The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has announced a commitment of $200 million towards the procurement and distribution of life-saving nutrition commodities. This initiative, spearheaded by Administrator Samantha Power, aims to maximize the availability of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) and other specialized nutritious foods, crucial in preventing and treating acute malnutrition. The funds will support partnerships with organizations such as UNICEF and the UN World Food Program (WFP) to ensure the distribution of these essential nutrition supplies to regions grappling with severe food insecurity. Countries including Sudan, Burkina Faso, and Haiti, among others, will benefit from this assistance,…
Author: Omolemi Eboisetale
The recent termination of 391 employees by the Lagos Water Corporation has triggered uproar and planned demonstrations from several unions. The National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, Lagos State Council, in collaboration with the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees, and the Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government-Owned Companies, have agreed to rally against the mass layoffs on wednesday. The corporation defended its decision, asserting that the terminations were part of a restructuring initiative aimed at improving operational efficiency and addressing persistent water scarcity challenges in the state. However, unions argue…
A group called the Yoruba National Youths, both home and abroad, have staunchly reiterated their quest for Yoruba Nation autonomy. In a joint statement signed by Prophet Ayodele Ologunloluwa and Comrade Oyegunle Oluwamayowa Omotoyole, the youth leaders declared the pursuit of Yoruba Nation autonomy as non-negotiable. The youths condemned remarks made by Chief Gilbert Olokesusi, labeling them as reckless and stressing that there is no turning back on their autonomy demand. They criticized the Federal Government’s handling of security challenges in Yoruba land, giving an ultimatum for action against Fulani herdsmen’s atrocities by June 30th, 2024. They opposed recent efforts…
A Florida judge, District Judge Aileen Cannon, has indefinitely postponed the trial concerning documents retained by former President Donald Trump. Originally slated for May 20, the trial’s delay comes amidst a flurry of pre-trial motions inundating the court. Judge Cannon, who was appointed by Trump, refrained from setting a new trial date. This decision deals a blow to special counsel Jack Smith, the prosecutor behind the charges against Trump. Moreover, it casts doubt on the likelihood of the trial taking place before the upcoming election, just six months away, where Trump is the presumed Republican nominee for president. Trump’s legal…
The United States has condemned the recent attack on an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp situated in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The assault, reportedly perpetrated by the Rwanda Defense Forces (RDF) and M23 positions, resulted in the tragic loss of nine lives and left at least 33 individuals wounded, with many being women and children. Matthew Miller, the Department Spokesperson, conveyed the US government’s strong condemnation of the attack, emphasizing the urgent need for respecting human rights and adhering to international humanitarian laws. The escalating conflict in eastern DRC, exacerbated by the RDF and M23 expansion, has…
The Federal Government has abolished signature bonuses, removing a major hurdle for potential investors. The announcement was made by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Mr. Heineken Lokpobiri, during the ongoing 2024 Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston, Texas. Signature bonuses, a non-recoverable lump sum payment required upon the granting of a petroleum exploration license, have long been cited as a barrier to investment in the sector. Lokpobiri stated that Nigeria remains committed to attracting investment in its oil and gas industry, recognizing its pivotal role in the country’s economic development and recovery. Addressing concerns about the future of…
Assistant to the Administrator (AtA) of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Dina Esposito, is set to play a pivotal role at the Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Summit in Nairobi, Kenya. Scheduled for May 3, 2024, Esposito’s participation underscores USAID’s commitment to bolstering food security across the continent. Esposito’s agenda includes delivering keynote remarks on U.S. initiatives aimed at fortifying food security and engaging in high-level discussions with foreign dignitaries, donor government officials, and implementing partners. The focus will be on how the United States can assist African nations in adapting to the escalating…
In a celebration of two decades of collaboration between the Department of State and the World Food Prize Foundation, the 2024 World Food Prize Laureate will be announced at the ceremony on May 9th. The event, to be held in the Benjamin Franklin Room at the Department of State, will commence at 9:30 a.m. with remarks from Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken. The President of the World Food Prize Foundation, Ambassador Terry Branstad, will then reveal this year’s Laureates, marking the 38th anniversary of the establishment of the esteemed award. Recognizing individuals who have significantly contributed to advancing…
Benue Investment and Property Company (BIPC) has announced its plan to construct an N800 million brewery in Makurd. Dr. Raymond Asemakaha, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of BIPC, revealed this initiative following an inspection tour of the brewery, bakery, and water factory sites in Makurdi. The decision to venture into beer production stems from the observation that other beer firms rake in over N850 million in monthly sales within the state. Dr. Asemakaha emphasized the importance of retaining a large percentage of this revenue within Benue by establishing a high-quality local brand. He stated, “We resolved to float…
The President of the Nigerian Community in Turkey, Prince Emre Magboh, has appealed to the Turkish Government to reconsider its stance on issuing resident permits to Africans. This plea comes amidst concerns about dwindling business activities and the promotion of Turkish goods in Africa due to recent permit denials and deportations. Addressing delegates at the Turkey Africa Exporter Platform (TURCAF) meeting in Istanbul, Prince Emre stated the crucial role that Africans with resident permits play in facilitating trade between Turkey and African nations. He emphasized that many Nigerians in Turkey are actively engaged in business, primarily centered around buying Turkish…
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has issued a stern ultimatum to the Federal Government, demanding the reversal of the 0.5 per cent cybersecurity levy recently imposed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). The NGO has set a 48-hour deadline for the government to comply, or face legal repercussions. In a statement released via its Twitter handle, @SERAPNigeria, the organization condemned what it deemed as an unjust imposition by the CBN. Referring to the directive as “grossly unlawful,” SERAP urged the government to withdraw the levy immediately. “The Tinubu administration must immediately withdraw the grossly unlawful CBN directive to…
Ahead of the November 2024 governorship election in Ondo State, leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South-West region gathered in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, to strategize and assert their commitment to reclaiming Ondo State from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The meeting, which was convened on Monday and attended by notable figures including Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, former Governor of Osun State, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, former Governor of Ondo State, Olusegun Mimiko, former PDP governorship candidate in Ondo State, Eyitayo Jegede, and former Deputy National Chairman of the PDP, Olabode George, among others, served…