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No Meaningful Development Without Addressing Power Sector Crisis – VP Shettima
No Meaningful Development Without Addressing Power Sector Crisis – VP Shettima
*** Inaugurates NEC’s national electrification, polio ad hoc committees
By: Our Reporter
The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima has said there is no way Nigeria can dream of meaningful national economic development without addressing the power sector crisis and ensuring Nigerians have access to electricity and other affordable energy.
He urged leaders in the country to rise above differences to confront the power sector crisis and become part of the reincarnation of Nigeria as an industrialized nation.
The Vice President stated this on Thursday when he inaugurated the National Economic Council (NEC) Ad Hoc Committee on National Electrification and NEC Ad Hoc Committee on Polio Eradication at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Speaking while inaugurating the ad hoc committee on National Electrification, Senator Shettima made reference to countries with similar challenges of energy insufficiency, such as Indonesia, India, South Africa, and Uganda, pointing out that they are already in the league of those at the forefront of post-industrial revolution.
“One common thing with these countries and others in the post-industrial revolution community is that they have largely resolved the issue of energy insufficiency.
“There is no doubt that we cannot dream of meaningful national economic development without addressing the issue in the power sector and ensuring that Nigerians have accessible, available and affordable energy,” he stated.
Regretting that an estimated 40-70 percent of Nigerians have no formal access to electricity, VP Shettima said he is comforted by the knowledge that the calibre and experiences of state Governors and other members of the committee “will definitely change the narrative in a positive trajectory.”
He acknowledged the basic challenges in the nation’s power sector, especially the national grid which has been witnessing system collapse.
The VP however expressed hope that there will soon be significant improvement following the recent reforms in the energy sector which have opened the sector, “not only to the participation of, otherwise, excluded players, but also to attract investments, both foreign and local.
“I believe we are well endowed with resources, be it gas, hydro or solar, that allow us to have an optimal energy mix and leverage these resources to build a sector in a resilient manner that ensures energy security for every Nigerian,” he added.
The Vice President urged members of the National Electrification ad hoc committee to come on board and work for the nation.
He said, “I wish you the best as you embark on this critical assignment, and I want to assure you of my availability as you discharge this onerous assignment. With this, I hereby inaugurate the NEC ad hoc committee on National Electrification Strategy and Implementation Plan.”
While inaugurating the NEC ad hoc committee on Polio Eradication, Senator Shettima urged members of the committee and stakeholders to reinvigorate efforts to confront the reemergence of the disease head-on.
He said, “If at all we have relied heavily on assistance from partners to address the devastation caused to our people by this disease, it is time to take a determined step to eradicate this disease from our people. I am confident we can do it if we work collectively and collaboratively with partners and all the stakeholders.”
The Vice President discouraged short-term measures in tackling polio, urging the committee members to come up with long-term measures, including the local production of polio vaccines.
He said, “We cannot fight this virus, Your Excellencies, by constantly responding to its recurrence, as short-term measures will always fail. We must develop a futuristic plan, and this calls for a long-term approach to containing the virus.
“It is in this regard that we must take seriously the overarching need for the local production of polio vaccines. This, I believe, will ensure that we take a long-term view of the containment of the virus and ultimately its extermination in the future.
“It is clear that we should never rest on our oars, as the virus keeps mutating and reemerging in new forms such as the new variant in Kano and Sokoto, but it is heartening that these states have taken firm action to confront the new variant”.
In his remarks, Chairman of the NEC ad hoc committee on National Electrification and Cross River State Governor, Prince Bassey Edet Otu, noted that the Vice President has impaneled the committee with four terms of reference to change the ugly history of incessant national grid collapse in the country, noting that their next task is to get down to work, and do so assiduously until they produce credible, achievable and sustainable results.
He said, “In the command list, one, is to put an end to consistent grid collapse in the energy sector and to work towards deepening states’ engagement within the Electricity Reform Act 2023 to address the challenges in the power sector to the best expectation of Nigerians and the National Electrification Strategy and Implementation Plan.
“These tasks are tall but looking at the members of the committee, we are individually and collectively taller, especially in our avowed commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President and the golden ethos of nation-building.”
On his part, Chairman of the Polio Eradication ad hoc committee and Gombe State Governor, Alhaji Inuwa Yahaya, thanked the Vice President for giving members the opportunity to serve in the committee, assuring that they will do all their best to end the reemergence of polio in the country.
Governor Yahaya who is also Chairman of the Northern State Governors Forum said, “On behalf of members of this committee, I would want to appreciate you for making this choice of putting up this committee that includes this membership. And going through the committee’s membership, one knows full well that it is really by design and not by accident because you want to address a critical issue, and you, indeed, picked the right people to address the issues.
“The Governors, as you said, are the prime movers, and the likes of Aliko Dangote, and, in fact, under the leadership of the Honorable Minister, this task of eradicating Polio and taking it out of Nigeria will be made easy once we are able to do the needful.”
Members of the NEC ad hoc committee on National Electrification include Governors of Katsina, Gombe, Osun, Imo and Plateau States; Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy; Minister of Budget and Economic Planning; Minister of Power; Special Adviser to the President on NEC/Climate Change; Special Adviser to the President; Managing Director/CEO of Rural Electrification Agency (REA); CEO, Nigeria Governors’ Forum; Managing Director/CEO of Niger Delta Power Holding Company; FGN Power Company, and NEC Secretariat.
Members of the Polio Eradication ad hoc committee are Governors of Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Zamfara, and Sokoto States; Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Managing Director/CEO of National Primary Health Care Development Authority (NPHCDA); Director General of Nigeria Governors’ Forum; representative of UNICEF; representative of Aliko Dangote Foundation; Special Assistant to the President on Public Health; Special Adviser to President in NEC/Climate Change, and NEC Secretariat.
No Meaningful Development Without Addressing Power Sector Crisis – VP Shettima
News
Zulum hits the ground running on Insecurity, vows to complete Ongoing Projects before leaving office
Zulum hits the ground running on Insecurity, vows to complete Ongoing Projects before leaving office
By: Bodunrin Kayode
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to tackling the remaining security challenges in the state.
The Governor made this pledge yesterday during the first regular State Executive Council meeting of the year, 2026, held at the Council Chamber of the Government House in Maiduguri.
Addressing members of the cabinet and top government officials before the start of the meeting, Governor Zulum emphasised that 2026 would be a year of consolidation.
He noted that while relative peace has been restored in many parts of the state, the government will not relent in providing the needed security in all parts of Borno.
Beyond the security interventions, Zulum also explained that Government will focus on the resettlement of internally displaced persons by investing in medium- and long-term durable solutions to challenges on the ground.
He noted that his government will also ensure the timely completion of all ongoing developmental projects across the three senatorial zones of the state to cushion the dividends of democracy desirable for the people.
He added that his administration will strengthen the social protection net of residents stating that “social protection remains central to our agenda as we rebuild Borno for a better future.
” While we shall not relent in providing social amenities to the great people of the state, the need to provide social protection to our people cannot be overemphasised.” said Zulum.
The meeting was attended by Commissioners, the Secretary to Borno State Government, Bukar Tijani, Acting Chief of State, Dr Babagana Mallumbe, and other members of the executive council.
Borno state governments have spent over 16 years of their developmental years battling insurgency which has tremendously slowed down the entire machinery of social engineering which should have taken the state to a very high level of stability if there was no security Challenges on ground.
Zulum hits the ground running on Insecurity, vows to complete Ongoing Projects before leaving office
News
Rev. Dachomo accuses of Trump bias, vows to go to War
Rev. Dachomo accuses of Trump bias, vows to go to War
By: Zagazola Makama
The outspoken Christian cleric in Plateau State, Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo has called for ‘WAR’ in the state and also blamed President Donald Trump for bias in deploying United States security asserts in the campaign against the genocide of Christians in Nigeria.
In a footage circulating on social media, the cleric who is the Regional Chairman of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, made the call while addressing mourners at the burial of seven persons killed in a reprisal attack at Dorowa Babuje village in the local government.
“Rev. Dachoma was also heard declaring that residents would no longer “run away,” adding that if there was to be a “full-blown war,” they were prepared to defend themselves.
“We are not going to run away, if there will be full blown WAR it will start from today to the day that the God has placed for us. Let them continue to gather, we have chosen to die than to remain burying our brothers.
“My fellow brothers and sisters i am rounding this message so that we can go back and stay and go for war, since the Fulani said we will not rest in plateau, they are not afraid of the security from today we will not be afraid of the security.
The cleric further blamed the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and the Sultan of Sokoto of alleged bias in security arrangements affecting Plateau State and other Christian-dominated communities in Nigeria, saying, “
In a video circulating online, the cleric questioned the deployment of U.S military in muslims dominated northern regions and alleged neglect of Christian communities.
“We have chosen to die rather than continue burying our brothers,” he said, while calling on community members to remain resolute.
“When I invited Trump to Nigeria to come and help us, when Trump responded, their blueprint was that none of the soldiers of the United States should come to Plateau State,” he said.
“They directed their attention to Sokoto, where the Muslim-dominant area the Muslims are enjoying the coming of Trump.”
He continued: “If I were allowed to say Trump is in Nigeria to protect the Muslims… another batch is in Maiduguri, another batch were deployed in Kaduna and Bauchi. In Kwara, no batch is there. Rev. Dachomo further alleged that Christian communities were being neglected, stating: “The Yorubas were allowed to be killed like chicken. Benue, no army is there.”
He also made allegations against the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, accusing him sabotaging deployment of US forces.
“Why is it that he did not allow the American soldiers to come to Plateau State? They cornered them to please his people.”
The cleric alleged that insurgents who fled military operations elsewhere had relocated to Plateau communities. The insurgents that escaped from Sambisa and from Sokoto are right here in Manda, in Fars, in Okolindiri, Lingerie,” he claimed.

“It is from Lingerie that they came and killed those people, because the real training ground of terrorists is Lingerie.”
Rev. Dachomo also referenced the Sultan in his remarks, alleging what he described as a broader agenda against Christians. “That is Sultan road map to wipe out Plateau Christians and other Christians in Nigeria,” he said.
Despite his strong accusations, the cleric acknowledged the efforts of local security operatives in preventing greater casualties during the recent attack.
“This could have been more than 100 corpses, but God used the security to give us enough protection when they saw the security move quickly,” he said.
Also, Barrister Solomon, President of the Berom Youths, was also heard in a related video expressing the same threat against the existence of Fulani in plateau state. “We can no longer guarantee peace and security on the Plateau if Fulani continue grazing on our land.”he said.
Solomon declared that the Fulani should awaits their response. “Fulani you have taken credit, Fulani You have taken credits,”he said.
Meanwhile, in a subsequent clip, however, he appeared to temper his earlier tone, saying: “Even some security have tagged me for the comments we made yesterday. My life is not more precious than this city. “I will not incite any violence in Plateau, but we deserve to be protected. We deserve it.”he said.
“I’m using this opportunity to call on our people let’s remain calm. Let’s continue as law-abiding citizens. We are not praying for similar things to happen. We are not at war with anybody.”
“The hausa of the Yoruba, the Igbos, and any other person that comes to Plateau should have it at the back of his mind that he will settle peacefully.”
“A Plateau man has never been known for any act of terrorism. But the Fulani have declared war on us, and it is so unfortunate that some people are falling victims of circumstance.”
He also appealed to federal authorities, stating:
“We are calling on Mr. President and the security governor. Please sir, since having security in our domain cannot guarantee our safety, why will it not be relocated to where the bandits are settled? So we will then know when they will come to attack us.”
Zagazola Makama report that Plateau State has witnessed recurring communal and banditry-related violence over the years, with security agencies continuing operations to curb attacks in vulnerable communities.
Rev. Dachomo accuses of Trump bias, vows to go to War
News
Forensic Team Exhumes 105 Bodies in Probe of 2025 Yelwata Killings
Forensic Team Exhumes 105 Bodies in Probe of 2025 Yelwata Killings
By: Zagazola Makama
A team of federal medical pathologists has exhumed 105 bodies from mass graves in Yelwata community, Guma Local Government Area of Benue, as part of ongoing investigations into the June 13, 2025 attack on the area.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the team, led by Prof. Saad Ahmed from the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abuja, arrived in Yelwata on Feb. 23, 2026, alongside operatives of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT), Abuja.
The sources said the delegation included members of the Presidential Medical Delegation and worked in collaboration with officials of the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA).
According to the sources, locations of the graves were identified on the same day under adequate security provided by the Benue State Police Command.
The exhumation exercise commenced on Feb. 24, during which seven bodies were recovered.
The team continued the exercise on Feb. 25 and Feb. 26, exhuming additional remains, bringing the total number of corpses recovered to 105 from 13 mass graves located in and around Yelwata community.
The exercise was concluded on Feb. 26.
Police sources said the exhumation was conducted to facilitate forensic inquests and strengthen evidence in the ongoing prosecution of suspects linked to the killings.
“Seven corpses were initially exhumed by the IRT-led federal investigators for inquest. The exercise continued and further development will be communicated,” a security source said.
The deployment of forensic experts followed proceedings at the Federal High Court in Abuja, where nine suspects were arraigned on Feb. 2, 2026, before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik in connection with the Yelwata attack.
The court had emphasised the importance of forensic evidence to ensure a fair trial and proper determination of culpability.
Security officials said adequate measures were put in place to ensure the exercise was conducted peacefully and without disruption.
The June 13, 2025 attack on Yelwata community reportedly resulted in the deaths of several residents and displaced many others, prompting widespread condemnation and calls for justice.
The Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation had earlier commenced prosecution of suspects arrested in connection with the incident.
Authorities said further updates would be communicated as investigations progress.
Forensic Team Exhumes 105 Bodies in Probe of 2025 Yelwata Killings
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