Nigeria's state transmission company restoring power after grid collapse

The Transmission Company of Nigeria says it is working to restore power after blackouts engulfed the country following another collapse of the power grid on Monday night.

Power generation fell to zero and by Tuesday morning some plants in the capital Abuja and parts of the commercial city were coming online. Daily average supply has hovered around 4,500 megawatts in recent times until the sixth collapse this year.

Nigeria's grid has shut down due to aging power infrastructure, vandalism and inadequate gas supply for its thermal plants which accounts for over 75% of output. 

Reuters

Related story: Millions in Nigeria have little to no electricity. It’s straining businesses and public services

 

Nigeria Football team boycotts Africa Cup qualifier after being stranded at Libya airport

Nigeria’s soccer players returned to their country dancing and singing on Monday after boycotting their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Libya where they were stranded overnight at Al Abraq Airport in what the team captain described as “mind games.”

Though authorities in Libya denied it was sabotage, the Confederation of African Football which organizes the competition said it will investigate the “disturbing and unacceptable experiences” of Nigeria.

The Super Eagles were scheduled to play the Group D game on Tuesday. Nigeria won 1-0 when the teams played on Friday, when similar accusations of sabotage from the Libya team came after they were delayed at a Nigerian airport.

Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong said the plane was due to land at Benghazi Airport but was diverted at the last minute to Al Abraq some 220 kilometers (130 miles) away.

“The Libyan government rescinded our approved landing in Benghazi with no reason,” Troost-Ekong said on X. “They’ve locked the airport gates and left us without phone connection, food or drink. All to play mind games. As the captain, together with the team, we have decided that we will not play this game.”

The Libyan Football Federation said it regretted the flight diversion, adding: “It is essential to note that such incidents can occur due to routine air traffic control protocols, security checks or logistical challenges that affect international air travel,” it said on X.

CAF said it referred the incident to its disciplinary board which will take “appropriate action against those who violated” its rules.

Pictures posted online by the players showed some of them lying on airport seats, their luggage beside them and with no other passengers in sight. By Monday morning, some of them were asleep.

Nigerian Football Federation spokesman Ademola Olajire said the team spent 19 hours at the Libyan airport and they were prevented from leaving the facility to board the buses that Nigerian officials eventually hired.

“At past midnight, it was learnt that there had been word from ‘higher authorities’ that the Nigeria delegation should be delayed for a minimum of 10 hours at the airport for what they falsely claimed was done to their team in Nigeria,” Olajire said without elaborating.

The Nigerian players and officials eventually resorted to games and music to play down their anger and frustration, he said.

Among the players in Nigeria’s squad were Ademola Lookman, who scored a hat trick for Atalanta in the Europa League final last season and is on the Ballon d’Or shortlist, and Victor Boniface, a striker for German champion Bayer Leverkusen.

English Premier League players Ola Aina, Calvin Bassey, Alex Iwobi, Taiwo Awoniyi and Wilfred Ndidi were also in the team that beat Libya 1-0 on Friday.

The Libya team accused Nigeria of maltreatment ahead of the first leg, an allegation the Nigerian federation denied.

Libya captain Faisal Al-Badri said they were delayed “from one city to another” for three hours after their bags were searched, and before they were transported on a road trip to the city where the match was played. He had called for “reciprocity.”

Nigeria sports minister John Owan Enoh said he instructed the soccer federation to send a formal complaint to CAF. “This must be on record and thoroughly addressed,” he said in a statement.

By Chinedu Asasdu, AP

Video - Nigerian flamingoes set for the FIFA Under 17 Women's World Cup

The Nigerian Flamingoes have wrapped up their preparations for the eighth FIFA Under-17 Women's World Cup set for the Dominican Republic from next week. They head into the competition as one of the strong contenders from Africa after finishing the third in the previous edition.

CGTN

Video - Nigerian health workers seek increased government support to control malaria

According to Nigeria's Ministry of Health, about 55 million people in the country contract malaria annually. Out of those, 90,000 die. Health experts are now urging the government to scale up efforts to address the issue.

CGTN

Former Nigeria national team goalkeeper passes away

 Former Nigeria national team goalkeeper Peter “Apo” Fregene has sadly passed away after a prolonged battle with health issues.

He was 77 years old.

Fregene, a 1968 Olympian, died peacefully in the presence of his wife, Tina, and two children.

Segun Odegbami, a renowned sports journalist and former Nigerian international, confirmed the development.

Odegbami, a former national team captain, expressed gratitude to the numerous individuals who supported Fregene’s treatment until his eventual death.

“On behalf of all generations of Nigerian footballers, Olympians, sports persons, his family, friends, fans and a few incredible Nigerians that quietly rallied round and, with their support, prayers and the will of the Creator of the Universe, kept him alive until this night, I say a big ‘thank you’,” Odegbami wrote on his Facebook Page.

Fregene’s health struggles had sparked widespread concern, prompting an outpouring of support from the sports community.

Frantic effort to save Fregene

PREMIUM TIMES reported how three generous Nigerians volunteered to support his treatment at Obule Medical Centre in Sapele, Delta State.

This was on the heels of Odegbami’s initial appeal for assistance, sharing a distressing photo highlighting Fregene’s dire situation.

He noted that repeated appeals to well-known philanthropists had yielded support in the past but expressed concern that these individuals may be exhausted from continually supporting Nigerian sports heroes in need.

The sports community’s response brought comfort to Fregene’s family, with Odegbami thanking Nigerians for their response to the “humble cry of their hero currently in distress.”

However, he also lamented the government’s neglect of sports, leaving veterans like Fregene vulnerable.

Odegbami posed a poignant question: “Why can’t we set up a simple welfare scheme for active and retired athletes to take care of our declining health in old age?”

This highlights the need for systemic support for Nigeria’s sports heroes.

As the football community mourns Fregene’s passing, his legacy as a dedicated athlete and Nigerian icon will be remembered.

Mr Odegbami’s final words to Fregene reads:

“Good night ‘Apo’.

“Rest, my friend, rest in peace, finally!” 

By Tunde Eludini, Premium Times