General
Akwa Ibom Denies Plan to Sell Ibom Power Company
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Akwa Ibom State Government has dismissed claims that it plans to sell Ibom Power Company, describing the allegation as false and reaffirming its commitment to reviving the state-owned electricity asset through debt repayment and structural reforms.
In a statement issued on March 18, the Commissioner for Information, Mr Aniekan Umanah, said a report by a Uyo-based tabloid alleging plans to dispose of the company was “a wicked fabrication” that should be disregarded.
“At no time has the government approved the sale of Ibom Power Company as scrap or otherwise,” the statement said, adding that such claims exist only in the “imagination of mischief-makers intent on misleading the public.”
Instead, the government said it is focused on stabilising the company’s operations by clearing legacy debts, including a $9 million facility obtained from Afreximbank several years ago.
According to the statement, Governor Umo Eno approved a structured quarterly repayment plan of $560,000 beginning March 15, 2025, aimed at gradually liquidating the loan.
The government described the move as part of broader efforts to “rescue and reposition Ibom Power Company for sustainable operations,” stressing that the approach reflects a commitment to “revival, stability, and long-term value preservation, not liquidation.”
Beyond debt repayment, the state also outlined ongoing electricity sector reforms anchored on a Private Sector Participation (PSP) framework designed to attract investment while retaining public ownership of assets.
Under the initiative, the government said it has established key institutions, including the Akwa Ibom State Electricity Regulatory Commission and Ibom Electricity Holdings Limited, to strengthen oversight and coordinate state-owned electricity assets. Shares of the holding company have also been vested in the Akwa Ibom Investment Corporation.
The concession model being introduced will allow qualified private operators to rehabilitate, finance, and manage electricity infrastructure over a defined period, with strict performance benchmarks and regulatory supervision.
The government said the framework is structured to ensure that “the State will retain ownership and strategic control of all electricity assets,” while transferring operational and commercial risks to private sector participants.
It added that the reform programme is expected to improve reliability, resolve longstanding challenges, and promote a more efficient electricity market without placing additional fiscal pressure on the state.
On recent power outages across parts of Akwa Ibom, the government noted that electricity transmission and distribution currently fall outside its direct control. However, it said efforts are ongoing to engage relevant authorities to address the disruptions and improve supply.
The statement also criticised the publication that carried the initial report, accusing it of spreading misinformation and warning that “government’s measured silence should not be mistaken for weakness,” citing existing laws on libel and defamation.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
Young bloggers, online content creators and digital influencers have been charged to embrace ethical journalism, responsible storytelling and fact-based reporting as they shape public opinion in the digital age.
This task was given by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mr Mohammed Idris, during the Niger State Bloggers, Online Publishers and Content Developers Forum on Monday in Abuja.
In a statement on Tuesday by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr Rabiu Ibrahim, the Minister said digital platforms offer enormous opportunities for innovation and civic engagement but must be used responsibly to promote truth, national unity and constructive public discourse.
He urged bloggers and content creators to verify information before publication, reject misinformation and disinformation, avoid sensationalism, and use their platforms to educate, inspire and promote national development.
Mr Idris also encouraged young Nigerians to see digital content creation not only as a source of income but also as a tool for civic engagement and nation-building, stressing that ethical communication is essential to strengthening democracy and public trust.
He further encouraged aspiring bloggers and digital entrepreneurs to continue developing their skills and uphold professional standards that will strengthen the credibility of Nigeria’s online media ecosystem.
“There is no democracy that can thrive without a responsible media. You cannot carry freedom and abandon responsibility,” he stated, adding that the government remains committed to protecting press freedom while encouraging ethical journalism.
The Minister also highlighted the establishment of the International Media and Information Literacy Institute (IMILI), the world’s first UNESCO Category 2 Institute dedicated exclusively to Media and Information Literacy, describing it as a major step in promoting digital literacy and responsible online engagement.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Rabiu Kwankwaso, disclosed that Mr Peter Obi, the party’s presidential candidate, signed agreements committing himself to serving only one four-year term if elected in 2027.
Mr Kwankwaso explained that the documents comprised a formal agreement involving the political party and a separate personal accord between himself and Mr Obi.
According to Mr Kwankwaso, the deal stipulates that the presidency will return to Northern Nigeria in 2031 upon the completion of an Obi-led administration’s four-year tenure, if elected next year.
“We have agreed to formalise it in writing,” Mr Kwankwaso stated. “We have executed one document for the party and another between the two of us,” he revealed during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today late on Monday.
He reiterated that Mr Obi would honour his pledge and resist pressure to seek a second term, expressing confidence in the former Anambra State governor, noting that his interactions had convinced him that he would respect the agreement.
“I personally believe him, and, based on what I now know about him, I do not believe he will change his mind when the time comes,” he said. “We are all gentlemen.”
Mr Kwankwaso added that he and Mr Obi would continue to collaborate after the proposed administration completes its term.
“The agreement is that after four years, we will continue to work together as a group, as a party, and as friends and brothers,” he said. “After our four-year term, from 2027 to 2031, power returns to the North. That is the consensus.”
The former defence minister did not state that he would be the NDC presidential candidate in 2031; his comments referred broadly to the presidency returning to the North, rather than to his personal political ambitions.
Mr Obi has repeatedly pledged to serve only one term if elected; however, he has yet to publicly confirm the specific details of the documents described by Mr Kwankwaso.
In the 2023 Presidential polls, Mr Obi was the Labour Party presidential candidate while Mr Kwankwaso contested on the platform of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
Over 1.14 million hectares of degraded land have been restored by the Nigerian government, with more than 1.5 million trees planted across the country in the past year.
This information was revealed by the Minister of Environment, Mr Balarabe Abbas Lawal, at the 2026 Top Management Retreat and National Tree Planting Campaign in Maiduguri, Borno State.
He said these achievements were made through initiatives of the federal government like the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project and the National Agency for the Great Green Wall.
According to him, the restoration of the land and the planting of trees demonstrate a clear national commitment to securing environmental sustainability while advancing economic growth.
The Minister reemphasised that the environment is not an abstract concept, pointing out that “it is the air we breathe, the land that feeds us, the rivers that sustain communities, and the climate that shapes the future.”
He praised Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State for his giant strides in the environment sector in the state, urging other state governors to emulate him by providing sponsorship for their students to the various Federal Colleges of Forestry Resources Management institutions located across the six geo-political zones of the country to encourage and boost Forest education in the country.
He described the decision of Mr Zulum to sponsor 540 indigenes of the state to a forestry college in Maiduguri as commendable.
Mr Lawal also informed the participants of the programme that the Presidential Executive Order on the Prohibition of Exportation of Wood and Allied Products, 2025, is a key policy instrument under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, saying it protects Nigeria’s forest resources, curbs illegal logging, and encourages tree planting as a national duty.
He pledged the Federal Ministry of Environment’s continued partnership with state governments on afforestation, ecosystem restoration, and other interventions tailored to their needs.
“Nigeria’s environmental future can be secured by protecting natural heritage, strengthening climate resilience, and advancing inclusive and sustainable development for present and future generations,” he declared.
