The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says the Air Component of Operation Whirl Punch and Hadarin Daji have eliminated terrorists’ enclaves, killing scores in Kaduna and Katsina States. This is contained in a statement by the Director, Public Relations and Information, NAF, AVM Edward Gabkwet, on Tuesday in Abuja. Gabkwet said the air strikes by the Air Component of Operation Whirl Punch on terrorists’ enclave in Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State between May 30 and May 31 yielded the requisite outcome. He said the strikes were executed at the stronghold of the infamous terrorist, Buharinyadi,…
Author: Omolemi Eboisetale
The Organised Labour has decided to suspend its nationwide strike for five days to facilitate uninterrupted meetings with the tripartite committee focused on establishing a new national minimum wage. Govima had reported on the resolutions concerning the minimum wage after Labour leaders convened with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, and other high-ranking government officials on Monday night. During this meeting, Akume affirmed the administration’s commitment to setting a new minimum wage exceeding N60,000. President Bola Tinubu’s administration has assured that no worker will face any consequences for participating in the strike. Additionally,…
President Joe Biden is expected to announce an executive order as early as Tuesday that would effectively shut down the US-Mexico border to asylum-seekers crossing illegally when a daily threshold of crossings is exceeded – a sweeping and controversial proposal that is likely to receive fierce pushback from progressives and immigration advocates. The executive action, described to CNN by multiple people briefed on the order, would mark a significant attempt by Biden to address head on one of his biggest political vulnerabilities, just weeks before the first presidential debate with former President Donald Trump. Trump has made hard-line immigration…
USAID Administrator Samantha Power and UK Deputy Foreign Secretary Andrew Mitchell convened to address pressing humanitarian concerns in Africa. The meeting stressed the shared commitment of the United States and the United Kingdom towards alleviating the dire humanitarian crises in countries such as Sudan and Ethiopia. Administrator Samantha Power emphasized the urgent need for sustained support for the humanitarian response in Ethiopia, where staggering levels of need persist amidst ongoing conflicts and crises. Notably, the United States pledged an additional $154 million in humanitarian assistance during the recent Ethiopia high-level pledging conference, signaling a significant commitment to addressing the…
In a stride towards combating poverty in Africa, the Millennium Challenge Corporation’s (MCC) CEO, Alice Albright, embarked on a journey to Malawi and Zambia to celebrate remarkable progress in their collaborative efforts to alleviate poverty. During her visit to Malawi, CEO Albright, alongside His Excellency President Lazarus Chakwera, marked the initiation of the $350 million Malawi Transport and Land Compact, specifically focusing on the Chileka-Likuni Corridor Road enhancement—a pivotal step towards improving transportation infrastructure vital for economic growth. She participated in commemorating 60 years of diplomatic ties between the United States and Malawi, underscoring the enduring partnership in fostering economic…
In a move towards reinforcing international cooperation, Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Richard R. Verma met with Seychellois Foreign Minister Sylvestre Radegonde at the Fourth Conference on Small Island Developing States. The discussions underscored the shared commitment of the United States and Seychelles to addressing climate change and enhancing maritime security in the Western Indian Ocean. Deputy Secretary Verma commended Seychelles for its proactive approach to climate issues, highlighting President Ramkalawan’s leadership in SIDS DOCK, a coalition of small island nations working on sustainable energy solutions. The meeting also covered crucial aspects of maritime security, emphasizing…
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) has released summaries of texts proposed by the United States under the ongoing U.S.-Kenya Strategic Trade and Investment Partnership (STIP) negotiations. This release is in line with the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to transparency in trade agreements. The disclosed summaries highlight the United States’ proposals for the customs, trade facilitation, and enforcement chapter, as well as the environment chapter. Previously, the USTR made public summaries of texts covering agriculture; anticorruption; good regulatory practices; micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs); services domestic regulation; and workers’ rights and protections. The STIP aims to…
Justice Edward Asante, the President of the ECOWAS Court of Justice, during the 16th administrative and budget retreat stated concerns about the high operational costs that are straining the court’s budget. Justice Asante revealed that a staggering 80% of the court’s budget is currently allocated to administrative and operational expenses. This allocation leaves minimal funds available for other critical activities. He called for careful and strategic financial planning to ensure the court can continue fulfilling its mandate effectively. Justice Asante reassured attendees of the court’s commitment to its responsibilities. “We still have to do our programmes to let…
The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has initiated the liquidation process for Heritage Bank Plc, following the revocation of its banking license by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on June 3, 2024. In a statement issued by Bashir Nuhu, Director of Communication & Public Affairs at NDIC, the corporation stated its commitment to protecting depositors’ funds. “The NDIC has commenced the liquidation of Heritage Bank Plc,” Nuhu announced, citing Sections 55(1) & (2) of the NDIC Act 2023 as the legal basis for this action. Verification and Payment Process To facilitate the payment process, depositors with…
The World Bank has pledged $45 billion to combat the ongoing food crisis, with a focus on Africa. This commitment surpasses the initial $30 billion promised over 15 months, aiming to address food insecurity through new lending and existing portfolio funds. The expanded food and nutrition security portfolio now covers 90 countries, emphasizing both short-term interventions, such as social protection expansion, and long-term resilience measures, including climate-smart agriculture and productivity enhancement. In Africa, the interventions are expected to benefit millions, especially women, who are disproportionately affected by the crisis. One key initiative is the $2.75 billion Food Systems…
The Federal Government has called for an emergency meeting with the leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) on Tuesday in a bid to resolve the ongoing nationwide strike over minimum wage issues. The meeting, organized by the National Salaries Wages and Income Commission, aims to address the demands of organized labour, which include an increase in the proposed minimum wage and a reversal of the recent electricity tariff hike to N65/kWh. The nationwide strike, which began at midnight on Sunday, June 2, 2024, has led to several unions shutting down workplaces across the…
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has officially revoked the operating license of Heritage Bank Plc, citing financial instability and continuous decline as the primary reasons. In a statement released by Hakama Sidi Ali, the Acting Director of Corporate Communications at CBN, the decision was made in line with the CBN’s mandate to maintain a sound financial system in Nigeria, as stipulated under Section 12 of the Banks and Other Financial Act (BOFIA) 2020. According to the statement, Heritage Bank breached Section 12 (1) of BOFIA 2020, and despite several supervisory interventions by the CBN, the bank’s financial performance…