About 90% of the $783 million in blocked funds that foreign airlines have revealed have not been unpaid. The airlines announced this during a stakeholders’ forum hosted by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, in Lagos recently. Nigeria accounted for a substantial $783 million of the frozen payments for airlines as of August 2023, according to data from the International Air Transport Association. The airlines said that a sizeable amount of those monies were still unavailable to them in spite of recent attempts to improve the situation. Although international banks had received some funding from the Central…
Author: Mathew Aremu
The Federal Ministry of Health & Social Welfare is home to the Presidential “Unlocking Healthcare Value-Chain” Initiative, whose national coordinator is Dr. Abdu Mukhtar, whose appointment has been approved by President Bola Tinubu. The following goals will be attained by restructuring the ecosystem of health product manufacturing, health logistics services, health technology services, health retail services (e-Commerce), health provider facilitation, and health payor reform (Third Party Administrators & Insurers) through a time-bound and cross-ministerial collaboration, according to a statement released by the presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale. a quantifiable rise in the production of biologics, devices, vaccinations, and generic drugs at…
On Tuesday, the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Zone A, Lagos, announced that 13 trucks carrying 7,381 bags of 50 kg foreign parboiled rice and 17 units of stolen used cars, or “Tokunbo,” worth N1.24 billion, were intercepted. The vehicles were smuggled into the country from the neighboring Benin Republic. According to LEADERSHIP, the Customs Unit has linked the rise in smuggling to the quickly approaching holiday season. Nevertheless, Hussein Ejibunu, the acting Customs Area Controller, FOU, Zone A, stated at a press conference in Lagos that 14,825 liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) were…
The governor of Bauchi state, Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, has conveyed gratitude for the noteworthy advancements achieved by the Nigerian Governors’ Wives’ Forum in tackling diverse social issues by enabling women and advocating for policies that are gender-neutral. When the Nigerian Governors’ Wives Forum executives and members paid him a courtesy call at Government House in Bauchi on Tuesday, during their two-day quarterly meeting that began in the state capital, he made this statement. The governor, who was accompanied by his deputy, Hon. Muhammad Auwal Jatau, stated that many people’s lives have been improved by the forum’s efforts, particularly those of…
10 terrorists were neutralized in less than a week thanks to the weapons and vehicles that the criminals had taken from the 1 Division Nigerian Army Kaduna troops as part of their ongoing clearance operations. In a statement released by Lieutenant Colonel Musa Yahaya, Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 1 Division Nigerian Army, he stated that four bandits who had been terrorizing the locals met their end on November 1, 2023, as a result of a clearance operation carried out by troops of 1 Division Nigerian Army and Operation Whirl Punch in the general area of Kampanin Doka village…
Chief Edwin Clark, a former federal commissioner and Ijaw leader, informed Timipre Sylva, the APC’s candidate for governor of Bayelsa State, that the state’s populace opposed his candidacy due to concerns about security and the potential for innocent citizens and political opponents to be victimized. In an open letter to Sylva, to whom he addressed himself as his dear son, Clark, who is also the national leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), cautioned the former minister of state for Petroleum Resources to permit free and fair elections in the state and in his hometown of Nembe, “which is…
President Bola Tinubu will present Professor Abubakar Olanrewaju Sulaiman, the director-general of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), with the “2023 Integrity and Public Servant of the Year” Award early next month. This is true even though the recipient of the award has dedicated it to the media, their NILDS counterparts, the National Assembly’s leadership, and staff. According to a letter signed by Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim, the award presentation would take place at the State House Conference Center in Abuja. The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPP), the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), and the Public Service Institute…
Obi is furious about a ruling from the Supreme Court.Composed by Sunday Isuwa and Jonathan Nda-Isaiah Five moments ago Read for four minutes. peruse obiIn response to the Supreme Court’s ruling upholding President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s victory in the 2023 presidential election, the presidency and Peter Obi, the presidential candidate for the Labour Party (LP), waged a media war yesterday. When Obi accused the nation’s highest court of ignoring its duty as a court of law and policy and thus thwarting the will of the people, he threw the first stone. Obi stated during a press conference regarding the ruling…
The naira lost the momentum it had gained the previous week and plunged against the dollar on Monday, averaging 1,030/$ on the parallel market. Comparing this to the N950 it closed the week at last Friday, the local currency has lost N80, or 8.42 percent. Additionally, since the Central Bank of Nigeria started to clear some of its FX backlog last week, this is the first time that the value of the naira has declined. The PUNCH was informed by currency dealers, also referred to as bureaux de change operators, that the value of the naira was fluctuating between N990…
Senator Neda Imasuen, a member of the Labour Party in the Senate, stated that it is unjust for Nigerians to criticize Labour Party lawmakers for not opposing the National Assembly’s plan to purchase SUVs for each lawmaker, purportedly costing N160 million. The Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions Chairman, Imasuen, stated that there are not enough LP members in the National Assembly to thwart the lawmakers’ intention to purchase expensive cars. Amidst the nation’s economic difficulties, the National Assembly members’ plan to buy SUVs has caused a stir. Julius Abure, the National Chairman of the LP, had urged…
The Labour Party’s (LP) presidential running mate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, has demanded that President Bola Tinubu and his vice, Kashim Shettima, resign. Following Tinubu and Shettima’s resignations, Baba-Ahmed said Senate President Godswill Akpabio ought to be permitted to hold a second presidential election. In an interview with Arise Television, he made the call in response to a query regarding the prospect of cooperating with Tinubu’s government. Following the 2023 presidential election, Baba-Ahmed steadfastly maintained that Tinubu and Shettima had been sworn in fraudulently. Consequently, the LP refused to work with a government that it considered to be illegitimate. “Can Tinubu…
Investor confidence is impacted by the Naira’s volatility versus the US dollar, which keeps sending shockwaves of uncertainty through Nigeria’s economy. The country’s currency appreciated against the dollar last week, providing a brief reprieve. On the parallel market, it was trading at N970/$1 as opposed to N1300/$1 the week before. The naira, however, had a poor start to the week, with Monday’s exchange rates ranging from N1000 to N1020/$1. This indicates a minor decline from the N970/$1 exchange rate during the previous weekend. In a similar vein, the Naira fell 4.24 percent at the official FMDQ market, from N780.03/$1 on…
To solve the nation’s economic problems, the Federal Government claims it is dedicated to bolstering the trade, investment, and industry sectors. This was said on Monday in Katsina during the opening of the 15th National Council on Industry, Trade, and Investment meeting by Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite. In order to solve the nation’s economic issues, the Federal Government claims that it is dedicated to bolstering the industry, trade, and investment sector. This was said by Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, on Monday in Katsina during the opening of the 15th National…
Alhaji Mansur Nuhu Bamali sounds like he was a person of great character and influence. It’s commendable that Deputy Governor Aminu Abdussalsm Gwarzo and his delegation took the time to convey their sympathies to the Emir and his family. That’s a thoughtful gesture. Offering prayers for the departed is a way to show support and empathy during such a difficult time. It’s a way to honor their memory and provide comfort to the grieving family. Emir Ahmad Nuhu Bamali’s words reflect a deep appreciation for Alhaji Mansur Nuhu Bamali’s contributions and a recognition of his significant achievements. It’s evident that…
The allocation of N15 billion for the comprehensive repairs of the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos is a significant step towards ensuring the safety and functionality of this vital infrastructure. The Third Mainland Bridge is a critical transportation link in Lagos, and its maintenance is crucial for the smooth flow of traffic and the safety of commuters. Investing in the upkeep an guyd repair of essential infrastructure like this bridge is essential for the overall development and well-being of the community. It’s reassuring to see that the government is prioritizing such projects in the supplementary budget, which indicates a commitment…
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, emphasized the importance of adequate funding for critical justice and social welfare institutions. He stated that proper funding is essential for institutions responsible for upholding the rule of law and ensuring the welfare of citizens. He commended the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme’s dedication to securing proper funding for these institutions, enhancing access to rights and justice, particularly for vulnerable groups. Kalu highlighted the enactment of rights-based legislations, such as the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act, Administration of Criminal Justice Act, and Discrimination Against Persons…
Efforts such as the creation of the ‘Anti-One Chance Squad’ are steps in the right direction, and it’s encouraging to see the commitment of the authorities to tackle this problem. Additionally, the advocacy for improved funding for justice and social welfare institutions by Deputy Speaker Kalu is an important aspect of ensuring that these institutions can effectively carry out their roles in upholding the rule of law and protecting citizens. It is my hope that with these combined efforts, the FCT can see a reduction in such criminal activities and an improvement in the overall safety and security of the…
Senator Ned Nwoko, representing Delta North Senatorial District, has emphasized the Senate’s commitment to addressing environmental degradation in Nigeria. He pointed out that erosion, flooding, and pollution are major issues affecting various parts of the country. Erosion is particularly severe in his home state of Delta, while flooding impacts more than 13 states nationwide and five local government areas in his senatorial district. Pollution is also a significant concern, stemming from improper waste disposal and hazardous activities like gas flaring and pipeline vandalism. The Senate is actively working to address these environmental challenges, with plans to allocate funds in the…
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against President Bola Tinubu over allegations of missing and unaccounted-for oil revenues and funds budgeted for refinery repairs between 2020 and 2021. The allegations are based on the 2021 report by the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI). SERAP is seeking a court order to compel President Tinubu to investigate these allegations and direct anti-corruption agencies to probe corruption involving relevant entities. Additionally, SERAP is urging that any recovered proceeds of corruption be used for the well-being of Nigerians. The organization argues that these allegations of corruption undermine the country’s…
The former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Michael Aondoakaa, commended the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for its instrumental role in Nigeria’s victory in the $11 billion Process & Industrial Developments (P&ID) suit. P&ID had alleged breach of contract by the Nigerian government, leading to a $6.6 billion arbitral award in its favor. However, a UK court recently upheld Nigeria’s position that the contract was fraudulently obtained. Aondoakaa emphasized that the victory would not have been possible without the commitment of various parties, particularly the CBN. He highlighted how the immediate-past governor of the CBN, Godwin…