馃嚦馃嚞NigeriaWest Africa
Rural Electrification Agency expands mini-grids, welcomes Fayose-led governing board
via Punch Nigeria9 min read
The Rural Electrification Agency REA has initiated a 1.5MW Interconnected Mini-Grid project in Pankshin, Plateau State, as part of a national rollout of 48 interconnected mini-grids. This follows recent commissioning and groundbreaking events for similar projects in other states, including Kogi, Kebbi, Adamawa, and Rivers. REA Managing Director, Dr. Abba Aliyu, stated that the Pankshin facility aims to enhance power quality, reduce technical losses, and provide reliable electricity for agro-processing, healthcare, and commercial activities. He also noted that 10 additional mini-grids are under construction in Plateau State under the DARES Programme. In a separate development, Aliyu welcomed the appointment of former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, as Chairman of the REA Board, alongside Alhaji Ahmadu Abubakar and Engineer Ilyasu Ibrahim Makinta as non-executive board members. These appointments, announced by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, are effective immediately. Aliyu praised President Bola Tinubu for selecting individuals with experience to support the agency's mission of providing electricity to rural and underserved communities across Nigeria.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
The New Nigeria People鈥檚 Party NNPP announced on Tuesday that it has uploaded a placeholder presidential candidate to the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC portal for the 2027 general elections. The party stated this action aligns with electoral guidelines. Additionally, the NNPP confirmed that its original logo, featuring a basket of fruits on a Nigerian map, has been restored on the INEC portal. National Chairman Dr. Major Agbo described this as a victory in the party's leadership tussle, affirming the legitimacy of his National Working Committee. The NNPP has faced a prolonged leadership crisis, with factions disputing control and the party's identity. Agbo also disclosed that the party completed uploading 355 National Assembly candidates, including placeholders, despite time constraints from the late recognition of his leadership. The upload of governorship and state House of Assembly candidates has commenced and is expected to conclude by August 8, 2026. The party chairman did not reveal the identity of the presidential placeholder, stating it was a deliberate act.
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Must ReadThe Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency NIHSA has issued a seven-day flood advisory, indicating a medium flood risk for 17 states between July 21 and July 27. NIHSA Director-General, Umar Mohammed, stated that rising water levels at key river monitoring stations, including Saminaka on the Karam River, Waya Dam site on the Waya River, and Amber on the Amber River, have exceeded watch and warning thresholds. Sixteen gauging stations nationwide are reporting elevated river levels, putting nearby communities at risk of localized flooding. The affected states are Adamawa, Bauchi, Benue, Borno, Edo, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau, Taraba, Yobe, and Zamfara. Bauchi is identified as having the highest exposure, with 1,841 communities, 145 schools, 101 health facilities, and eight markets vulnerable. Vulnerable communities and public facilities were also identified in Edo, Imo, Kaduna, Plateau, and Benue states. Mohammed urged state governments, local authorities, and residents to take precautionary measures, including activating emergency response plans, relocating people and valuables from floodplains, and pre-positioning essential supplies. He also advised clearing blocked drains and waterways and monitoring daily flood updates from NIHSA. This advisory follows a previous warning for 14 states between July 14 and July 20, and an earlier alert from the Federal Ministry of Environment for 26 states and the Federal Capital Territory.