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“Saudi Arabia Should Build A Second National Grid For Us And Leave Reforms” – Shehu Sani
Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, recently expressed his opinion on Saudi Arabia’s support for Nigeria’s economic reforms, suggesting that the country focus on a more immediate and practical form of assistance.
Sani’s comment came in response to reports of Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammed Al Saud, assuring Nigeria of support for its economic transformation.
This assurance was made during a meeting with President Bola Tinubu on the sidelines of the Arab-Islamic Summit in Riyadh, where the two leaders discussed various areas of collaboration.
A statement from Tinubu’s spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, revealed that the leaders talked about potential cooperation in sectors such as oil and gas, agriculture, infrastructure, and the creation of a Saudi-Nigeria Business Council.
One of the key items on the table was a proposed $5 billion bilateral trade facility aimed at enhancing economic ties between the two nations.
Additionally, it was noted that the Saudi Agricultural and Livestock Investment Company (SALIC) had already made a significant investment in Nigeria, acquiring a 35.43% stake in Olam Agri, one of the country’s largest agricultural firms, with a $1.24 billion investment in 2022.
In his reaction, Sani took to X (formerly Twitter), where he jokingly suggested that while Saudi Arabia’s support for Nigeria’s reforms is appreciated, a more pressing need for the country would be the construction of a second national power grid.
Sani’s statement underscored the challenges Nigeria faces in its energy sector, with frequent power outages and inadequate infrastructure hindering the country’s growth.
He humorously added that the issue of economic reforms could be dealt with later, implying that addressing Nigeria’s energy needs should be a priority
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has reportedly declared a strike at Taraba State University over outstanding salary-related demands and delays in payments.
The strike is scheduled to begin today, October 12, 2026. According to the union’s chairman, the union had been engaging the Taraba State Government over its outstanding demands since February 2026.
“The union had exercised considerable patience and demonstrated its commitment to dialogue since February 2026, when it began engaging the Taraba State Government over the outstanding issues,” Mbave said.
“The union had earlier suspended its planned industrial action following an appeal by the government for additional time through the Office of the Head of Civil Service, in the interest of maintaining industrial harmony,” the chairman added.
The Chairman of Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State, Torseer Yina, has imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew in the ancient town.
The curfew takes effect from Thursday, October 8, 2026, following unrest and violent protests in the area.
According to reports, the action was taken to contain the unrest and violent protests by members of BEMOA following the death of one of its members by unknown gunmen.
The protest, which was reportedly hijacked by hoodlums, turned violent after an angry mob burnt two vehicles belonging to the Benue State Civil Protection Guards.
The Gboko council chairman said the curfew takes effect immediately and warned that anyone caught flouting the order or breaching public peace would be decisively dealt with.
Nine people have died in a fatal road crash along the Ijebu-Ode-Benin Expressway in Ogun State.
The crash occurred on Monday at about 4:55pm around the Bethel area along the Ijebu-Ode/Ore axis of the expressway. It involved a white Toyota Hiace commercial bus belonging to Delta Line and a white Sino truck operated by Bill Gas Solution Ltd.
According to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), all nine people involved in the crash, comprising three males and six females, died in the incident.
The FRSC said the crash occurred while it was raining and the road was wet, with preliminary investigations identifying speed violation as the probable cause.
The FRSC rescue team arrived at the scene shortly after receiving the report, while the bodies of the victims were taken to the General Hospital Morgue in Ijebu-Ode.
The Ogun State Sector Commander, Oludare Ogunjobi, urged motorists, especially commercial drivers, to obey speed limits and exercise extra caution when driving in the rain.
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