The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on House Services, Rep. Dan Amos, has joined other well wishers to congratulate Rep. Abubakar Bichi, for bagging Doctorate degree Honoraris Causa, from Federal University, Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State.

Rep. Bichi, the Member representing Bichi Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives and Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, was honoured at the weekend for his commitment to the university.

Over the past five years, he has contributed to funding infrastructure projects and providing scholarships for students in his constituency, helping them achieve their academic goals.

In a message of felicitations personally signed Monday morning by Rep. Amos, who currently represents Jema’a/Sanga Federal Constituency of Kaduna State, the Lawmaker ascribed the honorary Doctorate degree to the selfless and dedicated services of Rep. Bichi to his Constituency and promotion of good governance and national development.

“I am thrilled to extend my warmest congratulations to you on receiving an honorary doctorate from the Federal University Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State.

“This prestigious recognition is a well-deserved acknowledgment of your tireless efforts and exemplary leadership in promoting good governance and development in Nigeria.

“Your commitment to your constituents and the nation at large is truly inspiring. Your achievements in infrastructure development, education, and healthcare have made a lasting impact on your community. Your dedication to transparency, youth empowerment and development has positioned your constituency as a model for progress.

“Please accept my heartfelt congratulations on this remarkable achievement. May this honour continue to motivate you to strive for greater heights”, the message read.

Other notable Nigerians honoured at the weekend by the university include, the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu; President of the Senate, Distinguished Senator Goodwill Akpabio; and former Governor of Sokoto State and Chairman, Senate Committee on Security, Senator Aliyu Wamako.

By Francesca Hangeior

Many electricity consumers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Band A, have appealed to the Federal Government to lower the high tariff amid the economic hardship.

Reports have it that Band A customers are those who enjoy at least 20 hours of electricity daily and are expected to pay N209.5/kilowatts per hour (KWh).

The consumers who live at Lugbe, Area 10, Apo resettlement area, and environs spoke with NAN in Abuja on Sunday.

They said that Band A was okay because they enjoy constant power supply but added that the tariff was too high and so could not cope with the present situation.

Mrs Amen Odigie, a civil servant residing in Lugbe, said that she found herself paying so much to enjoy power supply, which was okay.

Odigie said that what she paid for electricity in the two-bedroom flat she occupied was more than N30,000 in a month.

“This is really telling on me, as what I earn as salary cannot go anywhere with the present economic hardship in the country.

”I want to appeal to the government to review the high electricity tariff as this Band A is taking most of my income, ” she said.

Mr Ugochukwu Okafor, also residing in Lugbe, said that the electricity tariff for Band A customers was too high.

Okafor, a Vulcaniser, said that his income in a month could not pay for the Band A tariff.

According to him, he wants the Federal Government to do something about the Band A tariff, as it is too high, in view of the present hardship in the country.

Mrs Anita Adaje, a fashion designer residing in Apo resettlement, said that she used electricity a lot to run her business, and with this Band A tariff, she was not making any profit.

”When you bill customers so high, they will refuse to pay, and this is really affecting my business.

”My appeal is that government should look into this high tariff and do something about it,” she said.

Mr Festus Ogunbor, a printer in Area 10, said that he recharged more than N30,000 daily to run his printing machines.

Ogunbor said that the high cost of electricity was affecting his business as he could no longer do much work.

”How much do I make that I have to be paying so much for electricity? Please, I want the government to look into this high tariff as it is seriously affecting businesses and cost of living,” he said.

Mr Chidi Okeke, also a printer in Area 10, said that he had been finding it difficult to power his printing machines because of high electricity tariff.

Okeke said that the government should look for a way of reducing the high cost of electricity to boost businesses as well as encourage more Nigerians to go into business.

By Francessca Hangeior

Valencia requested their postponed Copa del Rey first round clash with Parla Escuela be delayed again on Monday because of the devastating flooding in the region.

At least 217 people died, with many more still missing, after an intense storm hit the east of Spain last week.

Valencia’s Copa del Rey game was originally due to be played last week but was pushed back to November 6 by the Spanish football federation (RFEF).

The Spanish club’s La Liga match due to be played last Saturday against champions Real Madrid was also postponed and Los Che asked the club to delay their cup game again.

“The club thinks that, at this time of great difficulty, all energy, attention and support must be focused on helping those affected by the tragic events of (the storm),” said Valencia in a statement.

“Football is in the background. We wish to convey our deepest condolences and our love to the families and friends of the deceased and those affected by this catastrophe that leaves us devastated.”

Several coaches and players from La Liga teams suggested all fixtures should have been postponed at the weekend instead of only Valencia’s match and Villarreal against Rayo Vallecano.

Atletico coach Diego Simeone said it made “no sense” to play matches, while Barcelona’s Hansi Flick said if it was up to him he would have cancelled the whole round of games.