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Children of 86-Year-old Blind Udi Monarch Begs Gov Mbah over Detention of  Father

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Children of the traditional ruler of Akpakume, at Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State, Igwe Ekwueme Odenigbo, have appealed to Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State to release their 86-year-old blind father and brother, Solomon, from prison custody in Enugu.

The Vanguard reports that they also made a “Save-Our-Soul” call on the Senator Representing Enugu West Senatorial Zone,  Osita Ngwu and the Chairman of Udi local government council, Engr. Hyginus Agu, over the continued incarceration of their 86-year-old blind monarch,  Igwe Odenigbo by the Enugu State Police Command.

Igwe Odenigbo, 86 and one of his sons, Solomon Ekwueme, were detained in Enugu Correctional Service Centre, Enugu since January 9, 2025 following a petition written against them by a prominent citizen of the community, Mr. Livinus Okolo, aka Zion.

They said: “It is truly heartbreaking for us to be called back to Enugu with the news that our aged and blind father, a retired elder in the Redeemed Christian Church of God and the King of an entire community has been locked up by the Nigerian Police and charged to a Magistrate court and subsequently sent to the Prison at the behest of a man that has been nothing short of a terror to the entire people of Akpakwume community, Mr Livinus Okolom, Alias Zion”.

Odenigbo’s children posited that trouble began on December 23, 2024 when Mr. Livinus Okolo, allegedly invaded their father’s  palace with about 20 boys, armed with guns, axe and matchets and beat their parents mercilessly and took away his staff of office and other valuables claiming that Igwe Odenigbo had been dethroned and he, Okolo is now the acting Igwe because Igwe was involved in illegal mining and government decided to unseat him.

They pointed out that following Okolo’s attack on their father, irate youths in the community went and destroyed some part of Okolo’s house.

Igwe Odenigbo had on December 24, petitioned the police over the attack on his palace but no arrest was made because Okolo was said to be highly connected and has the backing of Gov. Mbah and the Commissioner for Chieftaincy Matters, Chief Okey Ogbodo.

They went further to explain that when the youths destroyed Okolo’s house over his alleged attack on their Igwe, Okolo petitioned the police and got the traditional prime minister elect, Onowu-elect, Chief Marius Ezeanyanwu, arrested claiming that it was he that instigated the destruction of his house.

They went further to explain that when the youths destroyed Okolo’s house over his alleged attack on their Igwe, Okolo petitioned the police and got the traditional prime minister elect, Onowu-elect, Chief Marius Ezeanyanwu, arrested claiming that it was he that instigated the destruction of his house.

As a result of the arrest of Chief Ezeanyanwu, the youths were said to have been angered the more and went and burnt down his house completely, the Igwe’s children pointed out.

Based on the arson on Okolo’s house, he was said to have petitioned the police who on January 9, 2025  who invited their brother, Solomon and their father for questioning but detained them afterwards.

Having detained them, on January 13, 2025, a magistrate court at Enugu North tried them and sent them to prison custody and ever since, they have been languishing in the Correctional Service Centre, Enugu.

Therefore, touched by the plight of their aged father, Igwe Odenigbo and brother Solomon, they begged the governor to intervene forthwith.

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President Tinubu Designates Joseph Tegbe New Minister of Power

Mr Tegbe’s experience includes significant engagements within the power sector, particularly in regulatory and institutional reform involving agencies such as the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company (NBET).

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated Mr Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe as Minister of Power, subject to confirmation by the Senate.

The nomination has been transmitted to the Senate for screening and confirmation in accordance with the Constitution.

The nomination follows the resignation of the former Minister, Adebayo Adelabu, who stepped down from office to pursue elective office.

Mr Tegbe, from Oyo State, is a fiscal and economic reform expert with over 35 years of experience spanning the public and private sectors.

He is a former Senior Partner and Head of Advisory Services at KPMG Africa, where he led wide-ranging initiatives in fiscal policy reform, institutional transformation, and governance.

He has also advised key government institutions and private sector organisations on strategic reforms, regulatory frameworks, and investment structuring.

He is at present the Director General and Global Liaison for the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership (NCSP), where he is responsible for strengthening bilateral development cooperation between Nigeria and the People’s Republic of China.

The NCSP also coordinates engagements with public sector stakeholders to advance economic and social development in line with FOCAC objectives.

Mr Tegbe’s experience includes significant engagements within the power sector, particularly in regulatory and institutional reform involving agencies such as the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company (NBET).

His nomination is expected to strengthen further ongoing efforts to reform the power sector, enhance grid stability, and attract sustainable investment in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.

The President expects the Minister-Designate, upon confirmation, to bring his extensive expertise to bear to advance critical reforms and deliver improved outcomes for Nigerians in the power sector.

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Egbin Shutdown Throws Lagos Into Darkness, says NISO

Egbin Power Station, which is the largest electricity-generating plant on the national grid and a major contributor to daily power supply in Nigeria, experienced a major operational disturbance.

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The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) said on Thursday power supply to the Lagos region is currently restricted due to a sudden shutdown of the Egbin Power Station and the forced outage of the Osogbo–Ikeja West 330kV transmission line, thereby limiting the evacuation of available generation into the Lagos load centre.

NISO said that the dual disruptions has created a significant supply gap, forcing authorities to ration electricity to prevent a total system collapse.

NISO explained that at approximately 8:21 p.m. on April 28, 2026, Egbin Power Station recorded a total loss of generation, dropping from about 641MW to zero output.

This incident was caused by the failure of the plant’s central compressor, in addition to a malfunction of the circulating water pump system, which necessitated an immediate shutdown of all generating units to safeguard the facility.

Egbin Power Station, which is the largest electricity-generating plant on the national grid and a major contributor to daily power supply in Nigeria, experienced a major operational disturbance.

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Tinubu designates Rabiu Umar new CEO of NMDPRA

Umar is a seasoned executive with over 25 years of experience across the energy, manufacturing, and infrastructure sectors, and a proven track record in strategic leadership, operational transformation, and large-scale project delivery..

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the removal of Mr Saidu Mohammed as the Authority Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

In a State House statement issued on Wednesday signed by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President also approved the nomination of Rabiu Abdullahi Umar as the new Chief Executive of the NMDPRA, with the appointment subject to Senate confirmation.

The decision, according to the statement, was made pursuant to the Petroleum Industry Act 2021 and is aimed at strengthening regulatory effectiveness in the midstream and downstream petroleum sector in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Umar is a seasoned executive with over 25 years of experience across the energy, manufacturing, and infrastructure sectors, and a proven track record in strategic leadership, operational transformation, and large-scale project delivery.

He is a graduate of Accounting from Bayero University and an alumnus of Harvard Business School.

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