IMO BREAKING NEWS BLOG

The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) has announced that full power supply will be restored to Abuja and surrounding areas by February 23, following ongoing repairs by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) on a vandalized underground transmission line near Millennium Park.

AEDC, in a statement on its official X handle, assured affected residents that TCN engineers are working round the clock to fix the damage. In the meantime, load management will be implemented to optimize available electricity.

The company also revealed that 188 areas under its franchise in the FCT have faced widespread outages in the past two months due to technical faults. Despite generating N229.39 billion in electricity revenue in 2024, power cuts persisted due to feeder faults, maintenance work, and infrastructure relocations.

AEDC reaffirmed its commitment to resolving these challenges swiftly and urged customers to remain patient. 

The much-anticipated Pi Open Network will officially launch on February 20, 2025, marking a major milestone after six years of development and engagement from millions of users, known as Pioneers.

The announcement was made via the Pi Core Team’s official X (formerly Twitter) account on February 12, confirming that the Open Network will go live at 8 AM UTC on February 20.

What to Expect at Launch

The Open Network launch will introduce external connectivity, enabling the Pi blockchain to integrate with other networks and real-world applications. The firewall will be removed, allowing external nodes to connect to the Mainnet, expanding Pi’s utility beyond its internal ecosystem.

Key expectations include:

✅ Transactions beyond the Pi ecosystem – Pioneers can use Pi for real-world applications.

✅ Public node participation – Anyone can technically add nodes to the Mainnet blockchain.

✅ Prioritized migration – Pioneers with strong contributions will transition first from Testnet to Mainnet.

✅ KYC & KYB requirements – Individuals and businesses must complete Know Your Customer (KYC) and Know Your Business (KYB) verification for participation.

Impact on Pi’s Value

Following the announcement, Pi’s IOU price surged by approximately 70% on CoinMarketCap, reflecting heightened interest in the project.

How Pioneers and Developers Can Contribute

🔹 Pioneers: Continue mining, engage with Pi Apps, and support local commerce by using Pi for transactions.

🔹 Developers: Enhance existing Mainnet apps and create new blockchain solutions for the Pi ecosystem.

🔹 Businesses: Complete KYB verification to enable seamless transactions within the network.

As Pi Network enters this new phase, its community of Pioneers, developers, and businesses is expected to collaborate and innovate, ensuring a sustainable and robust blockchain ecosystem. 

The Senate Committee on Public Accounts questioned AIG Suleiman Abdul over the disappearance of 3,907 assault rifles, including AK-47s, from police formations. The 2019 audit report revealed that as of January 2020, these weapons remained unaccounted for.

Despite intense questioning, AIG Abdul failed to provide satisfactory answers, prompting him to request a closed-door session, which the senators rejected. Senators Adams Oshiomhole and Peter Nwaebonyi insisted on full transparency, criticizing the police for failing to account for the missing firearms.

The AIG could only confirm the recovery of 15 rifles, further frustrating the committee. The Senate ordered the police to return next Monday with a full report, ensuring that the issue would not be overlooked. 

The authorities of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Anambra State, have commenced an investigation into a scuffle involving a lecturer in the Department of Theatre Arts of the institution and a student over a filmed social media content. A spokesman of the school, Njelita Louis, said the management of the institution led by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Joseph Ikechebelu, would impose the appropriate sanction on any of the parties found culpable.

In viral videos, a third-year student in the Department of History and International Studies, Goddy Precious, was seen around the corridors dancing before her phone, capturing a TikTok moment when the lecturer, Dr. Chukwudi Okoye, walked past her from behind. The lecturer gently tapped the female student on the shoulder, asking her to give way, but the student was pissed by the lecturer’s action and interruption of her video moment.

In the viral videos, the female student accused the lecturer of hitting her, locked his shirt and dragged him among students. The female student also allegedly bit the lecturer on the wrist and arm during the brawl. While the episode lasted, the lecturer was captured maintaining his composure. The viral videos have generated reactions online, with many netizens taking sides.

In a statement, the institution said, “The management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, has been made aware of a disturbing incident involving Dr. Chukwudi Okoye, a lecturer in the Department of Theatre Arts and Film Studies, and Goddy Mbakwe Precious, a third-year student in the Department of History and International Studies. “The incident, which has gained significant attention on social media, is being taken very seriously by the university authorities.

“In line with our core values of discipline, self-reliance, excellence, and adherence to the principles of fair hearing, equity, and justice, the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Joseph Ikechebelu, has ordered a full-scale, transparent, and unbiased investigation into the matter. “We urge all concerned parties and members of the public to remain calm as we diligently pursue the truth. The university is committed to upholding discipline and decorum, and we will ensure that appropriate actions and sanctions are taken based on the outcome of the investigation.

“Nnamdi Azikiwe University remains an institution of learning that upholds high moral and ethical standards. There is no place for indiscipline, misconduct, or any form of unacceptable behaviour within our community.”

Amid the announcement of a breakup with his wife, Annie Macualay, Nigerian Music star Innocent Idibia popularly known as Tuface or 2baba, has confirmed relationship with the Deputy Majority Leader of the Edo State House of Assembly, Natasha Osawaru.

With rumours of their relationship flying around, Tuface caused a stir on Monday when he appeared at the Edo State House of Assembly during plenary. While many on social media wondered what his appearance at the House was for, others viewed that as a confirmation of the rumoured romance with the Edo State lawmaker.

However, the legendary singer addressed the rumours in a video post on his Instagram handle early Wednesday morning. Confirming his affection for the lawmaker, Tuface stated: “Yes, I love her. I want to marry her.” He added: “I said what I said. All of us will be alright… Honourable Natasha, I see she has been dragged, she has been called all sorts of names. She has been labelled as a home breaker. She is a young, brilliant and amazing woman.”

The singer also said that his new love is not responsible for the marital tension between him and his wife, Annie. “She has nothing to do with what’s happening between me and Annie. But I see everybody trying to allegedly want to rope her into everything. Yes, I love her. She is amazing, she is cool, I want to marry her,” Tuface said.

In January, Tuface shocked the social media space when he announced that he and his wife Annie have been separated for a while and have filed for a divorce. He had said: “Hello to my beautiful people of all federations. Well, this thing I have to say is short but also long. Annie Macaulay and I have been separated for a while and have filed for divorce.

“I would grant a press release soon to say my story—not because it is anyone’s right to know about my personal life, but because I love my people, and I need them to know my innocence or offence. Stay blessed, my people. I love you all.” 

Following a motion of urgent national importance by a member, Oboku Oforji, the House of Representatives on Tuesday called for the immediate suspension of the 50% hike in telecoms tariff. The House also decried the poor service delivery from telecom operators and insisted that an increase in tariff should not happen until service improves.

The lawmakers ordered the NCC and the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, to suspend the tariff increase because of the economic hardship in the country. This was as telecommunications operators in the country began the implementation of the new tariff regime earlier approved by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

Many subscribers on social media who used the services of telecoms operators on Tuesday observed about 50% increase in the cost of calls, data and text messages. As of December 2023, Nigeria has over 224 million subscribers, according to official data by the regulator. MTN boasts of over 87 million subscribers, representing 38.79% of the total market share, the highest in the country by any licensed Mobile Network Operator (MNO). Globacom and Airtel have 61 million subscribers each while 9mobile has 13.9 million users.

Earlier in January, the NCC said telephone subscribers in Nigeria would pay more for data and airtime as it approved a 50% tariff increase for telecoms operators in the country. A spokesman for the regulator Reuben Muoka had said the price adjustment though lower than the “over 100% requested by some network operators, was arrived at taking into account ongoing industry reforms that will positively influence sustainability”. The regulator had said the increase was pursuant to its power under Section 108 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003 (NCA) to regulate and approve tariff rates and charges by telecommunications operators.

Also, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) had threatened an industrial action, demanding a reversal of the hike but the labour unions aborted their rallies after last-minute talks with government representatives.