The Bishop of Ogoja Diocese, Anglican Communion, The Rt. Rev’d Ifeanyi Akunna, has commiserated with the family of one woman who was reportedly trampled to death on Thursday in a stampede triggered by a food distribution programme organised by the Cross River State government.
In a statement he personally signed, Bishop Akunna, said he was “deeply saddened” by the “distressing news of the tragic loss of lives and injuries sustained during the empowerment distribution in Ogoja.

“On behalf of the Anglican Diocese of Ogoja, we extend our heartfelt condolences to the families who lost their beloved ones in this unfortunate incident. No words can adequately express the pain of losing a loved one, especially under circumstances that could have been avoided,” stated the Bishop.
He continued, “Our hearts go out to the bereaved families, and we pray that the Holy Spirit, our Divine Comforter, will console, strengthen and uphold them in this difficult moment,” stressing, “May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.”
The Bishop equally commiserated with the Government and people of Cross River State, stressing,”it is indeed heartbreaking that an initiative intended to bring relief, hope and assistance to the good people of Ogoja ended in sorrow, mourning and the needless loss of innocent lives.
“What was meant to be a gesture of goodwill and compassion has sadly turned into an occasion of grief,” he regretted.
“While we sincerely commend the Cross River State Government for its various empowerment and welfare initiatives, we also appeal that appropriate measures be taken to ensure that such a tragedy never re-occurs” urged the Bishop.
“The distribution of relief materials and other public welfare interventions must be properly coordinated, with adequate security arrangements, crowd-control measures and respect for the dignity and safety of every human life.”
He appreciated Governor Bassey Otu’s “commitment to bearing the medical expenses of those currently receiving treatment in the hospital,” adding that, “this compassionate gesture is commendable and should be sustained until the victims have fully recovered.”
Bishop Akunna commended the timely intervention of the Nigerian military and the Police, saying the move “brought the situation under control and prevented further casualties.”

By Our Reporter

President Bola Tinubu has accused opposition politicians and past administrations of contributing to Nigeria’s hunger and poverty, insisting that his government is taking steps to address the economic challenges confronting the country.

Tinubu made the remarks on Saturday at the flag-off of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign in Kaduna, where he defended his administration’s economic policies and urged Nigerians to support his bid for a second term in the January 2027 presidential election.

“ I hear my opponents talking about hunger and poverty. But who created these problems? They created them, and we are working to eradicate them,” he said.

The president maintained that his administration was laying the groundwork for economic growth, prosperity and improved opportunities, particularly for young Nigerians.

“We have prosperity, consistency, growth, recovery and opportunities for our people,” Tinubu said, dismissing criticisms from political opponents.

He called on Kaduna residents to renew their support for him, recalling their backing during the 2023 presidential election. He also urged them to vote for APC candidates seeking other elective positions in 2027.

“Your prosperity is here. Your future is in your hands. Your fingerprints on the ballot will determine it. Be careful and watch out for those who want to mislead you,” he said.

Tinubu also defended the removal of the petrol subsidy, describing the policy as necessary to curb corruption and eliminate economic leakages.

“What is past is past. Fuel subsidy is behind us. We are working towards ending corruption, falsification of invoices, dishonesty and the smuggling of goods,” he said.

He promised to sustain government programmes designed to improve the welfare and future prospects of young Nigerians.

The president also praised APC governors, saying they were implementing development initiatives and ensuring the regular payment of workers’ salaries.

Earlier, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani called on residents to support Tinubu’s re-election, citing federal government interventions in infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture and security.

Sani said the Tinubu administration had delivered on important commitments made to the state during the 2023 campaign, particularly the reconstruction of the Kaduna-Birnin Gwari Road and efforts to improve security along the route.

He disclosed that N178 billion had been released for the rehabilitation of the 123-kilometre road, which he said had been neglected for more than 40 years.

“Today, you can travel to Birnin Gwari without a police escort. That is progress, Mr President, and we thank you for it,” he said.

The governor further stated that more than 300 schools and over 150 primary healthcare centres that had been closed because of insecurity had reopened.

He also disclosed that approval had been obtained for the proposed Kaduna metropolitan red-line rail project.

According to Sani, the North-West region received N84 billion through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), with about 414,000 students benefiting from the intervention.

He argued that the projects and interventions demonstrated the importance of continuity in government and urged Kaduna voters to re-elect Tinubu and support other APC candidates in the 2027 elections.

By Chidera Orji

In the drive to boost power supply in the country especially in Kano and Katsina states and their environs, the Minister of Power, Engr. Joseph Olasukanmi Tegbe, has commissioned five transmission substation projects in Kano and Katsina States.

The Minister also used the opportunity and inspected the ongoing GIS substation in Katsina.

The events which were held on Thursday, 22nd and Friday, 23rd October, 2026 respectively in Kano and Katsina states, saw the commissioned projects adding a total of 240MW at 330kV level and 376MW at the 132kV level to the nation’s transmission network, thereby boosting bulk power supply in the North Eastern axis.

In Katsina State, the Minister commissioned two 60MVA power transformers at the Kankia Transmission Substation, increasing its installed capacity by 150 per cent, performed the groundbreaking ceremony for a new 120MVA transmission substation comprising two 60MVA transformers, and also inspected ongoing works at the new 200MVA GIS substation at the 330kV Katsina Substation.

Speaking during the projects commissioning at Kankia Substation, Tegbe said the installation of the two 60MVA, power transformers increased the substation’s installed capacity from 60MVA to 150MVA, equivalent to 120MW substations capacity, noting that the projects are a testament to President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the determination to reset the power sector as a foundation for national development.

While performing the groundbreaking ceremony for the 120MVA transmission substation, at Mashi the Minister noted that upon completion, the project will provide additional 120MVA, equivalent to 96MW, to strengthen supply to Mashi and neighbouring communities.

Tegbe noted that issues associated with wayleave and compensation for Project Affected Persons (PAPs) have been resolved, adding that the groundbreaking signifies the official commencement of construction works.

“Today, we break ground in Mashi with a clear purpose, which is to build electricity infrastructure that supports livelihoods and gives this community greater room to grow,” he said.

While acknowledging the World Bank for projects funding, the minister noted that the Katsina projects were delivered by the Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Federal Ministry of Power and Transmission Company of Nigeria, with the aim of strengthening electricity transmission infrastructure and improving bulk power supply across Katsina State.

Speaking, during the projects commissioning, the MDCEO, TCN Engr. Sule Abdulaziz, said that the new projects added new capacities to the transmission network while addressing capacity limitations, noting that the works also involved modernization of the control room to digital control and protection panels, expansion of the 33kV busbar and installation of additional outgoing feeders.

The 96MW Mashi project he said, will further “strengthen bulk power delivery to Mashi and neighboring communities, improve voltage performance, and provide room to accommodate future growth in electricity demand.

Abdulaziz noted that as the Transmission Service Provider, TCN remains committed to developing and maintaining the transmission infrastructure required to convey bulk electricity to distribution companies for onward delivery to consumers. “We will continue to work with NISO, KEDCO and other stakeholders to ensure a more reliable and efficient electricity supply chain”, he added.

Earlier in Kano State, on Thursday, 22nd October, 2026, Engr. Tegbe commissioned the new Walalambe, Transmission Substation comprising two units of 40MVA, transformers. At Kumbotso Transmission Substation, new 300MVA and 100MVA, power transformers were commissioned by the honorable minister, while one number 100MVA, power transformers were commissioned in Dakata Substation as well as in Dan Agundi Transmission Substation respectively.

According to him, the task before the Ministry of Power is to provide infrastructure that allows enterprise to flourish. “With these projects just inaugurated, the Federal Government has opened a new route for bulk electricity to reach the industrial and commercial corridors where investment, production and employment depend on it. This is significant for the communities and for the wider Kano electricity network as it creates a new supply point and relieves pressure on existing facilities,” he said.

The Minister also highlighted the provision of a dedicated 33kV feeder to Lee Group of Companies, which had operated off-grid for more than 30 years. He said connecting the company to the national grid demonstrated the importance of transmission infrastructure in supporting industrial development.

He disclosed that he had directed the Ministry to prioritise the development of three energy zones to promote balanced electricity supply across the country, and pledged to work with the Kano State Government and relevant power sector stakeholders to harmonise interventions and avoid duplication.

He commended Transmission Company of Nigeria and the World Bank for their contributions and appealed to host communities to protect the facilities from vandalism. In his words, “Please help us protect this infrastructure and ensure our vigilance is stronger than ever, to fight the challenge of infrastructure vandalism across the country,” he said.

Tegbe noted that the Kano projects has further strengthened bulk electricity supply to Kano’s industrial, commercial and residential areas by relieving overloaded substations and creating room to meet previously suppressed demand. The present administration, he said is undertaking several power projects to boost electricity supply to ensure that every Nigerian has access to electricity and assured that the government will continue to do all that is required to make this possible.

The Managing Director of TCN, Engr. Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz, said the projects commissioned, reflect the company’s commitment to further expanding the nation’s transmission network and noted that similar completed and ongoing projects are distributed nationwide.

In his words, “Across the six geopolitical zones, TCN will continue to pursue the expansion of transmission infrastructure, the rehabilitation of existing facilities and the modernization of critical equipment. These efforts are directed at strengthening the national transmission network and supporting the Federal Government’s power sector development objectives under the Renewed Hope Agenda,” he said. He appealed to communities to protect national assets, respect transmission Right-of-Way corridors and report suspicious activities.