Infostride News reports a stern warning from the World Health Organisation (WHO) regarding the alarming surge in global dengue infections throughout 2023, posing a potentially severe public health threat. The UN health agency revealed that the worldwide tally for dengue infections in 2023 surpassed five million, with a grim death toll of 5,000. Dr. Diana Rojas Alvarez, the WHO Team Lead on Arboviruses, stressed the critical need for heightened attention to this emerging threat during a briefing at the UN headquarters in Geneva. She underscored the necessity of a comprehensive response from all levels of the UN health agency to…
Author: Temitope N.
Infostride News reports that the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is urgently seeking nearly $2 billion to provide essential assistance to more than 24 million boys and girls in West and Central Africa throughout the year 2024. The appeal is rooted in the anticipation that a staggering 46.7 million children in the region will grapple with yet another year of humanitarian crises, primarily attributed to ongoing conflicts in Central Sahel, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the displacements into Chad sparked by the war in Sudan. Felicité Tchibindat, the Regional Director of UNICEF, stressed the gravity of the situation, pointing…
The National President of the Nigeria Association of LPG Marketers, Oladapo Olatunbosun, has raised concerns and criticized the Nigeria Customs Service for its apparent reluctance to enforce the presidential directive on zero import duties for gas items, including imported Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG). In a conversation with reporters, Olatunbosun expressed dissatisfaction with the Customs Service’s failure to fully embrace the implementation of the directive, despite a circular from the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, instructing relevant agencies to comply. Olatunbosun emphasized that many of their members with imported items currently held at the…
As the festive season draws near, individuals embarking on journeys to the Southeastern part of Nigeria find themselves contending with a notable surge in the prevalence of roadblocks, leading to mounting frustration and considerable delays. Numerous travelers who have recently ventured to the Southeast have taken to various social media platforms to voice their discontent regarding an unprecedented increase in roadblocks established by security authorities. Upon further investigation by Infostride News, these claims have been substantiated. Emmanuel Kal, a merchant based in Abuja who frequently travels to the Southeast for business purposes, shared his recent experience, highlighting a significant uptick…
Infostride News has reported that OpenAI, the innovative company behind ChatGPT, is currently engaged in early discussions to secure a fresh round of funding that could potentially value the company at or above an impressive $100 billion. If successful, this funding round would solidify OpenAI’s position as one of the most valuable startups globally, as per information obtained from sources familiar with the matter. Investors who might be involved in this funding round have entered into preliminary talks, although specifics such as the terms, valuation, and timing of the fundraising are yet to be finalized and could undergo changes, as…
The former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, has regained his freedom from Kuje Prison after successfully meeting the bail conditions set at N300 million. The release follows his arrest and subsequent prosecution for an alleged N1.2 billion procurement fraud, as reported by Infostride News. According to a report by Infostride News, Emefiele’s spokesperson at the Kuje Correctional Centre, FCT, Adamu Duza, confirmed the development to The Punch on a Saturday. “I can confirm to you that he (Emefiele) has met his bail conditions; hence, he has no reason to remain in our facility. He met…
In the third quarter of 2023, the African smartphone market demonstrated remarkable resilience, boasting a robust 12% year-on-year growth in smartphone shipments despite prevailing challenges in the economy. These challenges encompassed macroeconomic hurdles, import restrictions, and volatile currencies in key markets across the continent. The latest report from the global research firm Canalys shed light on the dynamics of this growth, revealing that a total of 17.9 million smartphone units were shipped to Africa during this period. Contrary to the global trend, where the smartphone market experienced a 1% decline during the same period, the African market showcased its buoyancy…
A leaked document, purportedly the result of a Special Investigation on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and related entities, has surfaced, raising serious concerns about financial and legal irregularities within the CBN during the tenure of Godwin Emefiele. Titled “REPORT OF THE SPECIAL INVESTIGATOR ON CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA (CBN) AND RELATED ENTITIES (Chargeable offences),” this report is currently circulating online. It is crucial to note that the authenticity of this document, which has been dubbed a draft, cannot be independently verified by Infostride News at this time. The allegations outlined in the leaked report are substantial, accusing various…
Infostride News, a prominent source of information, has recently reported on a significant legal development involving the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL). This legal action stems from the alleged failure of the NNPCL to disclose crucial details about Nigeria’s daily oil production, exportation, and the total revenues generated from oil since the removal of the subsidy on petrol in May 2023. SERAP has taken the initiative to address this perceived lack of transparency by filing a lawsuit against the NNPCL. The lawsuit, officially designated as FHC/ABJ/CS/1719/2023, was submitted on Friday at…
Telecommunications operators in Nigeria, including MTN, Airtel, Globacom, 9mobile, and various internet service providers, are gearing up for a surge in revenue during this Christmas season. Despite economic challenges and high inflation affecting budgetary allocations for traditional festive activities like travel and clothing, telecom services, particularly data usage, remain a priority for many Nigerians. In a scenario where travel becomes cost-prohibitive, video calls serve as a vital means for individuals to connect with loved ones. Historical financial data from leading telcos, MTN and Airtel, consistently reflect increased subscriber spending during December, positively impacting their Q4 revenues over the years. Beyond…
In a vehement denial, Boss Mustapha, the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, has refuted allegations of his involvement in an unauthorized withdrawal of $6.3 million from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) vault during the tenure of President Buhari. The controversy stems from a purported report by a special panel tasked with investigating the CBN. Dismissing the accusations as “outrageous and unsubstantiated,” Mustapha released a strongly-worded statement to the media, branding the article as a “malicious fabrication” orchestrated to smear his character and tarnish his reputation. The former SGF expressed his lack of awareness regarding the alleged…
Titan Trust Bank Limited (TTB) has taken a proactive stance in response to the circulating report of a special investigation into the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), which includes allegations of TTB’s supposed illegal acquisition of Union Bank of Nigeria Plc (Union Bank). This move comes in the form of a comprehensive press release that aims to shed light on the acquisition process and clarify the circumstances surrounding the reported irregularities. In a detailed account, Titan Trust Bank refuted the allegations, providing key insights into the acquisition and addressing the various aspects of the reported investigation. Nairametrics has distilled the…
The embattled former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, has responded to the allegations made by Jim Obazee, a private investigator appointed by former President Muhammadu Buhari. Emefiele, who was recently released on bail from Kuje prison, denies any knowledge of a directive to withdraw $6.23 million from the CBN vault, as claimed in the report. In his detailed rebuttal, Emefiele challenges Obazee to produce both written and oral records of the interrogation session where he allegedly denied knowledge of the said directive. Emefiele dismisses the publications surrounding the report as false and asserts that they are intended…
Dr. Tosan Erhabor, the Registrar of the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN), has greenlit an ambitious plan to address the scarcity of scientists in the country. This strategic move involves doubling the admission quotas for universities that offer the Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (BMLS) program. The aim is to significantly increase the number of qualified professionals in the field and meet the growing healthcare demands of Nigeria’s vast population. In a recent development approved by Dr. Erhabor, 48 universities across Nigeria that provide the BMLS program are set to experience a notable surge in their admission quotas.…
Infostride News reports that the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has issued a directive to airlines, urging them to comply with the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations 2023 Part 19. This directive specifically pertains to addressing flight delays and cancellations by providing refreshments and implementing alternative measures to alleviate passenger inconvenience. Michael Achimugu, the Director of Public Affairs & Consumer Protection, expressed the NCAA’s understanding of the disruptions in flight schedules. In a statement, he conveyed empathy to all affected passengers, acknowledging the inconveniences they have faced in the recent days. Achimugu emphasized that the NCAA requires all airlines to keep…
Infostride News has reported that the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has introduced new guidelines for Nigerians seeking to change their date of birth on the National Identification Number (NIN) database. According to the guidelines released via its official handle, individuals applying for this modification are now required to provide an electronic civil registration and vital statistics system (e-CRVS) certificate from the National Population Commission (NPC). This marks a significant departure from the previous process, where only an affidavit and a payment of N15,000 were necessary for age modifications and other changes on the NIN system. In addition to the…
Forex turnover experienced a notable decline, dropping by 21.45% to $181.30 million on December 20, 2023, as the Nigerian naira faced depreciation against the US dollar, closing at N854.61/$1 in the official market, as reported by Infostride News. The domestic currency demonstrated a 1.5% depreciation, settling at N854.61/$1 at the close of the business day, according to data from the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market (NAFEM), where official forex trading occurs. This represented a gain of N9.73 or a 1.15% increase compared to the previous closing rate of N844.85/$1 on Tuesday. The intraday high and low recorded were N1240/$1 and…
In a notable development, shareholders of Dangote Sugar Refinery can breathe a sigh of relief as the company’s share price experiences an uptick, marking an impressive 258% year-to-date increase. This surge comes as a ray of hope for the future, offering optimism after a challenging five-year period characterized by an overall decline in share value. Over the past half-decade, Dangote Sugar shareholders faced a 21% dip in share value. In the year 2022 alone, the share price plummeted by 7.76%, trailing behind the broader market returns of 19.98%. Despite the decline in share price, the company witnessed significant earnings growth…
Seplat Energy, a distinguished firm listed on the NGX, stands out for its distinctive practice of disbursing quarterly dividends to shareholders, providing them with the option to receive dividends in various currencies rather than Naira. In the fiscal year 2022, the company proposed and distributed a cash dividend of $0.10 across four quarters, navigating through varying exchange rates. Extending this trend into 2023, Seplat paid a cumulative amount of $0.09 in the first three quarters, adeptly adjusting to fluctuating exchange rates. The company declared US 3 cents per quarter with exchange rates of N465.04, N759.86, and N996.75 to USD1 for…
Investors find themselves buoyed by an air of optimism as the NGX experiences an impressive surge this week, indicative of a Santa Claus rally in full swing. As of December 20, 2023, the NGX’s all-share index has recorded a remarkable appreciation of 1.39%, reaching an unprecedented high of 73,397.71 points. This surge has also translated into a substantial increase in equities, with the market’s capitalization surpassing the N40 trillion mark for the first time this week, witnessing a gain of N551 billion. Understanding the Santa Claus Rally The Santa Claus rally, a term coined to describe a seasonal upswing in…