Author: Samuel Akpenpuun

Plateau Governor Caleb Mutfwang has lifted the curfew imposed on Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State in the wake of the violent attacks on communities by suspected gunmen. Mutfwang, in a statement by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Gyang Bere, said the decision was after a careful consultation with the State Security Council, following the restoration of normalcy in the area. He added that the gesture would pave way for residents to engage in agricultural and economic activities. He encouraged community leaders across the divides of faith and ethnicity, to continue with strategic dialogue aimed at nurturing…

More expenses await African nationals seeking visas to enter the European Union as the EU plans to increase visa fees starting Tuesday, according to Schengen visa statistics released on Saturday. The report stated that starting from Tuesday; African nationals would pay €90 instead of €80 for a Schengen visa application The report stated that the EU had earned €3.4m from rejected Schengen visa applications submitted by Nigerian citizens. According to the data, in 2023, African nationals received 704,000 negative responses for their visa requests. “This means that €56.3m went up in smoke, considering that visa application fees are not refundable,”…

The foreign exchange (forex) volatility in the country has taken a huge toll on the MTN Nigeria and Airtel Africa’s operations as both service providers posted huge losses after tax. While MTN posted a loss after tax of N392.7 billion, Airtel Africa recorded a loss after tax of $89 million, primarily impacted by significant forex headwinds, resulting in a $549 million exceptional loss net of tax following the Nigerian naira devaluation in June 2023 and first quarter 2024, and the Malawian kwacha devaluation in November 2023, according to MTNN unaudited results for the quarter ended March 31, 2024 and Airtel…

A political and civil rights activist, Aisha Yesufu, has called for the scrapping of the Nigerian Senate to reduce the cost of governance. Yesufu, co-founder, Bring Back Our Girls Movement, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday in Lagos. She was reacting to calls in some quarters that the country should jettison its bicameral legislature and adopt a unicameral legislature to reduce the cost of governance. A unicameral legislature is a system with one chamber or house, as opposed to a bicameral legislature which has two chambers(Senate and House of Representatives). Some countries…

The management of the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) has asserted that the designer of Nigeria’s national flag, late Pa Michael Taiwo Akinkunmi would be given a befitting burial. Akinwunmi who designed the Nigerian flag died 10 months ago. NICO’s decision, according to a statement followed the cry of the family. There is a trending news on social media platforms over the seeming neglect of the burial arrangement of the late national hero. The statement which was signed by Caleb Nor, media aide to NICO Executive Secretary, Biodun Ajiboye, said it was not possible for President Bola Tinubu to…

The financial crisis facing the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry, NESI, shows no sign of easing soon, as electricity distribution companies, DisCos, remitted just N21.95 billion (or 9.33 percent) to the Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading Plc for N235.09 billion worth of electricity off-taken from the National Grid in the month of March, 2024. Industry documents sighted by Vanguard indicated that due several policies by the Federal Government, the DisCos were issued an actual invoice of N22.26 billion for total energy off-taken from the grid while the government undertook to pay for the balance N212.8 billion out which nothing was paid. The…

An All Progressives Congress, APC, member in Rivers State, Sir Joe Korka-Waadah, has said plans are in progress to adopt Governor Siminalayi Fubara as the consensus candidate for re-election in the 2027 poll. Korka-Waadah said those making the move were concerned about Nyesom Wike’s attitude towards Fubara, adding that a new political movement has emerged in Rivers. His words: “Due to the litany of political missteps of Nyesom Wike, a new political movement has emerged in Rivers state. His overbearing attitude has compelled a new wave of political force to emerge. “Stakeholders of all political strides have come together. Reconciliation…

Actress Yvonne Jegede has revealed details about her unsuccessful marriage to actor Olakunle ‘Abounce’ Fawole. In a teaser for the next episode of ‘The Honest Bunch’ podcast, Jegede discussed the reasons for their divorce, pointing to financial differences and an age gap as significant factors. Jegede confirmed that she was the main provider in the marriage, stating that she was “bringing in more of the money.” She also regretted prioritising love over financial stability, saying, “I would have gone for money instead of love.” The actress disclosed that her ex-husband’s sensitivity to jokes and their age difference played a role…

Following the importance of what Nigerians consume daily as food and drink, the Nigerian Government and the United States of America, USA, Friday, partnered to inaugurate four inter-sectoral Technical Working Groups, TWGs, on food safety. The TWGs were inaugurated by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, FMHSW, in collaboration with the United States Department of Agriculture, USDA, in commemoration of World Food Safety Day in Abuja. Professor Mohammed Ali Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, represented by the Permanent Secretary, FMHSW, Daju Kachollom, said: “As we gather to mark the 2024 World Food Safety Day, we…

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) stormed and raided two popular nightclubs and lounges in Akure, Ondo State, on Saturday. Following the operation, the anti-graft agency reportedly arrested 50 suspected internet fraudsters, including a groom-to-be who was celebrating his bachelor’s eve at one of the clubs with his friends. The personnel, who stormed the highbrow Alagbaka axis of the Akure metropolis in different cars around 1:00 a.m., shot sporadically into the air. Vehicles, laptops, sophisticated phones and other items were confiscated. CCTV at the scenes was allegedly removed by the operatives during the operations. Meanwhile, the Chairman…