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Lockdown: BEDC Donates 6,000 Bags Of Rice, Others To Franchise States As Palliative

Published

6 years ago

April 18, 2020

…Assures Stable Power Supply To COVID-19 Centres, Others

As part of efforts to cushion the effect of the lockdown occasioned by the novel coronavirus, Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) Plc, has donated 6,000 5kg bags of rice and 4,000 cartons of Idomie noodles to the governments of Edo, Delta, Ekiti and Ondo states for onward distribution to the vulnerable groups and households in these franchise states.

The breakdown shows 1,500 5kg bags of rice for each state and 1,000 cartons of Idomie noodles for each state respectively.

Making the announcement and the consequent presentation of the palliative to Edo State government on behalf of the Managing Director of the company in Benin, Mr. Abu Ejoor, the Executive Director Commercial, said, as a company that is sensitive to the residents of franchise states, BEDC is set to further donate 50 units of motorised hand washing gears to strategic markets, and some communities under the DISCO.

Ejoor added that, as part of the company’s support, stable power supply up to 24hours would be ensured in various government established COVID-19 centres and related hospitals.

Mr. Osarodion Ogie (left) and Mr. Abu Ejoor, during the presentation at the government house, Benin

” This has already commenced in Irrua Specialist Hospital in Uromi, Edo Central Hospital where we also intend to look at other supports we can give in ensuring that some of their vehicles/ambulances are fully operational. Also, for the centres under preparation in Oba Adejuyigbe Specialist Hospital, Ado-Ekiti in Ekiti State and Warri in Delta State, BEDC has already commenced working with the government to ensure adequate electricity”, he added.

The Executive Director emphasised that BEDC has increased significantly, power availability to several customers in its coverage areas, stressing that the process of boosting the present grid power with additional power supply source through embedded generation has commenced.

He announced that the company has, in this trying time, suspended the ratotional load management schedule for several areas to enable customers enjoy more supply in their different locations.

On the recent proposal by the House of Representatives to promote free electricity for two months, Ejoor said though BEDC align with the proposal, it is not yet signed into law hence electricity currently supplied to customers is not free.

He added, ” Though BEDC fully align with the proposal by the House of Representatives to promote free electricity supply to all Nigerians for 2 months to make life easier during the lockdown period over COVID-19 pandemic, this is not yet signed into law, as such the electricity currently supplied to customers is not free.”

The food items to donated by BEDC to Edo State government for onward distribution to the vulnerable groups and households

Receiving the food items on behalf of the Edo State government, Mr Osarodion Ogie, Esq., thanked the management of BEDC for supporting the government in reaching out to the vulnerable in the society in this trying time.

He lamented that, due to the outbreak of the pandemic and the consequent lockdown, many families lifestyles have changed for the worst, as he called on individuals, corporate bodies to toe the path of BEDC.

He noted that, with what the distribution company has done, it shows the management is with the government in the fight against the pandemic.

Bags of rice and Indomie noodles to donated by BEDC

He said, “People have lost jobs; people who are into daily earnings cannot earn anything again. And the vulnerable people are feeling it more than some of us who are on salary. So, we are appealing to corporate bodies and individuals to assist the government.”

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News

NAF Launches Attack On Terrorists In Borno

Published

2 days ago

January 10, 2026

Editor

The Nigerian Air Force, NAF, operating as part of the joint task force of Operation Hadin Kai, has carried out a coordinated air interdiction at AbbagaJiri in the Timbuktu Triangle, Borno State.

According to Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, Director of Public Relations and Information of NAF, the air strikes successfully paved the way for ground troops.

He explained that the operation was based on actionable intelligence from multiple sources, which confirmed the presence of terrorists, their structures, and concealed logistics facilities in the area.

Ejodame stated that NAF air assets were deployed in integrated surveillance and precision strike roles to target identified threats.

The operation aimed to degrade terrorist capabilities, deny them sanctuary, and shape the battlefield for ground forces, all while strictly adhering to rules of engagement and protecting civilians.

He added, “The Identified terrorist structures were decisively engaged and destroyed, denying the terrorists freedom of action, while a follow-up engagement neutralised armed elements observed converging on the location.”

“Subsequent advances by ground troops into the area confirmed the effectiveness of the air strikes and validated the success of the joint air–land operation.”

Speaking on the mission, Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, said, “The success of the mission reflects the NAF’s resolve to dominate the air domain in support of joint operations.”

Aneke further emphasized that the operation highlighted the service’s commitment to providing precise and decisive air power in support of ground forces.

In his words, “We will continue to deny terrorists freedom of movement, sanctuary, and logistics wherever they seek to hide. Air operations will remain relentless and intelligence-driven.”

“Our operations are carefully planned and intelligence-led, ensuring maximum effect on hostile elements while safeguarding innocent civilians.”

“The Nigerian Air Force will sustain pressure until terrorist networks are completely dismantled.”

He further noted that the operation showcased NAF’s aggressive stance, precision employment of airpower, and dedication to sustained joint operations.

Aneke added that such missions play a crucial role in enabling ground troops to maintain momentum and deliver decisive outcomes against terrorist networks threatening lives, property, and Nigeria’s national security.

News

Lagos Parks To Close For Maintenance – State Govt

Published

2 days ago

January 10, 2026

Editor

The Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency, LASPARK, has announced that all public parks under its management across the state will be temporarily closed for routine maintenance and upgrades.

In a statement released on January 9 and shared via its official platforms early Saturday, LASPARK said, “All parks under our management will be closed to the public from January 12 to January 31, 2026.

“This follows increased visitor activity during the recent festive season.”

The agency listed several popular recreational spots that will be affected, including “Ndubisi Kanu Park, Alausa JJT Park, Dr. Finnih Abayomi Park in Oregun, and all other LASPARK-managed parks across Lagos State.”

News

PAP Sends Additional 34 Foreign Post-graduate Scholarship Beneficiaries To UK Varsities

Published

2 days ago

January 9, 2026

Editor

The Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) has deployed an additional 34 foreign post-graduate scholarship beneficiaries to various universities in the United Kingdom for the 2025-2026 academic year.

This was contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Warri by Mr Igoniko Oduma, Special Assistant on Media to Dr. Dennis Otuaro, the Administrator, PAP.

According to the statement, the scholars’ programmes include data science, fintech analytics, cyber security, international energy law and policy, construction project management, public health, agri-food technology, electrical and petroleum engineering, among others.

The statement added that more foreign post-graduate scholars will be sent to UK universities in the current academic session.

“In December 2025, nine students, who were the first set of offshore post-graduate scholarship developments by the PAP Administrator, Dr Dennis Otuaro, for the 2024-2025 academic year, graduated from their various programmes in UK universities.

“Otuaro has deployed over 9000 students to universities within and outside Nigeria for different industry-relevant programmes since he assumed office in March 2024,” the statement partly reads.

Speaking at the pre-departure orientation programme for the scholars at the PAP headquarters in Abuja, on Thursday, Otuaro said that the large-scale deployment was aimed at making the Niger Delta a knowledge-driven region.

He said that his leadership reinvigorated the programme to give it a new momentum in service delivery to the people of the region based on the mandate of President Bola Tinubu.

Otuaro said, “We are sending all of you for post-graduate studies in various universities in the United Kingdom.

“The PAP now has a new momentum and direction because of the repositioning and broad reforms that we carried out in line with the mandate of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR.

“The objective behind the huge scholarships deployment is to ensure that we develop the needed human capital to transform the Niger Delta and generate knowledge-wealth.

“We want to develop relevant manpower in critical disciplines for our region and by extension, the country, because you are expected to contribute your quota to national development after successful graduation.”

The PAP boss, who was represented at the event by his Technical Assistant, Mr Edgar Biu, advised the scholars to study hard to achieve academic excellence in their various fields of research.

According to him, the scholars have an obligation to justify the Federal Government’s investment in their education and future.

He reiterated his warning that beneficiaries should not take for granted the opportunity to further their academic pursuits in the interest of the Niger Delta and indeed the country.

Otuaro expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for his “enormous interest and support for the Programme”, particularly the approval of an upward review of the programme’s budget from N65billion to N150billion.

He also expressed gratitude to the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for his impeccable guidance and supervision of the programme’s initiatives.

Otuaro, therefore, cautioned the scholars to obey their host country’s laws and the rules and regulations of their various institutions, stressing that they are ambassadors of Nigeria, the Niger Delta and their communities and families.

Highpoint of the orientation programme was the presentation of laptops to the scholars to help them in their studies.