Author: The Whistler Newspaper

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has dissociated itself from the power outage affecting parts of Kogi State.
It also rejected claims by the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) that the disruption originated from its network.
TCN in a statement issued by its General Manager, Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, on Wednesday in Abuja, stated that all feeders at the Lokoja Transmission Substation are fully operational, with no recorded faults, outages, or maintenance activities in the area.
It added that bulk power is being transmitted to AEDC at the required capacity for distribution to consumers.
TCN criticised what it described as inaccurate attribution of faults, warning that unverified claims could erode public confidence in the power sector.
It urged industry players to exercise due diligence and uphold transparency in communicating service disruptions.
TCN stated that it would continue to work with stakeholders to improve the nationwide electricity supply.
“The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) wishes to formally refute another public notice issued by the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) on 5th May, 2026, in which AEDC attributed the power outage affecting Zango, Shetima, Apansede, Phase I, Phase II, Crown Estate, and surrounding communities in Kogi State to a technical fault on TCN’s network.
“TCN states unequivocally that all feeders at the Lokoja Transmission Substation serving the aforementioned areas are fully operational.

“As of the time of this statement, there is no outage, fault, or scheduled maintenance activity on any TCN transmission infrastructure within the Lokoja axis.
“The Company’s network in the region remains stable, and bulk power is being transmitted to AEDC at the required capacity for onward distribution to end consumers.
“TCN therefore dissociates itself entirely from the fault referenced in AEDC’s notice and rejects any suggestion that its infrastructure is responsible for the disruption being experienced by electricity consumers in the affected communities”, the statement reads in part.

TCN Rejects Blame For Kogi Power Outage, Faults AEDC Claim is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday told contractors handling key infrastructure projects across Abuja to meet agreed deadlines as the administration prepares for a commissioning programme to mark President Bola Tinubu’s third anniversary in office.

Wike spoke during an inspection tour of ongoing projects, including the Jahi–Gwarimpa Interchange, Airport Road to Kuje corridor, Kuje to Gwagwalada road, the City Gate project, and the Wuse/Central Area link roads.

At the Jahi Interchange handled by CBC Global, the minister expressed satisfaction with the quality of work and optimism about near completion.

Wike said: “We are very hopeful… in the next two weeks we are sure that we will reach over 95 per cent.

“The quality of the job is very, very good, and I believe we are going to meet up with the timing.”

However, he cautioned that while quality was not in doubt, timely delivery of some components, especially the bridge section, remained a concern.

“No doubt about the quality of job, but I’m still doubtful about the completion on time. They have given us their promise. I hope they will keep it up,” he added.

On the Airport Road to Kuje Junction project being executed by Arab Contractors, Wike expressed confidence that it could be completed within weeks.

“Very good quality job… we are hopeful that by the end of this month, we may be wrapping up with that job,” he said.

He also commended the progress on the Kuje to Gwagwalada road, noting that work was moving steadily and within expected timelines.

“The work is going quite well. We also believe they will be on time,” the minister stated.

Wike was particularly upbeat about the City Gate project being handled by Julius Berger, describing it as a landmark development that would redefine Abuja’s entry point.

“Very good, beautiful work. In the next one month, anyone coming to Abuja will see a different landscape. If Abuja residents require the best, then we are going to provide the best,” he said.

The minister, however, stressed that all contractors must align with government timelines for project inauguration ahead of the third anniversary celebrations.

“These are projects scheduled to be inaugurated in the third anniversary of this administration. I’m pleading with the company to keep to timing,” Wike warned.

On the Wuse/Central Area link roads, Wike said the quality of work remained commendable but reiterated concerns over speed of delivery.

“I’ve seen the work going on. Quality is not in doubt, but I’m still doubtful about completion on time,” he said.

Wike disclosed that several major projects would be commissioned within the anniversary period, including water treatment plants in Bwari and Ushafa, roads in Katampe, Gishiri and Gaduwa, the CLC project, sections of the Kuje–Gwagwalada corridor, Bazango and Kaura roads, as well as the relocation and development of the Apo mechanics site.

Wike also revealed that the City Gate project would include permanent security installations, 24-hour surveillance and AI-enabled monitoring systems.

“We are going to provide security in that place -security cameras, AI, everything will be there,” he said.

The minister assured that the FCT Administration would continue to work with contractors to ensure timely delivery of all projects, noting that Abuja’s transformation agenda must be fully realised through strict adherence to schedules.

“So by and large, we are very happy with the level of commitment by various companies. We will also do our part to fulfill our obligation,” he added.

FCT: Ongoing projects must be ready for Tinubu’s 3rd anniversary – Wike to contractors

Ola Aina remains doubtful for Nottingham Forest’s trip to Aston Villa, according to head coach, Vítor Pereira, DAILY POST reports.

Aina was stretchered off the pitch in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-final tie last week.

Pereira expressed confidence after the game that the full-back will shake off the injury before the reverse fixture.

The Portuguese however failed to offer any assurance the Nigeria international will be available for Thursday’s encounter during his interaction with the media on Wednesday.

“We have a lot of doubts with players but we cannot have doubts around the spirit and what we want and our belief,” Pereira was quoted by the club’s official website.

Nottingham Forest will look to protect their 1-0 lead from the first leg.

Europa League: Aina doubtful for Forest’s clash with Aston Villa

A Kano State High Court has dismissed a legal challenge by the defence team of former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje against the authority of the prosecution to litigate a case in which he and three others face a 10-count criminal charge over the alleged fraudulent transfer of the state’s stake in Dala Inland Dry Port.

Justice Yusuf Ubale of State High Court No. 2, sitting at the Audu Bako Secretariat Complex, on Tuesday upheld the validity of the fiat—a formal legal authorisation—that empowers the Kano State Government’s prosecution team to appear in the matter. The ruling rejected arguments by Mr Ganduje’s counsel, Aminu Gadanya (SAN), who had contended that the fiat presented by the prosecution was issued for a different case entirely and that all prior proceedings should therefore be set aside.

Prosecuting counsel Muhuyi Magaji, responding to the ruling, described the fiat challenge as unnecessary, arguing that such administrative questions fall squarely within the exclusive authority of the attorney-general, and that the court had now confirmed the prosecution team was properly constituted.

Despite the favourable ruling for the prosecution, proceedings could not continue immediately. The defence indicated it was not ready to argue several outstanding applications still pending before the court.

Muhammad Abdallah, counsel to defendant Abubakar Bawuro, confirmed that the defence sought an adjournment on grounds of unreadiness. Justice Ubale granted the adjournment but warned all parties against further delays, fixing 24 June as the next hearing date for all outstanding applications.

Mr Ganduje is standing trial alongside his aide, Abubakar Bawuro; his lawyer, Adamu Aliyu-Sanda; and the former Managing Director of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Hassan Bello.

The prosecution alleges the four conspired to fraudulently transfer 80 per cent of Dala Inland Dry Port’s shares—including the state’s 20 per cent equity—to a private entity registered as “City Green Enterprise,” while also diverting over N4.49 billion in state funds to execute infrastructure projects at the port, including a dual carriageway, electricity installations, and perimeter fencing, for their personal benefit.

The charges include criminal conspiracy, misappropriation of public funds, breach of trust, conflict of interest, and abuse of office.

However, on 5 March 2020, during an Annual General Meeting at the port’s Zaria Road office in Kano, Mr Ganduje’s three children—Abdulaziz Abdullahi Umar, Umar Abdullahi Umar, and Muhammad Abdullahi Umar—were appointed as directors and allotted five million shares each, representing 20 per cent of the company’s 25 million total shares.

Mr Bawuro and the port’s founder, Ahmad Rabiu, were similarly allotted 20 per cent each, creating a five-way equal ownership structure that effectively erased the Kano State Government’s equity in the company.

The state government maintains that due process was not followed in the divestment and that Mr Ganduje exploited his office to undermine the state’s interests.

Kano Court Clears Prosecution Team To Proceed In Ganduje Trial is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The Board of Trustees (BOT) of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), has accused its secretary general, Mallam Murtala Aliyu, of undermining the forum.

Bashir M. Dalhatu, chairman of the ACF BoT in a statement said: “Recently, the Board of Trustees, in line with its duty of ensuring compliance with the provisions of the Forum’s Constitution – ACF Const. Sec. 24 – including respect for term limits and smooth leadership succession, took a number of steps which did not seem to have pleased some people, especially Mallam Murtala Aliyu, the Secretary General.

“As a result, he has devoted a great deal of time and energy to pull down the entire ACF edifice.”

The statement explained that the ACF Constitution provides for a six-year single tenure for leaders of the BOT, while National Executive Council leaders are limited to three years, plus a possible renewal of three years only.

On that basis, Dalhatu stated that earlier this year, the attention of the BOT was drawn to possible breaches of the ACF Constitution through a petition by ‘Concerned Members’—a group that includes Mr Anthony N.Z. Sani, the immediate past Secretary General—who believed that the continued stay in office of certain officials beyond a certain date might violate the Constitution of the ACF.

He said the matter was subsequently discussed at the BOT meeting held on April 23, 2026. After deliberations and hearing from those concerned, the BOT resolved that the tenure of certain officials who assumed office in March 2020 would have expired by March 10, 2026, having exhausted the maximum six years allowed.

The officials, according to the statement, include Senator F. Orti (Benue), Deputy Chair, BOT; Ambassador Ibrahim Mai Sule (Yobe), Vice Chair, BOT; Senator Ibrahim Ida, Wazirin Katsina, Deputy Chair, NEC; and Mallam Murtala Aliyu (Muttawallen Gombe), Secretary General.

The chairman of the BOT explained that these positions, therefore, became vacant from March 10, 2026, adding that Murtala Aliyu was, at his request, allowed to prepare his handover notes and conclude departure formalities not later than Friday, May 15, 2026.

According to the statement, “In a baffling twist of events, Murtala Aliyu, who, contrary to the ACF Constitution, is in his seventh year as Secretary General, declared his rejection of all these terms of settlement. He is, interestingly, the only person among the four officials whose tenure ended, refusing to step down.”

In pursuit of a more peaceful resolution, the statement noted that several high-level meetings were held, including one convened by some elders, led by General Haliru Akilu (retd) and hosted by Alhaji Mahmud Yayale Ahmed on April 21, 2026.

Rather than cooperating in good faith, the statement said Murtala Aliyu went on to summon an ‘Emergency Meeting’ of the National Executive Committee scheduled for May 6, 2026, in an attempt, allegedly, to reverse the decision requiring him to step down.

“He is using ridiculous logic by claiming that the letter re-appointing him in 2023 said he could stay in office until December, 2026,” the statement said.

It further added: “The above narrative summarises 100 per cent of the events which the media are now describing as ‘leadership split or power crisis’ in the ACF. Nothing of the sort exists. If indeed there is any crisis, it revolves around one person who appears utterly desperate to remain in charge of affairs in the ACF, come rain, sunshine or high waters.”

Dalhatu urged the public to view “all the negative propaganda being spread for what they truly are: mischievous falsehood designed to instigate mistrust, acrimony and the collapse of the ACF”.

“There has, for instance, been no financial infractions committed whatsoever at the level of the BOT. Every single kobo collected as donations into the ACF Endowment Fund, has been deposited safely in the bank; far away from the reach of the Secretariat, the NEC, and, for that matter, the BOT,” the statement explained.

He added that the ACF Endowment Fund Advisory Committee, led by Ambassador Hassan Adamu, Wakilin Adamawa, and the Management Committee under the leadership of retired Inspector General of Police, Alhaji MD Abubakar, alongside other men and women of “unimpeachable character and experience”, had been appointed to implement the endowment programme of the ACF.

The statement further explained: “Among the key items on the Terms of Reference for the committees is the duty to publish regular reports of their activities in order both to demonstrate full transparency and accountability. That is the whole truth.”

ACF accuses Secretary General of undermining Forum over tenure dispute

Vice President Kashim Shettima says Nigeria is working again, stressing that the economic reforms of the President Bola Tinubu administration are now yielding positive returns for the country.

Shettima stated this at the Nasarawa Economic Summit 2026, where he said the bold economic reforms of Tinubu have resulted in improved investors’ trust in the country’s economy.

The Vice President highlighted some of the reforms implemented by the current administration, including the removal of the fuel subsidy.

According to him, the decision to stop petrol subsidy payments was not part of Tinubu’s official speech but an on-the-spot decision as he delivered his address following his swearing-in in 2023.

“Some of the economic decisions that the presidency took were almost inevitable because even our national reserves were paltry and not even enough to import fuel for one month.

“But he never ran to town with the story of bankruptcy, as he knew the effect of such on the economy.

“He took the bold decision. The removal of the fuel subsidy was not part of his official speech. He kept it close to his heart. Either he took it there, or he might never take it again.

“And now, our gross external reserves, which were above $46 billion in 2025, have been recovering,” he said.

Nigeria on right track – Shettima

Ted Turner, the media entrepreneur who founded CNN, the world’s first 24-hour cable news network, has died at the age of 87, Turner Enterprises said on Wednesday.

Turner died at his home near Tallahassee, Florida, after living with Lewy body dementia, which he disclosed publicly in 2018.

Born Robert Edward Turner III on November 19, 1938, he took over his father’s billboard advertising business in 1963 following his father’s death. He later expanded into broadcasting, building a media empire that included WTBS, TNT, and Cartoon Network.

In 1980, Turner launched CNN, introducing continuous television news coverage at a time when 24-hour broadcasting was widely seen as commercially unviable. The network went on to become a major global news outlet.

Turner also owned the Atlanta Braves baseball team, which won the World Series in 1995, and was involved in several media and entertainment ventures, including the creation of the animated series Captain Planet and the Planeteers.

He was known for his philanthropic work, including a $1bn donation to the United Nations and support for environmental conservation efforts through land preservation initiatives.

Turner was married three times, including to actress Jane Fonda from 1991 to 2001, and had five children.

Tributes from across the media and business sectors described him as a major figure in modern broadcasting whose work reshaped global news coverage.

CNN Founder Ted Turner Dies At 87​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Former Super Eagles coach, Jo Bonfrere, has claimed that the decision to take Ademola Lookman by Atletico Madrid manager, Diego Simeone, cost the team as they lost 1–0 defeat to Arsenal.

The LaLiga side were eliminated from the Champions League on Tuesday night on a 2-1 aggregate.

Lookman started the game at the Emirates alongside Antoine Griezmann and Julian Alvarez in attack.

But it was Arsenal who scored before the break through captain for the night, Bukayo Saka.

As Atletico fought back to equalize, Simeone pulled out Lookman in the 57th minute and replaced him with Nahuel Molina.

“I watched the match. I’m not the Atletico Madrid coach, but when Diego Simeone removed Lookman early in the second half, he took away ‘speed’ from the team,” Bonfrere told Completesports.

“Lookman had pace and was effective in one-on-one situations. But when Simeone decided to take him off in the 57th minute and replaced him with players who are more physically gifted, I knew Atletico Madrid would struggle.”

UCL: Lookman substitution cost Atletico in 1-0 defeat to Arsenal — Bonfrere

Former media aide to the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, Bashir Ahmad, has said those wishing to replace President Bola Tinubu have not shown any clear plan for the country.

According to him, opposition politicians have not presented any convincing alternative agenda or clear road map of what they would do differently if elected President.

Posting on X, Ahmad noted that Tinubu would continue as President till 2031.

He wrote: “There is something we all need to reflect on as the 2027 elections draw nearer, the opposition may have plenty of aspiring candidates. Still, it is clear they appear fragmented, recycled, and largely unclear about what exactly they are offering Nigerians beyond dissatisfaction with President Bola Tinubu.

“So far, none of those seeking the presidency has presented a convincing, practical alternative agenda or a clear roadmap for what they would do differently for the country.

“Nigerians will not risk losing President Tinubu to those who don’t have clear plans, ideas, workable policies or a vision capable of moving our dear Nigeria forward. So, it is PBAT till 2031.”

Tinubu: Opposition has not presented convincing alternative agenda – Bashir Ahmad

Dangote Cement Plc delivered a strong first-quarter performance in 2026, with cement and clinker exports from Nigeria rising by 71.6 per cent as the company expanded its footprint across Africa.

The cement giant disclosed in its unaudited Q1 2026 financial results that it completed 10 clinker shipments from Nigeria to neighbouring markets during the period, reinforcing its status as Africa’s leading cement exporter.

Group installed production capacity also climbed to 55 million tonnes per annum (MTA) across the continent, while total sales volumes grew by 13.8 per cent year-on-year.

This growth was driven by an 11.5 per cent increase in Nigerian operations and a 19.5 per cent rise across pan-African markets.

Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Arvind Pathak, described the performance as an exceptional start to the year.

According to him, revenue rose by 20.4 per cent year-on-year to ₦1.198rn, while earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) increased by 22.8 per cent to N567.1bn.

He said the company’s disciplined cost management and efficient operating model were instrumental in converting sales growth into stronger profitability.

Profit before tax for the quarter stood at N421.1bn, marking a 35 per cent increase from N311.9 billion recorded in Q1 2025. Earnings per share also rose significantly to N19.14 from N12.29.

Pathak highlighted the rapid expansion of the company’s export business, noting that growing clinker shipments from Nigeria further strengthened Dangote Cement’s strategic leadership in regional trade.

He also revealed progress on key expansion projects, including the newly commissioned 3MTA grinding plant in Côte d’Ivoire, alongside ongoing projects in Itori, Ethiopia, and other strategic African markets.

The company aims to increase total production capacity to 80MTA by 2030 as part of its long-term growth strategy.

Dangote Cement currently operates 35.25MT capacity in Nigeria, with major plants located in Obajana, Ibese, Gboko, and Okpella.

Through sustained investment in local manufacturing, the company has successfully transformed Nigeria from a cement-importing nation into a net exporter, supplying clinker and cement to countries across West and Central Africa.

With resilient demand across its markets and ongoing expansion initiatives, Dangote Cement says it remains optimistic about maintaining strong growth and delivering long-term shareholder value throughout 2026.

Dangote Cement Grow Exports By 71.6%, Posts N421bn Profit is first published on The Whistler Newspaper