Today’s Headlines: Former Delta Governor Uduaghan Dies at 71; FG Turns to Bonds to Tackle N6trn Debt

Former Delta State Governor Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan has died at the age of 71, three days before his 72nd birthday. His family announced that he died on Monday morning, describing his death as a profound loss to the family, Delta State and Nigeria.

Uduaghan served as Delta State Commissioner for Health from 1999 to 2003, Secretary to the State Government from 2003 to 2007, and governor from 2007 to 2015. His family said he contributed to the state’s human and infrastructural development and prayed for the repose of his soul and comfort for those mourning him.

The Federal Government has turned to the bond market to address about ₦6 trillion in outstanding debts owed to electricity generation companies (GenCos). In September 2026, it issued a ₦728.979 billion bond under its ₦4 trillion Power Sector Debt Reduction Programme, comprising ₦402 billion in cash bonds and ₦326.979 billion in non-cash bonds, to settle verified legacy debts and improve liquidity in the power sector. The government’s electricity tariff subsidy obligation reached ₦1.928 trillion in 2025.

Despite the government’s claims of improved electricity generation and transmission, stakeholders said unreliable supply, inadequate investment and incomplete reforms remained major challenges. They called for stricter regulation of electricity distribution companies, audits of their investments, improved consumer protection and transparent billing, while the government highlighted upgrades to power plants and substations, alongside solar electrification projects across the country.

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has warned Nigerian universities against issuing admission letters to candidates, insisting that only the board is legally authorised to issue official admission letters for universities, polytechnics and colleges of education. Registrar Professor Segun Aina said institutions must stop the practice and ensure candidates obtain the appropriate documents from JAMB.

He explained that all admissions must be processed through the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS), as directed by the Federal Ministry of Education. Admission offers made outside the platform are considered illegal and invalid, while only admissions accepted through CAPS and confirmed by JAMB are recognised for purposes such as mobilisation for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

Jigawa State Governor Umar Namadi has announced plans to increase the ₦5,000 monthly allowance paid to National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members serving in the state to help them cope with rising inflation. He also promised each corps member a one-off ₦10,000 settlement allowance after the three-week orientation programme to support their movement to their primary places of assignment.

Namadi commended corps members for their contributions to community development and urged government agencies to prepare adequately for their arrival. He also pledged to renovate the NYSC orientation camp, construct a new hall and provide a standby generator to improve facilities and power supply.

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