The Niger State Government has officially disclosed that a fleet of 200 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) powered buses, recently acquired, will soon commence public transportation operations across the state. This announcement was made public by Abdulberqy Usman Ebbo, Special Adviser on Digital Communications to Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago of Niger State, who shared this development through his verified X account platform on Monday. Recall that this initiative follows Governor Bago’s strategic move in 2023, wherein he solidified partnerships with four distinguished companies through the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) to procure 200 environmentally friendly CNG buses for N7 billion. This…
Author: Temitope Nlewemchi
The exchange rate charged by the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) for cargo clearance and import duties collection has dropped significantly from N1,572.5/$ to N1,448.38 to the USD. This is a reduction of N124.12 from the previous figure. The new figure reflects the prevailing exchange rate on the CBN’s official window. The Infostride News earlier reported the naira closing at N1431 to the USD at the close of trade last week. The exchange rate for import duties payment on the customs portal has been on a steady decline in the past two weeks mirroring the strengthening of the naira in the FX…
Vice President Kashim Shettima inaugurated a training program for the staff of the State House on Monday, focusing on the digitalization of workflow processes aimed at streamlining workflows, eradicating paper-based bureaucracy, and cultivating a tech-savvy workforce. During the training programme’s opening, Shettima, represented by Sen. Ibrahim Hadejia, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, emphasized the President’s commitment to digitalizing key economic sectors and public services, as stated by the Vice President’s spokesperson, Stanley Nkwocha. The Vice President stated that the objective is to utilize the potential of machine learning and artificial intelligence to revolutionize the entire public service sector “can’t…
Kenya’s second-hand cloth dealers are lobbying against a proposal by France, Denmark, and Sweden to ban the export of second-hand clothes from the European Union (EU). According to Reuters, the second-hand cloth trade in Kenya employs about 2 million people and provides their livelihood hence the protest against the proposed ban by the EU. According to UN trade data, the EU exported 1.4 million tonnes of used textiles in 2022, more than twice what they exported in 2000. The three countries argued that much of these exported textiles when they cannot be resold end up as waste in their host countries…
Russia has continued to grow the number of its African partners in nuclear projects with Burkina Faso being the latest addition to the list. The West African country is set to sign a roadmap with Rosatom, A Russian state corporation that will lead to the construction of a nuclear power plant in the country. This was revealed to Sputnik, by Burkina Faso’s Minister of Energy, Mines and Quarries, Yacouba Zabré Gouba, in an interview on the sidelines of the International Forum on Nuclear Energy (Atomexpo-2024), which was held on the Russian territory of Sirius. “The establishment of this power plant will…
The Lagos State Government announced on Tuesday an expectation of unusually high rainfall for the 2024 season across the state, with a total forecast of 1936.2 mm. Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, delivered this announcement at a press briefing on the Seasonal Climate Predictions (SCP) and their socio-economic impacts on Lagos State, held at the Ministry’s Conference Room in Alausa. According to the Commissioner, the predicted average annual rainfall for 2024 is 1936.2mm, exceeding the long-term average of 1721.48mm. The rainfall is expected to begin in the first week of April and end in the…
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has said that Nigerians want to hold the Federal Government accountable for funds injected into the textile industry in a bid to resuscitate it. The NLC President, Mr. Joe Ajaero made this known at the 13th National Delegates Conference of the National Union of Textile Garment and Tailoring of Nigeria (NUTGTWN) held in Abuja, According to him, the textile sector is key to driving economic growth and development, highlighting its historical significance as a major contributor to job creation and overall national prosperity. Reflecting on past efforts to revive the sector, he raised questions about…
President Bola Tinubu has denounced the heinous actions of kidnappers nationwide, asserting that those engaged in these vile acts should be considered terrorists. The President made this statement on Tuesday during a Ramadan dinner attended by members of the Federal judiciary, including the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola. Asserting the government’s intent to eradicate banditry, the President called out child kidnappers as cowards, lacking the ability to stand up to the Nigerian Armed Forces’ might. “We must treat kidnappers as terrorists. They are cowardly. They have been degraded. They look for soft targets. They go to schools and…
In the turbulent waters of today’s business landscape, the resilience of a company’s board of directors is often tested by unforeseen crises. From global pandemics to economic downturns, the ability to navigate these storms with agility and foresight is paramount. Experts concede that optimising crisis management and business continuity planning helps to fortify board resilience. With the right strategic insights, boards can steer their organisations through adversity and emerge stronger on the other side. According to PWC in its publication, “The Critical Role of Internal Audit – Business Continuity and Crisis Management,” August 2, 2023, “business continuity refers to a company’s ability…
Chocolate prices are about to get steeper as Cocoa prices soared past the milestone of $10,000 per metric ton. The increase in cocoa futures, which have already doubled in value this year, is primarily attributed to poor crops in key West African cocoa-producing regions, setting the stage for a potential third consecutive annual supply deficit. The industry grapples with the aftermath of meagre returns to cocoa farmers, heightening apprehensions about sourcing adequate beans. Beyond physical supply shortages, financial market pressures intensify as traders hedge against physical holdings, grappling with margin calls on losses from derivatives. The relentless rally propelled cocoa…
The Cross River Government has announced its intention to investigate the 213% rise in the state’s workforce, which skyrocketed from approximately 18,000 to a staggering 56,358 over an eight-year period. Dr. Innocent Eteng, the state Head of Service, revealed this during a press conference in Calabar, stressing Governor Bassey Otu’s concerns regarding the escalating financial burden associated with the burgeoning payroll. Eteng stated the imperative of scrutinizing the workforce’s composition, describing it as “currently bloated by several infractions” and attributing it to the mounting challenges in funding essential projects. With a breakdown indicating 14,328 staff in the State Universal Basic Education Board…
Operatives from the Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have taken into custody five individuals allegedly involved in illegal mining activities. The arrests were made following the interception of three truckloads of assorted solid minerals suspected to have been mined without the requisite licenses. The detained individuals include three truck drivers and two truck boys. Their apprehension, carried out along Maraba Road in Ilorin, Kwara State, and Ogbomosho, Oyo State, between March 21st and 22nd, 2024, was facilitated by credible intelligence and surveillance operations. The suspects were found transporting solid minerals, believed to be marble…
The Lagos State Government has arrested 73 individuals for crossing highways without using the provided pedestrian bridges and for misusing pedestrian bridges as accommodation and engaging in other illegal activities. The announcement was made by Tokunbo Wahab, the Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, and is available on his official X (formerly known as Twitter) account. In his post, Wahab stated that the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESCO) enforced the directive by arresting pedestrians who crossed highways in the state without using pedestrian bridges. “A total of 73 persons were arrested earlier today by…
The Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) has disclosed that the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) raised over $160,000 through monthly dues and crowdfunding efforts. This finding is part of the revelations in the NFIU’s “Counter Terrorism Financial Newsletter,” which highlights the sophisticated financial network of the IPOB, linked to 54 individuals around the globe. IPOB has 27 registered entities globally A detailed investigation by the NFIU into the financial operations of the IPOB revealed that diaspora affiliates of the group are spread across 22 countries. The report identified 27 entities globally registered under the group’s name, with the highest number…
The Managing Director of the North-East Development Commission (NEDC), Mr Mohammed Alkali, has stated that the commission needs around $80 billion to implement its master plan for the North-east region. He said this during a meeting in Abuja on Tuesday with the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) Postmortem Sub-Committee, led by Chairman Mr Kabir Mashi, Alkali expressed these financial requirements. The NEDC’s leader highlighted that a significant obstacle to the smooth execution of their master plan is the lack of sufficient funding. He noted that the implementation of the North-east Stabilisation and Development Masterplan (NESDMP) has been ongoing since June…
The Lagos state government has announced the correction of a six-year-old basic salary error in the pay of civil servants across the state. This was announced on the official Lagos state government’s handle on X. According to the post, the adjustment will reflect in the March 2024 salary of civil servants across the state. The adjusted salary impacted aspects such as housing and transportation allowances and had been ongoing for six years in the Public Service. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is receiving praise for the amendment. Employees are commending his dedication to their well-being. After comprehensive negotiations between the Staff Union…
President Bola Tinubu has offered scholarships to the children of the 17 soldiers who were murdered in the Okuama community, Bomadi LGA in Delta state. The president also granted posthumous national honours to the soldiers who lost their lives. Tinubu disclosed this in a speech on Wednesday while attending the burial of the late soldiers at the military cemetery in Abuja. He referred to the deceased soldiers as “patriots, brave and noble men,” emphasizing that they died protecting and defending Nigeria against various threats, and assured that their sacrifices would be commemorated and respected for generations. “The four gallant Officers…
The collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge is posing a significant threat to the intricacies of the global supply chain, particularly automobile imports which could have telling effects on Nigeria. In the immediate aftermath of the incident, the United States Ports Authority announced the closure of the Port of Baltimore, a pivotal maritime hub. The accident, which precipitated the tragic presumption of death for six construction workers, unfolded as they succumbed to the icy waters below during what started as a routine workday. Why the Port is critical The Port of Baltimore, links cities such as Washington, D.C., Philadelphia,…
The Lagos State Ministry of Finance has released the Land Use Charge bill for 2024 to all property and business owners in the state and has incentivized early payment. Owners who settle their Land Use Charge within 30 days of receiving the bill will be granted a 15% discount. This development was announced in a statement on the Lagos State Government’s official Facebook page on Wednesday. “The Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Finance, has announced the release of the Year 2024 Land Use Charge (LUC) bills to all residents and property owners in the State. “Property owners and…
The Government of Ontario, a province in Canada has said that its allocation of international study permits will prioritize postsecondary educational programs at public institutions. This was stated in a news release by Ontario’s news agency. Nairametrics learns that the aim of this is to better equip graduates for high-demand jobs that align with Ontario’s labour market requirements. This means that career colleges, which are usually probate schools, will not get any study permit applications from international students. The announcement follows a decision by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) earlier this year to impose a limit on the issuance of study permits to…