Economic Downturn: Soldiers Open Fire As Hoodlums Hijack Trucks, Steal Food Items In Niger State

Nigerian soldiers reportedly opened fire on suspected hoodlums who hijacked trailers loaded with foodstuff in the Suleja Area of Niger State.

It was learnt that the event happened on Thursday, as many trailers coming from Abuja and heading for Kaduna were blocked by the hoodlums who burnt tyres on the road.

 Alhassan Abdullahi, an eyewitness, who spoke with Daily Trust, said many bags of assorted foodstuffs, especially rice, were stolen before the intervention of the soldiers.

According to him, the hoodlums failed to leave the scene even when soldiers were firing gunshots in the air.

He said, “It took intervention of soldiers who arrived the scene and started firing gun shots in the air to scare the hoodlums away. But even with that, many of them went away with bags of rice and cartons of spaghetti and other food items.

“We learnt commercial motorcycle riders are also planning a protest. They would have done it since yesterday, but we didn’t know what stopped them.”

The latest development comes amid the nationwide hardship that has triggered protests in different parts of the country.

Pictures: NAOSS OGun Disburses Exam Relief Packages To OAU Students

In a bid to suppress the economic hardship facing the students, the National Association Of Ogun State Students'(NAOSS), Obafemi Awolowo Chapter, disbursed Exam relief packages to students of the institution on Sunday 18th, February, 2024.

City Bearer News Nigeria gathered that the exam relief package was initiated by Adeleye Mariam led Administration 2023/2024 session.

Excitement buzzed through OAU as the students chatted amongst themselves while anticipating the package at the faculty of law basement.

It was learnt that groups of students who gathered eagerly at the basement were able to obtain the much-awaited exam relief packages.

 The atmosphere was filled with a mix of relief and gratitude as the students were called orderly to receive their packages.

The items dished out include essentials like rice, garri, plantain, onion, and tomato paste, among other necessities. Each student left with arms laden with provisions.

Hardship: OAU Students Condemn FG Over Inability To End Economic Crisis, Insecurity

The students of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife have condemned the Federal Government of Nigeria Over her inability to end economic crisis and insecurity.

In a statement made available on Sunday by the Students' Representative Council of the Great Ife Students' Union which was  signed by the Speaker, Ganiyu Yusuf, Akande Peter, Deputy speaker and praise Adesoji, Clerk, the SRC of OAU lament the inability of the Federal Government to tackle the economic downturn and insecurity facing the nation at large.

The Students' Representative Council, charged the Federal Government to take all neccessary steps to tackle the crisis and prioritize the welfare of Nigerians.

The union noted that Nigerians can no longer tolerate the failure of the government to prioritize the citizens welfare and safety.

They also implored the Federal Government to heed the cry of the citizens and take immediate action to address the economic crisis and insecurity plaguing our nation.

The union emphasized that the failure of the government to end the lingering economic hardship and insecurity will only lead to imminent nationwide revolution by the citizens.

According to the statement, "Great Ife Students' Union, SRC Condemns Federal Government's Failure to Address Economic Crisis and Insecurity."

"The Students Representative Council of the Great Ife Students' Union, representing the voice of the students of Obafemi Awolowo University, stands in solidarity with the Nigerian populace in condemning the Federal Government's inability to tackle the dire economic challenges facing our nation."

"The staggering inflation rate of 29.9%, the highest since May 1996, coupled with the daily devaluation of the Naira to an alarming exchange rate of #1590 per dollar in the parallel market, reflects the sheer negligence and incompetence of our leaders. This alarming economic downturn has led to an unbearable cost of living, making it increasingly difficult for the average Nigerian to afford basic necessities."

"Furthermore, the rampant cases of insecurity, including kidnapping and banditry, have reached unprecedented levels, instilling fear and apprehension in the hearts of citizens across the nation. The government's failure to prioritize the safety and security of its people is utterly unacceptable and cannot be tolerated any longer."

"We cannot but underscore the government's neglect of the education sector, evident in insufficient budget allocations and underfunding of tertiary institutions, and how deplorable this show of shame is on the part of a government whose trademark is 'Awolowo's free education'. Their dismissive attitude towards the legitimate concerns of educators, as seen in failed agreements with the Academic Staff Union of Universities, only exacerbates the crisis. We need to recall how failing to prioritize education risks a brain drain, stunting our nation's growth."

"Not only, it's germane we reemphasize how the high cost of governance, coupled with misplaced priorities and selfish policies, further complicates the suffering of the Nigerian populace. The Great Ife Students' Union, SRC vehemently condemns these actions and calls on the government to prioritize the welfare of its citizens above all else."

"It is imperative that the government takes immediate and decisive action to address these pressing issues before they spiral out of control. We urge the authorities to implement practical solutions such as diversifying the economy to reduce dependency on crude oil, and reopening borders to facilitate the abundant supply of essential commodities like rice, wheat, and milk. The closure of borders has only exacerbated our woes, resulting in a scarcity of goods and a surge in prices."

"As the saying goes, "An hungry man is an angry man." It is high time the government recognizes the urgency of the situation and takes concrete steps to alleviate the suffering of its people. This includes addressing the insecurity plaguing the nation, as without security, both foreign investors and locally produced goods will suffer."

"Furthermore, the subsidy removed should be reinvested in empowering more Nigerians or increasing the minimum wage to ensure that all citizens can enjoy a decent standard of living."

"In conclusion, the Great Ife Students' Union implores the Federal Government to heed our cry and take immediate action to address the economic crisis and insecurity plaguing our nation. Failure to do so will only lead to imminent nationwide revolution by the citizens."

"Because for every action, there is always an equal and opposite reaction. To avoid this ticking time bomb of dissents from frustrated Nigerians, it's only honourable for all arms of government to yield this clarion call of responsibility."

"A word they say, is enough for the wise.."

Economic Hardship: OAU Reduces POS Charges On Campus

Amid the economic hardship facing the country,  the Students' Union of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, has reduced the charges fixed by the  Point Of Sales (POS) merchants on campus.

This was revealed to our correspondent in a statement  on Friday signed the Welfare Director of the Students' Union, Folakan Paul. 

Paul stated that the Students Union leaders held a meeting  with the POS  operators on campus and agreed on the reduction of charges.. 

In a telephone call with Osun Defender yesterday, Paul noted that the reasons behind the meeting was to put a stop to the exorbitant charges imposed by the merchants on cash withdrawal.

He also noted that the union discovered that there is no uniformity in the amount they charge for cash withdrawal.

He further explained that the decision was made to relief the economic hardship encountered by the students.

It was further learnt that during the meeting, the Union leaders and the POS operators resolved that; N50 charges is fixed for cash withdrawal amounting from N1000 and below, N100 should be charged for cash withdrawal ranging from N1000 to N3000, withdrawal between N4000 to N5000 should incur N150 and N200 should be charged for withdrawal ranging from N6000 to N8000.

The union urged all students and non student across  the campus to take note of the new prices and report any abnormality with immediate alacrity.

Fire Razes 24 Shops In Ibadan

 Mr Yemi Akinyinka, the general manager, Oyo State Fire Service, on Sunday said a total of 24 shops were destroyed by the midnight fire incident at Sango Market in Ibadan.

Akinyinka told the news men in Ibadan however that, while no life was lost, the cause of the fire incident could not be ascertained as at the time of this report.

“But our firefighters have been able to put the situation under control and an update about the incident will be provided later,” he said.

An eyewitness however said the likely cause of the inferno could be electric spark.

It was gathered that goods worth millions of Naira were lost in the fire incident.

It was gathered that some of the affected shop owners told NAN they were now faced with the task of rebuilding their shops and businesses.

They urged government and other well-meaning Nigerians to come to their aid.

It was learnt that this fire incident has come few days after one of such at Ire Akari Estate in Soka, Ibadan.

Breaking: Nationwide Blackout As National Grid Collapses Again

On Sunday, February 4, the power generation on the national grid steadily decreased, falling from 2,658.75MW at 11:00 am to 305MW by 3:00 pm.

It was reported that virtually all electricity generation companies (GenCos) produced no megawatts throughout the entire day.

While giving reasons regarding the poor power situation in the country, Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, through his Special Adviser on Strategic Communication and Media Relations, Bolaji Tunji, told The Nation that the situation was due to reduced gas supply to the GenCos.

He also promised to find out further information on the matter.

City Bearer News recalls that the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) Independent System Operator (ISO) had released its data that the previous day, the energy generated was 3,716MW while it sent out 3,663MW before the abysmal decline on Sunday.

Meanwhile, in its document titled: “Load Distribution Profile Data at 4:05pm on Sunday, the ISO revealed that it allocated 450MW to seven electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) while while it supplied 0MW to the other four   DisCos.

While it allocated 90MW to Abuja DisCo, Benin DisCo got 50MW, Eko DisCo received 80MW, Enugu DisCo got 40%, Ibadan received 100MW, Ikeja 50MW and Kaduna 40MW.

It implied that Jos DisCo, Kano DisCo, Yola DisCo and Port Harcourt DisCo got 0MW allocation in the period under review.

Adelabu, however, issued a press statement revealing that there was a meeting with the GenCos and DisCos in order to seek a plausible solution to the situation.

The statement noted that concerned about low power supply affecting some parts of the country, Adelabu at the weekend met with top management teams of power Generating companies (GENCOs) and  Distribution companies (DISCOs) in a bid to find lasting solution to blackout in some parts of the country.

Addressing Managing Directors and Chief Executive Officers of the companies at separate meeting in his office, Tunji quoted the minister that there was a noticeable improvement in power supply during the yuletide period but the situation changed in the new year with poor supply leading to blackouts across the country.

The minister said his investigation revealed that the poor supply was due to low gas supply to GENCOs.

“It was based on the need to understand the challenges first hand that led to inspection visits to power facilities in Olorunshogo in Ogun State and Omotosho in Ondo State. The problem is traceable to low supply of gas and we need to resolve this as quickly as possible.”

The meeting also discussed issues of indebtedness to GENCOs by the  Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading Company (NBET).

“We are aware that the sector has liquidity challenge, but we need to have a minimum threshold, we are working on revalidating the debt and determining a fair resolution.”

Adelabu spoke further on  the need by GENCOs to enter  a contractual arrangement with gas suppliers to ensure steady supply of gas to generating companies.

 

 

“We know that there are certain concessions expected of government before this could be achieved and we are willing to work on this  to stabilize the power sector, he assured.

To resolve the gas impasse and the liquidity issue, the Minister assured that a committee would be set up comprising all stakeholders to come up with appropriate recommendations.

“To tackle the gas supply and liquidity challenges, I’ve decided to form a committee involving all stakeholders. Together, we will work on recommendations to resolve these issues and ensure a more reliable and consistent power supply for our citizens.

“A plan has also been established to initiate discussions with the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources regarding collaboration and to emphasize to the Ministry the importance of prioritizing Gas to Power.

“Our commitment is unwavering in addressing the challenges affecting power supply. We understand the impact on citizens, and our goal is to swiftly resolve the issues of gas supply, indebtedness, and overall sector stability. Your patience is appreciated as we work collaboratively towards a brighter, more reliable energy future for Nigeria.”

Also, the minister has told The Nation to clariy his position on subsidy in the power sector.

Contrary to reports that the Minister called for subsidy removal, what he said wad that if the government was subsidizing power, it should be backed up with payment.

According to Tunji, “there is a  need to correct the erroneous impression going around quoting the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu as advocating removal of subsidy in the Power sector.

“For clarification, the minister of power embarked on an inspection visit to power facilities across the country to get a first hand report on power facilities in the country,  the inspection  visit took him to Kanji Power Plant which will soon be adding about 980 megawatts to the national grid from the present generation of 760 megawatts.

“The minister has also visited Ayede Sub-Station and some other power facilities in Oyo state including a visit to the Ibadan Distribution Company (IBEDC) where he read the riot act that no distribution company should compel communities  to buy transformers or electricity poles as it should be the responsibility of the distribution companies to do so.

“During his visit  to the power facilities to   Olorunshogo Power Plant in Papalanto  and Omotosho, he discovered certain challenges affecting the smooth operation of the Power Plants.

“Some of the issues are related to liquidity problem in the sector which has adversely affected low gas supply to the Generating Companies leading to drop in power generation in the country.

“The minister said the country should either focus on whether we want power to be a social service or be fully commercialized. If it is a social service with government fully subsidizing, then  NBET should pay what is being owed to enable payment to  gas suppliers through the Generating Companies.

“The converse side is to implement an appropriate tariff that would enhance liquidity in the sector and make it more competitive. The Minister did not advocate removal of subsidy but a clear cut policy to address issues of illiquidity in the sector.”

OAU: Fajuyi Players Beat Awo In Friendly Match

The training pitch at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife buzzed with excitement on Saturday as Fajuyi Hall of Residence emerged victorious with a 3-1 win over Awolowo Hall in a friendly football match organized by the Torch Bearer Club, OAU chapter. 

The match kicked off at precisely 10:45 am.

Fajuyi players secured a 2-0 lead by 11:25 am in the first half. However, during the second half, both teams scored their first goals, each through a penalty resulting from a foul.

A crowd of fans, students, and football enthusiasts gathered at the venue to witness the spirited match.

Abdulhameed Mutohhir, the director of the club, commended both teams for their performance and encouraged them to uphold the spirit of unity.