The Deputy National Financial Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Hamma Ali Kumo, has extended his heartfelt condolences to the National Secretary of the party and his family following the passing of his beloved mother, describing the loss as deeply painful and a moment of great sorrow for both the family and the APC.
In a condolence message, Hon. Kumo said the death of a mother is one of life’s greatest tragedies, noting that while death is an inevitable part of human existence, the departure of a loving and caring mother leaves an irreplaceable void in the hearts of her children and loved ones.
He described the late matriarch as a virtuous woman whose life was marked by humility, compassion, sacrifice and unwavering devotion to her family and faith, adding that her moral values and guidance were instrumental in shaping the exemplary character and leadership qualities of the APC National Secretary.
According to him, the deceased lived a fulfilled life dedicated to nurturing her family, serving humanity and upholding the principles of righteousness, leaving behind a legacy that would continue to inspire future generations.
Hon. Kumo urged the National Secretary and the entire bereaved family to remain steadfast in their faith and find comfort in the knowledge that Allah gives life and takes it at His appointed time.
He prayed that Almighty Allah, in His infinite mercy, forgives all the shortcomings of the deceased, accepts her good deeds, grants her peace and comfort in the grave, expands and illuminates her resting place, and admits her into Al-Jannatul Firdaus.
The APC chieftain also prayed for Allah to grant the bereaved family the strength, patience and fortitude to bear the painful loss.
“On behalf of my family and supporters, I sincerely sympathise with our National Secretary and the entire bereaved family during this difficult period. May Almighty Allah (SWT) forgive our dear mother’s sins, shower His endless mercy upon her, grant her the highest place in Al-Jannatul Firdaus, and bless the family with Sabr Jameel to endure this painful loss. Ameen,” Hon. Kumo said.

By Jabiru Hassan

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) on June 25, 2026, held a sensitization programme with stakeholders in Owerri, Imo State, to strengthen infrastructure security, combat vandalism and soil excavation around transmission towers as well to educate the community on statutory Right-of-Way (RoW) regulations.

Speaking at the event, the Assistant General Manager (AGM), Technical Services, Port Harcourt Region, Dr. Raymond Chika Ubani, described TCN as the vital link transporting bulk electricity from generation to distribution. In his words, “simply speaking, we are like the trailer that goes to a company to carry manufactured goods to a warehouse where distributors then come to take the goods for distribution”. He urged traditional rulers and youth groups to act as guardians by maintaining active vigilance, and report suspicious activities around transmission installations.

Addressing safety compliance, the Principal Manager, Owerri Work Centre, Engr. Nnaemeka Aninwe, warned community members against patronizing scrap metal dealers who purchase and resell vandalized tower members. He also cautioned residents against using tower bases as refuse places, warning that the accumulation of waste generates corrosive chemical reactions that degrade the tower members. This, he said, can compromise the integrity of the tower legs.

Engr. Aninwe pleaded with residents to verify safety zones from transmission lines and towers before building or construction, he noted that the statutory Right of Way limits from the line, is 15 meters on both sides for 132kV transmission lines, and 30 meters on both sides for 330kV transmission lines.

Responding, the Deputy Chairman of Owerri Municipal Council, Hon. Lucky Abaraonye, assured TCN that the fight against vandalism is being carried out through a grassroot security architecture that the state government rolled out over the past six years in the state. He disclosed that the state government has deployed trained, 15-man security teams equipped with vehicles across the 21 autonomous communities in the area. At the end of the sensitization programme over 100 participants pledged to cooperate with TCN and security agencies to protect the transmission infrastructure within their communities.

The Host Communities Youth Council of Nigeria (HOSTCON-YCN) has passed a vote of confidence in the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL), Dr. Osahon Okunbo Jnr., citing what it described as the company’s contributions to pipeline security and community development.

In a communiqué issued after its National Executive Council mid-term meeting in Abuja, the council said PINL’s leadership had strengthened the protection of oil and gas infrastructure and contributed to increased crude oil production through enhanced surveillance and stakeholder engagement.

According to the council, improved protection of the Trans Niger Pipeline has helped curb crude oil theft, illegal refining and pipeline vandalism, while promoting operational stability and investor confidence.

HOSTCON-YCN also commended the company’s Host Communities Scholarship Programme, which it said supports about 1,500 undergraduate and postgraduate students across Rivers, Bayelsa, Abia and Imo states.

The council further praised PINL’s corporate social responsibility initiatives and skills acquisition programmes for women, youths and other vulnerable groups.It also acknowledged the contributions of Dr. Akpos Mezeh, General Manager, Community and Stakeholder Relations, and Chief Seriake Alamieyeseigha, Director of Operations and Stakeholder Engagement, to the company’s community engagement efforts.

In the statement signed by its President, Senior Comrade Emmanuel Fiawei Pathfinder, the council urged host communities, traditional rulers and security agencies to continue supporting efforts to protect critical oil and gas infrastructure.It also encouraged youths in host communities to reject pipeline vandalism and participate in empowerment programmes aimed at promoting peace, economic opportunities and sustainable development in the Niger Delta.