In a performance review meeting held in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, the Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Arc. Sonny Echono, expressed deep concern over the increasing number of beneficiaries who have absconded from foreign institutions. Echono disclosed that the Fund has initiated measures to address this issue, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. Addressing questions from journalists, Echono acknowledged the challenge of obtaining accurate data but emphasized the existence of a database tracking individuals who abandoned their programs in foreign institutions. He stated that the Fund is diligently refining this database with reports submitted by…
Author: Editor Francis
In a significant development, the United States Government’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs has formalized a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Nigeria Police Force regarding the operationalization of the Special Intervention Squad (SIS). The Inspector General of Police (IG), Olukayode Egbetokun, announced the establishment of the SIS upon assuming office in June 2023. The agreement, formalized at the Force Headquarters on Monday, marks a collaborative effort to bolster the Nigeria Police Force’s capabilities in addressing evolving security challenges. Expressing gratitude for the collaboration with the U.S. Government, IG Egbetokun emphasized the importance of international partnerships in…
In a press conference held in Abuja on Monday, the Chief of Mission for the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Laurent De Boeck, disclosed a concerning situation involving more than 1,000 Nigerians who have become victims of scams related to foreign job opportunities in the United Kingdom. Boeck emphasized the importance of seeking accurate information before undertaking any migration endeavors. According to Boeck, some of the affected individuals lost substantial amounts, with reports of up to $10,000 per person, in their desperate attempts to secure foreign employment opportunities. Tragically, these victims find themselves stranded in the UK due to financial…
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, has issued a caution against characterizing the recent unconstitutional change of government in West Africa as solely a regional concern. Tuggar emphasized that the repercussions of the coup have the potential to extend beyond West Africa, impacting the entire African continent and exacerbating existing challenges like terrorism and transnational criminal activities if not promptly addressed. Addressing participants at the 10th Annual High-level Seminar on the Promotion of Peace and Security in Africa in Oran, Algeria, the minister stressed that dismissing the crisis as a localized issue for West Africa would be shortsighted.…
The Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) revealed a concerning outcome from the November 2023 diet of the Professional Qualifying Examination (PQE). According to the council, a staggering 3,963 teachers, approximately 27.1% of the candidates, failed the examination. Prof Josiah Ajiboye, the Registrar of TRCN, disclosed these statistics during an interactive session with journalists in Abuja on Monday. He emphasized that the primary purpose of the examination was to gauge the professional knowledge of educators within the educational sector. The examination, conducted across 38 centres nationwide, witnessed 15,753 teachers participating. Out of this total, 10,636 successfully passed, constituting about 72.9%…
China vowed on Monday to “take countermeasures” against companies involved in arms sales to Taiwan after the United States approved a $300-million deal to beef up the self-ruled island’s defences. China views Taiwan as part of its territory and has pledged to seize it one day, while the US Congress requires the supply of weapons to the self-governing democracy for its defence. The US State Department last week approved an arms package that both sides said would strengthen Taipei’s joint battle command and control system. Beijing hit back on Monday, saying it would take “resolute and strong measures to defend…
Kenya and the European Union on Monday signed a long-negotiated trade agreement to increase the flow of goods between the two markets, President William Ruto said, as Brussels pursues stronger economic ties with Africa. “Although today represents a moment of monumental promise, it is also the beginning of a historic partnership for historic transformation,” Ruto said at a ceremony attended by European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen in the Kenyan capital Nairobi. The Economic Partnership Agreement will give Kenya duty-free and quota-free access to the EU, its biggest export market, while European goods will receive progressive tariff reductions. “The…
At ceremony held at the Beulah Baptist Conference in Ogbomoso, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, openly supported the ascension of Oba Ghandi Olaoye to the revered position of Soun of Ogbomosoland. This followed the vacancy created by the passing of Oba Jimoh Oyewumi, Ajagungbade III. Addressing the gathering, Pastor Adeboye elucidated, “I knew Olaoye was born to be king.” He revealed his initial counsel to Olaoye, advising him to seek divine confirmation. “I told him to go and pray,” Adeboye shared, “and when he returned saying he had not heard anything, I…
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun has called for a crucial gathering at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, scheduled for Monday, assembling Deputy Inspectors General of Police (DIGs), Assistant Inspectors General of Police, Commissioners of Police (CPs), and top-ranking commanders within the Force. This significant meeting, announced by Force spokesman Ademuyiwa Adejobi in a statement on Sunday, aims to address the prevalent security concerns gripping Nigeria during this festive season. Scheduled to roll out the achievements of the police force over the past 10 weeks, the IGP intends to use this platform to not only highlight successes but also…
In celebration of its fourth anniversary, Financial Services Innovators (FSI), the pioneering fintech brand in Africa, is set to honor ten exceptional campus ambassadors for their outstanding contributions to community development across Nigeria. The brand, known for its commitment to fostering innovation in technology and finance startups, will reward these ambassadors with gift vouchers as a token of appreciation. Aituaz Kola-Oladejo, the Executive Director of FSI, made this announcement during a press briefing in Lagos. She highlighted the pivotal role of the ambassadors in community development on their respective campuses, emphasizing the brand’s dedication to recognizing and rewarding such initiatives.…
The World Bank has reported that approximately 99.9% of targeted poor and vulnerable households are yet to receive the Federal Government’s recently announced N25,000 per month cash handout. According to The Times, data from the World Bank’s Lead Economist for Nigeria, Alex Sienaert, was presented last week in Abuja during the Nigeria Development Update, December 2023 edition. The Federal Government intends to provide cash transfers to low-income households, paying N25,000 per month for three months, according to his presentation material. President Bola Tinubu introduced the Conditional Cash Transfer Program on October 17, 2023, with funding support of $800 million from the World Bank. This…
The Deputy National Organizing Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nze Chidi Duru, announced that President Bola Tinubu has given approval to a strategic blueprint aimed at securing victory in the 2025 governorship election in Anambra State. Former House of Representatives member, Duru, shared details of the winning plan, as disclosed by APC National Chairman Alhaji Abdullahi Umar Ganduje during the meeting with Anambra State party leaders. Duru conveyed this message during an event in Awka where former national auditor of APC, Sir Paul Chukwuma, donated 1000 bags of rice and N100 million in cash to executive members of…