No fewer than 110.7 million Nigerians out of a 195.8 million estimated population had access to electricity as of 2018, according to the latest global energy progress report.

This represents a 57 per cent national electricity access rate compared with the global average of 90 per cent, says the report launched at the United Nations on Thursday.

It indicates an increase in the number of Nigerians with access to electricity by 34.6 million people from 76.1 million in 2010.

On the global scene, the report says the world has made promising progress towards ensuring universal access to sustainable energy over the last decade.

According to the document, the number of people without access to electricity dropped from 1.2 billion globally in 2010 to 789 million in 2018.

This, however, is not the case in Nigeria, where the figure rather increased from 82.4 million people without electricity access in 2010 to 85.2 million in 2018.

The reports states that renewable energy solutions played a big role in the global progress, with more than 136 million people receiving basic electricity services from off-grid sources by 2018.

According to the document, the world saw an improvement in renewable energy consumption from 16.3 per cent in 2010 to 17.3 per cent in 2018.

In Nigeria, the report shows that renewables accounted for 83 per cent of the total energy consumed by the citizens in 2017.

But there was a decline in the renewables to total energy ratio in the country from 86.9 per cent in 2010 to the 83 per cent recorded in 2017.

Still, unless efforts are stepped up significantly, an estimated 620 million people globally would remain without access to electricity in 2030.

This number could become even higher with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the report warns.

Titled Tracking SDG 7: The Energy Progress Report, the document is published annually by custodian agencies of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7, which targets energy access for all.

It provides the most comprehensive look available at the worlds progress towards global energy targets on access to electricity, clean cooking, renewable energy and energy efficiency.

The report also serves to guide international cooperation and policy making to achieve universal and sustainable energy access by 2030.

It is produced by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) in collaboration with the International Energy Agency (IEA), World Bank, Word Health Organisation (WHO) and other relevant agencies.

The report also captures a huge increase in the number of Nigerians with access to clean cooking fuels and technologies between 2010 and 2018.

As of 2018, 20.5 million people or 10 per cent of the population had access to clean cooking energy, up from just 2.7 million people in 2010.

But many Nigerians remained behind on this score with 175.4 million citizens lacking access to clean cooking energy sources in 2018 as against 155.8 million people in 2010.

This also means that the country missed out on the global decline in the number of people without access to clean cooking energy sources from three billion in 2010 to 2.8 billion in 2018.

However, the report reflects an improvement in the countrys energy efficiency by 6.4 per cent between 2015 and 2017, higher than the global average of 5 per cent.

On financing, the document indicates that Nigeria received a total of five billion dollars (about N1.8 trillion) from abroad in support of its renewable energy efforts.

This included funds from the countrys international development partners under Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement on renewable energy projects.

Source: NAN News

Fuji Rock Festival

Fuji Rock Festival, Japans biggest annual music event, will be cancelled for the first time ever due to the coronavirus pandemic, organisers said.

The cancellation disappointed thousands of rock-and-roll fans who flock to the outdoor festivities every year.

Since its inception in 1997, headiners at the event have included The Red Hot Chilli Peppers, The Cure and Kendrick Lamar.

Last year, the event held in the summer, attracted 130,000 people over four days.

We had hoped the pandemic would abate in time to hold this summers festival as scheduled and were moving forward with planning, the organisers said on their website.

They apologized for taking so long to inform everyone of the decision.

This years festival had been scheduled for three days from August 21, with American rock band The Strokes among the acts.

Fuji Rock and Complete Cancellation were among the top-trending topics on Twitter, after organisers made the announcement.

I saw the words complete cancellation and thought it was about the Olympics, lamented Twitter user @taako_chako. Its about Fuji Rock? Such a shame.

Japan last month lifted its state of emergency but strict in-bound travel restrictions remain in place, with most non-Japanese nationals not allowed in.

Japan has been hit by around 18,000 infections and 900 deaths from the coronavirus pandemic. (Reuters/NAN)

Source: NAN News

Governor Godwin Obaseki has been dragged before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, accused of certificate forgery and perjury.

The case was filed on 29 May.

The plaintiffs in the case, according to a report by Independent, are Edobor Williams, Ugbesia Abudu Godwin and Amedu Dauda Anakhu.

Joined as defendants are the All Progressives Congress (APC), Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Inspector- General of Police (IGP).

The litigants want the court to determine whether Obaseki presented a fake University of Ibadan certificate to run for election in 2016.

A callous gang of brothers, the Emmanuels, have been arrested by the Nigerian police, after they gruesomely killed a 55 year-old woman, buried her in a tank and then demanded ransom for the body.

The brothers, born by same parents, were arrested by police operatives attached to the Intelligence Response Unit of the Nigeria Police Force.

They were identified as Johnson Emmanuel, 38; Gideon Emmanuel, 31 and Success Emmanuel, 27years old.

According to the police, the three men kidnapped and killed Janet Nnenna Ogbonnaya, a widow and mother of five children in Abuja.

They were arrested in their home town of Isiekenesi, Ideato LGA of Imo State, where they had taken refuge from the long hands of the law.

Investigations that led to the arrest of the suspects was sequel to complaints received from one of the children of the woman, Chinedu.

He told the police that his mother, from Ozuitem in Bende LGA of Abia State had been kidnapped and a 5-Million naira ransom demanded before she could be released.

A comprehensive and painstaking investigation by the police operatives resulted in the arrest of the three suspects.

Then they made the confession that Janet had long been murdered and buried.

Further findings revealed that Janet, a Facebook friend of the principal suspect – Johnson Emmanuel, was lured from her home in Gwagwalada to visit the suspect.

The suspect thereafter took advantage of the visit, served her yoghurt laced with drugs and subsequently had her murdered.

The suspect having killed the victim and buried her remains in a septic tank, went ahead to reach out to the family of the victim using her phone and demanded 5-Million naira ransom as pre-condition for her release. ​

Police said the suspects led a team of investigators alongside pathologists to a residence at Wumba District, Lokogoma, Abuja where the victim’s decomposing body was exhumed from a septic tank.

The exhumed body has been taken to the University Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada, Abuja for forensic examination, the police said.

A Toyota Highlander Jeep belonging to the deceased has also been recovered by Police operatives at a mechanic workshop in Apo where it had been repainted into a different colour.

The vehicle documents had also been fraudulently changed and ownership of the stolen vehicle transferred to Johnson Emmanuel, the mastermind of the crime.

Investigations also revealed that the house where the deceased was killed and buried originally belonged to one of the suspects.

The house was hurriedly sold-off to a third party apparently to obliterate evidence.

The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, commended the operatives for cracking the case.

He also gave an assurance that perpetrators of any form of crimes in the country will not go undetected and unpunished.

He however enjoined citizens to be more security conscious and report any suspicious activities within their neighbourhood to the nearest police station.

As part of Valentine’s Day celebrations, two nollywood films ‘Dear Affy’ and ‘Special Jollof’ have debuted in the cinemas.

According to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) the romantic comedies join a league of foreign films and crossover holiday films intended for the Valentine audience.

‘Dear Affy’ tells the story of a beautiful career lady who is about to get married to the man of her dream who is on the verge of sealing millions of naira worth of contract with a conglomerate in a construction industry.

However, he is faced with the devil and the deep blue sea as sealing the contract is hinged on him having an intimate affair with the female billionaire contractor by all means just few weeks to his wedding.

The film, directed by Samuel Olatunji and stars singer, Teniola Apata, BBNaija’s Sir Dee, Kehinde Bankole, Enyinna Nwigwe and Bimbo Ademoye among others.

Reports has it that ‘Special Jollof’, directed by Emem Isong follows Rachel Hudson who was living the life with a loving, successful and thriving journalist fiance.

Everything for her was just perfect until a shocking discovery sends her perfect life shattering before her eyes, giving rise to a grudge against immigrants who she holds responsible for her woes.

As her revenge, Rachel is determined to expose illegal immigrants and have them deported.

Isong took to Instagram to announce the film. She wrote @ememisong, “Our movie will be a great way to spend the Valentine weekend.”

Valentine’s Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine, is celebrated annually on Feb. 14, as a significant cultural, religious, and commercial celebration of love in many regions around the world.

Source: (NAN)

The leadership of Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) has come under attack for issuing a certificate of return to the new Bayelsa State governor-elect, Diri Duoye of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

The Supreme Court had on Thursday ordered INEC to give Diri the certificate after it ruled that the candidate of All Progressive Congress (APC), David Lyon and his deputy Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo were no longer the winners of the election. The decision was based on the grounds that Lyon’s deputy presented fake information to contest for the election.

The INEC met on Friday after which it decided to issue the certificate of retun to the PDP candidate and declared him the governor-elect of Bayelsa State.

National Chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole faulted INEC for hurriedly issued the certificate of return to the PDP candidate, adding that by so doing, the INEC has assumed to itself the power to interprete the law, a contradiction of its statutory function as the election umpire.

“For us in APC, INEC erred in the law for issuing the certificate of return to the PDP candidate because the Supreme Court judgement is ambiguous on what next to do. But with the action of INEC, it has assumed the power of a law court and we view this action as a rape on our right as a party,” said Oshiomohle during a press conference at the APC secretariat in Abuja Friday’s evening.

“By its action, INEC assumed that the case of Bayelsa is the same thing that happened in Zamfara. Unfortunately, they are two different cases. Our position is that INEC can’t import or delete from the judgement and if it does, it has exceeded its power. This we won’t accept.

We hereby reject the action of INEC to declare PDP as the winner of Bayelsa’s gubernatorial election.

“We will explore all viable option we have under the law to pursue our case because we recognise the role and the power of the judiciary in any democratic dispensation. Our quarrel is with INEC for taking up the function of the court in this matter.

“While we will maintain peace, we will not relent in sustaining the tempo of fighting for our right in this matter. We believe INEC is in contempt of the decision of the Supreme Court and it has by its action trying to weaken the fabric of our democracy by imposing the decision of the few minorities on the majority of the people of Bayelsa who had voted massively for the choice in APC.

“We are going back to the court to seek legal redress on this matter. Our people should be law abiding and maintain peace. You don’t laugh at the crocodiles until you have crossed all the rivers,” the APC National Chairman said.

Source: PM Express

Police operatives in Lagos have arrested a 36-year old man, Olasehan Opeyemi, who reportedly derives satisfaction from inserting fingers into under aged girls’ private parts in order for him to explain what his other motives were.

According to P.M.EXPRESS, Opeyemi landed in trouble after many escapes as he tried out his neighbour’s 10-year girl and the girl informed her parents about what happened.

The incident happened at Ijora Badia area of Lagos where they reside.

The parents of the victim did not take the alleged assault on her lightly and went to the Police Station to report the matter. Opeyemi was subsequently arrested and later transferred to the Gender Section of the Police Command.

At the Command, he was said to have told the Police that he was not really putting his finger but was checking something in her private part which be failed to tell the Police.

Having been found culpable, the Police then charged him before the Ogba Magistrates Court for penetration with his finger which is statutory rape under the criminal code.

The alleged offence attracts several years of imprisonment if he is tried and found guilty before the Court.

The Court did not take his plea after the prosecutor asked the Court to refer the matter to the DPP because it was a case of penetration with the finger on a minor.

The Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. O. Sule-Amzat, ordered him to be remanded in prison custody without an option of bail pending the outcome of DPP’s advice.

The Court also directed the prosecutor to duplicate the file and send to the DPP for advice and adjourned the matter till 16th April, 2020.

A 35-year old man, Adeoyo Isiaka, has been arrested in Lagos for tricking a 17-year old girl into sex by fondling her breasts and getting her confused.

According to P.M.EXPRESS the incident happened at Greenland Estate, Isheri Olofin area of Lagos, where they reside.

It was alleged that the suspect, Isiaka, lured the victim into his apartment, used words of mouth to hold her, fondled her breasts and she became confused. He then reportedly lured her to the bed, removed her pant and penetrated her.

Thereafter, the victim regained her senses and protested that she was raped because she did not consent to the act.

The matter was reported to the Police in the area; Isiaka was arrested and later transferred to the Gender Section of the Police Command.

After interrogation, he was found culpable and later charged before the Ogba Magistrates Court.

He was remanded following a motion by the prosecutor, Supol Ezekiel Ayorinde, for the Court to refer the matter to the DPP for advice.

The Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. B.O. Osunsanmi, ordered the defendant, Isiaka, to be remanded in prison custody without an option of bail while she directed the prosecutor to duplicate the file and send to the DPP for advice.

The matter was adjourned till 26th March, 2020. The case may be transferred to the High Court for trial if the DPP finds him culpable and recommends his trial for the alleged offence over jurisdiction.

The curiosity of a 14-year old boy to experience sex has landed him in trouble after he was allegedly caught having sex with a 5-year old girl in their house in Lagos.

According to P.M.EXPRESS, the boy reportedly confessed to the Police that he had heard so much about sex and decided to taste it.

Consequently he was arrested and now facing a charge for defilement which attracts several years of imprisonment if he is charged before the Court and found guilty.

The incident happened at Rasheed Street, Coconut Bus Stop, Olodi Apapa area of Lagos, where they reside.

It was gathered that the boy lured the victim to an apartment, removed her pant and engaged her in sex before they were caught by their neighbours who informed the victim’s parents.

The matter was reported to the Police in the area and the boy was arrested. He was later transferred to the Gender Section of the Police Command for interrogation.

During interrogation, the boy reportedly confessed to the crime and was then charged before the Ogba Magistrates Court for the alleged offence.

He pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, Supol Ezekiel Ayorinde, mentioned to the Court that it was a case of defilement between two minors and that it should be referred to the DPP for advice.

Hence, the Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. B.O. Osunsanmi, ordered the defendant to be remanded in correctional centre and directed the prosecutor to duplicate the file and send to the DPP for advice.

The matter was adjourned till 26th March, 2020.

Nollywood actresses Mercy Aigbe, Ini Edo and Lilian Esoro are sharing beautiful photos from their different spaces.

The trio also wrote lovely valentine notes to accompany these pictures and we’ve culled them for you to enjoy.

Mercy Aigbe wrote:

Happy Val’s day to my over 7million followers …. I love each and everyone of you from the bottom of my heart ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Ini says:

Love is the greatest… Happy Valentine’s Day to you and yours ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Lilian also wrote:

If it matters to you, you’ll find a way.