Author: Samuel Akpenpuun

The Central Bank of Nigeria, on Tuesday, announced the reintroduction of several key economic reports, stating its commitment to transparency and accountability in the nation’s economy. These reports include the Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), Business Expectation Survey (BES), Inflation Expectation Report, and other critical macroeconomic indicators. According to a statement on Tuesday by the Acting Director of Corporate Communications at CBN, Sidi Ali, the move is part of the CBN’s ongoing data enhancement initiative and is designed to provide stakeholders with timely and accurate insights into Nigeria’s economic performance. The PMI, which evaluates the health of the manufacturing, services, and…

South Africa’s jobless rate rose to a near record in the second quarter of 2024, continuing a trend that has seen the number of unemployed people grow by more than 60 per cent in ten years, official data showed Tuesday. The unemployment rate hit 33.5 percent between April and June, up by 0.6 percentage point from the previous quarter, national statistics agency StatsSA said. That is close to the record 35.3 percent reached in 2021 during the coronavirus pandemic. About 8.4 million people were out of work, up from 5.2 million in 2014, it said. Including people who have given up…

West Ham signed Manchester United defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka in a deal worth a reported £15 million ($19 million) on Tuesday. Wan-Bissaka agreed a seven-year contract with the Hammers after spending five years at Old Trafford. The 26-year-old right-back made 190 appearances for United following his 2019 move from Crystal Palace. He appeared in United’s surprise FA Cup final win against Manchester City last season but was not in United manager Erik ten Hag’s plans for the new season. “It’s an amazing feeling to be back in London and I’m excited for what’s coming,” Wan-Bissaka said. “I was born here and…

The Labour Party (LP) candidate in the forthcoming Edo governorship election Olumide Akpata and his team have returned to Benin City to recommence campaigns for the poll. This was after a tour to the UK and Europe for meetings with Edo indigenes. Olumide Akpata on his arrival in the state capital on Tuesday said he and his team held town hall gatherings in these locations. He said during these meetings, the party had given its commitment to ensuring that Edo State receives the necessary attention that would address issues affecting it including security and ease of doing business. The Edo…

President Bola Tinubu has commissioned 30 hybrid Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses. Tinubu commissioned the buses in Abuja on Monday. The Depots and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) donated 20 of them while the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) donated the rest. The buses have a 30,000-passenger capacity. “If we can enhance our energy competitiveness and bring about statehouse digital transformative changes like this, we would definitely be able to achieve the prosperity that we are working hard to accomplish for our people,” he said at the event. “These CNG buses are promising and will enhance our…

Manchester City striker Erling Haaland is in the hunt to win a second successive PFA Player of the Year award after being nominated alongside team-mates Phil Foden and Rodri. Haaland enjoyed another prolific campaign with 38 goals in all competitions as City lifted an unprecedented fourth consecutive Premier League title. The Norway star won the PFA award after City’s treble-winning campaign in 2022-23. Rodri was a key figure in City’s midfield during their latest Premier League triumph and also helped Spain win Euro 2024. England playmaker Foden scored 27 goals last season for Pep Guardiola’s men. Chelsea forward Cole Palmer,…

The Kano State Police Command has transferred 76 suspects, including a foreign national, to the Force Headquarters in Abuja for discreet investigation on charges of sedition. The suspects were reportedly arrested for flying Russian flags during the recent nationwide hunger protests. The protests had turned violent in several parts of the North. Addressing the press on Monday, Kano State Commissioner of Police, Salman Garba, provided updates on the ongoing investigations and the arrests made in connection with the unrest. “In line with the directives of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, to all commands and formations, the Kano Command…

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, hosted his predecessor, Akinwunmi Ambode, at the State House, Lagos, on Monday. The Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile, disclosed this in a post on X.com, stating that the courtesy visit saw the two leaders engage in extensive discussions centred on the progress and future of Lagos State. Akosile wrote, “Today, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu received his predecessor in office, HE Akinwunmi Ambode, who came on a courtesy visit. “The two leaders held a deep conversation around the development of Lagos State, her economic trajectory, and position as a socio-political stabiliser…

The European Union on Monday issued a stern warning to Elon Musk, urging him to curb the spread of harmful content on his social media platform, X (formerly known as Twitter). This came just hours before the tech billionaire is set to interview former U.S. President Donald Trump live on the platform. The EU’s internal market commissioner, Thierry Breton, reminded Musk of his legal obligations under the bloc’s Digital Services Act, which mandates that digital platforms actively police and remove illegal content and disinformation to protect users. Breton’s letter, posted on X, emphasised that these obligations apply universally across the…

The Edo State Government stated on Monday that Philip Shaibu is impersonating the deputy governor and should stop presenting himself as such. A Federal High Court in Abuja reinstated Shaibu as the deputy governor of Edo State on July 17, three months after the Edo House of Assembly had impeached him. Judge James Omotosho declared that Shaibu’s impeachment by the state assembly was illegal. Omotosho ordered the Inspector General of Police to restore Shaibu’s security details and directed that his salaries and allowances be paid from April when he was removed from office. The Edo Assembly has appealed the judgement…