Power: Benin Republic, Niger pay Nigeria $10m after disconnection threat

The Republics of Benin and Niger have paid $10.1m as electricity bill to Nigeria to avert being disconnected from their power source in Nigeria after the Federal Government threatened to disconnect debtors.

It was also learnt that the countries made the payment through their respective power firms, with NIGELEC of the Republic of Niger paying $3.79m, while the Community Electric du Benin of the Republic of Benin remitted $6.32m to Nigeria’s electricity market.

On July 11, 2018, The PUNCH reported that President Muhammadu Buhari decided to join operators in the power sector in calling on international customers receiving electricity from Nigeria to either pay their bills or be disconnected.

Nigeria sells power to the Republics of Togo, Niger and Benin, and classifies the West African countries as international customers.

Officials at the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing told our correspondent in Abuja on Thursday that the international customers, paying for the power received from Nigeria in dollars, owed the country, a development that had increased the financial indebtedness to Nigeria’s power generation companies.
To avert being disconnected, it was gathered on Thursday that Benin and Niger made some payments and that the payment by both countries was disclosed to operators in Nigeria’s electricity industry at the August 2018 power sector stakeholders’ meeting by the Market Operator, an arm of the Transmission Company of Nigeria.

This was also confirmed in a report that was presented to stakeholders at the meeting by the MO, which was obtained by our correspondent from the FMPWH.
On its dashboard on the summary of energy delivery in the month of June 2018, the MO stated that energy delivered to international customers and Ajaokuta Steel was 229,487.29 megawatts/hour.

Under bilateral trading, it stated that the quantum of energy sent out by power generation companies was 104,861.92MWh, while energy delivered to bilateral customers was 95,939.31MWh.

Figures on the dashboard showed that indigenous power distribution companies, as always, got the highest quantum of energy, 2,355,623.4MWh, from the Gencos in the month under review.

The MO further stated that part of the foreign exchange inflows from international customers had been disbursed to service providers in Nigeria’s power sector.

The indebtedness of international customers was also confirmed by the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, in July, who, however, revealed that Buhari was working hard to ensure that the electricity debts by the country’s neighbours were cleared.

Fashola had also directed the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company to go ahead and collect its money from the international customers.

He said, “We issued disconnection notices and that is why I’m asking the NBET to go and collect your money because we have duties, obligations and international agreements with them as brother and sister nations.
“But that does not mean they will not pay us if they are defaulting. So, we have issued letters to them to pay their bills, and from time to time, they pay.

“There was a time one head of state came to visit President Buhari and little did I know that the real reason he came was to come and tell him that the (power) sector had issued a notice of disconnection to his country. And you may be interested to know that President Buhari simply told him to go and pay, otherwise we will disconnect you because we are also paying at home.”

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ITTF CHALLENGE: AMBODE PLEDGES BIGGER TOURNAMENT IN 2019

…As Quadri Emerges First Nigerian To Win Championship


AgegePulse Magazine

Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on Sunday expressed excitement over the emergence of first Nigerian to win the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Seamaster Challenge, assuring that the State Government would support the tournament in a bigger edition in 2019.

Speaking to journalists after watching the finals of the tournament tagged ITTF Nigeria Open 2018 held at Molade Okoya Thomas Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere where Nigerian table tennis star, Aruna Quadri emerged victorious, Governor Ambode said it was gratifying to note the remarkable improvement in this year’s edition of the championship, saying that next year’s edition would be more exciting. 

He said: “This is a major improvement from last year’s competition and again for the very first time in the last six years, we found a Nigerian winning the men’s singles and this brings a lot of excitement for me because I have been supporting table tennis and I know that next year’s tournament will be more exciting than this.



“As a government, we are going to put more support; we put more financial support so that we can attract more people and also encourage more Nigerians to participate. You know we actually gave bonus to Nigerians that have qualified and that is also to encourage more of our own local players to compete internationally,” Governor Ambode said.



He particularly assured that the State Government would put efforts in place to host the tournament in a bigger hall to encourage more participation, just as he assured that the programmes of his administration for sports development in the State were on course.



“We have a master programme to encourage sports in Lagos State and people would see it as it is unfolding. You can see that we are reconstructing Onikan Stadium; we are going to Ajegunle to do another Sports Complex there and I don’t want to overpromise but I can assure that next year, we are going to do this tennis tournament in a bigger hall that can take 16 sets at the same time and also take maybe about 5,000 fans at the same time,” Governor Ambode said.



Quadri emerged victorious after defeating his opponent from France, Harchard Antoine to win $5,000. The Nigerian also won another $200 courtesy of the fair play award which was also awarded to him.



Also, the best Nigerian home-grown player of the tournament, Jamiu Anyawale was rewarded with cash gift of $200.



Responding, Quadri thanked the fans who supported him all the way to win the tournament, saying the victory could not have been possible without their support.



“If not for my fans that supported me all the way, this victory would not have been possible and so I want to thank the people for standing by me,” Quadri said. 



Antonie, who is from France, was rewarded with $2,500 for emerging as the first runner up of the men’s singles, while Guo Yan from China went home with $5,000 for winning the women’s singles. Her fellow compatriot, Sun Chen was awarded with $2,500 for emerging as the first runner up of the women’s singles.





SIGNED

HABIB ARUNA

CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY

AUGUST 12, 2018

9,438 Nigerians repatriated from Libya, says Dabiri-Erewa

Eniola Akinkuotu, Abuja

The Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, says the Federal Government and the International Organisation for Migration have repatriated 9, 348 Nigerians from Libya this year.

Dabiri-Erewa said this in a statement by her media aide, Abdurrhaman Balogun, on Sunday.

The President’s aide said the IOM and the Federal Government had identified the detention camps and offered to bring all the willing Nigerians back home.

She said the repatriations were a sequel to pleas by some trapped Nigerians in Libya via a viral video.

In the video, Nigerians were told how they were being tortured to death daily under dehumanising conditions, pleading for an urgent evacuation from the Federal Government and prominent religious leaders in Nigeria.

Dabiri-Erewa said information from the Nigerian embassy in Libya confirmed that the Nigerian migrants had been traced to the Osama detention Centre,  Zawiya, Libya where 116 of them had been processed online for repatriation to Nigeria.

“Regrettably, she said 24 of them had refused to come back insisting they must get to Europe,” the statement added.

“Let me reiterate that President Muhammadu Buhari will continue to ensure that all the stranded migrants willing to return are brought back,” she assured.

She said those repatriated were being profiled and enrolled in various technical and vocational training centres with relevant agencies and groups.

Punch

Chelsea must let Courtois join Real Madrid, says agent

Christophe Henrotay has appealed for the Blues to do the decent thing and allow the goalkeeper to move closer to his children in the Spanish capital

Thibaut Courtois’ representative has urged Chelsea to allow the goalkeeper to join Real Madrid.

The Belgium international shot-stopper holds a desire to move back to Spain, where he spent two years on loan at Atletico Madrid, in order to be closer to his family.

Los Blancos have been keen to make a move, but thus far the Blues have refused to budge on their £40 million (€45m/$52m) valuation of the player. 

While no deal is in place, manager Maurizio Sarri did not appear confident on Friday that the Stamford Bridge will be able to retain their No.1, while former Belgium coach Graeme Jones says that a move is "definitely" on the cards.

“I have been reading everywhere that Chelsea are saying it is up to Thibaut, but he has made it clear to the club that the best option for him is to move to Madrid,” Christophe Henrotay said, according to The Sun.

“For him this is a big decision because he wants to be near his family, and there is an offer in place for Chelsea to accept.”

Some supporters have criticised the 26-year-old as they feel that his desire to move to the Bernabeu is being financially driven, but Henrotay has dismissed those claims out of hand.

“We have seen suggestions that it is about money, and it is true he could get an increase with a move.

“But he has turned down a better offer elsewhere because this is more than a financial decision.

“Throughout this it has important for everyone to be reasonable, and the buying club has come up with a reasonable offer for a player who has one year left on his contract when they know they could sign him without a fee in 12 months.

“Chelsea could get a fair fee for him now and sign a replacement. Or they would still have to sign a replacement next summer, but without getting a fee for Thibaut.

Goal

Nigeria will partner with Google to boost internet connectivity –Osinbajo

Agege Pulse

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Thursday revealed that Nigeria will partner with Google and other service providers to boost connectivity in the country.

Osinbajo said this while speaking at the Google for Nigeria event holding in Lagos. He said; “We will be partnering with Google and other technology providers to achieve the level of connectivity that will match the creativity of our people.”

The VP also revealed that the provision of human basics, such as healthcare and food may soon depend on technology.

During the event, Ken Tokusei, PM Director International Search, said that “health queries are common on the web, so we are making it easier with a new search experience that allows you to explore health conditions related to symptoms!”

Punch

Revealed: Agege born kids attend some of the 23 Most Expensive Secondary Schools In Nigeria

Below is a list of the latest most expensive schools in Nigeria according to research. The fees attached are based on annual payment per student.

23. 23. Regent School Maitama  Abuja– N1.35 million

22.Greenoak International School, Port Harcourt – N1.9 Million

21.Bloombreed High School N1.5 million

20.Nigerian Turkish International College, Abuja – N1.6 Million

19. Lead British International School, Abuja – N1.5 Million

18. Norwegian International School, Port Harcourt – N1,843,750 million

17.International Community School, Abuja – N1.9 Million

16.Charles Dale Memorial International School, Port Harcourt – N2,040,000 million

15.Dowen College, Lekki, Lagos – N2 million

14.Chrisland College, Ikeja – N2 million

13.Atlantic Hall, Epe, Lagos – N2.27 million

12.Corona Secondary School, Agbara – N2.55 million

11.Hillcrest School, Jos – N2.65 million

10.Loyola Jesuit, Abuja – N2.8 million

9.Meadow Hall, Lagos – N3 million

8.Greensprings School, Lagos – N3.185 million

7.Whiteplains British School, Abuja – N1.6 million

6.Day Waterman College, Abeokuta – N3.7 million

5.Lekki British International high School, Lagos – N4 million

4.American International School, Abuja – N4.3 Million

3.British International School, Lagos – N4.48 million

2.Grange High School, Lagos – N4.5 million

1.American International School, Lagos – N5.5 Million


Meanwhile, watch out for the next edition of Agege Pulse Magazine for the names of Agege kids who flex muscles with children of well to do family in these schools.



Source: Globaltake

Nnamdi Kanu Allegedly Disappeared With IPOB's £14M, $22M

The international media arm of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Radio Biafra, has resumed operations.

But instead of the fiery rhetoric with which it was associated with, the radio announced the sack of Nnamdi Kanu, as director and leader of IPOB.

According to Okorafor, one “Mazi Ezenwachukwu Sampson Okwudili is Kanu’s replacement.”

She reeled out reasons why Kanu was removed to include: “Personalisation of the Biafran struggle and derailing from the core objectives of IPOB as a grassroots movement.

“Kanu’s actions and his decisions to incite members of IPOB towards violence leading to the death of many innocent young people in Onitsha, Aba and Umuahia is totally unacceptable and grossly irresponsible.

“Kanu privately collected £14 million and another $22 million to purchase landed properties abroad in his name and that of his father, Igwe Israel Kanu, in a clear case of ‘monkey dey work baboon dey chop’.

“Kanu turned our collective struggle into a money-making enterprise for himself and his father. Thus the monies contributed by enterprising and hard-working Igbo youths across the world are being collected and converted by one man and his father while pretending to be sacrificing for the cause.

Dailypost

Lagos to ease the process of doing business - Ambode

...Lagos International Trade Fair, the biggest fair in Nigeria, Mrs. Nike Akande


Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Sunday assured residents that the State Government would continue its support for the business community through policies that will ease the process of doing business across the metropolis.

The Governor, who gave the assurance through the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Tunji Bello at the closing ceremony of the 2017 Lagos International trade fair held at the Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos, added that it is a necessary condition for the achievement of its goals to become the Third Largest Economy in Africa by 2020 and Africa’s Model Mega City by 2025.

He stressed that the State Government's policy objectives on job/wealth creation as well as improved productivity is predicated on its ability to create and sustain a conducive business environment that will attract more private sector investments particularly in the critical and largely untapped sectors of the state's economy.

"Towards this end, we shall sustain the existing robust partnership with the private sector in the area of evolving sound policies that will stand the test of time and provide the roadmap in our journey to economic prosperity", he reiterated.

The Governor said the essence of Trade Fair is basically to provide a platform for players\manufacturers in the real sector to network and showcase their products to the general public in one location.

He averred that new products are introduced while consumers are given the opportunity to meet one on one with manufacturers of their favourite products without traveling long distances with its associated costs.

Ambode hinted that the present administration is proud to support and identify with the annual event which has continued to consolidate the status of the State as the melting point of trade and economic activities in the West Africa sub-region.

Earlier in her remarks, the President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Mrs. Nike Akande expressed appreciation to the State Government for transforming the State positively, adding that the state can now compete with great cities across the world.

She said LCCI in the last 30 years has consistently hosted the Lagos International Trade Fair, the biggest fair in Nigeria in order to respond to yearnings of the business world and Nigerians, noting that that the fair has attracted manufacturers locally, from China, Pakistan and India, among others.