🇳🇬NigeriaWest Africa
Ebonyi and Enugu states pledge support for Federal Government's power infrastructure initiative
via Punch Nigeria3 min read
The Federal Government's initiative to improve Nigeria's power infrastructure has gained momentum as FGN Power Company Limited engaged with authorities in Ebonyi and Enugu states. These meetings aim to accelerate Phase 1 of the Presidential Power Initiative PPI, a program designed to overhaul transmission and distribution networks and provide more stable electricity across the country. A delegation led by Chief Commercial Officer Babatunde Daramola-Oniru met with Secretaries to the State Governments, commissioners, and other officials to align on key infrastructure projects. Daramola-Oniru emphasized that collaboration with states and host communities is crucial for the initiative's long-term success, stating that technical execution alone is insufficient for sustainable outcomes. In Ebonyi State, discussions focused on the proposed Ugwaji–Okposi 330kV double-circuit transmission line, which is expected to unlock generation capacity and strengthen grid reliability in the South-East. The Secretary to the Ebonyi State Government, Prof. Grace Umezurike, welcomed the project, highlighting its importance for the state's development. Similarly, in Enugu State, officials linked PPI projects to the state's urban renewal and economic transformation agenda. The Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, noted that reliable electricity is central to Enugu's vision of becoming a modern smart city. FGN Power Company, established to implement the PPI, aims to increase grid
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Portuguese club Benfica confirmed that Real Madrid would need to pay 15 million euros to sign their coach Jose Mourinho. Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has expressed a "firm intention to recruit" Mourinho as he seeks re-election. Mourinho, who previously managed Real Madrid from 2010, winning a La Liga title, a Copa del Rey, and a Spanish Super Cup, has appeared in a video on Perez's Instagram account affirming his readiness to return. Benfica stated that Mourinho's release clause is 15 million euros, contrary to earlier media reports suggesting a lower figure. Mourinho joined Benfica in September 2025 and has one year remaining on his contract.
Must ReadThe Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. Jide Idris, has called on governors across Nigeria's 36 states to provide adequate funding for health workers to prevent the Ebola virus from entering the country. Speaking at the 3rd Adetokunbo Alakija Memorial Lecture and induction of new members into the Nigerian Society of Travel Medicine in Lagos, Idris emphasized that while the Federal Government implements measures like strengthened monitoring at airports and contact tracing, state governments need to enhance capacity building and funding. He highlighted the importance of supporting health workers, stating that the NCDC cannot manage the burden alone and that state governments must fund their personnel and infrastructure. The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, acknowledged the state's vulnerability due to high air travel and outlined preventive measures in collaboration with airport officials. The Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the NSTM, Dr. Patrick Chukwuma, stressed the role of travel medicine in preventing the importation of dangerous viruses and urged new members to incorporate travel history into patient assessments. The Director-General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS, Dr. Temitope Ilori, also discussed integrating HIV into Nigeria's travel health architecture, noting that mobility can interrupt prevention, testing, and treatment access for various groups. The Federal Ministry of Health an
Must ReadAlgeria has commenced construction on the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline TSGP, a major project designed to transport natural gas from Nigeria through Niger to Algeria for export to European markets. The pipeline aims to carry up to 30 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually. Algeria's Energy Minister Mohamed Arkab, alongside Nigerian counterpart Ekperikpe Ekpo and Nigerien counterpart Hamadou Tini, attended the official launch. The project, initially announced in 2009, has gained renewed importance due to increased global gas demand and rising prices following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Algeria is already a significant gas exporter to Europe, supplying approximately 12 percent of the bloc's gas imports. The TSGP is a competing project to the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline, which also seeks to export gas to Europe via West Africa's Atlantic coastline.
The Accord Party has named Professor Christopher Imumolen as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general election. This decision followed a consensus vote during the party’s National Presidential Primary Election held in Lagos. Muktar Abdullah, National Secretary of the Accord Party, confirmed this in a statement to journalists in Abuja. He noted that party leaders view Professor Imumolen's emergence as a sign of widespread support and a commitment to offering Nigerians a credible leadership alternative. Delegates from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory attended the convention to choose the party's standard-bearer. The party highlighted Professor Imumolen's strong backing, particularly from its younger demographic, who see him as a symbol of modern Nigerian leadership. As the youngest presidential candidate in the 2023 election cycle, he enters the 2027 race with increased experience, established grassroots structures, and national appeal. The Accord Party plans to unveil a comprehensive socio-economic agenda to address national challenges. In his acceptance speech, Professor Imumolen thanked delegates and promised an inclusive, issue-driven campaign. He stated that the primary election was successfully conducted and that his name would be submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission. Professor Imumolen pledged that an Accord-led Federal Government would address unemployment, insecurity, and revamp the economic architecture to alleviate poverty.