The Federal Government has commenced the disbursement of previously withheld salaries owed to members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). Their salary being withheld was as a result of the ‘No Work, No Pay policy’ put in place by President Muhammadu Buhari against some university-based unions that embarked on a strike that lasted eight months in 2022. However, In October 2023 President Bola Tinubu approved the release of four of the eight months’ worth of withheld salaries. Sources within the academic community have confirmed that payments have now begun. Professor Gbolahan Bolarin, the chairperson of ASUU at the…
Author: Omolemi Eboisetale
The Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, has outlined Nigeria’s plan to transform into a net exporter of technology talents, using the success of India as an example. Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, Minister Tijani spoke about the government’s commitment to leveraging the nation’s potential to foster a robust digital economy. “Our goal is to make Nigeria a net exporter of technology talents. We have everything it takes to get there,” Minister Tijani affirmed during the interview. Speaking about his ministry flagship programme aimed at addressing youth unemployment, Minister Tijani unveiled plans to train three…
In a bid to revolutionize trade facilitation and bolster revenue generation, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is intensifying efforts through its Trade Modernization Project (TMP), leveraging cutting-edge technological advancements. Chaired by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, a recent committee meeting convened at the Customs Corporate Headquarters in Abuja revealed strides towards the end-to-end automation of NCS processes and procedures. The TMP encompasses a comprehensive suite of initiatives including the Unified Customs Management System, Trade Portal, and Cargo Release System, alongside automation services integrating Big Data & AI, and Document Management System. CGC Adeniyi spoke about the role…
The Israeli government has revealed plans for an extended military operation in the southern Gaza city of Rafah. The operation is expected to last for another six to eight weeks, with the goal of significantly damaging Hamas’ remaining capabilities in the area. According to Israeli military officials, the operation will involve targeted airstrikes, ground assaults, and special forces operations aimed at dismantling Hamas fighters, command centers, and tunnels in Rafah. Despite international criticism and concerns about civilian casualties, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stressed that “extraordinary measures” would be taken to avoid harming civilians during the operation. The decision to…
Brigadier General Gabriel Olufemi Esho has been appointed as the Deputy Force Commander of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO). Brigadier General Esho, a native of Ondo State in western Nigeria, has demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication throughout his career in the Nigerian Army. Graduating from the renowned Nigerian Defense Academy with honors in Mathematics and a master’s degree in Strategic Studies, his remarkable military acumen and commitment to service have been evident since his early days. His appointment to MINURSO, a mission established by the UN Security Council to oversee the referendum on self-determination…
Mr. Gbenga Komolafe, Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), has shed light on Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, indicating a gradual reversal in investment decline. Speaking at The Sun Public Service Award 2023 ceremony, Komolafe emphasized the impact of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), citing billions of dollars in capital expenditure and a notable increase in active rigs. According to Komolafe, the implementation of pioneering regulations, including the groundbreaking crude oil measurement regulation, signifies a turning point in Nigeria’s over 70 years of oil and gas production. He underscored the potential of these regulations…
Minister of Works, David Umahi, has issued a 14-day termination notice to Messrs China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CECC), the contractor responsible for the Abia section of the Enugu-Port Harcourt Highway due to non-performance. This decision comes after Umahi’s inspection of the ongoing rehabilitation work at Ozuaku, where he expressed frustration over the lack of progress along the Enugu-Port Harcourt expressway. Umahi emphasized the need for timely completion of projects, stating, “We will no longer tolerate the situation where contractors will put blank ranks on site and escalate construction costs by delaying project completion dates.” He spoke about the ministry’s…
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has unearthed a new scandal within the Ministry of Humanitarian and Social Inclusion, revealing a staggering fraud amounting to N17 billion. This comes amidst ongoing investigations into alleged financial misconduct within the ministry, which initially surfaced with a reported N585 million fraud, leading to the suspension of Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Betta Edu. According to sources close to the investigation, EFCC officials were astounded to discover previously unreported cases of fraud linked to the ministry, significantly increasing the scope of the alleged malpractice. The investigators have intensified their efforts, closing in on the…
In a bid to curb the influx of candidates using unacceptable or forged A-level certificates to secure admissions, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) is poised to block students from accessing Direct Entry admissions if their certificates fail verification. A recent investigation by Punch reveals that students from at least 155 institutions may face this restriction due to their certificates not being verified by their awarding institutions. The registration for Direct Entry examinations is slated to commence on February 28, 2024, as JAMB intensifies efforts to maintain the integrity of the admission process. This initiative follows an advisory…
The Federal Government has announced a crucial 24-hour closure for Iyana Oworonshoki-Lagos Island-bound traffic. This measure, effective from midnight on Sunday, February 18th, until midnight on Monday, February 19th, aims to facilitate repairs on a critical section of the bridge, as stated by Mrs. Olukorede Kesha, the Federal Controller of Works for Lagos State. Mrs. Kesha reassured motorists that those traveling out of the Island and heading towards Oworonshoki would retain full access to the bridge throughout the 24-hour closure period. In a statement issued on Saturday night, Mrs. Kesha urged motorists to utilize alternative routes and comply…
Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have announced their intention to form a Tri-State Confederation, marking their withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The military regimes of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger made their withdrawal from ECOWAS official on January 28, citing a “sovereign decision” and emphasizing their commitment to forge ahead with the Tri-State Confederation without delay. Led by the junta in Niger, the leaders have staunchly declared their resolve not to reconsider rejoining the regional bloc, signaling a clear divergence from established diplomatic norms. At a recent meeting held in Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina…
The Lagos State government has announced plans to relocate the Computer Village from Ikeja to Katangua in the Abule-Egba area. Dr. Olajide Babatunde, the Special Adviser to the Governor on eGIS and Urban Development, revealed this during a joint inspection and enforcement exercise on Saturday. “We are trying to reorganise all our markets. I will give an example, in Ikeja, we have the computer village, which is being relocated to Katangua,” stated Babatunde. “Hence, it is not just the computer village alone, there are other activities that would happen in the Katangua market.” “We are moving those people who…