Author: Festus Adeloye

Two years after a global outbreak, fears are rife that a new strain of mpox — previously known as monkeypox — identified in DR Congo and now also in several neighbouring countries could further spread. Deadlier and more transmissible than previous forms, the mpox strain surging in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) since September, known as the Clade Ib subclade, is spread person-to-person. The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Sunday it was considering convening an expert committee to advise on whether to declare an international emergency, as it did during the global mpox outbreak in 2022. The Clade…

President Bola Tinubu has appointed ex-Kastina State Governor, Aminu Masari, as the new Chairman, Board of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund). Disclosing this in a statement on Tuesday, presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, said the President also appointed six others as members of the board. They are Senator Sani Danladi, Sunday Adepoju, Nurudeen Adeyemi, Esther Onyinyechukwu Ukachukwu, Turaki Ibrahim and Aboh Eduyok. “The President expects the new members of the board of this pivotal institutional vehicle to be dedicated and committed to driving TETFund’s objective of providing the needed support for tertiary education with a view to enhancing the productivity…

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Tuesday announced the approval for a pivotal financial accommodation to support the proposed merger between Unity Bank Plc and the Providus Bank Limited. The apex bank, in a statement by its acting Director of Corporate Communications, Hakama Sidi-Ali, said the move is designed to bolster the stability of the nation’s financial system and avert potential systemic risks. “The merger is contingent upon the financial support from the CBN. The fund will be instrumental in addressing Unity Bank’s total obligations to the Central Bank and other stakeholders,” the statement read. “It is unequivocal to…

The protesters of the ongoing protest in Osun state have suspended demonstration against hunger and others over the upcoming 2024 Osun Osogbo festival. The decision was reached after presenting protest letter to Osun state governor, Ademola Adeleke, which was received by his deputy, Kola Adewusi at state secretariat. Adewusi assured the protesters that the governor would deliver the letter to President Bola Tinubu and also do everything possible to continue delivering dividends of democracy to the people of the state. The protesters under the aegis of coalition for concerned Nigeria Citizens, Osun state through Comrade Adetunji Ajala during a news…

The United Kingdom, on Tuesday, announced the opening of the application for Chevening Scholarships. The announcement, which was contained in a statement from the British High Commission in Abuja, noted that prospective scholars can apply from August 6 to November 5, 2024, through the online portal at chevening.org/apply. This announcement follows the selection of 32 scholars from Nigeria for the current academic year. The statement reads partly, “Applications for Chevening Scholarships to study in the UK open today – from August 6 to November 5, 2024. Applications are to be submitted via the online application form at chevening.org/apply. “The scholarship…

The #EndBadGovernanceinNigeria protesters have reportedly stormed the residence of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, to demonstrate against the hike in the cost of living in the country. The protesters, seen in large numbers in a viral video on Tuesday, were chanting and carrying placards with various inscriptions. The house was guarded by heavy security personnel wielding rifles. While the protesters were reciting the old national anthem, one of the demonstrators said, “That’s Wike’s house.”

Tourists and visitors for this year’s Osun-Osogbo festival have been assured of their safety at the grove. The Group Head and Media Manager for the event, Mr Oyindamola Olukanmi, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday in Osogbo. He said that different sub-groups involved in the organisation of the annual festival had put everything in place to ensure a successful event scheduled for 9th August. Olukanmi stated that plans were ongoing with security agencies in the state to ensure a safe environment for all participants, including tourists and visitors from within and outside the…

Plateau State Governor Caleb Muftwang has expressed concerns that although the monthly federal allocation to state governments has risen, its purchasing power and real value have “decreased very significantly” due to inflation and the wobbling naira. Muftwang noted, “It is true that in terms of amount, it has actually increased but in terms of purchasing power, in terms of real value, it has decreased very significantly.” He elaborated that essential construction materials, including diesel, cement, and iron rods, have become more expensive, further eroding the value of the funds received. He added, “It doesn’t need any rocket science. When the…

Bangladesh’s president dissolved parliament on Tuesday, a key demand of student protesters who led demonstrations that ousted longtime ruler Sheikh Hasina, a statement read. “The president has dissolved parliament,” Shiplu Zaman, press secretary of President Mohammed Shahabuddin, said in a statement. The statement also said that Hasina’s arch rival, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, a former prime minister, had been freed from house arrest. Student protesters had threatened more demonstrations if parliament was not dissolved. The decision was taken following meetings with the heads of defence forces, leaders of political parties, student leaders and some civil society…

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has directed telecommunications operators to simplify their tariff plans, bundles, and promotional activities. Of late, many Nigerians have expressed frustration about how their airtime and data plans which lasted longer before now evaporate in days amid agitation by telcos seeking NCC’s approval to hike tariff plans. NCC spokesman Reuben Muoka in a statement on Monday said the regulator has mandated all telcos to release clear, easy-to-understand, and accurate information about the cost of voice, short messaging service (SMS) and data services to all subscribers. “The guideline is the outcome of consultations with industry stakeholders, including…