, and the sum of N161,500,000 to the Inspector-General of Police for 323 widows, totalling N819 million’.

She disclosed that the beneficiaries’ bank accounts are already being credited, explaining that the presentation at the event was only symbolic.

‘As I speak, your accounts are being credited. This is just a symbolic presentation. God will bless and prosper whatever business venture you all engage in.’

She said the intervention was conceived not only to remember the sacrifices of personnel who died protecting the country but also to provide tangible support and opportunities for the women and families they left behind.

Senator Tinubu urged the women not to see themselves as victims of their losses, describing them instead as survivors who had demonstrated extraordinary courage by holding their families together after losing their husbands in the service of the nation.

She acknowledged the enormous responsibilities the widows had shouldered as military and police spouses, saying they had stood behind their husbands, kept the home front and continued to care for their children despite the pain of losing their partners in the line of duty.

‘We at the Renewed Hope Initiative recognise that the widows are not victims; they are survivors. You have shown extraordinary courage in the face of adversity, and we are here to offer a helping hand as we chart a new path forward’, the First Lady said.

According to the First Lady, the path of a military spouse is marked by sacrifice, uncertainty and the constant awareness of the risks faced by a loved one serving the country.

‘The path of a military spouse is not an easy one; it is a journey filled with uncertainty, sacrifice, and ever-present awareness of the inherent risk that comes with loving someone who serves a dear nation.

‘You brave women have stood by your husbands, keeping the home front, offering unwavering support and love. Also, you have felt the immense pain of losing your loved ones in line of duty.

‘I applaud and acknowledge the strength, resilience, and sacrifices you too have made for our dear country.

She thanked CDS Oluyede and IG Disu for assisting the RHI in compiling a comprehensive list and details of widows of fallen personnel from 2023 to date.

The First Lady also conveyed President Tinubu’s appreciation to the families, saying the President recognised and honoured the sacrifices of those who died in service to Nigeria.

‘The President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, honours and appreciates the sacrifices of those who lost their lives in service of our nation’, she said.

CDS Oluyede described the intervention as a demonstration of the Federal Government’s determination to provide relief and economic empowerment to Nigerians, particularly families who had suffered losses in defence of the country.

Gen. Oluyede urged the beneficiaries to use the money judiciously, particularly for their families’ welfare, children’s education and future development.

IG Disu described the intervention as an extraordinary demonstration of compassion and patriotism towards families whose loved ones paid the supreme price for Nigeria.

He said the sacrifices of fallen personnel did not end with their deaths but continued in the daily struggles of the spouses and children they left behind.

One of the beneficiaries, Salomi Gwaza, widow of the late Commander G.Y. Gwaza, who died during an operation to rescue 59 persons on July 30, 2024, said the N500,000 would help her expand her existing business.

‘The loss of a spouse comes with a lot of responsibility. For me, there is already an existing business, so I’ll be able to put in that fund to boost my business, so I can have more goods at the store’, she said, thanking the First Lady for remembering the families of fallen personnel.

Another beneficiary, Mrs Olubunmi Oni, whose husband, Major Segun Oni, died I in Zungeru, Niger State on August 13, 2023, said the intervention reassured the widows that they had not been forgotten.

Oni, who said she suspended her fashion business for about a year following her husband’s death before restarting it, said she would invest the N500,000 assistance in the business.

‘At some point in time, one would think that we are forgotten. We are really grateful for this welfare’, she said.

Troops kill 2 terrorists, recover 2 AK-47 rifles, motorcycles in Sokoto

Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have killed two terrorists and recovered two AK-47 rifles and three motorcycles during an operation in Rabah Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

The operation followed credible intelligence received in the early hours of Friday, August 28, 2026, about the movement of terrorists conveying hundreds of rustled cattle through the Maikujera general area of the LGA.

A statement by the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, said troops of Sector 2 moved to intercept the terrorists but encountered an ambush while advancing towards the area.

He said the troops responded with superior firepower, killing two terrorists and forcing others to flee into the surrounding bushes.

‘Subsequent exploitation of the area led to the recovery of two AK-47 rifles and three motorcycles abandoned by the fleeing terrorists,’ the statement said.

Danja added that the rustled cattle dispersed into the bushes during the firefight, saying troops were working with local vigilantes to locate and recover the livestock.

He said the area remained calm and stable as troops continued to dominate the area and maintain vigilance and ensure improved security.

2027: Kwara APC senator’s defection will boost our chances – PDP chieftain

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State, Prince Seun Odeyemi, has described the defection of the senator representing Kwara Central Senatorial District, Senator Salihu Mustapha, from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the PDP as a major political development that would strengthen the opposition party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Odeyemi, a PDP chieftain from Obbo-Ile Ward in Ekiti Local Government Area of the state, likened Mustapha’s entry into the PDP to a football club signing Argentine football legend Lionel Messi, describing the senator as a ‘big fish’ and a politician whose presence would boost the party’s electoral fortunes.

Speaking with the Tribune, Odeyemi said the senator’s defection was one of the best things to have happened to the Kwara PDP since its defeat in the 2019 elections.

He said; ‘In football, it is like Kwara PDP has signed Lionel Messi. Salihu Mustapha’s entry into our party is one of the best things that has ever happened to the Kwara PDP since we lost the election in 2019. If someone like Senator Salihu Mustapha could join a party, that means the light is there. There is no doubt about that’.

The PDP chieftain said he initially doubted reports that Mustapha was planning to leave the APC, noting that the development had now become a reality.

According to him, ‘the former Senate President and leader of the Kwara PDP, Dr. Bukola Saraki, is a meticulous politician who had remained committed to rebuilding the party ahead of the 2027 elections’.

‘Our leader, Dr. Bukola Saraki, is a meticulous person. When the rumour of Salihu Mustapha coming to the Kwara PDP started making the rounds, we were skeptical about it. But now that he has officially defected to our party, I have no doubt that we are winning the election at all levels next year.

‘Salihu Mustapha is a powerful addition to the Kwara PDP and he is a big fish,’ the Obbo-Ile Ward PDP chieftain said.

Odeyemi also backed Senator Mustapha’s assertion that he would defeat his political rival, Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, before noon on election day, describing the statement as an expression of confidence backed by the senator’s popularity and political antecedents.

He said: ‘Senator Salihu Mustapha’s claim that by or before noon on the day of next year’s senatorial election he would have defeated his APC rival, Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, is not a mere statement, but a fact. I say this because if you look at the 2023 election, Salihu Mustapha was the most popular candidate that the APC produced at all levels. What wins an election is popularity. He knows what he was saying.’

Odeyemi also said the senator had built considerable political goodwill and influence in Kwara Central, adding that his track record had made him one of the most popular politicians in the state.

‘Yes, before noon on the day of the election, he would have beaten the governor hands down. Mustapha is one of the finest politicians in Kwara State and one of the most popular. If you look at his antecedents, he has done a lot in Kwara Central,’ he added.

Speaking on the 2027 governorship election, Odeyemi expressed optimism that the PDP governorship candidate, Engr. Kale Kawu, would defeat the APC candidate, Yakub Salihu Danladi, at the poll.

He said the PDP was not intimidated by the fact that the APC was the incumbent party, arguing that the popularity of its candidate among the people would give it an advantage.

‘With my calculations and God on our side, our gubernatorial candidate, Engr. Kale Kawu, will also beat Yakub Salihu Danladi at the governorship poll. Forget the fact that APC is in power. The people of Kwara State love Kale Kawu. He has brought light to all the nooks and crannies of this state,’ the former Rivers State Revenue Officer stressed.

Odeyemi also dismissed insinuations that his empowerment programmes were politically motivated, saying his interventions were primarily aimed at giving back to society through his foundation.

The PDP House of Assembly aspirant in the 2023 election said his empowerment initiatives had benefited people beyond his immediate political ward and were not tied to his political ambitions.

‘My empowerment programme is beyond my personal ward. Each time I notice that someone has a challenge, I try to help. I have done empowerment programmes across all the 10 wards of Ekiti Local Government Area. The evidence is there. I dug boreholes for my community in Ora-Ayetoro. In Obbo-Ile, I have repaired more than four boreholes.

‘At every Christmas, I roll out empowerment programmes for my people throughout the 10 wards in Ekiti Local Government. I distribute food items, money and grinding machines, despite the fact that I am not occupying any political position. Helping the less privileged is inbuilt in me. I have a foundation through which we carry out these empowerment programmes. So, it is not about politics. I just love giving back to the society that made me,’ he said.

The politician also commended Dr. Bukola Saraki for what he described as his steadfastness and commitment to ensuring the PDP regains political power in Kwara State in 2027.

Odeyemi, who described Saraki as the best governor the state has ever produced, said his loyalty to the PDP was largely influenced by his admiration for the former governor and Senate President.

He said, ‘Even before the 2013 election, the Kwara APC had been trying to lure me into its fold, but I refused because of my love for Dr. Bukola Saraki. If you look at the deeds of all past governors in Kwara State, you will come to the conclusion that Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki is the best governor Kwara State has ever produced. The facts are there.

‘He is the most intelligent governor we have ever produced. If you do random sampling in town, you will realise that Dr. Bukola Saraki is the best Senate President Nigeria has ever produced. So, I stayed in the PDP to emulate him, believing that we will also get there one day,’ the Ora-Ayetoro-born politician affirmed.

Police hunt Amotekun operative accused of assault

The Ondo State Police Command has launched a manhunt for an officer of the Ondo State Security Network Agency, codenamed Amotekun, Akinfaderin Obateru, over the alleged brutal assault of a resident, Segun Olorunju, in Ilutitun, Okitipupa Local Government Area of the state.

Olorunju is currently receiving treatment at the State Specialist Hospital, Okitipupa, after he was allegedly beaten, stripped naked and seriously injured by a group of suspects.

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Jimoh Abayomi, said one suspect, Gbenga Akinfaderin, had been arrested in connection with the case, while Obateru remained at large.

‘The arrested suspect is being investigated for alleged conspiracy, assault occasioning harm and conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace,’ Abayomi said.

According to him, preliminary investigations indicated that Obateru allegedly led the attack, prompting the command to intensify efforts to apprehend him and other fleeing suspects.

‘The command is making concerted efforts to arrest the fleeing suspects. Anyone found culpable will be brought to justice. No individual or group will be allowed to take the law into their own hands,’ the police spokesman added.

Meanwhile, an Ondo-based lawyer, Mr Wale Odusola, who visited the victim at the hospital, said Olorunju’s condition remained serious, with medical personnel suspecting that he might have sustained a head injury.

‘The victim has been complaining of severe headaches, and doctors have recommended a brain scan to determine the extent of the suspected injury,’ Odusola said.

He explained that the scan could not be conducted in Okitipupa and would have to be carried out either in Ondo or Akure, adding that the victim’s family lacked the financial resources to cover the cost.

‘I have made a financial contribution towards his treatment and will continue to monitor the situation,’ he said.

Narrating the circumstances surrounding the alleged assault, Odusola noted that Olorunju was still unconscious and unable to provide his own account of the incident.

‘I am relying on information provided by the victim’s sister, who alleged that Segun was previously in a relationship with a woman who later got married to the Amotekun officer. This is an allegation that I have not independently verified,’ he said.

According to the lawyer, the victim’s sister alleged that the officer’s elder brother contacted Olorunju and invited him to a location under the guise of wanting to see him.

‘She claimed that he was ambushed, abducted and taken to another location where he was brutally beaten,’ Odusola stated.

He further said the family alleged that when Olorunju’s condition deteriorated, the Amotekun officer and others involved in the attack took him to a clinic in Ilutitun before he was later transferred to the State Specialist Hospital in Okitipupa.

‘Those allegedly linked to the attack have neither visited him at the hospital nor contributed to his medical expenses,’ he added.

Odusola said he had contacted the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of the Ilutitun Police Station and obtained the names of persons allegedly involved in the incident.

‘The officer’s brother has been arrested and remains in police custody, while the Amotekun officer is said to have fled,’ he said.

The lawyer called on the police to ensure a thorough investigation of the matter and bring anyone found responsible to justice.

IYC gives NNPCL 7-day ultimatum to stop OML 18 gas Leak, fire

The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and other relevant agencies to urgently halt the persistent gas leak and recurring fires around facilities linked to Oil Mining Lease (OML) 18 in the Ofiomina-Ama Alakiri community, Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The ultimatum followed an on-the-ground assessment of the affected community by IYC leadership, led by its President, Dr Doubra Collins Okotete, who was accompanied to the disaster site by more than 50 speedboats.

In a statement signed by the IYC National Spokesman, Victor Ibaningo, the council said the gas leak and associated fires had persisted for more than two years despite repeated appeals, petitions and demands for government intervention.

The council said its assessment revealed a situation that posed serious risks to residents’ lives, health, livelihoods and property, as well as the environment and local economy.

According to the IYC, ‘what we witnessed was deeply disturbing,’ describing the prolonged exposure of residents to hazardous conditions as unacceptable.

The council also expressed concern over what it described as a possible equipment failure and operational negligence, rather than sabotage, as had sometimes been claimed in relation to such incidents.

The IYC said it was particularly disturbed by reports that NNPCL and its vendors had shifted some operations to the community’s shores because of the persistent fire around the affected facilities.

‘We understand that various activities involving the loading and unloading of crude-related materials are now being carried out around the community, further exposing residents to additional risks and worsening an already precarious situation,’ the statement said.

The council accused NNPCL and relevant government agencies of failing to respond adequately to repeated complaints from the affected communities.

‘For more than two years, our people have reportedly written numerous letters, submitted petitions and made repeated appeals to NNPCL and various government agencies, seeking urgent intervention. Yet, the response has remained grossly inadequate,’ it said.

The IYC called on the Federal Government, NNPCL, NAPIMS, NESREA, NOSDRA, the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, NUPRC, NMDPRC, the Rivers State Government and other stakeholders to urgently halt the development.

The Ijaw youths demanded the immediate identification and containment of the gas leak, measures to prevent further fire outbreaks, a comprehensive safety assessment of the affected facilities, and environmental assessment and remediation of the impacted areas.

The council also demanded relief and safety measures for affected residents, meaningful engagement with the communities, and payment of appropriate compensation to those adversely affected.

The IYC said the seven-day ultimatum was ‘not a threat or an attempt at provocation,’ but a final call for responsible engagement, accountability and urgent action.

The council, however, warned that failure to act within the stipulated period would compel its members to consider further lawful measures, including mobilising Ijaw youths and affected communities for a peaceful shutdown of the affected facilities and suspension of production activities until the concerns were addressed.

‘Patience must not be mistaken for weakness, and silence must never be interpreted as consent to the continued endangerment of our people,’ the council warned.

The IYC urged the Federal Government, NNPCL, regulatory agencies and the Rivers State Government to use the seven-day window to resolve the crisis and prevent further escalation.

‘We demand action. We demand accountability. We demand environmental justice,’ the council declared.

NPA challenges NERDC’s power to rank already-approved textbooks

The Nigerian Publishers Association (NPA) has asked the Federal High Court in Ibadan to determine whether the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) can compel publishers to subject already-approved textbooks to a fresh ranking exercise.

The association, in a suit marked FHC/IB/CS/117/26, is challenging the legal basis of the Textbook Ranking Framework introduced by NERDC, arguing that the policy could affect textbooks that have already gone through the Council’s assessment, approval and certification processes.

The suit, filed at the Federal High Court, Ibadan Judicial Division, has the President of Nigeria, NERDC, the Minister of Education and the Attorney-General of the Federation as defendants.

At the heart of the case is whether NERDC’s statutory powers extend to making further ranking a condition for the continued use, distribution, procurement or sale of textbooks that have already been approved.

The NPA is also contesting the Ranking Fee attached to the exercise, questioning the authority of NERDC to impose the charge on publishers as a condition for participation in the framework.

Another key issue before the court is the validity of regulations purportedly introduced under the NERDC Act. The publishers want the court to determine whether such regulations can take effect without the approval of the President and publication in the Federal Gazette, as prescribed by law.

The association said the controversy is particularly significant because publishers who fail to participate in the ranking exercise could have their previously approved textbooks excluded from classroom use.

The NPA is therefore seeking judicial clarification on whether NERDC has the statutory authority to impose such conditions on publishers and their books.

The association said it had previously engaged the Federal Ministry of Education and NERDC over the policy, but the disagreement persisted, prompting the decision to seek judicial interpretation.

However, the NPA stressed that the court action should not be seen as a rejection of dialogue with the government.

It said it remained committed to meaningful engagement with the Federal Government and other stakeholders towards developing a textbook approval system that is lawful, transparent and responsive to the interests of learners, teachers and the publishing industry.

The statement was signed by Rotimi Iyiola, Executive Secretary, Nigerian Publishers Association.

Over N1.8trn invested to expand national grid in 2026 – TCN

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has stated that it secured more than $1.4bn (N1.87trn) from multilateral development agencies to expand and strengthen the national grid.

Speaking during a training workshop for power correspondents yesterday in Keffi, Nassarawa State, TCN’s Executive Director, Transmission Service Provider, Engr. Dr. Ajiboye Oluwagbenga, said the investments are in the form of loans and grants that has seen the growth of the grid to take more electricity to Nigerian homes.

He said this has enabled the company to commission 89 transmission transformers across the country and added 8,700 transformation power to the grid.

He added that the investments and partnerships are mostly from the World Bank, AFDB, JICA, AFD and other stakeholders that are trying to come into the power sector for investment.

He however lamented the toll vandalism is taking on the toll, saying it is preventing funds to be spent on other critical infrastructures.

‘Persistent attacks continue to threaten towers, lines, substations and projects. While those who attack this infrastructure are Nigerians, it is sad that they prioritise their pocket over the general benefit of Nigerians.’

He added that it is partnering with the Office of the National Security Adviser to ensure those caught are prosecuted.

While stating that community engagement has helped to reduce vandalism and apprehend culprits, he called on Nigerians to report suspicious activities on transmission lines.

‘Our staff don’t work on lines or remove anything from it except if there is an issue. So, anyone seen working on transmission lines should be reported to police or vigilantes close to them. This is because the perpetrators are criminals and might be armed. So, any sighting of unauthorised activity should be reported,’ he said.

On the claim that the transmission line is the weakest point in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry, he said it is false as other players try to shift blame of their own inefficiencies.

‘When they say TCN is the weakest link, we work there and we know it’s not true. But we don’t have to shout too much because we are a government agency. You could see for the past two days now, Abuja Disco is claiming that TCN is the cause of its constraint for reduced supply to its customers. We have to look around our network and nothing has gone bad in our network. All our lines to Abuja are on.

‘So we have responded to them that no, because they find it very easy to blame TCN for everything. I’m not blaming them. We are the only government agency among them. So any small thing, they want to blame TCN because the federal government is very big.’

BlastOff returns with Galala Edition A Night of Street Anthems

Following the successful debut of BlastOff with DJ Turbo D, Kúrònbèfun Entertainment is set to return with the next chapter of its entertainment platform, ‘BlastOff: Galala Edition A Night of Street Anthems,’ celebrating the global festive season, Detty December.

BlastOff brings together music, culture, entertainment and social experiences, providing a platform where people from different backgrounds can connect, celebrate and share unforgettable moments.

The 2026 edition takes inspiration from the sounds and energy of the streets, bringing the nostalgia of classic Nigerian street anthems together with the energy of today’s entertainment scene.

The inaugural edition featured an impressive lineup of established and emerging entertainment including DJ Jimmy Jatt, DJ Zeez, Korede Bello, DJ Turbo D, Kleva Jay and Famous, alongside comedy performances from DeeOne, Phroneses and Mario, with Hypeman Twix and live musical entertainment from Debbi Vic.

BlastOff also introduced interactive games, competitions and giveaways, delivering an atmosphere driven by audience participation and entertainment.

The success of the first edition established the foundation for BlastOff as an annual platform that connects music, culture, entertainment, brands and audiences, while contributing to the excitement surrounding Nigeria’s global festive season.

With Galala Edition, Kúrònbèfun Entertainment is taking that experience into its next chapter, bringing back the street anthems that shaped generations while delivering new memories for today’s audience.

As preparations continue, Kúrònbèfun Entertainment is expected to unveil further details about the entertainment lineup and special attractions surrounding this year’s edition.