Author: Festus Adeloye

The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has suspended its planned 800% increase in navigational charges. A spokesman for the agency Abdullahi Musa said the suspension was directed by the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo over “current economic challenges faced by Nigerians”. In a statement on Monday, the minister emphasised the need for further consultation before implementing any changes. Also, NAMA boss Umar Farouk highlighted the significant economic pressures faced by the aviation industry, exacerbated by global economic volatility, fuel price hikes, and currency instability. He outlined strategies for survival and growth, including operational efficiency, embracing innovation and technology, strengthening infrastructure,…

US President Joe Biden unveiled plans Monday to reform the conservative-dominated Supreme Court, in a bold but long shot bid to make a mark with his last six months in power. In proposals backed by Vice President Kamala Harris, the presumptive Democratic election nominee, Biden called for 18-year term limits for the top court’s justices and an enforceable ethics code. The 81-year-old also wants a constitutional amendment to reverse the court’s recent ruling backing Republican nominee and former president Donald Trump’s claims of presidential immunity. Biden told reporters that the Supreme Court “needs reform,” as he left the White House…

A Valedictory Court Session for the retiring Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola (GCON), will be held on Thursday, 22nd August 2024, a spokesman for the apex court said. Festus Akande also said the Supreme Court’s 2023/2024 legal year ended on Friday, 19th July 2024, He said the court proceeded on vacation on Monday, 22nd July 2024 and will resume for the 1st term 2024/2025 legal year on Monday, 23rd September 2024. Akande added that the ceremony to usher in the 2024/2025 new legal year has been scheduled to be held on Monday, 30th September 2024. Then President Muhammadu…

Arsenal have signed Italy defender Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna for a fee of up to £42m including add-ons. The 22-year-old, who started Italy’s three group games at Euro 2024, has signed a five-year deal with Mikel Arteta’s side. He has immediately joined up with his new team-mates in Philadelphia “I’m really happy to be here,” said Calafiori. “I waited a lot. “I hope we are going to do something great this season.” Calafiori, who spent one season at Bologna, can play as a central defender or at left-back – and has previously played on the left wing. He played 30…

Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has called on political parties and their candidates for the Edo and Ondo governorship elections to adhere strictly to established rules. Expressing concern over the hostility and tension characterising the campaigns, Yakubu highlighted the recent attack on the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in Edo State, resulting in a security officer’s death. During a quarterly meeting with political party leaders in Abuja, Yakubu emphasised the importance of compliance with the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties 2022, especially concerning rallies, processions, and campaigns. He also noted the delay…

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has announced that the results for the 2024 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) will be released on August 5, 2024. Students throughout the West African region are eagerly awaiting their results, which will be accessible online and through designated WAEC offices, according to Schoolpursuit. This announcement ends a tense waiting period for candidates who took the exams earlier this year. In the announcement, WAEC stated, “The 2024 WASSCE results will be available on Monday, August 5, 2024.” The council also acknowledged that certain challenges caused the delay in releasing the results and…

The National Youth Service Corps has suspended the biometric clearance and the weekly Community Development Services for corps members nationwide. The corps noted that this was necessary in view of the planned protest billed to hold between August 1-10, 2024. This was disclosed in a memo sent to State Coordinators, Local Government Inspectors and Zonal Inspectors across the country. It read, “In furtherance to our earlier memo reminding corps members of the scheme’s policy prohibiting participation in any form of protest, all corps members are informed that biometric clearance and CDS activities are suspended with immediate effect. The date for…

President Bola Tinubu has instructed the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) to conduct transactions in Naira for the sale of crude oil to Dangote Refinery and other upcoming refineries. This decision was communicated by Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Publicity, via his official social media account on Monday. The move aims to stabilise both the pump price of refined fuel and the dollar-Naira exchange rate. The Federal Executive Council (FEC) endorsed this approach, with the Dangote Refinery initially serving as the pilot project. Currently, Dangote Refinery requires 15 cargoes of crude oil annually, costing around…

The organisers of the planned hunger protest in Abuja have told the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, that there is nothing that would stop them from using Eagle Square. Recall that a group, Take It Back Movement, had written to the minister requesting the use of Eagle Square for its protest on August 1, as well as the provision of security and utilities for the duration of the protest. In its letter signed by its Director of Mobilization, Damilare Adenola, on Friday, the group also stated that the minister must “ensure the provision of a 24-hour power…

The Nigerian Communications Commission has directed telecommunications operators to immediately restore all phone lines blocked due to non-linkage of National Identification Numbers to SIM cards. This disclosure was made in a statement on Monday by the Director of Media and Public Affairs, Reuben Muoka. Stay tuned for more details…