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Niger Delta Environmental Justice Lawyers’ Network (NDEJLN) has demanded immediate emergency intervention in Bille Kingdom, Rivers, following the death of Miss Joy Amos from burns sustained in a gas explosion in her residence.

Joy Amos died after suffering severe burns in the September 3, 2026 explosion at Bille, Degema Local Government Area, with the group accusing government agencies and oil operators of failing to act on repeated warnings about hazardous gas seepages in the community.

In a statement signed by its Chairman, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, and Secretary, Courage Nsirmovu, the network described the incident as the consequence of what it called prolonged institutional inaction over environmental and public safety hazards in the area.

The lawyers said the explosion was preceded by more than a year of reports of volatile gas seepages and hazardous emissions allegedly emanating from the soil, waterways and residential areas of Bille Kingdom.

They said community members, scientists and civil society organisations had repeatedly raised concerns over the presence of methane gas and other hazards, but alleged that regulatory intervention had been inadequate.

According to the group, members of the network who undertook a fact-finding mission to Bille on September 17 observed extensive ecological degradation, including polluted waterways, fire explosions and hazardous gas emissions.

The network also recalled that a Federal Government delegation visited the community in July and promised immediate intervention and emergency infrastructure, but said the commitments had not translated into effective action before the fatal explosion.

‘The September 3, 2026 explosion was the predictable outcome of this systemic failure,’ the group said.

The lawyers consequently declared the situation in Bille a ‘community emergency’, arguing that the crisis had moved beyond an environmental concern to a human rights and public safety issue.

They demanded an independent forensic investigation, including a full medical autopsy and inquiry into Amos’ death, to establish the circumstances surrounding the explosion and determine liability.

The group also called for the immediate deployment of specialised technical teams to identify, isolate and permanently seal the source of the gas seepage.

It further demanded the temporary evacuation of residents in affected areas and the provision of potable water, relief materials and emergency healthcare to the community.

Beyond the immediate response, the lawyers called for a comprehensive ecological remediation programme and a public health impact study to determine the effects of prolonged exposure to pollutants and hazardous gases on residents.

The group also demanded compensation for the family of Amos and other persons affected by the environmental crisis.

‘The time for administrative promises has passed,’ the lawyers declared, urging the Federal Government, Rivers State Government, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) to take immediate action.

They warned that continued failure to isolate the source of the emissions could expose more residents to serious health and safety risks.

The forum said the Bille crisis should serve as a trigger for urgent intervention in other Niger Delta communities facing persistent oil and gas pollution, stressing that the protection of affected communities required ‘immediate, decisive intervention.’

Vice President Kashim Shettima has said Nigeria cannot afford to gamble with its energy security, stressing that reliable electricity remains central to national development and economic survival.

Shettima spoke on Wednesday at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new ultramodern National Control Centre of the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) in Osogbo, the Osun State capital.

The Vice President, who was represented by his Senior Special Adviser on Legal Services, Bashir Maidugu, said the electricity sector powers industries, supports businesses, enables hospitals and schools to function, and drives the growth of communities and enterprises.

‘For Nigeria, therefore, the question of electricity is not merely a question of infrastructure. It is a question of national development,’ the Vice President said.

He noted that transforming the power sector required more than increasing generation capacity and expanding transmission lines, stressing the need to build institutions that are clearly defined, professionally managed and accountable.

Shettima said the Electricity Act 2023 provides the framework for the transformation of the sector, including the integration of renewable energy into the national grid.

According to him, the new National Control Centre would provide NISO with a modern platform for real-time grid monitoring, system control, operational coordination, communications, data management and enhanced security.

The Vice President, however, warned that infrastructure alone would not transform the electricity sector without strong institutions to manage and operate it.

‘Infrastructure alone will not transform the electricity sector. The institutions operating that infrastructure must also uphold the highest standards of professionalism, transparency, accountability and technical discipline,’ he said.

In his remarks, the Minister of Power, Mr Joseph Tegbe, said the new ultramodern control centre would equip NISO with the capacity to monitor developments across the national grid and respond promptly to emerging challenges.

Tegbe, who commended President Bola Tinubu for his determination to address the underlying weaknesses affecting electricity supply and deliver improved results for Nigerians, said the existing control centre, built 64 years ago, could no longer meet the demands of NISO’s current responsibilities.

‘The National Control Centre is an integral part of our national power infrastructure. Generation plants and transmission lines depend on effective coordination to deliver electricity safely.

‘Through NISO, the centre supports the continuous balancing of electricity supply and demand, monitors grid network conditions and coordinates responses to disturbances,’ Tegbe stated.

Giving details of the project, the minister said the main building would comprise a basement, ground floor and first floor, accommodating operational, technical and support functions.

He said the facilities would provide an enabling environment for modern grid monitoring and control, while giving operators clearer and timely information on developments across the national grid.

Tegbe added that once equipped, tested and commissioned, the centre would strengthen coordination across the electricity industry and improve the ability of operators to respond to disturbances before they spread and coordinate restoration when interruptions occur.

He said the facility would also support the safe integration of renewable energy resources and Nigeria’s operational coordination within the West African Power Pool.

In his welcome address, the Managing Director of NISO, Engr. Bello Mohammed, described the ultramodern control centre as a foundation for the future of Nigeria’s electricity grid.

‘The true measure of this project will not be the size of the building or the sophistication of its equipment. Its true measure will be the difference it makes to the operation of the Nigerian power system and, ultimately, to the lives and economic activities that depend on reliable electricity,’ Mohammed stated.

Kano State Government has commenced the distribution of teaching and learning materials to 5,022 learners enrolled in the Accelerated Basic Education Programme (ABEP) across three local government areas of the state.

The exercise was flagged off by the Commissioner for Education, Dr Ali Haruna Abubakar Makoda, with support from Plan International Nigeria and funding from the European Union.

Each beneficiary is expected to receive a learning package comprising a school bag, exercise books, a pair of sandals and a water bottle.

Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, Makoda commended Plan International Nigeria and its partners for their continued support towards expanding access to education, particularly for children and young people who have missed out on formal schooling.

He said the distribution of the materials would complement the state government’s efforts to provide a conducive learning environment for vulnerable learners and encourage them to remain committed to their education.

The commissioner reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring that no child is left behind in the pursuit of education, stressing that partnerships with development organisations remained essential to addressing educational challenges and expanding opportunities for children across the state.

He urged beneficiaries to take proper care of the materials and use them for their intended purposes.

Makoda also called on parents, guardians, teachers, community leaders and other stakeholders to continue supporting the learners throughout their educational journey.

He appreciated Plan International, relevant government agencies, programme facilitators, community stakeholders and other development partners for their contributions to the implementation of the programme.

Also speaking, the State Project Advocacy Officer of Plan International, Alhassan Hamza Hussain, said the materials would help address some of the basic needs of beneficiaries and encourage regular participation in learning activities.

Hussain expressed appreciation to the Ministry of Education, education authorities, communities and other stakeholders for their contributions to the success of the programme.

According to programme records, the 5,022 beneficiaries are drawn from selected learning centres in Gwale, Kumbotso and Nasarawa Local Government Areas.

Kumbotso has the highest number of beneficiaries with 2,643 learners, followed by Gwale with 1,211 and Nasarawa with 1,168 learners.

The ABEP is designed to provide accelerated learning opportunities for children and young people who have missed or been excluded from formal education. The programme seeks to equip them with foundational knowledge and skills while creating pathways for their integration into the formal education system.

Bayelsa State deputy governor, Dr. Peter Akpe, has called on the Akenfa community in Yenagoa Local Government Area to discontinue its protest against Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited (RAECL) over the non-completion of the link bridge project.

Akpe, who made the call at a meeting with the leadership of the Akenfa community at Government House, Yenagoa, urged communities to always seek peaceful means of addressing issues, rather than resorting to frequent disruption of oil production activities in their areas.

Sympathising with the community over its plight due to the non-completion of the project, the deputy governor, however, blamed the tripartite committee set up last year by his predecessor for not carrying out its assignment.

Akpe said although it was the first time the issue had been brought to his notice since he assumed office as deputy governor, he would work with other stakeholders to ensure the resumption and completion of the project.

He also assured the community that he would personally reach out to the management of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to ascertain the status of the project, following its official handover by the state government to the agency in 2025.

His words: ‘Embarking on demonstrations and creating blockades to public facilities is not the best option to undertake in order to elicit government’s attention to address your grievances.

‘Dialogue remains the best option for seeking concrete resolution because even when you fight, you will still come back to the settlement table.

‘I am aware of the official communication to the NDDC by the state government handing over the Akenfa bridge project to the agency. So, the solution to this problem is not to stop the operations of the oil company operating in your community.

‘As a people, you should always be guided by laws and not take the law into your hands. We sympathise with the Akenfa community for your suffering due to the non-completion of that project. But let me assure you that we will interface with the NDDC to do the needful.’

In her contribution, Commissioner for Information, Strategy and Orientation, Mrs. Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, recalled what transpired at the meeting held on December 4, last year, presided over by the late deputy governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.

She said the government informed the Akenfa community of the official handover of the project back to the NDDC, adding that to ensure the resumption of work on the project, a steering committee comprising the Akenfa community, NDDC and government was constituted at the meeting.

She listed members of the committee to include the state NDDC representative, Senator Deinyabofa Dimaro; Commissioner for Special Duties (Central), Mr. Mandy Akpallo; and Chief Dikivie Ikiogha.

Others are the Technical Adviser to the Governor on NDDC Matters, Mr. Kuro Nyenye; Chief Isiya Albert; Secretary to the Akenfa community, Mr. Wilson Mumeya; youth president, Mr. Moses Izibekiebo; as well as an engineer to be nominated by the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure.

Earlier in their remarks, the paramount ruler of Akenfa, Chief Josiah Osom Obadiah, and another stakeholder, Mr. Wilson Mumeya, attributed the latest protest to the suffering occasioned by the abandonment of the project, which was started in 2010, following an alleged agreement between the NDDC and RAECL.

They expressed gratitude to the deputy governor for his timely intervention, which they noted had given the community a glimmer of hope.

On Saturday, September 26th, 2026, 51,258 people came together at Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos, Nigeria, to watch Black Market, making history in the process.

The screening of Black Market, a Nigerian film produced by Nora Awolowo and presented by Rixel Studios, Switch Visual Limited, and Damilola Osikoya, earned a new Guinness World Records title for the largest attendance at a film screening. The screening surpassed the previous record of 43,624 viewers, set in 2015 during a screening of Felix Manalo in the Philippines.

For PUMA and Persianas Retail Limited (PRL), PUMA’s official partner in Nigeria, the partnership with Black Market was an opportunity to support a project that brought together film, fashion and community on an extraordinary scale.

As part of the partnership, PUMA created a limited edition PUMA x Black Market collection, bringing the world of the film into a range of pieces designed to be worn beyond the screen. PRL brought the collection to market, making it available exclusively through their multibrand platform, theMix.ng.

The collaboration also extended beyond the collection. PUMA kitted the Black Market cast and crew for their media run, and supported the team throughout their campaign journey, from promotion to the record-breaking screening. The partnership reflects PUMA’s commitment to being part of the moments where culture moves.

‘At PRL, we believe some of the most powerful cultural moments are created when people come together,’ said Ladun Bamgbose, Head of Marketing at PRL. ‘ PUMA supporting this moment allowed us to celebrate Nigerian creativity, connect with a new community, and give people a piece of the experience.’

The collaboration reflects PUMA’s continued connection to culture through Sportstyle, creating collaborations that extend beyond the traditional boundaries of sport. With Black Market, that meant supporting the film’s journey while creating something audiences could experience and wear for themselves.

The limited-edition Black Market collection includes designs such as the God Is Our Plug tees, Owo, Kudi and Ego, Cinema Is The Currency and No Waiting tees, and is available exclusively on TheMix.ng.

About PUMA

PUMA is one of the world’s leading sports brands, designing, developing and selling footwear, apparel and accessories. Founded in 1948, PUMA helps the world’s best athletes and teams perform at their best with its innovative products. Known for its iconic cat logo and the Formstrip, the company offers performance products in categories such as Football, Running and Training, Basketball, Golf and Motorsports. It collaborates with renowned designers and brands to bring sport influence into culture and fashion.

The PUMA Group distributes its products in over 120 countries, employs more than 20,000 people and is headquartered in Herzogenaurach/Germany. The company owns the PUMA, Cobra Golf and stichd brands.

About PRL

Persianas Retail Limited (PRL) is Nigeria’s premium sports and lifestyle retailer, and the official partner of PUMA, Lacoste, GUESS and Columbia in the region, offering a wide range of sportswear and apparel through 14 stores nationwide.

Beyond the physical stores across the country, PRL has expanded its reach through its online platform, The Mix.Ng. This digital destination allows customers to conveniently shop for their favorite brands from the comfort of their homes, offering a seamless shopping experience.

MEDIA Adviser to former Vice President and presidential candidate of African Democratic Congress (ADC), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Mr Paul Ibe, has queried the Federal Government’s framework agreement with United States on Nigeria’s mineral sector.

In post on his verified X handle, on Tuesday, Ibe said agreement which the government estimates to be about $700 billion, needs more clarity.

He claimed that the figure is the estimated value of Nigeria’s mineral resources, not investment by United States.

‘Let us first clear up one misleading impression: this is not a $700 billion investment by the United States.

The $700 billion figure is the estimated value of Nigeria’s mineral resources,’ he said.

Ibe warned that for resources potentially worth hundreds of billions of dollars, Nigerians deserve more than photographs, handshakes, speeches and press releases.

He asked what exactly Nigeria has committed to, which minerals are covered, whether American companies will enjoy preferential access, what geological data Nigeria will provide and who owns data generated from exploration.

He also queried whether there are tax concessions, guarantees or preferential fiscal arrangements, whether minerals must be processed in Nigeria or can leave as raw materials, what binding provisions guarantee Nigerian jobs, local content, technology transfer and value addition, and how disputes will be settled.

Ibe asked whether there are annexes, side letters or implementation agreements not shown to Nigerians.

He raised concern over National Assembly scrutiny, asking whether the Senate and House of Representatives have been furnished with complete document and whether relevant committees on solid minerals, treaties and agreements, finance and appropriations have scrutinised provisions.

‘The National Assembly is not a spectator. Section 12 of the constitution provides that a treaty with another country cannot have the force of law in Nigeria unless enacted by the National Assembly. Sections 88 and 89 also give the legislature important investigative and oversight powers,’ he said.

Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, has inaugurated the recently reconstituted Enugu State Civil Service Commission and the Governing Councils of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu State Polytechnic, Iwollo, and the Enugu State College of Education Technical (ESCET).

Mbah also inaugurated the newly reconstituted Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Board.

At the brief ceremony at Government House, Enugu, the Governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, said the rejigging of the leadership of the various Governing Councils, Boards, and Commissions was in line with his administration’s determination to build strong institutions.

He said the administration would count on the new leadership in pursuit of its vision to grow the state’s economy from $4.4bn to $30bn, noting that such could not be achieved without an effective and efficient civil service and skilled manpower that fit into a 21st-century economy.

‘Again, during the campaign for this office, we promised Ndi Enugu that it would no longer be business as usual. We promised to run the state like an enterprise to maximise efficiency and results.

‘So, you must note that our cardinal principles – transparency, traceability and accountability – are not mere state slogans. They reflect in the actions and decisions of our administration daily. So, you must uphold them,’ he added.

He also charged them to operate on the basis of evidence, meritocracy, innovation, and teamwork.

‘You must be empirical. We also expect you to uphold fairness, equity, and meritocracy.

‘Again, his administration is founded on disruptive innovation. But you cannot disrupt a system without bringing in a different way of thinking and of doing things. Examine existing processes and develop new approaches that would improve efficiency and results.

‘Importantly, you must function as a team. In our administration, we do not compete, we complement and collaborate to bring out the best in every team member and every sector. Working in silos will be detrimental to the entire system.

‘Operating in isolation could create room for corruption and duplication,’ he stressed.

Meanwhile, for the Enugu State Civil Service Commission, Prof. Gabriel Ajah was inaugurated as the Chairman, while Ambrose Nwodo was sworn in as Secretary. Others are: Christian Mbah (Member One), Mrs. Stella Ekweremadu (Member Two), Mrs. Theresa Onyefuzili Ifeanyichukwu (Member Three), and Uzonna Emmanuel Ogarabe (Member Four).

ESUT Governing Council has Barr. Victor Chukwuani as Chairman, and Engr. James Ifeanyichukwu Ajibo, Dr. Eric Oluedo, Dr. Gladys Ngozi Okoro, and Mr. Chukwu Chikaodiri Joy Chukwu as Members.

Hon. Chinedu Onu was inaugurated as Chairman of the IMT Governing Council, and Dr. Barth Nwankwo, Barr. Emeka Ede, Mrs. Rita Chimaobi, and Prince Tony Nwonye as Members.

TVET Board Chairman-designate, Dr. Amaka Ngene, and the Board Members – Bonaventure Onu, Barr. Nnadi Eluke, Kingsley Agwu, and Mrs. Joy Odike – were equally inaugurated.

The newly reconstituted leadership of the Enugu State Polytechnic, Iwollo, was equally inaugurated. They are Rev. Fr. Prof. Anthony Aniagboso Igwe (Rector), Deaconess Ifeoma Nwobodo (Chairman of Governing Council), as well as Obinna Aleke, Barr. Henry Okeke, and Emeka Abba as Members.

For ESCET, Enugu, Barr. Nwabueze Ugwu was inaugurated as Chairman, while Prince Cletus Ajaegbu, Dr. Chiesonu Isiga Eruchalu, Dr. Chukwuemeka Nwatu, and Theophilus Onyebeke were inaugurated as Members.

Accepting the new responsibility, Professor Ajah, a seasoned bureaucrat, thanked Governor Mbah, on behalf of his members, for the confidence reposed in him.

He unveiled the ‘P.R.E.S.E.N.T’ philosophy, which he said stood for Professionalism, Responsibility, Excellence, Service to all, Exemplary conduct, Neutrality, and Team spirit, and would guide his Commission.

Hon. Onuh, on his part, pledged to work together with the school management to further uplift the IMT, while the Chairman of the ESUT Governing Council, Chukwuani, assured that the Council would work with the university management to promote the institution’s growth and development. He emphasized that there would be no going back on Mbah’s Experiential Learning model.

Speaking with newsmen, Chairman, Enugu State Polytechnic, Iwollo, Mrs. Nwobodo, recalled that the institution ranked 29th nationally when she was first appointed, noting that with Mbah’s huge investment in education, the institution now ranks 2nd on the table of state polytechnics and 4th on the table of both federal and state polytechnics.

Speaking with newsmen also, the Vice-Chancellor of ESUT, Prof. Aloysius-Michaels Okolie, and the Chairman of TVET Board, Dr. Ngene, commended Mbah’s investment in education, saying he had provided their respective institutions with the wings to soar higher.

Chairman of ESCET Board, Barr. Ugwu, emphasised the commitment and readiness of his team to enhance productivity and efficiency in the institution.

The ceremony was witnessed by friends and well wishes of the appointees.

Professor of reproductive endocrinology and Secretary-General of the International Federation of Fertility Societies (IFFS), Oladapo Ashiru, has raised concerns over the severe threat environmental toxins pose to fertility and assisted reproductive technology (ART) outcomes.

Speaking at the recent 2nd African Federation of Fertility Societies (AFFS) and the 16th Association for Fertility and Reproductive Health (AFRH) conference in Abuja, Prof Ashiru urged clinics to assess and support couples through preconception cleansing before they begin fertility treatments.

Prof Ashiru, who also serves as the President of the Africa Reproductive Care Society and Chairman of the MART Group of Health Services, warned delegates that everyday exposure to contaminated air, water, food and soil introduces endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) that directly damage sperm, eggs and developing embryos.

According to the presentation, routine semen analysis fails to explain an estimated 30 to 40 per cent of male-factor infertility. Prof Ashiru revealed that hidden complications – such as sperm DNA damage, oxidative stress and epigenetic changes – are increasingly responsible for failed embryo development and lower live birth rates.

Data cited at the conference highlighted several alarming trends, including sperm damage: sperm DNA fragmentation levels above 30 per cent significantly reduce blastocyst formation during IVF.

Seminal cadmium doubling can increase sperm DNA fragmentation by roughly 8 per cent.

On chemical and pesticide risks, agricultural workers exposed to organophosphate pesticides face a 50 per cent higher risk of sperm abnormality. Occupational exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates is directly linked to low sperm concentration and poor semen quality.

Similarly, exposure to air pollution in the 90 days leading up to semen collection drastically reduces sperm motility.

A prospective study in China found that couples living within 500 metres of a major road suffered a 15 per cent lower live birth rate per IVF cycle.

Prof Ashiru emphasised that environmental infertility is both a global crisis and a severe local issue in Nigeria.

He specifically pointed out the high-risk exposures faced by communities in Nigeria’s oil-producing Niger Delta, who contend with constant oil spills and severe air and water pollution.

He noted that international bodies, including the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO), have recognised these toxic threats, urging obstetricians and gynaecologists worldwide to address them actively.

To combat these challenges, Prof Ashiru shared compelling clinical findings from the MART/MARTLIFE Detox Clinic in Lagos.

The clinic utilises a preconception detoxification approach based on Modern Mayr Therapy, which integrates lymphatic drainage, infrared sessions, hydrotherapy, oxygen-based therapies and antioxidant supplementation to prepare patients with a history of toxic exposure or unexplained IVF failure.

A study published in Global Reproductive Health compared 131 patients who underwent this detoxification protocol with 87 who did not.

The results demonstrated a clear statistical advantage for detoxified patients across all major success metrics.

According to him, it was a 41.2 per cent pregnancy rate in detoxified patients against 31 per cent in non-detoxified patients, while 27.5 per cent against 21.8 per cent in clinical pregnancy rate, and 23.7 per cent against 15 per cent for live birth rate.

Prof Ashiru explained that this therapy successfully eliminates heavy metals and nutritional toxins, boosts mitochondrial quality and shields reproductive cells from the damaging effects of EDCs.

‘Every couple deserves to begin their journey to parenthood in the healthiest possible environment,’ Prof Ashiru stated. ‘Toxins in our air, food and everyday products can affect sperm and egg quality long before conception, yet they are rarely discussed in the fertility clinic. Assessing exposure and supporting the body before treatment gives couples a better chance of a healthy pregnancy.’

Concluding his address, the IFFS Secretary-General called for an aggressive, combined push for public advocacy, clinician education and expanded research into how environmental exposures dictate fertility outcomes.

He advised individuals planning a family to consult qualified fertility specialists regarding their occupational exposures, diets and lifestyles.

The Federal Government has begun construction of a new ultra-modern National Control Centre for the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) in Osogbo, Osun State, replacing a 64-year-old facility that no longer meets the demands of running Nigeria’s grid.

The groundbreaking ceremony of the new National Control Centre of the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) in Osogbo was performed by Vice President Kashim Shettima, supported by the Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe.

In his remarks, the Vice President, represented by the Senior Special Assistant (Legal), Office of the Vice President, Bashir Maidugu, said reliable electricity is central to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

He described power as the foundation of an economy that works, enabling manufacturers to plan production, small businesses to operate with confidence and hospitals and schools to function, as well as creating jobs and wider economic opportunity.

The National Control Centre, he said, is where that reliability is protected, and Nigeria cannot run a modern, interconnected grid with the tools of yesterday.

According to him, ‘The establishment of the Nigerian Independent System Operator is an important part of this institutional evolution.

‘The separation of System Operation from transmission asset ownership and management creates an environment in which the System Operator can focus on its core responsibility: ensuring the secure and coordinated operation of the electricity system.

‘But institutional independence must be matched by institutional capacity, that is where this project becomes important.

‘The future of electricity-system management cannot be built solely around responding to problems after they occur. We must increasingly develop the capacity to anticipate risks, identify emerging conditions and take preventive action.

Speaking, the Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, said the construction of a new ultra-modern National Control Centre in Osogbo, Osun State, will strengthen Nigeria’s electricity grid stability and improve the reliability of power supply across the country.

He said the new facility would provide NISO with modern tools to monitor the national grid, balance electricity supply and demand, detect emerging faults and coordinate responses to disturbances.

He described the project as part of President Bola Tinubu’s efforts to address structural weaknesses in the power sector and improve electricity supply to Nigerians.

Tegbe explained that the National Control Centre was an integral part of the country’s power infrastructure, as generation plants and transmission lines depended on effective coordination to deliver electricity safely.

According to the minister, ‘Today’s groundbreaking in Osogbo advances a fundamental requirement for reliable electricity through the capacity to know what is happening across the national grid and respond promptly.

‘The New Ultra-Modern National Control Centre will equip the Nigerian Independent System Operator, NISO, to perform that task more effectively. It is a concrete expression of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR’s determination to address the underlying weaknesses affecting electricity supply and deliver better results for Nigerians.

‘It is worthy of note that the existing Centre was built 64 years ago and consequently does not meet the current demands of NISO’s responsibilities. This is another bold and audacious step of Mr President to reset the power sector.

‘Osogbo has long served Nigeria as a centre of national grid operations, and this project, once again, strengthens that important responsibility.

‘The National Control Centre is an integral part of our national power infrastructure. Generation plants and transmission lines depend on effective coordination to deliver electricity safely. Through NISO, the centre supports the continuous balancing of electricity supply and demand, monitors grid network conditions and coordinates responses to disturbances,’ he added.

Ahead of next January’s presidential election, Vice-President Senator Kashim Shettima has appealed to northern-based professionals in the creative industry to support the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the interest of fairness and the unity of the Nigerian project.

Shettima is Tinubu’s running mate for the forthcoming general elections.

Addressing a gathering of Northern Performing Artists under the auspices of Triple-R For Renewed Hope at the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign office in Abuja on Wednesday, the Vice-President maintained that Tinubu deserves the support of the North for a fresh mandate.

He assured the group of Northern artists that the Tinubu administration will continue to support the growth of the entertainment industry in the region.

Shettima emphasised that the region stands to benefit significantly from the administration’s creative economy initiatives.

According to him, President Tinubu deserves the collective support of the North, as the Federal Government under his watch was implementing policies designed to empower local talent, stimulate cultural preservation, and generate economic opportunities through the creative arts.

He assured the delegation that the Federal Government will continue to roll out targeted interventions to support regional artists, filmmakers, and musicians.

On the gains of the reforms being undertaken by the Tinubu administration, VP Shettima urged the group to remain steadfast with the government and the APC as a party, maintaining that the benefits of its programmes and policies will continue to manifest across different sectors in the coming months and years.

Earlier, the Director-General of the Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, said the re-election of President Tinubu in the 2027 general elections would be based on facts and achievements, while urging support groups and individuals to be guided by the performance of the administration.

He also called on creative industry professionals to disregard claims by political opponents about the exclusion of the North in terms of appointments and projects, stating that the region has been fairly treated by the current administration and remains an integral part of the country’s democratic journey.

Former Katsina State Governor and Deputy Director-General, Parliamentary Mobilization, APC Presidential Campaign Council, Aminu Bello Masari, thanked the creative industry professionals for their resolve to support all APC candidates, including President Tinubu, in the forthcoming general elections.

He said the programmes of the Tinubu administration and its policies are positively impacting the fortunes of creative industries, urging professionals to leverage the opportunities enhanced by the administration to improve their lives and livelihoods.

Former APC National Chairman, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, thanked the group for their support. He urged them to stand for justice, fairness, and inclusiveness to ensure the re-election of President Tinubu in 2027.

Acknowledging the commitment, love and passion of the group in supporting the party’s candidates across all levels, Ganduje insisted that Triple-R For Renewed Hope remained one of the most organic support groups of the APC in the country.

He advocated the enhancement of the entertainment industry in Nigeria through the provision of infrastructure and training of upcoming artistes from the region.

President of Triple-R For Renewed Hope, Alhaji Dauda Kahutu Rarara, pledged the support of the group for the re-election of President Tinubu and all other candidates of the party across the North.

He noted that northern Nigerian creatives remain focused on building a united front to support the re-election of President Tinubu and regional APC candidates.

He said the support of northern-based professionals was organic and based on performance, noting that all professionals in the film industry from the northern part of the country were united in supporting all APC candidates in the 2027 elections.