The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria has criticised the Federal Government’s plan to secure a $500 million loan from the World Bank to support basic education. On 26 September 2024, the World Bank approved $500m for HOPE-GOV and $570m for HOPE-PHC. According to the Programme Information Document for the loan project, obtained by PUNCH on Friday, the loan is expected to receive formal approval by March 2025. Obele observed that many Nigerians were alarmed by the government’s frequent requests for external loans amounting to billions of dollars. He stressed that while borrowing can be beneficial when used for productive purposes, it becomes harmful when directed towards mere consumption.
Source:Punch
October 20, 2024 00:35 UTC
“Don’t leave tennis, man,” Djokovic said in an on-court interview after beating Nadal in straight sets 6-2, 7-6 (7/5) at the “Six Kings Slam” exhibition in Saudi Arabia. Nadal, 38, announced on 10 October that he would retire from tennis after the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga next month. Organisers of the Saudi event billed Saturday’s match as possibly Nadal’s last singles contest as a professional. Djokovic and Nadal — two of the sport’s famed “Big Three” alongside Roger Federer — had faced each other 60 times on the main tour prior to Saturday’s exhibition match, with Djokovic holding a narrow 31-29 lead. The Women’s Tennis Association announced in April that Riyadh would host the next three editions of the Tour Finals, featuring the top eight singles players and doubles teams.
Source:Punch
October 20, 2024 00:19 UTC
About 44 Nigerians and Ghanaians were deported to their home countries in a single flight on Friday, according to the UK Home Office. The Home Office said that the Nigeria and Ghana deportations were part of a “major surge” in immigration enforcement and returns, according to the Guardian UK. There are also regular deportation flights to Albania, Lithuania and Romania. Deportation flights to Nigeria and Ghana are relatively rare, with just four recorded since 2020, according to data released under freedom of information rules. Friday’s flight had more than double that number removed on a single flight.
Source:The Guardian
October 19, 2024 23:56 UTC
The Federal Government has called on Nigerians in the diaspora to return home and contribute to the nation’s growth and prosperity. She highlighted that diaspora engagement is crucial for fostering national growth, urging Nigerians overseas to explore and utilise the numerous opportunities available at home. She further noted that NIDCOM is actively working to establish frameworks that will facilitate greater diaspora involvement in Nigeria’s growth efforts. Babalola acknowledged the country’s abundant human and natural resources and urged young people to reconsider leaving Nigeria for opportunities abroad. “We are blessed with both human and natural resources,” he said, stressing that youth should avoid the lure of seeking “greener pastures” overseas.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
October 19, 2024 23:54 UTC
A 36-year-old man of Lusaka’s Chelston area has complained to the Lusaka Boma Local Court, Zambia, about the s3x drought that has characterised his marriage. According to Zambia Observer, Best Bwanga told the court his wife, Phelliny Hamainza, 37, denied him s3x on the pretext that she was having her menstrual period for two consecutive weeks. Best said, to his amazement, during the period he was denied sex, Phelliny chatted with other men on social media telling them how horny she felt. She noted that Best should not have moved in to live with Philliny after being chased from his friend’s place. Justice Tembo ordered Best to compensate his wife with K10,000, to be paid in monthly installments of K350, beginning next month-end, and child support of K500.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
October 19, 2024 13:43 UTC
According to the plaintiff, the defendant once fought him throughout the night and left him with wounds all over his body. In addition to the slaps, Ajayi also claimed that Lanre went further to tear his clothes to shreds thereby disgracing him. According to her, her husband dragged her to court only because he wanted to marry another wife. She slapped me in the presence of my boss and colleagues and went further to tear my clothes to shreds. She once arrested me with the police after my wife and I fought and I was detained by the police.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
October 19, 2024 13:18 UTC
A health expert, Constance King, has launched a mental and physical challenge competition aimed at bringing fun to Africa. The competition, titled ‘Scavenger Hunt Africa’, is inspired by the American TV show ‘The Amazing Race’. The show will feature six teams living together during the competition. Due to Nigeria’s size, the country has been divided into two regions—Abuja and Lagos—where the winning teams from each region will face off for the grand prize. Ultimately, ‘Scavenger Hunt Africa’ plans to visit six African countries, culminating in a final showdown for a prize of 2 million in local currency.
Source:The Guardian
October 19, 2024 13:15 UTC
Schneider Electric has unveiled a new energy solution aimed at addressing the power crisis plaguing countries in West Africa. The firm, in a statement, said that the new products within the Secure Power portfolio, is designed to provide reliable backup power in meeting the needs of users across West Africa. Regional Business Leader, Schneider Electric, Uche Nnadi, stressed that the products which include Connect UPS and the Gaming UPS are designed to provide reliable backup power for routers, modem as well as ensuring uninterrupted power for gaming systems. APC Product Manager, Coscharis Technologies, Ajaja Oluwasola highlighted their long-standing partnership with Schneider Electric, emphasising the company’s readiness to meet current trends in the power sector with the new solutions. The high point of the event was the award presentation to 15 partners for their excellence, innovation, and dedication.
Source:The Guardian
October 19, 2024 11:05 UTC
A US judge on Friday let Google put off opening Android-powered smartphones to rival app shops while the tech titan appeals an order to do just that. The ruling by federal Judge James Donato spares Google from having to meet a November 1 deadline to open its Android smartphone operating system to rival app stores. Google is also facing an antitrust lawsuit in a third federal case in Virginia over its dominance of online advertising. Under the Epic Games order, for the next three years, Google will be prohibited from engaging in several practices that were deemed anticompetitive by the jury in the landmark case. Phones running on the Android operating system have about a 70 per cent share of the world’s smartphone market.
Source:Punch
October 19, 2024 09:57 UTC
Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr Mariya Mahmoud, has observed that women are not just vital contributors to the national economy; but also catalysts for innovation, social change, and sustainable development. The minister who was the Special Guest of Honour at the Abuja Business and Investment Summit, also called on stakeholders to support women entrepreneurs. Speaking on the importance of women’s entrepreneurship, Mahmoud asserted that businesses led by women tend to be more socially responsible and have a profound impact on their communities. Mahmoud highlighted some of the significant barriers faced by women to entrepreneurship despite their potential. “However, it is time we recognize that empowering women entrepreneurs is not just a matter of equity; it is an economic imperative,” Mahmoud emphasised.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
October 19, 2024 09:16 UTC
News Tackling fuel supply crisis: Lessons from NLNG template 15 hours ago The problem of financing the project led Asiodu to recommend that the government sells five percent of the country’s 60 percent in the joint ventures with Agip, Philips and Shell to raise $500million which was deposited in an escrow account. FacebookTwitterWhatsAppTelegramNews Examining Nigeria’s economic transformation through local refining 15 hours ago Successive administrations in the country have in the past labored in vain to deregulate the downstream petroleum sector, amid resistance from groups such as the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress. FacebookTwitterWhatsAppTelegram
Source:The Guardian
October 19, 2024 09:12 UTC
The IMF’s executive board approved a $1.1 billion payout for Ukraine on Friday, which it says will be used to provide budget support to the war-torn country. The approval of the Fund’s fifth loan review brings the total amount disbursed to Ukraine since then to $8.7 billion. “Russia’s war in Ukraine continues to bring a devastating social and economic toll on Ukraine,” IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said in a statement. “Despite the war, macroeconomic and financial stability is being preserved through skilful policymaking by the Ukrainian authorities as well as substantial external support,” she added. Ukraine’s economy had been “more resilient than expected” in the first half of the year, with good domestic data “bolstered by continued sizeable external support,” according to the IMF.
Source:Punch
October 19, 2024 08:36 UTC
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 17: A handful of Israeli supporters gather at the Israeli Consulate to celebrate the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar on October 17, 2024 in New York City. Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was reportedly killed in a firefight in Gaza on Thursday. David Dee Delgado/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by David Dee Delgado / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)The Israeli army said the bodyguard of slain Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar was killed by its forces in Southern Gaza on Friday, close to where the militant leader died two days earlier. It said that Hamdan was responsible for guarding Sinwar and was also the commander of Hamas’s Tal al-Sultan Battalion. The announcement comes a day after the military said it killed Sinwar during a firefight in southern Gaza’s Rafah on Wednesday.
Source:Punch
October 18, 2024 23:25 UTC
Nigeria has signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with telecom giant, Ericsson, on a 5G Innovation Lab. It was signed on Friday at Ericsson’s Global Headquarters and Research and Development Lab in Kista, North of Stockholm, Sweden. The ceremony was witnessed by Vice President Shettima, and Ericsson’s Senior Vice President and Head of Business Area Middle East and Africa. Outlining the importance of the MoU, Minister for Communications, Dr. Tijani, expressed optimism that Nigeria will make the most of 5G technology as its wide coverage will lead to rapid development and growth of the Nigerian economy. Shettima noted that it was crucial for management and planning of the nation’s oil economyThe statement also informed that Vice President Shettima met with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson in Stockholm today.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
October 18, 2024 19:52 UTC
Operatives of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command have arrested a suspected kidnapper after a fierce gun battle. It was gathered that the police pursued the kidnappers, apprehending one of them and recovering a vehicle belonging to the gang. When contacted, the FCT Commissioner of Police, Tunji Disu confirmed that one of the kidnappers had been arrested and weapons were recovered from him. It is important to note that we want to thank those who saw the incident and quickly called the police. Notice any action taking place, robbery taking place, call the control room immediately, and the police will help.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
October 18, 2024 19:32 UTC