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The Kwara State Government has signed a technical agreement with two firms, Riccofortezza Steven Energy Limited and Rubited Power Limited for the implementation of operation Light-Up Kwara (LUK), an innovative solar-powered streetlight project.

Speaking during the signing on Wednesday at the Government House, Ilorin, the State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed said that the streetlight project will enhance security, create jobs, boost businesses, facilitate technology/skill transfer and ensure extended commerce hours for traders.

The governor added that LUK will herald the beginning of a green economy in Kwara State. He also disclosed that the project is an investment inflow under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) model. According to him, the State government is not committing any funds to the project at this point, but will pay back the contract sum over a 10-year period.

In his remark, the Chairman of Riccofortezza Steven Energy Limited, Mr. Sunny Akpoyibo said that the streetlights will be powered through solar power tunnels, noting that this is the first time technology will be deployed anywhere in Nigeria.
Akpoyibo also emphasized the job creation potential of LUK in terms of civil, operational and maintenance components of the project.

According to him, the project will cover 74.58km of roads, cutting across 33 routes within Ilorin metropolis.
He, however, stated that 209 poles will be erected under the pilot phase of the project, which will cover eight routes within the metropolis.

According to the State Ministry of Energy, the thirty three routes include Tipper Garage-University road, Tanke-Umaru Audi Junction – Tipper Garage Roundabout, Umaru Audi – Fate roundabout, Ahmadu Bello avenue-Sulu Gambari road, and Taiwo road (Emir’s road junction-General roundabout).

Others are Wahab Folawiyo (Unity road), Saraki road (Agric roundabout-Fate roundabout) and New Yidi road (Unity Junction-Fossil Oil).

The Ministry also listed subsequent routes that will be covered to include Pakata road, Michael Imodu-Offa Garage roundabout, Ipaye road, Illofa road, Oja Oba-Maraba road, Henry George-Sokoto road junction, Balogun Fulani-Gambari junction, Geri Alimi-Adeta road, Unity roundabout-FCMB Maraba road, among others.

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UPDATE: Bobrisky To Sue VeryDarkMan For N1bn, Claims Voice Recording Was AI-Generated [PHOTOS]

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Bobrisky, the social media celebrity, has threatened to file a N1 billion lawsuit against activist VeryDarkMan for alleged defamation.

In a document dated September 27, Bobrisky claimed that VeryDarkMan shared a recording, allegedly created using Artificial Intelligence (AI), to tarnish her reputation.

Bobrisky’s legal counsel gave the activist a 24-hour ultimatum to retract the statements and apologize or face legal action.

The situation began after VeryDarkMan, whose real name is Martins Otse, posted an audio recording online in which Bobrisky allegedly claimed to have bribed Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) officials with N15 million to drop charges against her.

Bobrisky, whose birth name is Idris Okuneye, had been released from prison on August 5 after serving a six-month sentence for abusing the naira.

In the audio, Bobrisky supposedly said her “godfather” and Haliru Nababa, the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) controller general, ensured she served her sentence in a private apartment instead of a prison.

Bobrisky denied the claims, calling the recording “fake” and asserting that she did not bribe the EFCC.

Both Bobrisky and VeryDarkMan were invited by the EFCC over the bribery allegations, and the agency’s chairman, Ola Olukoyede, ordered an immediate investigation.

The federal government also suspended two NCoS officials over the bribery claims involving Bobrisky.

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Lagos, Ogun Warn Residents As Oyam Dam Plans Water Release

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The Lagos and Ogun state governments have warned residents living in flood-prone areas, especially those near riverbanks, to temporarily relocate or prepare for possible flooding due to the planned release of water from the Oyan dam.

The release, managed by the Ogun-Oshun River Basin Development Authority (OORBDA), is an annual process to regulate dam levels during the rainy season.

Last year, flooding caused by water release from the dam affected residents of Isheri Riverview Estate and surrounding areas.

To prevent a similar situation, both state governments have advised communities in low-lying areas to take precautions, including moving to safer locations, as the release could cause rivers to overflow and result in severe flooding.

The Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, confirmed that advocacy efforts were underway, urging people in vulnerable areas like Ajilete and Owode-Onirin to relocate.

The Ogun State Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, noted that the dam’s water release volume would be increased to create more reservoir space.

However, OORBDA assured the public that the release would not cause flooding, and the dam has undergone regular maintenance to prevent any failures.

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Federal Government Declares October 1 As Public Holiday In Celebration Of Independence Day

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The Federal Government of Nigeria has declared Tuesday, October 1, 2024, as a public holiday to commemorate the country’s 64th Independence Day celebration.

This announcement was made by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who congratulated Nigerians both at home and abroad on this historic occasion.

Dr. Tunji-Ojo commended the resilience and hard work of Nigerians, emphasizing that their sacrifices will not go unnoticed.

He encouraged citizens to reflect on the enduring efforts of the nation’s founding heroes, reminding them that the dream of a prosperous and united Nigeria can only be realized through collective action and national unity.

He also “reiterated the need for Nigerians to reflect on the labour of our heroes past and be inspired for the tasks ahead, realising that a Nigeria of our dream can only be built when we unite”.

“While wishing Nigerians a Happy Independence Day Anniversary, Dr. Tunji- Ojo urged the citizens to continue to be steadfast in nation-building,” the statement reads.

The federal government had announced that this year’s Independence Day anniversary will be a “low-key event” due to the economic hardship and spiralling inflation bedevilling millions of households.

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