🗞️The call is coming from inside the house
NNPCL has spilled oil in Rivers State; Nigeria’s 12th national blackout this year! She’s a big girl now; Fresh national debt loading; Children make up the majority of Nigeria’s IDP population
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This edition was written by Rosemary, and edited by Muhammed & Adetomiwa.
That New News is an independent self-funded project by me (Adetomiwa). Thank you for reading, sharing and donating. I love you like I birthed you 😘
In this edition:
Nigeria’s 12th national blackout this year! She’s a big girl now
Fresh national debt loading
NNPCL has spilled oil in Rivers State
Children make up the majority of Nigeria’s IDP population
This edition is 1,600 words. (approx 4 min read)
NNPCL spilled oil in Rivers State
After years of foreign oil companies spilling oil in Rivers State, the call is finally coming from inside the house.
A massive oil spill from a pipeline owned by NNPCL has occurred in Iloma community, Bonny local government area of Rivers State, affecting many lives and livelihoods.
The leakage occurred on December 4, 2024, resulting in the contamination of farmlands, rivers and aquatic life, leaving many without access to clean water or means of livelihood.
The affected areas include Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, particularly the communities of Omoku and Obrikom.
The incident has heightened health risks due to polluted water sources and has disrupted farming and fishing, which are the mainstay of the local economy.
Community leaders and environmental advocates have called on the government and NNPCL to urgently address the crisis by providing relief materials, cleaning up the environment, and compensating affected residents for their losses.
Another Blackout
On Wednesday, the national grid crashed again. This is the 12th time in a year, a new national record.
Dr Joy Ogaji, CEO of the Association of Power Generation Companies, says the grids are going to continue to collapse because gas-producing companies have stopped supplying gas for electricity to Nigeria’s electricity generation companies.
Nigeria’s electricity generation companies stopped paying for their gas a while ago and now owe N2.7 trillion.
While Nigeria struggles to keep the lights on, the Aba Power Limited Electricity is pushing for a significant increase in electricity tariffs across different customer bands in the state.
The power company wants to raise rates from around N99.90 to as high as N289 per kilowatt hour, citing rising operational costs and economic challenges.
The company says that they're struggling financially and need the price hike to cover expenses like gas purchases and operational inefficiencies. They claim the increase would help them reduce technical and commercial losses and improve service.
However, consumers and the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) aren't having it. They're pushing back, and asking: Where's the value for customers? If prices go up, what improvements will people actually see?
NERC's vice chairman made it clear they'll carefully examine the proposal and won't let consumers get exploited.
Bottom line: Electricity prices in Aba might go up, but the power company will need to prove why it should .
Money Matters
Me to the FG:
Nigeria’s VP, Kashim Shettima applauded the “invaluable contributions of Nigerian immigrants to the global economy”. According to him, compared to other West African countries, Nigerians in the diaspora send the most amount of money home. Weird flex.
In 2022, Nigeria received an estimated $20 billion in settlement, Shettima said these remittances can drive national development if strategically used.
The Vice President called for policies to integrate diaspora funds into critical sectors like education, healthcare, and infrastructure.
He also noted ongoing government efforts to strengthen diaspora engagement through initiatives like the Nigeria Diaspora Investment Trust Fund, which aims to channel these contributions toward sustainable economic growth in the country.
As if people leaving the country in droves and sending money home isn’t a sign that the country is crumbling.
Nigeria’s non-oil money
The Nigeria Customs Service says that Nigeria earned $1.9 billion from non-oil exports between January and November 2024. Nigeria earned $4.52 billion from non-oil exports in 2023, so things are looking bleak everywhere.
The report shows that 27,595 containers were exported over 11 months, which includes agricultural products, manufactured goods, solid minerals, and other items.
Fresh national debt loading
The Federal Government said it is negotiating a $500 million loan facility from the World Bank to implement the Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity (HOPE) project. This initiative is part of the Nigerian government’s continued efforts to seek international loans for critical sectors like education, healthcare, social protection, and agriculture.
Historically, there hasn’t been much to show for it from the development point of view, just many many embezzlement and fraud cases.
This new loan is meant to “boost basic education in southern and northern regions”, improving learning outcomes and also reducing the number of out-of-school children.
Understandably, people are worried about the country’s growing external debt, the slow pace of project implementation, how the money might actually be used.
Speaking of fraud, Yahaya Bello to anyone who will listen:
The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello to the tune of ₦500 million.
Since April, Yahaya Bello and the current Kogi governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, have been playing a game of hide and seek with the EFCC. They reportedly whisked Bello away at the last minute during several arrest attempts.
But Yahaya was finally arrested in November from the car park of the EFCC office. Odd.
Bello is facing an 18-count charge, including money laundering, criminal breach of trust and the misappropriation of N80.2 billion during his tenure. He pleaded not guilty.
The Federal High Court ruled by Justice Emeka in Abuja granted former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello bail of ₦500 million following his arraignment.
As part of his bail conditions, Bello must provide two sureties and is restricted from leaving the country without the court's approval.
Government promises
Taraba’s economic growth plans
The Taraba State government has announced plans to source $1.5 billion (N2 trillion) to drive economic growth and reduce the state’s dependence on federal allocation.
The governor made this decision because he wanted to be independent and develop the state without relying on FG funding.
The State Commissioner, Agbu stated that the State Government has initiated discussions with the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development, the African Export-Import Bank, and the African Development Bank to secure funding.
He also explained that the funds would be directed toward key economic sectors such as renewable energy, agriculture, and solid minerals.
Renewable energy will be a good investment for the state as 5 local governments are not connected to the national grid.
Niger State promises tech in schools
The Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has promised to equip all government schools with one million computers and tablets as part of his government’s drive to enhance education through technology.
Along with the tablets, the governor has assured the state of a good and free internet connection through the fiber optic cables in the state.
This would equip the student with the necessary digital literacy skills.
The Niger State government has a 10-year program that will provide scholarships to 1,000 female students every year.
Wike’s plans to create local jobs
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr Nyesom Wike, has directed Zeberced Group the contractor in charge of the 15-kilometre road project from Abuja-Lokoja Expressway to Pai in Kwali Area Council, to employ at least 100 people living in the environs.
He mentioned that outside of bringing infrastructural development to the area, it is also another way to create jobs for the youth.
The road is expected to be done in 6 months and would help improve economic activity, security and link isolated areas.
Government beef
The Federal Government has decided to pull out of the foundation laying ceremony for the proposed N64 billion Osun State International Airport due to a disagreement over where the airport should go.
The airport was initially meant to be located in Ido-Osun, but the governor said he wants to move it to his hometown, Ede.
According to him, the original site doesn’t “meet basic aviation standards”, and Ede does 👀
Residents of Ido-Osun said that it was a lie and accused the state government of nepotism.
While the FG has requested the state government to halt the project, citing civil unrest over the relocation, the FG also highlighted the need to ensure that the project aligns with its goal; the state intends to develop the airfield into an international airport.
But the governor is going ahead with it, so the FG isn’t going to the launch.
The people vs Nigeria
Children make up the majority of Nigeria’s IDP population
A recent report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) revealed that 50.2% of Nigeria’s IDP population of 1,134,828 are minors.
The IDP population has worsened over the years due to the increasing insecurity in the northeastern and northwestern states of the country.
NBS said conflict, violence and natural disasters are contributing factors.
Among the IDP population, the report showed more than half of them never see the walls of a classroom and about 0.4% of the population completed either tertiary education or other educational level.
Update on Dele Farotimi
Last week we reported that Dele Farotimi was arrested for his claims about Afe Babalola in claims he made about the latter in his latest book “Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System” where he accused Babalola of “corrupting the Supreme Court in the service of his clients”.
For two weeks, Farotimi has been remanded in prison in Ekiti,
He was charged to court where they hit him with a 16-count charge. He pleaded not guilty
Farotimi was then granted bail and then denied bail last week
His arrest sparked widespread criticism, with figures like Omoyele Sowore and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) calling for his immediate release.
The NBA emphasized that defamation is no longer a criminal offense under Lagos State law, referencing the 2011 legislation and a 2021 Supreme Court ruling that reclassified it as a civil matter.
Former Nigerian VP, Atiku Abubakar, echoed that defamation is also not a criminal offense in Ekiti State.
The NBA also knocked the reported invasion of Farotimi’s law firm, describing it as a violation of constitutional rights and an affront to the legal profession. The association urged law enforcement to respect the rule of law and stop unlawful actions such as arrests for non-criminal matters.
The High Court in Abuja has ordered an injunction, putting a stop to the further sale and publication of Farotimi’s book.
Other news
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Shamseldeen Babatunde Ogunjimi as the Acting Accountant General of the Federation–The Nation
The Attorney-General of Lagos State and the Commissioner for Justice, Mr Lawal Pedro (SAN), says the Human Organ and Tissue Transplantation Bill has been signed into law to prohibit illegal organ harvesting– Premium Times
EFCC chairman, Olanipekun Olukoyede, has been petitioned over the conduct of his personnel who allegedly raided the residence of an Abia-based economist and contractor, Mr. Ugochukwu Ezeanyagu stole his wine – All Africa
The Senate directed the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, to immediately stop all ongoing plans to demolish property in Abuja, Wike said no– Punch
A Digital Identity Fraud in Africa Report by Smile ID revealed that National Identification cards are the most attacked document type in West Africa with the continent recording over 500 million cyberattacks within nine months. The report said in Nigeria, 18% of attempted identity fraud in 2023 was linked to the NIN system - Guardian Ng