The Lagos State government has banned the usage and distribution of Styrofoam and other single-use plastics across the state. The Lagos ban will bite hard because a great bulk of commercial activities is based on consumerism. Every day, the people who troop to Alaba, Oshodi, Eko, Ikeja, and many other international commercial hubs of the city get their goods wrapped and delivered with single-use plastics and Styrofoam holders. According to data cited by Business Insider Africa, Morocco is 10th in Africa when it comes to generating plastic waste. Single-use plastics have become a major global threat to public health and the natural environment.

“I didn’t kill Ummulkhulsum intentionally but stabbed her in self defence after she grabbed my testes,” Ouangrong said. He pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy in its judgment. “I want this honourable court to temper justice with mercy in the judgement in view of the fact that I stated earlier,” he added. PUNCH Metro had reported that Quangrong had allegedly killed his erstwhile girlfriend, Ummulkhulsum, following a misunderstanding in Kano. During his testimony, Quangrong denied intentionally killing Ummulkhulsum.

President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday departed Abuja for Paris, France, for a private visit. Afterward, he proceeded to Paris, France, where he remained for five days, arriving in Abuja on September 29 ahead of Nigeria’s 63rd Independence Day anniversary on October 1. Reacting, the PDP scribe, Abdullahi, in a phone interview with one of our correspondents on Wednesday, challenged the Presidency to come clean regarding the President’s travel to Paris, France. We’re not getting him at any time we want him.”The LP spokesman, Tanko, described President Tinubu’s travel as unacceptable. The fact is that President Tinubu has a health challenge and they are trying to cover up the health issues.

South Africa’s 84-page petition about Israel’s inability to supply the Gaza Strip with basic necessities like food, water, medicine, fuel, shelter, other humanitarian aid, and other war crimes will be decided on by the International Court of Justice on Friday. The complaint, which was filed in late December, also accuses Israel of violating the 1948 Genocide Convention, to which both nations are parties, and would be heard by the World Court. It was a campaign of systematic extermination that they have vowed to continue until our country is destroyed. “We are fighting to bring the October 7 monsters to justice because ‘Never Again’ is now.” Israeli government spokesperson Eylon Levy, in one of his responses to the allegations. According to Palestine, however, Israel has killed approximately 22,000 people, with women and children making up 70% of the dead in Gaza.

The Minister of Trade and Investment, Doris Uzoka-Anite, has disclosed that the Federal Government has initiated a process to improve the local production of syringes, needles and other medical equipment in the country. This she explained, would help to fill the gap created by the exodus of foreign manufacturing companies due to unfavourable business environment. I am sure it will be a game-changer for the medical device industry for full capacity utilisation. There will be enticing incentives to support the industry and loaded incentives to incentivise.”On his part, the Minister of State for Health, Tunji Alausa, explained that the FG aims to change the narrative from the importation of syringes to local production. He noted, “Over the past several years, we have had a strong importation of needles and syringes to Nigeria while our local manufacturing companies suffer.

The Central Bank of Nigeria’s governor expects headline inflation to fall to 21.4 per cent in 2024. The apex bank’s governor disclosed this during his keynote speech at the launching of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group macroeconomic outlook report for 2024. He said, “Inflationary pressures are expected to decline in 2024 due to the CBN’s inflation-targeting policy, which aims to rein in inflation to 21.4 per cent.”According to him, the inflation targeting will help the government in its battle against inflation which hit 28.9 per cent in December. Lower rates will ultimately affect businesses, he alluded. “The outlook for decreasing inflation in 2024 will have a profound impact on businesses, providing a more predictable cost environment and potentially leading to lower policy rates, stimulating investment, fueling growth, and creating job opportunities,” Cardoso said.

The client, Kayode Oladipo, claimed in a viral video that he paid N40 million for 20 plots of land in Lekki, only to be denied ownership by the real estate company RevolutionPlus Property Limited. Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority (LASRERA) thereafter launched an investigation into the alleged land scam. Oladipo expressed interest in paying for 16 plots, which would allow him to get four additional plots free of charge. Onalaja also shared payment details, which affirmed that Kayode Oladipo did not make a payment of N40,000,000 to the real estate company, as he claimed in the viral video. “The real estate company felt defamed by the viral video and demanded a retraction from Kayode Oladipo, who in turn agreed to the terms.

We can look at the pre-used car market to see which vehicles are losing their value faster and which are retaining the best value over the years. During the pandemic, some crazy market maneuvers led to used (5 years) cars sometimes costing more than new ones. We can see a noteworthy trend between electric vehicles and hybrids in the pre-used car market. Porsche 911 (coupe) (-9.3 %, -$18,094 of value); Porsche 718 Cayman (-17.6 %, -$13,372 of value); Toyota Tacoma (-20.4 %, -$8,359 of value); Jeep Wrangler/Wrangler Unlimited (-20.8 %, -$8,951 of value); Honda Civic (sedan/hatchback) (-21.5 %, -$5,817 of value); Subaru BRZ (-23.4 %, -$8,114 of value); Chevrolet Camaro (-24.2 %, -$10,161 of value); Toyota C-HR (-24.4 %, -$6,692 of value); Subaru Crosstrek (-24.5 %, -$7,214 of value); Toyota Corolla (-24.5 %, -$5,800 of value). Electric cars tend to lose their value more because of the initial incentives that lower their price, and buyers are concerned about battery replacement costs down the line.

Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd (TPEM), a subsidiary of Tata Motors and the pioneer of India's EV revolution launched its first pure EV - the Punch.ev at an introductory starting price of Rs 10.99 lakh. The first product based on its recently introduced, advanced Pure EV architecture – acti.ev, the Punch.ev is available in three distinct personas - Smart, Adventure and Empowered. "With the launch of the Punch.ev, an SUV that goes beyond every day, we are taking our commitment to an all-new level by delivering a versatile EV that aligns with the evolving customer needs. It aims to catapult the Indian EV market, and leapfrog India into an era of pure EVs,” Shailesh Chandra, Managing Director, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Limited & Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Limited, said.

However, impeccable sources at the bureau named the five power plants to include the 434 megawatts gas-fired Geregu II power plant, located in Kogi; 451MW Omotosho II plant in Ondo; and 750MW Olorunshogo II plant in Ogun State. Others include the 563MW Odukpami power plant in Calabar, Cross River State; and the 451MW Benin-Ihovbor plant in Edo State. It was, however, gathered that the cost of constructing 1MW power plant vary depending on several factors, including type of power plant, location, technological advancements, etc. “But a general range for the cost of constructing a 1MW power plant based on different technologies is that for a solar power plant, it is between $1m to $2m per MW. In December 2022, The PUNCH reported that the Federal Government and the 36 state governors finally agreed to sell five power plants under the National Integrated Power Projects and use the proceeds to fund the 2023 budget.

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) said it has opened applications for the Coursera Scholarship Programme: Cohort 3. It also directed those interested in the Coursera Scholarship Programme to apply via this link https://links.nitda.gov.ng/coursera2401. Applicants are to select one certification program each from Category A and Category B that they wish to be enrolled in. Category A (IT Career Pathway) offers a total of 20 professional certification programs to help you kickstart a successful IT career. “However, the professional certification will be earned when you have completed all the required courses in the program.

Tata Motors recently launched the Punch EV, providing an SUV alternative to other Tata EVs including the Tiago EV and Tigor EV. With prices starting from Rs 11 lakh, it is offered in five broad trims: Smart, Smart+, Adventure, Empowered, and Empowered+. Smart Variant PowertrainTata Punch EV Smart Variant Powertrain Specifications Battery Capacity 25 kWh Power 82 PS Torque 114 Nm ARAI claimed range 315 kmThe Smart variant is only offered with a smaller 25 kWh battery pack, which delivers a claimed range of 315 km. PriceThe Smart variant of the Punch EV is priced at Rs 11 lakh (ex-showroom). It primarily rivals the Citroen eC3 while being an SUV alternative to models such as the Tata Tiago EV and Tata Tigor EV.

Industry experts have cautioned against the early adoption of electric vehicles in Nigeria. He said, “The lithium you use to manufacture batteries for electric vehicles is mined somewhere, which is also causing some challenges. Last year, the National Automotive Design and Development Council acquired locally-assembled electric vehicles with charging infrastructure from Nigerian Jet Motors. Some of the top electric vehicle startups and companies in Nigeria include TOUR Drive NG, VoltaEV, Hellobikee, Quadricycle Automobile, Trekk Scooters, and Possible Electric Vehicle Solution, etc. However, Eniediabasi noted that it was not yet ready for electric vehicles due to several challenges, including power supply issues and the lack of charging infrastructure.

A former President of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers, Tunde Amolegbe, has said that galloping inflating and the corporate earnings of listed companies are factors that may drive the equity market to outperform the fixed income market this year. On the outlook for both markets, Amolegbe said, “We anticipate gains due to a better macroeconomic landscape and resilient corporate earnings despite ongoing FX challenges. “The reasons include substantial earnings growth sustaining market sentiment and the potential impact of domestic interest rate policies on borrowing costs and foreign portfolio investment participation.”“Substantial earnings growth is expected to sustain market sentiment. The Equities Market is expected to outperform in response to inflation as well as positive corporate earnings report. Is the market price reflecting all available information at any point in time?

The traditional rulers in Oyo State, on Tuesday, visited Governor Seyi Makinde over last Tuesday’s explosion in the Bodija area of Ibadan, which claimed five lives, injured 77 persons and destroyed 58 houses. Speaking on behalf of the monarchs, the Olugbon of Orile Igbon, Oba Francis Alao, commended Makinde for his swift response to the explosion, adding that the monarchs had resolved to deepen their support for the government. Oba Alao said, “We’ve been able to identify three tracks. In all these three tracks, the governor has put adequate measures in place to address them. “Also, he has briefed us on how he has been working in collaboration with the Federal Government, to be precise, the President of Nigeria.