Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Henzodaily roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Tuesday, 14th January, 2025
The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu has declared that the National Grid would continue to collapse until the repair on Ugwachi-Bauchi-Makurdi line is executed.
He further disclosed that the attempts to repair the line have been hampered by insecurity in the north and, therefore, called for the insecurity to be addressed.
In his words, the inability to fix the damaged line as a result of insecurity is putting undue pressure on existing infrastructure and has made the grid fragile.
Adelabu also pointed out that the grid is old and requires a total overhaul to make it efficient.
He however denied reports that the National Grid collapsed 12 times in 2024, saying it experienced only 8, out of which 5 were full and 3 partial collapses.
Henzodaily reports the Minister made the submissions on Monday while defending his ministry’s 2025 budget figures before the Senate Committee on Power.
During the interaction, Adelabu couldn’t give any assurances that the grid would not suffer future collapses, but promised that the Power Ministry would swiftly restore it when any incident occurs.
The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has been impeached.
Henzodaily reports that Obasa was impeached on Monday over allegations of gross misconduct and abuse of office.
According to the reports, the lawmaker representing Apapa Constituency I in the Lagos House of Assembly, Hon. Mojisola Meranda, has become the new speaker following Obasa’s impeachment.
The National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Shehu Musa Gabam, has dismissed reports suggesting an alliance between the party and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar or ex-Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Gabam, during an appearance on TVC’s Politics Today, stated categorically that there have been no discussions about forming alliances with any political figures or parties.
He reiterated that the SDP’s focus remains on strengthening its platform to provide a dynamic and inclusive alternative for Nigerians.
Henzodaily reports that the SDP chairman also expressed deep concern over the rising cost of living, which he described as unbearable for most Nigerians.
Highlighting the current economic challenges, Gabam criticized the disconnect between government policies and the realities faced by ordinary citizens.
The Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed has said that his criticism of the proposed tax reform bills is based on the experience he has gathered over time as a politician.
He insisted that his criticism is not politically motivated, adding that policies that affect the livelihoods of Nigerians should go through a broad-based consultation before being implemented.
The governor said this while responding to recent comments attributed to Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare.
He asserted that he is not attacking President Bola Tinubu, but simply trying to remind him of his responsibility.
In a statement released by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mukhtar Gidado, Governor Mohammed emphasized that he has consistently supported policies that are in the best interest of the nation, while offering constructive feedback on those that need improvement.
The House of Representatives Committee on Customs and Excise expressed frustration on Monday over the failure of key government agency leaders to attend an investigative hearing on critical national matters.
The hearing, which aimed to examine the concession of the e-customs project to the Trade Modernisation Project (TMP) and Webb Fontaine’s involvement in the framework, was overshadowed by the absence of the Comptroller General of Customs, the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, and other key stakeholders.
Lawmakers reminded the absentees of Section 88 of the Nigerian Constitution, which grants parliament the authority to summon individuals for explanations.
The investigation also sought to address the use of modern technology to secure Nigeria’s borders, curb illegal migration, and improve border management.
While the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji Ojo, was reportedly out of the country, no explanation was provided for the absence of the Customs and Immigration chiefs.
Their failure to attend drew sharp criticism from lawmakers.
A high court in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, has granted bail to the ex-wife of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Naomi Silekunola.
Henzodaily learnt that Naomi was granted bail alongside the Ibadan-based broadcaster, Oriyomi Hamzat and a school principal, Abdullahi Fasasi.
The accused are facing four counts of conspiracy, acceleration of death, negligent acts causing harm, and failure to provide adequate security and medical facilities during a Christmas funfair that claimed the lives of 35 minors in Ibadan last December.
Justice Kamorudeen Olawoyin on Monday granted bail to the three suspects remanded over the tragic stampede.
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has approved training and reorientation courses for all policemen.
Henzodaily reports that the approval was given on Monday during a virtual meeting between the Inspector General of Police and Commissioners of Police (CPs), Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs), and the Force Management Team.
Egbetokun said the training would cause attitudinal change and ensure the consistent maintenance of the code of conduct for all personnel during the execution of their duties.
In a statement from the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Police Chief, also, mandated a weekly lecture series across all units of the Force.
While commending their efforts in curbing crimes in 2024, he charged them to improve on their anti-crime strategies to reduce crime drastically in the year 2025.
He stated that enhanced specialized training for Criminal Investigation Department (CID) investigators would bolster efficiency and thoroughness, ensuring investigators were equipped to handle increasingly complex and high-profile criminal cases.
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has officially presented the staff of office to Abimbola Akeem Owoade, the newly appointed Alaafin of Oyo.
Henzodaily reports that the ceremony, held on Monday morning at the Exco Chamber of the Governor’s Office in Ibadan, formally confirmed Owoade as the new monarch, nearly three years after the passing of the former Alaafin, Lamidi Adeyemi III.
The event followed the governor’s announcement last week, which sparked some controversy regarding the selection process.
According to Dotun Oyelade, the state’s Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Owoade’s appointment was the result of thorough consultations and divinations by the Oyomesi, the traditional council responsible for selecting the Alaafin.
The governor subsequently approved the recommendation.
The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over its authentic National Secretary took a new turn on Monday as the embattled Senator Samuel Anyanwu resumed at the party’s secretariat.
Henzodaily understands Anyanwu arrived at the PDP secretariat in Abuja around 10:56 a.m. and headed straight for his office, where he was received by his personal staff.
Anyanwu’s resumption is coming on the heels of a court declaration that Sunday Ude-Okoye is the authentic National Secretary of the PDP.
Speaking to reporters at the PDP secretariat, Anyanwu dismissed an earlier statement by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, affirming Ude-Okoye as the party’s valid National Secretary in line with a court pronouncement.
In dismissing Ologunagba’s position, Anyanwu told newsmen that the submission of the PDP spokesperson is simply his personal opinion, adding that he has appealed the court judgment against him.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) unveiled Eric Chelle as the new Super Eagles head coach earlier today, January 13.
The NFF officially declared Eric Chelle the 42nd substantive head coach of the Super Eagles at the media conference room of the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja.
Recall that Chelle’s appointment follows a recommendation from the NFF’s Technical and Development Committee. The 47-year-old former Mali international is the third coach to lead the Super Eagles since the departure of Portuguese coach Jose Peseiro.
He and his team are expected to prepare the Super Eagles B side for the upcoming African Nations Championship, which will be held in Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda next month.
Following the Championship, the coaching staff’s focus will shift to the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches, starting with games against Rwanda and Zimbabwe in March.
Since the news of Chelle’s appointment, opinions have varied, especially regarding the decision to hire a coach within Africa over Nigerian candidates.