Author: Editor Francis

The heads of internal audits in Nigerian universities have been charged to embrace principles of good governance, accountability and transparency to improve their respective institutions. The Auditor-General of Lagos State, Mr Moshood Adewuyi, gave this advice on Tuesday at the 36th National Conference and Annual General Meeting of the Committee of Head of Internal Audits Departments/Units In Nigerian Universities, held at the Lagos State University, Lagos. The theme of the conference is “Governance, Risk Management and Compliance: Issues and Insights For University Internal Auditors”. Adewuyi, who was represented by Head, Internal Audit, Lagos State Urban Renewal Agency, Olufunmilola Coker, stated…

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In a significant move to boost U.S. exports from African creative industries, Prosper Africa and ANKA have officially unveiled the ANKA Growth Club, a transformative nine-month virtual accelerator program. This initiative is designed to elevate African exports in sectors such as fashion, beauty, textiles, art, and home goods, targets a stronger market presence in the United States. Facilitated through the Prosper Africa Buyer-Supplier Network, this partnership aims to connect African brands with U.S. buyers, fostering increased two-way trade and investment in the creative industries. High-growth companies in Africa’s creative sector often encounter obstacles in international exporting, including limited market access,…

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 President Bola Tinubu has expressed condolences over the death of renowned actor Usman Baba Pategi, popularly known by his stage name Samanja. In a statement on Monday, Tinubu described the 84-year-old’s passing as a painful loss to Nigeria. He said Samanja contributed through his military service and entertainment career. The late Pategi chose to obey the call to national duty when the country needed his service. His television show, Samanja, was must-watch entertainment for decades. Through the show, he taught young citizens national values and respect for our service people. He was a patriot who left behind several indelible impressions,”…

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In a bid to enhance the bilateral relationship between China and Kenya, the Chinese Embassy in Kenya has announced a comprehensive cancellation of visa appointments starting November 20th, 2023. In this updated process, applicants are now encouraged to directly submit their visa applications to the Chinese Visa Application Service Center in Nairobi during regular working hours. To streamline the application process and ensure a smooth submission, interested individuals are advised to adhere to the following guidelines: I. Online Application Submission: Applicants are required to accurately fill out the online application form through the Chinese Visa Application Service Center in Nairobi…

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Recall that Nigeria was invited for the emergency joint Arab-Islamic summit in the Saudi capital Riyadh to discuss the war taking place in the Gaza Strip and the Palestinian territories.  In the same vein , the Federal Government has been designated by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Arab League to spearhead a special delegation tasked with initiating immediate international measures to bring an end to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, conveyed this development in a statement, indicating that the information was communicated to Nigeria by the Royal Embassy of…

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In a strategic move to propel digital innovation in Africa, a delegation from the U.S. Government is en route to South Africa to partake in the Africa Tech Festival scheduled in Cape Town from November 13-16. Recognizing Africa’s vast digital potential for economic recovery, social and gender equality, and job creation, the Africa Tech Festival aims to gather over 15,000 tech entrepreneurs and innovators for a three-day event shaping the future of the continent’s tech industry. This initiative aligns with the Digital Transformation with Africa (DTA), a flagship project of the Biden-Harris Administration. The U.S. government’s participation includes a conference,…

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In a significant collaboration, USAID’s Power Africa Nigeria Power Sector Programme has joined forces with the Lagos State Government to launch a three-week training initiative on clean energy solutions. This program, set to benefit 500 women nationwide, kicked off with the training of the initial 30 participants. Held at the Lagos State Electricity Board in Ikeja, the training is a crucial component of Power Africa’s Growing Green Jobs for Women in Nigeria program. The focus is on providing hands-on expertise in solar installation and maintenance, coupled with the opportunity to attain certification from the Council for the Regulation of Engineering…

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At least 70 people, mostly children and the elderly died in massacres in north-central Burkina Faso in early November. The perpetrators remain unknown and the EU and the United States have called for an investigation. According to a provisional report released on Monday by the Faso public prosecutor, Simon Gnanou, the killings in the village of Zaongo on 5 November claimed 70 victims, “mainly children and the elderly”. He added that “the perpetrators of the atrocities remain unknown for the moment”. On Sunday, the European Union referred to this massacre and a possible death toll of around one hundred, calling…

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Students in public schools in Osogbo, Osun, were sent home on Tuesday following the nationwide strike declared by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC). The students from various public primary and secondary schools were seen on the roads and streets, heading back home. At CAC Grammar School, Gbodofon, Osogbo, the gate was left wide open as students were moving out of the school premises while some teachers were seen gathered under a tree, holding discussions. Similarly, some banks in Osogbo refused to open their doors to customers, while some were sceptical about opening and few…

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Affiliates of the Nigerian Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria in Lagos State, on Tuesday complied with the directive of the two labour unions to embark on an indefinite nationwide strike. The National Executive Council meeting of the labour unions, held on November 13, 2023, in Abuja, resolved to embark on the strike. The decision was due to the alleged failure of the Federal Government to address issues affecting workers, such as the minimum wage, insecurity, corruption, and poor governance. Also, both unions had made some demands, which the government had allegedly failed to address following the recent…

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In a surprising turn of events, the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) have announced plans to commence a nationwide strike at midnight, defying a restraining order issued last week by Justice Benedict Backwash Kanyip of the National Industrial Court. Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, strongly criticised the decision, labelling it as “clearly unwarranted” and an attempt to “blackmail the government” by the leadership of the NLC. This decision by the NLC and TUC, other than being an ego tripping move is clearly unwarranted. It is an attempt to blackmail…

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The Minister of State for Police Affairs, Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim, has disclosed plans for comprehensive reforms within the Nigeria Police Force (NPF). This announcement follows President Bola Tinubu’s directive to withdraw police personnel from VIP security duties and initiate a community policing strategy. Speaking during a two-day management retreat at the Ministry of Police Affairs, the minister acknowledged the critical juncture at which the NPF and the Ministry find themselves, grappling with the consequences of decades of neglect that have hindered their ability to fulfill their constitutional mandate. Suleiman-Ibrahim outlined key initiatives, stating, “Our key mandates include developing and implementing a…

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