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Adamawa Rescues 14 Children from Human Trafficking Ring, Hands over to Parents

Adamawa Rescues 14 Children from Human Trafficking Ring, Hands over to Parents

Daji Sani in Yola

The Adamawa State Government has successfully rescued 14 children who were victims of a human trafficking ring and reunited them with their parents.

The children, between the ages of 4 and 9, were trafficked from various communities in Adamawa State to the Southeastern region of Nigeria.

The state Deputy Governor, Professor Kaletapwa George Farauta, in her speech at the handover ceremony in Yola, said the trafficker, a middle-aged woman of Igbo extraction identified as Ngozi Abdulwahab, perfected the art of trafficking minors from Adamawa State to the Southeastern region, where she sold the victims for paltry sums of ₦800,000 to ₦1.7 million per child.

The deputy governor revealed that the government received an intelligence report about missing children in July 2025 and swung into action with the cooperation of security operatives. 

A combined manhunt was launched, and the trafficker was arrested.

She further stated that the government has commended the security agencies, including the Police, DSS, and NSCDC, for their role in rescuing the children. The Ministry of Women Affairs and the media were also praised for their professional reportage.

She further explained that the rescued children have been rehabilitated and prepared to be reunited with their parents. The government has provided each family with ₦100,000 and food and non-food items to cushion any negative effect of the reunion.

According to her, the Ministry of Women Affairs and the Welfare Departments of respective local government areas will institute routine follow-ups to monitor the children’s upkeep and reintegration with their families.

The deputy governor emphasized that child trafficking is a crime that must not go unpunished and that the government will prosecute the perpetrators to the fullest extent of the law. She called on parents to take parenting more seriously and treat children with the deserved responsibility.

She said: “The government has assured the public that it will continue to work tirelessly to prevent child trafficking and protect the rights of children in the state. The general public has been urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the relevant authorities.

“The Adamawa State Government has promised to continue working with security agencies to dismantle human trafficking networks and protect the rights of children in the state. The rescued children are expected to be reunited with their parents today.”

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Daji Sani in Yola The Adamawa State Government has successfully rescued 14 children who were victims of a human trafficking ring and reunited them with their parents. The children, between the
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Northern CAN Urges Christians to Participate in Voter Registration

Northern CAN Urges Christians to Participate in Voter Registration

John Shiklam in Kaduna

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has called on its members 

to participate actively in the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise that commenced recently.

(INEC).

In a statement yesterday, Chairman of Northern CAN, Rev. Yakubu Pam, urged  Christians to use  the opportunity ahead of the 2027 general election.

“As responsible citizens and followers of Christ, we have a moral and civic duty to contribute meaningfully to the future of our nation,” he said.

“One of the most effective ways to do this is through active participation in the democratic process, beginning with voter registration.”

The association emphasised the importance of voter registration as the first step towards securing a Permanent Voter Card (PVC), which it described as “the gateway to participating in elections and having a say in who leads our country at all levels,” he added.

The association urged every Christian of voting age, especially those who have not previously registered or who have relocated since the last elections, to turn out en masse and update their records with Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Pam noted that “Democracy thrives when the voices of the people are heard. As a community of faith, we must not sit on the sidelines.”

He said: “It is imperative that Christians rise to the occasion and engage fully in the electoral process. 

“By registering, voting, and encouraging others to do the same, we can help ensure that leaders who reflect our values of integrity, justice, equity, and godliness are elected into positions of authority,” he said.

According to Pam,  good governance does not happen by chance and called on churches, Christian organisations, and community leaders to mobilise their members.

“Our silence or indifference only empowers the wrong forces to take control of the destiny of our people and our nation.

“We call on churches, Christian organisations, and community leaders across the North and beyond to mobilise their members and ensure that no eligible Christian is left behind in this critical exercise.

“Let us work together to educate, encourage, and empower our members to register, collect their PVCs, and prepare to vote when the time comes. God bless Nigeria,” he said. 

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John Shiklam in Kaduna The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has called on its members  to participate actively in the
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Rainstorm Destroys  Houses, Council Secretariat in Jos

Rainstorm Destroys  Houses, Council Secretariat in Jos

Seriki Adinoyi in Jos

A  rainstorm   yesterday  hit Jos, Plateau State capital destroying South Local Government secretariat and  some houses  in the Bukuru area of the city.

Chairman of Jos South LGA, Mr. Silas Patrick Dung, confirmed the development to newsmen, saying the storm was extremely strong, uprooting the entire four columns holding the Secretariat gate house and destroying some houses in the community.

“For the storm to destroy the Council Secretariat gate built with 25 mm rod tells you that it must be a very strong rainstorm,” he said.

The chairman, who visited the affected areas with officials from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), reported that about six houses were destroyed, with several others having their roofs blown off and fences damaged.

“From what we can ascertain at the moment, we have counted about six houses that were destroyed. 

We are still going round the community and waiting to hear from other locations if the extent of damage is more than what we are able to assess now,” Dung explained.

The chairman blamed the damage on the strong winds, describing it as a natural disaster. 

“It’s actually a storm that caused the havoc. So, it is a natural disaster and not man-made because there is nothing anyone could have done to stop it. The local government is working to assess the full extent of the damage and provide support to affected residents,” he added.

He assured the people that the council would take necessary steps to prevent further risks and damage to the vandalised structures.

 “We are trying to pull down the structure so as to prevent further risk the destroyed structure could pose in the people,” Dung stated.

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Seriki Adinoyi in Jos A  rainstorm   yesterday  hit Jos, Plateau State capital destroying South Local Government secretariat and  some houses  in the Bukuru area of the city. Chairman of Jos South LGA, Mr. Silas Patrick Dung,
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Group Accuses Oyebanji of Neglecting Healthcare, Infrastructure

Group Accuses Oyebanji of Neglecting Healthcare, Infrastructure

. Oluyede vows to oust  Ekiti Gov, says PDP not dead

Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti and Folalumi Alaran in Abuja

The Ekiti Progressives Assembly has accused the Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s administration of abandoning critical infrastructure and social services in the state despite reported growth in internally generated revenue (IGR).

This is just as  a  leading governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) in Ekiti state, Dr. Wole Oluyede, has vowed to unseat Oyebanji,, using the party, PDP that is currently being underestimated in the state. At a press conference held yesterday, the group said while government figures show that Ekiti’s IGR rose from about N650 million to N2.3 billion monthly in three years, placing the state among the top performers nationally,  the increase was not backed by sustainable economic growth.

According to the Assembly, the surge was driven largely by “intensified taxation” as 80 per cent of the revenue reportedly comes from personal income tax, leaving residents to bear the burden without commensurate benefits.

The Convener of the group, Mr. Babajide Alofe, and Secretary, Kehinde Oni Oloke, cited abandoned health centres in Iropora-Ekiti and Igede-Ekiti, and the poor state of the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, as evidence of government neglect.

According to them, “Symbols of broken promises lurk across the state. Citizens still lack access to functional health care, while communities are left with unroofed and dilapidated structures that were meant to serve them under this administration.”

The group also criticised the government’s handling of road projects, noting that while some projects were inaugurated, vital routes such as the Ado–Aramoko road remained in deplorable condition.

On education, the Assembly claimed that schools remained poorly equipped despite budgetary allocations. It also accused the government of favouring multinational agricultural interests in land disputes, particularly the controversy surrounding Agbeyewa Farms in Ikole, at the expense of local farmers.

The group dismissed government assurances of plans to renovate 100 health facilities in 2025 under the World Bank–supported IMPACT programme, insisting that many health centres remain non-functional.

“Ekiti deserves empowerment, not crumbs. This administration celebrates taxation as progress, while our children sit in broken classrooms and our hospitals remain locked,” the Assembly declared.

It urged youths, women, civil servants, and the media to hold the administration accountable, stressing that Ekiti State is at “a critical crossroads and must reject façade development backed by hollow rhetoric.”

Meanwhile, a  leading governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) in Ekiti state, Dr. Wole Oluyede, has vowed to unseat Oyebanji,, using the party, PDP that is currently being underestimated in the state.

Oluyede, who was received by a massive turnout  yesterday  in his ward at Ugele Arokun, Ikere Ekitia ahead of  2026 gubernatorial election in the state, insisted that PDP in Ekiti is alive and ready to challenge any political force and claim victory come 2026 Guber poll.

According to  him, “Every party has people leaving, that is politics. Political parties are free entry and free exit. If you disagree, you leave.

“But PDP is very much alive in Ekiti. I remember some people saying a few months ago that PDP is dead. Does it look like a dead party now? I told them, you should be careful of a deep, sitting or moving stream, you don’t know how deep it is.

“Our party in Ekiti has no problem. The people who have left PDP are those who couldn’t find their footing. They are very few and we know them. It doesn’t shake the foundation of PDP.

“I hereby declare my intention to run. PDP’s presence in Ekiti is clear, the deaf can hear, the blind can see. We’ll get to Oke-Ayaba in 2026. Ikere is ready to take its rightful place in Ekiti politics.”

The former Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Kola Oluwawole, equally urged the youths, aged and women to support  aspirant, saying only a positive transition can make Ekiti reclaim its leadership role among the subnationals in the country.

Also speaking at the rally, a former PDP national chairman in South-west, Chief Makanjuola, described Oluyede as the right choice for Ekiti, saying Ikere has the voting capacity to oust the incumbent Governor,  Oyebanji from office.

A leader of the PDP, Sehinde Daramola, also urged party members to desist  from running after incentives from the aspirant, saying this would not only taint their integrity but also affect Oluyede’s victory at the pool.

He lamented the deceit and dishonesty among members, stressing that it’s the major factor that has contributed to the division within PDP, urging them to play politics as it’s supposed to be.

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. Oluyede vows to oust  Ekiti Gov, says PDP not dead Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti and Folalumi Alaran in Abuja The Ekiti Progressives Assembly has accused the Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s administration
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In Japan, Tinubu Salutes Nigerian Military’s Momentum Against Insecurity

In Japan, Tinubu Salutes Nigerian Military’s Momentum Against Insecurity

•Says success of armed forces will spur national development and stability
•Japan’s PM promises $5.5bn support for Africa
•Seeks Continents support towards tackling problem of declining population

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

President Bola Tinubu, yesterday, in Japan, saluted Nigeria’s current momentum against general insecurity, saying the success of the armed forces would serve as springboard for national development and stability.

Tinubu, who spoke extensively on the war against insurgency and criminality, emphasised his administration’s commitment to addressing the root causes of insecurity through strengthening government’s security apparatus and ongoing economic reforms.

The president made the remarks yesterday during his intervention at the plenary session on Peace and Stability at the 9th meeting of the Tokyo International Conference for African Development (TICAD9) holding in Yokohama, Japan.

Reaffirming that inclusivity, diversity, and the rule of law remained Nigeria’s greatest strengths, the president described the current momentum in the Nigerian Armed Forces as a springboard for national development and stability.

“Nigeria’s brave armed forces can win any number of battles, but we do justice to their heroism only when we, as government, are courageous in tackling not just terror, but also the underlying causes,” the president said.

Tinubu, who spoke after the opening ceremony of the three-day conference, emphasised the ongoing investments in infrastructure, institutional reforms, and collaboration with civil society and international partners to improve the living standards of all Nigerians.

He stressed the essence of peace and stability to meaningful development, lamenting that conflicts were still ongoing in many African countries despite some progress.

He however, highlighted recent peace pacts brokered in the Congo as evidence that a new model of mediation and economic considerations could yield success.
“We should be under no illusions about the scale of our task. But neither should we underestimate the successes we have had. In the past, competition for resources has weakened states and triggered conflict.

“Now, we see mediators directly linking outcomes to investment in Congo. It is working and underlines the need for fresh thinking in everything we do to deliver peace and stability.

“Nigeria understands this process well. We believe inclusivity and diversity under the rule of law are our strengths. We have argued for this vision, and we have fought for it. We are still fighting for it today.

“We have learned that our brave armed forces can win many battles. But we can do justice to their heroism and sacrifice only when we, as governments, display the courage to be tough, not only on terror, but on the causes of terror,” he said.

Tinubu also appealed for market-driven cooperation and partnerships across nations rather than the hackneyed appeals for aid and handouts.
He seized the opportunity to call on the Japanese government to support the campaign for reforms in the United Nations’ organs, especially the United Nations Security Council, to give African countries a greater voice.

His words: “It is the view of Nigeria that Africa’s quest for fair and equitable representation in the UN Security Council is a just and fair demand. Indeed, Africa deserves two seats in the Permanent Category, with all its prerogatives and privileges, including the Right of Veto.

“Africa also deserves additional seats in the non–permanent seat category of the Security Council, as encapsulated in the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration.”

Addressing the role of information and technology, Tinubu called for international cooperation to ensure technology becomes a tool for peace and trust, not division and alienation.

Earlier, the Japanese Prime Minister, Shigeru Ishiba, emphasised the importance of mutual understanding, local solutions, and collaborative efforts for Africa’s development.

He outlined Japan’s focus on private sector-led sustainable growth, youth and women empowerment, and regional integration.

Ishiba announced a collaborative economic framework between Japan and the African Development Bank that would see a maximum of $5.5 billion disbursed to Africa, utilising Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) private sector investment finance as a catalyst.

The Prime Minister emphasised that locally rooted solutions were essential for Africa’s development.

“Japan is providing various cooperation and support for Africa. But first of all, Japan needs to know more about Africa. So, in creating solutions together, this co-creation at the TICAD 9, we focus on three important areas: private sector-led sustainable growth, Youth and Women, and Regional integration and connectivity within and beyond Africa.”

He appealed to African countries to assist Japan as it grappled with the challenges of a declining population and shrinking agricultural land.
According to him, “In 75 years from now, the population of Japan would have been halved. In the local communities, the population continues to decline; this is one big challenge Japan is facing. All agricultural land is being reduced, another major challenge for Japan.”

Ishiba, who underscored the positives of Africa’s youthful population added: “There is another potential in Africa. There is so much growing young population in Africa. But for the power of young people in Africa to flourish, you need to create a manufacturing industry and create employment, and that, I believe, is very important.

“In Africa, there is a primary industry, agriculture, forestry, and industries, and then it jumped over to the tertiary sectors and the services industries.
“There is a jump in economic growth that Japan and other Asian countries have experienced and they have tried to move from the primary, the agriculture, fisheries, forestry to the secondary, that is a necessary process because the power of the youth could be realised fully in the manufacturing industry to improve the productivity of Africa’s manufacturing sector,” the prime minister stated.

Meanwhile, the presidency has justified Nigeria’s participation at TICAD9 in Japan.

Presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, in a statement, explained that the main objective of Nigeria’s participation was to focus on bilateral and multilateral engagements targeted at driving optimum performance in key sectors of nation’s economy especially in power, industry and agriculture.

The release also disclosed that in the course of the conference, Tinubu would hold talks with chief executive officers of Toyota Corporation, CFAO, UN-Habitat, UNDP and International Finance Corporation.

It further stated that while the Power Minister, Adebayo Adelabu would, among other assignments, engage in pre-activation meeting to execute several power projects in Nigeria that were being funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the goal of the Nigerian team did not include attending any trade expo.

The Presidency, in the release stated, “The trending social media narrative about an empty booth labelled ‘NIGERIA’ at the ongoing 9th Tokyo International Conference for African Development (TICAD9) in Yokohama, Japan, totally misrepresented our country’s mission and activities at the conference.

“While we understand the urge by many social media users to seek clickbaits with many incorrect posts, we also recognise that the author may have acted out of patriotic concern. But it is a concern inspired by ignorance about Nigeria’s mission at the triennial conference.

“The Nigerian delegation to the summit, led by President Bola Tinubu, is laser-focused on its core objectives of achieving tangible outcomes from the scheduled lineup of bilateral and multilateral engagements targeted at driving optimum performance in key sectors of the economy, especially in power, industry and agriculture.

“The Nigerian official delegation working with Corporate Nigeria, represented by some of our leading business leaders, didn’t come to Yokohama and Tokyo to attend any Trade Expo, designed as an open forum for participating nations.

“The Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA) is scheduled to host an investment forum on Thursday, August 21, 2025

“The Nigerian ministers are busy with bilateral sideline discussions. At the same time, President Tinubu will lead meetings with the executives of Toyota Corporation, CFAO, UN-Habitat, UNDP, and the International Finance Corporation. The delegation’s schedule does not include participation in an open forum trade exhibition.

“Specifically, the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, is leading the pre-activation meeting to execute several power projects in Nigeria that are being funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

“One of the projects is the Lagos-Ogun Power Transmission System Improvement, which is designed to improve the wheeling capacity and grid stability and enable the connection of industrial customers on the corridor.

“There is also the partnership between the National Power Training Institute (NAPTIN) and JICA to enhance Vocational Training Delivery for the power sector. The third power project is the Distributed Access Through Renewable Energy Scale-up, for which $190 million has been provided.

“The Minister of Power is scheduled to negotiate with notable Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) such as TOSHIBA and HITACHI.
“The Bank of Industry, led by its Managing Director/Chief Executive, Dr. Supo Olusi, is also in high-level discussions with the Japan International Cooperation Agency and other participating multilateral institutions for its annual global fund syndication.

“Social media posts are often sensational and do not tell complete stories, just as the trending video does not capture Nigeria’s participation at TICAD 9. Our country is fully and well represented and part of the essential conversations and negotiations that are going on at TICAD9.”

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•Says success of armed forces will spur national development and stability•Japan’s PM promises $5.5bn support for Africa•Seeks Continents support towards tackling problem of declining population Deji Elumoye in Abuja President
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Makinde Approves Ladoja as the 44th Olubadan, Installation Holds September 26

Makinde Approves Ladoja as the 44th Olubadan, Installation Holds September 26

Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan

Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has officially approved the nomination of Rashidi Ladoja as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland.

Following this official approval, the Olubadan-designate, Ladoja, would be formally crowned the 44th Olubadan at a coronation ceremony slated for Friday, September 26, 2025 at Mapo Hall in the ancient city.

A delegation by the state government, THISDAY gathered, met yesterday with Ladoja and other members of the Olubadan-in-Council at his Bodija, Ibadan residence.

A media aide to Ladoja, Chief Adeola Oloko, who confirmed the meeting said, “Ladoja will be enthroned as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland on Friday, 26 September, 2025.”

The former Oyo State governor had earlier on Tuesday held a closed-door meeting with the kingmakers at his private residence on Ondo Street, Old Bodija, Ibadan North Local Government.

The meeting, the first since his return following the demise of the immediate past monarch, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, lasted for about two hours.
The former Olubadan, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, joined his ancestors six weeks ago a few days after his 90th birthday celebrations.

But Ladoja, who had left town prior to the passing of the late Olubadan, returned to Ibadan Ibadan on Monday, preparatory to his official approval as the new Olubadan.

Ladoja, who described his journey to the throne as “bumpy and filled with trials”, attributed his emergence to the grace of God, Ladoja.
He spoke publicly for the first time on Monday since his official nomination, reflecting on the emotional and spiritual weight of his ascension following the death of his predecessor.

“When I heard about the transition of Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, it hit me with a rude shock. I never imagined that destiny would call me at this moment,” he said, addressing a crowd at his residence on Ondo Street, Bodija, Ibadan.

He paid tribute to the late Olubadan, describing him as a traditional ruler who upheld Ibadan’s customs with dignity and honor. He extended condolences to the royal family, the Olubadan-in-Council, and the people of Ibadanland.

Recounting his path to the throne, Ladoja noted that his journey began over three decades ago when he was installed as Jagun Balogun of Ibadanland on October 1, 1993.

Since then, he has steadily risen through the 36 hierarchical steps of the Ibadan traditional chieftaincy system—one of the most structured in Yorubaland.
“It has been a journey of patience, perseverance, and divine favour. Many who started this journey with me are no longer alive,” he said emotionally.

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Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has officially approved the nomination of Rashidi Ladoja as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland. Following this official approval, the Olubadan-designate, Ladoja,
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REA, Delta Partner on Off-grid Power, Plan to Raise State’s GDP By $2.9bn

REA, Delta Partner on Off-grid Power, Plan to Raise State’s GDP By $2.9bn

•Target 31,220 jobs, 471 unserved communities•Oborevwori: Delta won’t be left behind in renewables deployment

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The Delta state government and the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the possible deployment of off-grid electricity to 471 unserved communities, leading to an addition of about $2.9 billion to the state’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Besides, when fully implemented, the agreement is expected to result in the creation of about 31,220 jobs in the renewables segment of the power sector to cut the growing unemployment rate.

Speaking in Abuja at the REA’s ‘State-by-State Roundtable Engagement’ themed: “Unlocking Distributed Energy Investments for Industrial Growth and Inclusive Access in Delta State”, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori pledged the readiness of the state to fully take advantage of the suite of impactful programmes on offer by the REA.

During a presentation by the state government, it listed the immense potential for renewable energy, particularly solar power, with an annual average solar radiance of 4.53 kilowatts per hour, making it the highest in the South-south region.

On why the collaboration matters, the state government noted that electricity supply in rural areas is largely low, denying access to such basics as lighting and refrigeration for almost 70 per cent of the coastal rural areas of the state.

Despite the achievements of the government in rural electrification schemes, the state noted that on a regular basis, it is still inundated with requests from rural communities to either rehabilitate or reinforce existing dilapidated electricity networks or extend the electricity network as some communities do not have access to the national grid.

With an estimated 65 per cent of the rural communities in Delta State unserved and underserved, the government told the Renewable Energy Service Companies (Rescos) present at the event that huge opportunities currently exist for them in the state.

“I must emphasise that we view these programmes not only as energy access initiatives, but as powerful tools for inclusive economic growth, enterprise development, and rural transformation.

“Access to reliable energy is a cornerstone for unlocking productivity, attracting investments, and enhancing the livelihoods of our people, particularly in communities that have long been unserved and underserved. Delta State is committed to leveraging these programmes to accelerate the delivery of energy solutions that align with our medium-term development plan and the MORE agenda of Delta state.

“We believe that the outcomes of these initiatives will drive meaningful improvements in healthcare delivery, education, local industries, and job creation across Delta state,” Oborevwori stated.

Speaking on the advantages of renewables over traditional energy sources like fossils, Oborevwori highlighted that these sources remain critically volatile, environmentally unstable, non-renewable, and increasingly expensive.

On its part, he stated that Delta state will fully key into the federal government’s energy transition plan that ensures access to electricity, renewable energy means, and private sector collaboration as enacted in the State’s Power Sector Law (2024).

With an already established 8.5 MW embedded power plant, the governor said that this will be replicated in key public institutions in the state.

“As encapsulated in our electricity policy, Delta State is ready to widen its operations in the electricity sector. And therefore, we aim for the establishment of solar-powered mini-grids, solar farms for rural communities, hybrid solar wind systems, or any other renewable energy hybrid system for housing and coastal estates, and for businesses,” he added.

In his remarks, the Managing Director of the REA, Abba Aliyu, while underscoring the need for mini-grids, stressed that on-grid power supply will not be cost effective for very far-flung communities.

“Here, we have identified 531 educational facilities that can be powered using the mini-grid. We also have identified 471 off-grid communities in Delta State. And we estimated that we can connect 120,000 connections using this mini-grid.

“Based on our analysis of this data, we have realised that if we address the electricity access target of all the communities within Delta state, we will boost the GDP of Delta State with at least $2.9 billion. This is based on factual data that we have written down.

“And we can create, in a very simple way, 31,220 job opportunities within the state and thereby attracting an investment of about $158 million,” Aliyu added.
In her presentation, the Executive Director of the Rural Electrification Fund (REF) of the agency, Doris Uboh, said that REF has successfully deployed 125 mini-grids, 25,000 solar home systems, and more than 200,000 electricity connections across 183 rural communities.

“We have connected 724 mini-grids with a total capacity of 16.6 megawatts. We have deployed 25,580 solar home systems. Our projects are all-encompassing, and we make sure it gets spread across the entire 36 states,” she stressed.

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•Target 31,220 jobs, 471 unserved communities•Oborevwori: Delta won’t be left behind in renewables deployment Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The Delta state government and the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) yesterday signed
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NCC, Governors Forge Partnership to Boost Nigeria’s Digital Economy

NCC, Governors Forge Partnership to Boost Nigeria’s Digital Economy

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

In a significant step towards advancing Nigeria’s digital transformation, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida, has commended Governors in the country for their openness to engage the commission in the management of the digital economy

In a statement, Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Director, Media and Strategic Communications, Yunusa Abdullahi, quoted Maida to have said, “The openness of the NGF to engage with us reflects a shared belief in the impact digital solutions can have on subnational development.”
Maida, emphasised the critical need for alignment between national and subnational digital infrastructure, describing it as a “game changer” for Nigeria’s digital economy.

According to the spokesman, a key focus of Maida’s address was the Right of Way (RoW) fees, currently set at N145 per linear meter, which he described as a significant burden on telecom companies.

Maida urged states to waive or reduce these fees to facilitate fibre optic deployment, stating, “The Right of Way is a critical element in opening up the digital economy, and this lies within the purview of the states.”

Echoing the call for collaboration, the NGF Director General, Mr. Abdulateef Shittu, highlighted the centrality of broadband and secure infrastructure to state development.

“Broadband and secure information infrastructure are no longer optional inputs to development,” he said.

He described them as foundational public goods. Shittu noted that while Nigeria has seen rapid growth in connectivity, national broadband penetration remains below the level needed for inclusive digital transformation.

To address this, he proposed four pragmatic areas for deepened partnership with the NCC: institutional alignment through State Broadband Coordinating Councils, policy harmonisation to standardise RoW rules, CNII resilience through state-level protection plans, and information sharing to enhance capacity building.

The Director General pointed to the World Bank’s SABER initiative as a model for success, citing states that have harmonised RoW fees, adopted coordinated trenching practices, and waived onerous fees to attract private investment.

“These policy choices have produced rapid increases in fibre kilometres and improved access to high-capacity networks,” he said, highlighting the socio-economic benefits, including improved productivity, job creation, and expanded access to education and health services.

Shittu and Maida emphasised the economic potential of enhanced connectivity, with Maida noting that that easing RoW barriers would enable telecom companies to create more value chains, benefiting citizens and increasing tax revenues for states.

Furthermore, Shittu said: “Expanded fibre coverage raises productivity, supports job creation, broadens access to education and health services, and enlarges the taxable base available to state governments.”

The NGF proposed leveraging the upcoming NCC Business Roundtable to convert commitments into concrete state-level pledges. “I further propose that the NGF and the NCC jointly convene a series of follow-up workshops to translate best practices from leading states into implementable toolkits for lagging ones,” the DG noted, advocating for measurable targets and clear timelines.

As Nigeria strives for universal, affordable, and resilient connectivity, the NCC-NGF partnership signals a collaborative path forward.

With states controlling critical administrative processes like land use and security, Shittu affirmed the NGF’s commitment, saying: “We will bring political will, coordination capacity, and the convening power of the governors to bear on this agenda.”

Maida, in turn, pledged the NCC’s technical leadership and regulatory clarity to ensure rapid and secure broadband expansion.
This landmark engagement sets the stage for a transformative push to bridge Nigeria’s digital divide, with both the NCC and NGF poised to drive measurable progress in the nation’s digital economy.

Both leaders spoke when a delegation of the NCC paid a courtesy visit to the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) Secretariat in Abuja.

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Chuks Okocha in Abuja In a significant step towards advancing Nigeria’s digital transformation, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida,
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