The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has called the over 100 days of power outage at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Oyo State, a national disgrace.

During a visit to the hospital on Monday, he stated that the extended blackout was a shame not only for the hospital and the University of Ibadan but also for the federal government.

For over four months, the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) had disconnected UCH from the national grid due to an outstanding debt of over N200 million.

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UCH, one of Nigeria’s largest and most renowned teaching hospitals, has been forced to rely on generators and other backup power sources to maintain medical services.

The power minister pointed out that this issue wasn’t unique to UCH, as other teaching hospitals, like the University of Benin Teaching Hospital and the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, had faced similar challenges, though they had been resolved with lasting solutions.

Adelabu attributed the problem to a customer-vendor dispute between UCH and IBEDC, and emphasized that the federal government, as the overseeing institution, was unhappy with the extended power failure.

He mentioned that his previous efforts had led to the temporary reconnection of the hospital to the national grid, but the issue resurfaced because the root cause had not been addressed.

This time, Adelabu assured that the government would not only provide an immediate solution but would also tackle the underlying issue to prevent a recurrence.

He announced that IBEDC had committed to reconnecting UCH to the national grid within 24 to 48 hours.

However, he explained that reconnecting the entire hospital would be a complex task, involving high-powered transformers and various connections, and urged patience from the hospital’s staff and residents.

He also revealed that a new transformer had been procured to separate the hospital’s clinical services from the rest of the hospital’s power users.

This move would help UCH monitor its own energy usage and pay its bills separately.

The minister noted that UCH’s energy costs were high because it was covering the power consumption of other businesses within the hospital grounds, such as banks, business centers, dry cleaners, and pharmacies, which weren’t paying for their electricity use.

Adelabu assured that the government would ensure these entities were held accountable for their electricity consumption.

Additionally, he shared that a long-term solution would involve implementing a solar-powered mini-grid system for both the hospital and the university.

The project, which is expected to take six to nine months, would reduce the hospital’s energy costs by two-thirds.

The Supreme Court ruling on the appeal by Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara against the Martin Amaewhule-led House of Assembly is unrelated to the issue of who holds the legitimate position of Speaker, according to human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, Falana explained that the Supreme Court dismissed the appeal not on merit, but due to its withdrawal by the governor.

He clarified that the governor instructed his lawyers to withdraw the appeal, stating that it had become an academic matter as the issues involved were no longer relevant.

Falana emphasized that the court did not rule on the Speaker’s legitimacy.

Read Also: Supreme Court Dismisses Fubara’s Appeal Challenging Amaewhule-Led Assembly

The dispute, which originated from the Federal High Court, concerned the 2024 budget proposal that had already been passed, making further litigation unnecessary.

A five-judge panel of the Supreme Court, led by Justice Uwani Abba-Aji, dismissed the appeal after the governor’s lawyer, Yusuf Ali, withdrew the case.

The Rivers Assembly has been in turmoil since 2023 when more than 25 lawmakers loyal to former Governor Nyesom Wike left the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

This shift led to a power struggle in the Assembly, with Amaewhule’s leadership challenged by a rival group loyal to Fubara, led by Victor Oko-Jumbo.

Falana argued that three members of the state Assembly can still perform legislative duties, except for matters related to impeachment.

He also maintained that the 27 members who defected to the APC lost their seats, as their positions were declared vacant following their party switch.

The Kebbi State Government has begun preparations for a mass wedding for 300 couples in the state, set to take place on February 27.

Suleiman Argungu, the Chairman of the Organizing Committee, shared the news on Sunday in Birnin Kebbi, revealing that the event is being organized in partnership with the Nafisa Nasir Charity Development Foundation (NANAS), an NGO.

He mentioned that several committees have been formed to handle specific tasks, including pregnancy, genotype, and HIV/AIDS tests, as well as other legal requirements for marriage in the state.

Argungu explained that the mass wedding is part of a promise made by Governor Nasir Idris during the last mass wedding, in which he pledged to hold such events regularly to help less privileged individuals get married.

He further stated that the administration of Governor Idris would provide N180,000 as dowry for each bride from the 21 Local Government Areas of the state.

In addition, other items such as room furniture and foodstuffs will be given to all the couples to support their marital life.

The wedding ceremony will be conducted following consultations with Islamic scholars, in accordance with the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

On Monday, a Federal High Court (FHC) in Abuja adjourned the trial of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), indefinitely.

Justice Binta Nyako made the ruling after Kanu and his lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, argued that the trial judge no longer had the authority to continue hearing the case due to her earlier recusal.

On September 24, 2024, Justice Nyako had withdrawn from Kanu’s trial following an oral request from the defense, and the case file was subsequently transferred to the Chief Judge.

However, the Chief Judge of FHC, Justice John Tsoho, returned the case file to Justice Nyako for further proceedings, stating that the defense must submit a formal application before her recusal could be accepted.

On Monday, the Supreme Court dismissed the case filed by Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, seeking the removal of 27 members of the State House of Assembly over their alleged defection from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Justice Uwani Aba-Aji delivered the ruling after Fubara’s lead counsel, Yusuf Ali, SAN, dramatically withdrew the appeal.

In the notice for withdrawal, Fubara’s legal team informed the three-judge panel that events had overtaken the case, and that the lawmakers were considered friends.

The Rivers State House of Assembly and its Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, represented by Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, did not oppose the withdrawal.

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However, Olanipekun requested the case be outrightly dismissed, citing the exchange of briefs between the parties, which he argued had established their positions.

The court agreed, and the suit was dismissed, with Fubara being ordered to pay a cost of two million naira each to the House of Assembly and Amaewhule.

After the ruling, Ken Njemanze, SAN, stated that the dismissal had cleared the way for the 27 lawmakers to fully take over the House of Assembly.

He further indicated that actions taken by Fubara in the absence of the 27 lawmakers, including the presentation of the 2024 and 2025 budgets to only four lawmakers, were now void.

Earlier, on October 10, 2024, the Court of Appeal had also dismissed Fubara’s appeal on the same matter.

Furthermore, on January 22, 2024, the Federal High Court in Abuja, under Justice James Omotosho, had nullified the passage of Rivers State’s N800 billion 2024 budget by four lawmakers.

The court declared this passage, led by Hon. Ehie Edison, as illegal, ordering Fubara to re-present the budget to the Assembly led by Martin Amaewhule.

The 27 members of the Assembly, who are loyal to former Governor Nyesom Wike, filed the suit, which was supported by a lower court.

Defendants in the case included the National Assembly, the Senate, the House of Representatives, Governor Fubara, Hon. Edison, the Rivers State Civil Service Commission, and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP).

In his ruling, Justice Omotosho had issued an interim order restraining Governor Fubara and his agents from obstructing the pro-Wike legislators from performing their constitutional duties.

The governor was also prohibited from removing or redeploying the Clerk of the Assembly or withholding funds intended for legislative functions.

The court described the governor’s actions, such as demolishing part of the Assembly complex and withholding funds, as tyrannical and unlawful.

It also ruled that Fubara’s redeployment of the Clerk and Deputy Clerk was an affront to the separation of powers, ordering both officials to resume their positions immediately.

Additionally, the court instructed the IGP to deploy operatives to the Assembly complex and barred the National Assembly from intervening in matters concerning the Assembly or accepting any requests from Governor Fubara related to the Legislature.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has reported progress in its efforts to combat narcotic substance abuse, particularly with the support of sub-national governments.

NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi shared that several state governments have adopted the agency’s advocacy to make drug tests mandatory for appointees and employees.

Babafemi made these comments during an appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Monday.

He explained, “This advocacy has been ongoing since 2021, and many state governments are already implementing policies to ensure that anyone running for an elective office or appointed to a state government position undergoes drug testing. This is happening across various states.”

He clarified that while this is an advocacy initiative, it is not yet law, and the agency’s role is to encourage stakeholders to support it.

Babafemi also highlighted that some politicians have been prosecuted for their involvement with illegal drugs, stating, “Over the last four years, 65 drug barons, including former public officeholders, have been arrested, prosecuted, and convicted. We are not naming individuals to avoid stigmatization.”

He further revealed that some of those arrested had held local government positions, and many high-profile individuals are still under prosecution.

Beyond politics, Babafemi mentioned that employers and tertiary institutions are also implementing drug tests as part of their recruitment and admission processes.

“This is happening not only in politics and employment but also among young people seeking admission to tertiary institutions, as part of efforts to reduce demand for illicit substances,” he said.

He also noted that the agency is advocating for prospective couples to undergo drug tests, with traditional and religious institutions beginning to support the initiative.

Dr. Williams Aladekugbe, the Archbishop of Ibadan Province, Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion, has expressed concern that the ongoing economic crisis in the country is preventing many Christians from attending church services and making offerings.

He made this statement during the 1st Distinguished Alumni Lecture of the Department of Religious Studies, Faculty of Arts, University of Ibadan, held in Ibadan over the weekend.

Aladekugbe pointed out that the hardship has led some clergy to directly appeal to President Bola Tinubu, asking him to alleviate the economic struggles of the people.

In his lecture, titled “The Faith Once Delivered to the Saints in the Context of Contemporary Socio-Economic Challenges,” held at the Otunba Subomi Balogun Conference Centre, he said, “The current economic challenges, especially following the removal of the fuel subsidy, are impacting Christians across Nigeria.

Many families can no longer attend church services, and those who do attend often have no money to contribute for offerings or other needs.”

He emphasized that Christians, along with followers of other religions, are feeling the strain of the economic pressure.

This situation, he noted, led one cleric to ask President Tinubu for intervention during the burial of the late Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, saying, “You said it’s your turn, now save Nigerians from hunger.”

As Bishop of Ibadan North (Anglican) Diocese, Aladekugbe remarked, “In the past, Nigerians have protested against policies that harm the economy, and we are witnessing similar protests today against the current government’s economic policies.

Demonstrations have continued, yet the rising cost of living remains unchanged. Nigerians are calling on President Tinubu to end hunger and hardship.”

He further stated that various groups, including associations, traditional rulers, clerics, and the general public, have been suffering under the present economic policies.

“The reality is that Nigerians are frustrated, hungry, and angry,” he added.

Aladekugbe highlighted the severity of the current situation, with rising insecurity, poverty, and unemployment affecting the country.

He noted that the socio-economic reforms of the federal government have led to unprecedented hardship, with the soaring cost of food worsening the situation and contributing to an increase in crime.

According to the Archbishop, many Nigerians are expressing their frustration on social media, in public spaces, and even in social clubs, questioning the future of the country’s political structure and voicing concerns about their faith, with some asking, “God, where are you?”

He stressed that in times like these, the clergy has a vital role to play in helping people navigate depression, loss of hope, and even thoughts of suicide.

Aladekugbe called for more focus on preaching and teachings to help sustain the faith of Christians, encouraging them to believe that the current difficult period will eventually pass.

He explained that while fear is prevalent due to the current challenges, faith should be cultivated as a means of attracting divine intervention.

“In today’s Nigeria, people are overwhelmed by fears—fear of the unknown, poverty, and imagined problems. These fears cannot be solved without faith,” he said.

In response to the widespread fear, Aladekugbe emphasized that faith is the key to overcoming human problems and urged people to turn to God for practical solutions to the difficulties they face.