The House of Representatives on Tuesday tasked the Federal Government to ensure timely registration and renewal of Nigeria’s orbital slots with a view to averting the loss of $400 million worth of investment in the industry. Shagaya observed that Nigeria has been granted three orbital slots by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), essential for satellite placement in geostationary orbit. “The House is also aware that the critical significance of these orbital slots goes beyond technological progress to include national security, disaster response, connectivity, and navigation capabilities. “The House is concerned over Nigeria’s increasing competition with other countries for orbital slots, driven by the rising global demand for satellite services, which could lead to the permanent forfeiture of Nigeria’s assigned positions. “The House recognises that protecting Nigeria’s orbital slots goes beyond technical aspects; it is a critical element for national security, economic empowerment, and global standing.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
October 22, 2024 16:34 UTC
The Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP) has attributed the recurring flooding in Nigeria to fraud, stating that people have deliberately neglected laws and order to promote practices harmful to the environment. He explained that flooding results from an evil conspiracy and the neglect of the essence of physical planning. He explained that the lack of physical planning or poorly regulated urbanisation is the fundamental environmental fraud in Nigeria. Atebije lamented that some of these developments may have obtained permits through bribery or political connections, leading to violations of environmental laws intended to protect flood-prone areas. He said that addressing the problem requires concerted efforts from governments, communities, and international organisations to ensure strict enforcement of environmental laws.
Source:The Guardian
October 22, 2024 16:02 UTC
What's New AFRIMA’s vice president passes on By Chinonso Ihekire IT’s a sad time for the entire African music ecosystem as Vice President, All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), Mrs Modupe Temitope Dada kicks the bucket at age 48. In a statement issued from the AFRIMA’s Headquarters in Lagos, Nigeria, AFRIMA’s President, Mr. Mike Dada, mourned his wife, describing the late visionary as a believer in family values, community service, and inclusivity. READ ALSO: ‘African music needs more collaboration’ – AFRIMA“She had the gift of compassion, and a love for God and Africa. “She was a loving wife, mother and friend, who always put family and Africa first. The deceased is survived by her husband, Mr Dada, two children and several relatives.
Source:The Guardian
October 22, 2024 15:44 UTC
The Governing Council of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, has suspended the pioneer vice-chancellor, Professor Innocent Ujah. In the same vein, Professor Ediga Agbo has been appointed as the acting vice chancellor of the university. Professor Ujah, who was the pioneer Vice Chancellor, was expected to complete his tenure in the next few months. The statement read in part, “Professor Ediga Bede Agbo has been appointed as the acting Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo (FUHSO).”“Prof. Ediga Agbo emerged as the acting Vice Chancellor of the university during the special meeting of the Governing Council held on the seventeenth of October, 2024, and presided over by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of FUHSO, Engr.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
October 22, 2024 14:28 UTC
The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, has stated that the federal government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will not negotiate with bandits. He emphasised that the ongoing military onslaught against banditry, kidnapping, and rustling will be sustained in the Northwest and other parts of the country until all bandits are chased away. He noted, “You will agree with me that the military onslaught against the bandits has been successful. So, Mr President asked me to come and thank the troops for their professionalism and commitment to duty.”“These troops did a wonderful job. Thus, my visit is to engage stakeholders and to review the current military onslaught to see how we can improve,” he disclosed.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
October 22, 2024 14:20 UTC
The management of Dangote Refinery has reacted to a report that it approached a court to stop the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and others from continuing fuel importation. Continuing, the Dangote Refinery clarified that it neither served any party with the court process nor intended to do so. A. Rano Limited, T. Time Petroleum Limited, 2015 Petroleum Limited and Matrix Petroleum Services Limited. Such licences, Dangote Refinery said, ought only to be granted to the firms in situations of petroleum products shortage. The refinery had demanded the court to recognise that NMDPRA was failing to fulfil its mandated duties under the PIA by not supporting local refineries like Dangote Refinery.
Source:The Guardian
October 22, 2024 04:13 UTC
Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE has asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to void the import licenses issued to the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPC), Matrix Petroleum Services Limited, A. A. Rano Limited, and four other companies for the purpose of importing refined petroleum products that are already being produced by Dangote without shortfalls. A. Rano Limited, T. Time Petroleum Limited, 2015 Petroleum Limited, and Matrix Petroleum Services Limited. The refinery’s legal team stated that the plaintiff is greatly distressed, and its investments risk being jeopardized unless the court intervenes. The plaintiff sought an order of injunction restraining the 1st Defendant from further issuing and/or renewing import licenses to the 2nd to 7th defendants or other companies for the purpose of importing petroleum products.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
October 22, 2024 00:53 UTC
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has refuted claims that it filed a lawsuit against Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority and other marketers to revoke their licence to stop fuel importation. It said that a process to commence the formal withdrawal of the lawsuit will commence in January 2025. Chiejina was reacting to reports of a lawsuit filed at the Federal High Court to stop the importation of fuel by oil marketers and NNPCL. He further noted that events, including the naira for crude sales, have overtaken this development and will be withdrawn from the court. We understand that once the matter comes up in January 2025, we will be in a position to formally withdraw the matter in court.”
Source:Punch
October 21, 2024 23:33 UTC
Ahead of the two-day sit-at-home order declared by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) beginning today, security agencies have commenced confidence-building patrols known as ‘Show of Force’ ready to confront the Biafra separatist group in the five states of the South-East. Also, security agencies in Abia have increased their presence across major city centres and suburban areas ahead of the sit-at-home order. Also, the police in Enugu asked residents to ignore the order to sit-at-home. The Enugu State Government has also dismissed the illegal sit-at-home order by faceless persons, noting that the state had since gone past that era. The government, therefore, directed citizens to go about their lawful businesses, as every inch of Enugu State had been well covered by the security agencies and infrastructure to assure security of lives and property.
Source:The Guardian
October 21, 2024 20:40 UTC
The Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has urged Nigerian youths to join politics to decide their fate and make a difference. Otti gave the advice during Church Service at The Transforming Church on Sunday in Abuja, the nation’s capital. He stated that every society needs the leadership it deserves, saying: “If you sit back and say politics is for politicians, the politicians will decide everything for you. Otti said that he left the banking sector in 2014 and joined politics to make a difference by doing things differently. He thanked Otti for visiting the church and reiterated the commitment of the church to praying for those in positions of leadership.
Source:Punch
October 21, 2024 18:10 UTC
Seven Israelis are accused of photographing and collecting information on IDF bases and facilities, including the Kirya defence headquarters in Tel Aviv and the Nevatim and Ramat David air bases, as well as Iron Dome battery sites. The suspects, who are all Jewish and live in Haifa and the north, include two juveniles and a soldier who left the military. The Nevatim base was targeted in both Iranian missile attacks this year, and Ramat David has been targeted by Hezbollah. Investigators claim that the suspects received hundreds of thousands of dollars, some in bitcoin, in exchange for their acts. On Friday, prosecutors want to indict the seven suspects for security offenses and ask that they be detained until the end of the legal process, according to the prosecution.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
October 21, 2024 16:43 UTC
President Lula da Silva of Brazil has been hospitalised after sustaining a bruise to the head in an accident at home on Saturday, leading to the cancellation of his planned trip to the upcoming BRICS Summit. The president’s office confirmed the news, stating, “President Lula da Silva, 78, will not be travelling to the BRICS Summit” due to medical advice to avoid long-haul flights. The 16th summit of the BRICS bloc is scheduled to take place from October 22 to 24 in Kazan, Russia. However, the president will still participate in the summit via video conference from Brasília, where he will continue with his usual work schedule next week. Lula da Silva was admitted to a hospital in Brasília after experiencing a “bruise” on the occipital region of his head.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
October 21, 2024 15:28 UTC
Former Remo Stars midfielder Ebenezer Akinsanmiro delivered a crucial performance for Sampdoria in a thrilling 5-3 victory over Cesena at the Stadio Dino Manuzzi, Soccernet.ng reports. The 19-year-old midfielder joined the Serie B side on a season-long loan with a buy-back option from Inter Milan during the summer transfer window. Making his 11th appearance for Sampdoria, the Nigerian scored his first professional goal with a precise diagonal shot, leaving Cesena’s goalkeeper Matteo Pisseri with no chance as he sealed the game in the dying minutes. “So grateful and happy to have my first professional goal, [It] really means a lot to me. Akinsanmiro’s move to Sampdoria allows him to gain more playing time and develop his skills at a competitive level.
Source:The Guardian
October 21, 2024 14:02 UTC
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick showed support for Super Eagles forward Chidera Ejuke by hugging him while he was walking off the pitch after he sustained an injury on Sunday, Soccernet.ng reports. Ejuke has been impressive for Sevilla in recent weeks. Ejuke also started for Sevilla when they played Barcelona on Sunday. At the time, Barcelona were leading 3-0, but interestingly, Flick went over to Ejuke to hug him. Now, Ejuke has no previous relationship with Flick, but it may not mean that he was impressed by the Nigerian’s showing.
Source:The Guardian
October 21, 2024 13:43 UTC
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some online reports had speculated that the Army Chief had passed on in an undisclosed hospital abroad. ADVERTISEMENTHowever, the Director, Army Public Relations, Maj-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, on Saturday, issued a statement that the COAS was on leave and also attending to his health outside the country. Nwachukwu said that there was no leadership vacuum in the Nigerian Army, clarifying that the Chief of Policy and Plans, Maj.-Gen. Abdulsalam Ibrahim was in charge of affairs in the army. “To be very clear, the Nigerian Army is a highly structured establishment with well-laid-out procedures and processes for dealing with different circumstances. “Before proceeding on leave, necessary protocols were put in place for the Chief of Policy and Plans (Army), Maj.-Gen. Abdulsalami Ibrahim, to act on behalf of the COAS, while he is away.
Source:The Guardian
October 21, 2024 10:13 UTC