General
Delay in Releasing Nnamdi Kanu Not in National Interest—Group
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The federal government has been warned against delaying the release of the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mr Nnamdi Kanu, saying it is “not an action taken in the national interest.”
A few days ago, Mr Kanu was discharged of the charges against him by a court on the ground that his repatriation to Nigeria from Kenya was illegal.
The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami, said the government has reasons to keep the IPOB leader. The government later appealed the justice and sought a stay of execution.
But a pan-Igbo sociopolitical pressure organisation, the South East Revival Group (SERG), wants the government to release him, saying it was against the “victimisation and exclusion policy of the” President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration, saying it was part of the insecurity in the region.
In a statement signed by its President and National Coordinator, Mr Willy Ezugwu, the SERG said, “Before the Court of Appeal ruling discharging Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, President Muhammadu Buhari administration got the legal advice of the United Nations, which demanded the unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu based on the violent extradition of the IPOB leader by Nigerian government from Kenya to face terrorism trial in Nigeria.
“Like the Court of Appeal, the United Nations, UN Human Rights Council Working Group on Arbitrary Detention indicted Nigeria and Kenya Governments for the arrest and extraordinary rendition, torture and continued detention of Kanu without due process.
“We recall that the UN had asked the Nigerian government for the immediate release of Kanu unconditionally and to pay him adequate compensation for the arbitrary violation of his fundamental human rights.
“The UN also recommended that government officials responsible for the torture meted to the IPOB leader be investigated and punished.
“The UN further directed Nigeria to report back within six months of the transmission of its opinions on Kanu’s matter, steps taken to comply with all the recommendations thereof.
“The United Nations had referred the case of Kanu’s torture to Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment for
further consideration.
“The 16-page report dated July 20, 2022, was adopted on April 4 by the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention at its 93rd session, held between March 30 – April 8, 2022, and reportedly communicated its recommendations to the Federal government of Nigeria on or about
“We’re worried that the current refusal of the Federal Government to first obey the order of the Court of Appeal on Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is already being seen as the kidnapping of a citizen.
“This will definitely worsen the security situation in South East as similar extrajudicial action of the Federal Government, which led to the murder of the leader of the Boko Haram Islamic sect, Yusuf Mohammed, by agents of the state, has been widely acknowledged to be the immediate cause of the extraordinary escalation of violence in the North East, which Nigeria is yet to recover from.
“Since the arrest and detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the South East has become a theatre of blood, and gruesome killings by state and non-state actors in Igbo land are unprecedented.
“The Igbos have been raising alarm on the marginalization of the South East but turning the zone into a butcher zone by the actions and inactions of the Federal Government of Nigeria in recent time is the worst since the civil war.
“We, therefore, urge President Muhammadu Buhari to call the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, to order as it is globally acknowledged that injustice brew anarchy is every society.
“If the Federal Government can order the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to first call off their strike in obedience to the order of the Industrial Court before ASUU could be allowed to appeal the judgment, what is the justification for not obeying the order of the Court of Appeal on Mazi Nnamdi Kanu?
“The extraordinary rendition of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu was considered an injustice and a violation of his fundamental human rights by both the United Nations and the Court of Appeal.
“We, therefore, urge the Nigerian government to make hay while the sun shines and free Nnamdi Kanu in accordance with the express order of the Court of Appeal, as this will mitigate perceptions of bias, exclusion and injustice against the South East region over the years”, the SERG stated.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has called for enhanced stakeholder coordination to rapidly expand electricity meter installations and narrow Nigeria’s persistent metering gap.
This push emerged from the NESI Metering Stakeholders’ Meeting held in Lagos on March 27, 2026, where regulators, industry players, and international partners converged to tackle rollout bottlenecks.
According to a post on NERC’s X handle, key attendees included representatives from the World Bank, Meristem, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), NEMSA, Distribution Companies (DisCos), and Meter Asset Providers (MAPs).
NERC highlighted a strategic pivot from merely financing metering initiatives to fostering seamless collaboration.
With four separate metering programmes currently underway, the commission stressed the urgency of aligning efforts to avoid duplication and accelerate deployment.
“Greater synergy among DisCos, meter providers, and other stakeholders is essential to ramp up installations,” a NERC spokesperson noted. This coordinated approach aims to deliver accurate billing, eradicate estimated charges that frustrate consumers, and boost overall market efficiency.
The meeting also underscored the need for a unified communication strategy to heighten public awareness and encourage consumer uptake, as part of NERC’s broader drive for transparency in Nigeria’s electricity sector.
Nigeria currently operates four parallel metering programmes aimed at closing the country’s metering gap and improving efficiency across the power sector. These include the World Bank–funded Nigeria Distribution Sector Recovery Programme (DISREP), which targets about 3.2 million end-user meters, and the Federation-funded initiative designed to deliver roughly 3.8 million meters alongside about 130,000 distribution transformer (DT) meters.
Also in operation are the DisCo-funded Meter Acquisition Fund (MAF), which provides around 125,000 meters to fill coverage gaps, and the Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), a technology-driven framework focused on smart metering, improved billing accuracy, and enhanced grid management. The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) is now working to harmonise these initiatives to prevent duplication and accelerate metering deployment nationwide.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
It was a day of recognition for some unsung Sheroes at the maiden Woman of Power Award organised by Zenith Bank Plc and the Ford Foundation.
The glamorous event took place at the Civic Centre, Lagos, on Saturday, March 28, 2026, with the theme Celebrating Resilience, Leadership, and Generosity.
About 19 women selected from the six geo-political zones in trade, petty manufacturing, education, and agriculture were recognised at the ceremony, which had several personalities in attendance.
Business Post reports that the programme was part of activities to commemorate March as women’s month.
The chief executive of Zenith Bank, Ms Adaora Umeoji, in her speech, praised the awardees and reaffirmed the bank’s strong commitment to women’s empowerment.
“Zenith Bank’s commitment to gender inclusion is not a rhetoric but one of the ethos that the bank holds very dearly,” the banker, represented by one of the bank’s executive directors, Ms Adobi Nwapa, said.
“Zenith Bank has a 50-50 gender ratio with women occupying strategic positions in the bank’s management and board, up to the current Group Managing Director being the very first female to hold that position,” she added.
On her part, the Regional Director of the Ford Foundation, Ms Chichi Aniagolu, described the Woman of Power Award as an eye-opener, noting that her team’s journey across the country revealed the vast and often overlooked facets of human potential among Nigerian women.
Among those honoured were:
- Mrs Regina Amankulor, a retired nurse empowering young people in Umuode-Nsulu community, Isiala Ngwa North LGA, Abia State;
- Mary Matanmi, Coordinator of the Nigeria Association of Hairdressers, Barbers and Cosmetologists, Lagos State chapter;
- Ifeanyi P. Ugwueze, a Guidance Counsellor and Life Coach who continues to thrive despite blindness and is currently pursuing a doctorate degree.
Others include:
- Amina Musa, a trade educator based in Karonmajiji, AMAC, Abuja;
- Adenike A. Lambo, the Iyaloja of Ilorin;
- Sadiya Abubakar, an educator in Jibi (Deidei), Bwari Area Council, FCT;
- Erikan Idem Andrew, a market woman with significant community impact in Port Harcourt;
- Ngozi B. Nwankpa, an Aba-based fashion designer;
- Hadiza Umar, a Development Specialist based in Kaduna, Kaduna State;
- Joy C. Ezenwa (aka Mama Amala), a trader at Sabon Gari Market, Kano;
- Shola Esther Babalola (Mama Sho), promoter of natural honey and founder of the Mama Sho Honey brand in Lagos;
- Josephine Ugwu, a staff member of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), was honoured for her honesty in recovering and returning millions of naira mistakenly dropped by passengers at Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has called for action over the recent attack in Plateau State, asking authorities to address and prosecute those behind the killing.
In a statement, CAN President, Mr Daniel Okoh, described the attack as “not just tragic” but also “unacceptable”.
“Nigerians are tired of mourning. Nigerians are tired of statements. Nigerians want to see action,” the cleric said in a statement issued late Monday.
“Those responsible for this atrocity must be found, arrested, and made to face justice; swiftly and decisively. Anything less will only deepen the sense that life in our country is no longer protected.”
The attack on Sunday in Angwan Rukuba, in Jos North Local Government Area, left 28 people dead and several others wounded.
Expectedly, the incident has sparked outrage among Nigerians and protests by angry residents of the area.
CAN called for a thorough investigation into the attack and called for proactive action before these attacks take place.
“Our security institutions must not only respond; they must stay ahead of these threats,” the Christian body said while acknowledging efforts by the Plateau State Government.
“But let it be said clearly: temporary measures are not enough. The people of Plateau, and indeed all Nigerians, deserve lasting security, not periodic reassurance,” Mr Okoh said.
CAN told Nigerians to be vigilant and calm, but maintained that the nation owes the dead justice.
“We owe the living protection. And we owe our future a country where no community wakes up to gunfire on a sacred day.”
Meanwhile, the Plateau State Governor, Mr Caleb Mutfwang, visited the affected area under heavy security and also those wounded on Monday, even as the state government imposed curfew on the affected place.
“This unfortunate event led to the loss of 28 innocent lives and left many others injured. I feel deeply the weight of the pain inflicted on our people,” the governor said in a state-wide broadcast.
He also vowed that Plateau State won’t succumb to fear or intimidation.
“We shall emerge stronger, united, and resolute in our faith and commitment to peace,” the governor assured.
“We must deploy every available resource to defend our people, protect lives and property, and safeguard the territorial integrity of our state. Plateau shall remain strong and peaceful.”
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