Author: Samuel Akpenpuun

The Federal Government has announced the suspension of duties, tariffs, and taxes on some essential food items imported through land and sea borders. The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, made this known during a press briefing at the National Press Centre, Abuja on Monday. Kyari disclosed that the listed food items, which include maize, wheat, husked brown rice, and cowpeas, will enjoy a 150-day Duty-Free Import Window. He added that the move is part of the Presidential Accelerated Stabilization and Advancement Plan, which is aimed at achieving food security and economic stability in the country. The minister…

Nigeria’s Super Falcons have commenced preparations for their first appearance at the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament after 16 years of non-participation in the tournament. Ademola Olajire, NFF’s Head of Communications in a statement, said the team resumed camping in Spain on Friday with 18 players expected but only 12 have arrived as at Monday morning. He said their camp in the city of Jerez de la Frontera outside Sevilla has come alive with most of the invited players in camp. According to him, the team’s administrator Mary Oboduku who was quoted in the statement, two or more players are being…

New Finance Minister of the United Kingdom, Rachel Reeves, vowed on Monday to immediately “fix the foundations” of Britain’s economy, fuelled by onshore wind power and house building, after her Labour Party won power. In her first major speech since being appointed the UK’s first woman Chancellor by new Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Reeves said there was “no time to waste” on reversing “the legacy of fourteen years of chaos and economic irresponsibility” under the Conservative rule. Reeves, 45, takes over as Chancellor with Britain’s economy recently out of recession, the country’s inflation rate back to normal levels and as…

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Anambra State command, said it has deployed personnel across the state to protect critical national and state assets as part of efforts to prevent a breakdown of law and order. The Anambra State Commandant of NSCDC, Maku Olatunde, stated this in Awka, on Monday while monitoring the deployment of personnel for its renewed launch operations to encourage economic and commercial activities and combat the effect of Monday’s sit-at-home. Olatunde described it as a proactive move focusing on banks, financial institutions, parks, schools, government offices and potentially vulnerable points to maintain public trust and…

The Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Martin Amaewhule, has given the state Governor, Siminalayi Fubara a 7-day deadline to resubmit the 2024 budget. This order was issued during the first session of the pro-Wike House on Monday after a hiatus of several months. Meanwhile, a parallel session is being held by the House faction led by Victor Oko-Jumbo. Fubara had previously presented the budget to the other House loyal to him, with his current Chief of Staff, Edison Ehie, presiding as Speaker. Ehie and the pro-Fubara lawmakers passed the budget estimates, which the governor then signed into law,…

The United States President Joe Biden faces a critical week Monday that will test his standing at home and abroad, as moves to force him to quit his fight for a second White House term gather pace. The 81-year-old has so far defied calls to step aside after a disastrous debate against election rival Donald Trump last month threw into stark relief fears that he is too old to serve as president until 2029. Allies have warned he needs to do more to convince his party and the public that, as he insists, only he can beat Trump at the…

The Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, has addressed reports that the health institution was plunged into darkness for days due to a power outage. In a telephone chat, the Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee, CMAC, Dr. Ayodeji Oluwole, confirmed a disconnection by EKO Electricity Distribution Company, EKEDC, over indebtedness. However, he clarified that backup generators and solar power ensured minimal disruption to hospital operations. Oluwole said, “Yes, it’s true that EKEDC disconnected the facility, I think they’re on revenue drive and their argument is that if you’re owing, they will just cut you off. But there is backup power…

Manchester United are on the verge of securing a deal for Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee. The English club has reached a broad agreement over payments related to Zirkzee’s representatives with the next step being to finalize the deal with Bologna, according to sources close to ESPN. Joshua Zirkzee’s contract includes a release clause of £34 million ($43.5 million), which is valid until August. However, United may attempt to negotiate a different arrangement. The 23-year-old Dutch forward, who has attracted interest from AC Milan, is currently with the Netherlands squad as they prepare for their Euro 2024 semifinal against England in…

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has opened the loan portal for students from 36 state-owned tertiary institutions to apply for the loan. In a tweet on X on Sunday, July 7, NELFUND stated that the management of the institutions had successfully submitted their student data to the NELFUND Student Verification System (SVS). The institution included: Adamawa State University, Mubi; Ramat Polytechnic, Maiduguri; Borno State University; Mohammet Lawan college of Agriculture, Borno State; Edo State University, Uzairue; Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti; Gombe State University; Kingsley Ozumba Mbadiwe University, Imo State; Imo State University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences Umuagwo; Nuhu…

In a bid to make New Zealand a more attractive destination for international students and their families, the government has announced revised visa policies. These changes will allow partners of international students enrolled in specific higher education programs to qualify for work visas. The revised guidelines target spouses of students enrolled in programs that align with New Zealand’s Green List occupations, particularly those at Levels 7 and 8. This includes graduate certificates, graduate diplomas, Bachelor’s degrees, postgraduate certificates, postgraduate diplomas, and Bachelor’s Honours degrees. The Green List identifies occupations that are in high demand in New Zealand, creating a streamlined…