General
Prepaid Meters: Residents Applaud Ikeja Electric
By Dipo Olowookere
Ikeja Electric has been commended for the swift installation of meters in the University of Lagos (UNILAG) Estate in Isheri, Lagos.
The meters were installed by the leading electricity company under the Meter Asset Provider scheme (MAP) put in place to narrow the metering gap in the country.
Speaking on behalf of the community, Chairman of the Community Development Association (CDA), Mr Bashir Momodu, lauded the firm for the development, saying they can now control their consumption as they now pay for whatever they use. He advised IE to improve on its service in terms of power supply.
Another landlord in the estate, Engr. Kunle Olaifa, while commending the Disco as well, noted that installation of meters will gradually eliminate the issue of outstanding bills left by tenants when moving houses.
Mrs Abimbola Ande expressed joy that with the installation of meters, the burden of crazy bills has been lifted off her. According to her, a new Nigeria is emerging and she also revealed that she receives text messages informing her of the challenges whenever there is prolonged outage
In his response, the Acting Chief Commercial Officer Ikeja Electric, Ugochukwu Obi-Chukwu, reiterated IE’s commitment to bridging the metering gap across its network, through Meter Asset Provider (MAP) scheme.
“Ikeja Electric is deploying the meters in two phases, starting with Shomolu, Ikorodu and Abule-Egba Business Units.
“The second phase will now include Akowonjo, Ikeja and Oshodi Business Units. We have already commenced MAP in the Shomolu Business Unit, with the metering of Unilag Estate in Isheri and Magodo, which is currently ongoing. The unique demography of these areas actually made the survey of customers very easy,” he explained.
He advised customers to register for MAP through map.ikejaelectric.com using their Ikeja Electric’s account number on the bill to update their KYC (Know Your Customer) details, after which a survey will be carried out to determine the type of meter that will be suitable for their premises.
He said customers will be advised to pay based on the survey and the meter will be installed within 10 days after payment.
Mr Obi-Chukwu noted that the company has put measures in place to ensure that the meters are not by-passed, that there are monitoring team patrolling the network on daily basis to cross check the meters and whoever is caught to have by-passed the meter will be sanctioned accordingly.
“The offender will be made to pay fine of N50,000 if it’s single phase meter and N100,000 for by-passing three phase meter. Also, such customer will be charged for loss of revenue by billing the customer, as determined by Ikeja Electric. The fine depends on the nature and level of by-pass”. he said
He cautioned against energy theft and any form of illegal connection, advising them to go to the nearest Ikeja Electric’s office to make complaints or send mail to cu**********@***********ic.com or call IE Customer Care help lines 01-4883900, 01-7000250, 07000225543.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, has disclosed that the state government has not restricted the movement of people during the re-introduced monthly environmental sanitation exercise.
Responding to an enquiry by an X user, Faveo Autos, on Saturday, he said the exercise was not brought back to restrict the movement of residents, noting that arresting anyone during the sanitation was unlawful and not backed by law.
However, he encouraged Lagosians to use the period to keep their surroundings clean.
“What is the fine for movement during environmental [sanitation]?” Mr Wahab was asked by Faveo Autos today.
In his response, the Commissioner said, “For clarity, there is no restriction on movement during the monthly environmental sanitation exercise. Consequently, arresting anyone on the basis of movement during the exercise is unlawful and does not represent the position or policy of the Lagos State Government.
“The monthly environmental sanitation exercise was reintroduced primarily to restore and strengthen the culture of environmental cleanliness across the state.
“The initiative is backed by the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law, 2017. However, the law does not provide for any restriction on movement during the exercise.
“Our focus is on encouraging Lagosians to embrace environmental sanitation as a civic responsibility and a shared commitment to maintaining a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable Lagos, rather than relying on enforcement measures.”
Life is full of unexpected moments that test our patience, strength, and perspective. Everyone experiences setbacks, disappointments, and periods of uncertainty. While these moments can feel overwhelming, they also provide opportunities for personal growth and self-discovery.
One of the most valuable lessons we learn is that difficult situations rarely last forever. Time, reflection, and a willingness to adapt often help us move beyond even the toughest circumstances. Maintaining a positive outlook and focusing on practical solutions can make a significant difference.
Relationships also play an important role in overcoming hardships. Support from family, friends, or mentors reminds us that we are not alone. At the same time, learning to let go of anger and resentment can free us from emotional burdens that prevent us from moving forward.
The only way out of the labyrinth of suffering is to forgive. It is nothing to die. It is frightful not to live. Everything was beautiful and nothing hurt.
Personal growth is not about avoiding challenges but about responding to them with resilience and wisdom. Every experience, whether positive or negative, contributes to the person we become. By embracing change and practicing gratitude, we can create a more meaningful and fulfilling life.
In the end, moving forward requires courage, forgiveness, and hope. When we choose to focus on what we can control instead of dwelling on the past, we open ourselves to new opportunities and a brighter future.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The establishment of four new army divisions has been approved by President Bola Tinubu, bringing the total to 12.
In a statement on Thursday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, it was stated that the President also authorised the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel to strengthen national security.
The new divisions created include 5 Division, with the headquarters in Makurdi covering Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi States; 9 Division, with the headquarters in Ilorin covering Kwara and Niger States; 10 Division, with the headquarters in Jalingo covering Taraba and Adamawa States; and 83 Division, with the headquarters in Benin City covering Edo, Delta and Bayelsa States.
It was disclosed that the establishment of the new Divisions in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City will significantly improve command and control, decentralise operational decision-making, strengthen border security, enhance the protection of critical national infrastructure, improve counter-insurgency and internal security operations, and ensure faster military response to emerging threats nationwide.
Implementation of the new force structure will be done in two phases. The first phase, covering the establishment of the 5, 9, and 10 Divisions and the reorganisation of existing formations, will be completed by September 2026. The second phase, involving the establishment of the 83 Division and further reorganisation, is expected to be completed by December 2026.
The statement said the expansion of the Nigerian Army’s structure from eight to twelve divisions will improve the operational effectiveness of the security agency and strengthen national defence capabilities further.
Before now, the Nigerian Army operated 1 Division, with the headquarters in Kaduna covering Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa States; 2 Division, with the headquarters in Ibadan covering Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo States; 3 Division, with the headquarters in Jos covering Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe States; 6 Division, with the headquarters in Port Harcourt covering Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River States; 7 Division, with the headquarters in Maiduguri covering Borno and Yobe States; 8 Division, with the headquarters in Sokoto covering Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States; 81 Division, with the headquarters in Lagos covering Lagos and Ogun States; and 82 Division, with the headquarters in Enugu covering Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi and Imo States.
Mr Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s determination to continue investing in the Armed Forces, ensuring they remain adequately equipped, highly motivated, and fully capable of protecting the nation and guaranteeing the safety and security of all Nigerians.
He lauded the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Ibrahim Shuaibu, and all officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army for their dedication, professionalism, and steadfast commitment to defending Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
