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Don’t derail our plan for power sector, FG tells labour

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

In the wake of ongoing protests against the electricity tariff increase, the Federal Government has pleaded with labour unions not to disrupt its plans to reform the sector

The Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress had picketed offices of the National Electricity Regulatory Commission and Distribution Companies nationwide over the hike in electricity tariff.

Labour leaders protesting electricity hike on Monday.
The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, while addressing State House correspondents after the Federal Executive Council meeting on Tuesday said that the labour unions have the right to protest while urging them to engage in a peaceful protest.

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“We cannot stop them from organising peaceful protest or laying down their demands. Let me make that clear. President Bola Tinubu’s administration is also a listening government,” he said.

He added that the protesters’ demands have been registered with the Federal Government, noting that Tinubu is committed to improving the power sector.

The minister said, “We have heard their demands, we’re going to look at it, we’ll make further engagements and I believe we’re going to reach a peaceful resolution with the labour because no government can succeed without the cooperation, collaboration and partnership with the Labour unions. So we welcome the peaceful protest and I’m happy that it was not a violent protest. They’ve made their positions known and the government has taken in their demands and we’re looking at it.

“But one thing that I want to state here is from the statistics of those affected by the hike in tariff, the people on the road yesterday, who embarked on the peaceful protests, more than 95% of them are not affected by the increase in the tariff of electricity. They still enjoy almost 70% government subsidy in the tariff they pay because the average cost of generating, transmitting and distributing electricity is not less than N180 today.

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“A lot of them are paying below N60 so they still enjoy the government’s subsidy. So when they say we should reverse the recently increased tariff, sincerely it’s not affecting them. That’s one position.

“My appeal again is that they should please not derail or distract our transformation plan for the industry. We have a documented reform roadmap to take us to our desired destination, where we’re going to have reliable, functional, cost-effective and affordable electricity in Nigeria. It cannot be achieved overnight because this is a decay of almost 60 years, which we are trying to correct.”

He said there was the need for sacrifice from everybody, “from the government’s side, from the people’s side, from the private sector side. So we must bear this sacrifice for us to have a permanent gain”.

“I don’t want us to go back to the situation we were in February and March, where we had very low generation. We all felt the impact of this whereby the electricity supply was very low and every household, every company, and every institution, felt it. From the little reform that we’ve embarked upon since the beginning of April, we have seen the impact that electricity has improved and it can only get better

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JUST IN: Rivers Sole Administrator Ibas Shun Reps Panel

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BBy Gloria Ikibah
The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.), has snubbed the House of Representatives by his refusal to appear before the panel constituted  by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas to oversee the state.
Naijablitznews.com recalled that the Ad-Hoc Committee on Rivers State Oversight, had invited the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, to appear before it for a comprehensive interactive session Thursday, April 17, 2025, which he failed to honour.
The meeting, which followed the formal inauguration of the Committee by the Speaker Tajudee Abbas, on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, was to provide a platform for Members to deliberate on preliminary reports and developments emerging from Rivers State since the Sole Administrator assumed office.
But Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas again failed to appear before the Committee despite the fact that he was in Abuja fornthe weekly Federal Executive Council meeting at the Presidential Villa.
Naijablitznews.com recalled6 that the Chairman of the Ad-Hoc Committee on the state oversight, Rep. Julius Ihonvbere, had fixed another meeting slated for Thursday 24th April, 2024, with the Ibas but he failed to honour the invitation without any communication.
The committee had initially fixed a meeting last week week Thursday but the Rivers Sole Administrator could not appear but requested for another date.
It was not stated if a formal letter of invitation was sent to Ibas and if he respo ded as the Ihonvbere-led Committee was silent on the details.
The Committee Chairman, Rep. Ihonvbere and other lawmakers were seen walking out of the committee room 301 of the House of Representatives Complex without even addressing the media on what was going on.
When asked by journalists on why the Sole Administrator of Rivers State did not honour the Committee’s invitation, the Chairman said, “No Comment”
The meeting between House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee on Rivers State Oversight and Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.), sole administrator of the state has been postponed indefinitely.
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FCT Flags Off One-Week Free Holiday Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training

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In a move to foster skills acquisition and promote economic empowerment, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Education Secretariat through the Department of Mass Education has flagged off a one-week free holiday vocational and entrepreneurship training program.

The program is a collaborative initiative of the FCT Department of Mass Education, The Potter’s Wheel Foundation, and the Nigerian Non-Governmental Association for Literacy Support Services (NOGALSS).

Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, the FCT Mandate Secretary for Education, Dr. Danlami Hayyo emphasized the Importance of skills acquisition and entrepreneurship in today’s world describing it as imperative to be self reliant , empowered and resourceful.

He highlighted the Wike- led FCT Administration’s commitment to championing the Renewed Hope Agenda adding that the initiative is a critical strategy for reducing unemployment and building resilience among Abuja residents through practical skill acquisition and entrepreneurship training.

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He commended the Department on the synergy between the government and non-governmental organizations noting that it will further empower the people of the FCT with skills and knowledge that lead to viable income-generating opportunities.

He urged the participants to fully utilize the opportunity, network actively and apply themselves diligently to the various training sessions.

In her welcome address,Dr. Favour Edem -Nse,the Director, FCT Department of Mass Education said,the training aligns with Sustainable Development Goals ( SDGs) and contributes significantly to reducing the number of out- of- school children, unskilled youths and unemployed women in the Federal Capital Territory.

She added that, the Department goal is not just to train but to guide participants towards becoming self – sufficient and successful entrepreneurs .

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She noted that the one week free training program is a manifestation of the Department ‘s broader vision of literacy and lifelong learning.

She revealed that the Department in collaboration with The Potter’s Wheel Foundation and the Nigerian Non- Governmental Association for Literacy Support Services( NOGALSS) will train them hands on session in production of laundry soap,bleach , liquid soap, toilet and car wash , disinfectant,air freshener,snack among others as well as key entrepreneurship modules on Bookkeeping and financial management, marketing and branding with social media management.

She expressed her gratitude to the Mandate Secretary for Education and the Management for the massive support of the life changing opportunity program targeted at women,youths, children and other community residents to equip them with tools for economic self reliance .

The well attended program which drew partner organizations, staff of the Department of Mass Education and enthusiastic participants will run throughout the week with facilitators providing continued support beyond the training period.

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Sad! Electrician electrocuted in Oyo

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A 28-year-old electrician, whose name has not been revealed, has been electrocuted in Oyo State at Eruwa in Ibarapa East of Oyo State.

The victim was electrocuted at the Odo Babaode area of the town.
The man was electrocuted on a high-tension cable belonging to the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC).

The incident occurred when the victim was trying to rectify an electrical fault on the active power lines without being shut down from the feeder.

The General Manager of Oyo State Fire Service, Mr Yemi Akinyinka, who confirmed the development, said a distress call was received by the agency Wednesday afternoon.
He said, “The distressed call was reported at 15:29hrs on Wednesday, 23rd April, 2025.

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“The fire personnel led by PFS1 Peluola Babatunde quickly followed the caller and on arrival at the place, we met the victim already electrocuted, and all necessary precautionary measures were observed so as to safeguard the citizens within the vicinity.

“The man was recovered and handed over to a team of police from Eruwa police Station. The incident occurred when the victim (electrician) was trying to rectify an electrical fault on the active power lines without shutting down the feeder.”

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