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Nationwide Strike: Blackout As Labour Union Shuts Down National Grid—-Electricity workers have shut down Nigeria’s National Grid following the midnight commencement of a strike action by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).

According to data from the Independent System Operator, power generation, which was 2,805.59 megawatts at midnight, plummeted to just 28 MW by 6 a.m. on Monday, with only Ibom Power remaining operational on the grid.

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) reported that union members forcibly removed its workers from their posts. In a statement, Ndidi Mbah, TCN’s General Manager of Public Affairs, confirmed the shutdown:

“TCN hereby informs the general public that the Labour Union has shut down the national grid, resulting in a nationwide blackout. The shutdown occurred at about 2:19 a.m. on June 3, 2024.”

Mbah detailed the severity of the situation, explaining that at 1:15 a.m., operators at the Benin Transmission Operator under TCN’s Independent System Operations unit were driven out of the control room, with some staff members beaten and injured during the altercation. This disruption led to the complete shutdown of the Benin Area Control Centre.

Several other transmission substations, including Ganmo, Benin, Ayede, Olorunsogo, Akangba, and Osogbo, were also shut down by the labour union. Some transmission lines were opened, exacerbating the power outage.

On the generation side, the strike forced the shutdown of several power-generating units. The Jebba Generating Station had to shut down one unit, followed by three more due to high frequency and system instability, ultimately leading to the grid collapse at 2:19 a.m.

Despite these challenges, TCN initiated grid recovery efforts at 3:23 a.m. using the Shiroro Substation to supply electricity to the Katampe Transmission Substation. However, the labour union’s actions continue to hinder nationwide grid recovery.

“We will continue to make efforts to recover and stabilize the grid to enable the restoration of normal bulk transmission of electricity to distribution load centres nationwide,” Mbah added.

The ongoing strike highlights significant tensions within Nigeria’s energy sector and underscores the critical need for resolution to restore stability and power across the nation. Stay tuned for further updates on the situation.

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Alex Jimenez Frozen Out by Bournemouth Amid Growing Online Controversy

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Alex Jimenez Frozen Out by Bournemouth

Alex Jimenez Frozen Out by Bournemouth Amid Growing Online Controversy—-AFC Bournemouth have confirmed that defender Alex Jimenez will not be part of the squad for their upcoming Premier League clash against Fulham FC following social media controversy involving the player.

In an official statement released on Friday, Bournemouth said the club is aware of posts currently circulating online concerning the right-back and has launched an investigation into the matter.

“The club understand the seriousness of the matter and it is currently being investigated,” the statement read.

As a result, Jimenez has been withdrawn from selection for the Fulham fixture while the club continues its internal review.

Bournemouth added that no further comments will be made at this stage.

The nature of the posts or allegations has not yet been publicly clarified, but the development has quickly generated attention online ahead of the club’s latest Premier League outing.

Further updates are expected as investigations continue.

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JUST IN: FG Cracks Down on Honorary Degree Abuse, Bans Use of ‘Dr’ Title

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FG Cracks Down on Honorary Degree Abuse

JUST IN: FG Cracks Down on Honorary Degree Abuse, Bans Use of ‘Dr’ Title—-Government says honorary doctorate holders who present themselves as academic doctors risk legal and reputational consequences

The Federal Government has announced a nationwide ban on the use of the “Dr” title by recipients of honorary doctorate degrees in official, academic, and professional settings.

The directive was unveiled on Wednesday by the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, during a briefing with State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Speaking alongside the Minister of State for Education, Suwaiba Ahmad, Alausa disclosed that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) had approved a new uniform policy regulating the award and usage of honorary degrees by Nigerian universities.

According to the minister, the move is intended to curb what the government describes as years of abuse, politicisation, and commercialisation of honorary academic awards.

“The recent trend we’ve seen with the award of honorary degrees has revealed a growing abuse and politicisation of this academic privilege,” Alausa said.

He noted that honorary awards have increasingly been used for political patronage, financial influence, and recognition of serving public office holders—practices he described as inconsistent with the ethical principles guiding honorary degrees.

Under the newly approved policy, recipients of honorary doctorates are no longer permitted to prefix “Dr” to their names. Instead, they must clearly indicate the honorary nature of the award by placing the designation after their names.

For example, recipients may use formats such as Chief Louis Clark, D.Lit. (Honoris Causa) or Mrs Miriam Adamu, LL.D. Hons.

Alausa stressed that misrepresenting honorary degrees as academically earned qualifications will now be regarded as academic fraud and may attract both legal and reputational consequences.

The government also introduced stricter rules on the categories of honorary degrees Nigerian universities are allowed to confer. Institutions will now be limited to only four honorary degree types:

  • Doctor of Laws (LL.D)
  • Doctor of Letters (D.Lit)
  • Doctor of Science (D.Sc)
  • Doctor of Humanities (D.Arts)

In addition, universities that do not operate active PhD programmes will no longer be allowed to award honorary doctorates.

The policy is expected to significantly affect public figures, politicians, entertainers, religious leaders, and business personalities who commonly adopt the “Dr” title after receiving honorary recognitions.

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