Barely 24 hours after meeting with President Bola Tinubu where an agreement was reached to call off their protests, the rapprochement between the organised labour and the Federal Government appeared to have collapsed as the unions on Thursday night vowed to embark on a nationwide strike from August 14 if their leaders were summoned for contempt of court orders.

 The Nigeria Labour Congress hinged its decision on the contempt of court application filed by the Federal Ministry of Justice against the labour leaders on Wednesday.

It threatened to down tools should the Federal Government fails to withdraw the lawsuit accusing the labour leadership of disobeying court orders.

The NLC President, Joe Ajaero, announced the decision on Thursday night after the union’s National Executive Council meeting which was held in Abuja. 

In a bid to avert a strike by the labour movement last month, the FG had through the Federal Ministry of Justice secured an order from the National Industrial Court restraining the NLC and the Trade Union Congress from embarking on any strike action over issues bordering on “removal of fuel subsidy, hike in prices of petrol and consequential increase in cost of living,” pending the determination of the suit.

The Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice, Mrs Beatrice Jedy-Agba, in a statement, urged the NLC to withdraw the seven-day notice it issued on its plan to commence a nationwide industrial action from August 2, if the demands of labour unions were not met.

The justice ministry sternly warned in a statement on July 26 that the planned strike by the union would be contempt of court, an offence that is punishable by imprisonment.

Counsel for some #EndSARS protesters, Mr Adesina Ogunlana, has questioned the N61m budgeted by the Lagos State Government for the mass burial of 103 corpses recovered in the wake of the October 2020 #EndSARS protest.The state government had on Sunday confirmed the authenticity of a leaked letter indicating planned mass burial for 103 corpses. The letter, dated July 19 2023, The letter, signed by the Director-General of the Lagos State Public Procurement Agency, Mr Onafowote Idowu, But Ogunlana, who represented some#ENDSARS protesters who claimed to have either been shot or witnessed soldiers shooting protesters at the Lekki tollgate on October 20, 2020, expressed dismay at the sum budgeted to give mass burial to unclaimed bodies. The activist-lawyer said, “My concern is not about the people that died but the fact that somebody is saying he wants to carry out a mass burial with N61m – the mass burial of unidentified bodies, of degraded bodies that died about two years ago, roughly about 20 or 19 months ago. 

You want to use N61m for mass burial! It should not even be up to N1m. Is it not just digging a big grave and putting the bodies there? That shows you the exploitation of the ruling class that we have, who are telling the people to bear the pain and to bear with the government.”

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Abdurahman Bobboi, Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Adamawa State, Sanda Lamurde, former Commissioner for Finance in the state, and Feredan George, Chief Store Officer of the Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency. The charges include stealing, forgery, and uttering. The accused pleaded not guilty to the 26 counts, and the prosecution counsel, Abubakar Aliyu, requested a trial date. Justice Aliyu ordered the accused to be remanded in prison custody pending the determination of their bail applications. The case is expected to be adjourned until November 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10, 2017.

An authorised biography of President Muhammadu Buhari has revealed how he chose Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo as his running mate for the 2015 presidential election despite opposition from national leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. The book, 'Muhammadu Buhari: The Challenges of Leadership in Nigeria,' by Prof. John Paden, was presented at an event in Abuja. The book claims that Tinubu, then Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, and Osinbajo were forwarded to Buhari for him to pick a running mate shortly after the retired general emerged the party's candidate at its convention in Lagos. Paden did not disclose who forwarded the list of the three nominees to Buhari. Although Tinubu was one of the four persons who reviewed the book, he did not raise any objection to the author's claim.

Political pundits have criticized politicians who were once against restructuring in Nigeria, arguing that they are using it as a bait to endear the people to themselves. Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar initially called for Nigeria's restructuring in 2016, stating that it was necessary to reform the country into a workable entity. However, political pundits believe this was a big bait by an experienced politician with eyes on the 2019 presidential election. Some people have called on the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration to listen to the people's call for restructuring, which is featured in the party's manifesto. Some have also called for the implementation of the 2014 National Conference report, which could address major issues affecting the country. However, President Buhari has insinuated that the fight against corruption and insecurity is on his agenda. Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, has also been quiet on the restructuring subject, stating that it would bring the much needed balance to the country.

Opposition political parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party, New Nigeria Peoples Party, and Labour Party, have seen a wave of defections to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The PDP, NNPP, and Coalition of United Political Parties accused the APC-led Federal Government of exploiting state resources to coerce politicians into switching allegiance. Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and all party members in the state have officially defected to the APC, citing internal conflicts and other issues. Senator Kawu Sumaila has formally confirmed his defection from the National Peoples Democratic Party (NNPP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Sumaila cited his commitment to his constituents as his primary concern, stating that all politics is local. His departure has also sparked rumors that former presidential candidate Rabiu Kwankwaso may return to the APC. Oluwole Oke, a long-serving member of the House of Representatives, has also announced his resignation from the PDP. Meanwhile, LP Senator Neda Imasuen is on the verge of defecting to the APC, with efforts underway to strengthen the party's ranks nationally and in the state.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that 30 political parties will participate in the Ondo State governorship election on November 26, 2016. The parties include the Alliance for Democracy, Social Democratic Party, Peoples Democratic Party, Peoples Redemption Party, All Progressives Congress and Accord Party, Labour Party, Citizen Popular Party, Peoples Party of Nigeria, Allied Congress of Nigeria, National Conscience Party, and Unity Party of Nigeria. The commission is preparing to ensure a free and fair election and will use technology to streamline the process. The commission has initiated voter education, mobilisation, and public enlightenment campaigns to prevent voter apathy and encourage citizens to avoid violence.

About 35 ministries, departments, and agencies of the Federal Government failed to appear before the House of Representatives ad hoc committee investigating alleged employment racketeering. The committee, chaired by Yusuf Gagdi, accused the MDAs of lacking respect for constituted authority and ordered them to provide staff members to serve as desk officers. Gagdi had previously urged the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Budget Office, IPPIS, and the FCC to provide desk officers. The four agencies that appeared before the committee were the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria, the National Teachers Institute, the National Commission for Colleges of Education, and the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria. Gagdi criticized the MDAs for applying for a waiver for recruitment without advertising, claiming such waivers were usually used to perpetrate fraud.

According to the Nigerian Communication Commission, the fifth-generation network would close the country's fibre connectivity deficit and increase Internet penetration thanks to its widespread wireless connectivity. Nigeria needs three times as much fibre infrastructure as it presently has to achieve around 90% broadband penetration, among other goals, by 2025, according to the World Bank. As the number of 5G devices is anticipated to exceed one billion in the next two years, the cost of 5G devices and related equipment will shortly decline.

Nigerian state governors have formed vigilante squads to combat kidnappings and bandits. The squads, consisting of vigilantes, hunters, and neighborhood watch groups, will complement police and other security forces. The abductions have taken scores of Nigerians, with some states in Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Lagos, and others under siege. The abductors are demanding a N100m ransom for the release of the nine victims. The governors are deploying trained personnel to enhance public safety and bolster existing security structures. The formations are being created due to the thin deployment of security forces, particularly in rural areas, and the increasing number of attacks by non-state armed groups.

The Federal Government may demolish no fewer than 30 illegal settlements and slums and over 6,000 illegal buildings in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, as part of measures to restore the nation’s capital’s master plan. The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, who dropped the hint on resuming office on Monday, said all illegal buildings distorting the Abuja master plan would be pulled down. Wike vowed to flatten all illegal buildings even if they belonged to a minister or an ambassador. Findings by The PUNCH indicate that the slums that might be affected by the urban renewal programme would include Apo Mechanic Village, Byanzhin, Dawaki, Dei Dei, Durumi, Dutse, Garki, Garki Village, Gishiri, Gwagwalape, Idu, Jabi, Kado Village, Karmo, Karshi, Karu, Katampe, Ketti Village, Kpaduma, Kabusa, Kpana Village, Kubwa, Lokogoma, Lugbe, Mabushi, Mpape, Nyanya and Piya Kasa. Also, those who acquired lands from Abuja indigenes may lose their investments as they were regarded by the FCT Administration as illegal. Checks indicate that the 6,000 structures that may be affected by the restoration plans included buildings that have been abandoned for a long time in violation of the building code.

Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, has filed a motion to the US Court to overrule President Bola Tinubu's request to stop Chicago State University from releasing his academic record. Atiku has secured an order from a US magistrate for CSU to make Tinubu's academic records available to his legal team. He is seeking to test the authenticity and origin of 12 pages of documents, including two different diplomas, that purport to have been issued by CSU.

The Alliance for Democracy in Ondo State has declared Chief Olusola Oke as its candidate for the November 26 governorship election in the state. Oke defected to the Alliance after the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress failed to adopt the recommendation of the Electoral Appeal Committee, which recommended the annulment of the September 3, 2016, primary of the party in Ondo State. The state Chairman of the Alliance, Mr. Seriki Adebobola, stated that Oke had the capacity to win the election. The party chairman noted that with the coming of Oke to the AD, the party would win the forthcoming governorship election, adding that the party stood a better chance to win the governorship poll with the former National Legal Adviser of the Peoples Democratic Party in its camp. The party chairman also noted that the party stood a better chance to win the governorship poll with the former National Legal Adviser of the Peoples Democratic Party in its camp.

The Federal Government has arraigned Oladipupo Adebutu, the 2023 governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ogun State, on seven counts related to vote-buying and other electoral offences during the March 18, 2023, governorship poll. Adebutu was arraigned alongside five others before Justice Abiodun Akinyemi of the Ogun State High Court. The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges in the criminal case marked AB/10c/2023. The All Progressives Congress had dragged Adebutu before the police, alleging that he induced voters during the poll by allegedly giving out 200,000 vouchers preloaded with N10,000 to prospective voters. The Federal Government filed charges against Adebutu and his PDP allies last year, but their arraignment was stalled as Adebutu was said to have travelled out of the country for medical treatment.

Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited is seeking to borrow N2.3tn ($3bn) from Afrexim Bank to support the naira. Afrexim Bank is currently in talks with oil traders to finance loans, as the naira hit an all-time low of 1,000 to the dollar on the black market.

Super Falcons forward Rahseedat Ajibade is anticipating a tough clash against Australia, After missing the opening game against Canada due to suspension,appearing in her second world cup and tagged as one of the key players for Nigeria, the Atletico Madrid Feminine forward said she is looking forward to the encounter.“Personally, I’m fine. Really pumped up for the game. It’s going to be a difficult game because we’re playing the host team in front of their own fans and at their own stadium with so much crowd. A lot of factors.Barring any knock in the team, I think we’ve got this. I trust the team. We have the capacity; we have the talent and we have the energy.

The Association of Alternative Power Suppliers of Nigeria has expressed the readiness to develop mini grids to augment electricity generation and supply in the country. The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission recently unveiled the Draft Mini-Grid Regulation 2016, saying mini grids could be used as a bridge technology to accelerate electrification activities. NERC said the mini-grid regulation was specifically designed to accelerate electrification in areas without any existing distribution grid and areas with an existing but poorly electrified or non-functional distribution grid, especially but not limited to rural areas. The President, AAPSN and Managing Director, AOS Orwell, Mr. Femi Omotayo, said members of the association would provide alternative power mainly through embedded generation projects to fill the supply gap in the power sector. According to Abiola-Odunowo, the association’s plan is to find 10 companies in each local government that can generate one megawatt to start with. He said the mini-grid regulation would afford alternative power producers the opportunity to go to the consumers directly.

Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun has warned the newly-elected chairmen of the 20 Local Government Areas and 37 additional Local Council Development Areas in the state against short-changing their people. Amosun gave this warning during the swearing-in ceremony for them at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta. The new chairmen, all of the ruling All Progressives Congress, were declared winners of the 57 chairmanship seats by the Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission in the last Saturday’s council elections in the state. Amosun urged them to see their new status as a “call to service” and urged them to be “transparent, accountable and not short-change the people” lest they would be called to give account of their stewardship to President Muhammadu Buhari’s government of probity. The governor said the position they occupied should be for the growth and development of the people, not for settling political scores.

Tobi Amusan, the world women's 100m hurdles champion and record holder, is missing from Team Nigeria's list of 26 athletes for the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary. The list includes 11 male and 15 female athletes, with Ese Brume, Ruth Usoro, Sade Olatoye, and Chioma Onyekwere among the prominent females. The list also includes national champion Usheoritshe Itshekiri, Favour Ashe, Seye Ogunlewe, Alaba Akintola, Fakorede Adekalu, and Anunagba Karlington. Amusan's participation at the championship has been uncertain due to her provisional suspension by the Athletics Integrity Unit for missing three drug tests this season. The Athletics Integrity Unit has stated that there will be a hearing on her case before the World Championships, but nothing has been heard about the proceedings. Amusan made history at the championships last year, racing to a new world record time of 12.12secs in the semi-finals and 12.06secs in the final to clinch the gold medal.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has reported a surge in unbanked money, reaching N3.79tn in June 2024, a significant increase from N3.61tn in April. This has hindered the Central Bank of Nigeria's ability to effectively implement its policies and manage the country's economy. The Central Bank of Nigeria has been promoting financial inclusion through campaigns, but many Nigerians still lack basic banking knowledge. The increasing volume of cash outside the banking system has also raised concerns about potential cash pool inflation. The total currency in circulation increased to N4.05tn in June, while the Central Bank of Nigeria special intervention fund decreased by 35.7%. This reduction could be part of the Central Bank of Nigeria's strategy to manage the country's money supply and stabilize the economy, but it also exacerbates difficulties banks face in meeting recapitalisation demands. The Central Bank of Nigeria's net foreign assets have increased to N18.33tn, signaling strength in the country's external reserves, but net domestic assets have slightly decreased.

Capital Oil Chairman Ifeanyi Ubah has accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of a fraudulent primary in the November 18 governorship election in Anambra State. Ubah alleged that the primary was a sham and that the party had the right to trample on its constitution and the Electoral Act. He stated that the list of delegates used for the election was different from the list given to the Independent National Electoral Commission. Ubah, a loyal member of the PDP, described the Anambra governorship primary as a "show of shame" with obvious irregularities. He accused the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, former Anambra State governor Peter Obi, and some party committee members of robbing the people of their dream for a potential governor.

A Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out one of nine counts of $1.6bn crude oil fraud against businessman Jide Omokore and five others. Justice Nnamdi Dimgba struck out the eighth count after hearing an application by former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, who alleged she was indicted without an opportunity to defend herself. The six defendants include Omokore, his companies Atlantic Energy Brass Development Limited and Atlantic Energy Drilling Concepts Limited. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had preferred nine counts of criminal diversion of about $1.6bn, alleged to be part of proceeds of sales of petroleum products belonging to the Federal Government. Alison-Madueke, currently in the UK, was not listed among the existing six defendants in the case to defend the charge.

 

 

 

Princess Shola Daibo, a candidate of the Accord Party in the upcoming by-election into the Delta State House of Assembly in Warri-South Constituency 1, has accused the All Progressives Congress and the Independent National Electoral Commission of plotting to rig the election. Daibo stated that forces within the APC had concluded plans to rig the election in favour of their candidate. The Accord Party is fielding Daibo for the election scheduled for Wednesday, 26 April, 2017, by INEC. The assembly seat became vacant following the death of Mrs. Omawumi Udoh at a London hospital. After the seat was declared vacant, INEC announced a by-election for Wednesday, April 26, 2017. The Accord Party has condemned the act of cowardice and warned that any attempt to rig the election will be maximally resisted. The party has also reported that the APC lacked the capacity to match the grassroots spread of the Accord Party in Warri-South and had resorted to deploying machinery to emasculate the party and its candidate. The party has also reported on various other news, such as the Niger coup, fire gutting the house of David Church in Lagos, fake customs CG arrests, and the AFCON 2023 fixtures.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has cleared Tony Nwoye, winner of the August 26, 2017 Anambra State APC primary, as the party's standard bearer in the state governorship election. The decision was made at a meeting of the party's National Working Committee, which considered the report of an appeal panel investigating a petition filed by Senator Andy Uba. The committee stated that the integrity of the exercise was not in dispute. Nwoye had to cancel a press conference to fill the Independent National Electoral Commission's nomination forms before the deadline.

Supporters of Chief Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) and Dr. Olusegun Abraham clashed during a peaceful protest in Akure, Nigeria. Abraham's supporters were protesting against Akeredolu's candidacy for the November 2016 governorship election. The protesters were attacked by APC youths carrying Akeredolu's posters and weapons. The clash resulted in the destruction of vehicles and deserted Oyemekun Road, where the secretariat was located. No life was lost, but the situation was calmed by additional policemen. Abraham, a preferred candidate of the party's National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, criticized the incident as uncivilized and urged the APC leadership to let the right candidate be chosen. He emphasized that Akeredolu could not win the upcoming election for the state without his mandate restored. Akeredolu's Publicity Secretary, Abayomi Adesanya, denied that the protesters were members of the APC in the state.

Strong indications have emerged that members of the ruling all progressives congress' National working committee may clash with  the partys' governors over a plan  by the latter to adopt ex-governor Abdullahi Ganduje as the new national chairman of the party.s'  THE Development followed the sudden iyiola omisore as the  party national chairman and nationalsecretary, respectively.THE Crisis rocking the ruling party had on Tuesday led  Adamu and Omisore to resign from their positions  after they were accused of high -handedness and financial mismanagement.however findings by punch  revealed that Ganduje were opposed by the numbers of choice.

Strong indications have emerged that members of the ruling all progressives congress' National working committee may clash with  the partys' governors over a plan  by the latter to adopt ex-governor Abdullahi Ganduje as the new national chairman of the party.s'  THE Development followed the sudden iyiola omisore as the  party national chairman and nationalsecretary, respectively.THE Crisis rocking the ruling party had on Tuesday led  Adamu and Omisore to resign from their positions  after they were accused of high -handedness and financial mismanagement.however findings by punch  revealed that Ganduje were opposed by the numbers of choice.

Strong indications have emerged that members of the ruling aLL progressive congress' National working commitee may clash e NWC.some APC NWC members who spoke to PUNCH said they were opposed to the governors'  plan ,insisting that the office had been zoned to central geopolitical zone.Ganduje is from North west Geopolitical zone.Continuing, Lukman urged the president to speak up to douse the tension and intervene on time with the ultimate aim of returning the APC to its founding vision of progressive politics.with partys' governors over a plan by the latter to adopt ex-governor Abdullahi Ganduje as the new national chaiman of the party.  The development followed the sudden exit of senator Iyiola Omisore as the party s' national chairman and national secretary, respectively. The crisis rocking the ruling party had on Tuesday led Admu Omisore to resign from their positions after they were accused of high-handedness and financial mismanagement by some members of th

The Ekiti State Governor and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors' Forum, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has said he is alerted to a plot by some individuals and political interests in the All Progressives Congress to activate a spate of negative media campaigns to discredit and portray him as unacceptable to the generality of the people. The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Yinka Oyebode, advised those behind the plot to concentrate on their aspiration rather than engaging in character assassination. The Nigerian Constitution states clearly the qualifications for the position of the President of the country. Every qualified adult has the right to aspire to the number one position, but it is not appropriate to destroy the reputation of a fellow citizen who is perceived as a possible opponent. PUNCH is offering Nigerians up to $14,000- $17,000 (12 million+) in US Dollars through premium domain names and a sharp flusher to save their family from toilet snakes and poop blockages.

The Ekiti State Governor and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors' Forum, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has said he is alerted to a plot by some individuals and political interests in the All Progressives Congress to activate a spate of negative media campaigns to discredit and portray him as unacceptable to the generality of the people. The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Yinka Oyebode, advised those behind the plot to concentrate on their aspiration rather than engaging in character assassination. The Nigerian Constitution states clearly the qualifications for the position of the President of the country. Every qualified adult has the right to aspire to the number one position, but it is not appropriate to destroy the reputation of a fellow citizen who is perceived as a possible opponent. PUNCH is offering Nigerians up to $14,000- $17,000 (12 million+) in US Dollars through premium domain names and a sharp flusher to save their family from toilet snakes and poop blockages.

The All Progressives Congress on Thursday slammed the presidential candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party and Labour Party, Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, for criticising the verdict of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal which upheld President Bola Tinubu’s election and the electoral process. This happened as Atiku and Obi attacked the Independent National Electoral Commission over its conduct of the polls. The five-member tribunal had nullified the petitions of Atiku and Obi in the 12-hour judgment delivered on Wednesday. However, speaking on the development during a press conference at the PDP national secretariat in Abuja, Atiku said his belief that the PEPC’s judgment left a lot to be desired convinced him to direct his legal team to approach the Supreme Court for redress. The former vice president slammed the Independent National Electoral Commission for poor management of the last general elections which he said the judiciary had a duty to redress. The LP presidential candidate, Obi, has similarly criticised Wednesday’s judgment of the PEPT. The ex-Anambra State governor averred that it was “not conterminous” with justice, adding that everything about the presidential election was not yet over. He insisted the matter had not yet reached its logical conclusion.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, has emphasized the importance of the South-East region in Nigeria's presidential race. He emphasized the need for the South-East to join the APC, as it represents the most viable route for any South-East person to the presidency. Odigie-Oyegun also welcomed Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, a former Deputy National Chairman to the Modu Sherrif-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, into the APC. He emphasized the need to win the November 18, 2017 Anambra State governorship election to end the cry of marginalisation by the South-East. He emphasized the importance of unity of purpose and working hard to make Anambra a critical state in the South-East. He emphasized the need for unity among all those aspiring to the governorship seat.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) plans to send emissaries to former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar to investigate his grievances against the party. The party may apply sanctions if found guilty. The Organising Secretary of the Adamawa State chapter of the APC, Ahmed Lawan, said plans to address the issue have been delayed by members of the state exco traveling to Saudi Arabia to observe the hajj. The party is concerned about recent utterances credited to the former vice-president, including his remarks that the party abandoned him. Lawan said the party is surprised by the former vice-president's alleged selflessness and the party's failure to reward him. The party plans to summon a meeting with Atiku and take a decision if he lodges complaints.

Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole has announced that the All Progressives Congress will lead evidence at the election petitions tribunal to show how the Peoples Democratic Party allegedly benefited from electoral fraud during the recent governorship poll. Oshiomhole defended the PDP's candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, who was allegedly denied victory in the election, stating that he is not worth 50,000 votes. He expressed satisfaction with the APC's performance in the September 28 election and emphasized that the victory signaled the final political "funeral" of the PDP godfathers. Obaseki promised to run an all-inclusive government and commended the Islamic council for their support before and during the election. He also urged the governor-elect to be resolute in achieving his objectives and to be accessible to the citizens of the state. Obaseki's tenure will end on November 12.

Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola has dropped the names of two influential politicians, Muyiwa and Temitope Ilori, from his cabinet list. Aregbesola was re-elected for his second term in office in November 2014 and has run the government without a cabinet since then. The list of nominees sent to the House of Assembly for confirmation included a former senator representing Osun West in the Senate, Husein Mudasiru, and 38 others as commissioner and special adviser-designates. The House of Assembly was filled to capacity as families, friends, and well-wishers of the nominees stormed the place to get first-hand information on the confirmation process. The list also included former Chief Press Secretary to Akande, Special Adviser of Environment, Senior Special Adviser to Aregbesola on Electronic Broadcast, and Commissioner for Special Duties.

The Nigerian Defence Headquarters has denied rumors of a coup plot and stated that the military is committed to democracy according to international best practices. The Director, Defence Information, Maj. Gen. John Enenche, stated that the military has constituted a panel to quiz officers and soldiers suspected of being involved in the unholy alliance. Enenche explained that the instruction given by the army chief was a "routine instruction" to guard against misconduct and that warnings are issued with possible investigations following any signs of actions likely to breach the military code of conduct. He assured Nigerians that the armed forces remain loyal to President Muhammadu Buhari and in complete subordination to civil rule. The contemporary Nigerian military is abreast with the best international practices in governance, which is democracy.

The Nigerian Defence Headquarters has denied rumors of a coup plot and stated that the military is committed to democracy according to international best practices. The Director, Defence Information, Maj. Gen. John Enenche, stated that the military has constituted a panel to quiz officers and soldiers suspected of being involved in the unholy alliance. Enenche explained that the instruction given by the army chief was a "routine instruction" to guard against misconduct and that warnings are issued with possible investigations following any signs of actions likely to breach the military code of conduct. He assured Nigerians that the armed forces remain loyal to President Muhammadu Buhari and in complete subordination to civil rule. The contemporary Nigerian military is abreast with the best international practices in governance, which is democracy.

The Nigerian Defence Headquarters has denied rumors of a coup plot and stated that the military is committed to democracy according to international best practices. The Director, Defence Information, Maj. Gen. John Enenche, stated that the military has constituted a panel to quiz officers and soldiers suspected of being involved in the unholy alliance. Enenche explained that the instruction given by the army chief was a "routine instruction" to guard against misconduct and that warnings are issued with possible investigations following any signs of actions likely to breach the military code of conduct. He assured Nigerians that the armed forces remain loyal to President Muhammadu Buhari and in complete subordination to civil rule. The contemporary Nigerian military is abreast with the best international practices in governance, which is democracy.

Lagos-based lawyer Olukoya Ogungbeje has filed a N50bn suit against President Muhammadu Buhari, the Department of State Services (DSS), and its Director-General, Lawal Daura, for allegedly violating the rights of judges whose houses were raided by DSS operatives between October 8 and 9. The suit seeks an order awarding N50bn as "general and exemplary damages," N2m as the cost of the suit, an order compelling the DSS to return the recovered money to the judges, and a perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from arresting, inviting, intimidating, or harassing the judges. The DSS had arrested Justices Sylvester Ngwuta and John Okoro of the Supreme Court, Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court, Abuja, and Justice Muazu Pindiga of the Federal High Court, Gombe Division. The seven of them have since been released on self-recognition by the DSS. Ogungbeje's suit is restricted to five of the arrested judges, who are still in active service.

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has announced his intention to run for the presidency in 2019, turning himself into an opposition figure for his own party, the All Progressives Congress. In an interview with the Voice of America in Hausa, Atiku criticized the Buhari-led administration, claiming that he was dumped by the government despite spending his resources on ensuring the President's rise to power in 2015. This came just hours after the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Senator Aisha Alhassan, declared her readiness to support Atiku's bid for the presidency against President Buhari. Alhassan confirmed that she would support Atiku in 2019 because "President Buhari has not told anybody that he would contest the 2019 presidential election." However, political pundits believe Alhassan could not have openly declared her support for Atiku without the backing of other party members. The 2019 presidential election is expected to cause clashes among Buhari's and Atiku's supporters, as they may not have the same level of support.

Members of the Ahmadu Bello University branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities demonstrated against the alleged forcible takeover of the university's property by Kaduna state Governor Mallam Nasir EL-Rufai on Monday.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has suspended its nine months strike due to the non-payment of salaries of its members. The Nigeria Inter-Religious Council intervened and promised to prevail on the Federal Government to implement the N52.5bn Revitalisation Fund and Earned Academic Allowance. The Minister of State for Education has said there is no justification for a strike, and Mercy Chepaka has appealed to the government to not hire lecturers from the moon.

The Federal Government said the platform presented by the ASUU as its preferred alternative to the integrated perssonnel and payroll information system know as UTAS has failed.

The joint committee of ASUU, NUC and NITDA is set to submit the report of the integrity test on the University Transparency Accountability Solution (UTAS) on Tuesday. ASUU has demanded the deployment of the UTAS payment platform instead of the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS).

Avanti Communications has been named the market-leading high-throughput satellite capacity partner in sub-Saharan Africa for the second year running.

A statement said the results from the 20th edition of the NSR Satellite Capacity Supply and Demand Analysis reported that Avanti’s market share was now more than two times its nearest competitor.

“NSR’s annual report is one of the satellite industry’s most trusted and comprehensive sources for satellite capacity analysis, offering insight into key market developments and dynamics,” it stated. 

According to the statement, Avanti had made a significant commitment to Africa. The company has ambitions to accelerate growth across the region through local partnerships and the rollout of connectivity solutions; connecting rural communities and improving network resiliency for critical communications infrastructure is central to this strategy.

It said till date, Avanti had connected more than 1,000 villages and schools across Africa, providing services in Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, Ghana, Angola, Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, and South Sudan.

Over 600 residents of Shiroro Local Government Area in Niger State have been displaced by a banditry attack shortly after the Sallah celebration. The attack occurred in four communities, including Lanta, Tunga, Dnakau, and Juweedna, and resulted in the burning of houses and rustling of cattle. The state Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management reported no reported kidnappings or deaths. The residents have criticized the persistent attacks, claiming that there was no presence of security agents in the local government, allowing bandits to operate without resistance. A tailor in Minna expressed his sadness at the situation and the lack of action taken by the government to end the reign of terror.

Twenty-three women have been kidnapped by bandits in the Damaga district of the Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State. The women, our correspondent was told, riding on motorcycles, swooped on them, whisking away 23. An indigene of the area, Mohammed Sani, who spoke to our correspondent about the incident, 

“We have already informed the police about this issue and we are waiting to hear from the bandits the amount of money they will ask us to pay (as ransom).” 

The villager lamented that the kidnap was one too many, noting that villagers continued to pay ransom to bandits now and then.

Meanwhile,  bandits also kidnapped 10  officials of Triacta Construction Company in Talata-Mafara, the hometown of former governor Abdulaziz Yari.

An indigene of the town, Ismail Shehu, said the weapon-wielding hoodlums fired many shots in the air before they finally forced themselves into the company and kidnapped 10 of the construction workers.

Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, the former Governor of Delta State, has reconciled with Prof. Patrick Utomi after months of verbal attacks over the state's financial state. The reconciliation was brokered by Bishop Matthew Kukah, who accused Utomi of excessive borrowing and alleged diversion of funds. Uduaghan urged Utomi to contest the post of a councillor in his ward instead of aiming to be the next governor. The former governor's spokesman, Mr. Areh Sunday, announced their reconciliation on Facebook.

Emeka Okochie, a bookseller and publisher, is struggling to make sales due to the emergence of electronic books and the current state of the economy. Donatus Nwaogu, the manager of Donatus Books, said devaluation of the naira and the increase in the price of commodities had affected the purchasing power of paper book lovers. Isaiah Adeogun, a teacher and purchasing manager at Bible Wonderland, said the invention of e-books had not affected the production and sale of paper books, but that Nigerians had a slow adoption of technological advancements. Ben Chucks lamented that the pandemic had drastically affected sales, except for those who must buy books for their children.

The Governor of Ekiti, Ayodele Fayose, has stated that President Muhammadu Buhari has become a part-time and ceremonial President, only seen during the Friday Jumat service at the Presidential Villa. Fayose believes that Nigerians should be properly informed about the well-being of their President and that the Vice-President, Yemi Osinbajo, should constitutionally act as the President. He accused close allies of deliberately shielding Buhari and preventing him from attending to his health to continue running the government on the basis of "Mr President has directed" even when the President did not direct anything. Fayose insisted that Nigerians must hear the voice of their President and see him physically, not through surrogates or the cabal operating behind the scenes. He said that it is only when the President is seen and heard physically that Nigerians will believe that they are not being ruled by a part-time and ceremonial President, whose powers are being exercised on his behalf by some cabal.

Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Director of Missions, Pastor Caxton Fasuyi, has emphasized the importance of empowering youths with entrepreneurial skills to reduce poverty and hunger in Nigeria. He announced the admission of 100 youths to the Joseph Ayo Babalola University's entrepreneurial skills acquisition programme, sponsored by the CAC. The program is part of a partnership between the church and the Bank of Industry, sponsoring youths from six geo-political zones. The church will provide start-up packages worth millions of naira to those who excel. The program is expected to continue after the first batch, aiming to eradicate poverty in the church.

The Federal Government in Nigeria has announced a mandatory registration of Point-of-Sales operators to reduce kidnapping and assist security agencies in arresting ransom payments. The registration process aligns with legal requirements and Central Bank of Nigeria directives, aiming to safeguard businesses and strengthen the economy. The deadline for registration is 60 days and ends on July 7th. The benefits of registration include access to loans, legality, and compliance with regulatory requirements. However, PoS agents have criticized the move, arguing it would place more burden on operators, especially in rural areas.

The west African Examination council has said the use of information and communication Technology has reduced the period for the processing of result of the west African senior school certificate Examination for candidates from 84 days to 45 days.

In order to encourage colleges to advance digitalization over the next two years, the Central Bank of Nigeria has publicly announced that it is prepared to establish a N100 million award programme. This was stated by Mr. Adebisi Shonubi, Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, at the opening summit of the CIO Club Africa, with the topic "The Role of Digitalization in Transforming the Economy."

In order to encourage colleges to advance digitalization over the next two years, the Central Bank of Nigeria has publicly announced that it is prepared to establish a N100 million award programme. This was stated by Mr. Adebisi Shonubi, Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, at the opening summit of the CIO Club Africa, with the topic "The Role of Digitalization in Transforming the Economy."

The National Economic Council has confirmed that a $3bn emergency loan-for-crude oil secured in August will be used to stabilize the naira, which has been fluctuating in the Investors & Exporters' window and worsened in the parallel market. The loan will enable the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited to settle taxes and royalties in advance and provide the Federal Government with dollar liquidity.

Atiku Abubakar's legal team plans to challenge President Bola Tinubu's plea for Chicago State University not to release privileged documents from his academic records. The legal team had 48 hours to respond in the US court. Tinubu's lawyers argue that his academic records are not useful in Nigerian courts and that Atiku's request is intrusive, allowing him to conduct a fishing expedition into his private, confidential, and protected educational records.

Rotary Club of Ogudu GRA has distributed baby cots with net covers, clothes, and baby scales to some pregnant women and the Ogudu Primary Health Centre, Lagos State.

President of the club, Mr Akeem Shonde, said the club distributed the maternal and child kits to pregnant women and the hospital to commemorate the Rotary Month of maternal and child health.

 Shonde also said the club gave out the items to help reduce the burden of malaria among babies as well as cushion the harsh economic effects of getting those items on the mothers.

“The nets will prevent the babies from having malaria. Looking at the economic situation in the country, we decided to help the pregnant women remove that burden of getting those items because it is very important for them to prevent their babies from having malaria,” he said. 

Representative of the health centre, Dr Kehinde Oguntoyinbo, commended the Rotary club for their continuous support for the hospital, saying most of the pregnant women were not financially buoyant to get the mother and baby care items.

She said “The club has helped the women to remove the burden of buying baby beds, nets and clothes from them.

One of the pregnant women, Victoria Inyang, thanked the club for the mother and baby care packs.

The House of Representatives has resolved to probe the ongoing N15tn Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, which has attracted both praise and condemnation since its approval in February. The 10-lane coastal road was designed to connect Lagos to Cross River, passing through various states before culminating in Calabar. The project gained traction under the administrations of Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari but could not commence. The Ministry of Works defended the project, stating it followed due process and that House of Representatives members had pledged support for the project. The Federal Executive Council has approved and released N1.06tn for the contractor for the pilot phase of the construction. The highway was conceived as an Engineering, Procurement and Construction plus Financing project, with part-funding by the Federal Government between 15 to 30%. The approval process went through the Bureau of Public Procurement after consideration by the Federal Executive Council.

Nigerian Director of Publicity, Femi Fani-Kayode, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to condemn the killings of Fulani herdsmen. Fani-Kayode expressed dissatisfaction with the Buhari administration and urged him to condemn the heinous activities of his kinsmen. He warned that if the government continued to persecute its perceived enemies, a national rebellion was inevitable. Fani-Kayode urged the President to stop making sensational allegations and lies to silence the opposition. He also criticized a comment by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, who suggested holding vandals responsible for the country's lack of electricity. Fani-Kayode believes in the force of logic and believes that when a people are pushed against a wall, things can change quickly.

Electricity consumers in Nigeria have been protesting against the hike in prepaid meters prices announced by power distribution companies. The Electricity Consumers Protection and Advocacy Centre has accused the electricity sector of being structured to inflict hardships on the masses. After months of shutting down their meter application portals, some Discos have released revised prices of the product. The hiked prices follow the deregulation of meter sales by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, giving room for vendors and buyers to sell meters at prices convenient to both sides. A single-phase meter rose from N88,000 to an average of N147,000, depending on the vendor. The new meter prices took effect from May 23, and customers would have their meter installed within 10 working days after payment had been made. The prices were as supplied by IBEDC meter vendor, Mojec Asset Management Company Limited. The Chief Executive Officer of Femadec Group, Fola Akinola, recently said that power distribution companies shut down their meter application portals because manufacturers and DisCos were regularising the prices of meters to reflect current economic realities. The NERC had released an order on the deregulation of meter prices under the MAP scheme, which stipulated that consumers should get energy credit as a refund for meters paid for. The Executive Director of the Electricity Consumers Protection and Advocacy Centre, Princewill Okorie, wondered why the Discos would be allowed to hike meter prices at a time when consumers are yet to come to terms with the Band A tariff hike. He claimed that the Discos, aided by NERC, have been extorting Nigerians by failing to abide by the MAP policy, which stipulates that consumers should get energy credit as a refund for meters paid for.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is awaiting the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission's report on officers accused of corruption before making a decision. The commission is currently investigating over 100 officers for alleged bribery during the last general election. Some resident Electoral Commissioners of INEC were alleged to have been bribed by People's Democratic Party officials. The EFCC has arrested Oluchi Brown, an administrative secretary in Delta State, and Edem Effanga, a retired INEC official. The commission is not going to cover up any of its workers, and suspects will not be disciplined until the EFCC submits its reports. The law will be used to handle the EFCC's report when it is out.

The police authorities have said they would not condone any form of violence during the planned two-day demonstration declared by organised Labour in protest against the hardships and high cost of living in the country.The police handed down the Riot Act on Sunday as the Nigeria Labour Congress gave fresh conditions ahead of the minimum wage negotiation commencing on Monday (today.)The police warning is coming against the backdrop of the alarm by the African Development Bank that rising prices of fuel and other commodities could lead to social unrest in Nigeria, Ethiopia, Angola, and Kenya.The AfDB sounded the warning in its macroeconomic performance and outlook for 2024 in which it projected Africa’s economy to grow higher than the 3.2 percent recorded in 2023. “I am a teacher in one of the private schools; I have gotten nothing in the form of palliative from the government. We have been trusting in the Lord and we thank God for his grace has been sufficient for us,” she said. Mr Samuel Tijani, a resident of Ilisan Remo, did not benefit from the palliatives just as he appealed to the government to lessen the pains of the fuel subsidy removal. Tijani said, “I have received nothing in the name of palliatives from anyone since the crisis of this fuel subsidy removal began. I heard that the state government is planning to distribute another set of food palliatives soon. I sincerely hope that the government will ensure that it goes around this time.”

Meedical doctors in cross river, on sunday began an indfinite strike in solidarity with one of their colleagues  abducted on Thursday from her residence in calabar. The doctors announcedv the strike in a communique issued after their emergency general meeting on sunday in calabar .The communique issued signed by the chairman  of the Nigerian medical Association, crossRiver branch ,Dr

Nigeria's Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit, Zone A, Ikeja, intercepted 11 imported used vehicles and other contraband worth N854 million in January. The command recorded a total of 60 seizures, including different contraband. Smuggling is a crime involving false declaration, concealment of goods, unapproved routes, forging customs documents, willful underpayment of duties, and trafficking in prohibited or restricted goods. In 2023, FOU Zone A made 1,119 different seizures, 136 arrests, and 16 convictions, for a total duty-paid value of N10bn. In the first month of this year, 10 suspects were arrested in connection with the seizures. Other items seized included 3,653 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 23,025 litres of petroleum motor spirit, 241 bales of used clothes, and 1,490 kg of Indian hemp. The Customs Area Controller (CAC) called for more collaboration and partnership with stakeholders in the area of information sharing and intelligence to fight smuggling.

Nigeria's Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit, Zone A, Ikeja, intercepted 11 imported used vehicles and other contraband worth N854 million in January. The command recorded a total of 60 seizures, including different contraband. Smuggling is a crime involving false declaration, concealment of goods, unapproved routes, forging customs documents, willful underpayment of duties, and trafficking in prohibited or restricted goods. In 2023, FOU Zone A made 1,119 different seizures, 136 arrests, and 16 convictions, for a total duty-paid value of N10bn. In the first month of this year, 10 suspects were arrested in connection with the seizures. Other items seized included 3,653 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 23,025 litres of petroleum motor spirit, 241 bales of used clothes, and 1,490 kg of Indian hemp. The Customs Area Controller (CAC) called for more collaboration and partnership with stakeholders in the area of information sharing and intelligence to fight smuggling.

Nigeria's Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit, Zone A, Ikeja, intercepted 11 imported used vehicles and other contraband worth N854 million in January. The command recorded a total of 60 seizures, including different contraband. Smuggling is a crime involving false declaration, concealment of goods, unapproved routes, forging customs documents, willful underpayment of duties, and trafficking in prohibited or restricted goods. In 2023, FOU Zone A made 1,119 different seizures, 136 arrests, and 16 convictions, for a total duty-paid value of N10bn. In the first month of this year, 10 suspects were arrested in connection with the seizures. Other items seized included 3,653 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 23,025 litres of petroleum motor spirit, 241 bales of used clothes, and 1,490 kg of Indian hemp. The Customs Area Controller (CAC) called for more collaboration and partnership with stakeholders in the area of information sharing and intelligence to fight smuggling.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has accused Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State of double registration in the ongoing voter registration process. Bello registered twice and in an undesignated area, violating the law. The commission has commenced disciplinary action against INEC staff involved in the illegal registration. The commission cannot commence legal action against Bello due to the immunity clause for governors in the constitution. Bello's Chief Press Secretary and Special Adviser on New Media, Gbenga Olorunponmi, have not responded to attempts to speak with him. The commission has designated a center for voter registration in all 774 local government areas.

Champions D’Tigress outclassed hosts Rwanda 79-48 in the semi-finals of the ongoing 2023 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket in Kigali, Rwanda to book a place in the final, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The win on Thursday means D’Tigress have now extended their unbeaten run to 23 games and are on the verge of winning a fourth consecutive AfroBasket title.

The last time Nigeria lost a game in the Women’s Afrobasket was in 2015 against Cameroon in the semi-finals.

New head coach, Rena Wakama, maintained the starting five that managed to beat Mozambique 59-52 in the quarter-finals to set up a last-four showdown with the hosts — whom they had defeated in their previous two meetings 2009 and 2011 — on Thursday. 

Amy Okonkwo, Palla Kunaiyi-Akpanah, Elizabeth Balogun, Sarah Ogoke and Blessing Ejiofor were ruthless from the tip-off, but the hosts scored the first points, before Okonkwo put Nigeria in front.

D’Tigress blew through the Rwandans and established a 22-6 lead in the first quarter. 

It was a bright start for the Rwandans in the third quarter, as they outscored D’Tigress to get themselves back into the game, as the quarter ended 58-35.

In the final quarter, Nigeria restored control and secured an outstanding 31-point victory to progress to the competition’s final.

Okonkwo led the Nigerians with 23 points, followed by Oluwayemisi Taiwo, who netted 12 points.

Nigeria now await the winners of the other semi-final game between Mali and Senegal on Friday (today) as they hope to win the championship for the fourth time in a row on Saturday, a feat that only the Senegalese boast of in African basketball.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has advised Sub-Saharan African countries to eliminate tax exemptions and increase domestic revenue to reduce fiscal deficits, rather than reducing fiscal expenditure. The IMF also suggested that increasing women's participation in the labor force could boost GDP by about 8% in the coming years, despite the weakest medium-term growth outlook in over 30 years.

Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has praised President Muhammadu Buhari's two-year administration, stating that positive results are evident in areas such as security, corruption, and the economy. Although the economy remains a challenge, the Federal Government has introduced measures to revamp it. Osinbajo acknowledged that the fight against corruption appears slow due to the slow nature of the nation's justice system, but all hands are on the deck to ensure that all stolen funds are recovered and culprits brought to justice. On security, the government has made significant achievements in the North East, where the Boko Haram sect challenged the nation's sovereignty. The government has reorganized and equipped its Armed Forces and revitalized the regional Multinational Joint Task Force. In the Niger Delta, the government is engaging with local communities to understand their grievances and create solutions. The government is working with state governments to design effective strategies and interventions to bring the menace to an end.

Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has praised President Muhammadu Buhari's two-year administration, stating that positive results are evident in areas such as security, corruption, and the economy. Although the economy remains a challenge, the Federal Government has introduced measures to revamp it. Osinbajo acknowledged that the fight against corruption appears slow due to the slow nature of the nation's justice system, but all hands are on the deck to ensure that all stolen funds are recovered and culprits brought to justice. On security, the government has made significant achievements in the North East, where the Boko Haram sect challenged the nation's sovereignty. The government has reorganized and equipped its Armed Forces and revitalized the regional Multinational Joint Task Force. In the Niger Delta, the government is engaging with local communities to understand their grievances and create solutions. The government is working with state governments to design effective strategies and interventions to bring the menace to an end.

Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has praised President Muhammadu Buhari's two-year administration, stating that positive results are evident in areas such as security, corruption, and the economy. Although the economy remains a challenge, the Federal Government has introduced measures to revamp it. Osinbajo acknowledged that the fight against corruption appears slow due to the slow nature of the nation's justice system, but all hands are on the deck to ensure that all stolen funds are recovered and culprits brought to justice. On security, the government has made significant achievements in the North East, where the Boko Haram sect challenged the nation's sovereignty. The government has reorganized and equipped its Armed Forces and revitalized the regional Multinational Joint Task Force. In the Niger Delta, the government is engaging with local communities to understand their grievances and create solutions. The government is working with state governments to design effective strategies and interventions to bring the menace to an end.

Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has praised President Muhammadu Buhari's two-year administration, stating that positive results are evident in areas such as security, corruption, and the economy. Although the economy remains a challenge, the Federal Government has introduced measures to revamp it. Osinbajo acknowledged that the fight against corruption appears slow due to the slow nature of the nation's justice system, but all hands are on the deck to ensure that all stolen funds are recovered and culprits brought to justice. On security, the government has made significant achievements in the North East, where the Boko Haram sect challenged the nation's sovereignty. The government has reorganized and equipped its Armed Forces and revitalized the regional Multinational Joint Task Force. In the Niger Delta, the government is engaging with local communities to understand their grievances and create solutions. The government is working with state governments to design effective strategies and interventions to bring the menace to an end.

Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has praised President Muhammadu Buhari's two-year administration, stating that positive results are evident in areas such as security, corruption, and the economy. Although the economy remains a challenge, the Federal Government has introduced measures to revamp it. Osinbajo acknowledged that the fight against corruption appears slow due to the slow nature of the nation's justice system, but all hands are on the deck to ensure that all stolen funds are recovered and culprits brought to justice. On security, the government has made significant achievements in the North East, where the Boko Haram sect challenged the nation's sovereignty. The government has reorganized and equipped its Armed Forces and revitalized the regional Multinational Joint Task Force. In the Niger Delta, the government is engaging with local communities to understand their grievances and create solutions. The government is working with state governments to design effective strategies and interventions to bring the menace to an end.

The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has charged the Redeemer’s College of Technology and Management, Ogun State, to develop a relevant academic curriculum to enable graduands to be contributors to national development in the areas of entrepreneurship and scientific inventions. The Chairman, Governing Council, RECTEM, Dr Johnson Odesola, said the convocation provided ample opportunity for assessment of the performance of an institution and to raise the bar for higher academic and entrepreneurial pursuits. The Executive Secretary, National Board for Technical Education, Kaduna, Prof. Idris Bugaji noted that Technical and Vocational Education and Training remained the driving force for sustainable development. Mama Dada, a middle-aged woman, set herself ablaze over her inability to pay back a loan from a microfinance bank.

Aguele stated that "Open Finance, backed by a strong digital identity infrastructure, was key to bridging the gap between identification and financial inclusion to achieve result at scale for the over 500 million people living in Africa without a recognised form of ID" during the Decentralised Finance (DeFi) session of the 5th edition of the Africa Tech summit held in Nairobi, Kenya.

A man identified as Mohammed Faworaja has met his untimely death in Ilorin, Kwara State capital while running away from a dog.

PUNCH Metro gathered on Thursday that the incident occurred around Asa Dam, the Warah-Osin area in the Ilorin West Local Government Area of the state. 

A source who spoke on condition of anonymity said, “The dog, a German shepherd, got loose and chased the deceased who hit his chest on an electric pole. He died of internal bleeding and the canned fish (Sardine) which he went to buy dropped and was seen beside the pole at the scene of the incident.

“He was a very friendly man and cannot be more than 33 years of age. He was the breadwinner of the family. The police are involved in the matter.

The board of the Lagos State Football Association on Tuesday suspended its chairman,  , for gross misconduct by a simple majority of five to four.

At the meeting held at the LSFA office on Ogunlana Drive, Surulere, Lagos, Oki was alleged to have “committed, among other things, offences which violates against the rules and regulations of the Nigeria Football Federation.”

The embattled FA boss was accused of “not attending the NFF Congress with no excuse and without the knowledge of the LSFA Board, changing of the association logo without approval of the board and the congress, denying the Nigerian Professional League A1 Camera delegates access to test-run the A1 camera prior to the commencement of the league, and total disregard to NFF instructions on NPFL rules and regulations regarding branding and streaming of matches by our affiliate (Sporting Lagos FC).”

Oki was also alleged to have “released the 2023/24 NNL SEASON – MATCH DAY LOGISTiCS to NNL clubs without the knowledge of the board, delayed and stopped several youth tournaments and recreational football, threatening teams to move out of Lagos and initiating independence of LSFA outside of the authority of the NFF.” 

The board also said he was at loggerheads with the Lagos State Sports Commission on the use of facilities and accused him of “spoiling a hitherto amiable relationship.”

After his suspension, Oki was also alleged to have slapped his vice chairman Olawale Gafar. A video, which went viral online on Tuesday, showed Gafaar lamenting, with Oki seated close to him

Officers of the Federal Capital Territory Police Command, on Thursday night, quelled a violent protest that erupted following the alleged killing of a fashion designer by an operative of the Department of State Services who shot intermittently and injured several people. One of our correspondents gathered that a customer brought the DSS official to the victim’s shop for allegedly failing to deliver some clothes on an agreed date. A trader in the market, who did not want her name in print for fear of being victimised, said some of the fashion designer’s colleagues, who learnt about the incident, intervened but their interference did not go down well with the DSS operative. She noted that the operative was arrested and detained by the police after he allegedly shot and killed the fashion designer. Responding to the development in a statement, the spokesperson for the FCT Police Command, SP Josephine Adeh said, In an incident at Garki International Market on September 7, 2023, an altercation arose between market occupants and certain individuals, including a DSS personnel and a tailor named Muhammad Habibu. The Garki Divisional Police station mobilised officers in response to a received distress call reporting the invasion of the market by these individuals, who fired shots at a tailor known as Mubarak Mubarak. However, in a statement, the spokesperson for the DSS, Peter Afunanya, said the secret police was investigating the matter.

Oak Business School (Monotechnic) owner Dr Lance Elakama has appealed to stakeholders in the education sector to train learners to become employers of labour and not job seekers. The school has secured accreditation in five courses, including Marketing, Accountancy, Business Administration, Banking and Finance as well as Computer Science. The school is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, including modern laboratory, ICT, e-library, air-conditioned lecture rooms with highly qualified lecturers and hostel facilities. The school will commence academic activities on January 17 at its temporary campus in Ogba, Lagos. Mama Dada, a middle-aged woman, set herself ablaze over her inability to pay back a loan of N70,000 she reportedly took from a microfinance bank, LAPOs.

Former Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Timipre Sylva, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have disagreed over the existence and ownership of 48 houses allegedly traced to the ex-governor. Sylva claimed he owned only three houses in Abuja, while the EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, insisted that the ex-governor owned the 48 houses, allegedly returned to him by a court's order. The commission has begun fresh moves to challenge the return of the houses to Sylva before the Court of Appeal. The PUNCH reported that the EFCC had traced and sealed off 48 properties allegedly owned by Sylva. The PUNCH had arraigned the ex-governor for an alleged N19bn fraud and slammed 50 charges against him. Three Federal High Courts had struck out the case. Sylva denied ownership of the houses and threatened legal action against the anti-graft commission over the report.

Nine lawmakers of the Ekiti House of Assembly have fled to Ibadan, Oyo State, claiming their lives were unsafe. They alleged that a batch of detectives from the Force Criminal Investigation Department arrived in Ado Ekiti on Tuesday to arrest them, led by a Chief Superintendent of Police, Mohammed Abubakar. The lawmakers also alleged that some leaders of the All Progressives Congress were seen helping policemen identify their homes, stressing that they fled Ekiti because their lives were being threatened.The Assembly's Committee Chairman on Information, Youths, and Sports, Gboyega Aribisogan, said it was necessary to come to Ibadan to alert the public to the new clandestine plot by the APC-led Federal Government to cripple the government of Ekiti State. The Assembly has revealed that the three legislators declared missing by the state government actually ran into hiding to evade arrest by the officials of the Department of State Services.The lawmakers had gone underground since March 4, when a member of the legislature, Afolabi Akanni, was arrested and detained for 18 days by the Department of State Services (DSS) over alleged sundry allegations. The Assembly has directed the state lawmakers to shun any invitation from the DSS due to an alleged plot to arrest and detain them.

European champions England thrashed China 6-1 in their last group game on Tuesday in Adelaide to send a ruthless warning to Nigeria ahead of their round of 16 meeting slated for next Monday in Brisbane at the ongoing FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

England have quietly gone about their business in the group stage, winning their first two games against Denmark and Haiti 1-0, but showed absolute class to sweep aside the Chinese and finish their group campaign with a 100 per cent record.

The Lionesses have now set up a round of 16 clash against Nigeria, who finished second in Group B, no thanks to their goalless draw against Ireland on Monday. The Falcons drew 0-0 with Canada in their first game and stunned co-hosts Australia 3-2 in their second game but missed the chance to top the group and avoid the potentially difficult clash against England.

Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has initiated talks with President Bola Tinubu on the release of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, who has been in detention since 2021 following his re-arrest in Kenya. After a private meeting with Tinubu at the Aso Rock Villa, talked about the release of Nnamdi Kanu. And we basically identified with that. We’ve banned sit-at-home on Mondays in Enugu. Need to, ” he emphasised. In terms of growing our economy from the current levels to $30bn. Which we believe partnering with the Federal Government,.

The bullish trading experienced in recent times on the Nigerian Exchange Limited slowed this past week, recording a gain of N8bn for investors.

With market capitalisation ending at N35.994tn previous Friday, trading activities kicked off on a positive note on the NGX, appreciating to N35.539tn on Monday.

It went higher to N35.932tn on Tuesday, but suffered a continuous decline in the next three trading sessions, following the announcement of an increase in the Monetary Policy Rate to 18.50 per cent, to end at N35.402 on Friday.

The NGX All-Share Index and Market capitalisation appreciated slightly by 0.02 per cent.

Similarly, all other indices finished higher except for NGX Main Board, NGX CG, NGX Banking, NGX Insurance, NGX AFR. Bank Value, NGX AFR. Div. Yield, NGX MERI Value, NGX Consumer Goods and NGX Industrial Goods Indices which depreciated by 0.16 per cent, 0.90 per cent 2.21 per cent, 1.60 per cent, 2.20 per cent, 1.78 per cent, 0.65 per cent, 2.36 per cent and 0.31 per cent respectively, while the NGX ASeM and NGX Sovereign Bond Indices closed flat.

A total turnover of 2.854 billion shares worth N37.645bn in 41,547 deals was traded last week by investors on the floor of the NGX, in contrast to a total of 4.182 billion shares valued at N99.048bn that exchanged hands in previous week in 41,446 deals. The Financial Services Industry (measured by volume) led the activity chart with 1.936 billion shares valued at N27.704bn traded in 20,839 deals; contributing 67.84 per cent and 73.59 per cent to the total equity turnover volume and value.

A 45-year-old furniture maker, Ahmed Atolagbe, whose two sons were killed on July 22, 2023, when a portion of the fence of a hotel collapsed on their house in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State, is demanding justice for the deceased.

The Kwara State-born grieving father told PUNCH Metro on Thursday that tragedy struck when the fence of a hotel collapsed on his three-room apartment located on Alao Street, Olainukan Bus Stop, Isawo in Ikorodu during a downpour.

The father of six said his two sons, seven-year-old Abdulwahab and nine-year-old Roqeeb, who were sleeping around the dining section of his sitting room at the time of the collapse died on the spot.

He added that his first son was also injured while his wife, Omotola, lost consciousness following the impact of the tragedy that befell the family. 

He said, “I was already at my furniture workshop in Irawo when I received a distress call that I should return home to attend to a pressing issue.

“By the time I got home, I realised that the fence of a hotel beside my house had collapsed following the impact of the erosion coming from the hotel.

“The fence fell on my house, killing two of my sons. My eldest son was also injured. The incident was too much for my wife. She fainted and was rushed to the hospital.”

In Ikun-Ekiti, the governor of the state of Ekiti, Mr. Kayode Fayemi, opened a centre for tech and business skills. JM Tech Centre is a non-profit technology centre that was established to provide the people of Ekiti, Nigeria, and Africa with the necessary entrepreneurship and 21st-century technology skills to become nation-builders.

Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose has called on the Federal Government to increase the monthly allowance of National Youth Service Corps members due to the dwindling purchasing power of the naira. Fayose made the call during the swearing-in and official opening ceremony for the 2017 Batch 'A' Stream I of the NYSC at the NYSC Orientation Camp, Ise/Orun/Emure Ekiti. He stressed that the N19,800 monthly allowance was no longer sufficient for the survival of corps members and called for an urgent review of the allowance. The governor reiterated his commitment to the well-being of corps members serving in the state and promised to give further assistance to the NYSC. He lamented the monumental increase in the population of graduates annually without corresponding development in the facilities, leading to huge infrastructural decay in the NYSC camps nationwide. Fayose also assured the state government that the state government would continue to acknowledge and reward deserving youths with state honours award, automatic employment, and cash gifts. He encouraged corps members to go into farming, fishery, snail farming, and tap into the agriculturally-friendly environment of the state.

The Fedes for N6.9bn procurement fraud at the federal capital Terriotory high court, maitama, Abuja. Emefile will be arraignment and mention. Emefiele will be arraigned along a female CBN emral Government will on thursday arraign the suspended central bank of Nigeria governor Godwin Emefile and his asocsiateployee, sa'adatu yaro and her company , April 1616 investment limited on 20 charges of procurement fraud, consipracy and conferring corrupt advantages on his associates. Emefiele, who had been in detention since he was accused of conferring corrupt advantages on yaro a director in april 1616 investment ltd.  Emefiele s'associate the ex-CBN governor was said to have conspired with yaro to confer corrupt advantages on the CBN staffer by awarding to her a contract for the supply of two toyora hilux shell specification vehichles.

All Abstract

The Federal Government has approved a special intervention fund to rebuild the burnt library complex of the University of Jos, Plateau State. All lost academic materials in the complex, which hosts two faculties, four departments, and the Information and Communication Technology facility, will be restored. The Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, Dr. Abdullahi Baffa, stated that the loss caused by the fire incident is something that cannot be quantified because of the loss of some academic materials that no amount of money can replace. The library is the soul of any institution, and the news of the fire incident was received with sadness, and that is why I am leading the team from TETfund myself to see the extent of the damage

The Federal Government has warned states and local governments to avoid collecting royalties and taxes from licensed miners operating in their domains. Minister of Solid Minerals Development Dele Alake stated that miners and operators owe the Federal Government more than N2tn and called on them to pay the debt. Alake stressed that operators must monthly pay royalties and taxes to the Federal Government, stating that they are the exclusive preserve of the Federal Government. The mining sector under the Tinubu administration is given top priority.

The Nigerian Federal Government has blamed opposition elements for the food crisis, revealing 32 smuggling routes used to take food items out of the country. The government described the economic challenges as the work of "forces that are hell-bent on…plunging this country into a state of anarchy." President Bola Tinubu defended the country's recovery path, citing the recent interception of 45 trucks of maize bound for a neighboring country and urging Nigerians to unite against undermining forces.Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has hinted at plans to create millions of jobs by unlocking the value of the country's vast public assets, aiming to optimize and double the Gross Domestic Product. The Federal Government aims to raise at least $10bn to increase foreign exchange liquidity, stabilize the naira, and unlock revenue potential. The newly restructured Ministry of Finance Incorporated will take the center stage, focusing on transparency and accountability. The improved returns will be directed towards funding for education, healthcare, housing, power, roads, and other areas vital to lifting millions out of poverty and stimulating sustainable economic development.

The Federal Government is in talks with the World Bank to obtain over $1bn loans to address the challenges faced by Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and their host communities, as well as bolster rural access and agricultural marketing in Nigeria. The IDP loan is estimated at $500m, while the rural access and agricultural marketing project loan is estimated at $550m. The World Bank documents indicate that some of the loans addressed by the global bank have been initiated under the previous administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. The IDP initiative aims to improve access to resilient and inclusive basic services and economic opportunities for IDPs and their host communities in displacement-affected local government areas in the northern part of Nigeria. The Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning will act as the borrower for Nigeria, while the National Commission for Refugee Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons and the North East Development Commission are the implementing agencies.

The $2bn domestic FGN US dollar bond opening in Nigeria is expected to have a positive impact on the economy. The first series of $500m was announced at a hybrid roadshow in Lagos, attended by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of Economy, Wale Edun, and Director General of the Debt Management Office, Ms. Patience Oniha. The bond offering is targeted at pension funds, banks, Nigerians living in the country, foreigners living in the country, and Nigerians living in the diaspora. United Capital is the lead issuing house for the offering. Analysts predict that the offering will boost external reserves to help stabilize the Nigerian currency. The bond issuance holds promise to investors and the economy in several ways, such as providing an alternative, cheaper source to meet the government's financing needs and strengthening the naira. However, the tenor of five years seems ambitious, and a two-year, short-term tenor would have been better and less costly.

The Federal Government is expected to make up to $17bn if it sells down its stake in most joint-ventures oil and assets, JP Morgan has stated. The United States bank’s projection came against the backdrop of the government’s plan to boost foreign exchange earnings and external reserves in order to ease forex pressure. The US bank stated this in a report titled, ‘Nigeria: Reform pause rather than fatigue (CBN’s financial accounts open a can of worms).’ According to JP Morgan, the low net forex reserves mean a continued forex market pressure, adding however that the CBN can still source forex at commercial and semi-commercial rates. The highly profitable nature of the currency swap arrangements between the CBN and domestic commercial banks is expected to continue for some time, it said. Commenting on the government assets which can provide succor in the medium term, it stated, “For example, the President’s policy advisory council has recommended the government sell down its stake in the most joint-venture oil and gas assets, a proposal that is estimated to bring in up to $17bn.” The US bank further said the recently announced $3bn loan to the NNPC could help partly improve FX liquidity conditions in the market, with the oil company selling the dollars to the CBN and remitting the naira proceeds to the government as upfront payments for oil revenues and taxes. However, the large external financing needs of the private sector will sustain forex pressures, the bank warned.

Nigeria's Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, Prof. Itse Sagay, has criticized Justice Ibrahim Buba for granting a perpetual injunction to former Governor of Rivers State, Chief Peter Odili, which has halted his prosecution. Buba's order has prevented the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and other government anti-corruption agencies from prosecuting or arresting Odili, who was accused of embezzling N100bn of Rivers State money during his eight-year tenure. Sagay argued that the current injunction is unconstitutional and unconstitutional, stating that it removed the prosecutorial powers of the police and prosecution in Nigeria. He urged law enforcement agencies not to give up and suggested that any judge who grants an order of perpetual injunction against investigation, interrogation, and arrest should be regarded as having committed a serious act of wrongdoing, which should merit disciplinary action by the National Commission for the Prevention of Corruption. The case could be reopened, and measures are being put in place to ensure such an order is never granted again.

Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose has accused the Federal Government of sending policemen from Abuja to arrest 11 members of the state House of Assembly. The move comes after a failed attempt by the Department of State Services to arrest lawmakers. The alleged clampdown on legislators is expected to begin on Tuesday night. The move is attributed to TKO Aluko's malicious outburst that those listed for arrest stockpiled arms during the governorship election. Fayose vowed to resist any attempt to use the police to harass lawmakers and government officials in the state. The APC chairman, Jide Awe, and TKO Aluko, who are wanted for alleged murder and perjury, have not been arrested. A leader of the APC in Ekiti said there was no big deal in inviting public officials to explain certain actions and inactions.

The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in Nigeria has expressed concern over the continued rejection of gunshot victims by hospitals, which is against the provisions of the Gunshot Act 2017, which mandates all medical facilities to provide compulsory treatment and care for victims of gunshots and related matters. The ministry called on medical facilities to comply with the Act, noting that strategies are being put in place to ensure compliance by Nigerian healthcare facilities. The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, stressed that gunshot victims must be attended to by hospitals because they come under medical emergencies that require urgent attention to save the life of the patient or victim. The ministry also urged the police to comply with and enforce the provisions of the Act with promptness.

Nigeria's Federal Government plans to raise $10bn to improve foreign exchange market liquidity, following a naira falling to an all-time low of 1,850 per dollar at the parallel market. President Bola Tinubu announced the plan at the inaugural Public Wealth Management Conference in Abuja, focusing on increasing foreign exchange liquidity and ensuring optimal management of government assets and investments. The government aims to double the GDP growth rate and significantly increase the GDP base over the next eight years. The President stressed transparency and accountability as key principles, focusing on improved corporate governance, innovative partnerships, and attracting alternative investment capital. The improved returns will be directed towards funding for education, healthcare, housing, power, roads, and other areas vital to lifting millions out of poverty and stimulating sustainable economic development and job creation.

Nigeria's Federal Government plans to raise $10bn to improve foreign exchange market liquidity, following a naira falling to an all-time low of 1,850 per dollar at the parallel market. President Bola Tinubu announced the plan at the inaugural Public Wealth Management Conference in Abuja, focusing on increasing foreign exchange liquidity and ensuring optimal management of government assets and investments. The government aims to double the GDP growth rate and significantly increase the GDP base over the next eight years. The President stressed transparency and accountability as key principles, focusing on improved corporate governance, innovative partnerships, and attracting alternative investment capital. The improved returns will be directed towards funding for education, healthcare, housing, power, roads, and other areas vital to lifting millions out of poverty and stimulating sustainable economic development and job creation.

Nigeria's Federal Government plans to overhaul its tax system, aiming to increase the tax burden to wealthy citizens and reduce corporate taxes. This move is part of President Bola Tinubu's economic reforms, aiming to lift the country's tax take to 18% of GDP within three years. The plan aims to protect the poor and address widespread tax evasion in Africa.

The Minister of Steel Development, Shuaibu Audu, has pledged to resuscitate the Ajaokuta Steel Company and set a roadmap for its development. The Federal Government has allocated over N3bn annually to cover personnel costs, but the company has not started operations in over 42 years. Audu emphasized the creation of a new ministry to pursue President Bola Tinubu's overall development. Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake, urged staff to be result-oriented and revealed a roadmap for the sector.

The Federal Government may incur additional N315bn in wage bill in the next six months for the newly introduced allowance for federal workers. This came as Organised Labour agreed to suspend its proposed nationwide strike for 30 days, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Federal Government after a marathon meeting that ended around 11pm on Tuesday. Announcing the outcome of the meeting to State House correspondents, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong, said “The NLC and TUC accept to suspend for 30 days the planned Indefinite Nationwide strike scheduled to begin, Tuesday, the 3rd of October, 2023.” Lalong said the memorandum shall be filed with the relevant court of competent jurisdiction within one week as consent judgment by the Federal Government. According to the agreement, the Federal Government grants a wage award of N35,000 only to all Federal Government workers “beginning from the month of September pending when a new national minimum wage is expected to have been signed into law.” The agreement further read in part, “A minimum wage committee shall be inaugurated within one month from the date of this agreement.

Talks between the Federal Government and organised labour over the removal of fuel subsidy ended in a deadlock due to the hike in petrol pump prices. The NNPCL has not given people the opportunity to import, leading to no competition and the government resorting to forece.

Nigeria’s total debt (Federal Government and states’ loans) may hit at least N107.38tn soon following the approval of fresh borrowings for the Federal Government and the new securitization of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s N7.3tn Ways and Means advances. This is as the Senate, as of December 2023, approved President Bola Tinubu’s request to borrow $7.8 billion and €100 million as part of the Federal Government’s 2022–2024 borrowing plan. According to Tinubu, the Federal Executive Council under former President Muhammadu Buhari approved the loan facility on May 15, 2023, to finance infrastructure, health, education, agriculture, insecurity, and other sectors. While asking for approval, he said the foreign loan was necessary to bridge the financial gap and return normalcy to economic activities in the country. Nigeria’s total debt as of the end of September 2023 was N87.91tn, according to data from the Debt Management Office. The breakdown of this debt revealed total external debt as N31.98tn ($41.59bn) and total domestic debt of N55.93tn. The total debt includes that of the federal government and state governments. Following the recent approvals by the senate, total debt will climb up by at least 22.15 percent (N19.47 trillion) to N107.38 trillion in 2024 if the borrowing plan is followed.

The International Federation of Professional Footballers (FIFPro) and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) are in a dispute over the payment of outstanding bonuses and allowances for Nigeria women's national team players, dating back to 2021. FIFPro confirmed that it received complaints from players over their outstanding monies with the federation, and confirmed that it is assisting players in a disagreement with the Nigeria Football Federation concerning bonus payments, camp allowances, and expenses. The players expressed the desire to remain focused on their performance without making public statements or facing distractions during the tournament. The Super Falcons believe it is now time for the Nigeria Football Federation to honor their commitments and pay the outstanding amounts. The NFF described the global players union's action as "nothing more than a storm in a team cu." The NFF insisted that it would pay the players what they and FIFA promised them, including payment for friendly matches, qualifying matches, appearance fees, and bonuses once FIFA paid the World Cup money. Some players in the squad have been paid while others are yet to receive theirs. The NFF has a rich history of owing national team players and has been involved in 23 matches, including friendlies and the 2022 WAFCON.

OnePipe, a fintech company, has launched a press writing challenge on finance-focused journalism to promote and inspire educational reporting and writing with particular emphasis on enhancing the awareness and understanding of embedded finance. The challenge is open to all forms of media and will run for a duration of eight weeks. The founder and Chief Executive Officer, Ope Adeoye, said that the world needs a new type of financial services ecosystem, one where everyone has a role to play and everyone has some value to capture. The most important details in this text are that Nigerians can now earn up to $14,000- $17,000 (12 million+) profiting from premium domain names, and that Mama Dada set herself ablaze over her inability to pay back a loan of N70,000 she reportedly took from a microfinance bank, LAPO. The text also explains that the mix-up in the name of the microfinance bank is not deliberate.

OPPO Nigeria has launched the OPPO A96 smartphone with a 5000mAh battery, 33W SUPERVOOCTM flash charging, and a 6.59-inch 90Hz colour-rich punch-hole display. It also features Optimized Night Charging, RAM expansion, 16MP front camera, AI natural retouching, and 360° Fill Light feature. Mama Dada set herself ablaze over her inability to pay back a loan from LAPO Microfinance Bank Limited. President Muhammadu Buhari's unforgivable sins include the Nigerian-naira cash scarcity, Betara and Tinubu's House leadership meeting, Senator Aishatu Dahiru Adamawa's suit against INEC, Multichoice's price hike, and President Muhammadu Buhari swearing in six new permanent secretaries.

For the benefit of USAID, GRICD, a provider of cold chain technology that leverages the Internet of Things to enable last-mile delivery of temperature-sensitive goods, has partnered with logistics provider Haultrac to enhance the delivery of vital healthcare supplies to all 36 states as well as the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja.Medicines, fast diagnostic test kits, laboratory reagents, and consumables are among the healthcare items, the company confirmed.

30 days after assuming office, President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies and reforms have attracted both praise and criticism from home and abroad. However, the most vulnerable Nigerians only hear hardship as Renewed Hope risks morphing into despair, STEPHEN ANGBULU writes. The discontinuance of petrol subsidy and the unified exchange rate have attracted the praise of many multilateral organisations, foreign investors and Nigerians comfortable enough to bear the combined consequences of these policies. For most citizens, however, the past 30+ days have been a via dolorosa, even as the promised palliatives meant to cushion the aftershocks remain yet elusive. As more citizens sink into multidimensional poverty, the F.G. and Organised Labour are yet to finalise the various scopes of intervention. At the last meeting between both parties at the Presidential Villa on June 19, the F.G. said it had set up a steering committee to consider the various demands of the Organised Labour to produce a workable framework in eight weeks, that is, by August 14.

WhatsApp announced that it had a user base of more than one billion—that is, one in seven people on earth. People all over the world have been using WhatsApp for numerous purposes. Since then, the popular messaging app has added a host of new features, including improved speed, security, reliability, and simplicity. With such a huge user base, it is one of the most popular messaging apps. WhatsApp has also just added a video-calling feature to the app after a series of beta tests. There has been a rise in the app called Snapchat and its Stories feature, from Instagram to Facebook, and now even WhatsApp has tried to clone it. In the new WhatsApp’s Beta app on iOS and Android, there is a new ‘Status’ tab where the ‘Stories’ can be put and seen before they disappear 24 hours later. The new ‘Stories’ feature is only available to a select few who operate on a jailbroken Apple device or a rooted Android smartphone. WhatsApp just confirmed that it is rolling out the video calling feature across Android, iOS, and Windows. You will now be able to see ‘Video Call’ and ‘Voice Call’ choices when you tap the top dialer button. A new dialogue giving the option between a standard voice call and a video call will appear.

Following the floods that have ravaged farmlands in the northern part of the country, agricultural experts and big-time players in the agro-allied industry have sounded the alarm over an impending food crisis across the country as agricultural fortunes dip in the North.The experts insist that unless urgent and very drastic steps are immediately taken, the crisis may worsen as floods continue to ravage farmlands in the northern states.Ten states, namely Kaduna, Kano, Jigawa, Nasarawa, Taraba, Bauchi, Zamfara, Yobe, Sokoto and Kebbi are highly affected, following heavy rainfall in the region. Meanwhile, down South, the  Chief Imam of Osogbo, Shiek Musa Animasaun, on Sunday led a prayer session to seek God’s face over the lack of rain being experienced in the state in recent months.The Chairman, Osun State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Shiek Maruf Isola, who spoke in Yoruba language, in his sermon, said divine intervention for rain had become necessary as the drought being experienced was already having a negative impact on the residents.

Travellers are expressing their disappointment and frustrations as airfares continue to skyrocket, making it increasingly difficult for individuals to embark on their desired trips. The rising costs, coupled with economic uncertainties, have left many passengers in a state of dismay. The naira had fallen from N471/$ to N867/$.With this development, intending international students hoping to resume school in September, had been greatly impacted by the unpredictable fluctuations in foreign exchange rates. The prices of air tickets had skyrocketed, making it increasingly difficult for Nigerians to travel, especially when compared to neighbouring countries such as Benin and Ghana, where airfares are notably cheaper. As the exchange rate continued to rise, most foreign airlines’ funds were trapped within Nigeria.This scenario created a problematic landscape for Nigerians who depended on reasonably priced flights to go about their business. In an exclusive chat with The PUNCH in Abuja, a potential traveller, noted that although he had not yet booked his flight, He disclosed that many Nigerians had started exploring alternative options. One popular choice was to travel via the Benin Republic, where airfares were considerably cheaper.

The National Judicial Council (NJC) has raised concerns over fraudsters targeting retired judicial officers' pensions. The council claims that the fraudsters have been bombarding retired judges with phone calls demanding various sums of money to help them fast-track the payment of their retirement benefits. The NJC Director of Information, Soji Oye, distanced the council from the actions of the alleged fraudsters and urged retired judicial officers to be wary so as not to fall victim to these unscrupulous elements.Nigerian retirees face delayed payment of pension and gratuities, and judges are not left out. In 2022, six Lagos State retired judges sued the state government and the NJC over their delayed pension. The retired judges who sued were Justices Samuel Candide-Johnson, Iyabo Kasali, Olaide Olayinka, Doris Okuwobi, Titilola Ojikutu-Rhode, and Grace Onyeabo.The council has warned retired judicial officers to be wary of and report such calls to the pension department of the council for appropriate action. In addition, Nigerians have finally been approved to earn in US dollars; premium domains can earn up to $17,000 (₦27 million) monthly.

Oil marketers have projected that the ex-depot price of Premium Motor Spirit, popularly known as petrol, would hit N515/litre once they source foreign exchange rate at the parallel market. The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria has called on the Federal Government to provide opportunity for marketers to start importing petrol by enabling dealers to have access to foreign exchange. Currently, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company is the sole importer of PMS into Nigeria, as other marketers stopped importing due to their inability to access the United States dollar. Ukadike called on the government to give oil marketers the opportunity to start importing petrol, as the commodity was now deregulated. He identified the lack of the United States dollar as a challenge, but the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority announced that it was no longer going to fix the prices of petrol or release templates for the commodity.

Oil marketers have projected that the ex-depot price of Premium Motor Spirit, popularly known as petrol, would hit N515/litre once they source foreign exchange rate at the parallel market. The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria has called on the Federal Government to provide opportunity for marketers to start importing petrol by enabling dealers to have access to foreign exchange. Currently, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company is the sole importer of PMS into Nigeria, as other marketers stopped importing due to their inability to access the United States dollar. Ukadike called on the government to give oil marketers the opportunity to start importing petrol, as the commodity was now deregulated. He identified the lack of the United States dollar as a challenge, but the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority announced that it was no longer going to fix the prices of petrol or release templates for the commodity.

The opening of its Innovation Challenge in the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa has been announced by the Google News Initiative (GNI). The financing for the chosen innovation initiatives might total up to $150,000 per project. The Innovation Challenge has been active in the area since 2019, and 43 ideas from 18 countries were chosen for the first two rounds, according to GNI.

The Federal Government intends to provide incentives such as grants, tax and fiscal motivations, startup labels, seed investment, and tax holidays in the nation, according to Isa Pantami, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy. This programme aims to find young people with ideas who are talented startups, place them in developed hubs for training, and provide them with financial support as they develop their goods and services. Government commitment to enacting and implementing laws that support the ecosystem is demonstrated, among other things, by the National Startup Bill and the National Council for Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

Welcome to the world of one of the most dreaded forms of cyberattacks because it can actually wreak havoc to a single system or network of systems. According to TrendMicro, ransomware is a type of malware that prevents or limits users from accessing their system, either by locking the system’s screen or by locking the users’ files until a ransom is paid. More modern ransomware family members, collectively categorised as crypto-ransomware, encrypt certain file types on infected systems and force users to pay the ransom through certain online payment methods to get a decrypt key. I reached out to Remi Afon, the president of the Cybersecurity Experts Association of Nigeria, and he had this to say. To guard against WannaCry ransomware or any form of malware infection, all critical software patches must be updated as soon as patches or new operating system versions are available. This includes mobile and other Internet-connected devices. Also, regular backups of systems must be conducted; systems can be restored in cases of ransomware, and having a current backup of all data speeds up the recovery process. Keep all the software on your computer up-to-date. When your operating system or applications release a new version, install it. And if the software offers the option of automatic updating, take it.

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was murdered by unknown gunmen in Onne, Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State. John Chu, who was the Chairman of the APC, Ward 7 in Onne, was accosted and shot several times by his assailants. Chu was returning home after a meeting of his political party in the area when the incident occurred. The State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Nnamdi Omoni, confirmed the killing of the party chief and stated that the investigation had begun to apprehend those behind the act. Chu was shot and killed by a group of gunmen on his way back from a party meeting. The state police spokesman described the incident as unfortunate and explained that an investigation had begun to apprehend those behind the act. The incident occurred while Chu was returning home from a party meeting.

Government and federal capital Territory, 50 per cent to the state governments and 35 per tothe 774 local governments. for instance, the FAACS'communique on june  2023  revenue distribution, issued last week , stated; The N907.05 billion total distributable revenue  of30l50 billion distributed.Given the increased adoption of e-payment in the country in  the first quarter  of this year , when the cash  scarcity  crisis occassion by CBN NAIRA  Redesign  policy made  more Nigerians ti restort to using e-payment  platiforms, expectation in many quarters is that would subsequently boost the country.

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has urged world leaders to cooperate in the fight against terrorism and addressing transnational crimes such as forced labor, modern-day slavery, human trafficking, and cybercrime. He emphasized the importance of state institutions strengthening to promote accountability and combat corruption, and urged the international community to provide critical assistance and material support. Buhari also expressed fear of a nuclear war due to the activities of the North Korean Government and called for a special delegation to visit North Korea to ensure a lasting solution. He also urged the UN to not forget UN Security Council Resolutions from 1967 on the Middle East crisis, which remain unimplemented. He also lamented the killings in Myanmar, targeting the Rohingya population, and called for the halt to the ongoing ethnic cleansing and the safe return of the displaced Rohingya people to their homes in safety and dignity.

The United States Agency for International Development has warned Nigeria and other African countries to brace up for higher food prices, following recent developments that have temporarily halted Ukraine’s food exports to African countries.

USAID’s Deputy Administrator for Policy and Programming, Isobel Coleman, said this on Thursday at a virtual press conference.

According to her, Russia’s decision to withdraw from the Black Sea Grain Initiative had already begun to trigger higher food prices around the world.

She noted the impact of this food price hike would be more felt in developing countries that were import-dependent, and had conventionally relied on grain imports from Ukraine. 

Coleman said, “One of the world’s largest breadbaskets is Ukraine. By doing this, Russia is increasing food prices globally. We’ve already seen how global food prices came down over time after the Black Sea Grain Initiative came into place. Since Russia has pulled out of the agreement, food prices have again been on the rise.

“This affects every country around the world, but it affects, most acutely, large import-dependent developing countries that have to spend much of their precious foreign exchange resources to purchase food to feed their population.”

The Black Sea Grain Initiative was conceived to specifically allow for commercial food and fertiliser (including ammonia) exports from three key Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea, which are Odessa, Chornomorsk, Yuzhny/Pivdennyi.

Chuck Nduka-Eze, the Isama Ajie of Asaba kingdom, has announced Prof. Epiphany Azinge as the new Asagba of Asaba. Azinge, a former Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, has been well-received by the Asaba community and the entire country. The people expect Azinge to take Asaba to greater heights, consistent with his high performance in various positions. The new Asagba enjoys wide and enthusiastic support from over 95% of the citizens of Asaba. The process leading to the emergence of a new king in Asaba involved a transparent democratic process, with 10 candidates selected from the quarter. Azinge stands out from the other contenders due to his expertise in law and public figureship. He has also served as the President of the Asaba Development Union, demonstrating his dedication to all things Asaba.

The new Asagba of Asaba, a respected Professor of Law and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, has the capacity to address issues in the community. The Asagba has internal support from Senior Advocates, the Obis, and the Agu Nwanyi. The selection process was successful, with the Asagba-in-Council, Otu-Ihaza, and Obis all pleased with the outcome. The new Asagba has received over 95% of the citizens' support, including all traditional institutions. Some aggrieved persons have challenged the process in court, but the process has been improved through traditional institutional remedial platforms. The Asagba cannot pilot the city's affairs alone, and the chiefs in Asaba are considering cooperation to achieve the mandate given to him. The Asagba has shown appreciation for the collegiate nature of the Asaba governance structure, and the chiefs have worked closely with him to ensure the successful tenure of the previous Asagba.

The relationship between Nigeria and Canada is dynamic and positive, with around 70 Canadian companies active in various sectors of Nigeria's market. Canada has great experience and expertise in mining and agriculture, which are priorities for Nigeria's efforts to diversify the economy. Canada has made strides in ensuring mining investments benefit not just the country but the communities where they are located. However, Nigeria has not focused on mining until recently, and the government and Minister Fayemi are determined to develop this sector. Canada has also been instrumental in Nigeria's fight against insurgents, identifying niches where they can be helpful and providing training programs for police and military officers. Over 100 officers have benefitted from these training programs, with some focusing on crime-related issues and terrorist attacks. The Canadian government is determined to help Nigeria develop its potential in renewable energy, which will have a spill-off effect on the entire Nigerian economy.

When you take into account vision impairment and restricted movement, things get even more complicated for people who are new to smartphones and find the UI puzzling rather than straightforward. For instance, older users may have difficulty reading text and graphics and clicking buttons on the screen. Here are some suggestions for improving smartphone accessibility: Make text easier to read, streamline the user interface, enable voice control, convert lists to text (so the device can read the works to you), and obtain assistance with real-world reading.

One needs to exercise caution while posting content to social media because one never knows exactly who will see their pictures and status updates.Here are the privacy settings for four of the main social networks that you should be aware of: How to make postings on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter private as well as how to make a TikTok post private.

One needs to exercise caution while posting content to social media because one never knows exactly who will see their pictures and status updates.Here are the privacy settings for four of the main social networks that you should be aware of: How to make postings on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter private as well as how to make a TikTok post private.

Installing Windows 10 or 11; purchasing Microsoft Office; setting up an Outlook email address are all actions that increase the likelihood of having a Microsoft account. From Microsoft Edge to OneDrive, this portal connects everything you do with Microsoft's products. To set up strong defence against hackers and con artists, you don't need to be a seasoned security professional. Here are some steps you may do to secure your Microsoft account: Make use of two-step verification and secure passwords, Stay current, avoid frauds, monitor device and account activities, and safeguard your privacy. More privacy options are available in Edge, the Windows 10 Settings app, and other places.

Installing Windows 10 or 11; purchasing Microsoft Office; setting up an Outlook email address are all actions that increase the likelihood of having a Microsoft account. From Microsoft Edge to OneDrive, this portal connects everything you do with Microsoft's products. To set up strong defence against hackers and con artists, you don't need to be a seasoned security professional. Here are some steps you may do to secure your Microsoft account: Make use of two-step verification and secure passwords, Stay current, avoid frauds, monitor device and account activities, and safeguard your privacy. More privacy options are available in Edge, the Windows 10 Settings app, and other places.

 Because of their size, large files and folders must be shared online via programmes and apps. For example, you might want to send an edited home movie to a devoted cousin or back up a photo collection to a different site. Use these services to distribute any huge data loads, whether you're moving them across computers or sharing them with others: Use Dropbox, Google, WeTransfer, or iCloud to exchange enormous files. You can also use Dropbox to share gigantic files..

Large files and folders must be exchanged online through programmes and apps due to their size. For instance, you could want to backup your photo collection to a separate website or transmit an edited home video to a devoted relative. To spread any large data loads, whether you are moving them across machines or sharing them with others, use the following services: To send large files, use iCloud, Dropbox, Google, WeTransfer, or Google Drive. Dropbox also allows you to share very large files.

Large files and folders must be exchanged online through programmes and apps due to their size. For instance, you could want to backup your photo collection to a separate website or transmit an edited home video to a devoted relative. To spread any large data loads, whether you are moving them across machines or sharing them with others, use the following services: To send large files, use iCloud, Dropbox, Google, WeTransfer, or Google Drive. Dropbox also allows you to share very large files.

The focus of services like Netflix, Hulu, and others is on streaming films and TV shows continuously. They don't stay on some platforms indefinitely. They acquire new videos while losing old ones as liencesing deals renew or expire. Any given day, one might search for their favourite TV show only to discover it has been discontinued. The following choices for streaming your videos to any device are more dependable: Purchase your preferred digital entertainment from websites like Apple TV and Google Play, create your own streaming service, and then keep the film on your computer at home so that you can stream it to other devices around the house.The Windows and Mac operating systems, as well as third-party apps, make it relatively easy to set up your own streaming service from the comfort of home.

Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has announced that his administration has convened a national conference to address insecurity and agitations in the country. The conference was organized by The Patriots, led by Prof. Ben Nwabueze, and was a consensus-based decision. Jonathan called on President Muhammadu Buhari to implement the conference's recommendations, stating that council chairmen were receiving allocations without using them for community development. He also criticized interventionist agencies for leaving behind uncompleted projects in the Niger Delta. Jonathan emphasized that states had better utilized the 13% derivation that came to the oil-rich region.

The Chief Executive Officer of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, Kingsley Achife, on Monday said the residential consumers in Ogun State owed the company over N67bn.

Achife urged members of the public never to cover staff of the company indulging in unwholesome practices as about 10 of such erring staff had been sacked in the last five months

He disclosed this at a community engagement held at the IBEDC headoffice, Leme, Abeokuta, for its customers within Abeokuta metropolis and Sagamu.

Achife, who was represented by the Lead Media Relations Officer, IBEDC, Ibadan, Mrs Busolami Tunwase, said consumers should to pay their debts to avoid disconnection. 

He said the company called for the engagement with the customers to seek better working relationships, and to particularly appeal to them to help in paying their debts which was now becoming a source of concern to the company.

Achife said “We have called this meeting to seek better working relationships with our customers but this we cannot do if they are not paying for the services being rendered.

“As we speak customers in Ogun State are owing us over N67bn, this is very huge and we all know that no business can survive with suffocating debt like this. So we are appealing to them to pay up before we begin to disconnect them.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has advised the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to adopt the statutory delegates' option in the next review of its constitution, particularly for state and local government primaries. He emphasised the need for a modality where no one person could influence delegates to elections and suggested that those who served at certain levels should be made statutory delegates. Jonathan also urged PDP members not to be intimidated by corruption and urged society to come up with reforms to reduce it. He also said that the PDP is still the strongest party and that some issues may be addressed in the future. He encouraged his party members to continue with the party, stating that the PDP did well during its 16-year rule by the number of reforms it implemented. He also mentioned his defeat in the 2015 presidential election and his plans to speak on the reasons behind the party's defeat.

The major challenge in Nigerian universities has to do with salaries, lack of laboratories, teaching environment, shortage of lecturers, infrastructure, and lack of light. This has led to students having no seats to sit down, sharing seats, and no teaching aids or audios. Additionally, lecturers are stressed doing excess of what they should not be doing, and students have to stay 15-20 kilometres away from the school for accommodation at a cheaper rate. These are critical problems that cannot be addressed outside of the system. The union of lecturers is asking the government to increase the budget to education from the present five per cent to six per cent to 15 to 25 per cent and devote N1.3tn to Nigerian universities spread over six years. They also want the government to devote 30% of the Value Added Tax (VAT) to fund education and even 20% of VAT would resolve all these problems.

The Igbo community in Niger State has called on Governor Mohammed Bago to appoint an Igbo member to his cabinet, reimbursing their contribution to the state's Internally Generated Revenue. They believe this would align with Bago's promised 'all-inclusive' government and support his son, George Dike, who assured them of his sincerity.

The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council has declared that the Ndigbo must produce Nigeria's President in 2019, with a northerner potentially serving as Vice-President. The youths have mobilized resources to achieve an "Igbo President" in 2019, stating that the Igbo will no longer play a "second fiddle" in Nigerian politics. Their position on the 2019 presidential election was influenced by the North's opposition to restructuring calls and the quit order given to Igbo living in the North by a coalition of Northern groups. The youths believe that a Nigerian President of Igbo extraction would pacify all Igbo, including agitators, and prevent Biafran agitation.

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted education systems worldwide, leading to mass closures of schools, early childhood education services, universities, and colleges. In Nigeria, basic education is financed through concurrent financing from the three tiers of government, leading to laying off teachers, increasing student dropouts, and insecurities..

The Nigerian Textile Employers Association claims smuggling of textile products through Nigeria's land borders has led to the collapse of over 150 companies in the last 40 years. The closure of the Nigeria-Niger border, stranded trucks, indicates inferior products entering the country at the expense of the local industry.

The provost,Wavecrest college of Hospitality ,Rosana Forsuelo  said future of the workplace globally lies on skill acquisitions and not degrees.

The PDP, the ruling party in Nigeria, has accused former President Muhammadu Buhari of sharing money meant to fight insurgency in the North-East and the country as a whole. The party's Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Abdulahi Jalo, stated that the former President should clarify whether he authorized the sharing of money meant for arms purchase. Jalo urged all those who took part in the sharing of the money to refund it, and that former President Jonathan should speak on the matter. The party has alleged that several prominent members, including former Governors of Rivers State, Sokoto State, and Oyo State, were involved in the scam. The party also mentioned ex-PDP National Chairman Bello Haliru, Abba Mohammed, Sagir Attahiru, and former members of the House of Representatives. Those not members of the PDP are also linked to collecting cash. The party held a fundraising dinner for the scam.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has been pressured to abandon the peace process he initiated in the troubled Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Investigations revealed that the former President was no longer interested in bringing the two factions in the party together. National Chairman of the party, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, has distanced himself from the peace process. The party under Sheriff will no longer take part in the peace process, which ended in confusion about two weeks ago. Sheriff led members of his National Working Committee out of a meeting on April 6, aimed at discussing the party's crisis. The former President had promised to set up a 40-man team to find a political solution to the crisis. The caretaker committee spokesperson, Dayo Adeyeye, stated that the reluctance of Jonathan to continue with the process could be due to the pulling out of the process by the Sheriff group. Some members of the party, including about two governors, have called on the former President to jettison the idea of setting up any committee.

The Joint Task Force, Operation Delta Safe on Thursday uncovered three reservoirs used for the storage of illegally-refined fuel in Bayelsa. The reservoirs, located along Tamara Street in Biogbolo, have about 35, 000 litres of Automated Gas Oil (diesel) and 38 jerrycans filled with illegally-refined products loaded in a vehicle. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that during the operation, which included operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, three boys working in the facility were arrested and interrogated.

The Kano State Government, on Sunday, said it had activated contact tracing as the diphtheria outbreak in the state has spread to 31 out of the 44 local government areas of the state.

The state epidemiologist, Dr. Abdullahi Karaunmata, who disclosed this in a chat with newsmen, said over 100 patients were on hospital admission, while about 2,000 patients who were treated and had recovered had been discharged.

The resurgence of diphtheria, according to him, may be linked to the aftermath of the COVID-19  pandemic, which resulted in a lockdown and disruption of routine immunisation of children.

Karaunmata said, “Recently, the NCDC  released a list or an update outlining the number of states affected, with the total number of confirmed cases, including the mortality among the children. The report has categorised  Kano among the states with the highest number of diphtheria patients. 

“Currently, we have more than 100 cases on admission. We have treated and discharged over 2,000.

“The diphtheria has been reported in 31 out of the 44 LGAs in the state.

“Through the epidemiology unit, we have now established contact tracing teams across the high-burden LGAs. The team is actively searching for the children, with symptoms of diphtheria. With this development we have focused our searchlight on all the nooks and crannies of the state, searching for these patients.” 

Despite government warnings against crowd-funding for ransoms, the practice continues to gain ground, with abductees and their families raising funds from relatives, friends, and social media to secure the release of kidnapped victims. Families of abductees disregarded the government's warnings, fearing the victims might be killed or harmed if they failed to pay the ransom. The Nigerian Police Force and Minister of Defence have warned against engaging in crowd-funding for ransoms.

The Delta State Police Command on Tuesday said the suspect responsible for the killing of a two-year-old boy, Ivan Omhonrina, two weeks ago, had been arrested.

PUNCH Metro reports that Omhonrina was killed by a stray bullet during an operation by officers of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency at Okpanam in the Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State.

The NDLEA had said the incident occurred when its men were raiding a drug joint in the area.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Bright Edafe, disclosed to journalists in Asaba, the state capital, that the suspect was already in custody. 

He, however, did not disclose the identity of the suspect.

“The suspect who allegedly killed the two-year-old boy a few weeks ago is in our custody. The investigation is almost completed and he will be charged to court,” he simply said.

Meanwhile, the command, on Tuesday, paraded a 22-year-old kidnapper, Ojokor Jeffrey, and eight others.

Isah Taiofiq, Chairman of the Kogi State chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, and five local government administrators have been suspended by the state House of Assembly due to allegations of abandoning their secretariats and staying in hotels to disburse statutory allocations, making them inaccessible in their designated areas. Governor Alhaji Yahaya Bello has called for calm.

The Kogi State Government has criticised the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleging that the immediate-past governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, was involved in an alleged N80 billion scam. The state governor expressed dissatisfaction with the EFCC's decision to amend a charge against Bello, who left office on January 27. The government accused the EFCC of collaborating with "criminals masquerading as politicians" to tarnish Bello's image and portrayed the agency as infested with individuals who disagreed with President Muhammadu Buhari's efforts to combat corruption in Nigeria. The original charge against Ali Bello and Dauda Suleiman was against Ali's associate, Dauda Suleiman. The EFCC's allegations are deemed laughable as the election that produced Bello was conducted in November 2015, and he had no financial dealings with the Kogi State Government.

Nigerian workers are preparing for an indefinite nationwide strike, with the National Deputy President of the Trade Union Congress, Tommy Etim, stating that the government has given enough time to address their demands. Etim warns of fuel scarcity and nationwide blackouts from Tuesday, and health workers will be unavailable to attend to patients. The strike is expected to begin on October 3, 2023.

The National Deputy President of the Trade Union Congress, Tommy Etim, has criticized the Federal Government's attempt to prevent the Organised Labour from launching an indefinite nationwide strike. Etim stated that labour leaders would not be threatened and would be willing to face imprisonment for their fight for better lives for Nigerian workers.

A leadership crisis is brewing in the Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) following allegations of misconduct against the party chairman, Mr. Ezekiel Nwogwugwu. Some party stakeholders accused the party chairman of running the party as a personal business and trying to sell it to moneybags ahead of the 2019 general election. Following the allegations, the planned inauguration of the new executive committee and the opening of the party secretariat at the council headquarters in Omoba was aborted by the state chairman, Donatus Nwankpa, who swiftly petitioned security agencies. Nwankpa said the party had set up a six-man committee to look into the matter and petitioned the security agencies to stop the formal opening of the party secretariat to avert a breach of peace and order. Former chairman of the Isiala-Ngwa South council, Uzoma Uwa, said the sack of the party chairman was in line with the APC Constitution.

The Lagos State Police Command, on Wednesday, arraigned 21-year-old Basit Ogunrombi before a magistrates’ court sitting at Ogba for allegedly stealing phones and money worth N397,000. Ogunrombi is facing a three-count charge of breach of peace, conspiracy and stealing preferred against him by the police. The defendant, pleaded not guilty to all the charges against him. Magistrate S. The case was adjourned till August 8 2023, for mention.

Taxes paid by manufacturers in 2023 increased by 115 per cent from N192bn in the first quarter, to N414.5bn in the second quarter. A data collated from various Company Income Tax and Value Added Tax reports published by the National Bureau of Statistics revealed. According to findings by The PUNCH, in the first quarter of 2023, manufacturers paid N62.9bn as CIT, while of N129.2bn was paid as Value Added Tax. In the second quarter, the VAT paid by manufacturers increased by 17 per cent to N151.7bn, while CIT increased to N262.7bn. This meant that manufacturers paid at least N607bn in CIT and VAT in the first six months of the year. The data also showed that across the VAT and CIT remittances in 2023, the manufacturing sector was the most taxed sector in the first and second quarters of the year. While speaking in an exclusive interview with the PUNCH, the Director-General of MAN, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, said manufacturers had continued to battle over-taxation, alongside other factors that had negatively affected the growth of the industry.

The military high command says it has discovered destroyed no fewer than 23 illegal crude oil refeneries and arrested 60 suspected oil thieves in the last two weeks. The Director, Defence media operation media operations , maj. Gen Edward Buba, disclosed this on wednesday during miltary biweekly press briefing in Abuja. There has been increased clampdown on i oil theft in recent times following  a directive by president Bola Tinubu to security agencies to crush oil theft.Troops equally destroyed 22 illegal refining sites, 15 wooden boats, 34storage tanks, 96 ovens, and 16 dugout pits , while a total of 60 suspected criminals were apprehended within the period.'the burning of the vesssel drew criticisms from some quarters with the House  of Representatives, on Tuesday cautioning the military and other security agencies to desist from burning vessels with nstolen crude.Reacting to the criticisms while fielding question from journalists on Thursday Buba said the burning of the vessel was in line with militarys' standard operating procedure on stolen crude oil.

The military high command says it has discovered and destroyed no fewer than 23 illegal crude oil refeneries and arrested 60 suspected oil thieves in the last two weeks. The Director, Defence media operations, Maj. Gen Edward Buba, disclosed this on  wednesday during miltary's biweekly press briefing in Abuja. there has been increased clampdown on oil theft in recent times following a directive by president Bola Tinubu to security agencies to crush oil theft. the military spokesman said ,Troops of operation Delta safe recovered 367200 litres of crude ,27,150 litres of Auyomotive  Gas oil, 550 assorted rounds of ammunition, 12 cacalibres of weapons, seven empty. The burning of the vessel drew criticisms from some quarter  with the house of Representatives, on Tuesday cautioning the military and order security agencies.

Ondo State Governor Dr. Olusegun Mimiko has denied any intention to join the All Progressives Congress (APC) despite the controversy surrounding the Peoples Democratic Party's flag in the state governorship election. He stated that the courtesies he extended to President Muhammadu Buhari during a rally in the state were done for his position as President and had nothing to do with the party he belongs to. Mimiko stated that he had briefed Buhari on the security situation in his state ahead of the elections and that he owed the responsibility to Nigerians to inform him of any credible threats to security. He also stated that he was concentrating on the case in court and that if his candidate wins, the state would erupt in joy.

The Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, walked out in anger on leaders of the National Association of Nigerian Students on Monday, negating the essence of leadership. This raises the question of what the real essence of leadership is and whether a leader should miss the opportunity to teach these students a lesson or two. The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has been on strike for 14 out of his 78 months in office, demanding improved quality of infrastructure, learning and welfare of university teachers. Education is pivotal to the future of the country, with over 13 million children out of school and a huge number of those attending schools not learning anything. Adamu should have answered the question of why he sent his child to a school outside of Nigeria while the children of the poor suffer from incessant strike action.

Abiola Ajimobi's 2017 "constituted authority" episode, in which he addressed students of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology who were protesting the extended closedown of their school, symbolised how public officials can be detached from the reality of the people they oversee. On Monday, Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, walked out on student leaders who had met with him over the ongoing strike action paralyzing activities in public universities. The NANS leaders were unprepared for the opportunity and had no points to present beyond the "aluta" rhetoric. Adamu should have known better, as the NANS leaders had an opportunity to present their cases to both the government and the public, demonstrating the value of education, the urgency of revamping it, and why the government owes us a strikeless future.

Long queues in filling stations across Lagos State have been reported, despite the suspension of the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) strike. The queues began to build up on Tuesday due to fear that premium motor spirit might become scarce due to the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) strike. Independent marketers, including Mobil, Total, and Conoil, have also experienced supply shortages. The queues have caused traffic gridlock on major roads in Lagos. Filling stations along the Alausa axis, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited stations, and stations near Isolo General Hospital have also experienced fuel shortages. The Vice National President of Independent Petroleum Marketers, Hammed Fashola, stated that the fuel queues were caused by the two-day strike by tanker drivers. The National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) members called off their strike on Tuesday and resumed loading fuel today. Lagosians have expressed frustration over the fuel scarcity, with some calling on President Bola Tinubu to call oil marketers to order.

Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang has relieved the Vice Chancellor of the Plateau State University, Prof. Bernard Matau, of his position and cancelled staff recruitment for the university in 2022 and early 2023. Mutfwang also sacked one rector and three provosts from other state-owned tertiary institutions. The affected heads include the Rector of the Plateau State Polytechnic, Barkin Ladi, Provost of the College of Health Technology, Pankshin, Zawan, and Provos of the College of Education, Gindiri. The sacked VC is a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress and was the state Commissioner for Higher Education before being appointed by the previous governor, Simon Lalong. The governor has also approved the dissolution of the Governing Council of the Plateau State University and the removal of heads of tertiary institutions. Applications for an all-inclusive recruitment for all tertiary institutions will be advertised.

Super Falcons coach, Randy Waldrum, has revealed that his half-time team talk with his players was all the inspiration they needed to beat co-hosts Australia in their second Group B game of the 2023 Women’s World Cup at Lang Park, Brisbane on Thursday, The PUNCH reports. The plucky nine-time African champions stunned Australia 3-2 in an explosive and tension-filled clash in Brisbane. Five-time CAF Women’s Player of The Year, Asisat Oshoala, slotted in the third for the Falcons in the 72nd minute, which proved to be the winner, despite Alanna Kennedy’s extra-time goal in the 100th minute. “I think two things happened, “Waldrum began. “One is, after giving up the first goal before halftime, we were able to respond and get it back. I think that was huge from a confidence standpoint. We tried to sort out a little bit of a problem that Van Egmont was causing for us in midfield, finding a lot of pockets of space. “I’m so proud of these players because so many people didn’t believe, so many didn’t believe in me, didn’t believe in the team. ” Waldrum added, top teams in the world says a lot, “I told them after the match, ‘keep believing, Keep believing in yourself. It’s not always the best talent that wins.

Governor Adams Oshiomhole has confirmed that his successor for the Edo State governorship will not be from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party or the political family of former Governor Lucky Igbinedion. Oshiomhole acknowledged the pains faced by the former governor and other opposition leaders since his 2008 election and urged Igbinedion not to worry about the outcome of the September 28 election. He urged Igbinedion to focus on what his PDP has done in Edo to deserve victory and not to dream of victory. Igbinedion, however, stated that his family does not claim ownership of Edo State but is interested in its development, urging Edo to decide under whose administration they have enjoyed more prosperity.

Organised Labour has issued a two-week deadline to governors to commence negotiations on the N35,000 wage award for workers in their states in line with the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the Federal Government, the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress.

The state chapters of the NLC and TUC, which handed down the ultimatum on Tuesday, said they had written to the governors to fast-track the necessary protocols and implement the award meant to assuage the subsidy removal pains. The unions pointed out that the deadline for payment of the wage award would expire in the next two weeks, and they asked the governors to begin the implementation process.

This came as President Bola Tinubu Tuesday inaugurated the N1tn cash transfer programme to 15 million households to cushion the economic shocks of the fuel subsidy.

Each household will receive N25,000 for three months. With 15 million households getting  N25,000 each for three months, about  N1.13tn will be spent on the programme. At the event, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu, said about 61 million Nigerians would benefit from the cash transfer.

The national leadership of the NLC and TUC had on October 1 reached an agreement with the FG to pay N35,000 to all federal workers beginning from September, pending when a new national minimum wage is expected to have been signed into law.

The resolution provided that the wage award would be paid to the federal workers for six months while states were encouraged to extend the same benefit to their workers.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) is working to eliminate trans-fats from food, as part of efforts to reduce Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and deaths. The revised Fats, Oil, and Food containing Fats and Oil Regulation 2022 and Pre-Packaged Food Labelling Regulation 2022 aim to reduce the number of NCDs and deaths. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends two policy pathways for implementation: banning partially hydrogenated oils, which are the source of industrially produced trans-fatty acids, and setting limits on the amount of industrially produced TFAs to less than 2% of the total fat content in all foods. The agency is collaborating with the Network for Health Equity and Development, Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa, Global Health Advocacy Incubator, GHAI, and GHAI to combat risk factors of NCDs.

Dollar supply in the official foreign exchange market rose by 180.59 percent to $440.13m on Friday. This is as the naira closed the week at N1435.53/$ on Friday after what was a turbulent week. According to data from FMDQ Security Exchange, forex turnover rose by 180.59 percent to $440.13m on Friday from $156.86m on Thursday. However, aside from commercial banks, the Central Bank of Nigeria, oil firms and multinationals also sell dollars at NAFEM. The improved liquidity is following moves by the Central Bank of Nigeria to stabilise the foreign exchange rate. Before closing at N1435.53/$ on Friday, the naira traded at an intraday high of N1526/$ and low of N838.96/$. Last week, the apex bank rolled out new circulars and guidelines to boost liquidity and narrow the gap between the parallel and official rates of the foreign exchange market. In its most significant foreign exchange guideline, last week, the CBN ordered banks to adjust their FX exposures. At the parallel market, on Friday, the naira closed at N1,420/$ with a steady demand for the greenback.

The Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, Jalal Arabi, and the commission's secretary, Abdullahi Kontagora, have been detained for the third night in the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) custody due to their failure to meet bail conditions. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is investigating the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria helmsmen over alleged mismanagement or diversion of N90bn released by the Federal Government to subsidy the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia. The investigation revealed that Arabi fraudulently overpaid himself and others for the necessary operational costs. The EFCC has previously grilled Arabi for hours and released him on bail. The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria Chairman and secretary are currently in custody and facing serious interrogations on the N90bn subsidy, among other allegations.

Deposit Money Banks in Nigeria are selling excess dollar stocks ahead of the Central Bank of Nigeria's deadline of February 1, 2024. The CBN has issued a circular ordering banks to sell their excess dollar stocks and warning lenders against hoarding excess foreign currencies for profit. The circular aims to reduce risks associated with banks holding large foreign currency positions. Bureau De Change operators in Lagos, Kano, and Abuja have pushed to sell their dollar holdings amid fear the local unit might sustain the gain in coming days. The CBN has also removed the previous cap on exchange rates quoted by international money transfer operators.

The Nasarawa State Police Command arrested 109 suspected illegal miners in the Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Area of Nigeria. The Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Yakubu Kwanta, commended the police for their efforts and called on illegal miners to form cooperative societies and register properly. The operation commenced from Mada station to Wakama community, around the Alogani mountain stretch. The suspects were arrested at various locations carrying out illegal mining of solid minerals such as Topaz, Tin, and Aquamarine. The Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources called for them to repent and form cooperative groups before returning to their mining sites.

The abductors of an ND II student of the Science Laboratory Technology Department of the Nasarawa State-owned Isa Mustapha Agwai Polytechnic, Lafia, Miss Taye Ajoke, have demanded for N500,000 as her ransom payment instead of the N50m they earlier requested for her release. Heavily armed men had  attacked Ombi 1, a residential area for students, which is two kilometers away from the polytechnic, and whisked the student to an unknown destination after shooting sporadically for about an hour. The incident left two other students and an admission seeker with bullet wounds, while the police later rushed them (injured students) to a government hospital for treatment.

Five days to the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly, the APC leadership had also endorsed the member-elect representing Kaduna, as speakership candidate, while the member-elect from Abia State, clinched the Deputy Speaker slot. Not officially declared its consensus candidate to run against Abbas. While Abbas is from Kaduna State in the North-West, Member-elect for the Ningi/Warji Federal Constituency in Bauchi State, but he simply called for a united front. Both Senate and the House of Representatives, he emphasised that he will perform an open-door policy for everybody. Told The PUNCH that Tinubu appealed to lawmakers to uphold national interest. He didn’t mention anybody’s name to be voted for. Maybe he is appealing, What he told them there and then was that the zoning stands. What he was trying to tell them, based on our interpretation, where no leadership position was zoned to, the source admitted that “it does not favour him. The source stated, ” adding that, as part of his continued lobbying for votes..

The National Library of Nigeria's involvement in children's book contests raises issues that need to be addressed. The National Library's partnership with Alphabetic, who is referred to as "a seasoned organiser of World Book Day," is puzzling in certain ways. Anybody older than 16 may enter the competitions. All entries must be unpublished and original, and they cannot be covered by a publisher's contract. Additionally prohibited are abusive, slanderous, or racist materials, as well as "materials deemed explicit, gratuitously violent, or referencing self-harm." The National Library needs to make clear how it fits into this situation. Such a significant national institution is unworthy of it.

The National Library of Nigeria's involvement in children's book contests raises issues that need to be addressed. The National Library's partnership with Alphabetic, who is referred to as "a seasoned organiser of World Book Day," is puzzling in certain ways. Anybody older than 16 may enter the competitions. All entries must be unpublished and original, and they cannot be covered by a publisher's contract. Additionally prohibited are abusive, slanderous, or racist materials, as well as "materials deemed explicit, gratuitously violent, or referencing self-harm." The National Library needs to make clear how it fits into this situation. Such a significant national institution is unworthy of it.

The National Library of Nigeria's involvement in children's book contests raises issues that need to be addressed. The National Library's partnership with Alphabetic, who is referred to as "a seasoned organiser of World Book Day," is puzzling in certain ways. Anybody older than 16 may enter the competitions. All entries must be unpublished and original, and they cannot be covered by a publisher's contract. Additionally prohibited are abusive, slanderous, or racist materials, as well as "materials deemed explicit, gratuitously violent, or referencing self-harm." The National Library needs to make clear how it fits into this situation. Such a significant national institution is unworthy of it.

The Federal Government has implemented the revised Public Service Rules, 2021, which may force 512 civil service directors who have spent eight years on the directorate cadre out of service. The new rules introduce a tenure policy for permanent secretaries, requiring four years of renewable office, subject to performance. The mandatory retirement age for all grades is 60 years or 35 years of pensionable service, and no officer can remain in service after reaching this age.

About 100 top officers including Generals, Brigadier Generals, Air Vice Marshals, and Admirals in the Nigerian Army, Navy and Airforce may proceed on compulsory retirement following the appointment of new service chiefs on monday by President Tinubu. aside from the imminent gale of retirement, many officers would be promoted to thier next rank to fill the vacancies that would be created by the retiring generals as part of the reorganisation of the services of the new service chiefs. Tinubu announced the immediate retirement of General Lucky Irabor, Chief of Defense Staff, Lt.General Farouk Yahaya Chief of Army Staff, Vice Admiral awwal gambo Chief of Naval Staff and Air Marshal Oladayo Amoo Chief of Air Staff and replaced them with new military chiefs. The new chiefs are Major General Christopher Musa Chief of Defense Staff, Major General Taoreed Lagbaja Chief of Army Staff, Real Admiral Emmauel Ogalla Chief of Naval Staff and Air Vice Marshal Hassan Abubakar Chief of Air Staff. DIG Kayode Egbetokun was appointed Inspector General of Police. 

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, has said his Finance counterpart, Zainab Ahmed, will find means to pay the earned allowances to members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) due to the Federal Government's lack of money. ASUU had announced a four-week strike following the failure of the government to honour some of its long-standing demands. Ngige said the implementation of most of the union's demands were in progress. The meeting mandated a joint committee of ASUU, the National Universities Commission and the National Information Technology Development Agency to conduct an integrity test on the platform in conjunction with neutral experts. They are expected to conclude the test by March 8 and work on it within six weeks. If the Federal Government is in arrears on any tranche, the finance minister will look for money to pay, even though the Federal Government does not have money.

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, has said his Finance counterpart, Zainab Ahmed, will find means to pay the earned allowances to members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) due to the Federal Government's lack of money. ASUU had announced a four-week strike following the failure of the government to honour some of its long-standing demands. Ngige said the implementation of most of the union's demands were in progress. The meeting mandated a joint committee of ASUU, the National Universities Commission and the National Information Technology Development Agency to conduct an integrity test on the platform in conjunction with neutral experts. They are expected to conclude the test by March 8 and work on it within six weeks. If the Federal Government is in arrears on any tranche, the finance minister will look for money to pay, even though the Federal Government does not have money.

president Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday, mourned the death of troops killed by bandits in an ambush in the shiroro area of niger state, as well crash of a Nigerian Air force helicopter in the state on monday.the president, in a statement he personally signed onm tuesday, he said, these officers and men were answering the call of duty  while on an evacuation mission, in their dedicated service to our boeloved country, they paid the ultimate price.

The Niger State House of Assembly has suspended the screening of the commissioner nominees forwarded by Governor Mohammed Bago, decrying the inclusion of “only three Christians” in the 30-nominee list.

The lawmakers described as unfair the inclusion of only 10 per cent of Christians in the list.

The PUNCH reliably gathered that the lawmakers met at the weekend after the Speaker, Abdulmalik Sarkindaji, summoned an emergency meeting.

The lawmakers decided to suspend the screening of the commissioner-nominees until there was at least 25 per cent Christian representation.

The lawmaker representing Lavun Constituency, Yusuf Dabban, while speaking at the annual state convention of the Women Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Niger State chapter in Kutigi, Lavun Local Government Area, said, “Christians and Muslims in the state are one. We (lawmakers) have asked that the list be adjusted.” The list has Elizabeth Shaba from Paikoro, Ibrahim Ijah from Tafa, and Maurice Magaji from Munya, as the only Christians. “When we received the list, we looked at it and discovered that there is no iota of guidance. And we, the lawmakers, especially the principal officers, are already making a recommendation that Christians form 30 per cent or at least 25 per cent of the executive council.

President Bola Tinubu sent a delegation to Libya and Algeria to address the Niger Republic crisis, where a military junta overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum. The delegation will meet with the Niger coup leaders to present demands from ECOWAS leadership. Former Nigerian Vice President Atiku Abubakar called for diplomatic engagement to resolve the crisis, recommending the sub-regional body not to take military action against the coupists.

The  executive secretary UBEC, Dr Hamid Bobboyi, lamented that there are shortage of teachers in government schools across the country and that there is need to get more qualified and competent ones.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the House of Representatives has criticised President Muhammadu Buhari's administration, claiming that the two-year-old administration has worsened poverty and hunger in Nigeria. The opposition party members criticized the government's economic policies and its N500bn social welfare programme for vulnerable groups, arguing that Nigerians must have realized they made a mistake by voting the All Progressives Congress into power. Majority Leader Femi Gbajabiamila reacted that the government's fight against corruption, weakening of insurgency in the North-East, and the gradual recovery of the naira against the US dollar were enough testimonies of performance by the government. Minority Leader Leo Ogor, however, criticized the government for not implementing any significant economic reforms and criticized the methodology used to distribute the N500bn social welfare program. He also noted that Nigerians were not eating better food or having improved access to basic amenities. The opposition party leader, Gbajabiamila, defended the APC government's performance in its midterm scorecard, stating that the Buhari-led administration had done well in its efforts against insecurity, corruption, and poverty.

Nigerian Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has urged those advocating for secession to be part of a larger entity rather than a fraction. He emphasized that the country's greatness lies in its diversity and size, and that personal causes should not hinder the objectives of bringing the nation together. Osinbajo praised President Muhammadu Buhari for his commitment to ensuring unity and emphasized the importance of a security summit. The Arewa Consultative Forum, chaired by Senator Abubakar Girei and former Inspector-General of Police Ibrahim Coomassie, praised the Federal Government for its achievements in degrading insurgency in the North-East. The summit will provide practical solutions for sustainable peace and development in the country.

Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu has pledged to make the country self-sufficient in food production before leaving office. He spoke at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Bida-Minna Road construction in Niger State, promising to continue partnering with states that bring development to their people. Tinubu praised the Etsu Nupe, Yahaya Abubakar, for ensuring peace in his domain. Governor Umaru Bago praised the construction as a promise fulfilled, stating it was of paramount economic importance and a paradigm shift from the usual lip services. The Bida-Minna Road will create avenues for greater economic development and make Niger a reference point in Nigeria's infrastructure and socio-economic development.

President Muhammadu Buhari emphasized the unity and indivisibility of Nigeria, urging the Armed Forces to avoid politics and respect constituted authorities. He called on the military to evolve new ways of tackling internal security challenges and commended the Nigerian Armed Forces for their commitment to democracy. Buhari urged the military to maintain loyalty and submit to civil authorities, and to subsume personal interests to national aspirations of peace, unity, and justice. He also urged the military to collaborate with the private sector for research and innovation. Over 600 cadets from the Army, Air Force, and Navy were commissioned as second lieutenants.

Google reports that in 2021, the number of professional developers in Nigeria greatly increased. It climbed by 6% to 84,000, whereas the increase on the African continent as a whole increased by 3.8% to 716,000 during the same time period. According to Google's research, "Average salary and pay for software developers rose, and more employees found full-time employment. The epidemic boosted the need for remote digital talent globally and opened up additional remote job options for African engineers.

JAMB has announced that pre-examination activities for the 2022 UTME will start late due to forces beyond its control. Nigerians can now earn up to $14,000- $17,000 from premium domain names, and Mama Dada set herself ablaze over her inability to pay back a loan.

T

• receipt_long
  Create Abstract

he Nigerian National petroleum company Limited and UTM offshore Limited on Thursday , signed a heads  of terms agreement for the construction of Nigerias' first indigenous 1.5 million tonnes per annum floating Liquefied Natural Gas project . UTM offshore ,a Nigerian marine and services group , had signed a memorandum of understanding with  the African Export -import Bank in december 2021 to raise $2bn for the development of  Nigerias' floating liquefied natural gas project. The statement stated that UTM had been studying and concetualising the develoment of an FLNGin Nigeria since 2020.

 

Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, has affirmed that his government has fully complied with the decisions of the South East Governors regarding the prohibition of activities of the Indigenous People Biafra. Obiano stated that there would be no hiding place for mischief makers and those who would distort the peace in the state. He urged the people of Anambra to be vigilant and prioritized the security and welfare of the area. The governor also stated that the government is firmly in support of the restructuring agenda announced by the Governors Forum and encourages Ndi Anambra to articulate their thoughts on this issue.

Former Osun State High Court judge Justice Olamide Oloyede has expressed no regrets for writing a petition against Governor Rauf Aregbesola and his deputy, Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori. Oloyede apologized to the governor and deputy for using inappropriate language in the petition, but defended her actions, stating she did not violate any constitutional section for discussing issues affecting the people of the state. She defended her actions in fidelity to her office and the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, stating that the petition speaks for itself. Oloyede criticized those who believed the judiciary should only be seen and not heard, stating she did not belong to this class of people.

The Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) Chairman, Prof Tunji Olaopa, has emphasised the importance of working with the National Youth Service Corps for the development of a new generation of public service managers. He emphasised the need for inter-generational conversation, mentoring, and education to create a new generation of leaders and public managers. Olaopa emphasised the importance of aligning national values and diversity elements with the merit system. The goal is to build a value-based civil service that is people-focused, professional, technology-enabled, entrepreneurial, and accountable for quality service. The FCSC and the Federal Ministry of Youth Development are seen as strategic partners, and an inter-agency public service orientation mentoring program will be developed to build upcoming youth as new generation public managers.

The Labour Party in Nigeria has confirmed that its 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has recommended a forensic audit of the party's accounts. The recommendation was prompted by allegations made by the National Treasurer, Oluchi Oparah, against the National Chairman, Julius Abure, for alleged N3.5bn raised from the sale of nomination forms and fundraising activities. Obi called for an audit of the party's account to clear the air, supported by 36 state chairmen of the Labour Party. However, one month after the recommendation was made, nothing was heard about the case again. The Labour Party Campaign Organisation Chief Spokesman, Yunusa Tanko, and the National Publicity Secretary of the LP, Obiora Ifoh, emphasized that Obi made reference to the audit of the campaign account and not the forensic audit for the Labour Party.

The Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Emeka Nwonyi, said he had ordered fresh deployment of operatives to Bodo City in Gokana Local Government Area of the state to forestall further security breaches. This came as a traditional ruler and some chiefs in the area fled the community following a fresh attack by suspected cultists, who invaded the place on Monday. Recall that two youths on surveillance duty at a pipeline belonging to Shell in the area were shot dead by the rampaging cultists days after an oil spill occurred from the Trans Niger Pipeline over a fortnight ago. Also on Monday, it was gathered that some dare-devil gunmen stormed the community and killed a yet-to-be-identified youth. The latest onslaught caused pandemonium as some residents, including chiefs, fled to safer towns for fear of being killed. Speaking with PUNCH Metro, the state CP, Emeka Nwonyi, said he had personally met with the chiefs and other stakeholders in the area and charted the way forward, even as he expressed surprise at the latest developments.