The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has issued a stern warning to the public regarding a planned protest allegedly orchestrated by corrupt individuals. According to a press statement released on July 3, 2024, the EFCC disclosed that a shadowy group is actively recruiting young Nigerians, including students, through social media to participate in a protest against the Commission’s operations. The EFCC, while acknowledging the right of citizens to protest, expressed concerns over evidence suggesting that corrupt elements under investigation or prosecution are exploiting this protest to incite a national uprising. The Commission highlighted the potential threat to Nigeria’s peace…
Author: Omolemi Eboisetale
The Nigerian Senate rejected a proposal to restrict the use of security funds for building universities and purchasing yachts, urging instead that these funds be dedicated to modern technological advancements to combat insurgency. The proposal surfaced during discussions on a motion titled “Suicide Attacks In Gwoza, Borno State: The Urgency To Stem The Tide Of This Ugly Menace,” moved by Senator Ali Ndume. Senator Ndume highlighted the devastating impact of a series of coordinated suicide bombings on June 29, 2024, in Gwoza, Borno State, which resulted in the deaths of 18 civilians and left many others injured. Ndume emphasized the…
Nurses and midwives in Oyo State on Wednesday insisted that their ongoing strike would not be called off until their demands were met by the state government. In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Ibadan, the state capital, the Chairman, National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, Dr. Samuel Adeyemi said there was no going back on the industrial action. NAN reports that the nurses and midwives in the state government-owned hospitals and health centres began an indefinite strike on May 21, 2024. The industrial action has been taking its toll on the patients…
The Nigerian Senate has initiated a thorough investigation into the ongoing importation of substandard diesel and other hazardous petroleum products into the country. On Wednesday, an ad-hoc committee was formed, led by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, alongside 14 other senators, to identify those responsible for this illicit practice. The committee has been given three weeks to submit its findings. This development follows a motion by Asuquo Ekpenyong, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission, highlighting the urgent need to address the importation of hazardous petroleum products. Ekpenyong revealed that recent reports indicated 12 diesel cargoes, carrying…
The National Universities Commission (NUC) has granted full accreditation for 11 new academic programmes at Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH), Osara, Kogi State. In a statement signed by the Registrar of CUSTECH, Olufunke Hudson, the newly accredited programmes include Biochemistry, Microbiology, Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Mathematics, and Statistics. The list also features Computer Science, Cyber Security, Software Engineering, and Information Technology. The Vice-Chancellor of CUSTECH, Prof. Abdulrahman Salawu, expressed his delight over this achievement, emphasizing the hard work and dedication of both staff and students. “We are delighted to have obtained full accreditation for all programmes tendered for evaluation,…
Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Ltd., operators of Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal II (MMA2), Ikeja, says there is no ticket racketeering at the terminal. This is contained in a statement signed by Mrs Ajoke Yinka-Olawuyi, Head of Corporate Communications of the company, on Tuesday in Lagos. Yinka-Olawuyi also described as unfounded, an allegation that unpatriotic Nigerian were using private Point of Sale (POS) machines within the terminal to carry out fraudulent payments.1:07 She said that the company was commitment to maintaining a secure, transparent and efficient airport environment. NAN reports that there is an allegation that ticket racketeering is rampant at MMA2,…
Ambassador Katherine Tai, the United States Trade Representative, has announced that she will host the 21st African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Forum from July 24 to 26, 2024, in Washington, D.C. This event will bring together key stakeholders from the United States and sub-Saharan Africa to discuss the future of AGOA and its role in fostering inclusive and sustainable economic growth. AGOA Forum 2024 Theme and Objectives The theme for this year’s AGOA Forum is “Beyond 2025: Reimagining AGOA for an Inclusive, Sustainable, and Prosperous Tomorrow.” The forum aims to explore strategies to enhance the effectiveness of AGOA, address…
USAID Deputy Administrator Isobel Coleman embarked on a trip to Botswana and Zambia, enhancing U.S. diplomatic and development ties in Africa. During her visit, Deputy Administrator Coleman stated the important role of defense, development, and diplomacy in fostering mutual security and addressing instability. In Botswana, Coleman attended the U.S. Africa Command Chiefs of Defense Conference, marking the first time this conference was convened in Africa. Under the theme “Together on the Rampart: Expanding Cooperation, Sharing Values,” she delivered a keynote address emphasizing the importance of robust partnerships between African and U.S. military and defense sectors. Coleman also engaged in panel…
The OECD’s Semiconductor Informal Exchange Network (SIEN), launched a year ago, has significantly bolstered the global semiconductor supply chain. With over 50 participating global economies and nongovernmental stakeholders, SIEN has made substantial progress in enhancing cooperation, promoting transparency, and facilitating emergency response planning for supply chain disruptions. Funded by the U.S. Department of State’s International Technology Security and Innovation (ITSI) Fund under the CHIPS Act of 2022, SIEN’s first-year achievements include the development of a mutually agreed-upon classification system that streamlines data exchange and early warning communication between members. Additionally, a comprehensive mapping exercise utilizing trade data has pinpointed comparative…
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has issued a stern warning to banks and authorized forex dealers against the rejection of old series and lower denominations of United States dollar notes. This directive was staed in a circular dated June 27, signed by Solaja Olayemi, the acting director of the currency operations department. The circular, now available on the CBN’s official website, aims to curb the continued refusal of these currencies by regulated entities in Nigeria. The CBN stated that this warning follows its consumer market intelligence findings, which revealed ongoing issues with banks and other authorized forex dealers rejecting…
Former Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Alison Madueke, has filed a petition in the Lagos State High Court, urging the court to compel his estranged wife, former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, to stop using his last name. The petition, seeking a declaration of the end of their marriage, requests that Diezani revert to her maiden name, Agama. Admiral Madueke argues that Diezani’s continued use of his name, despite their legally dissolved marriage, tarnishes his reputation and could lead to mistaken liabilities due to the corruption allegations against her. The couple married on June 30, 1999, under the Marriage…
The European Union (EU) has unveiled a digital platform to boost investment in Nigeria’s agribusiness sector. Ms Myriam Ferran, Deputy Director General, Directorate of International Partnerships (INTPA), European Commission, made this known at the 9th edition of the Nigeria-EU Business Forum in Abuja. Ferran said that the platform was aimed at increasing private investments in the country’s agribusiness sector.0:00 She explained that the initiative would contribute to the reduction of food insecurity and poverty as well as the attainment of sustainable economic development in Nigeria. “The EU-Nigeria Agribusiness Platform will contribute to boosting the exploration and exploitation of agribusiness opportunities…