News

Reps To Hold Investigative Hearing On $2bn Renewable Energy Investments In Nigeria

Published

6 months ago

November 4, 2024

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives is set to hold an investigative hearing from Tuesday November 5th – 6th on the $2 billion renewable energy grants and investments meant for the development of the renewable energy sector in Nigeria, which has not made a commensurate impact on the energy security challenges in the nation.

The public hearing follows the mandate given to the House Committee on Renewable Energy on Thursday June 6, 2024, to investigate Ministries, Departments, and Agencies with dealings in investment, procurement, and receipt of grants for the development of the renewable energy sector.

Naijablitznews.com reports that the motion titled, “Need to Investigate Investments in Renewable Energy Sector and Foreign Grants received from 2015 till date”, was sponsored by Rep. Okey-Joe Onuakalusi, lawmaker representing Oshodi-Isolo II Federal Constituency of Lagos State.

According to a statement by the Chairman, Rep. Victor Afam Ogene, on Sunday in Abuja, the probe will cover the period from 2015 to 2024.

Rep. Ogene said that the House was miffed that “Despite government attracting over $2 billion in renewable energy investments in the past decade, as reported by the Rural Electrification Agency in 2023, there has been no noticeable improvement in the sector.

“The House of Reps was alarmed that the dysfunctional electricity generation and supply system persists, contrary to the objectives behind government investments and grants aimed at developing the renewable energy sector, hence the resolution to probe these investments in order to determine the integrity of the procurement and execution processes.”

The Chairman who said the investigation was not to witch-hunt but to discourage opaqueness and promote transparency and objectivity in handling government or public resources; thanked the European Union and other donor agencies for their useful submissions, insights and cooperation in sharing information with the committee.

The invited agencies and stakeholders include, but are not limited to Rural Electrification Agency, Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), NASENI Solar Energy Ltd, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Country Representative European Union, Union Bank Plc (Compliance Department), Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, Federal Ministry of Power, Energy Commission of Nigeria and Federal Ministry of Finance.

Others are, Niger Delta Power Holding Company, Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Federal Ministry of Environment and Ecological Management, Federal Ministry of Petroleum (Gas Resources), Niger Delta Development Commission, United States Agency for International Development, Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Accountant General of the Federation, Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Associations (Alliance) REEEA-A

and Other Concerned Stakeholders.

News

Nigeria Condemns Deadly Terrorist Attack in India’s Kashmir Region

Published

19 minutes ago

April 29, 2025

Gloria Ikibah

…call for stronger global cooperation against terrorism

By Gloria Ikibah

The Federal Government has strongly condemned the recent terrorist attack that claimed 26 lives in South Kashmir’s Pahalgam area of India.

In a official statement issued on Tuesday by the spokesperson of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, the government expressed deep sadness over the attack, which reportedly targeted mostly tourists and left several others wounded.

The statement reads in part: “Nigeria, having faced similar challenges, understands the devastating impact of such acts of violence and reiterates its call for enhanced global cooperation to combat terrorism and extremism”.

The government described terrorism as a “global menace” that must be addressed through collective international effort.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of India as they recover from this tragedy, and we stand united in the shared pursuit of peace, stability, and justice worldwide,” the statement added.

News

Ex-DIG,Olofu debunks online newspaper report, says ” I retired from NPF meritously after 35yrs service

Published

33 minutes ago

April 29, 2025

ADMIN

Ex-Deputy Inspector General of Police, DIG Rhoda Adetutu Olofu has denied an online newspaper report declaring that the information published are mere fabrications.

The former DIG, in a statement she personally signed noted that:

“My attention has just been drawn to a publication dated April 26, 2025, by an online publication, *Sahara Reporters.*

“The said report purports than I was “discharged” from the police “over allegations of age falsification and violation of service rules.”

“A number of my colleagues who equally retired from the Nigeria Police Force, (NPF), were also listed in the same report. Nothing can be farther from the truth than this baseless concoction which attempts to stand gospel truth and reality on its head.

“To put things in correct perspective, I joined the Nigeria Police on March 3, 1990. I was barely 25 years of age at the time. I had indeed graduated with honours from the University of Ilorin in 1986, just about the time of my 21st birthday. I trained at the prestigious Police academy Kaduna.

“I served the Nigeria police force in various capacities. Notably: Assistant Commissioner of Police, (ACP) Establishment, Office of the Force Secretary; Deputy Commissioner of Police, (DCP), Investment, Logistics and Supply Department as well as DCP, Administration, Training and Development.

” Similarly, I was DCP, Research and Planning; Commissioner of Police, (CP), Servicom, Research and Planning; CP, X-Squad, Force Criminal Investigation Department, (FCID) and CP, Ports Authority Police Western Command, Lagos. I was also AIG, Maritime Police Command, Lagos. I was redeployed to the Force Headquarters August 28, 2024, as Force Secretary of the Nigeria and rose to the rank of Deputy Inspector-General of Police Force thereby becoming the first female Deputy Inspector-General of Police in the entire Northern Nigeria to the glory of God.

“I retired after attaining 35 years of service with unblemished record. As it stands, I am yet to attain the age of 60. Service rules requires that officers and personnel retire either upon the completion of 35 years or attainment of 60 years.

“For me, my 35th year in service preceded my 60th birthday. I retired contented, grateful to God for a career without blemish and thankful to the Nigeria Police for the opportunity to contribute my quota to national development. I was NEVER discharged from service as has been mischievously proffered.

News

Financial infractions: EFCC finally , nabs Aisha Achimugu at Abuja airport

Published

3 hours ago

April 29, 2025

ADMIN

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has nabbed a renowned business executive and socialite, Aisha Sulaiman Achimugu.

Her legal team made this known in a statement on Tuesday, emphasizing that Achimugu, who arrived voluntarily into the country from London, was arrested around 5 a.m. on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, her lawyer had reportedly told the Federal High Court in Abuja that she had already stated in her court documents that she would visit the EFCC today in connection with its ongoing investigation into an alleged case of criminal conspiracy and money laundering.

Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, ordered Achimugu to appear before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, to respond to allegations related to an ongoing investigation.

The court also directed that she must be present before it on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, to continue proceedings in the matter.