Sule Abdulaziz, chief executive officer (CEO), Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), says TCN is not to blame for all national grid collapses in the country.

In an interview with Channels TV’s ‘Sunday Politics’ on Sunday, Abdulaziz said system collapse could be caused by generation, transmission, and distribution issues.

“TCN is in charge of the grid but if there’s a system collapse, it doesn’t mean that all the problems are from TCN,” he said.

“It can be from generation, it can be from transmission, and it can be from distribution. And some of these also can come as a disaster. So if there is any system collapse, we have to make studies, find out what is the cause of this grid collapse.

“But you cannot say it is the fault of TCN, just like that. But TCN are the ones that are managing the grid.”

‘GRID COLLAPSED TWICE LAST WEEK, NOT THRICE’

On October 19, the national electricity grid collapsed for the third time within a week and the eighth time in 2024.

However, Abdulaziz said the grid disturbance occurred twice in the week.

“We have grid disturbances two times. The first one was on Monday and the second one was yesterday on Saturday,” the TCN CEO said.

“So there are some news that says that the grid collapsed again on Tuesday.

“That one is not correct. On Monday, we were trying to restore the grid, then we had some setback and that is when we had to start all over again, but it wasn’t a collapse.”

He said the commission is supposed to do better to avoid frequent collapses.

“But if you look at the records, the grid collapse has reduced from 2015. If you have all these records, you will see that from the year 2022, we spent over one and a half years, and there was no grid collapse. So we are doing our best,” he said.

“We know we have to do more, but at least we are getting to know the issues and we are resolving them one by one.”

‘TRANSMISSION SYSTEM NEEDS MASSIVE INVESTMENT’

According to Abdulaziz, the transmission system needs a lot of investment, adding that the sector was neglected for many years.

“So, most of the equipment we are using, some of them are even 50 years old, some 40 years old,” he said.

“So it is not possible for those equipment to work perfectly.”

Abdulaziz said investment should be continuous.

“Continuously, we build new substations, we buy spare parts and change some of the outdated,” he said.

“You see, it cannot be done once. It is bit by bit. And if you look at the TCN, most of the funds we are using is from internally generated revenue (IGR).

“There are some projects that are sponsored from the federal budget, but most of the maintenance is carried out by IGR.

“So what we do every year is that we schedule some maintenance, changing some of the old equipment.”

However, he said all grid infrastructure can not be upgraded at the same time.

On October 17, Adebayo Adelabu, minister of power, said the frequent system failure at the national grid is inevitable due to the outdated infrastructure.

The Senator representing Edo South in the National Assembly, Neda Imasuen, has urged President Bola Tinubu to consider the plight and sufferings of Nigerians.

The lawmaker who was elected on the platform of the Labour Party (LP), stated that the government is not playing its role in alleviating the suffering of the people.

Speaking on Sunday as a guest on Inside Sources with Laolu Akande on Channels Television, Senator Imasuen told President Tinubu that the suffering Nigerians are passing through due to the policies of his government, might be too much a price to pay for the reforms the government is pushing.

According to him, the twin policies of petrol subsidy removal and unification of forex windows by the Tinubu government are ill-timed and wrongly implemented.

He lamented that several Nigerians are unable to afford a bag of rice, and the people should be given a breathing space.

The lawmaker said the legislature “Can only support them (the executive) and hope that their plan takes us to the destination”.

Imasuen added, “This is not the time to trade blame; it’s time to sit down and say, look, our people are suffering, how do we sort out the situation we have found ourselves?

“The steps that are being taken, I’m afraid that the suffering that Nigerians are going through right now is too much a price to pay for it.

“Now, this is a country that we don’t produce, we import, and we are devaluing our naira. I don’t see how that is going to help us. Everything is tied to the dollar, and the dollar keeps going up.

“Let’s develop our industries. These SMEs work a lot if we can strengthen small and medium enterprises and give the middle class breathing space to do what he has to do.

“On this question of subsidy, there is no country that does not subsidise, especially in the area of agriculture. Our farmers need access to funding and they need government intervention to produce the food that we need. Today, many cannot buy a bag of rice; it’s about N100,000.”

Naija News reports that following the removal of the fuel subsidy and the floating of the naira by President Tinubu, many Nigerians have been battling for survival due to the soaring inflation and increasing prices of food and other commodities in the market.

The Lagos police command has released all protesters earlier arrested for marking the fourth anniversary of #EndSARS.

The protesters gathered at the Lekki tollgate area on Sunday for a memorial rally before they were resisted by armed police officers.

The police officers subsequently shot teargas canisters to disperse the protesters.

Defiantly, another group of activists arrived at the tollgate some moments later to continue the memorial walk.

The police officers, stationed at the tollgate, arrested about 20 of them, including Taiwo Soweto, one of the leaders of the #EndBadGovernance movement.

Hours later, Inibehe Effiong, human rights lawyer, said the release of all protesters has been facilitated.

“We have secured the release of all the 22 activists who were arrested this morning at the Lekki Toll Gate while commemorating the 4th anniversary of the Lekki massacre,” Effiong tweeted.

“We had a discussion with the commissioner of police who came over to the state CID in respect of the matter.”

Effiong said the items seized from the protesters were also returned to them.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has warned that out-of-school children could end up becoming weapons for Boko Haram.

He stated that the menace provides a fertile ground for the recruitment of future Boko Haram insurgents.

Obasanjo gave the warning on Sunday in Bauchi, when he inaugurated the dualised seven-kilometre Awala-Mairuguri Road and 17.70-kilometre Awalah-Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa National Airport Road.

He also inaugurated the 30-kilometre Gubi-Ruda Bida-Siyi-Nasarawa Road.

Speaking during the ceremony, the former President noted that education and human capacity building are very essential in ensuring development and creation of a safer society.

He said, “World Bank says we have over 20 million out-of-school children, who should be in school but are not.

“For a population of about 220 to 230 million, that is 10 per cent of our population that should be in school that are not in school.

“Dear governor of Bauchi State, your Royal Highnesses present here, brothers and sisters, that is recruitment for future Boko Haram and nobody needs to tell us that.”

The former president added “Apart from the 10 per cent of our population not being equipped to develop their innate capacity to be able to serve themselves, their family and communities, we are also preparing them to be recruited in 10 years or 15 years time for whatever form of Boko Haram it would be that time.

“We are preparing them for whatever form of banditry and it will not be kidnapers in the usual sense of it by that time, they may be coming to homes and be snatchers of people from their homes. Think about it.”

Obasanjo called on leaders at all levels to put their hands together and find a lasting solution to the menace once and for all.

The Nigerian Army has officially retired 15 senior officers from its Artillery Corps, marking a significant transition within the ranks.

The retired personnel include 11 Major Generals and four Brigadier Generals, who have played crucial roles in providing heavy firepower support to frontline forces during their service.

The retirement ceremony took place at the Nigerian Army School of Artillery in Kaduna State, where the contributions of the outgoing generals were acknowledged.

The Artillery Corps is known for its vital role in delivering artillery support in various military operations, enhancing the operational capabilities of the Army.

In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), the Nigerian Army celebrated the achievements of the retiring officers.

It read, “The Nigerian Army formally pulled out 15 retired generals from the Artillery Corps on Saturday, October 19, 2024, during a ceremony at the Nigerian Army School of Artillery in Kachia, Kaduna State. The group of retirees included 11 Major Generals and 4 Brigadier Generals.”

Speaking on behalf of the retired officers during the pulling-out parade, Maj Gen James Myam (retd.) reflected on their long military careers, expressing fulfilment and gratitude.

“He attributed their success to divine grace, acknowledging God’s protection throughout their years of service. He also extended his appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for the opportunity to serve and thanked the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja, wishing him continued strength and wisdom in his leadership of the NA.

“Looking back, Maj Gen Myam recalled the beginning of their military journeys when they reported to the Nigerian Defence Academy in Kaduna as Officer Cadets.

“He offered advice to the officers still in service, urging them to remain loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government while maintaining vigilance and security consciousness.

“The retired general also expressed gratitude to the families, spouses, friends, instructors, and mentors who supported them throughout their careers. The event was attended by several senior retired and serving military officers, including former Chief of Army Staff, Maj Gen Alwali Kazir (retd),“ the statement added.

Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bode George, has cried out on the need to restore the integrity of the judiciary in Nigeria.

According to George, some politicians have compromised the integrity of the judicial system, and there are allegations that some judges are even on the payroll of influential politicians.

He, therefore, called on the new Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, to ensure the integrity and esteemed status of the judiciary is restored.

George made the call in a statement on Sunday “The Time to End Judicial Rascality is Now.”

The former military governor of Ondo State added that it is worrisome and embarrassing that courts in the country have frequently been giving conflicting rulings on the same matter, with the situation now becoming an embarrassment to Nigerians.

He cautioned that if left unchecked, these actions could destabilize the country’s democracy.

He said: “I congratulate you on your confirmation by the Senate and your swearing-in by President Bola Tinubu as the Chief Justice of Nigeria. As a bonafide Lagosian and jurist from a family of legal luminaries, I strongly believe the judiciary will benefit from your wealth of knowledge. With you at the helm, I am hopeful the judiciary will reclaim the prominence it once had from the 1950s to the 1980s.”

Raising the alarm on what he described as “judicial rascality” emerging from courts, George noted the urgent need to curb the current trajectory and avoid “judicial anarchy.”

He explained: “Judicial decisions today are becoming embarrassing. We have instances where a court, miles away from the scene of political conflict, issues confusing rulings, leaving Nigerians bewildered. While appellate courts have the power to overturn lower court decisions, we are seeing a disturbing trend where lower courts, without jurisdiction, issue counter orders, creating judicial chaos.”

George advised the CJN to convene a National Judicial Council (NJC) meeting with state and federal judges to address these inconsistencies and restore public confidence in the judiciary.

He hoped for a return to the time in the 1950s to 1980s when the integrity of the judiciary was above board.

He singled out some past Chief Justices, including Justice Adetokunbo Ademola, Justice Teslim Elias, and Justice Kayode Eso, for resisting external pressures and maintaining the integrity of the judiciary during their times.

“From the 1950s to the 1980s, judges were revered and feared for their impartiality. It was unheard of to attempt bribing a judge. But today, some judges are openly accused of being on politicians’ payrolls,” he said.

The PDP chieftain, however, lamented that in many political cases since 1999, judges have been accused of delivering judgments that serve the interests of powerful individuals rather than justice.

He questioned the delivery of judgement based on “technicalities” that undermine the will of the people. He condemned the trend where just a few judges determine the final verdict in an election participated by millions of voters.

“How can three, five, or seven judges decide the outcome of elections for millions of Nigerians? What is the essence of voting if judges impose their will over the electorate’s choice?” he queried.

George stressed the need for the judiciary to be vigilant and avoid rulings that could undermine the democratic process, saying judicial officers wield such extensive powers.

“Judicial institutional strength is key to Nigeria’s development. Judges must resist pressure from politicians and remain impartial. They hold the power of life and death after God, and their judgments must reflect that responsibility,” George stated.

He urged the CJN to take urgent action to restore the credibility of the judiciary, and save Nigeria from politicians who are bent on compromising the judiciary for their own selfish interests.

“Today, some politicians who are no better than criminals have compromised the judiciary. This is dangerous for our electoral system and for the future of Nigeria. The time to end judicial rascality is now,” George concluded.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has revealed why he moved for the removal of Uche Secondus as the national Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Secondus, an elder statesman, was the Chairman of the PDP National Working Committee in 2017 and was suspended by the party in 2021.

The former governor of Rivers State, while addressing his followers and members of the PDP in Port Harcourt on Saturday, said he kicked out Secondus because as National Chairman, he wanted to bring Tele Ikuru to run for the governorship position of the state.

Wike further stated that he does not regret kicking Secondus out of office.

According to him, “Why did we kick out Secondus? We kicked him out because he wanted to bring his cousin Tele Ikuru. Get out, get out, who are you?

“We kicked him out. I have no regret about it. And it’s true. We kicked him out. I heard some leaders say, ‘how can a ward Chairman remove a national chairman?’

“No ward Chairman removed a national chairman. What the ward did was suspend him from the party. When you’re suspended from the party, can you hold that position? People don’t even understand the facts.”

Operatives of the Nigerian Police Force on Sunday reportedly fired shots and deployed tear gas to forcibly disperse protesters gathered at the Lekki Tollgate, in Lagos State.

Naija News reports that the demonstrators had assembled to commemorate those who lost their lives during the October 2020 #EndSARS protests against police brutality.

According to eyewitness accounts, the peaceful procession was interrupted when police officers began shooting into the air and deploying tear gas to disperse the crowd.

Many protesters fled the scene, while at least two individuals were arrested.

A source who spoke to SaharaReporters confirmed the arrests, though the identities of those detained remain unknown.

As of now, the police have not released an official statement addressing the incident or the use of force during the memorial gathering.

Recall that the Lekki Tollgate is the site of the tragic shooting on October 20, 2020, when security forces opened fire on unarmed protesters.

Thousands of youths, in October 2020, gathered in major cities across the country to protest against the constant harassment, killings, and extortion by officers of the defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad, a unit of the Nigerian police.

The protest culminated at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos, where several youths were reportedly killed and many others severely injured following the intervention of the Nigerian military.

In the aftermath of the protests, judicial panels were established across various states to assess and review the protesters’ demands.

However, almost four years later, protest leaders have expressed deep regret that many of the panels’ recommendations remain unimplemented.

President Bola Tinubu has tasked Vice President, Kashim Shettima, with leading Nigeria’s delegation to the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).

In a statement issued on Sunday by Stanley Nwokocha, the spokesman for the Vice President, it was confirmed that Shettima will represent Nigeria at this significant international gathering, which is set to take place in Apia, Samoa, from October 21 to 26.

The upcoming CHOGM will see participation from King Charles of England and leaders from 56 member countries, all converging to discuss critical issues affecting the Commonwealth.

The theme for this year’s meeting is “One Resilient Common Future: Transforming our Common Wealth.”

The statement reads, “The theme will focus attention on how member countries can harness their strengths through resilience, unlocking potential, leveraging the ‘Commonwealth Advantage’, and fostering a connected, digital Commonwealth.”

“At this meeting, Nigeria and other member countries will also elect and appoint the next Commonwealth Secretary-General.

“In line with the Agreed Memorandum on the Establishment and Functions of the Commonwealth Secretariat (revised 2022) and the principle of regional rotation, the next Commonwealth Secretary-General will come from the Africa Region.

“The candidates for the role are from Lesotho, Ghana, and The Gambia, while Nigeria will have a major role to play as the largest African member in this regard.

“Consolidating the progress made at CHOGM 2022, VP Shettima and other world leaders will also deliberate on the global economy, environmental and security challenges, discussing how Commonwealth countries can work together to build resilience, boost trade, innovation, growth, and empower the Commonwealth’s 1.5 billion young people for a more peaceful and sustainable future.

“The Vice President is expected to use the platform provided by the Commonwealth Business Forum to further attract investors to Nigeria, as global experts from businesses and the private sector convene to recommend and champion solutions to global challenges.

“Senator Shettima will also participate in the People’s Forum, the single largest opportunity organized by the Commonwealth Foundation for people to engage with leaders on global development issues. He will also engage in bilateral meetings and other executive sessions.”

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has alleged that the camp of the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, is fighting him because he refused to join forces with them during the elections.

Naija News reports that Wike spoke during a private luncheon with stakeholders in Port Harcourt, Rivers state capital, on Saturday.

The Minister hosted the luncheon in honour of the Martin Amaewhule-led faction of the Rivers House of Assembly.

The former governor of Rivers State said he refused to support Peter Obi for the 2023 presidential election despite being lobbied so much for support.

Wike said he turned down the lobbyist because Obi would not win the election.

He added that some persons in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who want the party’s presidential ticket in 2027 are also ganging up against him.

Wike boasted that his political enemies would not emerge victorious.

He said, “Peter Obi’s group lobbied me so much. They cannot deny it. And I said ‘look, this one won’t fly.’ ‘Rivers State will not vote for where it’s not going to fly’. There’s also a gang up and I say, ‘look, enough is enough.’ They want to fight us back. They’re fighting themselves.

“There is another gang-up within the PDP who wants to be president and they say, ‘look if we don’t do anything now we have a problem’. I can assure you they will have a problem.

“There is another APC — very prominent. All these people combined, they will lose.”