By Bon Peters

Retirees of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Onne Port complex in Rivers State were honoured at an event on Wednesday, April 22, 2026.

The ceremony was full of conviviality, renewal of camaraderie and more importantly a demonstration of love, affection and commitment as shown to the retirees by the management.

The Port Manager for Onne Port Complex, Mr Abdulrahmon Hussain, informed newsmen that the event was to appreciate the retirees who have shown commitment, laid foundation and also mentored most of the workforce at Onne.

“What the Nigerian Ports Authority Onne Port complex management is doing today is to appreciate our retirees,” he said.

“We believe that the foundation we are standing on today was laid by them. While in service, they have mentored our junior staff and contributed immensely to the growth and development of the Port.

“Simply put, you know here is referred to as a family Port and we want to sincerely show them that they are still members of the family though retired,” he added.

Mr Hussain also praised the Managing Director of the NPC, Mr Abubakr Dantsoho, for giving welfare of employees a priority.

“Today’s event is the first of its kind at our Port but we promise to make it more memorable going forward.

“Apart from the multivitamins and other drugs we provided for them, I feel the most important thing is the demonstration of love and care which the management has shown them today, and I promise that the management will do more next year,” he stated.

Also speaking, the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Onne Port complex Dr Bashir Kangiwa, applauded the Port Manager for the initiative describing it as the first of its kind.

He noted that when he was assigned to carry out the project from the Medical Department, he embraced the responsibility with all arms and was happy it was successful.

He hinted that the NPA has a policy that even as a retiree, they enjoy an unhindered access to the company’s medical facilities and could also be referred to another hospital if the ailment is beyond the organisation’s control.

One of the retirees, Mr Ndudim Amos Nwaji, a former NPA Senior Staff Association Chairman, thanked the management of Onne Port complex for the gesture.

He advised those in the leadership position of this country to borrow a leaf from the NPA management, insisting that the senior citizens of this country should be taken care of.

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

President Bola Tinubu has asked the Senate to allow him to borrow about $516.3 million for the Sokoto-Badagry highway.

In a letter addressed to the Senate President, Mr Godswill Akpabio, on Thursday, Mr Tinubu said the loan would be obtained from Deutsche Bank, as the Federal Executive Council (FEC) has already approved the financing plan in one of its meetings.

The President begged the upper chamber of the National Assembly for a quick authorisation of the fresh loan to fast-track work on the project, which is expected to further boost the nation’s economy.

According to him, the superhighway project is a flagship initiative under his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda designed to enhance national connectivity, reduce travel time, and improve the movement of goods across key economic corridors.

He informed the Senate in the letter that the loan is structured for nine years, including a three-year grace period, with an interest rate pegged at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange SOFR plus 5.3 per cent per annum.

Speaking on the request, the Senate President, who referred the letter to the Committee on Local and Foreign Debts for legislative action and a report back in one week, emphasised that it is better to borrow for projects to improve road safety and foster national integration.

The proposed 1,000-kilometre road will link Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun, and Lagos States, connecting Illela to Badagry.

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Minister of Power, Mr Adebayo Adelabu, has resigned from office and proposed the creation of a Coordinating Minister for Energy to drive integrated reforms across Nigeria’s power and gas sectors.

The former deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), in a resignation letter dated April 22, 2026, and addressed to President Bola Tinubu, said his resignation will take effect from April 30, 2026, to enable him to pursue his governorship ambition in Oyo State.

He noted that his decision is in line with the provisions of the Amended Electoral Act 2026, which bars serving political office holders from contesting elections.

Confirming the development, the Minister’s Special Adviser on Strategic Communications and Media Relations, Bolaji Tunji, said Mr Adelabu expressed appreciation to the President for the opportunity to serve, describing his tenure as a privilege to contribute to national development.

The outgoing minister stressed the need for stronger coordination in the energy sector, recommending the establishment of a Coordinating Minister for Energy to harmonise policies and ensure effective implementation across power, gas and related sectors.

He added that peak power generation increased to over 6,000 megawatts, driven by the integration of the Zungeru Hydropower Plant and the rehabilitation of thermal plants.

He also noted improvements in transmission capacity through grid upgrades under the Presidential Power Initiative, as well as progress in the distribution segment, including enhanced regulatory oversight, improved revenue collection and efforts to reduce Aggregate Technical, Commercial and Collection (ATC&C) losses.

According to him, strides were also made in closing the metering gap through the Presidential Metering Initiative and the World Bank-supported Distribution Sector Recovery Programme.

On the financial side, Mr Adelabu said tariff reforms and a N4 trillion debt restructuring programme boosted market revenues from N1 trillion in 2023 to N2.3 trillion in 2025, helping to restore investor confidence in the sector.

Despite these gains, he acknowledged ongoing challenges such as gas supply constraints, infrastructure vandalism and the need for full commercialisation of the electricity value chain.

To address these issues, he proposed measures including the implementation of cost-reflective tariffs with targeted subsidies, recapitalisation of distribution companies, accelerated nationwide metering, sustained investment in transmission infrastructure and stronger regulatory enforcement.

Mr Adelabu emphasised that the creation of a Coordinating Minister for Energy would provide the strategic oversight needed to improve gas supply for power generation, optimise hydroelectric resources and accelerate renewable energy development.

He assured that he would ensure a smooth handover process and thanked the President for his support throughout his time in office.