The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has revealed a 7.51% decline in revenue collected from train passengers over a 12-month period, as stated in its latest document titled “Rail Transportation Data Q4 2023.” According to the report, revenue from train passengers decreased from N1.15 billion in Q4 2022 to N1.07 billion in Q3 2023, reflecting a notable downturn in earnings within the sector. The NBS document highlighted a contrasting trend in revenue from goods/cargos conveyed via trains. In Q4 2023, N423.22 million was collected, marking a substantial increase of 169.16% from the N157.23 million recorded in the same quarter of…
Author: Editor Francis
President Bola Tinubu is set to depart Abuja for Dakar, Senegal, on Tuesday to attend the inauguration ceremony of President-elect Bassirou Diomaye Faye. The announcement was made in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, on Monday. President Tinubu’s attendance at the event comes at the invitation of the Republic of Senegal. As the Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, President Tinubu will join other regional leaders at the Diamniadio Exhibition Centre in Dakar to witness the historic moment on Tuesday. Accompanying President Tinubu on the trip will be the…
Nineteen students, including six final-year students of the University of Ilorin, Kwara State, have faced expulsion or rustication due to their alleged involvement in various offenses, as announced by the institution’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Kunle Akogun, on Monday. The decisions, approved by the Vice-Chancellor, Wahab Egbewole (SAN), came following recommendations from the Students’ Disciplinary Committee during its 220th and 221st meetings. The students were penalized for a range of offenses, including misconduct, theft, examination malpractices, hostel bed-space racketeering, extortion, assault, admission racketeering, and assault. Punishments varied from rustication for one semester or an entire academic session to expulsion. The…
During a trial at the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court, Omar Mbye, facing charges of theft, stunned the courtroom yesterday with allegations of police brutality and coercion. One Gambian daily Reports Mbye, speaking in a voir dire, claimed that law enforcement officers threatened him with electrocution to force a confession. According to Mbye’s testimony, he resisted admitting to the theft during police interrogation, but was met with physical violence. “The police told me that if I did not admit, they would beat me,” he recounted. “I maintained my innocence, but they started beating me.” Mbye described the excruciating pain he endured and…
In a bid to address Nigeria’s trade deficit with the United Kingdom, the federal government has unveiled plans to bolster trade, investment, and collaboration between the two nations. This initiative comes as Air Peace, a prominent Nigerian carrier, marked its inaugural flight to London-Gatwick, signalling a significant milestone in bilateral relations. The Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, emphasised Nigeria’s commitment to reversing the negative trade balance with the UK. Speaking at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos during the ceremony, she underscored the importance of Air Peace’s entry into the London route, citing it as…
In a recent briefing held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Minister of Transportation Saidu Alkali shed light on the reasons behind the delay in kickstarting the Port Harcourt-Aba Standard Gauge rail project. Alkali informed journalists that the delay stemmed from financial issues associated with the project’s award. He clarified that the project had been initiated by the previous administration, and upon assuming office, the current administration had prioritized resolving the financial hurdles before proceeding with the project. Stressing the significance of securing all financial arrangements beforehand, Alkali assured that the government was diligently working to address these concerns to ensure…
In a brazen display of lawlessness, residents of Kebbi State unleashed chaos in Birnin Kebbi, the state capital, by attacking a government warehouse in the Bayan Kara area. The incident, which occurred on Saturday night, saw hoodlums overpowering security operatives stationed at the warehouse, making off with essential food items. Not stopping at government facilities, the unruly mob also ransacked private warehouses and shops in the vicinity, further exacerbating the already dire situation. Additionally, they seized an abandoned truck loaded with assorted grains, intended for distribution within the area. This alarming trend of warehouse attacks is not confined to Kebbi…
In a bid to bolster the foreign exchange market, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) alongside other banking institutions has infused $2.5 billion, leading to a strengthening of the naira against the United States dollar. According to official figures from the FMDQ Securities Exchange, the naira closed at N1,309 against the dollar on Thursday, marking an improvement from the previous day’s rate of N1,300. Although this surge still falls within the eight-week low for the naira, it underscores a continued uptrend in its value against the dollar. Forex transactions at the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market soared by 106 percent…
A recent report reveals that despite the Federal Government’s intention to discontinue tax exemption programs to boost revenue, about 107 companies, including major players like Dangote and Mikano International, are currently enjoying tax exemptions. According to the latest Pioneer Status Incentive (PSI) report from the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, the number of beneficiaries under the Industrial Development Income Tax Act increased from 83 to 107 firms between the first and fourth quarters of 2023. These companies operate across various sectors such as manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, information and communication, and infrastructure, among others. Notable beneficiaries include Dangote Fertilizers, Mikano International Limited, and…
In his Easter message delivered on Sunday, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah, condemned the leadership of Nigeria, likening them to “men in a drunken stupor” stumbling and fumbling for direction over the past six decades. Kukah urged the Federal Government to devise a robust plan for national healing, emphasizing the need to address corruption and nepotism. Calling for urgent measures to alleviate the current economic challenges and hunger in the country, Bishop Kukah emphasized the importance of inclusive policies and transparent recruitment methods to foster patriotism and combat feudalism. He also stressed the necessity of a clear…
The Angola Embassy announced the inauguration of a new Visa and Investment Centre in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, April 2, coinciding with the 4th of April Day of Peace and National Reconciliation in Angola. This Centre, established in collaboration with Akwa Helmes International Limited – AHIL, aims to streamline visa applications and enhance investment opportunities, particularly in the oil and gas sector. H.E. Siminalayi FUBARA, Governor of Rivers State, will be the special guest at the inauguration ceremony, underscoring the economic, cultural, and tourist ties between Angola and Nigeria. Port Harcourt, situated in the Niger Delta, serves as a strategic…
Controversial social media commentator, Martins Otse, better known as Verydarkman, has been released from police custody in Abuja. The news of Otse’s freedom was confirmed by his lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, who expressed gratitude to everyone involved in the process, particularly mentioning the efforts of Sowore, Kefiano, and Otse’s legal team. The 27-year-old critic, according to former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore, was detained on allegations of cyberbullying. Sowore criticised the authorities, accusing them of abusing their power and colluding with influential figures to suppress dissenting voices. This isn’t the first time Otse has faced legal troubles this year. Back in January,…