News

Sunday, 21 June 2020 15:43

Two petrol tankers, gas truck explode on Lagos-Ibadan expressway, killing two, injuring many

At least two persons have lost their lives and many injured in a fire resulting from an explosion involving four vehicles on Kara Bridge along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Sunday. The accident involved two petrol tankers, a gas truck, and a cement transport truck. The accident occurred in the earlier hours of Sunday. While giving an update on the incident, Lagos State Sector Commander of Federal Road Safety Corps, Mr Olusegun Ogungbemide, said rescue operations have so far found two dead bodies. Ogungbemide said, “The inferno as a result of the explosion is almost getting to an end. The fire…

Sunday, 21 June 2020 06:05

Analysis: Passing JAMB exam not enough as only one in three candidates gets admission

Across all the educational institutions in Nigeria, two-thirds of about two million Nigerian candidates who applied for tertiary education in 2019 were not admitted, according to JAMB. Data from Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board shows that this is not because they did not pass, but because there is not enough room for all of them. While about two million students applied for the Unified Tertiary and Matriculation Examinations and Direct Entry, the country’s institutions had a target of 600,000, but they ended up admitting 612,557 as of June. The admission data released by JAMB shows that the nation’s universities admitted…

Sunday, 21 June 2020 06:04

We can’t be intimidated, Katsina protesters tell Buhari

Nine northern youth groups, under the aegis of Coalition Against Killings in Northern Nigeria, have said they are not intimidated by the arrest of one of their leaders during a peaceful protest against insecurity in the region. Chairman, Board of Trustees of one of the groups, Coalition of Northern Groups, Mr Nastura Sharif, had been arrested and detained by police during a protest on Tuesday in Katsina State over the deplorable security situation in the North. Following public outrage, Shariff was released on Thursday evening. The groups had, on Monday, demanded the immediate removal of the service chiefs, stating in…

Saturday, 20 June 2020 05:24

The government we run is expensive, but it can’t be addressed without national debate - Osinbajo

Vice-President, Mr Yemi Osinbajo, has said Nigeria needs a national debate to examine issues around the size and cost of governance, which has often been described as expensive and unsustainable. He explained that it could be difficult for the government to do something about its cost by itself but that it is something that must be done. Osinbajo said these while fielding questions by a former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria and immediate past Emir of Kano, Mr Muhammad Sanusi, during a webinar organised by the Emmanuel Chapel, themed, ‘Economic stability beyond Covid-19’, on Friday. Sanusi, who had on…

Saturday, 20 June 2020 05:21

Northern govs to deploy hunters, vigilantes against rising insecurity

Worried by the worsening insecurity in their region, governors of the 19 northern states, under the auspices of Northern States’ Governors’ Forum (NSGF), have decided to explore local solutions, including hunters and vigilantes, to stem the tide. Rising from their virtual meeting on Thursday night, the governors resolved to set up a standing committee on security to foster a synergy between security agencies and local groups for the proper enforcement of appropriate measures to secure the region. The meeting, presided over by NSGF Chairman, Plateau State Governor, Mr Simon Lalong, also set up another committee on consultation with traditional, religious…

Saturday, 20 June 2020 05:20

FG to disengage 500,000 N-Power beneficiaries

Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Mrs Sadiya Umar Farouq has said the Batch A and B N-Power beneficiaries will exit the scheme June 30 and July 31 respectively. The programme has enrolled 500,000 beneficiaries thus far – 200,000 from Batch A which started in September 2016 and 300,000 from Batch B which kicked off in August 2018. The beneficiaries were billed to spend 24 months on the programme but Batch A beneficiaries have spent over 40 months. In a statement, she said the federal government has commenced the transitioning of Batch A and B into government…

Saturday, 20 June 2020 05:19

Covid-19: FG approves new guidelines for food producers, sellers

As part of efforts to ensure public safety, Federal Government has approved a new guideline for food businesses, which spells out safe food practices during the pandemic. The guideline stipulates the need for food business operators, retail stores and open markets to provide adequate Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs); strengthen its personal hygiene procedures; make available NAFDAC registered hand sanitizer for consumers on their way in and out of the food premises; introduce and enforce physical distancing measures in the food establishments amongst others. Minister of Health, Mr Osagie Ehanire, who gave the approval to the document noted that to ensure…

Saturday, 20 June 2020 05:13

UN sets up inquiry into racism after George Floyd’s death

United Nations Human Rights Council on Friday condemned discriminatory and violent policing after the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis last month and ordered a report on "systemic racism" against people of African descent. The 47-member-state forum unanimously adopted a resolution brought by African countries. The mandate also asks UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet to examine government responses to peaceful protests, including alleged use of excessive force, and deliver findings in a year's time. Philonise Floyd, brother of the Black man whose death under the knee of a white officer roused world protests against racial injustice, urged…

Friday, 19 June 2020 15:49

FG pays N4.5bn to settle backlog allowances for striking doctors

Minister of Labour and Employment, Mr Chris Ngige, on Friday, disclosed that Federal Government has released N4.5bn to 31 federal teaching hospitals and medical centres nationwide. He said the sum covered hazard and inducement allowances of striking doctors for April and May. Ngige disclosed this to State House correspondents shortly after he, Minister of Health, Mr Osagie Ehanire; and Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Mr Festus Keyamo, briefed President Muhammadu Buhari on the ongoing industrial action embarked upon by National Association of Resident Doctors. He said, “Just this morning, before we went to see Mr President, Ministry of…

Friday, 19 June 2020 05:52

Malami writes Buhari for removal of EFCC boss, recommends replacement

Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami has recommended to President Muhammadu Buhari the sacking of Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Ibrahim Magu. Malami, in a memorandum to the president, anchored his recommendation on several grounds “ranging from diversion of recovered loot to insubordination and misconduct” by Magu. Multiple sources told reporters yesterday that Malami included a short list of three candidates for consideration to replace Magu. But Magu is fighting back and his supporters within the Presidency say ”removing Magu at this time when he has given muscle…

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Friday, 19 June 2020 05:51

Nigerians lose jobs in drove as coronavirus lockdowns linger

Mary Uzoma had never been unemployed until March when she was among those laid off by the transport company she worked for in Lagos. For the last year, in her role as a trainer, she travelled to other states to teach motorcycle taxi drivers how to use the ride-hailing firm’s software. But, following Nigeria’s first confirmed case of the new Coronavirus in late February and the announcement of a lockdown in Lagos from March 30, the company decided to shed staff fearing the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on travel. “It’s been very hard finding something to do... because most…

Friday, 19 June 2020 05:49

Date for resumption of domestic flights has been canceled. FG explains why

Director-General of Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Mr Musa Nuhu, has explained why the date for resumption of domestic flights in the country was postponed. He said the aviation industry has not yet adjusted to the current public health reality. Nigeria shut its airports, except for essential flights, in March as the country began to grapple with Coronavirus pandemic which has caused over 400 deaths in the country. Presidential Task Force (PTF) on Covid-19 had earlier announced that some domestic flights would resume on June 21 The team’s national coordinator, Mr Sani Aliyu, said the aviation industry had three weeks…

Friday, 19 June 2020 05:46

FG to review customs duty on electricity meters

Federal Government is currently reviewing concerns around customs duty on electricity meters in order to make the equipment more accessible to power consumers. This followed complaints by power distribution companies over the cost of duty on meters, a development that had made many meters remain un-cleared at the ports. Managing Director, Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, Mr Ernest Mupwaya, disclosed this while hosting Minister of State for Power, Mr Goddy Jedy-Agba, who inspected facilities at the headquarters of the Disco in Abuja on Thursday. Mupwaya said, “There have been discussions between Discos and government about the issue of meters and the…

Friday, 19 June 2020 05:45

Immigration Service to resume migrant e-registration in July

Migrant e-registration is set to resume in all designated commands of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) on July 1, 2020, newsmen learnt on Thursday. The development followed the gradual ease of the Covid-19 lockdown across the country by Federal Government. NIS Comptroller-General, Mr Muhammad Babandede directed officials of the commands to adhere to the Covid-19 protocols stipulated by National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). It was gathered that over 30,000 migrants have registered with the NIS since the exercise started. A statement by NIS spokesman, Mr Sunday James, said the commands must clean the registration centres before migrants are granted…

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