Author: Alade Adisa

VFS Global has announced the opening of Africa’s biggest UK visa application centre (VAC) in Lagos. The centre commenced operations on November 19 according to a statement.VFS said Nigerians travelling to the UK can now book appointments to submit their visa applications through VACs located in Abuja and Lagos (Ikeja and Victoria Island).Marc Owen, director of visa, status and information services at UKVI, said “the opening of our new VAC in Ikeja marks an exciting milestone for UKVI and VFS Global in the provision of a world-class UK visa service here in Nigeria across Africa”.“In the year to June 2024,…

International buyers of Ghana’s cocoa have made at least half a billion dollars of upfront payments to state marketing board Cocobod, according to Reuters’ calculations, in a dash to secure supplies and avoid another season of heavy losses.An abrupt overhaul of the three-decade-old marketing system in the world’s No.2 cocoa grower has thrust traders and processors into a vastly expanded role in financing and bringing in the crop.Previously, Cocobod would take on bank loans to buy farmers’ cocoa, then sell the contracts for the crop forward to international companies.But after being financially hobbled by declining production and management decisions, the…

As residents of southern Lebanon begin returning to neighbourhoods reduced to rubble, new data shared with Sky News illustrates the impact of the conflict.The Centre for Information Resilience has verified more than 400 videos showing 300 separate incidents of harm to civilians and damage to infrastructure in Lebanon.It offers a window into the extent of the destruction since fighting began in October last year.For nearly a year, attacks were concentrated in southern Lebanon, along the border with Israel.In September, Israel stepped up its offensive. The red dots represent incidents from September to now.The country’s capital, Beirut, has been attacked regularly…

An Abuja-based lawyer, Mr Bala Dakum, on Thursday, narrated how his 85-year-old father, Deh Idi Dakum, was kidnapped and later murdered after ransom was paid.Dakum, while speaking with newsmen in Abuja, said he is yet to recover from the shock, days after the remains of his late father was found and buried.He said the octogenarian was kidnapped on Nov. 18 at about 7pm in their village, Matelem, in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau, and his dead body was discovered on Saturday.“I am a Principal Partner in B. I. Dakum & Co which is based in Abuja.“My Dad, Deh Idi…

United Kingdom: Detectives have launched a new investigation into more than five people suspected of helping Mohamed al Fayed commit widespread sexual abuse over almost 40 years.The fresh allegations against the former Harrods and Fulham FC boss, including rape and sexual assault, span the years between 1977 and 2014, with the youngest victim aged just 13 at the time she was allegedly targeted.The Metropolitan Police were previously contacted by 21 women, who made similar allegations about incidents between 2005 and 2023, but the billionaire businessman was never charged before his death aged 94 last August.Some 150 people have since contacted…

At least 30 people have died after landslides in a village in eastern Uganda, a local official said on Thursday, warning the toll could rise.”We lost about 30 people,” Bulambuli district commissioner Faheera Mpalanyi told AFP after landslides struck Masugu village, adding that six bodies, including that of a baby, had been recovered so far.”Given the devastation and the size of the area affected and from what the affected families are telling us, several people are missing and probably buried in the debris,” she said.The Ugandan prime minister’s office said as many as 20 homes were feared to have been…

The stakeholders on food systems transformation have advised the Federal Government to adopt multi-sectorial approach in its efforts to combat food system challenges in the country.They gave the advice on Wednesday at their bi-annual review meeting in Calabar.They said the development of food systems was critical to national growth, adding that it should be supported and replicated across all levels of government.The 2-day review meeting which commenced highlighted the importance of food systems to food security, nutrition, health and environmental sustainability.Gov. Bassey Otu of Cross River said at the event that the transformation of food systems towards improving nutrition and…

The Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) says the Port Harcourt Refinery Company Limited has not released any new purchase price for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).Dr Billy Gillis-Harry, National President, PETROAN made this known in a statement on Wednesday.The refinery, operated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd. (NNPC Ltd.) on Tuesday began the first truck-out of petroleum products in view of the re-streaming of the rehabilitated facility.The re-streaming and truck loading signaled the commencement of crude oil processing from the plant and delivery of petroleum products to the market.The rehabilitated refinery is currently operating at 70…

Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (retd.) has shed light on the rationale behind the creation of states during his tenure, emphasizing that the move was intended to ease regional tensions and address fears of northern domination. Gowon, who served as Nigeria’s leader from 1966 to 1975 made this known during a visit by the Senator Ibrahim Shekarau-led League of Northern Democrats (LND) at the Yakubu Gowon Centre in Abuja. He highlighted the importance of unity and urged Northern elites to build consensus around issues that promote national interest and cohesion. According to him, “May I thank you sincerely,…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Jami’u Abiola as the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Linguistics and Foreign Matters, with effect from November 14, 2024. Jami’u Abiola is a son of late business mogul and aclaimed winner of the 1992 presidential elections, Chief M.K.O Abiola. The announcement was made in a statement by Segun Imohiosen, Director of Information and Public Relations, on behalf of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. The appointment aligns with the Certain Political and Judicial Office Holders (Salaries and Allowances, etc.) Act 2008, as amended. Before this role, Jami’u Abiola served as…