News
EU, GiZ Provide Electricity to Cross River Community
EU, GiZ Provide Electricity to Cross River Community
By: Michael Mike
After six years without electricity, residents of Etomi community in Cross River State now enjoy reliable, clean, and affordable electricity through the European Union (EU)-funded solar mini-grid project.
The solar project, which provides 119.5kW of electricity to over 600 households and businesses in the community, was implemented by GIZ.
Head of Green and Digital Economy Section, EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Inga Stefanowicz, explained that the grid is managed under a public-private partnership arrangement to ensure its sustainability and long-term maintenance. A private company is overseeing the operations of the grid, in partnership with the Cross River State Government.
Stefanowicz said the project is part of the EU’s Global Gateway initiative, and is aimed to ensure that Nigerians have access to clean, renewable, and affordable energy.
He said: “The provision of reliable, clean, and affordable electricity for domestic and commercial use will boost the social and economic development of the people. I am also glad to say that we are taking electricity to a cocoa-producing community. This will help their farming activities and processes greatly.”
The Cross River State Commissioner for Power and Renewable Energy, Eka Williams, explained that the solar mini-grid project is an off-grid system, and expressed the conviction that it would serve the Etomi community very well. “I want to say a very big thank you to my Governor, in partnership to the EU, who have made this possible. We have a replication of this in about four communities in Etung Local Government Area (LGA).”
John Okpa, a resident of Etomi community, expressed excitement, as his community had been without electricity for over six years. He said, “Residents of the Etomi community are happy because the EU has provided us with electricity after six years of darkness. We are grateful to them, and pray that God continues to bless them.”
Precious Jeremiah, another resident of Etomi community, revealed that for seven years, she used a generator to run her hair styling business. This, according to her, comes at a high cost of fueling, repairing, and servicing the generator. “Before the installation of the solar plant, I managed my business using a generator. The cost of fueling the generator is very expensive.
“Since the installation of the solar plant, my customers can come into my shop to get their hair done and enjoy a cool and clean atmosphere devoid of generator smoke and noise. Also, I am able to make enough profit to take care of my household, including paying for the school fees of my children,” she said.
EU, GiZ Provide Electricity to Cross River Community
Police confirm killing of farmer in Benue
By: Zagazola Makama
The Police Command in Benue on Tuesday confirmed the killing of a 55-year-old farmer in Yelwata community, Guma Local Government Area of the state.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident was reported at about 3:44 p.m. by Mr. Zaki Pkan, a resident of Yelwata, who raised alarm after his brother, Mr. Ayua Fedelis Hemen, failed to return from his farm.
“Upon receiving the report, the coordinator of tactical teams in Yelwata mobilised operatives to the area.
“The body of the deceased was discovered in the farm with multiple machete cuts. It was photographed, evacuated and later handed over to the family,” he said.
The sources added that efforts were ongoing to track and apprehend the suspects behind the killing.
Police confirm killing of farmer in Benue
Security forces destroy bandits’ camps in Benue, recover rifle
By: Zagazola Makama
Security forces in Benue have destroyed five camps belonging to suspected armed herders during a clearance operation in the Sankera axis of Ukum Local Government Area.
Zagazola Makama gathered that the operation, which began at about 11 a.m., on Friday was carried out jointly by Ukum Divisional Police personnel, Operation Zenda, visiting units of the Police Mobile Force (PMF), operatives of the State Intelligence Service (SIS) and the Benue Civil Protection Guard.
“During the offensive, five bandits’ camps were destroyed following a fierce gun battle around Dyom and Asom Amadu in Ukum LGA.
“The armed bandits fled with bullet wounds, abandoning one AK-47 rifle with breech number 309416 and five rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition. These were recovered by our men.
“The clearance operation is still ongoing with efforts being intensified to track and apprehend the fleeing bandits,” he said.
The sources said the coordinated operation was part of measures to flush out criminal elements terrorising rural communities in the Sankera axis.
Security forces destroy bandits’ camps in Benue, recover rifle
Mass Defection Hits Borno Politics as Key Figures Join APC
By: Our Reporter
In a significant political development, the Deputy National Chairman (North) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Dr. Ali Bukar Dalori, in the company of the Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, the APC State Chairman, and other notable party leaders across the state, formally received a large number of defectors members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) from Northern Borno.
The defectors, led by Hon. Isa Lawan (Kangar), a former member of the House of Representatives and PDP senatorial candidate in the 2023 general elections, declared their decision to join the APC as a demonstration of confidence in the visionary leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, as well as the unifying role played by the party’s leadership at both the state and national levels.
In his remarks, Hon. Dr. Ali Bukar Dalori warmly welcomed the new members into the APC family, assuring them of equal opportunities and a level playing ground. He emphasized that the APC remains the only truly progressive platform that guarantees development, unity, and prosperity for the people of Borno State and Nigeria at large.
Also speaking, the Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly and the APC State Chairman commended the courage of the defectors for making what they described as the right political choice, stressing that their return further strengthens the party’s grassroots structure and consolidates its dominance in Borno State.
Hon. Isa Lawan, speaking on behalf of the decampees, expressed gratitude for the warm reception accorded to them. He noted that their decision to leave the PDP was borne out of genuine conviction that the APC represents the hope and aspirations of the people, especially with its renewed focus on good governance, inclusiveness, and sustainable development.
With this mass defection, the APC in Borno North has further broadened its base and reinforced its position as the party of choice ahead of future political engagements.
Mass Defection Hits Borno Politics as Key Figures Join APC
Police confirm killing of farmer in Benue
Security forces destroy bandits’ camps in Benue, recover rifle
Mass Defection Hits Borno Politics as Key Figures Join APC
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