Soldiers destroy illegal oil refining sites in Rivers, Bayelsa
The Nigerian Army said its troops have destroyed several illegal refining sites in Rivers and Bayelsa States respectively. It said the destruction was done during an operation by troops of the Land Component, Joint Task Force, South-South, Operation Delta Safe. The statement partly read, “In the operations that ensued, troops identified several illegal refining sites in Rivers and Bayelsa States, where several discoveries were made. “In Rivers State, troops of Sector 3, Land Component, Joint Task Force, South-South Operation Delta Safe, following credible intelligence identified and successfully destroyed three illegal refining sites at Odagwa in Etche Local Government Area. ” Other Items recovered at the illegal refining site include One Fibre Boat, Five Ovens, several metal drums as well as massive reservoirs used as storage facilities for this illegal venture.”
Source:Punch
August 07, 2024 17:27 UTC
NNPCL Probe: Ugochinyere pledges loyalty to Reps leadership, debunks $1.7m bribe
Ugochinyere, who chairs the House Committee on Downstream Petroleum, dismissed the claims as "a low-quality Hollywood movie" concocted by oil thieves and their agents to smear the House and its committees. He reiterated his respect for Speaker Tajudeen Abbas and Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, accusing vested interests in the oil sector of fabricating the allegations to divert attention from systemic corruption. "The whole noise and kindergarten-manufactured fake stories will not stop the commitment to seek transparency and efficiency," he said. Ugochinyere backs oil probeSupporting the House leadership's decision to reconstitute the joint committee investigating the oil sector, Ugochinyere expressed confidence that the investigation would uncover the corruption without any escape route for those involved. Ugochinyere also praised Speaker Abbas's and Deputy Speaker Kalu's inclusive administration, crediting them with the House's stability and collaborative environment.
Source:The Guardian
August 07, 2024 16:26 UTC
July inflation rate rises to 4.4%, expected to stabilize
“Pansamantala lamang ang pagtaas ng inflation rate nitong Hulyo dahil sa tinatawag nating base effect sa presyo ng bigas. Food inflation accelerated due to faster price increases in meat and fruits, although rice inflation remained high. The BSP projects that inflation will stabilize and follow a downward trend starting in August. These include reduced rice tariffs, expected to lower retail rice prices as more imports augment local supply. “Inflation rate is expected to stabilize and fall within target for the rest of the year as the impact of government interventions, particularly the reduced rice tariffs, will be more pronounced starting this August,” he noted.
Source:The Guardian
August 07, 2024 16:26 UTC
At 58, God has given me a second chance
At a point, he told me that if we didn’t act fast, my enlarged prostate might begin to affect my kidney. One of them had, in fact, quietly told my family that my chance of survival was 50-50. “Is this illness also going to separate me from my God in my last days?” I lamented to my wife. Why would a Nigerian need tonnes of money and powerful friends to stand a chance of surviving a medical challenge in our country? I give thanks to the Almighty Allah who has given me a second lease of life out of his infinite mercy, not necessarily because I deserve it.
Source:Punch
August 07, 2024 16:26 UTC
A tale of two protests – two official responses
The protests eventually forced President William Ruto to withdraw the offending legislation and dissolve his entire cabinet. At the time of this writing, protests are ongoing in Bangladesh, India and Venezuela, as well as in Nigeria and the United Kingdom. However, a key element in the maintenance of this critical balance is the behaviour (and especially the utterances) of political leaders. “It’s not (a) protest,” Starmer declared. Perhaps – as we have seen in the respective responses of the Nigerian and UK leaders to the current crises – it is time for the West to lecture less and listen more.
Source:The Guardian
August 07, 2024 14:15 UTC
Programme to empower budding entrepreneurs — Technology — The Guardian Nigeria News – Nigeria and World News
World Yunus urges Bangladeshis to 'get ready to build the country' 4 mins ago Bangladesh's Muhammad Yunus, who is set to lead an interim government after the premier was ousted, called for calm and urged people to use the opportunity to build a better nation. Dauda Lawal’s kitchenware as it was wrongfully circulated in the social media. The State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Abdulmalik Gajam, at a media briefing on Tuesday in Gusau described the information as mischievous. Amusan finished first in the women’s 100m hurdles heat which has now led to praises from different quarters. Amusan, running on lane nine has thus qualified for the semi-finals of the… FacebookTwitterWhatsAppTelegram
Source:The Guardian
August 07, 2024 13:24 UTC
Theater Review | ‘Cabaret’ Packs a Powerful Punch
Like many fans of the dramatic arts, seeing PCPA’s production of Cabaret, running at Solvang Festival Theatre through August 25, was not my first (or fifth, or 15th) visit to the Kit Kat Klub. PCPA’s Cabaret, however, features several noteworthy choices that gives their show a distinctive personality. Speaking of Sally Bowles: Six out of five stars for Olson, whose final number, the titular song, is the most diva-on-the-verge-of-a-breakdown rendition I’ve ever seen, all while maintaining incredible vocal power. There’s much to enjoy in PCPA’s production, so if you love Cabaret, leave your troubles outside, because in the Solvang Festival Theatre, life is beautiful! See Cabaret at the Solvang Festival Theatre through August 25, pcpa.org.
Source:Punch
August 07, 2024 08:48 UTC
Violent Protests: We’ll hunt down enemies of Nigeria, vows CDS
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has said that security forces would hunt down enemies of the country. General Musa spoke while presiding over a press briefing of Superintendents of security agencies in the country. According to him, the joint press briefing meeting shows the respect and love security agencies have for the country. The only people we are after are the enemies of the state who should be ready to face the law. We remain professional, and men on the field will remain professional as well.
Source:The Guardian
August 07, 2024 00:11 UTC
Reps reaffirm commitment to ensure success of student loan scheme
The House of Representatives reaffirmed its commitment to overseeing and supporting the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) following the commencement of monthly stipend disbursements to eligible students. NELFUND is also working to expand its payment process to include students from approximately 55 additional tertiary institutions in the near future. Gboyega Isiaka (APC-Ogun), Chairman of the House Committee on Student Loan, Scholarship, and Higher Education Financing, praised the operationalization of NELFUND, calling it a significant advancement in educational support. Plans include expanding NELFUND to 16 additional state-owned tertiary institutions, increasing the total to 86. Institutions yet to submit complete student data are urged to do so to ensure their students can access the program.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
August 06, 2024 22:31 UTC
Stock broking app Punch raises $7 Mn in seed round
Stock broking platform Punch has raised $7 million in a new round from Stellaris Venture Partners, Susquehanna Asia VC, Prime Venture Partners, Innoven Capital, and angels including Kunal Shah (Cred), Vatsal Singhal (Ultrahuman), and Nitish Mittersain (Nazara). The proceeds will be used in research and development (R&D) initiatives aimed at enhancing user experience and covering marketing expenses. Punch’s built-in safety tools help traders adhere to daily and weekly trading limits and mitigate the risk of significant losses. Since 2022, the team has been building and testing Punch, taking a fresh perspective on safety in trading. It allows users to open a demat and trading account directly through the app.
Source:Punch
August 06, 2024 22:12 UTC
Oshinaga challenges entrepreneurs amid global downturn
Segun Oshinaga, President and CEO of Inspirational Global Network, has urged entrepreneurs to maximise their potential despite the global economic downturn. He delivered this message during a two-day workshop for MBA students at the University of Port Harcourt Business School in Rivers State. “Every value starts from the place of an idea,” Oshinaga said. He also advised budding entrepreneurs to identify how they can use their gifts to create value for others in the marketplace. Oshinaga’s insightful session left the MBA students of the University of Port Harcourt Business School inspired to embrace their entrepreneurial journeys with renewed vigour and adaptability.
Source:The Guardian
August 06, 2024 19:07 UTC
Meta apologises for removing Malaysian PM’s posts on Hamas leader
Tech giant Meta apologised Tuesday for removing social media posts by Malaysian Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim, about the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. The apology came a day after Anwar’s office summoned Meta representatives to seek an explanation on why the leader’s Facebook and Instagram posts about Haniyeh’s death had been removed. Anwar’s posts included a video showing the premier on a phone call with a Hamas official, offering his condolences. Anwar last week accused the tech giant of “cowardice” for removing his posts. Anwar stressed during a visit to Germany in March that Malaysia’s links were with Hamas’ political wing and not with its military arm.
Source:Punch
August 06, 2024 14:03 UTC
Bangladesh: five things to know
Five things to know:– Political instability –Bangladesh won its independence from Pakistan in 1971 after a brutal conflict that killed an estimated three million people, only to suffer a devastating famine three years later. Bangladesh, home to 170 million people, has seen numerous coups, counter-coups and periods of military rule in the decades since. READ ALSO: Students want ‘Banker to the Poor’, Muhammad Yunus, as Bangladesh new leaderBut the mangroves are under threat. India and Bangladesh jointly opened a coal-fired power plant in 2022 just 14 kilometres (nine miles) from the edge of the Sundarbans despite a backlash from environmental campaigners. Bangladesh has recorded average annual growth of more than six percent since 2009 and overtook India in per capita income terms in 2021.
Source:The Guardian
August 06, 2024 14:00 UTC
The Gaza paracyclist: I was a footballer before losing my leg
Composite: Guardian Design; Supplied imageHazem Suleiman, 26, is a member of and the photographer for the Gaza Sunbirds, a team of paracyclists from Gaza. View image in fullscreen The Gaza Sunbirds in October 2023. I used to do bodybuilding at the gym, but I was an athlete even before joining the Gaza Sunbirds. I was even a footballer in the Palestinian national team before losing my leg. We were ordered to evacuate eastern Khan Younis yesterday, so I’m in the western part of the city.
Source:The Guardian
August 06, 2024 04:08 UTC
Security Forces urge protesters to embrace Tinubu’s olive branch, end protests
As the nationwide protests against economic hardship persist in various parts of the country, security forces have called on protesters and organisers to embrace President Bola Tinubu’s olive branch extended in his recent broadcast and to end their protests immediately to allow for dialogue. The protesters and the organisers have to end the violent protests to allow for peaceful dialogue. Those behind the protests and the protesters should end them and embrace dialogue. Despite these challenges, our security agencies made concerted and frantic efforts to restore calm to the affected areas, successfully re-establishing order. Furthermore, they intercepted 3,650,080 litres of stolen crude oil, 625,518 litres of illegally refined AGO, 450 litres of DPK, and 1,230 litres of PMS, among other items, demonstrating their relentless commitment to upholding national security.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
August 05, 2024 19:12 UTC