The Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) has called for interested buyers of 5 Nigerian power generation companies from the National Integrated Power Project (NIPP).
This was disclosed in a statement released by the Director-General of the BPE, Mr Alex Okoh on Sunday. The BPE did not disclose how much it aimed to raise from the sale.
They added that the NIPP sale was part of deregulation and reform of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry and in line with the Nigerian Electric Power Policy and Electric Power Sector Reform (EPSR) Act, 2005, citing approval from Directors of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) and the National Council on Privatization.
The NIPP projects being considered for sale are:
Geregu Generation Company Ltd installed capacity at ISO condition of 506 Megawatts (MW)
Benin (Ihovbor) Generation Company Ltd with 507 MW;
Calabar Generation Ltd with 634MW;
Omotosho Generation Ltd with 513MW; and
Olorunsogo Generation Company Ltd with 754MW.
“Each bidder must be an experienced power generation company that owns and/or operates utility size power plants. In case of a consortium, at least one of the consortium members must be an experienced power generation company (the “Technical Partner”).
“The technical partner shall be responsible for providing operation, maintenance and management services under a long term agreement,” he said.
Nigeria puts 5 power plants up for sale, completes Yola DisCo privatisation https://t.co/UsGCQ7WcEV
— Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) Nigeria (@BPENigeria) April 30, 2021
It will be recalled that the Federal Government and the BPE in 2019 concluded plans to privatize the remaining 10 Nigerian National Integrated Power Projects (NIPP), after signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with an infrastructure credit enhancement firm (InfraCredit) to provide up to N300 billion for investors.
Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano state has tasked journalists to be resolute towards upholding accuracy, objectivity and professional ethics in their line of duty to deepen good governance and not to heat up the polity.
He gave the charge on the occasion of the United Nation’s World Press Freedom Day, celebrated on May 3, each year.
In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information, Malam Muhammad Garba, the governor noted that as stakeholders, journalists should exercise their profession within the realm of law and journalism profession.
Ganduje further observed that at this critical period when Nigeria is facing myriads of challenges, the media should always be mindful of the laws guiding the conduct of their constituted responsibilities in their reportage.
“It is important to ensuring that accurate and factual reporting is part of the code of ethics guiding the journalism profession anywhere in the world,’’ the Governor added.
The governor stated that this year’s observance theme: “Information as a Public Good” serves as a call to assert the importance of savoring information as a public good.
He said while the press can help to strengthen government institutions through its watchdog role, significant reform is needed to support media organisations to restore public confidence in the press.
Ganduje also assured working journalists that his administration would continue to be media friendly and felicitated with them on the auspicious occasion of International Press Freedom Day.
It would be recalled that the United Nations General Assembly declared May 3 to be World Press Freedom Day to raise awareness of the importance of freedom of the press.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged stakeholders and well-meaning Nigerians to avoid politicising or being simplistic about the security situation in parts of the country.
APC National Secretary, Caretaker and Extra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), Senator John Akpanudoedehe, said this in a statement in Abuja in response to the communique issued by the governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on the recent security incidents across the country.
“At a time like this, our duty to the nation as good citizens should outweigh political party colourations,” Akpanudoedehe said.
Akpanudoedehe said the APC and the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government shared the concerns of all Nigerians, including PDP governors.
“However, let no one be in doubt as to the urgency and capacity of the President Buhari-led government to end the recent security incidents,” he said.
Akpanudoedehe said the situation requires that all well-meaning Nigerians, including the leadership of the opposition political parties to sit down and find lasting solutions.
“This is not the time to play to the gallery, but sit down to find real and lasting solutions, the latter is what the President Buhari administration is doing,” he said.
He added that as those who received constant security briefings, PDP governors should know that divisive rhetoric could only embolden the criminals who were carrying out these cowardly acts.
Akpanudoedehe said while high-level investigations were ongoing to fish out sponsors and perpetrators of the security incidents, the president has already given marching orders to security services to address the situation.
“We pray that the investigations should not reveal conspiracies by the opposition to weaken the government in furtherance of their desperate 2023 aspirations,” he added.
Akpanudoedehe expressed confidence that PDP governors and indeed all stakeholders would cooperate and support ongoing efforts to quickly and permanently end the security incidents.
Argentina hospitals are full as COVID-19 cases hit 3 million, despite government measures to bring down the spread of infections.
The country’s health ministry said there were 11,394 new cases over the last 24-hour period, with 156 new deaths taking fatalities to 64,252.
President Alberto Fernandez, unveiled a new round of tougher restrictions as a second wave of infections has battered the country this week.
Filling up intensive care units and setting new daily records for cases and deaths.
A surgical assistant, Luciana Berti said, “People need to be a little more aware and know that the hospitals are full and that health personnel are exhausted.”
Argentine pediatrician, Carlos Kambourian said, “The key would be speeding up a stalled vaccination campaign.
“Otherwise, hospitals would be overwhelmed. Intensive care beds are around 68.1% occupied nationally.
“Today the health system does not support one more patient, it is already overflowing.
“We can continue to extend measures every 15 days from here until two years from now if we don’t do what needs to be done, which is to test and vaccinate, test and vaccinate,”Kambourian said.
The Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has approved pension increment for retired workers under the Defined Pension Scheme.
The Acting Chairman of the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission, Ekpo Nta, disclosed this to newsmen in Calabar, the capital of Cross River State, southern Nigeria.
Acting Chairman of Nigeria’s National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission, Ekpo Nta (Middle) flanked by some members of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Cross River State Council.
Nta hinted that President Muhammadu Buhari’s approval was sequel to approval of the Board of the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission.
“I am very delighted to inform you that as soon as Mr. President gave his approval, the circular indicating the pension increases for pensioners under the defined scheme was issued to all relevant stakeholders for immediate implementation. The approval takes effect from 18th April, 2019,” Nta said.
According to him, the approval was sequel to a series of collaborative meetings held with stakeholders such as the National Union of Pensioners, Pension Transition Administration Department, PTAD, Budget Office of the Federation, Federal Ministry of Finance, Office of the Secretary to the Federal Government, the Nigerian Police, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, among others.
The Acting Chairman hinted that the pension increases would be paid to retirees under 13 different salary structures in the defined scheme.
He listed the beneficiary structures to include the “Consolidated Public Service Salary Structure, CONPSS; Consolidated Research and Allied Institutions Salary Structure, CONRAISS; Consolidated Tertiary Institutions Salary Structure, CONTISS II; Consolidated University Academic Salary Structure, CONUASS II; and Consolidated Tertiary Education Salary Structure, CONTENDISS.”
Others, he noted, were the “Consolidated Polytechnics and Colleges of Education Academic Salary Structure, CONPCASS; Consolidated Health Salary Structure, CONHESS; Consolidated Medical Salary Structure, CONMESS; Consolidated Intelligence Community Salary Structure, CONICSS; Consolidated Armed Forces Salary Structure, CONAFSS; Consolidated Police Salary Structure, CONPOSS and Consolidated Para-Military Salary Structure, CONPASS.”
He expressed appreciation to President Buhari, stakeholders and retirees for their patience, promising that payment of the arrears would commence soon.
Augment Income
Nta advised civil service and public servants to take advantage of President Buhari’s numerous agricultural empowerment schemes to augment their income and prepare for retirement.
“I want to use this opportunity to encourage all those in the public and civil service to take advantage of Mr President’s agricultural empowerment programmes to prepare for retirement.
“There are several training programmes in Agriculture and boundless opportunities in the different value chains that make the sector the most viable. Agriculture remains the best and we have not explored enough. It is the only sector approved for Nigerian workers to get engaged in and I urge you to do so.
“…A lot of civil servants need to prepare for retirement and I must say that there are many good businesses to do in the agriculture sector.”
The 2021 Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) National Championships will begin from May 18 to 22 at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere, Lagos.
The tournament will be contested by states and clubs across the country in 12 events, including veterans who are above 50 years.
One of Africa’s longest-serving referees, John Peters, has also been named as the tournament referee while ITTF-certified Competition Manager, Segun Peters, will handle the draw proceedings at the tournament.
Players are expected to compete for the top prize in team (men and women), singles (men and women), doubles (men and women), doubles U-21 (men and women), cadet (boys and girls), and veterans singles above 50.
NTTF Technical Director, Adesoji Tayo, said the tournament would help to unearth new talents following the exploits of some junior players at the 20th National Sports Festival tagged Edo 2020.
Technical Director of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation, Adesoji Tayo
“We are excited that new players are coming on board, particularly with what happened in Edo where Amadi Omeh emerged as the new National Sports Festival Champion,” Tayo said.
“Who could have imagined that such a player who recently graduated from junior to senior would defeat some of the established players to win the tournament.”
“This has shown us that with more competitions like this, we can see more players coming through to upstage the established ones.”
“We also want to use the tournament to re-enact the atmosphere synonymous with the Nigeria Open which was cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Tayo added.
“We hope to bring back the atmosphere with this tournament as players across the countries are expected to be part of the five-day event with mouth-watering prize money.”
The tournament director confirmed that the U-21 and cadet events have been included in the national championships to enable upcoming players showcase their talents against their counterparts, saying technical officials would be on the ground to identify talents that would form the bulk of the national junior team.
Also, world’s number one U-11 cadet player, Musa Mustapha, and his brother, Mustapha Mustapha, would be in Lagos for the tournament.
The Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC) has expressed its readiness to host the tournament as table tennis is one of the sports with a good following in the state.
Gareth Bale scored a brilliant hat-trick to inspire Tottenham Hotspur to a 4-0 victory against relegated Sheffield United at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, keeping its Champions League hopes alive.
Spurs were looking for a morale booster after losing 1-0 in the Carabao Cup final to Manchester City. Harry Kane started up front with Heung-Min Son and Bale support on both flanks, while already relegated Sheffield were seeking an upset against the hosts.
Spurs were dominant from the start , with Bale, Kane and Son all missing chances to open the scoring early on. After Sheffield’s Rhian Brewster saw his effort go wide, Spurs took the lead in the 36th minute when Bale chipped the ball over goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale after brilliant pass from Serge Aurier
Tottenham Hotspur forward Gareth Bale chips Sheffield United goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale (1) during Premier League match
Spurs continued to create more chances, however the scoreline was 1-0 to the hosts at half-time. The Welshman was eager to justify his loan move from Real Madrid.
After the break, Sheffield counted themselves lucky as Son’s goal in the 52nd minute was ruled out for offside. ten minutes later, a counter attack started off by Son saw Bale score his second of the match.
Tottenham Hotspur forward Gareth Bale celebrates second goal against Sheffield United
Aurier turned provider for Bale again eight minutes later, cutting inside after collecting Dele Alli’s pass, and with Bale firing a low first-time shot into the back of the net to complete his hat-trick.
Garth Bale scores third goal against Sheffield United during Premier League match
The third goal deflated Sheffield United as the visitors couldn’t contain an inspired Gareth Bale. Sheffield were outplayed and couldn’t respond.
Son scored Tottenham’s fourth goal in the 77th minute when substitute Steven Bergwijn took the ball off Sheffield’s Oliver Norwood and teed him up to find the far top corner.
The game finished 4-0 to Tottenham as they were aiming to keep their Champions League hopes alive till the last match day.
Tottenham Hotspur players celebrate victory against Sheffield United
“I thought Gareth was outstanding, his goals were world-class,” Tottenham Interim Manager Ryan Mason said after the match. “No one should have doubted his ability in the final third; he’s proved for a number of years he’s one of the best in the world in those moments.”
“He showed real commitment for the team and the moments he produced were outstanding. I think it’s a conversation at the end of the season between Gareth, the club and his parent club (Real Madrid). I’m really happy that Gareth’s happy.”
“I thought it was an outstanding performance. We’ve had a week to train hard and instil some principles. Most important was the attitude, the desire to compete and we paired it with moments,” he added.
Up to 1000 fans will be allowed into each of the three main Roland Garros showcourts while the smaller venues will be able to admit 35% of their capacity during the first 10 days of the French Open due to COVID-19 restrictions, sports minister Jean-Michel Blanquer said.
The limit will be raised to 65% but capped at 5,000 for matches in the 15,000-capacity Philippe Chatrier court and the 10,000-seater Suzanne Lenglen court from June 9 when the quarter-finals get underway, Blanquer said in an interview.
“The gauge is set at 35% at that moment (when the tournament starts), with a maximum of 1,000 spectators… per court, of course,” said Blanquer.
French Sport Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer
It marks an improvement on last year’s delayed tournament which took place in September when a maximum of 1,000 spectators were allowed in the grounds of Roland Garros.
This year’s French Open, which was delayed by a week, is set to start on May 30.
Spectators will be allowed back into arenas in France from May 19, President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday, providing that the health situation does not deteriorate.
Manchester United’s Premier League match against Liverpool was postponed on Sunday after United fans forced their way into the stadium and stormed the Old Trafford pitch in protest against the club’s owners – the Glazer family.
“Following discussion between the Police, the Premier League, Trafford Council and the clubs, our match against Liverpool has been postponed due to safety and security considerations around the protest today,” United said in a statement after the game was called off.
“Discussions will now take place with the Premier League on a revised date for the fixture.”
Manchester United fans protesting inside Old Trafford
Liverpool also issued a statement saying they were in full agreement with the decision.
An hour after the scheduled 1530 GMT kickoff, both sets of players were still stuck in their hotels. The Lowry Hotel, where United’s players were preparing for the match, was also the scene of a large anti-Glazer protest.
Greater Manchester Police said around 100 United fans took to the pitch, some letting off flares and others carrying posters calling for the Glazers to end their ownership of the club they bought in 2005.
Image of manchester United fans protesting against owners, the Glazer family, inside the Old Trafford stadium in Manchester
Police said some United staff locked themselves in rooms.
The match was being played behind closed doors due to COVID-19 restrictions but that did not stop the chaotic scenes inside and outside Old Trafford, which left one police officer requiring emergency treatment after being slashed with a bottle, Greater Manchester Police said.
“Following the security breach at Old Trafford, the Manchester United versus Liverpool game has been postponed,” the Premier League said in a statement. “This is a collective decision from the police, both clubs, the Premier League and local authorities.”
“The security and safety of everyone at Old Trafford remains of paramount importance. We understand and respect the strength of feeling but condemn all acts of violence, criminal damage and trespass, especially given the associated COVID-19 breaches.”
Fans protesting outside Old Trafford stadium
There was no word on when they match would be played. Second-placed United needed a win to prevent Manchester City being crowned champions on Sunday.
While the protest had been planned and was largely peaceful, it descended into chaos as fans infiltrated the stadium.
Hundreds of fans also gathered outside the ground, letting off green and gold flares — the colours of United’s shirts when they were formed as Newton Heath and adopted by those who have regularly protested against the club’s hierarchy.
Fans protesting outside Old Trafford stadium
The protest follows United’s initial decision to join a European Super League (ESL) along with five other English clubs. The plans for that breakaway league fell apart within days due to widespread opposition.
“On the back of the indefensible ESL proposals, and an “apology” from the Glazers which we do not accept, we need to give fans a meaningful share in the ownership of United and a meaningful voice in how it is run,” Manchester United Supporters Trust (MUST), said in a statement after the postponement.
“The Government now needs to act. That has to mean a process which results in fans having the opportunity to buy shares in their club and more to the point no single private shareholder holding a majority ownership of our football clubs which allows them to abuse that ownership.”
“The Government needs to reflect the views of ordinary people who see that now is the time to reclaim the people’s game,” added MUST.
Former United defender Gary Neville, who was a fierce critic of the club’s decision to join the Super League, was in the ground as part of the Sky Sports commentary team.
“The reason why those thousands and thousands of fans came today is because they have had enough. They have had enough,” Neville said.
As Journalists celebrate this year’s World Press Freedom Day this Monday, the National Assembly, has said that it would never pass any law that inhibits the freedom of the press in Nigeria.
President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, who gave the assurance in a message of felicitation with Nigerian Journalists as they joined their colleagues across the world to celebrate the event, however, urged them to purge themselves of bad eggs.
Senator Lawan recalled that May 3 is set aside every year to remind governments around the world of their obligation to facilitate and respect press freedom, and also to remind journalists the need to respect the ethics of their profession.
In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Ola Awoniyi, the Senate President stated that he is proud that Nigeria has a vibrant media that have always resolutely defended freedom of speech.
According to Senator Lawan, who is also the chairman of the National Assembly, freedom of the press enables journalists to effectively discharge their roles as the watchdog of the society and Fourth Estate of the Realm.
“I also celebrate the Nigerian journalists for the invaluable contributions and sacrifices that they have made throughout our national history to nation-building and entrenchment of democracy.
“I pay tribute to the patriots who have lost their lives in the line of duty and pray that their death will not be in vain.
“The Ninth Senate and the National Assembly in general will never pass any law that inhibits the freedom of the press but rather works with the media to further enhance the practice of the profession.
“It is in this light that I call on the practitioners to purge their noble profession of the bad eggs whose nefarious activities are denting the credibility and reputation of the mainstream practitioners.
“The leadership organs of the profession also need to adopt practical measures to check the activities of the purveyors of fake news.
“My belief is that the menace of fake news is capable of eroding the integrity and credibility of the media in general, and this should not be allowed to happen” Lawan concluded.
