Primate Ayodele releases 91-page prophecy for 2024
In the 91-page 2024 prophecies signed by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, and made available to News on Fridays, Primate Ayodele said the Nigeria economy needs a lot of prayers for it to be revived in the coming year. “Furthermore, I foresee the Nigeria economy will be fluctuating, it will be unstable and inflation rates will rise up astronomically. The cleric also urged Nigerians to pray against fire outbreak in Aso Villa. There will be leakages of classified documents in the Aso villa as revealed by the Spirit of God. Let us pray against series of strange deaths in the political class in the Months of February, April, July, August and October 2024”.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
December 22, 2023 19:50 UTC
22 years after GSM revolution, phone manufacturers shun local production
22 years after its GSM revolution, Nigeria is still heavily dependent on phone importation to meet its rising mobile connectivity needs. It is however an irony that the country is yet to own a local phone manufacturing outfit. In 2021, the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment presented a ‘made-in’ Nigeria phone to the then President, Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) Through the government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative, its ‘Made in India’ mobile phone shipments crossed the 2-billion cumulative units mark in 2022. “Under the Self-Reliant India scheme, the government introduced the Production Linked Incentive scheme for 14 sectors, including mobile phone manufacturing.
Source:Punch
December 22, 2023 18:43 UTC
Reps summon Sirika, Keyamo over national air carrier
The House of Representatives, on Thursday, invited immediate-past Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika for questioning over the controversial national air carrier, Air Nigeria. In a motion sponsored by Tarkighir Dickson on the floor of the House at Thursday’s plenary, the Green Chamber noted that in 2016 the former aviation minister proposed an aviation roadmap with national carrier as the signature project, aiming to deliver it to Nigerians by the end of the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari. The lawmaker said, “The House is aware that the last administration spent billions of naira ostensibly to acquire the said new national carrier but the status of the project remains unclear regardless of billions of taxpayers’ funds utilised on the project. The House, therefore, resolved to invite Sirika to brief the Committee on Aviation on the status of the project at the point he handed it over and to “provide insights on a wide range of controversies and allegations surrounding the project.”Furthermore, the House, “worried that if the negative trend is not investigated, it may lead to issues with accountability and continue to be a recurring expenditure item in the federal budget,” also resolved to “invite the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, to brief the Committee on Aviation about the national carrier project.”It further invited eight local airlines and their associations to afford the House a full overview of the project just as it mandated its Committee on Aviation to “carry out a forensic audit of the process of Nigeria Air and report back within four weeks for further legislative action.”
Source:Punch
December 22, 2023 14:26 UTC
Our Most Popular Stories of 2023
If 2023 taught us anything, it’s to never underestimate an underdog. The subjects of our most popular stories from the past year are proof of just that, whether it’s the couple on a mission to make a giant industry, riddled with celebrity money, more transparent or a handful of underrated cocktails championed by a few passionate bartenders. This year, we also went behind the scenes at some of the most innovative bars in the world, looked forward to the future of bartending and found a technique or two to up your home bar game. Here’s a look at our top stories from 2023.
Source:Punch
December 22, 2023 11:38 UTC
Abia uncovers japa doctors still collecting salaries
The Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, on Thursday, said the state had uncovered on its payroll some doctors who left the state employment and migrated abroad to seek greener pastures, in what is commonly known as japa. According to the governor, such doctors are still collecting salaries from the state despite that they have left the state employment and are now working abroad. Otti made the revelation while speaking at the first Abia State Council on Health at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia with the theme, “Providing an Accessible, Affordable and Quality Healthcare System for the New Abia”. Otti said his government was strengthening primary health care and ensuring that health facilities were manned by personnel across the state. The Minister of Health, represented by the Permanent Secretary of Abia State Ministry of Health, Dr Ifenyinwa Uma-Kalu, stressed the need for state governments to support the Federal Government by providing the necessary infrastructure in the health care system.
Source:Punch
December 22, 2023 06:31 UTC
FG to disburse N50bn BHCPF to upgrade, expand PHCs
The Federal Government has disclosed that it will disburse N50 billion from the Basic Health Provision Fund (BHCPF) to service, upgrade, and expand primary healthcare centers nationwide. A subcommittee within the MOC, composed of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Chairman of State Primary Health Care Development Agencies, Chairman of Health Commissioner’s Forum, representatives of development partners, and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), have been established to ensure the effective implementation of the allocated BHCPF. The Minister said there is no time to waste for work to start, “In the first quarter of 2024, at least N50b, which has already accrued in the Basic Health Care Provision Fund. “We expect that to be disbursed through the State’s primary health care facilities to deliver services to women and children. “We must all put on our passionate hats to think about the poor and the vulnerable, that’s what this meeting is about,” Offor said.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
December 22, 2023 03:27 UTC
Farmers need scientific, technological tools to increase crop yield — NABDA DG
The Director General of the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA), Professor Abdullahi Mustapha has said that for farmers to get increased yield, they need to deploy scientific and technological tools. The NABDA DG said biotechnology has already shown its potential with benefits demonstrated across 30 countries and for farmers big and small. Mustapha said agricultural biotechnology offers solutions for greater productivity and food access. “All these have been made possible through the over 14-year partnership we share with the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF), Agricultural Research Council (ARCN) and Bayer Agriculture Nigeria PLC. The Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB)-Nigeria Chapter, an initiative of AATF, is yet another project of importance in the area of awareness creation,” he said.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
December 22, 2023 02:48 UTC
Tinubu threatened Fubara, imposed resolution on him, says ex-Rivers commissioner
A member of the Rivers Elders’ Forum and former Rivers State Commissioner for Works, Chief David Briggs, has alleged that President Bola Tinubu imposed the resolution concerning the crisis in the state on Governor Siminalayi Fubara. Briggs, who said he attended the resolution meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, insisted that the governor signed the resolution under duress, following alleged threats issued by the President before handing the document to the governor to sign. In an interview with newsmen in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, on Wednesday, Briggs said Fubara was forced to sign the resolution without his input. He (Tinubu) wrote the resolution but refused to read it. That of the President is also full of wisdom because he was operating within the space provided for him by his advisers.”
Source:Punch
December 21, 2023 22:10 UTC
Palestinians and Israelis: Hate without end? (Part 5)
Interventions required to bring an end to the Palestine-Israel six-decade warThe UN was created in 1945 to promote global peace. The question of the Golam Height did not arise under the Oslo Accords. The Oslo Accords was a mutually negotiated two-state solution that took 5 years to finalise. The question of whether the Oslo Accords will succeed in the region cannot be answered in a hurry. Lastly, I urge that our position in reaction to the Hamas-Israel wars should be love for Israel, love for Palestine, love for Islam and love for Christianity.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
December 21, 2023 12:24 UTC
Yuletide: Niger govt declares seven days public holiday for civil servants
Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago has declared seven days public holiday for State Civil Servants. Governor Umaru Bago said the public holiday is for the celebration of Christmas and New Year. According to him, the holiday will commence from Friday the 22nd of December 2023, to Monday the 1st of January, 2024. He disclosed that food stuff will be given to government officials for onward distribution to the less privileged in their local government areas and wards. “Don’t stay in Minna, go and share food with the poor people in your local governments and wards”, he directed.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
December 21, 2023 07:06 UTC
BOP deficit declines to US$216 million in November 2023
The country’s overall balance of payments (BOP) position posted a deficit of US$216 million in November 2023, lower than the US$756 million BOP deficit recorded in the same month last year. The BOP deficit in November 2023 reflected outflows arising mainly from the National Government’s (NG) payments of its foreign currency debt obligations. [1]The gross international reserves (GIR) level increased to US$102.7 billion as of end-November 2023 from US$101.0 billion as of end-October 2023. [3]Moreover, it is also about 6.0 times the country’s short-term external debt based on original maturity and 3.7 times based on residual maturity. [2] The GIR level increased month-on-month, notwithstanding the BOP deficit in November 2023, due mainly to the upward revaluation adjustments in BSP gold holdings and foreign currency denominated assets.
Source:The Guardian
December 21, 2023 05:05 UTC
Caution transport commissioner over threat, Aba tricyclists beg Otti
Tricycle operators in Aba, Abia State, on Tuesday pleaded with the state governor, Alex Otti, to prevail on the state Commissioner for Transport, Sunny Onwuma, to stop threatening and intimidating them for pulling out of the Abia State Tricycle Operators Union. Popularly called ‘keke operators,’ the tricycle operators peacefully protested what they described as ‘extortionist actions’ of a leadership imposed on them against their wish. The tricycle operators in Aba don’t want the leadership of strangers again, as it has done us more harm than good. We’ve decided to form our own union, called Real Keke Operators Association, Aba, and we’ve endorsed Mr Ikechukwu Emenike as our Chairman. However, REKOAA is having a rethink, following what they termed the extortion of members, by ASTOPU leadership.
Source:Punch
December 21, 2023 01:46 UTC
price expectations! » MotorOctane
In today’s article, let’s talk about the Tata Punch EV price. Price expectationsTata could position the Punch EV between the Tigor EV and Nexon EV Prime in its EV lineup. Tata Punch EV price – ChangesIn terms of the design, we don’t expect any radical changes on the Punch EV. Tata Punch EV price & launchTata is currently working on bringing the Punch i-CNG version. Tentatively, we can expect Punch EV to be launched by the end of this year or early next year.
Source:Punch
December 21, 2023 01:38 UTC
Banking stocks drive market capitalisation past historic N40tn
The market capitalisation of the Nigerian Exchange Limited crossed the N40tn mark at the close of trading on Wednesday on the back of increased activity in banking stocks. Both the market cap and the ASI closed trading at N40.164tn and 73,397.71 respectively, a 1.28 per cent increase. This milestone came 10 months after the market cap hit N30tn on the back of the interest of domestic investors. On February 27, the first trading day after the presidential polls, the market crossed the N30tn market. “We have not seen movements yet in the industrial, consumer and telecoms sectors, which make up a high percentage of the market cap, we are expecting improved returns.
Source:Punch
December 21, 2023 00:57 UTC
Controversy over blessing for same-sex couples, clerics clarify Pope’s position
Alumuku said, “My position is the position of the Catholic church. Usually in the Catholic church, there are rituals for every blessing, even the blessing of pets. Also, I find it totally wrong to refer to the people in question as “same-sex couples”. “So, if you think that blessing of same-sex couples will lead to the eventual endorsement and approval of same-sex marriage by the Catholic Church, I want to tell you that such will never happen without the Church running into the risks of schism. But then, while the Church rejects same-sex union and considers it disordered, she does not condemn same-sex couples.”
Source:Punch
December 21, 2023 00:53 UTC