More than 10,000 people crowded into St. Mark’s Square in Venice, northern Italy, to pray the Mass with Pope Francis. The Pontiff’s trip represented an increasingly rare outing for the 87-year-old, who has been hobbled by health problems. He prayed, Sunday (Apr. 28), for the people of Haiti. “I am thinking of Haiti, where a state of emergency is in effect and the population is in despair because of the collapse of the health care system, food shortages and violence that is forcing people to flee.” Amid relentless gang violence, a state of emergency is enforced in the Ouest department…
Author: Editor Francis
Scotland’s First Minister, Humza Yousaf, tendered his resignation amidst the looming specter of defeat in two confidence votes. Yousaf, who assumed office on March 29, 2023, making history as the youngest, first Scottish Asian, and first Muslim to hold the position, announced his decision at a press conference held at Bute House in Edinburgh on Monday. Reflecting on his tenure, Yousaf remarked, “As a young boy born and raised in Scotland, I could never have imagined leading my country.” He highlighted the progress made in diversifying political representation across the UK, citing the current lineup of leaders, including a British…
Kenya has decided to delay the reopening of schools for the second term session by a week due to the devastating effects of flooding, which has claimed the lives of over 70 people. In a statement released by Dr. Ezekiel Machogu, the Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Education, it was announced on Monday that the resumption, initially scheduled for today (Monday), will now commence on May 6. The decision comes in the wake of heavy rains across the country, prompting the Ministry of Education to assess the readiness of educational institutions nationwide. Reports indicated severe damage to numerous schools,…
The surge in Point of Sale (POS) terminal deployment across Nigeria, as indicated by the latest figures from the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS), underscores the rapid growth of the country’s digital payment ecosystem. With 2.68 million POS terminals deployed in March 2024, representing a significant 47.36% Year-on-Year increase, it’s evident that both businesses and consumers are embracing cashless transactions at an accelerating pace. This trend signifies a shift towards leveraging technology for seamless and efficient financial transactions, fostering innovation and convenience across various sectors. The January to March breakdown reveals consistent growth, with January 2024 witnessing 2.47 million deployed…
Over the weekend, the Nigerian naira showcased signs of resilience as it appreciated by N125 against the United States dollar, reaching N1,275/$1. This surge, marking a 9.8% increase from Friday’s close of N1,400/$1, comes amid concerns over the currency’s stability. Addressing the pressing issue, the Senate, through its Committee on Finance, emphasised the necessity for concerted efforts from all stakeholders to rescue and maintain the stability of the naira. The Senate highlighted the urgent need to tackle the continuous depreciation of the naira, attributing it to various factors, including trading uncertainty in the market. Currency traders at the Wuse Zone…
Ambrose Aisabor, a retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police, has reiterated the necessity of implementing state police, labeling it as “non-negotiable.” Aisabor emphasized that the resurgence in calls for state police stems from the perceived shortcomings of the federal police apparatus. Speaking to our correspondent, Aisabor highlighted the evolving security landscape, underscoring the urgency for state-level policing. He countered scepticism by pointing out that concerns regarding potential misuse by state governors mirror existing issues within the federal police structure. “The argument is that state governors will misuse the outfit. Is the federal government not presently misusing the federal police?” Aisabor questioned.…
The Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR), a faith-based civil society organisation dedicated to monitoring and reporting Hajj activities, has called upon the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to promptly announce the commencement date for airlifting Nigerian intending pilgrims from Nigeria to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In a statement released on Sunday and signed by its national coordinator, Ibrahim Mohammed, the IHR emphasised that nearly all major Hajj participating countries have already announced the dates for the inaugural flights of their pilgrims. Traditionally, it has been the norm in Nigeria for NAHCON to disclose the date, venue, and which states’…
A recent study published in the esteemed Annals of Internal Medicine has shed light on a significant disparity in patient outcomes based on the gender of their treating physicians. The research, led by Dr. Yusuke Tsugawa and his colleagues from the University of California, Los Angeles, unveils a crucial finding: individuals treated by female physicians demonstrate notably lower rates of mortality and readmission compared to those treated by their male counterparts. Analysing data from Medicare claims spanning from 2016 to 2019, the study encompassed a vast cohort comprising more than 458,100 female patients and over 318,800 male patients. Remarkably, approximately…
During a meeting at the World Economic Forum Special Meeting on Global Collaboration, Growth, and Energy for Development in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, President Bola Tinubu announced a significant boost to Nigeria’s port infrastructure. A.P Moller-Maersk, the Danish shipping and logistics giant, has pledged an additional $600 million investment for the expansion of the nation’s ports. This substantial investment complements the $1 billion already allocated by the administration for seaport reconstruction across Nigeria’s eastern and western regions. Mr. Robert Maersk Uggla, Chairman of A.P Moller-Maersk, disclosed the investment decision during discussions with President Tinubu. He highlighted the pivotal role this investment…
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) is gearing up to unveil the outcomes of the 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). According to reports from Daily Trust, JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, is slated to hold a press conference in Abuja tomorrow, shedding light on the release of the results and associated matters. However, it appears that the results to be disclosed tomorrow may pertain only to candidates who participated in the UTME during its initial days. Results for others are expected to follow suit once a process of “due diligence” is completed. JAMB had previously clarified its decision…
Major and Independent Petroleum Marketers operating various petrol stations in Aba, the commercial nerve of Abia state are dispensing their products to their customers at ₦700-₦710 pump price, per litre. Our correspondent reports that Petroleum Motor Spirit (PMS) was initially sold between ₦750-₦740 before the current price which has lasted for over one month. There was no queue at the petrol stations in both Umuahia and Aba. (The Nation)
The Palestinian Ambassador to Nigeria, Abdullah Shawesh, has criticised the United States for vetoing his country’s application for full membership in the United Nations, alleging that the move tacitly supports Israel’s actions in Gaza. Speaking over the weekend, Shawesh dismissed the US justification that Palestine’s UN membership would impede a two-state solution, labelling it as irrelevant. He accused the US of siding with the Israeli occupation and legitimising its attacks on Gaza. “The US has vetoed Palestine’s request for full UN membership, asserting that it would not facilitate a two-state solution. This stance not only reinforces the unjust Israeli occupation…