Nigeria’s health agency, the NCDC, reported 3,623 suspected cholera cases and 103 deaths across 34 states and the Federal Capital Territory as of July 15th. While there has been a 5.6% decrease in cases compared to the previous week, officials warn the peak of the outbreak may coincide with the rainy season, still weeks away. Dr. Jide Idris, NCDC Director-General, said at a press briefing that children under five are most affected, with males accounting for slightly over half the cases. He highlighted a decline in the case fatality rate from 2.9% to 2.8%. Despite the positive trend, concerns remain.…
Author: Editor Francis
President Paul Kagame has emerged as the overwhelming victor in Rwanda’s presidential election, securing a fourth term in office with a staggering 99.15 percent of the votes, according to provisional results released by the country’s electoral commission. With approximately 79 percent of ballots counted, the outcome appears to be a foregone conclusion. The election saw a reported turnout of 9.5 million registered voters out of Rwanda’s population of 14 million. Kagame’s challengers, Frank Habineza of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda and independent candidate Philippe Mpayimana, have each garnered less than one percent of the votes, highlighting the incumbent’s dominance…
On Tuesday, July 16, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu announced a significant financial allocation to National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members during the closing ceremony of their orientation camp. The governor distributed N427.7 million among 4,277 members of Batch B Stream 1 NYSC posted to Lagos State. Each corps member is set to receive approximately N100,000. In addition to this, Sanwo-Olu pledged further support for the NYSC programme: 1. A N100 million donation to the NYSC and support staff 2. A commitment to approve N5 billion for the construction of a permanent orientation camp 3. A promise of automatic employment…
Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to transforming Nigeria’s power sector. Speaking at the 9th edition of the Nigeria Energy Forum (NEF 2024) in Lagos, the minister highlighted significant progress in increasing the country’s installed generation capacity. “Over the years, we have increased our installed generation capacity by bringing new power plants online and rehabilitating existing ones,” said Dr. Sunday Owolabi, who represented Minister Adelabu at the conference. “This has resulted in a substantial increase in the overall power supply to the national grid.” The conference, themed “Energising Sustainable Industrialisation,” brought together key stakeholders…
With this new development for Nigeria’s energy sector, multiple refineries are poised to begin or increase operations in the coming months, potentially transforming the country into a net exporter of petroleum products by year-end. Mele Kyari, Group Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), announced that the Port Harcourt Refinery will commence full operation and petrol supply next month. Kyari, speaking before the National Assembly Joint Committee on Finance, added that the Warri and Kaduna refineries are expected to follow suit by December. This news comes on the heels of Aliko Dangote’s announcement that the Dangote Refinery…
The Lagos State Government has announced plans to implement significant changes to bus operations along the Lekki-Epe corridor, starting October 1, 2024. This move is part of the state’s Bus Reform Initiative, aimed at improving public transportation and service delivery to Lagos residents. Sola Giwa, Special Adviser on Transportation to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, clarified in a statement on Sunday that contrary to some media reports, Danfo buses will not be completely banned in Lagos. Instead, the initiative will introduce mass transit buses specifically for the Lekki-Epe corridor. Under the new plan, Danfo buses that meet Vehicle Inspection Service standards will…
In a significant diplomatic breakthrough, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has lifted its visa restrictions on Nigerian citizens with immediate effect This development was announced on Monday by Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, following a Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu. According to Minister Idris, the Nigerian government and UAE authorities have reached an agreement that vacates all travel restrictions previously imposed on Nigerians. “Effective from today, Nigerian passport holders intending to travel to the UAE are able to do so,” Idris stated during a briefing with State House correspondents. The minister…
Simon Ekpa, a prominent Biafra independence activist, has reportedly returned all medals he won for Nigeria back to the Federal Government. The self-proclaimed Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government In-Exile made this announcement via his official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Monday. According to Ekpa, the medals were sent from Finland, where he currently resides, to Nigeria through a logistics company last Friday. They were delivered to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja on Monday, July 15. The returned accolades include a Silver Medal from the 2003 African Junior Championships and Gold and Silver Medals from ExxonMobil track…
The Ogun State government has renewed its pledge to provide quality education for all children in the state, aligning with its ‘ISEYA’ mantra. This commitment was emphasized during the grand finale of the 5th Nestle Nutritional Quiz Competition held at Methodist Nursery and Primary School, Ago-Oko, Abeokuta. Femi Majekodunmi, Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), praised the dedication of students, teachers, and stakeholders in enhancing the state’s educational landscape. He also commended Nestle Nigeria Plc for organizing the impactful competition and urged the company to extend similar initiatives to other local governments. “We recognize Nestle’s unflinching commitment…
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, stated on Monday that approximately 80 percent of the current insecurity in Nigeria’s North Western region can be traced to the activities of illegal miners. Tajudeen expressed concern over the severe poverty and deprivation faced by local communities despite the region’s mineral wealth. Speaking at the start of an investigative hearing on illegal mining in the solid minerals sector, the Speaker highlighted the significant socio-economic challenges posed by illegal mining activities in Nigeria. He noted the adverse effects on ecosystems and the increased poverty among peasant farmers who rely on environmental…
On Sunday, July 14, 2024, a one-storey building collapsed in the Sabo area of Osogbo, the capital of Osun State, Nigeria. The Osun State Police Command has confirmed that two individuals were rescued from the rubble during the ensuing rescue operation. Police spokesperson Yemisi Opalola stated on Monday that security agencies discovered only two people trapped under the debris, contrary to earlier reports suggesting a higher number of victims. Of the two rescued, one person sustained visible injuries and is currently receiving treatment at a local hospital, while the other emerged unharmed. The incident, which occurred around 7:30 AM on…
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has announced the commissioning of a new 60 megavolt-amperes (MVA) power transformer at its 132/33kV Kankia Transmission Substation in Katsina State. The installation, which took place on Friday, July 12, 2024, is expected to add 48 megawatts (MW) to the national grid. In a statement released via its official X handle on Sunday, TCN emphasized that this development will increase the availability of bulk electricity for the Kano Electricity Distribution Company (DisCo) to distribute to customers in Kankia and surrounding areas. “This commissioning further attests to TCN’s commitment towards further increasing its capability to…