Russia confirms damage to warship in Black Sea
Russia has confirmed one of its warships has been damaged in a Ukrainian attack on a Black Sea port. Russia’s Ministry of Defence said the large landing ship Novocherkassk was struck by Ukrainian aircraft carrying guided missiles. The head of the Ukrainian Air Force said earlier its warplanes had destroyed the ship. The port’s transport operations are said to be functioning as normal after the area was cordoned off, while a fire caused by the attack was contained. Footage purportedly showing a huge explosion in the port was shared by Ukrainian air force commander Lt Gen Mykola Oleshchuk.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
December 26, 2023 17:13 UTC
Tinubu will soon go after economic saboteurs — Senate Majority Leader
The Senate Majority Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele has alleged some saboteurs are frustrating President Bola Tinubu’s efforts to reinvigorate the economy and enhance living standard of Nigerians. It has gotten to a level where the federal government has to go after the so-called saboteurs and punish them. On the 2024 budget proposal, Bamidele maintained that the Senate would meet the December 30, 2023 deadline set for passage of the N27.5 trillion budgetary estimate. “We are determined to pass the budget proposal before the end of the year in order to sustain the January-December budget cycle. “Our hope and determination is to pass the 2024 budget proposal by December 2023 so that by December 1, 2024, Mr President would have a bill at his desk for assent.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
December 26, 2023 17:04 UTC
Should Christmas be celebrated because of its origin?
Every Christmas, there is always an upsurge of arguments about the appropriateness or not of celebrating Christmas. Yet there is another group which argues that Jesus never celebrated his birthday and never directed his followers to celebrate it. First is the argument about Christmas having a pagan origin. Has Christmas not overshadowed it and become among the most celebrated festivals in the world? On the third issue, which is that Christmas should not be celebrated because Jesus never celebrated his birthday, neither did he enjoin his followers to celebrate his birthday, one can’t also see the point in it.
Source:Punch
December 26, 2023 13:14 UTC
Menace of counterfeit products
The Director-General of NAFDAC, Mojisola Adeyeye, put the street value of the confiscated and destroyed fake products at over N750 million. “Four trailers cannot carry the fake products we moved out from here.”By all accounts, fake and adulterated products have become a major problem in Nigeria with devastating effects on the health of citizens, local manufacturers, and importers of genuine products. Undoubtedly, Nigeria has had a long battle with fake and substandard products; only the methods and the scale of proliferation have changed. Aside from this, counterfeit products also have adverse economic effects. An estimate by PwC, a global consultancy, indicated that Nigeria loses about N200 billion annually to counterfeit medicines (excluding substandard drugs).
Source:Punch
December 26, 2023 12:47 UTC
NDDCCN tasks Nigerian Nurses on drug dosage calculation
The National Drug Dosage Calculation Competition for Nurses (NDDCCN) has tasked Nigerian Nurses with drug dosage calculation problems in a competition. The Nurse emphasized the role of nurses in the different stages of the process- prescribing, educating, administering and monitoring. After a very competitive challenge, the winner emerged, in person of Favour Ojo from the University of Ibadan. The first runner-up was Rebecca Akinyinka, University of Ibadan, while the second runner-up was Jemilat Yakubu also from the University of Ibadan. Panellists in the event are: Mr. Oluwatobi Adewumi, the quiz master; Mr. Daniel Olasunkanmi, the scorekeeper; Miss Oluwadamilola Fadodun, the event moderator.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
December 26, 2023 12:36 UTC
50 Afghan couples marry in mass ceremony to cut costs
A mass wedding ceremony involving 50 couples has been held in Afghanistan. Such ceremonies have become more common as low-income couples seek to avoid the high costs of a traditional wedding. Roohullah Rezayi, 18, explained to AFP news agency he could not have afforded a solo wedding. For some of the grooms-to-be it had been a long wait, AFP notes. “I’ve been waiting for this day for three years,” said Samiullah Zamani, a 23, a farmer from Kabul province.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
December 26, 2023 12:24 UTC
2023: THE GOOD ... THE BAD...AND THE UGLY
AFCON/WAFCON spotsAnother feat on the continent in 2023 was the qualification of both the Super Eagles and the Super Falcons for next year’s AFCON and WAFCON respectively. Victor Osimhen was the AFCON qualifiers top scorer with 10 goals as Nigeria topped its group with 15 points. She was, however, unable to defend her title, finishing fifth in the race which was won by Jamaica’s Danielle Williams. Dominant D’TigressJust about a month after the appointment of Rena Wakama as the coach of D’Tigress, the Nigeria national women’s basketball team on August 5 won the 2023 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket tournament. Before the men’s triumph, Nigeria was selected as one of the countries to host the ICC 2023 Cricket World Cup Trophy.
Source:Punch
December 26, 2023 09:45 UTC
CBN investigator summons Lemo, others over Union Bank deal
The Special CBN Investigator, Jim Obazee, has summoned the Chairman of Titan Trust Bank, Babatunde Lemo, in connection with the acquisition of Union Bank of Nigeria Plc by TTB. Lemo was invited in a letter dated December 24, 2023, and signed by the Head of Operations, Office of the Special Investigator, DCP Eloho Okpoziakpo. Obazee had in his report alleged that some persons were used as proxies by a former CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, to set up Titan Trust Bank and acquire Union Bank. He insisted that the establishment of Titan Trust Bank and the subsequent acquisition of Union Bank were transparent and duly verified by the relevant regulatory bodies. As of press time, The PUNCH could not independently verify why the special investigator did get the documents as claimed above.
Source:Punch
December 26, 2023 09:32 UTC
India vs South Africa, 1st Test: Can India land Boxing-Day punch?
For India, the African country remains the only place where they have not won a Test series. Even Sri Lanka, who have never ever won a Test match in India, have won a series in the Rainbow nation - 2-0 in 2019. The last drawn Test in SA in 2016 was against New Zealand, when less than 100 overs were possible. Never won a series here so that's a big opportunity in itself that gives us excitement, courage and encouragement to do our best. Captain Temba Bavuma, inform batter Tony de Zorzi and openers Dean Elgar and Aiden Markram are expected to pose India some headache.
Source:Punch
December 26, 2023 08:20 UTC
African Officials Empower Digital Governance Skills at Moscow Workshop
Officials from over 20 African countries participated in a week-long e-government workshop in Moscow, aimed at enhancing digital skills among civil servants. Hosted under the e-Governance Knowledge Sharing Program for Africa, the ‘Winter Knowledge Sharing Week’ featured lectures, seminars, and workshops covering theoretical and technological aspects of e-governance. Participants explored topics like financing digital transformation, cybersecurity, and the role of artificial intelligence. The Russian e-Governance Knowledge Sharing Program aims to foster collaboration between Russian and African institutions in implementing e-governance solutions. Some Russian investors have already formed partnerships with African governments to support the digital transformation of public administration.
Source:Punch
December 26, 2023 06:01 UTC
Christmas: King Charles calls for shared values in time of conflict
The King’s Christmas message has emphasised the importance of “universal” values shared between major religions, at a time of “increasingly tragic conflict around the world”. The King spoke of the universal values of respecting others in the “Abrahamic family of religions”, which includes Judaism, Islam and Christianity. If the replantable Christmas tree beside the King sent its own seasonal message, there was a strong environmental theme to the speech. And his Christmas message spoke of protecting those in need of help, whether strangers or one’s own family. The King praised the volunteers and those who cared for others as the “essential backbone of our society”.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
December 25, 2023 23:25 UTC
Peace pact not as bad as being portrayed, I’ll implement it – Fubara
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has pledged to fully implement the comprehensive presidential peace agreement aimed at resolving the ongoing political crisis in the state. In a statewide broadcast on Monday , the governor reaffirmed his belief that no price is too high for peace to prevail in the region. He said, “As a principal participant in the entire saga, I have taken some time to study the terms therein and have come to the conclusion that the peace pact is not as bad as it is being portrayed by those genuinely opposed to it.”He added that the peace pact, which has naturally elicited mixed reactions from people across the country, is not a death sentence but a way towards lasting peace and stability in the state. “Accordingly, I reaffirm my acceptance of the presidential peace proclamation and my commitment to implementing both the spirit and letters of the declaration in such a way and manner that will restore political stability to our dear state without compromising the collective interest of our people and our cherished and shared democratic values. The governor thanked President Bola Tinubu for his intervention, highlighting that the gesture reflects his deep affection for the state.
Source:Punch
December 25, 2023 21:54 UTC
How to decorate your homes for the holidays
The Christmas and New Year breaks are probably the best shot at having nice times during the holidays. All these are key events to enjoy the festive period. Besides shopping for gifts, clothes, and many more, decorating your home for the holidays should probably be at the top of your festive period checklist, right? Here, PUNCH Online highlights some selected festive season decoration ideas to transform your home from drab to fabulous:1. Having cozy corners in the house makes for the perfect spot to curl up in.
Source:Punch
December 25, 2023 21:44 UTC
Afghans marry in mass ceremony in bid to cut costs
Fifty couples married Monday in a joint ceremony in the Afghan capital – a growing practice to reduce the astronomical cost of traditional weddings in the impoverished country. The couples were joined in matrimony in one of the dozens of glitzy wedding halls that punctuate Kabul, but the ceremony itself was somewhat austere. “A traditional wedding would have cost us at least 200,000 to 250,000 Afghanis ($2,800 to $3,600), but this time it will be between 10,000 and 15,000 Afghanis,” he said. – A thousand guests –Hundreds of male guests wrapped in traditional patu shawls attended the ceremony in a large, chilly hall, festooned with garlands. Larger, more pricey weddings in Afghanistan can bring together more than 1,000 guests and cost over $20,000.
Source:Punch
December 25, 2023 19:17 UTC
NNPP confident of victory at Supreme Court — Kwankwaso
Former governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso, has expressed optimism that the Supreme Court will do justice in the current Kano Governorship Election matter. He noted that his party, the New Nigeria People’s Party, is confident that the Supreme Court will ensure justice in the case. Kwankwaso made the remarks on Monday shortly after a prayer session held at his Miller Road residence in the Kano metropolis. The prayer session was organised by the state government to ensure peace prevails in the state as well as to pray for the victory of Yusuf as the Supreme Court reserved judgment in the Kano State Governorship election dispute. The former governor further applauded the NNPP legal team for doing a wonderful job, praying that the Supreme Court judges would be allowed to dispense justice without using the Federal might and other apparatus to intimidate them.
Source:Punch
December 25, 2023 19:01 UTC