News
Niger Republic junta panel proposes five-year transition
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
A consultative body appointed by Niger’s junta recommended on Thursday a five-year timeline for the transition to civilian rule and the “possibility” of the county’s military leaders standing for election.
In a ceremony broadcast on state television, junta chief General Abdourahamane Tiani, who will have the final say on the proposal, proclaimed it as a “fresh start” that brought hope for the west African nation.
“You’ve played your part, I’ll play mine without fault,” he told the convention to widespread applause.
The “national convention” was tasked in February with drafting a new charter outlining the terms of the transition after Tiani ousted democratically elected president Mohamed Bazoum in a July 2023 coup.
The convention took place from February 15 to 19 and included 716 civil and military participants.
The handover “will take place over a period of 60 months, that’s to say five years from the date of the charter’s adoption”, said convention participant Bibata Niandou, watched over by Tiani.
Niger is one of several countries in Africa’s Sahel region where the army has seized power in recent years in the face of persistent attacks by jihadists and other armed groups.
The “resolutions” formulated during the convention specified that the duration of the transition could “evolve” depending on the “security situation” of the country.
The convention also proposed naming military leader Tiani “president of the republic” in recognition of his “leadership” in reclaiming the “sovereignty” of former French colony Niger.
Shortly after taking power, Tiani announced the organisation of an “inclusive national dialogue” to outline the priority areas of governance and lay down the duration of the transition.
The convention proposed an amnesty for the organisers of the coup that ousted Bazoum, while “concessions” would be accorded to the soldiers sentenced for “attempting to destabilise” power over the last ten years.
The commission that oversaw the conference, headed by traditional leader Mamoudou Harouna Djingarey, also comprises former ministers, academics, lawyers, soldiers, advisers to General Tiani, religious leaders and figures drawn from civil society.
Djingarey pointed to the “possibility of the leaders” of the military authorities “to stand in future elections”.
AFP
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) says there will be a seven-hour power outage in some parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
In a statement, TCN’s General Manager of Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, said the affected areas will experience blackout on Saturday, February 22, and Sunday, February 23, 2025, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm each day.
She attributed the action to scheduled annual preventive maintenance on two transformers.
“The Transmission Company of Nigeria informs the public that its maintenance crew will conduct annual preventive maintenance on the 2x100MVA, TR3 & TR4 transformers at the Apo 132/33kV Transmission Substation in Abuja,” the statement read.
“The planned power interruptions are unavoidable, as Abuja DisCo will be unable to receive bulk power supply from the transformers during the maintenance period. Power supply will be restored to the affected areas upon completion of the maintenance exercise.”
Transmission Line Tower – TCN
Mbah explained that on Saturday, February 22, the power disruptions will affect the National Hospital, G2 Injection Station, Garki, Area 1, and Asokoro for seven hours.
According to the statement, areas including Apo Legislative Quarters, Apo Resettlement, Gudu, Apo Mechanic, and surrounding areas will also experience a seven-hour power outage.
Mbah explained that the interruption is necessary as Abuja Electricity Distribution Company will be unable to receive bulk power supply from the affected transformers during the maintenance period.
TCN apologised for any inconvenience caused to the affected customers during this time.
“Power supply will be restored once the maintenance exercise is completed. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause the affected electricity customers,” the company said.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Police Service Commission (PSC) has approved the promotion of over 100 senior officers to higher ranks within the force.
The decision includes the elevation of 38 Assistant Commissioners of Police to Deputy Commissioners, alongside 100 Chief Superintendents of Police.
The approval was confirmed in a statement by the PSC Head of Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani, following an extraordinary plenary session held on Thursday, February 20, 2025.
The meeting was chaired by the PSC Chairman, DIG Hashimu Argungu (rtd), and attended by key officials, including retired Supreme Court Justice Adamu Paul Galmuje, DIG Taiwo Lakanu, and Chief Onyemuchi Nnamani.
Notable officers promoted to the rank of Deputy Commissioner of Police include Emmanuel Deenom, Olufemi Takeet, and Yusuf Doki Sani, while others like Ibrahim Mohammed Agava and Akinloye Joseph Oyegade were promoted to Assistant Commissioners.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Federal University Lokoja has been shut down following students’ lingering protest.
The students began the protest on Monday following the killings of their colleagues by a trailer who rammed into the school shuttle bus, killing seven people instantly.
The closure of the school was disclosed in a circular with Ref. Number FUL/R/GEN/REGC/03 issued on Thursday by Dr. Rebecca Aimiohu Okojie, Registrar and Secretary to Council, and copied Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command Director, DSS Kogi State.
The circular reads “Following the unfortunate loss of the lives of five students to a tragic trailer accident at Felele city centre on Monday, 17 February, 2025, students have barricaded the gates of the university despite magnanimous interventions from the the State Government as well as frantic efforts and appeal by the University Management for calm.
“Accordingly, arising from the advice of the State Security Agencies and to forestall further loss of lives, the Vice-Chancellor after due consultation with Management, has decided on behalf of Senate, that the University (both campuses) be closed down Indefinitely within one hour of release of this circular.
“Students are therefore to vacate the campuses on/or before 12 noon today, Thursday, 20th February, 2025. Please note for strict compliance.”
TCN envisages seven-hour blackout in parts of Abuja
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