Asianet Pakistan Private Limited

Lagos Water Corporation (LWC) has clarified recent reports on its water distribution network particularly the interpretation of figures relating to its registered connections.

The Managing Director Mukhtaar Tijani an engineer in a statement said: ”The clarification follows a report suggesting that the corporation’s network reaches only 1.03 per cent of Lagos State’s population. The corporation can confirm that at no time was an interview conducted with or authorised by the agency for this report.

”The 1.03 per cent figure does not reflect how LWC’s connections are registered or the number of residents served through a single connection. Connections within the LWC network are plot-based and each connection serves multiple households and residents. Treating each connection as one household significantly understates the corporation’s reach.

”LWC has 34424 registered plot connections. Based on an average of 48 residents per plot these connections serve approximately 1.65 million residents around 8.3 per cent of the state’s population of over 20 million.”

”Connection numbers do not equal the number of people served and production capacity does not equal water delivered. Treating these figures as the same gives an inaccurate picture of water access in Lagos.

”Lagos State’s installed water production capacity has the potential to serve a substantially larger proportion of the population. However ageing infrastructure power supply constraints and ongoing rehabilitation works continue to affect operational performance and the reliability of supply in some areas.

”We acknowledge that significant challenges remain in meeting the growing demand for water across Lagos State. Population growth and urban expansion require sustained investment in water production facilities distribution infrastructure operational efficiency and long-term planning. Our focus is on strengthening infrastructure improving operational performance and expanding access to reliable and sustainable water services for residents across the state.

”We welcome informed public scrutiny of our performance and value accurate transparent reporting. Discussions about water supply in Lagos must be based on a clear understanding of how the network operates what the available figures measure and the work required to close the gap between demand and supply.

”Lagos Water Corporation remains committed to strengthening the state’s water supply system and delivering sustainable improvements for the people of Lagos.”

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of UTM FLNG Limited Julius Rone OFR is expected to accompany Vice President Kashim Shettima to the 8th Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) Summit scheduled to hold in Moscow Russia on October 27 2026.

The invitation conveyed in a letter dated October 5 2026 from the Office of the Vice President is part of Nigeria’s efforts to strengthen strategic partnerships and explore investment opportunities across the gas value chain.

The letter with reference number SH/OVP/DCOS/MISC/5 was signed by Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia Deputy Chief of Staff to the President Office of the Vice President.

According to Hadejia Vice President Shettima has invited Rone to accompany him to the summit which will bring together Heads of State and Government of gas-exporting countries to deliberate on developments in the global gas market.

Hadejia stated that the summit would provide an opportunity to strengthen international cooperation and examine the role of natural gas in promoting energy security and sustainable development. He added that Rone’s participation would support Nigeria’s efforts to deepen strategic partnerships and explore investment opportunities across the gas value chain.

Hadejia consequently requested Rone to confirm his acceptance of the invitation adding that details of the itinerary would be communicated in due course.

Dr. Julius Rone popularly called Gas King was recently crowned ‘Megastar Man of the Decade 2026 Award’ by Megastar Media Communications for his efforts on bringing floating liquified Natural gas technology to Nigeria in order to monetize our gas resources create employments and generate revenue for government.

The Federal Government has directed aviation authorities to place 46 people who had contact with an Ebola-affected individual on a 21-day no-fly list to prevent the spread of the deadly virus.

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo (SAN) issued the directive after a virtual meeting with the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare Professor Muhammad Ali Pate on the emerging Ebola threat.

Keyamo in a post on X said Pate had provided a list of 44 people who met the affected individual at a hospital after the person developed symptoms along with two domestic staff members.

He said aviation authorities had been directed to restrict the identified contacts’ air travel while health authorities worked to isolate them pending confirmation that they had not contracted the virus.

The minister said the 21-day restriction was based on the period within which Ebola symptoms would normally be expected to manifest following exposure.

‘I have therefore directed the NCAA to immediately inform all local and international airlines of this development.

‘I have also directed the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to heighten Ebola response and surveillance protocols across all international airports’ Keyamo stated.

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) is expected to communicate the directive to airlines operating domestic and international routes while relevant agencies are to coordinate efforts to ensure compliance.

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has also been directed to strengthen Ebola response measures and surveillance at all international airports across the country.

According to Keyamo FAAN is implementing enhanced health screening temperature checks tracking of passengers’ travel histories and digital health declarations.

He added that stricter coordination among relevant agencies particularly the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) would support the measures.

The aviation minister said the enhanced protocols were already being implemented following regional outbreak alerts.

The latest measures highlight the aviation sector’s role in preventing cross-border transmission of infectious diseases given the speed and scale of international air travel.

The 21-day monitoring period aligns with the recognised Ebola incubation period during which an exposed person may develop symptoms; health authorities generally advise monitoring those with relevant exposure and taking prompt action if symptoms emerge.

Ebola is a severe viral disease that can cause fever weakness vomiting diarrhoea and in some cases internal or external bleeding; it spreads through direct contact with the blood or other body fluids of a symptomatic infected person or with contaminated materials.

People who have been exposed do not automatically become infected and individuals who are not showing symptoms do not transmit Ebola through ordinary social contact. Health authorities therefore rely on contact tracing monitoring infection prevention and rapid isolation of suspected cases to contain outbreaks.

As the measures take effect the NCAA FAAN and the NCDC are expected to sustain surveillance and information-sharing to minimise the risk of an imported or locally transmitted case.

However the minister’s statement did not disclose the identities of the 46 contacts their current health status or the precise circumstances of the reported exposure nor did it specify whether any of the contacts had tested positive for Ebola.

Governor Hyacinth Alia has declared that the Austin Agada-led Rainbow Coalition in Benue has no effect in the state.

Reacting to an earlier statement by Agada an All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain that the party would teach him a lesson ahead of the 2027 governorship election Alia said he(Agada) spoke for himself and not voters.

‘Austin Agada is speaking for himself while the Governor stands for over 4 million Benue electorate ‘ Alia through his Chief Press Secretary Tersoo Kula told reporters at a news conference in Makurdi yesterday.

‘Who is Agada speaking for? He is speaking for his stomach while Governor Alia stands with the over 4 million masses and they are satisfied with what he has done and is doing. So who is Agada to decide the outcome of the election?’

‘He said he is the National Secretary of Rainbow Coalition but in Benue State it has no effect’ the governor added.

Alia described himself as a reformer who some people dislike because he has changed the old order.

‘A reformer has no friend; people hate a reformer and this is what Governor Alia is going through because he is changing the old order for a new one and people don’t like him as they want the status quo to be maintained’ he said.

On the forthcoming general election Alia boasted that he remains the candidate to beat.

Vice President Kashim Shettima yesterday challenged the state governments to stop depending on the Federal Government for solutions to their electricity challenges.

He also urged them to take responsibility for developing functional power markets capable of driving industrialisation job creation and economic growth.

Shettima declared that the era of waiting for Abuja to address local electricity needs must give way to greater state ownership regulatory independence and private sector investment as provided for in the Electricity Act 2023.

The Electricity Act decentralizes the power sector from the Exclusive Legislative List to Concurrent List – allowing states to participate in power generation and distribution.

No fewer than 17 states have taken advantage of the new law to obtain electricity licences.

The Vice President spoke at the National Stakeholders’ Workshop on the Electricity Act 2023 at the State House Banquet Hall Presidential Villa Abuja.

He warned that Nigeria’s ambition to become a competitive industrial economy would remain elusive without reliable electricity for businesses households and public institutions.

His charge came as the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) said regulatory responsibilities had been transferred to 17 states with Akwa Ibom being the latest beneficiary of the decentralisation initiative.

Represented by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia Shettima said the Electricity Act had fundamentally altered the nation’s power governance structure by creating opportunities for states to establish and regulate their own electricity markets within the constitutional framework.

He urged governors to seize the opportunities provided by the legislation rather than continue to depend on federal intervention to resolve electricity supply challenges within their jurisdictions.

‘The Act empowers States to develop and regulate intrastate electricity markets within the applicable constitutional and statutory framework. The size diversity and endowments of this nation demand this decentralisation.

‘Electricity supply must become a shared responsibility pursued with innovation and accountability across the Federation. Our States must shed the habit of waiting for Abuja to provide every answer’ Shettima declared.

The Vice President stressed that Nigeria’s diverse energy resources presented enormous opportunities for states to develop electricity solutions tailored to their geographical advantages and economic priorities.

He identified the abundant solar energy potential in Sokoto Borno and Katsina states natural gas resources in Delta Rivers and Bayelsa as well as hydroelectric opportunities in Niger and Kebbi as assets that could be harnessed to expand power generation and improve electricity access.

According to him state governments must move beyond recognising these resources to attracting investments that would translate them into dependable electricity for agricultural production manufacturing healthcare delivery education and other critical sectors.

Shettima however cautioned that the passage of the Electricity Act alone would not resolve the country’s longstanding power challenges unless states demonstrated the political will and institutional capacity to implement its provisions.

He consequently urged states yet to establish the necessary legislative and regulatory structures to act without further delay stressing that competent institutions were indispensable to building credible electricity markets.

‘Legislation cannot implement itself. States yet to act must begin their legislative and institutional preparations promptly. They need to establish functional electricity regulatory bodies with technical competence and capacity’ he said.

To accelerate implementation of the reforms the Vice President proposed the establishment of a National Electricity Reform Peer Review and Implementation Framework to promote cooperation knowledge-sharing and institutional development among states.

He explained that the proposed arrangement would bring together NERC the Federal Ministry of Power the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and state electricity regulators to assess progress and exchange practical experiences in developing electricity markets.

Shettima argued that states entering the electricity market should be able to benefit from the experiences of those that had made progress rather than repeat avoidable mistakes.

‘No State needs to purchase with failure the knowledge another State has already acquired’ he said.

He proposed annual voluntary reviews to identify implementation challenges strengthen regulatory capacity and facilitate practical solutions without compromising the constitutional powers of individual states.

The Vice President also identified private investment as a critical factor in addressing Nigeria’s electricity infrastructure deficit warning that public financing alone could not deliver the scale of transformation required.

He charged state governments and regulators to establish investment-friendly environments through transparent licensing arrangements predictable regulations commercially viable electricity markets and credible dispute resolution mechanisms.

‘Government cannot finance this transformation from the treasury alone; private capital must arrive with technology and expertise. Transparent licensing predictable regulation commercially viable markets investment safeguards and credible dispute resolution will earn investors’ confidence’ he stated.

Shettima reaffirmed the commitment of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to expanding electricity access through policies that encourage investment strengthen regulatory institutions and improve service delivery.

The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Power Mahmuda Mamman who represented the Minister of Power Joseph Tegbe said the success of the Electricity Act would depend largely on the ability of states to establish credible regulatory institutions and commercially sustainable electricity markets.

Mamman noted that decentralised electricity planning would enable state governments to respond more effectively to local electricity demand infrastructure requirements and investment opportunities.

He stressed the importance of developing the technical and institutional capacity required to translate the opportunities provided by the legislation into improvements in electricity supply.

The Director-General of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) Dr. Abdulateef O. T. Shittu said the forum was working to strengthen coordination between federal and state institutions to facilitate the implementation of the Electricity Act.

Shittu said efforts were underway to develop a standard tariff framework for states to ensure adequate consumer protection while promoting investment and the commercial sustainability of electricity markets.

He urged stakeholders to ensure that any proposed amendments to the existing legal framework consolidated the progress already recorded rather than undermining ongoing regulatory reforms.

Deputy General Manager (Compliance) and Head of Compliance at NERC Hauwa Yakubu explained that the commission had approved the transfer of electricity regulatory responsibilities to 17 states with Akwa Ibom being the most recent.

Yakubu said NERC had continued to provide technical support to emerging state electricity regulatory institutions through peer-to-peer training and sustained engagement to strengthen their operational capacity.

She explained that the Electricity Act 2023 had ushered in a new era of multilevel electricity regulation bringing decision-making closer to consumers and empowering state governments to address their peculiar power supply challenges.

The workshop themed ‘Unlocking the Opportunities of the Electricity Act 2023 for Sustainable Energy Development and Economic Growth in Nigeria’ brought together representatives of federal and state institutions electricity regulators and other stakeholders to examine the opportunities challenges and implementation requirements of the legislation.

The Delta State High Court sitting in Asaba has granted bail to four defendants standing trial over the fatal shooting of Oghenemine Ogidi at Effurun Motor Park while the first defendant Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Usman Nuhu popularly known as Ogbegbe remains in custody.

The development followed the conclusion of the defence cases of all five defendants charged in connection with the April 26 incident.

The trial judge Justice Michael Nduka Obi granted bail to the second-to-fifth defendants: Owoloko Daurou Okoh Kelechi Goodluck Kingsley and Omonigho Ahweyevu.

The five defendants were members of the Anti-Crime Squad led by Nuhu at the Effurun Area Command of the Nigeria Police Force before they were dismissed from service following the incident.

The prosecution led by the Delta State Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Mr Tejiri R. Anuwhin alongside Deputy Director Mr Justin Amahi and Principal State Counsel Miss Oghenechavwuko Agbatutu confirmed that the prosecution had closed its case after calling six witnesses while the defendants had also concluded their defence.

Anuwhin said the defendants presented their evidence and called a witness before closing their cases paving the way for the parties to adopt final written addresses.

He said the court adjourned the matter to November 18 for the parties to adopt their addresses after which it would fix a date for judgment.

Speaking after the proceedings counsel for Nuhu Mr Uche Chibuogwu said his client remained in custody because no bail application had been filed on his behalf.

He explained that the other four defendants secured bail because their lawyers had filed the requisite applications.

‘Today we opened our defence for the first defendant and we concluded our case. The second third fourth and fifth defendants’ counsel did the same. The second to the fifth defendants were granted bail because bail applications were filed on their behalf but the first defendant remains in custody’ he said.

Chibuogwu acknowledged the pain suffered by the deceased’s family and friends describing the case as a difficult one to handle.

He however said his professional and constitutional responsibility required him to represent his client.

‘For the deceased person like I said earlier it’s quite unfortunate. And this defence is a difficult one for me but I have to do my constitutional duty as a lawyer’ he said.

The court adjourned the case to November 18 for the submission of final written addresses with judgment expected to follow.

A High Court in Imo State on Thursday ordered the speedy trial of five people accused of kidnapping 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps members on Independence Day.

The court set aside four days from 27th October to 30th October for the trial to continue urging prosecution and defence counsel to cooperate with the court to ensure judgment is delivered before January 2027.

Presiding Judge Justice Emeka Orafu made the appeal during proceedings in cases involving three defendants accused of abducting prospective NYSC members and two others facing charges in a separate kidnapping case.

During the hearing an officer of the Department of State Services (DSS) Ikem Emmanuel testified about the investigation that led to the arrest of the three defendants in the NYSC-related case.

He told the court that the investigation involved intelligence gathering data analysis record checks interviews and statements obtained from the defendants victims and witnesses.

He stated that an identification parade was conducted during which victims and witnesses identified the defendants as members of the criminal gang that kidnapped them.

The officer further told the court that one of the defendants Usman Aliyu admitted in his statement to participating in the operation and allegedly disclosed that 11 persons were involved.

The investigator maintained that the defendants’ statements were obtained in the presence of their legal representatives and DSS legal officers.

In a related proceeding involving two other defendants the DSS officer also gave evidence on the investigation stating that their statements were taken in the presence of their lawyers and DSS legal officers.

Following the proceedings Justice Orafu adjourned the cases to October 27 28 29 and 30 for continuation of the hearing and ordered that the five defendants remain in the custody of the DSS.

A leading Pentecostal church in Nigeria El-Shaddai Covenant Ministries (ECM) has concluded plans for its 40th anniversary.

The celebrations hold at the El-Shaddai Cathedral at Plot 6441 Yakubu Gowon Way Opposite NITEL Headquarters By Old Airport Junction in the ancient city of Jos Plateau State North Central Nigeria from Thursday October 29 to Sunday November 1 2026.

According to the church’s anniversary committee the theme for the anniversary designed to celebrate the faithfulness of God and the evidence of divine help over the decades is: ‘See what the Lord has done.”

General Overseer of the ministry Dr. (Mrs.) Temitayo James explained Jos is hosting the historic celebration because ‘that was where it all began’ adding that the ministry headquartered in Lagos had its humble beginnings in the ancient city.

The General Overseer announced anointed ministers of God to minister at the programme include: Dr. Paul Enenche Senior Pastor Dunamis International Gospel Centre; Bishop O. C. Fred Vice Chancellor Cornerstone University Jos; Dr. John E. Akpami General Overseer Christian Teaching Centre Family Church Kaduna; Pastor Ishaya Paul Demsa Senior Pastor Fountain of Life Ministries International (FOLMI) Jos; and Rev. Sunday O. Academe Founder Jesus Power Crusaders International Ministry.

Others are Revd. Omokayode Adeaga Assistant General Overseer (Northern Region) and Revd. Oyeleke Ajiboye Assistant General Overseer (Southern Region) of El-Shaddai Covenant Ministries.

Founded by Dr. James O. James of blessed memory El-Shaddai Covenant Ministries which started in the sitting room of the departed leader with only his wife children and a handful of friends at its maiden meeting in October 1986 has grown with branches spread across Nigeria.

The ministry also announced that there would be a Nationwide Thanksgiving Celebration on Sunday November 8 in all its branches across Nigeria as members and guests thank God for all He has done and will continue to do.

James invited current and former members friends of the ministry and the general public to be part of the historic celebration.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) has dismissed the electoral chances of opposition figures Atiku Abubakar Peter Obi and Omoyele Sowore insisting that President Bola Tinubu faces no serious challenge ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The PCC’s Spokesperson for Media and Strategic Communications Lere Olayinka described the opposition candidates as political aspirants seeking to register their presence on the ballot rather than win the presidency.

Olayinka spoke on Thursday while on a live TVC programme monitored by our correspondent in Abuja.

Atiku the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate; Obi the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate; and Sowore the African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate came under attack during Olayinka’s assessment of the opposition’s preparedness for the election.

Olayinka questioned Atiku’s repeated presidential bids describing his eighth attempt as evidence of an ambition that had persisted for decades.

He also accused the former vice-president of inconsistency over fuel subsidy policy.

‘Someone who started contesting for president since 1993… this is his eighth time. Anytime the whistle is blown if today they say there should be election of president every month Atiku would be contesting every month’ he said.

Olayinka also recalled Atiku’s description of fuel subsidy as a fraud in 2022 accusing him of subsequently advocating its restoration.

He turned to Obi a former Anambra State governor whom he described as a ‘content creator’ questioning his political consistency and ability to manage crises.

‘Peter Obi is more like a content creator – he says something today he says another thing tomorrow’ Olayinka said.

He also questioned Obi’s record of managing political parties citing his departure from the PDP and Labour Party amid internal disputes.

‘Someone who has not been able to manage an ordinary political party… does that mean if he becomes president and there is a problem in Nigeria he will run and go to Cameroon?’ he queried.

Sowore the human rights activist and publisher who is seeking the presidency for the third time under the AAC was criticised over his performance in the 2023 election.

Olayinka cited Sowore’s 14600 votes in the last presidential election as evidence arguing that the AAC candidate’s electoral record did not suggest he could defeat Tinubu in 2027.

‘For instance the candidate of AAC Omoyele Sowore had 14600 votes in 2023. How would that person win the election next year? They know that they cannot win’ he said.

The APC spokesman argued that some presidential candidates were contesting mainly to establish their presence rather than secure victory.

‘It is not everybody that contests elections that wants to win. There are people that contest elections just to register their presence’ he said.

Olayinka also questioned the NDC’s grassroots strength arguing that a presidential candidate needed a broad national structure and sufficient personnel to mobilise voters and protect votes across polling units.

He maintained that electoral success depended on more than public visibility insisting that candidates needed the organisational capacity to compete effectively nationwide.

On the APC’s preparations Olayinka said political alliances were being built across states dismissing concerns over reported disagreements among party stakeholders.

He cited cooperation between the APC and the Accord Party in Osun State alongside alliances involving other political groups as part of efforts to strengthen Tinubu’s re-election campaign.

‘APC in Osun State and Accord Party are working together. It is a coalition. They are working to deliver votes to the president’ he said.

Olayinka expressed confidence that the APC’s coalition-building efforts and grassroots mobilisation would give Tinubu an advantage over the opposition in the 2027 election.

Emeritus Catholic Archbishop of Abuja John Cardinal Onaiyekan will lead discussions on Nigeria’s challenges and the role of faith-based organisations at a colloquium marking the 50th anniversary of the Knights of St. John International (KSJI) and Ladies’ Auxiliary in Nigeria on Saturday.

The event scheduled for 3 p.m. at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria Durumi Abuja will bring together religious leaders legal practitioners politicians and business executives to examine the Order’s contributions to society and its future.

The colloquium themed: ’50 Years of Faith Knighthood and Service’ is part of activities marking five decades of the Order’s presence in Nigeria.

Other discussants include retired Justice of the Supreme Court Dame Mary Odili; former Anambra State governorship candidate Sir Paul Chukwuma; Managing Director of Gasstocks Limited Sir Emmanuel Okene; Senior Advocate of Nigeria Alex Ejesieme; and financial expert Dame Beatrice Akanji.

The Supreme Subordinate President of KSJI Nigeria Sir Chuks Amamgbo said the anniversary would provide an opportunity for the organisation to assess its achievements and contribute to discussions on national development.

‘We are grateful to God for the opportunity to celebrate this landmark. No doubt it will afford us the opportunity not only to assess ourselves and our Order but also provide a veritable platform to assess the state of the nation and proffer solutions’ he said.

The colloquium will be followed by a dinner and awards night to recognise individuals who have contributed to the growth of the Order and society.

According to the Chairman of the KSJI Strategic Communication Committee Sir Peter Osamgbi award recipients will include President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria Archbishop Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso; Chief Gabriel Igbinedion; former Rivers State Governor Peter Odili; Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah; Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma; former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi; and Zenith Bank Group Managing Director Dame Adaora Umeoji-Nwokoye.

Others listed for awards are Sir Kenneth Ifekudu Dr. Bonna Ugwuja and Sir Ikenna Chukwueke.

Posthumous awards will also be presented in honour of Dominic Cardinal Ekandem and Bishop Godfrey Okoye.

The Supreme Subordinate President of the Ladies’ Auxiliary Lady Nonye Okafor said the celebration would recognise the contributions of the organisation’s founding fathers and others who had supported its growth.

‘We intend to also use this opportunity to remember appreciate and recognize those who have been part of our success story particularly our founding fathers’ she said.

Amamgbo said the year-long golden jubilee activities would culminate in a grand finale in Enugu the Nigerian headquarters of the Order from December 3 to 6.

He said other activities would include a concert the release of a specially composed anniversary song the presentation of a coffee-table book documenting the Order’s history and a thanksgiving Mass.

The golden jubilee celebrates the Order’s five decades of faith charity service and commitment to the Catholic Church and society.