NEWS
IBEDC Says Paucity of Funds Cause of 5 Months Power Outage in Ife

The management of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) on Wednesday explained to the Osun House of Assembly that the five months power outage in Ife North Local Government Council was due to paucity of funds.
Mr Akin Ogunleye, Osun IBEDC Regional Head, explained to the lawmaker that the power outage in the council was caused by a faulty power transformer that would cost N90 million to replace.
Ogunleye stated that the distribution company had tried its best in resolving the power outage, stating that the situation was, however, beyond what IBEDC could handle because of the amount needed to fix the problem.
He stated that the company was faced with paucity of fund and could not, for now, take the full responsibility of restoring power to the affected communities in the local government.
He said, “When we were contacted on the power outage, we got to work thinking that it was a minor thing that we can fixed only to find out that the coil of the transformer had gone bad.
“The bill we got for the repair of the transformer was around N28 million to N35 million, and experience has thought us that it is not the best to repair but replace with a new one which is in the region of N90 million which IBDEC cannot afford.”
Mr Timothy Owoeye, Osun Assembly Speaker, stated that the legislature could not continue to see the people of the state thrown into darkness and stand aside and watch without finding a lasting solution to the situation.
He held that the House of Assembly would not shy away from its constitutional responsibility and would not allow people of the state to be deprived of their rights to electricity and meaningful life.
He, however, adjourned the meeting until Oct. 26, for IBDEC to come up with a solution template.
The Osun House of Assembly had on Thursday summoned the Managing Director, IBDEC, the Nigerian Electricity Regulation Commission (NERC) and the Federal Competition and Consumers Protection Commission (FCCPC).
The summon was based on a motion moved by Mr Tunde Olatunji, the Assemblyman representing Ife North, over the long months of power outage in Ife North Local Government Council.(NAN)
Foreign News
Trump Tells Iran to Make Nuclear Deal ‘Before it is too Late’

U.S. President Donald Trump has called on Iran to conclude an agreement with Washington on its controversial nuclear programme, amid a series of Israeli strikes on nuclear facilities and military leaders.
“There is still time to make this slaughter come to an end,” Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social on Friday.
“Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left, and save what was once known as the Iranian Empire,” Trump continued.
“JUST DO IT, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE.”Observers consider it unlikely that Iran’s leadership would opt for a diplomatic approach in light of the Israeli attacks.
Israeli media reported that Tehran had retaliated with an attack involving about 100 drones, all of which were shot down.
“I gave Iran chance after chance to make a deal,” Trump wrote.
“The U.S. makes the best and most lethal military equipment anywhere in the World, BY FAR, and Israel has a lot of it, with much more to come and they know how to use it,” Trump wrote. (dpa/NAN)
NEWS
Nigeria Condoles India over Tragic Plane Crash

The Federal Government on Thursday condoled the Indian government over the tragic crash of Air India Flight-171 in Ahmedabad.The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, disclosed this in a statement issued by Kimiebi Ebienfa, Spokesperson of theMinistry.Tuggar said, “Nigeria expresses profound sorrow and extends its heartfelt condolences to the government and people of India over the tragic crash of Air India Flight 171 in Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025.
“This devastating incident which claimed the lives of over 290 individuals has left the global community in mourning. “Nigeria stands in solidarity with India during this period of immense grief and unfortunate loss.“While initial reports indicate no Nigerian citizen was aboard the flight, the Nigeria High Commission in New Delhi remains in close contact with Indian authorities to verify this information and provide consular assistance where necessary.“In this moment of shared sorrow, Nigeria reaffirms its commitment to global aviation safety and supports the call for thorough investigation into the crash with a view to preventing such tragedies in the future.”The minister further commiserated with the families of the bereaved and all those affected by this tragic incident. (NAN)NEWS
Benue Speaker Advises Youth to Participate Actively in Politics

The Speaker, Benue House of Assembly, Mr Hyacinth Dajoh, has advised youths in the state to participate actively in the economic and political development of the country.Dajoh gave the advice in his Democracy Day message issued by his Press Secretary, Mr Terver Zamber, in Makurdi.
The speaker urged youths to show more interest in the economic and political development of the country. He said that they had the required education, exposure, and numerical strength to make a positive impact on both the economy and governance. Dajoh assured the youths that the assembly under his leadership would continue to enact laws to protect democracy and the rule of law.The speaker urged Nigerians to be more determined in ensuring that democracy worked in the country.He said that democracy remained the best option for the country.The speaker added that through the determination of the citizens and their active participation in the democratic process, Nigeria would be a great country.He saluted the heroic deeds of patriots who worked assiduously to actualise democratic rule in the country, especially the symbol of the June 12 struggle, the late M.K.O. Abiola.According to him, only a truly great, peaceful and prosperous Nigeria could be a befitting compensation for their sacrifices.He commended President Bola Tinubu and Gov. Hyacinth Alia of Benue for their roles in upholding democratic principles.Dajoh said that more sacrifices were required from the citizens to ensure that the country got the best of democracy. (NAN)