Protesters on Tuesday, stormed the National Assembly, urging the Senate to expedite the confirmation of President Bola Tinubu’s nominee for Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Abdullahi Ramat.
The protesters, made up of Ramat’s supporters, civil society organizations, and human rights activists, paraded around the parliamentary complex, chanting solidarity songs and holding placards with various inscriptions such as “President Tinubu Did Not Send Nominees to be Harassed” and “Ramat Represents Reform in the Power Sector.”
Their protest came in response to last month’s Senate decision to halt Ramat’s confirmation, even after he had been successfully screened by the Senate Committee on Power, led by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe.
Addressing journalists, the leader of the protest and spokesperson for the Grassroots Initiative Concept, Ahmed Suleiman, said they had petitioned both President Tinubu and Senate President Godswill Akpabio, alleging that “certain vested interests” were attempting to block the appointment for political reasons.
“We write as proud indigenes of Kano State, just like the Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, to reaffirm our commitment to peace and good governance,” Suleiman stated.
“It is surprising and deeply unsettling that Engr. Ramat’s confirmation was stepped down despite his qualifications and the positive recommendation of the screening committee.
“We have since learned that some vested interests are pushing false narratives to discredit him,” he alleged.
The group warned that allowing political interference to override merit would set a “dangerous precedent” where capable Nigerians are denied key national positions due to personal grudges and power struggles.
They urged the Senate leadership not to “yield to blackmail or manipulation,” insisting that confirming Ramat would serve the national interest and support the Tinubu administration’s reforms in the power sector.
The recent protest follows just four days after the Senate warned of legal action against former presidential aide Alwan Hassan, who claimed that lawmakers received a $10 million bribe to prevent Ramat’s confirmation.
Senate spokesperson, Yemi Adaramodu, dismissed the bribery allegations as “baseless and reckless,” saying the nominee’s confirmation was stepped down following “public and private complaints” regarding his suitability.
“Many nominees have been stepped down due to public outcry. Mr Ramat’s case is not an exception,” Adaramodu said.
The Senate has vowed to compel Hassan to substantiate his allegations in court, insisting it would not confirm any nominee “under a cloud of public concern.”
Ramat’s nomination remains on hold pending further legislative review, as Nigerians continue to express frustration over high electricity tariffs and persistent poor power supply across the country.
The official social media page of the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), 𝕏 to be precise, has been attacked by suspected hackers.
Naija News reports that the DHQ confirmed the development in a statement made public on Saturday, August 15, by the Director of Defence Information, Maj. General Samaila Uba.
He said the body has hence treated the incident as a cybersecurity matter, with technical measures activated to secure the account.
“The Defence Headquarters wishes to inform members of the public, the media and all stakeholders that it has detected an attempted unauthorised compromise of its official X (formerly Twitter) account.
“The incident is currently being treated as a cybersecurity matter, and appropriate technical measures have been activated to secure the account and prevent further unauthorised access,” the statement noted.
The DHQ urged members of the public to disregard any publication from the account at the moment while ensuring that efforts were ongoing to fully restore control of the official account.
“The Defence Headquarters assures the public that efforts are ongoing to fully restore control of the official account.
“Consequently, members of the public are advised to disregard any suspicious, unauthorised or misleading content that may be posted from the account during this period,” he said.
Uba stressed the DHQ’s committment to maintaining high standards of information security and ensuring that Nigerians continued to receive accurate, timely and credible information on the activities and operations of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
“We appreciate the understanding and vigilance of the public and will provide further updates as necessary,” he said.
He further urged Nigerians to henceforth check its verified accounts on other platforms, including Facebook under the name “Defence Headquarters Nigeria,” Instagram at @defenceheadquarters and its WhatsApp Channel, Defence Headquarters Nigeria for reliable information.
At least seven workers were killed and 13 injured following a landslide that sent water and debris gushing into a tunnel under construction in north India, officials said Friday.
The incident occurred late Thursday in the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand, where workers were constructing a tunnel for a state-run hydropower project.
At least three workers are still missing, while 19 were rescued from the Tehri Hydro Development Corporation site, the State Disaster Management Authority said in a statement.
Videos shared by local authorities showed rescue workers equipped with head-mounted torches using makeshift rafts to reach the flooded section of the tunnel.
Uttarakhand has been battered by heavy monsoon rains in recent days.
Accidents on large construction sites are common in India, but ecologists say excessive development projects have led to more disasters in the fragile Himalayan areas.
Last month, 20 people working in a tunnel for another state-run hydroelectric project were killed in the remote northeastern state of Sikkim.
In 2023, 41 workers were rescued after being trapped for 17 days inside a tunnel that collapsed in Uttarakhand.
Hundreds of people have been killed in floods and landslides across the country since the start of the annual monsoon season in June.
Experts say climate change, coupled with poorly planned development, is increasing the frequency, severity, and impact of the disasters.
The Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers Union has honoured the Director-General of the Department of State Services, Mr Oluwatosin Ajayi, with the ‘Golden Era Pillar of Critical and Strategic Intelligence for National Development Award’, as part of activities marking its 50th anniversary
RATTAWU conferred the award on Ajayi on Thursday at his office, when the National President of the group, Emeka Kalu, led members to a media/security-critical engagement and strategic partnership meeting for national development in Abuja.
Kalu praised the appointment of Ajayi in 2024 by President Bola Tinubu, describing it as putting “a round peg in a round hole.”
He added that the award was an initiative of the union designed to recognise individuals and institutions that had made outstanding contributions to national development, security, democracy, culture and the growth of Nigeria.
He said, “Your appointment by Mr President demonstrates the importance of placing capable Nigerians with integrity and professional competence in strategic positions of national responsibility.
“The role of the DSS in protecting Nigeria’s national interests, gathering critical intelligence and supporting national security cannot be overemphasised.
“Particularly now that this country is confronted with complex security and emerging technological challenges, appointments like yours are the best ever done by Mr President.
“That is why this union decided to honour you with the Golden Era Pillar of Critical and Strategic Intelligence for National Development Award.”
Responding, the DSS Director-General, Oluwatosin Ajayi, expressed appreciation to the leadership of RATTAWU for the honour.
Ajayi described the recognition as a significant gesture that would further encourage him and the service to remain committed to their responsibilities to the nation.
