Author: Amina Mohammed

President Bola Tinubu has signed an executive order to introduce zero tariffs, excise duties and Value-Added Tax (VAT) on imported pharmaceutical inputs, a statement by the coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate has said. Pate said the order introduced zero tariffs, excise duties, and Value-Added Tax (VAT) on specified machinery, equipment, and raw materials imported for pharmaceutical production. His words: “In a transformative move to revitalize the Nigerian health sector, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR @officialABAT, has signed an Executive Order aiming to increase local production of healthcare products (pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, devices such as…

Tragedy struck on Friday at lmawa town, Kura Local Government area of Kano State along Zaria – Kano highway as a moving truck lost control and killed no fewer than 14 worshippers. It was gathered that the incident occured along the highway when the truck ran into the worshippers who were returning from the Juma’at mosque after observing the two rakat Friday prayers. The Kano Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps, CC Ibrahim Abdullahi who confirmed the incident to newsmen, said several other persons also sustained varying degrees of injuries. In a statement by his spokesperson, CRC Abdullahi Labaran, the…

The Federal Government has received no fewer than 103 Nigerians deported from Turkey over migration-related issues such as expired visas and irregular migration, among others. Alhaji Tijani Ahmed, the Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), stated this on Friday evening during the deportees’ profiling in Abuja. Represented by Amb. Catherine Udida, the Director Migration Affairs in the commission, Ahmed said that the commission expected 110 deportees but received 103, all males. “Some of them have been in the deportation camp for some months, and now that they are here, we are hoping to follow…

War and funding shortfalls have hampered progress toward the United Nations’ flagship development goals which include action to combat climate change, the organization’s Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned on Friday. In 2015, UN member states adopted the Sustainable Development Goals, 17 targets to transform the world by 2030 including by completely ending extreme poverty and eliminating hunger. But Guterres said Friday that “the world is getting a failing grade.” “Our failure to secure peace, to confront climate change, and to boost international finance is undermining development,” he told a briefing in New York, unveiling the latest progress check on the targets.…

US president, Joe Biden has described his predecessor, Donald Trump as a threat to the democracy of the United States. The two men squared off Thursday in a presidential debate watched by millions around the world. Posting on his social media handles after the debate, Biden wrote “Donald Trump is a genuine threat to this nation.He’s a threat to our freedom. He’s a threat to our democracy. He’s literally a threat to everything America stands for” .

Real Madrid confirmed the sale of Spain striker Joselu to Qatari side Al-Gharafa on Friday after buying him from Espanyol by activating a clause in his loan deal. Joselu, who sensationally struck twice late on against Bayern Munich to fire Madrid into the Champions League final, which they won for a record 15th time, was on a temporary deal this season at the Santiago Bernabeu. “Real Madrid, after activating their option to sign Joselu from Espanyol, reached a deal with Al-Gharafa for the transfer of our player,” said Los Blancos in a statement. Joselu’s loan clause was estimated at 1.5…

Popular singer Davido, born in Atlanta, Georgia, has expressed his opinion about the 2024 United States presidential debate, calling it the “worst ever.” He made his thoughts known via his X handle, stating, “Still a democrat sha but worst presidential debate ever.” The debate between the Democratic Party and the Republican Party candidates, President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, on Thursday night, was marked by personal attacks. The two will face off in the upcoming election on November 5, which will be the first rematch election in nearly 70 years.

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN), Amina Mohammed, on her 63rd birthday, celebrating her dedication to education, the environment, and sustainable development. Ms. Mohammed, a renowned advocate for gender and education, has served Nigeria and the global community with distinction, coordinating the UN Millennium Project’s Taskforce on Gender and Education and leading the launch of the Ogoniland clean-up as Nigeria’s Minister of Environment. In a statement issued by his special adviser on media and publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, President Tinubu hailed the global icon as a shining example of Nigerian excellence, commending her tireless…

UEFA has dismissed two Spanish referees, Alejandro Hernández Hernández and Jesús Gil Manzano, from officiating at Euro 2024 after receiving complaints about their performance. Hernández, who served as the VAR official, faced criticism for dismissing Scotland’s penalty claim in their 1-0 loss to Hungary last Sunday. Manzano was under fire for his error during France’s 1-0 victory over Austria. Alongside the two referees, their assistants, Diego Barbero Sevilla and Ángel Nevado Rodríguez, have also been sent home. This decision leaves Martínez Munuera, a VAR official, as the only Spanish representative for the remainder of the tournament. Former La Liga referee…

Euro 2024 hosts Germany come into Saturday’s last 16 clash with Denmark in Dortmund hoping to have learned from Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Switzerland, their final group stage match. After almost a decade of struggles at major tournaments, Germany were riding high after dominant wins over Scotland and Hungary to start the Euros. Germany however came crashing back down to earth against Switzerland and were on course for defeat, before Niclas Fuellkrug’s stoppage time header snatched a draw — and with it, first place in the group. It was a wake-up call the hosts needed, particularly with fans already eyeing…