In a US Senate hearing, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg apologized to families affected by social media abuse, particularly those whose children faced harm. The hearing, also involving tech leaders from TikTok, Snap, X, and Discord, focused on child protection online. Lawmakers questioned the executives for nearly four hours, addressing concerns about online sexual exploitation and the need for legislation holding social media companies accountable. Zuckerberg, facing scrutiny, apologized to families who shared stories of their children’s self-harm or suicide linked to social media content. The hearing extended beyond child protection, with senators exploring various issues. TikTok CEO Shou Zi…
Author: Omolemi Eboisetale
Senator Godswill Akpabio, The president of the Senate has called on the German government to reconsider its decision to deport 12,000 illegal migrants of Nigerian origin. Senator Akpabio stated that such action could exacerbate the prevailing security challenges faced by Nigeria. The plea was made during a courtesy visit by the German Ambassador to Nigeria, Annette Gunther, to the Senate President in Abuja on Wednesday. Ambassador Gunther highlighted the importance of collaboration between the two nations, given their significant roles as large economies in their respective continents. Addressing the security concerns in Nigeria, Senator Akpabio urged Germany to…
North Korea has heightened international concerns by conducting a series of cruise missile tests, as reported by Seoul’s Joint Chiefs of Staff on Friday. In what Kim Jong Un’s regime terms “war preparations,” this latest wave of weapons testing follows a string of provocative actions throughout the year, raising regional tensions and drawing increased Kim Jong Un has recently declared South Korea as his country’s “principal enemy” and abandoned agencies dedicated to reunification efforts. The latest missile tests come on the heels of other provocative actions, including an “underwater nuclear weapon system” test and the launch of a solid-fueled…
The Lagos Police command, through a statement released by SP Benjamin Hundeyin on Friday, has declared a restriction of movement within Surulere Federal Constituency I on the day of the bye-elections. The restriction is specifically targeted at ensuring the safety and smooth conduct of the electoral process. According to the announcement, Funsho Williams Avenue will be the only route available for passage during the elections. Movement into and out of other roads off Funsho Williams Avenue will not be permitted, as authorities seek to create a controlled environment around the polling areas. While the restrictions may cause inconvenience…
The Federal Government, acting through the Central Bank of Nigeria, has elevated the exchange rate for cargo clearance from N952/$ to N1.356 per dollar. This decision, which follows a series of previous adjustments, is raising concerns among stakeholders. Only weeks ago, the exchange rate experienced an upward revision from N783/$ to N952/$. In November, a 3.4% increase saw the rate climb from N757 per dollar to N783 per dollar. Subsequently, December witnessed another surge, reaching the newly set N952/$. Responding to this development, Remilekun Sikiru, a member of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents, expressed dismay, highlighting…
The Vice Chancellor of Afe Babalola University Ado Ekiti (ABUAD), Prof. Smaranda Olarinde, has expressed discontent over the continued exclusion of private universities from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) . The ABUAD management deemed this exclusion as unfair and unacceptable, asserting that private institutions play a vital role in providing alternative and complementary education to the public sector. Prof. Olarinde highlighted the significant contributions of private universities in increasing accessibility and enhancing the quality of education. She emphasized that despite their important role, private universities receive no financial support from TETFund. The Vice Chancellor pointed out the contradiction…
The Lagos State Government has issued a stern two-week ultimatum for the removal of illegal building extensions across the state. Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Oluyinka Olumide, announced the enforcement during a press conference held in Alausa on Wednesday. Expressing concern over the growing trend of unlawfully converted residential spaces and unauthorized building attachments, Dr. Olumide emphasized the need for immediate action to uphold sanity in the state. The Commissioner pinpointed commercial centers such as Lagos Island, Ikeja, and Iyana-Ipaja as hotspots for these illicit practices, where shops have been extended with sheds and steel…
Governor Sanwo-Olu has directed the Motor Vehicle Administration Agency (MVAA) to align its fees with the provisions of the Lagos State Transport Sector Law of 2018. This directive, conveyed by MVAA’s General Manager, Mr. Rasheed Muri-Okunola, comes into effect from March 1, 2024. The adjustment in fees impacts Motor Vehicle Dealers and Motor Spare Parts Dealers within the state, with specific amounts outlined in the Transport Law 2018. Motor Vehicle Dealers registered as limited liability companies will now pay N150,000, while individual and business name vehicle dealers will contribute N100,000. For Motor Vehicle Spare Parts Dealers, the fees…
President Bola Tinubu has issued a directive to expedite the resolution of the prolonged legal battle surrounding the $1.3bn deepwater OML 245 oil block located in the southern Niger Delta. The order involves the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri, and several government agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, and Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited. The Malabu OML 245 saga dates back to 1998 when Malabu Oil and Gas, linked to former Nigerian Minister of Petroleum, Dan Etete, acquired the block for…
The Accountant General of the Federation has announced that federal workers can expect to receive their January salaries from Thursday evening, addressing a delay caused by a glitch in the Government Integrated Financial Management System (GIFMIS) platform. Bawa Mokwa, the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Office of the Accountant General, assured that the issue has been successfully rectified, paving the way for the commencement of salary payments today. The glitch in the GIFMIS platform was identified as the root cause of the delay, impacting the timely processing of payroll for federal employees. However, Mokwa emphasized…
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has issued a clarification on the recent remarks made by its Executive Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, regarding alleged money laundering involving religious sect leaders in Nigeria. This comes in response to misleading reports, particularly from Arise News, and commentaries circulating in the media. During a public engagement on Youth, Religion, and the Fight Against Corruption in Abuja on January 31, 2024, Olukoyede expressed concern about the involvement of some religious sect leaders in a pyramid scheme that fleeced over N30 billion from Nigerians. He mentioned tracing over N7 billion to a specific…
The House passed a $79 billion tax cut package on Wednesday, garnering support for enhanced child tax credits and business tax breaks. The legislation garnered support from a broad spectrum of lawmakers, with a vote of 357-70, signaling a potential breakthrough for a Congress that has struggled to push significant bills forward. The tax cut package includes notable enhancements to the child tax credit, benefiting millions of lower-income families. Additionally, it provides three tax breaks for businesses, presenting a balanced approach that secured support from lawmakers on both sides. The fate of the bill remains uncertain as it…