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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.

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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President Tinubu Seeks Senate Confirmation for Lt. General Oluyede as Chief of Army Staff

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President Bola Tinubu on Friday wrote the Senate, seeking confirmation of Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede’s appointment as the substantive Chief of Army Staff.

“In his letter sent today, President Tinubu seeks Oluyede’s confirmation in accordance with the provision of Section 218(2) of the 1999 Constitution as amended and Section 18(1) of the Armed Forces Act,” Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, revealed in a statement.

The statement is titled ‘President Tinubu writes Senate, seeks confirmation of Lt. General Oluyede as Chief of Army Staff.’

Tinubu appointed Oluyede as the Acting Chief of Army Staff on October 30 following the illness of Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja.

General Lagbaja, however, died on November 5.

Onanuga said, “President Tinubu is confident about the leadership qualities, professional integrity, and experience of Lt. General Oluyede to lead and inspire the army to ensure national security and stability.”

Before he was appointed Acting Chief of Army Staff, Oluyede, a member of the 39th Regular Course, like his predecessor, served as the 56th Commander of the elite Infantry Corps of the Nigerian Army, based in Jaji, Kaduna.

 

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Lawyer Alleges Tenure Elongation Plot in Letter to Governor Yusuf

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Barrister Mustapha I. Zubair, a prominent lawyer and politically conscious citizen of Kano State, has written a letter to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, alleging a plot by certain senior civil servants to extend their tenure of service beyond the mandated retirement age. The letter, which expresses deep concern over the issue, highlights the potential implications of such actions on the state’s governance and public trust.

Zubair, a registered voter of Gwale Local Government, begins the letter by expressing gratitude and admiration for Governor Yusuf’s leadership and pro-people policies. “Your exemplary leadership and pro-people policies have continually fostered growth and prosperity, and we, the citizens, are deeply appreciative of your dedication,” Zubair states in the letter.

However, Zubair quickly shifts focus to the matter of tenure elongation, which he describes as a growing concern among the people of Kano State. “It is evidently clear that after the recent posting of permanent secretaries in the state, some top government functionaries who will be due for retirement in December 2024 are now striving day and night to secure tenure elongation only for themselves,” he alleges.

The letter emphasizes the potential negative implications of such actions, suggesting that the attempt to prolong service tenure by a few senior civil servants could undermine the principles of fairness and transparency in the state’s administration. Zubair urges Governor Yusuf to address the issue promptly to maintain public trust and ensure that the state’s governance remains transparent and accountable.

The letter concludes with a plea for Governor Yusuf to take immediate action to prevent any attempts at tenure elongation and to uphold the integrity of the state’s civil service. “We trust in your commitment to justice and fairness, and we believe that you will take the necessary steps to address this issue,” Zubair writes.

The allegations have sparked discussions among political observers and citizens, who are keenly watching how Governor Yusuf will respond to the concerns raised in the letter.

 

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FG Obeys Court’s Order, Stops FAAC Allocation to Rivers State

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Senator Bola Ahmad Tinubu

 

The Nigerian government under President Bola Tinubu has confirmed that it has stopped the October monthly Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) revenue payment to Rivers State.

The development comes amid the ongoing face-off between Governor Simi Fubara and the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesome Wike.

According to the Spokesperson of the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, Bawa Mokwa, the decision to stop the payment was made in respect of a court order.

Mokwa disclosed that the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) will respect the court order, which barred the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigerian government from disbursing monthly allocations to the Rivers State government.

His words: “What I got is that the October 2024 FAAC has not been distributed yet. However, the Federal Government will obey the court order on the matter of Rivers State allocation.

“We are going to follow due diligence as long as there is no contrary order. In case there is a contrary, the status will remain.”

He added, “The process of disbursement of the October 2024 monthly allocation is going.”

The court order was obtained by the factional Rivers State Assembly, led by Martin Amaewhule, who had filed an originating summons against the Rivers State Executive, under the leadership of Simi Fubara.

The Amaewhule faction had alleged that the Rivers State Executive was yet to comply with the order of a Federal High Court directing it to re-present the 2024 appropriation bill to the faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

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