NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
General News , Science & Tech

Telecom: Consumers demand better services amidst tariff hike

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By Jessica Dogo

Some telecommunication service consumers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have urged Mobile Network Operators to improve their services to match the recent hike in their tariffs.

They made the call in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja.

The subscribers said in spite of the increase in subscription rates mobile networks could remain epileptic for hours.

In a publication dated February 6, 2024, the Executive Vice-chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Dr Aminu Maida, said that the commission would hold service providers accountable for poor service delivery.

Mr Ogah Paul, one of the subscribers said he had enough data on his network but could not access internet because of epileptic network.

He urged service providers to fix the problems surrounding the poor services.

“The only thing they know is to drain data without any good service delivery. I feel like crying because of a problematic network. I have been receiving server error since morning.

“To even download and watch a video sent to me takes me almost one whole day. “I wonder if members of staff of the service providers are enjoying the service they render to us.

“We cannot make calls, access the internet or even to receive calls,’’ he said.

According to him, unfortunately, the network providers put up some of the best adverts about their products and services which they cannot meet.

Mr Victor James, another subscriber said he had enough data but was not able to use it to his satisfaction.

“Why does their data plan not reflect immediately you buy data? Sometime it takes as much as 24 hours to reflect.

“I am really tired of this. The network is really bad. I have enough data but I cannot use it the way I want.

“I hope the issues get resolved as soon as possible so that I can access my data without further delay,” he said.

However, Ms Josephine Tanko, told NAN that she had not problems with her network providers.

“It is fast and reliable. I think it is the network that gives the best internet speed and quality.

“It will always be my best that is why I will always choose it over any other network,” she said.

She called on networks that did not meet their subscribers expectations to ensure that they improved on their services. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Nkiru Ifeajuna/Uche Anunne

Agriculture

Farmers task new Bank of Agriculture MD on digitalisation

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Digitalisation
By Mercy Omoike

The All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) has urged the new Managing Director of the Bank of Agriculture (BoA), Mr Ayo Sotinrin, to ensure the digitalisation of the bank for effective service delivery.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that President Bola Tinubu, on April 4, appointed Sotinrin as the new Managing Director of the BoA.

Sotinrin is a seasoned finance and agribusiness expert and brings a wealth of experience from both the private and public sectors.

The Southwest Chairman of AFAN, Mr Femi Oke, who commended the President for Sotinrin’s appointment tasked him on the digitalisation of the BoA for increased efficiency.

“It is a good development for President Tinubu to have appointed a new person. What we are asking is that they should move from analogue operations to digital.

“Their system is still an old one which is very slow. If you save there, you cannot withdraw in any other place.

“The new managing director should also expedite the process of loans, so that more farmers can get access to them. Definitely, without soft loans, new intakes cannot come into the sector.

“BoA is basically set up to aid those who are about to go into the sector. So they should prioritise funding for local farmers,” Oke said.

Also speaking, Mr Omotunde Banjoko, an agriculture analyst, urged the new management to update the operations of the bank to a digitalised state.

“The new managing director has been appointed at a very crucial time and the change is really straightforward. The number one thing to be done is that the bank has to be digitalised.

“And the digital transformation will come in different ways. As of today, when you pay money into your account at Bank of Agriculture, you do not get an alert.

“You can only withdraw from your branch and no other branch and customers can pay money into your branch. This means the bank is still operating in the 1940s.

“So, the bank has to be digitalised in its processes and operations. This is what has been scaring a lot of farmers.

Now I opened a bank account in Ogun state, I cannot even transfer into the account from my phone.

“I cannot go to any of their branches in Lagos to pay into my account except I go back to Ogun state. That is a major snag the bank is facing.

“So, the bank has to be completely transformed in terms of digitalisation.

Although they have on paper 109 branches, but they are spread wide apart,” Banjoko said.

The expert also urged the new managing director to prioritise funding and loans for local farmers to boost the sector’s growth.

“So, in terms of funding, before now, they give below N1,000,000 to farmers.

But, through the recapitalisation, even before the former Managing director left, they were giving loans up to N5 million to farmers, and that is fair.

“So, the new management should follow up on that. Even though I thought they should make it N10 million. So, they should make proper funding available for farmers.

“This is what will also transform the sector. So, funding should be prioritised and not politicised. We should focus on that as well and what will make agriculture attractive to young people as well.

“The bank really needs to do a lot of branding work. You enter a BUA branch and you are not sure you are in a bank. You see one or two staff probably sleeping, probably doing their loan and all that.

“So, there is serious branding work waiting for the new managing director. And then, he should engage stakeholders more,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Education

FG unveils UBE school improvement programme

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Programme

By Funmilayo Adeyemi

The Federal Government has launched the Universal Basic Education (UBE) School Based Management Committee-School Improvement Programme (SBMC-SIP) to boost teaching capacity, under the Teacher Professional Development (TPD).

Speaking at an event in Abuja on Monday, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, emphasized that the initiative would foster community partnership and engagement.

Alausa stated that the programme aimed to address the issue of out-of-school children and expand access to education for school-age children, while also improving the teaching and learning environment.

He mentioned that the activities would be funded through the Federal Government/UBE intervention fund and would guide further efforts to enhance the capacity of teachers across the country.

Alausa highlighted the importance of collaboration in advancing girl-child education and tackling the out-of-school syndrome.

“If girl-child education is to be advanced and if we are to eradicate or reduce the out-of-school syndrome, the government alone cannot tackle these challenges.

“It requires a synergy of efforts from all stakeholders, with the community playing a major role, to pave the way for achieving the expected outcomes,” he said.

He stressed that the government alone could not solve these challenges and that a synergy of efforts, particularly from communities, was essential for achieving the desired outcomes.

The minister also reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting the UBEC’s 2025-2027 initiatives, which include the construction of 7,200 new UBE facilities and the provision of 1,680,000 furniture pieces.

“Additionally, the initiatives involve the extensive renovation of 195,000 classrooms, as well as the installation of 22,900 water boreholes and 28,000 toilets across schools.”

These efforts, he said, were aimed at creating a safe learning environment, especially in rural areas.

Alausa outlined the pillars of the ministry’s education sector renewal initiative, which includes increasing enrollment, enhancing TVET to address skill gaps, advancing girl-child education, harnessing data and digitisation, and strengthening quality assurance to meet global standards.

He also explained that the teacher professional development programme aligned with the ministry’s goal of improving learning outcomes by strengthening teacher quality.

The Executive Secretary of UBEC, Aisha Garba, also addressed the progress made in Nigeria’s basic education sector, noting a seven per cent increase in school enrollment over the past two to three years.

However, she lamented that about 13 million children remained out of school, particularly in rural and low-income communities.

Garba reaffirmed the government’s commitment to delivering equitable, quality education for every Nigerian child.

“Imagine a child in a community eager to learn, full of promise, yet held back by a lack of infrastructure, qualified teachers, learning materials, and a conducive learning environment.

“Today, we mark a defining milestone in our shared vision to deliver equitable, quality-based education for every Nigerian child and to rewrite that story.

“We gather to reaffirm our commitment to every Nigerian child. We are unleashing the promise of a nation.

“The promise that every Nigerian child, no matter their circumstances or location, deserves a solid start to life through quality-based education,” she said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

Education

1,800 get teaching appointments in Kwara

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TESCOM

By Bushrah Yusuf-Badmus

The Kwara state Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) has shorlisted 1,800 applicants for teaching appointments in the state.

This is contained in a statement issued by the Commission’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Sam Onile, made available to newsmen in Ilorin.

Onile said that the shortlisted applicants emerged from a screening exercise, which included computer based test, and interviews spanning over three months.

”The shortlisted comprises 790 (44%) for STEM subjects; 581 for core subjects; 370 for specialised subjects; and 59 for technical subjects.

”They will be assigned to senior secondary schools across the 16 local government areas of the state in line with the needs assessment of the commission,” he said.

Onile advised applicants who appeared for the interviews to check their status on the portal, adding “those shortlisted will undergo a mandatory drug test to ascertain their suitability to teach children.

”The drug test will be carried out by the NDLEA and will be coordinated by the Special Assistant to the Governor on Drugs Abuse, Prevention and Control, Hon. Mukail Aileru.

”The test will begin on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, and end on Saturday April 12, 2025. Shortlisted candidates from Baruten, Edu, Kaiama, and Patigi are slated for Wednesday.

“Those from Ekiti, Ifelodun, Irepodun, and Isin will be tested on Thursday, April 10; Offa, Oke Ero, Oyun, and Moro are slated for Friday, April 11, while the candidates from Asa, Ilorin East, Ilorin South, and Ilorin West are to have theirs on Saturday.

“The drug test certificates will be sent to the commission by the NDLEA as no candidate is allowed to access it on their own to curb altering,” he said.

The official said that successful applicants would also sign a bond not to seek transfer for six years, a policy response to the dearth of teachers in rural areas.

“Shortlisted applicants are to also come with medical certificates from any state government hospital as well as the original copies of their credentials for documentation, during which they will be required to drop photocopies of same for record purposes.

“They will also submit handwritten letters of acceptance of the job offer, while other conditions of service will be spelt out during the documentation process,” Onile added. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bayo Sekoni

Metro

Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway will withstand flood for 50 years – FG

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Highway

By Chigozie-Ngwakwe

The Minister of Works, Sen. Dave Umahi, has given the assurance that the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway when completed would withstand flood for about 50 years.

Umahi gave the assurance at a stakeholder engagement on Section 2 of the highway project on Sunday in Lagos.

“We will make sure that our pavement level is going to counter any climate change,” he said.

According to him, the pavement level would be at the first floor of many buildings.

“To retain the road, we are going to be building retaining board. It has already started.

“We also have the cable duct so you don’t have to cut the road.

“MTN, African Plus or any other network doesn’t have to cut the road. The cables are there, I saw them.”

He reiterated that there would be closed circuit television cameras on the road so that the response time for any issue would be less than five minutes.

The minister also said that the highway would have an evacuation corridor.

” We are going to be earning carbon credit by the reason of the use of concrete pavement which will have no emission.”

He said that trees would be planted all through on the road to make it exciting.

“We have the Dangote Refinery. You need about 60 metres clearance for the trucks to go in and out.

“We are now building a flyover that has a span of 60 metres, and then the next span is 41.6 metres counterbalance.

“We are flying over Dangote Refinery, and the seven axial road is coming. It is going to be a point to behold. It is going to be another tourist site.

” Let me announce that along the corridor, there are lands that the state government has given us the right so we can build what I call relief centres where you can stop to have snacks, buy petrol.”

He added that supermarkets and medical facilities would be part of the centres.

Umahi thanked stakeholders for their support.

“Let me thank you all for coming to this public engagement.

“There are some people who are here not because they have money to claim but because of the love they have for this development.”

He also praised the contractor handling the project, Hitech Construction Company, for excellence and timeliness. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ijeoma Popoola

Electricity prepaid meters
Economy/Business

FG to receive first batch of 3.2m meters in April

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Meters

By Constance Athekame

The Federal Government says it is set to receive the first batch of 3.205 million meters in April, procured to bridge the metering gap in the country.

The Minister of Power, Mr Adebayo Adelabu, said this in a statement by his Special Adviser, Strategic Communications and Media Relations, Mr Bolaji Tunji in Abuja on Sunday.

Adelabu said that 75,000 meters under the International Competitive Bid 1 (ICB1) were also expected by the end of April.

According to the minister the second batch of 200,000 meters will also be received in May.

He said that the Distribution Sector Recovery Programme (DISREP) was set to deliver the 3.2 million meters by 2026.

“This will be achieved through different procurement models, including 1.437 million meters through International Competitive Bid 1 (ICB1).

”There is another 217,600 meters through National Competitive Bid (NCB), and 1.550 million meters through International Competitive Bid 2 (ICB2), ” Adelabu said. .

According to him, as part of this plan, the first batch of 75,000 meters under ICB1 is expected by April, followed by the second batch of 200,000 meters in May.

”In addition to the DISREP, the N700 billion Presidential Metering Initiative (PMI) is another key intervention designed to accelerate metering,”he said.

The minister said that the PMI, which had already secured N700 billion from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), was structured to ensure large-scale meter procurement and deployment.

He said that a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) had been established to oversee the implementation of the initiative.

”While challenges persist, the facts tell a more balanced story; one of sustained effort, financial commitment, and structured implementation plans by the Federal Government to close the metering gap.

”Despite claims of stagnation, metering installations have been progressing steadily.

”As at Dec.2024, a total of 5.502 million customers had been metered, representing about 55 percent of the 10.114 million active electricity customers in the country,”he said.

He said that In 2024 alone, 572,050 meters were installed.

According to him, though installation rates have varied over the years, the sector maintains a yearly average of about 668,000 meters installed.

He said that structured financing and government-backed initiatives were expected to accelerate deployment beyond the current pace, ensuring that the metering gap is addressed efficiently.

He said that to bridge the meeting gap, the government had put in place key initiatives aimed at significantly improving metering across the country.

“The government had set a target of deploying two million meters annually for five years, with the first batch of two million meters expected to be released by the third quarter of this year.

”These structured interventions provide a clear roadmap for addressing the metering gap in an effective and sustainable manner”.

“While the metering gap remains a concern, the notion that it will take over a decade to resolve is misleading,” he said.

He said that with the ongoing DISREP and PMI initiatives, Nigeria’s metering landscape was set to experience significant improvement before the end of the year.

”The focus should be on the execution of these well-structured plans rather than a blanket critique that overlooks the real progress being made,”he said.(NAN)(www.nannews ng)

Edited by Modupe Adeloye/Kadiri Abdulrahman

Economy/Business

Army arrests 43 suspected oil thieves in 3 states

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Arrest

By Desmond Ejibas

Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 6 Division have apprehended 43 suspected oil thieves during a coordinated raid on illegal artisanal refineries across Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers states.

Spokesman for the division, Lt.-Col. Danjuma Danjuma, disclosed this to journalists in Port Harcourt on Sunday, noting that 14 artisanal refineries were also dismantled during the operations.

Danjuma also revealed that troops seized 14 boats and confiscated about 254,000 litres of various stolen petroleum products between March 31 and April 6.

Providing details of the operations, he explained that soldiers in Delta raided the Old Ogorode community in the Sapele area, where they recovered 90,000 litres of petroleum products loaded into a bus.

“Furthermore, troops confiscated 74,107 drums filled with 16,600 litres of petroleum products and 1,600 litres of illegally refined engine oil.

“Other items recovered include a tank filled with over 20,000 litres of stolen products, an empty tank  with a capacity of 5,000 litres, eight pumping machines, two generators.

“Two suspects were arrested at the crime scene,” he stated.

In a separate operation in Amukpe, Sapele, Danjuma said that soldiers intercepted a truck carrying 56 drums containing 13,400 litres of stolen crude oil.

He confirmed the arrest of three suspects connected to the incident.

“In Rivers, troops dismantled illegal sites, seized about 83,000 litres of stolen crude oil and 3,200 litres of illegally refined petroleum products in Andoni, Ahoada West, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, Akuku-Toru, and Degema Local Government Areas.

“The petroleum products were found stored in more than 80 cooking pots and ovens, as well as in sacks, metal receivers, iron pipes, and a reservoir pit,” Danjuma stated.

In Bayelsa, the army spokesman reported the seizure of 13,500 litres of stolen crude following the destruction of four illegal refineries in Yenagoa and Ekeremor LGAs.

During the raids, Danjuma revealed that troops also dismantled over nine cooking drums and receivers, 11 ovens, four drums, and a dug-out reservoir.

According to him, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division, Maj.-Gen. Emmanuel Emekah, commended the troops for their successful operations and urged stakeholders to support the fight against illegal oil bunkering.

“The GOC assured Nigerians that these ongoing operations form part of broader efforts to boost oil and gas production and enhance the nation’s economy,” he concluded. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Benson Iziama

Defence/Security

FRSC Corps Marshal bemoans death of rescue operative, 16 others

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Death
By Ibironke Ariyo

The Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Shehu Mohammed, has bemoaned the tragic death of 17 persons in a road crash, including one of its emergency rescue operatives.

Mohammed expressed his condolences in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja by the Corps Public Education Officer, Mr Olusegun Ogungbemide.

The FRSC boss, however, added that the personnel who lost his life was deployed to carry out rescue operation at the scene of the crash.

He also expressed his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and urged motorists to make vehicle maintenance a priority and adhere to speed limits.

This, he said, would also help to prevent reoccurrence of such tragedies in the future.

Mohammed recalled that the fatal multiple crash occurred as a result of excessive speed and break failure at exactly 1600hrs in Gbara area of Ogun State.

He said that the crash involved 7 vehicles in the category of a white DAF truck with registration number T14007LA, Toyota Hiace Bus with registration number AGL752YC.

A Honda saloon car bearing the registration number HET680, and a Nissan Pick up Van with registration number STF10204, were also involved in the accident.

“Others are; a Nissan Pick up Van with the following registration details STF10204 belonging to Nigeria Police Force,.

” 2 Bajaj motorcycles with the registration numbers AGG448Q and PKA214WS, as well as a white DAF truck with no evidence of registration.

“The multiple crash also involved 18 victims (12 male adults, 5 female adults and 1 female child).

“Out of the number, 17 victims were killed comprising of ( 11 male adults, 5 female adults,1 female child). Only 1 victim was rescued with injury,”he said.

The FRSC corps marshal emphasised that the Corps was committed to ensuring the safety of all road users.

Mohammed, however, said that the alarming rate of speed-related crashes on the roads was a pressing concern.

He urged all motorists to take responsibility for their actions and respect speed limits.

He lamented that the consequences of speeding were devastating, and FRSC could not afford to lose more lives on Nigerian roads.

While bemoaning the death of the marshal who was killed in active service along 16 other innocent Nigerians, the corps marshal vowed that the driver responsible for the carnage would definitely be prosecuted.

“There is ongoing efforts of the Corps to ensure that all drivers involved in fatal crash face the wrath of the law.

“FRSC will continue to work tirelessly to promote road safety awareness and enforce traffic laws and the Corps will not relent in its efforts to make our roads safer for all users.

“We appeal to all stakeholders, including motorists, pedestrians and the general public to join FRSC in the crusade against speed limit violations. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Stanley Nwanosike/Kevin Okunzuwa

Defence/Security

Police to probe Lagos explosion incident

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Explosion

By Deborah Akpede

The Police Command in Lagos State says it has begun an investigation into the explosion that claimed the life of a scrap metal dealer in the Mushin area of the state.

The command’s spokesperson, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin made this known in a statement on Sunday, in Lagos.

He said that the incident occurred on Thursday at No 40, Taiwo Street, Idi-Araba in Mushin.

“The unfortunate explosion that occurred sadly claimed the life of one individual and left three others injured.

“The injured victims have been taken to the hospital and are currently receiving treatment.

“Investigations revealed that the explosion occurred when the victim attempted to cut a metal object into smaller pieces which might be unknown to him, was a military-grade grenade, resulting in an explosion that led to his death,” he said.

Hundeyin said that upon receiving the report, police explosives ordnance experts of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (EOD-CBRN) Unit of the command arrived at the scene

The image maker said that the remnant of one exploded grenade, and two live (active) grenades were professionally and technically evacuated from the scene to the Base Headquarters of Police EOD-CBRN, Lagos, for safety.

He said that the area was immediately cordoned off, secured, and subsequently rendered safe by the Nigeria Police Force’s EOD-CBRN unit.

“The cordon of the scene and the adjoining areas is emplaced to facilitate a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the explosion and take immediate further necessary measures to prevent such incidents in the future,” he said.

According to him, the Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, has commiserated with the family of the deceased and wished the injured, a speedy recovery.

The spokesperson said that CP Jimoh urged residents to remain calm, peaceful, and go about their businesses and other means of livelihood without fear or apprehension.

“The CP urges residents to be peaceful and assures them of their safety as the scene of the explosion and adjoining areas have been rendered safe and declared secure,” Hundeyin said.

He said the command’s EOD-CBRN unit had been working in collaboration with the Counter Improvised Explosive Device (CIED) Squadron of the 81 Division, Nigerian Army, to determine the origin of the explosive device.

The commissioner ensured that all necessary actions were taken to prevent recurrence of such incidents in the future.

He advised members of the public to exercise serious caution, especially those involved in scavenging, scrap metal trading, and to report any suspicious objects at the nearest police station for appropriate action. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Nkiru Ifeajuna/Maureen Atuonwu

General News

FG to commence construction of collapsed Namnai bridge in Taraba

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Bridge

By Martins Abochol

Alhaji Uba Maigari, Minister for State Regional Development has announced the commencement of construction work on the collapsed Namnai bridge along Wukari Jalingo high way in Taraba by the Federal Government.

Maigari made the declaration on Thursday during an assessment visit to the collapsed Namnai bridge.

He recalled that engineers and surveyors from the North East Development Commission (NEDC), had already carried out technical assessment of the bridge in the last six weeks with the view to  reconstructing it.

He said that the situation of the bridge was a concern to the Federal Government, justifying why he had cut short his holiday for the visit to the site.

He expressed the commitment of the Federal Government to work on Namnai, Mayo Kham, Bantaje and Suntai bridges all in the state.

He said that his visit was a testament that the Federal Government was worried over the plight of the people, who ply the road that linked the Southern Nigeria and the North Eastern part of the country.

“As a responsible and responsive government, it is our responsibility to fix the collapse brigade as soon as possible.

“We are in a holiday but we have cut it short to give attention to the situation.

“Gov Agbu Kefas of Taraba had visited us in the past six weeks and we discussed on emergency intervention on Namnai, Mayo Kham, Bantaje and Suntai bridges.

“With this situation, which is a natural disaster, we are still going to commence work on Namnai bridge in the next one week,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that the Namnai bridge along Wukari Jalingo high way which is linking Calabar to Maiduguri collapsed in 2024 due to flood. (NAN) (www nannews.ng)

Edited by Gabriel Yough

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