By Israel Adebiyi

There is an old Northern Nigerian folklore titled “Ali and the Angel: Tea Without Sugar.” In this tale, a man named Ali, sensing opportunity in a village too poor to afford sugar, disguised himself as an angel. He claimed he had brought “heavenly sugar” to sweeten their tea. The “sugar,” however, was nothing but ashes from a burnt hut.

Desperate, the villagers bought into the trick. They stirred ashes into their tea and convinced themselves the taste had improved. Some even fell ill. But by the time they realized they had been drinking poison and praising a fraudster, Ali had vanished—along with their money, their health, and their hope.

This story may be folklore, but it mirrors Nigeria’s journey through power sector privatization since 2013.

When the Goodluck Jonathan administration signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with private Distribution Companies (DISCOs), it was heralded as a turning point. These companies were handed over the reins with clear expectations: to invest massively in infrastructure, provide meters to every Nigerian, improve supply, and run the sector efficiently and transparently.

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Twelve years later, Nigerians are still drinking bitter tea—no sugar, no light.

Instead of improvement, we now have a sector that is both privatized and parasitic. Citizens pay for everything—transformers, poles, cables, and meters—yet receive no reliable power in return. In many communities, residents pool money to buy equipment the DISCOs should provide. This defies both logic and law.

Even more disturbing is the fact that government at national and sub-national levels continue to pump public funds into infrastructure for these private firms. Federal and state budgets routinely allocate billions for electrification projects, transformer procurements, and rural access—for a sector that is supposedly privatized.

This is an anomaly that turns logic on its head. In no sane privatization model should the public be the one enabling the private investor to function. The DISCOs were meant to invest, but instead, they have turned the system into a cash cow—earning trillions while hiding behind estimated billing and technical excuses.

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Even as darkness deepens, tariffs are being raised, and there is now a push to remove electricity subsidies entirely. This is not reform; it is daylight robbery. You do not fix a leaky roof by tearing off the entire ceiling—you hold the builder accountable.

The President Bola Tinubu administration must act with urgency. A surgical probe is needed into the operations of the DISCOs. Nigerians need to know where the trillions went, why investments were not made, and why, a decade after privatization, over 60% of Nigerians still live in darkness.

It is time to review the MoU. Any DISCO that has failed to meet its obligations must face revocation of license. The government must chart a new course—one that aligns with public interest, not private greed.

Electricity is not just about light; it is about life—health, education, industry, and dignity. As it stands, the system is rigged against the people. It is as though someone promised them sugar, but sold them ashes—and made them pay for the spoon, the cup, and the tea as well.

Until something changes, Nigerians will continue to stir their bitter tea and pretend it’s sweet. But the deception must end. The fraud must be unmasked. The “angel” must be exposed.

Enough of power without light.

President Bola Tinubu and Senate President, Godswill Akpabio are amongst dignitaries to grace the 70th anniversary of the Nigeria Union of Journalists.

The event, with the theme: ‘Redefining Media Practice in the Age of Artificial Intelligence.’ is scheduled to come on Saturday, June 21, 2025, at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja.

Other dignitaries expected at the event are governors of Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Oyo, Imo, Kano, Imo, Gombe, Borno states, Minister of Information, Alhaji Mohammed Idris Malagi, former governor of Kogi State, Yahya Bello and President of the Nigerian Labour Congress, Comrade Joe Ajaero, his counterpart from the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Festus Osifo.

A statement signed by Dr. Abimbola Oyetunde, Chairman, Organising Committee, and made available to INFO DAILY, said Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas is expected to be the Keynote Speaker.

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Oyetunde, who is also the Deputy National President of the NUJ, added that national officers of the Union, past NUJ presidents and secretaries, members of the Central Working Committee and NEC, and leaders of NAWOJ, have been penned down for honour for their contributions to the union.

The Organising Chairman said, the occasion will not only honour its historic journey but also confront the pressing realities shaping modern journalism.

“This is a celebration of the NUJ’s 70 years of unwavering commitment to protecting media freedom, advancing professionalism, and defending democracy.

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“But it is also a time to reflect deeply on the disruptive changes in media practice, especially with the rise of artificial intelligence and digital manipulation,” Oyetunde stated.

According to her, major highlight of the celebration will be the unveiling of a commemorative book titled “70 Years of the NUJ: From Struggle to Strength,” authored by former NUJ National Secretary, Mr. Shuabu Lehman, who has devoted over three decades to the Union.”

She added: “The NUJ @70 celebration underscores the union’s pivotal role in safeguarding press freedom, holding power accountable, and navigating the complexities of a fast-evolving media ecosystem. It promises to be a defining gathering of stakeholders shaping the future of journalism in Nigeria.”

Edo State deputy governor, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, has assured of the Governor Monday Okpebholo-led administration’s desire to reduce crime and criminality in the state while also upholding the rule of law.

According to a press statement by Friday Aghedo, the Chief Press Secretary to the deputy governor, Idahosa gave the assurance when he played host to members of the Benin branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Benin on Tuesday.

During the interface with the body of lawyers, also referred to as “Lion Bar,” the deputy governor solicited their collaboration to help rid the state of violent crimes.

“Indeed, the state we met was plagued with security challenges such as kidnapping, cultism and its related issues, and other vices for which the governor needed to take decisive action to address these menaces which plagued society.

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“To the glory of God and with your support, we have done reasonably well at reducing crime in Edo State,” he stated.

He informed the lawyers that their collaboration with the administration would assist at stamping out crimes and criminality and boost investors confidence in the state.

Idahosa also promised the government support to the lawyers in whatever capacity to assist in carrying out their functions efficiently.

Speaking earlier, the Benin NBA branch, Idemudia Osifo, congratulated and commended Governor Okpebholo, his deputy, Dennis Idahosa, on their inauguration and efforts at eradicating security challenges in the state.

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He said the NBA maintained cordiality with the seat of power in order to form a solid partnership geared towards the delivery of dividends of democracy to the people of the state.

He further commended the Okpebholo-led administration for appointing members of the Bar to key positions of his government.

Speaking on the rule of law, Osifo said that the Bar believed that the administration would deliver, especially against the background of swearing in the three judges denied the same action by the immediate past administration

“That singular action showed the willingness of this administration to reposition Edo State in terms of Justice delivery and the rule of law,” he stated.

He expressed the willingness of the Benin Branch of the NBA to support the government to fight crime and criminality