The Federal government has successfully secured access to approximately $500 million to kickstart a domestic funding initiative. The disclosure was made by Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communication, Innovation, and Digital Economy, during a dinner event organised by the Tech community on Friday. At the conclusion of the dinner, which was jointly hosted with the World Bank, Minister Tijani expressed, “So we’ve got access to about half a billion dollars to start local funding.” Tijani elaborated on the government’s strategy to house domestic funding within Nigeria, ensuring its direct benefit to authentic Nigerian enterprises. He highlighted a collaborative effort with the…
Author: Editor Francis
A sombre cloud enveloped the nation as news broke of a fatal crowd stampede at a stadium in the heart of Madagascar’s capital, Antananarivo, on Friday. As reported by both the Red Cross and a local member of parliament, the sad event led to the deaths of at least 13 people, with seven of them being children. Speaking on a local radio station, opposition MP Hanitra Razafimanantsoa conveyed the heartbreaking toll, saying, “So far, 13 people have been killed and 107 injured.” The Red Cross, present at the scene, echoed the gravity of the situation, stating, “We don’t yet have…
The Gross Domestic Product of the BRICS is now 36 percent of global GDP and 47 percent of the world population. This follows the announcement of the six nations joining the BRICS bloc. GOVIMA reported that The BRICS founding members, Brazil, Russia, Indian, China and South Africa have agreed to include Argentina, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates full members from January 1. “We have decided to invite the Argentine Republic, the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab…
In the 10th Assembly of the House of Representatives, an impressive allocation awaits its members for constituency projects, totaling N54 billion. Under this provision, each individual legislator is set to receive a substantial sum of N150 million to facilitate and address various developmental needs within their respective constituencies. According to the information gathered through a lawmaker, constituency allowances are one of the few privileges available to lawmakers to directly impact their various constituencies. Constituency or zonal intervention projects in Nigeria denote development initiatives located within the constituencies of State House of Assembly members, House of Representatives members, or Senators. These…
Niger’s military leadership has ordered the expulsion of French ambassador Sylvain Itte from the country, escalating tensions between the West African nation and its international partners. The French ambassador has been directed to leave Niger within 48 hours, as confirmed by Niger’s foreign ministry in a statement released on Friday. The decision to expel the ambassador reportedly stems from his refusal to comply with an invitation. The ministry’s statement also alludes to “other actions by the French government contrary to the interests of Niger” as contributing factors to the expulsion, although specific details were not provided. Tensions have risen amidst…
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) unequivocally denied the rumors suggesting that the regional organization was under the influence of external forces orchestrating actions against the Niger Republic. Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, firmly addressed these claims during a press conference held on Friday in Abuja. Touray categorically rejected the notion that foreign powers were remotely dictating ECOWAS’s actions, specifically its purported involvement in any actions aimed at the Niger Republic. GOVIMA reported that President Mohamed Bazoum of Niger Republic was ousted July 26 in a military coup led by the former commander of Niger’s…
Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), has announced that the Port Harcourt Refinery Company is poised to recommence operations by December of this year. The announcement was made during Senator Lokpobiri’s inspection of the ongoing rehabilitation efforts at the Port Harcourt Refining Company plant in Rivers State’s capital, Port Harcourt. The disclosure was relayed through an official statement released in Abuja by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited. Accompanied by the Minister of State for Petroleum (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, Senator Lokpobiri emphasised the substantial progress achieved in the rehabilitation project. He confidently stated that, judging…
On Thursday, a statement revealed that the Federal Government intends to reintroduce the national tax amnesty scheme. The Director of Press and Public Relations at the Ministry of Finance, Stephen Kilebi, signed the statement. The Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, highlighted anticipated outcomes during a two-day retreat in Abuja. The statement read, “The Chairman highlighted the deliverables from the committee, which include: optimum taxes; harmonised revenue collection functions; a revised national tax policy; a national fiscal framework; preparation of bills for constitutional amendment; revenue optimisation; production of a model template for…
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has stepped in to address the ongoing visa ban imposed on Nigerians by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), signaling a potential end to the travel restriction. This marks the first time President Tinubu has addressed the issue, which has led to the suspension of flights from Nigeria by UAE’s national carrier, Emirates. The UAE authorities initiated the visa ban in October 2022, shortly after Emirates suspended its flights to Nigeria. This move caused disruptions in travel plans and diplomatic relations between the two countries. The suspension of flights and visa issuance led to a reciprocal response…
On Thursday, the Court of Appeal sitting in Owerri, Imo State, yet again sacked Julius Abure as the National Chairman of the Labour Party. In the ruling, the lord of the court said Lamido Apapa is the authentic Chairman of the party. In April, the party faced the culmination of its leadership crisis when seven members of the National Working Committee declared Lamidi Bashir Apapa, who held the position of National Vice-Chairman (South), as the interim chairman of the party. This decision came as a replacement for the suspended chairman, Julius Abure. The ruling on Thursday also nullified the candidature…
A coalition of stakeholders has come together to establish the Nature Crime Alliance, a comprehensive initiative aimed at tackling criminal activities such as logging, mining, wildlife trade, land conversion, and illegal fishing that inflict irreparable harm on both humanity and the planet. This collaborative effort acknowledges the necessity of a multi-sector approach to effectively combat these nature-related crimes. With nature crime currently ranking among the world’s largest illicit economies, the urgency for collective action has never been clearer. Notable participants in the alliance include governmental representatives, law enforcement agencies, international organizations, civil society groups, Indigenous Peoples and local communities, donors,…
BRICS is expanding beyond the starting countries, as on Thursday, it announced six new countries to join next year meeting. The BRICS founding members, Brazil, Russia, Indian, China and South Africa have agreed to include Argentina, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates full members from January 1. “This membership expansion is historic,” said Chinese President Xi Jinping, whose nation is the most powerful in the group of non-Western states that represents a quarter of the world’s economy. “The expansion is also a new starting point for BRICS cooperation. It will bring new vigour to the BRICS…