Author: Festus Adeloye

The National Association of Telecoms Subscribers (NATCOMS) has announced plans to sue the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) over the recently approved 50 percent tariff hike. On January 20, the NCC approved the request by telecommunications companies (telcos) to increase tariffs. The adjustment followed concerns raised by the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) and the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), which had called on the NCC to review call tariffs upwards. Karl Toriola, the chief executive officer (CEO) of MTN Nigeria, revealed that telcos had initially requested a 100 percent increase in tariffs. However, the NCC…

The World Health Organisation has expressed regret over the announcement that the United States intends to withdraw from the organisation. The global health body urged the US to reconsider the decision. WHO made this known in a statement on its X account on Tuesday, emphasising its crucial role in protecting global health, including that of Americans. The organisation highlighted its work in addressing the root causes of diseases, strengthening health systems, and responding to health emergencies, often in challenging environments where others cannot operate. On Monday, President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing the United States to withdraw from…

United States President, Donald Trump, has signed an executive order attempting to end birthright citizenship — a right guaranteed by the US Constitution and affirmed by the Supreme Court more than 125 years ago. On Monday, Trump issued a blitz of executive actions to start reshaping federal immigration and border policy, many of which are expected to face significant legal challenges. “As commander in chief, I have no higher responsibility than to defend our country from threats and invasions, and that is what I’m going to do,” Trump said in his inaugural address. CBS News reports that the US government…

The Taliban government announced on Tuesday the release by the United States of an Afghan prisoner in exchange for US detainees, saying the deal was brokered by Qatar. “An Afghan fighter Khan Mohammad imprisoned in America has been released in exchange for American citizens and returned to the country,” the Afghan foreign ministry said in a statement. The ministry said Mohammad had been serving a life sentence in the state of California after being arrested “almost two decades ago” in the eastern Afghan province of Nangarhar. Asked by AFP, the foreign ministry refused to provide further details or the number…

President Donald Trump on Monday announced the United States’ withdrawal from the Paris climate accord for a second time, a defiant rejection of global efforts to combat planetary warming as catastrophic weather events intensify worldwide. The Republican leader also declared a “national energy emergency” to expand drilling in the world’s top oil and gas producer, said he would scrap vehicle emissions standards that amount to an “electric vehicle mandate,” and vowed to halt offshore wind farms, a frequent target of his scorn. “I’m immediately withdrawing from the unfair, one-sided Paris Climate Accord rip-off,” he said to cheering supporters at a…

Mikel Arteta said on Friday the Premier League title race cannot be boiled down to a straight shootout between Arsenal and Liverpool as he urged his players to relish the battle. The Gunners moved to within four points of Arne Slot’s table-topping Reds following their 2-1 comeback victory against Tottenham at the Emirates on Wednesday. Liverpool had dropped two points against high-flying Nottingham Forest the previous day, though they still have a game in hand over their rivals. Chelsea are 10 points behind Liverpool following a slump, while champions Manchester City are a dozen points off the pace. But Forest…

The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mojisola Meranda, has pledged to work together with other arms of government in the State to achieve a greater Lagos. Speaker Meranda who took her first duty as Speaker appointed new principal officers that would join in championing the affairs of the House. Honourable Temitope Adedeji, representing Ifako/Ijaye 1, was announced as the Majority Leader of the House while Richard Kasunmu representing Ikeja 2, was made the Deputy Majority Leader, David Setonji representing Badagry 2, is the Chief Whip while Ganiyu Sanni representing Kosofe constituency 1, is the Deputy Chief Whip.…

Donald Trump’s economic plans risk reigniting US inflation, the International Monetary Fund chief economist, Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas, told AFP just days before the president-elect is set to return to the White House.Trump’s proposals to increase tariffs and restrict immigration could constrain the supply side of the economy and drive up prices, Gourinchas said in an interview.Other plans floated by the president-elect, such as reducing regulations and cutting taxes, could also fuel inflation by boosting demand, he added.“The bottom line is that when we assess the risk for the US, we see an upside risk on inflation,” Gourinchas noted. The economist spoke…

Oscar-nominated UK actress Joan Plowright, a legend of stage and screen and wife of the great actor Laurence Olivier, has died at the age of 95, her family said Friday. “It is with great sadness that the family of Dame Joan Plowright, the Lady Olivier, inform you that she passed away peacefully on 16 January 2025 surrounded by her family at Denville Hall at the glorious age of 95. “Her brilliant career will be remembered by many, her wonderful being always cherished by her children Richard, Tamsin and Julie-Kate, their families and Joan’s many friends,” they added. Plowright was one…

The Police Service Commission has approved the appointment of AIG in charge of Border Patrol, Force Headquarters, Abuja, Banji Lawal as a substantive Deputy Inspector General of Police representing the South West Geopolitical Zone. A statement signed by the commission’s Head, Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani said Lawal was appointed at an extraordinary on Friday. Lawal takes over from DIG Sylvester Alabi who represented the zone and retired on the 31st of December 2024. Alabi was the DIG in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department. The new DIG was a former Commandant Police Training College, Ikeja, Lagos; Assistant…