Connect with us

News

Presidential Villa to Go Off-Grid with Solar Power by March 2026

Published

on

 

 

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Presidential Villa in Abuja is on track to sever its connection to the national electricity grid by March 2026, following the completion of a dedicated solar mini-grid project. The Federal Government has finalized plans to move the seat of power entirely off-grid, marking a major step toward energy independence and cost reduction.

State House Permanent Secretary, Temitope Fashedemi, disclosed this on Wednesday while defending the 2026 budget proposal before the Senate Committee on Special Duties at the National Assembly. He confirmed that the solar installation was completed in late 2025 and has been undergoing technical evaluation since December.

“We are hopeful that by March we will be able to effect a full cutover,” Fashedemi told lawmakers. He emphasized that the shift from the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) would significantly lower the operational costs of running the Presidential Villa.

Advert

To demonstrate the viability of the project, Fashedemi cited the State House Medical Centre, which has operated entirely on solar power since May 2025. According to him, the facility has not switched on its generator since installation.

“In fact, since May last year, the generator at the Medical Centre has not been switched on for one minute,” he said. He added that less than three per cent of the centre’s energy needs were briefly supplemented from AEDC during the initial transition phase, with the remainder fully covered by solar panels and battery storage.

The Federal Government allocated N10 billion in the 2025 budget for the solar mini-grid project—a decision that sparked public debate at the time. An additional N7 billion has been proposed in the 2026 Appropriation Bill to consolidate and expand the initiative.

The transition comes amid efforts to resolve longstanding electricity debt. In February 2024, AEDC listed the Villa among its top government debtors, with an outstanding balance of N923.87 million. Following reconciliation, the figure was reduced to N342.35 million, which President Bola Ahmed Tinubu directed to be settled immediately.

Fashedemi further revealed that the testing phase uncovered instances of overbilling by AEDC, including charges for electricity allegedly not delivered. He confirmed that discussions were ongoing to reconcile what he termed “legacy liabilities” with the utility company.

With the full transition to solar, the Villa will no longer rely on its aging generator fleet, some of which have been in use since the complex was first constructed.

While a few units may be retained strictly for emergency purposes, Fashedemi expressed confidence that the new solar infrastructure would provide stable, sustainable power for the entire Presidential Villa.

News

No Sin in Politics’ Wike Says as Fubara Returns to Rainbow Coalition

Published

on

 

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

FCT minister Nyesom Wike has welcomed the return of Governor Siminalayi Fubara to his political side, declaring the latter has corrected his mistakes.

He said this in Abuja on Tuesday after inspecting the project, alongside the ongoing construction of the service carriageways of the Southern Parkway in Gaduwa District, Abuja.

Reacting to the Rivers governor’s recent declaration about his return to the Rainbow Coalition and pledge of complete loyalty to President Bola Tinubu’s re-election, Mr Wike said, “There is no sin in politics.”

Advert

The minister further stated, “If someone realises he made a mistake and decides to correct it, there is nothing wrong with that.

“What matters is recognising that you were on the wrong path and deciding to take the right path.”

The minister, who welcomed Mr Fubara back into his political fold, insisted that the governor had “no other choice” than to return to the political family that brought him to power.

Mr Wike explained that the Rivers governor’s decision to align with his political camp publicly was a step in the right direction, adding that the reconciliation would strengthen support for Mr Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections.

“I said during my last media chat that he had no other choice but to return to the same political family that produced him,” Mr Wike stated.

Continue Reading

News

Aminu Magashi Donates Relief Materials to Bichi Female Rehabilitation Centre Inmates

Published

on

 

The Technical Adviser to the Kano State Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Aminu Magashi Garba, has donated relief materials, including blankets, food items, and essential drugs, to inmates of the Bichi Female Rehabilitation Centre following the destruction caused by a recent rainstorm.

Dr. Magashi made the donation during a visit to the facility on Sunday, July 26, accompanied by officials of the Kano State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), led by its Executive Secretary, Alhaji Isyaku Abdullahi Kubarachi.

The visit followed a heavy rainstorm that damaged parts of the rehabilitation centre, leaving several buildings in need of urgent repairs. During the inspection, Dr. Magashi interacted with staff and female inmates while assessing the extent of the destruction.

He observed that the rainstorm had blown off the roofs of several female accommodation blocks, while sections of the perimeter fence had collapsed, creating serious safety and security concerns for the facility.

In response to the situation, Dr. Magashi commended the Kano State Emergency Management Agency for its swift intervention, particularly the decision to temporarily relocate all female inmates to a dedicated and secured section within the Bichi Male Rehabilitation Centre.

Advert

According to SEMA, the temporary relocation was undertaken to safeguard the lives and welfare of the inmates while rehabilitation and reconstruction of the damaged facility are carried out.

Dr. Magashi described the agency’s response as timely and necessary, noting that the safety and well-being of vulnerable persons in government care should remain a top priority.

He also pledged to support SEMA and the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation in convening a strategic stakeholders’ meeting aimed at reviewing the incident and strengthening emergency response mechanisms across rehabilitation centres in the state.

The meeting, he said, would provide an opportunity to mobilize additional support from government institutions, non-governmental organizations, and development partners to improve SEMA’s capacity in managing the 13 rehabilitation centres under its supervision.

Dr. Magashi highlighted his continued commitment to supporting humanitarian interventions across Kano State, recalling that he had previously visited six of the state’s 13 rehabilitation centres where he donated drugs and food items to inmates.

He added that he had also sponsored a one-day capacity-building training for health workers serving in the rehabilitation centres to improve healthcare delivery to inmates.

The Technical Adviser expressed appreciation to the Executive Governor of Kano State, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf, for appointing him to serve in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, pledging to continue supporting initiatives that improve the welfare of vulnerable residents across the state.If you’d like, I can also make it follow the exact Nigerian Tracker house style with a stronger lead, subhead, and editor-ready formatting.

Continue Reading

News

Muhuyi Declares War on Drug Crime, Says No Politician Can Influence Arrests

Published

on

 

The Chairman of the Kano State Taskforce Committee on the Control of Drug Abuse and Illicit Substances, Barrister Muhuyi Magaji Rimin Gado, has declared that no politician or influential individual can compel him to release suspected drug offenders arrested in the state.
Barrister Muhuyi made the declaration while briefing journalists in Kano, reaffirming the committee’s commitment to intensifying the fight against drug abuse and trafficking.

He stressed that the committee would not tolerate any form of interference from individuals or groups seeking to obstruct its operations or influence its decisions.
“I will not spare any politician or individual who attempts to influence our work or requests the release of offenders. The only person who can stop me is the Governor, and I know he will never interfere with our mandate,” Barrister Muhuyi said.
The taskforce chairman called on residents of Kano State to support the committee by providing credible and timely information that would aid the fight against drug-related crimes.

Advert

He also warned drug dealers, traffickers, financiers, and other members of criminal syndicates to desist from their activities, insisting that Kano would no longer serve as a safe haven for the illicit drug trade.
“Our committee will not spare anyone found engaging in the sale, distribution, or consumption of illicit substances. We are determined to rid Kano State of drug-related crimes and create a safer society for all,” he added.

Continue Reading

Trending