Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

Vice President Kashim Shettima, on Wednesday, said Nigeria would leverage its relationship with China to adopt programmes that would improve the country’s digital space, among other benefits. This is contained in a statement issued by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice-President. Shettima spoke in his keynote address, themed, “Digital Economy As A New Source Of Growth,” which was delivered during the High-Level Forum at the ongoing Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing, China. He also assured member countries of the Belt and Road Initiative of Nigeria’s readiness…

Forward Jenni Hermoso has been named in the Spain squad for the first time since winning the World Cup. Ex-Spanish football federation (RFEF) president Luis Rubiales kissed Hermoso during the World Cup trophy presentation, which she says was not consensual. The kiss sparked outcry and Rubiales eventually resigned and was given a restraining order. Spain are set to play Italy and Switzerland in the Nations League. Spain’s World Cup success this summer was overshadowed by Rubiales’ actions during the celebrations after the final whistle. When new head coach Montse Tome named a squad for the Nations League fixtures in September…

The Senate has vowed to review the Act establishing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, disclosed this while noting that the EFCC was more of a persecuting agency than a prosecution agency. Akpabio disclosed this during the confirmation of Olu Olukayode and Mohammed Hamajoda, as Chairman and Secretary of the EFCC, respectively, on the floor of the Senate on Wednesday. Narrating his ordeal, Akpabio said he was targeted by political opponents in the buildup to the 2023 general elections. He said a frivolous petition was written against him and he wrote back to state…

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, says a total of 30-kilometre roads will be constructed across the six Area Councils of the FCT. Wike, who stated this when Sen. Philip Aduda and Zakari Dobi visited him in his office in Abuja on Wednesday. Aduda was the immediate past Senator that represented FCT in the Senate in the 9th Assembly under the Peoples Democratic Party. He recontested the seat along with Dobi, who contested under the All Progressives Congress but lost to Sen. Ireti Kingibe of the Labour Party. The minister said that the 30-kilometre roads, five in each of the six…

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has commenced tracking of 82 constituency projects valued at ₦8 billion in Imo. Victor Onakpoberuo, the Team Lead of the ICPC’s projects monitoring team, disclosed this while addressing newsmen in Owerri on Wednesday. The exercise is part of the tracking of 1,932 constituency projects valued at ₦500 billion across 26 states of the federation, as announced by the ICPC’s Spokesperson, Azuka Ogugua, on Wednesday. Onakpoberuo, Principal Superintendent of the commission said the exercise was the 6th phase of its Constituency and Executive Project Tracking Initiative (CEPTI). According to him, this is…

The Senate has confirmed President Bola Tinubu’s nominee, Ola Olukoyede, as the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Olukoyede and Muhammad Hammajoda, whom President Tinubu appointed as Secretary of the anti-graft agency, arrived at the National Assembly complex on Wednesday morning for their respective screening and confirmation proceeding. Recall President Tinubu on October 12, 2023, gave an appointment to the duo, seeking the Senate confirmation. Presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, had explained in a statement earlier that Olukoyede’s appointment is for a renewable term of four years in the first instance. He also said the President appointed Hammajoda to serve…

The Lagos State Government says it will close down bars, churches, clubs, mosques and companies causing environmental nuisance in the state. The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed this on Tuesday in Lagos. Wahab spoke at a management meeting with Dr. Babatunde Ajayi, the newly appointed General Manager of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) and directors in the agency. He urged the management team of LASEPA to review its operations strategies in line with international best practices. “I charged them to review their operations strategies following accepted international best practices. “I have also directed the zonal directors,…

Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali is facing a lengthy ban from football after placing bets on AC Milan matches during his time at the club. Italian football has been rocked by a betting scandal that involves Tonali, Aston Villa’s Nicolo Zaniolo, Juventus’ Nicolo Fagioli and other as yet unnamed footballers. Fagioli has already been handed a seven-month ban after admitting to betting offences – his punishment a reduction from the three-year ban he could have received had he not fully co-operated with the investigation conducted by Turin-based prosecutors. Tonali and Zaniolo were sent home from Italy’s national team camp last Thursday after…

Algeria defender Youcef Atal has been suspended by Nice after allegedly posting an antisemitic video on social media that related to the conflict in Israel and Gaza. Atal, 27, has now deleted the Instagram post and apologised. The Nice public prosecutor’s office opened a preliminary investigation into Atal on charges “of defending terrorism”. Nice said they had suspended Atal “until further notice”. “The player has acknowledged his error by quickly withdrawing the sharing of the publication and has offered a public apology in writing,” Nice said in a statement. “Nevertheless, given the nature of the publication shared, and its seriousness, the club…

Elon Musk has kicked off his plan to charge users of X, formerly known as Twitter, to post content to the social network. X said in a post on its website that it has started testing “Not A Bot,” a new subscription tier for new users. However, new users in the Philippines and New Zealand are the first to be asked for an annual payment in the latest change to the platform. The “Not a Bot” subscription plan will cost $1 annually, according to X (adding that prices vary by country and currency). New users on X on the plan…

The Senate, on Wednesday, appointed the All Progressives Congress (APC) Senator representing Kwara South, Oyelola Yisa Ashiru, as the new Deputy Leader of the Red Chamber. The Upper Legislature also appointed the Senator representing Ebonyi North Senatorial District, Nwebonyi Peter Onyeka, as the new Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate. Senator Onyeka is a member of the ruling APC. Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the new appointments during Wednesday’s plenary on the floor of the Senate. Ashiru, who was the former Deputy Chief Whip, was elevated to the position of Deputy Senate Leader, which became vacant following the appointment of…

No fewer than 178,864 pre-paid meters were installed in the Q2 of 2023, representing an increase of 3,586 against the 175,281 installed in Q1 of the same year. The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) made this known in its Q2, 2023 report pasted on its website on Wednesday. The commission said a total of 168,397 meters were installed under the Meter Asset Provider (MAP) framework while 9,302 meters were installed under the National Mass Metering Programme (NMMP) framework. It said that the vendor and Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) financed framework recorded 1,143 and 22 meter installations respectively. ”The commission expects…