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IHRC-RFT Nigeria Calls for Urgent Action on Power Grid Failures

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The International Human Rights Commission Relief Fund Trust (IHRC-RFT) Nigeria Chapter has expressed deep concern over the ongoing collapse of Nigeria’s national power grid, which has experienced its ninth disruption in 2024. This persistent instability poses a severe challenge to Nigeria’s economy, impacting the daily lives of citizens and undermining the productivity and competitiveness of Nigerian industries.

In a statement signed by the National Public Relations Officer of the union, Ambassador Ashiru Shehu Kachako, the Country Director of IHRC-RFT Nigeria Chapter, Ambassador Captain Abdullahi Bakoji Adamu (Rtd), urged the government to address this pressing issue with immediate and strategic interventions. “This crisis affects millions of Nigerians, forcing businesses to rely on expensive, self-generated power and discouraging foreign investors, who are vital to national economic growth,” the statement read.

The recurring failures of Nigeria’s power grid also infringe upon fundamental human rights as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the Nigerian Constitution. Article 25 of the UDHR emphasizes the right to an adequate standard of living, including conditions that promote health and well-being. “A stable power supply is essential for ensuring safe living conditions, proper healthcare, and a functional economy,” the IHRC-RFT emphasized.

Article 22 of the UDHR addresses the right to social security, which includes economic, social, and cultural rights necessary for dignity and personal development. “Power grid failures compromise Nigeria’s ability to provide these social securities, as industries, education, and healthcare are severely impacted,” the statement added.

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Section 14(2)(b) of the Nigerian Constitution mandates that the welfare and security of the people shall be the primary purpose of government. “Ensuring consistent electricity aligns with this duty, as reliable power is crucial for the well-being and security of the populace,” IHRC-RFT noted.

The statement identified several root causes of the power grid collapses:

1. Aging Infrastructure: Much of Nigeria’s transmission infrastructure dates back to the 1960s and 1970s, and minimal upgrades have led to frequent malfunctions and outages.
2. Underutilization of Funds: Despite significant allocations for power sector reforms, financial mismanagement has prevented meaningful improvements, leaving the grid vulnerable to recurrent failures.
3. Insufficient Power Generation: Nigeria’s power generation capacity does not meet the demands of its rapidly growing population, further straining the system.
4. High Transmission Losses: Nearly 30% of generated electricity is lost during transmission, further destabilizing power availability for end users.

“These issues place a heavy burden on the Nigerian people and economy,” IHRC-RFT stated. In the short term, the commission urges the government to implement effective emergency response measures to mitigate the impact of future collapses. In the long term, IHRC-RFT calls on the government to fast-track upgrades to transmission and generation infrastructure, allocate funds transparently, and work towards providing reliable electricity to meet national demand.

“We stand with the Nigerian people in demanding sustainable, reliable power solutions that will promote economic development, improve quality of life, and support human rights. Addressing this issue is a critical government responsibility that requires swift and sustained action,” the statement concluded.

 

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Governor Yusuf Sacks Sagagi as Kano Commissioner Of Commerce

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Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has relieved Alhaji Shehu Wada Sagagi of his appointment as Commissioner for Investment, Commerce and Industry with immediate effect.

This was contained in a statement signed by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, on Thursday.

According to the statement, the former Commissioner is directed to hand over the affairs of the ministry to the Director Commerce with immediate effect.

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Governor Yusuf expressed appreciation for the services rendered by the former commissioner during his tenure.

He acknowledged Sagagi’s contributions to the development of the state, particularly in the areas of politics, religion, small and medium enterprises.

The Governor wished him success in his future endeavours as he reassured the public of his administration’s continued commitment to efficient service delivery and good governance in the state.

This decision is part of the ongoing strategic realighment of government structures for systematic growth and sustainable development.

 

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Terrorist Logistics Suppliers Apprehended in Borno

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

 

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai, OPHK, have apprehended 18 suspected logistics suppliers allegedly enroute Gubio, with plans to proceed to the Gudumbali axis, a known Boko Haram terrorists, BHTs, enclave.

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai, OPHK, have apprehended 18 suspected logistics suppliers allegedly enroute Gubio, with plans to proceed to the Gudumbali axis, a known Boko Haram terrorists, BHTs, enclave.

This is contained in a daily operational report made available to the News Agency of Nigeria on Wednesday.

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The military said the suspects were intercepted while travelling towards the location to deliver the goods to the terrorists.

According to the report, preliminary investigation revealed that all 18 suspects confessed to engaging in the supply of goods to the terrorist group.

“They admitted that they routinely purchase and convey items to the terrorists.

“Their justification was lack of employment, which points to a deeper socio-economic challenge in Maiduguri and its environs,” the army said.

The development, according to the reportt, validates recent remarks by the Chief of Defence Staff on the link between economic hardship and the sustenance of insurgency logistics networks.

“The arrest highlights the critical role of civilian collaborators in sustaining terrorist operations, particularly in remote areas such as Gubio and Gudumbali,” it added.

The army called for a comprehensive approach combining military operations with economic empowerment and job creation to address the root causes of insurgency in the region.

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Kano Gov’t  Offers Study Scholarship to SWAN Members

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By Abdulgafar Oladimeji

Kano state government has  facilitated and supported   members of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN Kano chapter  to proceed to pursue professional certification courses  in sports journalism, our correspondent reports .

The Special  Adviser , youths and sports to Kano state governor, Sani Musa Danja, disclosed that the offer covers their tuition fees.

He said ,   the beneficiaries  have been identified and their enrolment process have been completed.

According to him,  through interactions with stakeholders , the decision was reached for  some sports writers, who  are faced with the challenge of acquiring the required professional qualification to practice their trade should be given support to fill the gap.

said, findings have revealed that , for Kano sports writers to compete favorably there exists the urgent need to empower members of the association  to acquire certain requisite qualification to enable them feature amongst the best in Nigeria and beyond.

Danja speaking, when he hosted SWAN members in his  office , located within the premises of Kano state Library Complex, along Ahmadu Bello Way said that  the state government, under Abba Kabir Yusuf ,  on discovering this major   challenge , acted swiftly to address the lapses, by offering  to sponsor 10 SWAN  members to pursue professional diploma in Sports Journalism at El Roi London University.

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In his word  “ we give thanks to almighty Allah for his mercies, I want to thank our mentor and leader, his excellency governor, Abba Kabiru Yusuf , who made this possible.

“his excellency takes the issue of empowering our people very seriously, the challenge facing our sports journalists is principally the issue of professional certification, some of our sports journalists have their degrees in other fields, but we are aware that, they also require to obtain certain  minimum qualification in journalism or other related fields to help them to excel .

“in line with the policy of the government of his excellency, we have moved in to make sure , these sons and daughter of Kano overcome  this hinderance that may hinder their professional progress.

“the sports media is the back bone of sports development and sports promotion, our government is focused and committed to  support and reshape the sports media to achieve the set out goal to empower Kano youths through sports.

“the mission  of his excellency through this gesture is   to empower our professional sports journalists and give them the required qualification to continue with their pursuit to upward steadily representation of  Kano state in that sector.

 

Danja hinted that,  Kano state government remains unrepentant  in its  upward investment drive to create a generation  of professionals that  would keep the state afloat on the terrain of quality and abundance human resources.

Reacting, chairman SWAN Kano chapter, comrade Zahradeen Saleh thanked the state government for the support.

He said, the scholarship offer is an major step towards uplifting the practice of sports journalism in the state.

He said the dividends of sports could only  accrue with the effective operations of the sporting press through the training and re-training of sports writers.

He admitted that, acquiring the requisite qualification to practice  sports journalism has been one of the major challenges confronting members of the association.

“ our members  who are the beneficiaries of this offer are  youths, on completion of the professional course, they will have stable professional growth and  would be better equipped to contribute their quota to the development of the state.” Zahradeen said .

 

 

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