Professor Lami Nnamonu, a senior lecturer at the Federal University of Agriculture in Makurdi, Benue State, expressed regret over the increasing rejection of Nigerian agricultural products in European and American countries. The primary reason behind this alarming trend is attributed to the improper use of chemicals by local farmers. Speaking at a one-day Capacity Building and Empowerment event organized by the Institute of Chartered Chemists of Nigeria (ICCON) and the National Assembly in Port Harcourt, Prof Nnamonu emphasized the failure of regulatory agencies to enforce chemical use laws. The repercussions of this lax oversight are not only tarnishing the…
Author: Omolemi Eboisetale
The community of Ugboju in Agatu Local Government Area, Benue State, was targeted in a fresh attack, resulting in the loss of several lives. While conflicting reports on casualties circulate, a source disclosed that nine people succumbed to the violence believed to be orchestrated by suspected herdsmen. Former deputy chairman of Agatu Local Government, John Ikwulono, reported that armed herdsmen launched the assault on Ogboju community on Wednesday night, with the death toll reaching nine as confirmed by recovered corpses. The Benue State Government and police authorities are yet to officially confirm the attack. The Agatu Local Government…
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, has recently announced the appointment of four accomplished individuals as Permanent Secretaries in the state’s Public Service. The newly appointed Permanent Secretaries are Engr. Lateef Ayodele Somide, Engr. Mahmood Olakunle Adegbite, Mr. Fatai Audu Emmanuel, and Mrs. Lyla Morenike Oki. Their diverse expertise spans public works, drainage services, fisheries, and administration, showcasing a strategic alignment with the needs of various government sectors. The Head of Service, Mr. Bode Agoro, emphasized the selection process’s rigor, emphasizing diligence, commitment, intellectual capacity, and dedication to effective service delivery. The appointments, set to take effect from…
Minister of Power, Bayo Adelabu, In a recent tour of government-managed power plants mentioned the issues crippling Nigeria’s power generation capabilities. Unpaid debts and a shortage of gas supply have been identified as major contributors to the power plants’ inability to operate at full capacity. During his visit to the Olorunsogo Power Plant in Ogun State and the Omotosho Power Plant in Ondo State, the Minister expressed his concern over the under-utilization of these facilities, operating at less than 25% capacity. This comes at a time when the nation is grappling with low power generation, exacerbating the energy crisis.…
President William Ruto announced a partnership with Oracle Corporation to establish a global data center in Nairobi. This initiative marks Oracle’s second data center in Africa, following the establishment of one in South Africa. During discussions in Italy, President Ruto, accompanied by ICT Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo and Principal Secretary John Tanui, emphasized that this collaboration aligns with the government’s strategy to attract international IT companies to Kenya. “The planned public cloud region in Nairobi underscores Oracle’s commitment to Africa and is aimed at driving the digital transformation of government, public institutions, businesses, and start-ups in Kenya,”…
Billionaire businessman Femi Otedola has assumed the position of chairperson for FBN Holdings Plc, the parent company of First Bank, succeeding Ahmad Abdullahi. Otedola, a 61-year-old non-executive director of FBN Holdings since August 2023, became the institution’s significant shareholder with a 5.6% stake after acquiring a substantial interest in First Bank. Geregu Power Plc’s chairman, Otedola, who commands about nine percent of Nigeria’s grid electricity, took on the role at a recent board meeting in Lagos, succeeding economist Ahmad Abdullahi, who held the position since December 17, 2021. Known for his diversified investments, including port agency, shipping,…
President Macky Sall announced on Wednesday that seven people lost their lives and numerous others were injured following the collapse of a residential building undergoing construction in Dakar, Senegal’s capital. The incident occurred at 1:00 am (0100 GMT) on Tuesday, according to Martial Ndione, commander of the fire and rescue unit of the fire department. Dakar, undergoing rapid demographic and economic growth, has witnessed a surge in construction, often lacking proper regulation and official permits. Expressing his sorrow on X (formerly Twitter), President Sall stated, “I am deeply saddened by the tragic collapse of a building in Xaar…
The Senate’s Committee on Banking, Insurance, and other Financial Institutions has summoned the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mr. Olayemi Cardoso. The committee, led by Senatorial Adetokunbo Abiru, was called to seek clarification on the free fall of the Naira and the escalating hyperinflation. The decision comes on the heels of a closed-door meeting held at the National Assembly, where Senator Abiru expressed deep concern over the continuous depreciation of the Naira. As of Wednesday, the Naira had increased to N1,520 to a US dollar. Senator Abiru addressed journalists after the meeting, emphasizing the pressing need to…
Militants associated with the drone strike that claimed the lives of three U.S. soldiers in Jordan have declared a temporary suspension of attacks on U.S. military installations in Iraq and Syria. Abu Hussein Al-Hamidawi, the secretary-general of Kataib Hezbollah, announced that the militia’s fighters would adopt a “temporary passive defense” strategy while cautioning against any “hostile American action.” President Joe Biden has acknowledged the attack and stated on Tuesday that he has decided on a military response, although no specific details were provided. Global concerns are mounting as the conflict in Gaza, sparked by a deadly Hamas-led incursion into…
Dangote Refinery, one of Nigeria’s prominent petrochemical companies, has left industry experts scratching their heads with its decision to import crude oil into the country. This decision has triggered skepticism, as Nigeria remains a key player in global oil production, pumping out a substantial 1.43 million barrels per day. The perplexing situation becomes even more intriguing when considering that Nigeria routinely ships at least 105,000 barrels of crude oil daily to the United States. This has left many asking: Why would a refinery in the heart of an oil-producing nation resort to importing the very resource it is known for…
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu embarked on a trip to China on Tuesday, aiming to finalize key agreements with the China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC) for the Blue and Red Line rail services. The primary objective of the visit is to strengthen trade and investment ties with the CCECC, a renowned Chinese construction giant involved in major infrastructure projects globally. Governor Sanwo-Olu is set to engage in discussions with top officials of the company and inspect ongoing projects around Beijing. During his stay in China, the Governor will meticulously assess the progress of the Signaling System, including Communication-Based Train Control (CBTC),…
The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) expresses apprehension over the escalating dollarization of Nigeria’s economy. NLC President, Joe Ajaero, voiced the organization’s worries on Tuesday, highlighting the Federal Government’s passive stance on this critical issue. During an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Ajaero emphasized the troubling dependence on the dollar for transactions within the country. He lamented the government’s apparent disregard for the impact of this trend, stating, “The issue of the dollarization of the currency is clear, and the FG is not doing anything about it.” Despite the NLC’s concerns, Ajaero acknowledged their limitations in resolving the matter,…