Author: Alade Adisa

Leading global financial institution, the World Bank has identified $32 million in unaccounted funds in a Nigerian water sector project, suggesting that those handling the project could have mismanage or embezzled the funds. The Bretton Wood Institution’s Integrity Vice Presidency (referred to as ‘INT’ in the report) flagged the discrepancies after a forensic review in the newly released FY2024 Sanctions System Annual Report. According to the Bank’s findings, the funds, intended to bolster water infrastructure, were not adequately accounted for, prompting an intervention to safeguard the project’s integrity. The World Bank engaged with the project team, including Nigeria’s Task Team…

Chidimma Adetshina, Nigeria’s representative at the 73rd Miss Universe competition, is full of joy after finishing as the first runner-up at the prestigious global pageant held in Mexico on Sunday. The final moments of the prestigious event at the Arena CDMX in Mexico City, early Sunday morning, saw an electrifying face-off between Nigeria and Denmark, as the two women stood poised to claim the crown. Ultimately, Miss Denmark, Victoria Kjaer Theilvig, won the crown, taking over from Miss Universe 2023, Sheynnis Palacios of Nicaragua. Adetshina expressed excitement and pride in an interview following her success and shared on X.com by…

There are indications of a looming debt crisis as Nigeria’s external debt may rise to $45.1 billion by the end of 2024, with the Federal Government planning to secure additional external funding. This follows a report from the Debt Management Office (DMO), which revealed that the country’s external debt stock increased by $780 million in the second quarter of 2024, growing from $42.12 billion in March to $42.9 billion by June 2024. Last Thursday, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved a $2.2 billion external borrowing plan as part of the Federal Government’s 2024 Appropriation Act financing programme. Speaking on the…

Gunmen suspected to be cultists have reportedly killed a soldier and four people at North Bank, a suburb of Makurdi, the capital city of Benue State. This dastardly act occurred on Friday night. In the past few weeks the North Bank area of Makurdi has been embroiled in rival cult clashes that has claimed several lives and properties. Eyewitness accounts disclosed that two yet-to-be-identified young men killed on Friday night were not members of any confraternity but victims of rampaging cultists. The chairman of the vigilante group known as Operation Shara in the North Bank, Nura Umar, said that four…

The national security adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, on Friday handed over 58 persons rescued in joint security operations to the Kaduna State government. Per NAN, the NSA handed over the victims to the chief of defence staff (CDS), Christopher Musa, who presented them to representatives of the Kaduna State government. The chief of staff to Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State, Sani Limankila received the rescued victims on behalf of the state government. The CDS said no ransom was paid to secure the victims’ freedom. Gen. Musa said, “The rescue is a result of the combined efforts of the military…

Mexico national football team coach, Javier Aguirre suffered a head injury after being hit by an object late in the quarter-final match from the League of Nations against Honduras on Friday, reports AP. At the end of the match, which Mexico lost 2-0 in San Pedro Sula (Honduras), Aguirre went to congratulate Colombia coach, Reynaldo Rueda when he was hit by an object, apparently a beer can, which cut him and left his head bleeding. “Nothing, it’s just football, the match was difficult, they played better. I don’t need to mention the incident, I’m not one to complain. It’s just…

* Changes to the income tax laws to facilitate remote work opportunities for Nigerians in Nigeria within the global business process outsourcing. This will empower our youths to play a key role in the digital economy space. * Zero rated VAT and other incentives to promote exports in goods, services, and intellectual property. * Tax exemptions for small businesses with annual turnover of N50 million or less including withholding tax, value added tax, and 0% corporate income tax rate. * Exemption from PAYE (personal income tax) for minimum wage earners and reduced tax burden for over 90% of all workers…

Former President, Nigerian Army Officers Wives Association (NAOWA), and widow of the late Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, Mrs Mariya Lagbaja has said that her love for her late husband will never wane, noting my love for you will remain eternal. Mariya poured out her heart in an emotional tribute she penned to her late husband, which was included in the burial programme at Lagbaja’s national burial on Thursday at the National Military Cemetery. While reflecting on their life together, Mariya recalled the love she shared with her husband of nearly 17 years, describing their relationship…

Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said Kyiv would like to end the war with Russia next year through “diplomatic means” as both countries prepare for President-elect Donald Trump’s return to the White House. In an interview with the Ukrainian media outlet Suspilne, Zelenskyy said he is certain that the war will end “sooner” than it otherwise would have once Mr. Trump becomes president. “It is certain that the war will end sooner with the policies of the team that will now lead the White House. This is their approach, their promise to their citizens,” Zelenskyy said. The prospect of Trump…

Security operatives in Katsina State have apprehended a pharmacist accused of providing medical treatment to bandits operating in the Batsari Local Government Area. The suspect, identified as Rabe, allegedly admitted to treating injured bandits in the region. According to sources, he confessed to regularly visiting the hideouts of the criminals to administer medical care to those wounded during clashes or raids. Rabe reportedly told the security operatives, “I provide medication to the bandits whenever they sustain injuries.” His activities were said to have enabled the bandits to recover and continue their operations. However, the state Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria has…