Author: Editor Francis

Some residents of Badagry, Lagos were stranded on Tuesday as most commercial vehicles plying the area were off the road due to scarcity of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, otherwise called petrol. A NAN correspondent, who monitored the situation, reports that many workers and business people were sighted waiting endlessly at some bus stops due to the unavailability of vehicles. NAN further reports that the situation led to hike in transport fare as a litre of petrol in the area now sells as high as N1,000, while fare rose from N800 to N1, 500 from Badagry to Mile 2. At some…

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The Ghana Navy, alongside the U.S. Naval Forces Africa (NAVAF) and U.S. Marine Corps Forces Africa (MARFORAF), announces the hosting of a combined African Maritime Forces Summit (AMFS) and Naval Infantry Leaders Symposium-Africa (NILS-A) in Accra, Ghana. Scheduled from April 30 to May 2, 2024, the event is poised to draw maritime and governmental leaders from across Africa and beyond, demonstrating a shared commitment to addressing regional challenges collectively. Among the distinguished attendees are Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo, Ghana’s Chief of the Naval Staff Rear Adm. Issah Adam Yakubu, Gen. Michael Langley, commander of U.S. Africa Command, Adm. Stuart Munsch,…

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Amid escalating fuel scarcity nationwide, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has issued a stern warning, threatening to disrupt the supply of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol The reason behind this drastic move? Alleged non-payment of bridging claims totaling N200 billion. According to reports from Channels TV, Mazi Oliver Okolo, the Unit Chairman and spokesperson for IPMAN’s Aba Depot, asserted that this threat carries the full weight of the association’s national leadership. Okolo pointed fingers at the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NMDPRA), alleging that the staggering debt remains unsettled. Stay tuned for…

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During a hearing before the Senate Committee on Power, Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu delivered a stern message to Nigerians, urging them to embrace the planned electricity tariff increase. Adelabu cautioned that failure to implement the tariff hike would lead to nationwide blackouts within the next three months. Addressing concerns over the recent tariff adjustment proposed by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, Adelabu emphasised the criticality of the increase to sustain the power sector. He stressed that without the tariff adjustment, the entire electricity sector would grind to a halt, plunging the nation into darkness. Adelabu underscored the necessity of…

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The House of Representatives has taken decisive action regarding two pressing issues plaguing the nation. Following motions presented by legislators Shehu Ajilo and Kama Nkem Karama, the House has ordered a suspension of the recent electricity tariff hike by the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and summoned the Minister of Petroleum Resources to address the ongoing fuel scarcity crisis. The decision to halt the electricity tariff increase comes amidst public outcry and concerns raised by lawmakers who were taken aback by NERC’s decision during their recess. Similarly, the motion on petroleum scarcity, presented by Shehu Ajilo, was swiftly acted upon…

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The World Bank reaffirmed its commitment to bolstering Nigeria’s water, sanitation, and hygiene sector during a visit led by Dr. Ndiame Diop, the newly appointed Country Director. This assurance came during discussions with Prof. Joseph Utsev, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, in Abuja on Monday. Dr. Diop emphasised the World Bank’s readiness for a strengthened partnership with the ministry to enhance the effectiveness of water policies and programmes in the country. In response, Minister Utsev advocated for increased funding to bolster food security nationwide, citing its potential to generate employment and reduce crime. Highlighting the importance of resource…

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In a bid to allay concerns over the ongoing fuel scarcity and long queues at petrol stations, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company, NNPC Ltd, has issued a statement assuring citizens that the situation will be resolved by Wednesday, May 1st. Speaking to reporters in Lagos on Tuesday, the Chief Communications Officer of NNPC Ltd, Olufemi Soneye, revealed that the company currently holds an excess of 1.5 billion litres of fuel, a supply that can sustain the nation for at least 30 days. Soneye attributed the recent disruptions in distribution to logistical challenges, which have since been addressed. However, he cautioned…

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The management of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) has suspended the students’ union government of the institution indefinitely. In a letter to the university’s community, made available to newsmen on Tuesday in Benin, the university’s Registrar, Mr Ademola Bobola, announced the measure on the union. The letter reads: “After due consideration of the report by the Management, the Vice Chancellor has approved the suspension of the University’s Students Union. ” The suspension which is indefinite, takes immediate effect, that is, from Monday 29th April, 2024. “Accordingly, all officers of the Students’ Union are to hand over all property of the…

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has suspended Rep. Awaji-inomek Abiante (PDP- Rivers) for anti party activities. This is contained in a statement signed by the Caretaker Committee Chairman of his Ward 1, Ngo town, Andoni, Mr Dike Bara, and the Secretary, Mr. Dokubo Jackson, on Monday in Port Harcourt. “That Hon. Awaji-inomek Abiante should be, and is hereby suspended from the party for not only promoting factions at the ward level but also belonging to a group under the guise of the party: not being a group provided for in the party’s constitution. Which action is in breach of Sec.…

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Today marks the commencement of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for School Candidates, with a staggering 1.8 million candidates slated to participate. The examination, set to conclude on Monday, June 24, is witnessing participation from students representing 22,229 schools across the region. Dr. Josiah Dangut, the Head of WAEC’s Nigeria National Office, revealed that this year’s edition has seen a significant rise in candidate numbers compared to previous years. A breakdown of the figures shows that 902,328 male candidates and 912,016 female candidates have registered for the examination. In compliance with the Federal Government’s directive, the National…

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Lagos State recently hosted a workshop aimed at equipping field officers and consultants with the necessary skills to effectively utilise the upgraded Lagos State Property Taxation Software (LAPTS) Mobile App. The initiative is poised to revolutionize Land Use Charge (LUC) operations, promising increased flexibility, seamlessness, and a boost to the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). Conducted by the Ministry of Finance and facilitated by Detamainingu Limited in Lagos, the training event held in Ikeja garnered significant attention. Hundogan Temitope, the Permanent Secretary, emphasized the transformative potential of the application during his address. He underscored the App’s role in streamlining LUC…

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In a move that has sparked concern among bank customers and fintech operators alike, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has imposed a ban on mobile money operators and fintech firms from onboarding new customers. This directive, which affects major players like OPay, Palmpay, Kuda Bank, and Moniepoint, has been met with mixed reactions from stakeholders. The Bank Customers Association of Nigeria has thrown its weight behind the CBN’s decision, citing the necessity to uphold rigorous Know-Your-Customer (KYC) processes to safeguard against money laundering and terrorism financing. This move follows an ongoing audit of the KYC procedures of fintech companies,…

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