By Son Tertsea, Abuja

Femi Falana, Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), has condemned electricity tariff hikes by power distribution companies, without any measurable improvements in power supply as required by law.

The legal luminary while speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Friday, criticised successive PDP and APC administrations over the handling of the power sector.

He expressed disappointment that despite the privatisation of 18 electricity companies, the government still injects trillions of naira into the sector with little visible benefit to consumers.

In his words: “Somebody sold 18 electricity companies, according to a former minister under the Jonathan administration, and Dr. Usman Shamsudeen, that we sold the electricity companies to our friends.

“Now, the government has been giving again a lot of trillions of naira to the electricity companies. At the end of the day, you hear of Band A, Band B, and the rest of them.”

He highlighted the ongoing hardship faced by Nigerians, who, he said, are “paying more for services that are not rendered.”

Warning against arbitrary electricity price hikes, Falana emphasised that electricity companies planning fresh tariff increases must first provide justification under the Electricity Act saying:

“Again, this time around, you will have to justify. Because under the law, under the Electricity Act, you can only increase your tariff if there is improvement in services. So if the situation is getting worse, there can be no justification for an increase in tariffs.”

The SAN’s press interaction monitored in Abuja is comforting to many consumers who continue to experience erratic supply, frequent outages and poor service quality despite previous tariff hikes.

Nigeria’s privatised power sector has long been plagued by challenges, including inadequate generation capacity, high technical and commercial losses, and heavy reliance on government bailouts.

The introduction of service bands such as Band A, for customers reportedly enjoying up to 20 hours of electricity supply, has been criticised for failing to deliver promised improvements for the majority of households and businesses.

By Felix Umande, Makurdi

Benue State Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia has approved the appointment of Dr. Ihu Eunice Ogbenyi as Acting Head of Service of the state civil service.

The appointment follows the death of the late Dr. Moses Agbogbo Ode, who served as Head of Service from 2023 until 2026.

Dr. Ogbenyi, an indigene of Oju LGA born on 12th June 1973, was Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands and Survey before her elevation. She brings nearly three decades of public service experience to the role.

She obtained her Nigeria Certificate in Education in Maths/Physics in 1996 from the College of Education, Oju. She later earned a B.Sc in 2005, Masters in 2010, and Ph.D in 2021, all in Mathematics Education from Fr. Adasu University, Makurdi.

Dr. Ogbenyi joined the Benue State Teaching Service Board in 1998 as Principal Assistant Education Officer II. Her service was transferred to the Ministry of Education in February 2012, where she rose to Deputy Director, Education in the Department of Planning, Research and Statistics. She also headed the Joint Consultative Committee on Education/National Council on Education unit and served as Assistant Head of the Education Management Information System unit.

While congratulating the new Acting HoS, Governor Alia charged her to uphold continuity, professionalism, and public service in her stewardship.

“As you assume this critical role, I charge you with the responsibilities, principles, and priorities that will guide your stewardship and ensure continuity, professionalism, and service to the public,” the governor said.

“You must ensure your official actions conform with the vision and principles of this administration to continue with the reforms in the civil service and uphold at all times the sanctity and dignity of your office. You must ensure in all your official dealings that the interest of the state comes first.”

By Son Tertsea, Abuja

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, Monday took responsibility for the continued roaming of cattle on major roads and streets across Abuja, admitting that the situation remains a concern despite efforts to improve the capital city.

While addressing journalists during his monthly media briefing in Abuja on Monday, he regretted the development giving assurance to address it:

“I apologise that up till now there are cows still roaming the streets of Abuja, I take responsibility.”

Wike also highlighted ongoing infrastructure projects beyond the city centre to the communities in satellite towns.

“Our attention is not only on developing the city centres of Abuja. We are also working in all the Area Councils.

“We are providing infrastructure everywhere across the FCT.”

Wike further promised that project inaugurations would commence in June with President Bola Tinubu as part of activities marking the administration’s third year in office.

“To celebrate Mr President’s three years in office, the FCTA will commission projects for the next 31 days commencing June 8, 2026.”

The road projects executed across the FCT, according to him, have continued to improve access amid strengthening security in several communities.