The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has announced that Nigeria is on course to add 150 MW to the national grid by the end of 2024. He disclosed this on Thursday while addressing State House correspondents after a meeting with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Adelabu attributed this planned upgrade to the successful implementation of the pilot phase of the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI). He explained that the project is 80% complete, involving the importation, installation, and commissioning of 10 power transformers and 10 mobile substations. Most of these have been installed and commissioned, with only two remaining, which are expected to be operational by year-end.

The minister highlighted that the pilot phase has already added 750 MW to the transmission grid capacity, resulting in the relative grid stability currently being observed. He expressed confidence that the full completion of the pilot phase would contribute an additional 150 MW to the grid.

This statement comes amid persistent challenges with the national grid, which has collapsed 12 times this year, leaving millions of households in darkness. Experts have pointed to outdated infrastructure as a significant cause of the frequent grid failures.

However, Adelabu assured Nigerians that ongoing improvements would lead to better performance. He emphasized the need to overhaul the grid, describing it as old, fragile, and deteriorating, and stated that the completion of the Phase One transmission project would significantly enhance grid stability in the future.

READ ALSO: Nigeria’s National Grid Suffers 12th Collapse in 2024

Nigeria’s National Grid experienced its 12th collapse of the year on Wednesday, leaving many citizens without power once again.

The collapse occurred at approximately 2:09 PM, marking another disruption in the nation’s electricity supply. This latest incident adds to the 11 grid failures reported since January 2024. Notably, in October alone, the grid collapsed three times within one week.

In a statement shared on its official X handle, the National Grid confirmed the development, saying, “A major grid setback has occurred, and restoration is set to commence.”

An Allied Air Cargo aircraft, registered as 5N-JRT, experienced a tyre burst on Wednesday, causing it to skid off Runway 22 at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. Following the incident, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) temporarily shut down the runway to address the situation.

The aircraft, which was arriving in Abuja, encountered the issue upon landing. All five passengers and crew members onboard were safely evacuated without injuries. Emergency officials promptly secured the site, ensuring no loss of life or harm. However, the incident caused significant disruptions, with several departures delayed as authorities worked to clear the runway.

In a press statement, FAAN’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Obiageli Orah, confirmed the incident and outlined the steps being taken. "At 10:05 am on December 11, 2024, an Allied Air Cargo aircraft with registration number 5N-JRT skidded off Runway 22 at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja with five souls on board and no reported injury. They were all safely evacuated and taken to the FAAN clinic for further checks. The Airport Emergency Response Team is on the scene, along with accident investigators. The runway is being cleared and will reopen for operations as soon as possible."

FAAN expressed gratitude to the aviation community and the general public for their patience and understanding during the incident.

In response to the rising incidents of bullying in primary and secondary schools across the country, the Federal Ministry of Education has announced plans to introduce a platform where individuals can anonymously report such cases. This initiative was revealed by the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Alausa, during a press briefing in Abuja.

Dr. Alausa expressed grave concern over the growing prevalence of bullying, violence, and other harmful behaviors in schools, emphasizing their detrimental effects on students. He highlighted that these issues have led to academic decline, mental health challenges, school dropouts, and a loss of moral values.

Recent incidents, including the tragic case of Sylvester Oromoni, who lost his life after being bullied at a Lagos-based private school, and the suspension of 13 students at Federal Government College, Enugu, for bullying a peer, have underscored the urgency of the matter.

To tackle these problems, the ministry has launched initiatives such as the National Campaign Against School Violence to educate students, teachers, and parents on the dangers of bullying and violence. Dr. Alausa also announced a collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to combat cultism and criminal activities in schools. A dedicated helpline and an online platform will soon be available for students and parents to report bullying and violence anonymously.

The minister urged all stakeholders, including parents, teachers, students, and the media, to contribute to creating a safer and more inclusive learning environment. Parents were encouraged to monitor their children’s behavior and mental well-being, while school authorities were called upon to act decisively against reported cases of bullying. He also appealed to students to reject bullying, violence, and cultism and to report any incidents to trusted adults.

Dr. Alausa further tasked the media with raising awareness about the dangers of bullying and the importance of moral education, emphasizing the collective responsibility of society in ensuring the safety and well-being of students.