The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr Musa Aliyu, SAN, has vowed that under his watch, the commission would not condone corrupt practices. Aliyu made the pledge during a courtesy visit by a delegation from the Civil Society Legislative Centre (CISLAC) at the ICPC headquarters in Abuja on Monday. He said the ICPC would continue to live above board and run a responsible organisation that would work within the confines of the law to tackle corruption in Nigeria. “As the Chairman of ICPC, I have told Nigerians that we are going to work…
Author: Editor Francis
The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) of Nigeria has disclosed that the Education Tax will be one of the funding sources for the recently established Student Loan Scheme. FIRS Chairman, Dr Zacch Adedeji, mentioned that the education tax fund would contribute to the financing of the scheme, ensuring accessibility to education for all. The Student Loan Scheme is set to be fully automated, eliminating human involvement in the application and processing of loans. Speaking to State House Correspondents after briefing President Bola Tinubu, Adedeji emphasized the government’s commitment to being accountable to Nigerian taxpayers. The education tax collected by FIRS…
The Canadian government is contemplating the implementation of a national cap to curb the intake of international students into the country, as stated by the Immigration Minister, Marc Miller. The move comes in response to the surge in the number of international students, which Miller referred to as a “volume” that has become concerning and a system that has gotten out of control. During an interview on CTV’s Question Period, Miller highlighted the need for discussions with provincial governments to address the issue and ensure that provinces rein in the numbers of international students. The minister expressed concern about the…
The Federal High Court in Abuja has invalidated the N800 billion 2024 budget signed into law by Rivers State Governor, Simi Fubara. The governor had presented the budget to a faction of the state House of Assembly consisting of four lawmakers in December. Subsequently, the lawmakers passed the budget, which Governor Fubara then signed into law. The Rivers State Assembly had become divided following attempts by 27 lawmakers aligned with former Governor Nyesom Wike to impeach Fubara. In response to the factionalized nature of the assembly, the presiding judge, James Omotosho, declared all actions taken by the four lawmakers as…
Unilever Nigeria has officially ceased production and sale of home care and skin cleansing products, as indicated in its unaudited interim financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023. This move comes ten months after the company announced its intention to exit both markets. In an earnings report posted on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), Unilever Nigeria confirmed that production and sales of home care and skin cleansing products were terminated in December 2023. As part of its exit strategy, the company has leased the factory, formerly used for manufacturing these products, to a third party for a duration…
The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has emphasized the crucial importance of ensuring that exported foods from Nigeria consistently meet international standards to avoid rejection at destination ports. Mrs. Nonye Ayeni, the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of NEPC, conveyed this message during a one-day technical session focused on addressing non-compliance with food safety standards in oil palm production, held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom. Ayeni underscored the commitment of NEPC to enforcing compliance in food standards by enhancing the capacity of actors in the oil palm value chain through seminars and workshops. She highlighted that recent exports of oil…
In a recent interview at his Lagos office, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, the former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, expressed his views on Nigeria’s current state of insecurity and lack of development. He placed the blame on the 1999 Constitution, which he argued lacked legitimacy and validity. According to Agbakoba, the flawed constitution has hindered national cohesion and contributed to ongoing crises in various parts of the country. Agbakoba emphasized the importance of open discussions among Nigerians about how they wish to coexist. He questioned the assumption that different ethnic groups inherently desire national unity and cited examples from…
In the aftermath of last Tuesday’s devastating explosion in Ibadan, Oyo State, which claimed five lives, injured 77 individuals, and left thousands homeless, preliminary estimates suggest that properties worth around N50 billion may have been lost. Estate valuers and cost consultants have conservatively calculated the potential damages, indicating that approximately 230 affected houses, valued at N150 million each, could result in a total loss of N34.5 billion. The remaining balance would account for damages to critical infrastructure and vehicles. Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, revealed that structural integrity tests have been conducted on the 230 affected houses to assess the…
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres raised concerns about the disproportionate representation at the UN Security Council and advocated for a more inclusive approach, specifically endorsing a permanent seat for Africa on the council. Expressing his reservations about the current state of affairs, Guterres questioned the absence of a single Permanent Member from Africa in the Security Council. This statement reflects a growing sentiment globally, particularly in Africa and Latin America, where there is increased scrutiny of the Security Council’s structure and representation. Guterres emphasized the need for international institutions to reflect the contemporary world rather than adhering to structures established 80…
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has strongly criticized the decision to relocate the headquarters of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to Lagos, labeling it as a strategy to perpetuate the underdevelopment of Northern Nigeria. The group also expressed opposition to the relocation of a unit of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to Lagos. In a statement issued by Professor Tukur Muhammad-Baba, the National Publicity Secretary of the ACF, concerns were raised about a perceived pattern of marginalization against the North through these relocations. The ACF emphasized that the moves by FAAN and CBN were not routine administrative…
In a recent interview on Arise Television, ex-Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, discouraged the emigration of Nigerians, commonly referred to as ‘Japa.’ Amaechi emphasized that leaving the country might only lead to obtaining a 9-to-5 job, highlighting the unique opportunities available in Nigeria, such as political offices. Amaechi, a former Rivers State governor, advised young Nigerians to strive for positions of influence within the country, especially in economic decision-making. He stated, “Staying back in Nigeria could open doors to political offices, where one can wake up one day and find oneself as a minister or a governor.” Expressing his commitment…
The British Council in Nigeria has announced a significant 29% increase in the fees for the English Language Testing System (IELTS) examinations. As outlined in a notice on the council’s website, starting from February 1, 2024, applicants will be required to pay N139,000 for both the Computer Academic and General Training Modules. The IELTS examination is widely recognized globally as evidence of language proficiency, particularly for non-native English speakers. The British Council attributed the fee adjustment to the rising costs associated with conducting the examinations. “We would like to inform you that there has been a review of our IELTS…