Subsidy removal: Spending on petrol may jump 250% to N8tn
“Maybe the incoming government will have a proper way of stopping fuel subsidy. But last week, it was reported that the Federal Government was proceeding with the planned removal of fuel subsidy by the end of June, contrary to reports that the exit date for the subsidy removal had been put on hold. Operators reactThe debate around subsidy removal also elicited diverse reactions among oil marketers and economic experts. Even if fuel subsidy was going to be temporary, we’ve been doing it for ages till this period. What we say is that issues concerning subsidy removal should be properly addressed.
Source:Punch
May 08, 2023 05:58 UTC
NAFDAC warns consumers of harmful imported pesticides
According to her, pesticides are applied both indoors and outdoors for the management of pests, vector-borne diseases, and for crop protection. Adeyeye said pesticides are sometimes impregnated in textiles, paints, carpets, and treated wood to control pests and fungi. She said what was worrisome was the toxicity associated with the misuse and abuse of pesticides as it affected food safety and food security. Others, she mentioned in the statement, were the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, CropLife Nigeria, Nigeria Agro-Input Dealers Association, ministries, departments and agencies, as well as research institutes. She said NAFDAC would also intensify post-marketing surveillance nationwide, adding that there would be continual sensitisation and education of relevant stakeholders on the safe and responsible use of pesticides.
Source:Punch
May 08, 2023 05:08 UTC
UK ‘was urged to investigate’ Nigerian politician before organ trafficking plot
“Clearly the UK authorities had ample opportunity to scrutinise Ekweremadu’s UK activities before things reached the point of people-trafficking or organ harvesting,” he said. Page, who spent more than five years investigating senior Nigerian politicians, also said unexplained wealth had been used to pay expensive education bills for Ekweremadu’s four children. Page supplied the NCA with a dossier of information about how Ekweremadu had used unexplained wealth to fund his UK activities. A source at the NCA confirmed it had received Page’s information about Ekweremadu but rejected his claim that it was ignored. Ekweremadu’s lawyer pointed out that the Nigerian high court had rejected an investigation into Ekweremadu’s wealth by country’s anti-fraud agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Source:The Guardian
May 08, 2023 03:16 UTC
Ooni’s wife leads devotees as Ife celebrates Osara Festival
The Ooni’s Queen, Olori Ashley Ogunwusi, on Saturday, led numerous natives of Ile-Ife, particularly devotees of Osara, as the ancient city celebrated the festival of the prominent goddess. While addressing newsmen before proceeding to the ancient Osara Groove amid cheers from natives and residents of Ife, Olori Ogunwusi explained that the festival was laced with immeasurable spiritual components since time immemorial. “I hereby pray that the Almighty Olodumare answers all our prayers through Osara, a committed servant of God the creator,” Olori Ogunwusi stated. Also, the Olosara of Ife, Oba Isoro Ishola Osunwusi, said Osara was a festival that all sons and daughters of Yorubas needed to celebrate annually. Osunwuwi called on Yorubas to embrace their cultural heritage and value their tradition, for Osara was the legendary mother of Yorubas.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
May 08, 2023 01:51 UTC
Former US Analyst Warned UK Of Ekweremadu’s ‘Illicit Activities’ Before Organ Trafficking Case
A former US intelligence analyst warned the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) to investigate the activities of a senior Nigerian politician before he trafficked a man to London in an attempt to harvest his kidney, the Guardian can reveal. “Clearly the UK authorities had ample opportunity to scrutinise Ekweremadu’s UK activities before things reached the point of people-trafficking or organ harvesting,” he said. Page, who spent more than five years investigating senior Nigerian politicians, also said unexplained wealth had been used to pay expensive education bills for Ekweremadu’s four children. Page supplied the NCA with a dossier of information about how Ekweremadu had used unexplained wealth to fund his UK activities. Ekweremadu’s lawyer pointed out that the Nigerian high court had rejected an investigation into Ekweremadu’s wealth by country’s anti-fraud agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Source:The Guardian
May 08, 2023 01:24 UTC
NAFDAC raises the alarm over importation of banned pesticides
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has raised an alarm over the importation and use of pesticides banned in Europe in Nigeria. NAFDAC, is, however, seeking stakeholders’ support to eliminate harmful pesticides from the Nigerian markets. Quoting a report of the study conducted by the Heinrich Boll Foundation, 40 per cent of pesticides used in Nigeria had been banned in the European Union. “NAFDAC would collaborate with research institutes in the conduct of research and scientific data generation on pesticides to enable the agency to make evidence-based decisions and policies. “Other organisations the agency would engage with are the National Environmental Standards and Regulation Enforcement Agency, Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service,” it said.
Source:Punch
May 07, 2023 23:02 UTC
Presidential Election: Tribunal begins hearings of petitions challenging Tinubu’s victory Monday
The Presidential Election Petitions Court sitting at the Court of Appeal in Abuja has fixed Monday, May 8, for pre-hearing of the petitions challenging the victory of President-elect Bola Tinubu. The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Yakubu Mahmood, had, on March 1 declared the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential candidate the winner of the February 25 presidential election. The Presidential Election Petition Court is expected to provide a full timetable for hearing the substantive petitions filed against Tinubu’s victory at the election. The LP Presidential candidate insists that, the President-elect did not win the majority of lawful votes and failed to garner one-quarter of votes in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). APM, in its petition numbered CA/PEPC/04/2023, joined INEC, APC, Tinubu, Kashim Shettima, and Kabir Masari as respondents.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
May 07, 2023 17:12 UTC
Inclusive Education for Children in Slum Communities: Group Advocates
- Advertisement -Youth Advocate for Change (YAFC) is organizing a one-day interactive forum on Advancing Inclusive Education in Lagos Slum Communities on May 10 at the Akinwunmi Youth Development Centre, Alagomeji, Yaba, Lagos. The conference will review the standard of education in slum communities and provide a platform for shared responsibilities among all stakeholders. As mentioned in a news article on a recent report by The Guardian, Youth Advocate for Change (YAFC) is set to host an interactive forum on Advancing Inclusive Education in Lagos Slum Communities on May 10. The event is part of YAFC’s Slum to Classroom Initiative, which seeks to ensure that marginalised children in slum communities are not left behind in the effort toward achieving inclusive and qualitative education for all children irrespective of their location, gender, and socio-economic challenges. - Advertisement -The forum is an excellent opportunity for all stakeholders to come together and work towards providing inclusive education for children living in slum communities.
Source:The Guardian
May 07, 2023 16:53 UTC
Guardiola angry over Haaland’s penalty kick gesture
This was after the Norwegian striker ignored his manager’s instructions to take a penalty kick and handed the ball to teammate Ilkay Gundogan. But Guardiola yelled from the sidelines for the 22-year-old Haaland to take the penalty kick they had been awarded in the closing minutes. At 2-0, this is a business, not a situation where we cannot forget it.”The 32-year-old Gundogan felt the heat from Guardiola when he stepped up to the penalty kick spot. “Who knows if Erling takes the penalty kick and misses it? What happens if Gundo takes the penalty kick and score?
Source:Punch
May 07, 2023 16:06 UTC
Tech firm invests in AI
A global technology company, Zoho Corporation has announced its execution plans and ongoing investment in AI, beginning with the launch of 13 generative AI Zoho application extensions and integrations, powered by ChatGPT. The Country Manager, Zoho Nigeria, Kehinde Ogundare, said, “The fusion of ChatGPT’s generative AI with our homegrown AI features will provide users with a more intuitive, efficient, and secure experience, reflecting Zoho’s deep R&D-first culture. We will continue to deliver on this promise without compromise.”According to the company, its three core tenets of the AI strategy cut across board. Related News Firm unveils new toolson prioritising customer experience, the company restated that, “ Zoho’s AI solutions deliver the context, intelligence, and efficiency necessary to produce exemplary experience. It also cited customer value as a major touch point.
Source:Punch
May 07, 2023 14:08 UTC
Delta: Police arrest 59 male suspects, 94 commercial sex workers
Following complaints by residents of Warri, Ughelli and environs over the rising rate of crimes, operatives of the Delta Police Command have raided criminal hideouts, arresting 59 male criminal suspects and 94 commercial sex workers. Breakdown of the suspected criminals arrested included armed robbers, cultists, and kidnappers who were caught with arms and ammunition. The arrests followed the directive handed by the Deputy Commissioner of Police operations, DCP Johnson Adenola, for a massive raids on areas complaints had emerged from. “The Commander led raids on some identified criminal rendezvous at Evwreni, East-West Road, and other black spots all in Ughelli North Local Government Area of the state.”He said in the course of the raids, 59 male criminal suspects and 94 female suspected commercial sex workers were arrested. KJA 98 GE, nine cups of Loud, Codeine syrup, sachets of Swinol, 20 capsules of tramadol and 31 wraps of weed suspected to be Indian hemp.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
May 07, 2023 13:19 UTC
Prayer, good leadership will produce a better Nigeria
According to him, every Nigerian irrespective of their party affiliation should pray for the President- elect to succeed in the task before him. His words: " Our prayer is for Nigeria to be a better country; with prayer coupled with good leadership we would have a better Nigeria. Nigeria has been through a lot and without prayer I wonder where we would have been, prayer has held us where we are in this nation. Speaking further he said, " For the President- elect, I believe that with prayer he would do better, with prayer he would be focused and love the people, with prayer Nigeria would be better than where he met it. " It could be recalled that the forthcoming inauguration program of the President- elect has attracted many criticisms from Nigerians.
Source:The Guardian
May 07, 2023 11:55 UTC
A marketer once slapped me, but… —Ajibola
Victoria Akanke Ajibola, actor, entrepreneur and film producer, is a theatre arts practitioner. I have been blessed with this dual heritage and that has given me a more balanced view of life. As a female artiste, my first and very touching challenge was when a film marketer slapped me because of the payment due to me for one of my films entitled OMO LOCAL. However, just like the proverbial toad would say ‘don’t get to the point where you ask me about my tail’. All I can say is, I am in love and I’ll love to be discreet about it.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
May 07, 2023 04:50 UTC
Prioritise agriculture for export, NEPC advises farmers
The Nigerian Export Promotion Council on Friday advised farmers to prioritise the production of economic crops and trees to tap from the huge potential of export to the international market. Yakusak said cultivation of economic trees like cashew and palm trees has a huge export potential and urged farmers to key in and reap the benefits. He said that the council would provide the needed awareness, technical support, capacity building and tips on how to access the international market through export. According to him, with economic crops and trees, farmers will make more money through export and use part of the profit to buy food with so much change in the bank. Furthermore he added that “We will also sensitise and mobilise farmers and Nigerians to key into the lucrative export business,” Bally said.
Source:Punch
May 07, 2023 01:13 UTC
FG commends JAMB on smooth conduct of 2023 UTME
The Federal Government has commended the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board for the smooth and successful conduct of the 2023 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, gave the commendation on Saturday while monitoring alongside the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Ishaq Oloyede, the rescheduled UTME at the Computer Based Test (CBT) centre located in Mambila Barrack’s, Asokoro, Abuja. Meanwhile, JAMB’s Head of Public Affairs and Protocol, Dr Fabian Benjamin, in an interview on Saturday, said about 80,000 candidates, who could not sit for the 2023 UTME within their scheduled time owing to no fault of theirs, sat for the rescheduled UTME across the country. “In this year’s UTME, the issue of examination malpractices was reduced to almost zero level,” Fabian said. A total of 1,586,765 candidates indicated an interest in sitting for the 2023 UTME.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
May 06, 2023 20:42 UTC