Author: Agency Reporter

Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has warned the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Mining Marshals to avoid involvement in illegal mining activities.The minister gave the warning during the passing-out ceremony of the 3rd batch of newly trained mining marshals on Wednesday in Abuja.Tunji-Ojo, represented by Ahmed Ja’afaru, Secretary to the Civil Defence, Correctional Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB), said that the board would not hesitate to sanction any erring personnel.He warned the mining marshals to abide strictly by the code of conduct and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) guiding the operations of the Corps.He said that the…

ABOUT 28 million Nigerians – mostly in the rural areas – have no access to banking, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has said.The apex bank Deputy Governor, Financial System Stability, Philip Ikeazor, who stated this, added that the CBN and stakeholders have been working tirelessly to reduce the financial exclusion rate.The demographics mostly affected by this financial exclusion are: women, youths, rural communities and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).According to him, as a result of these efforts, the exclusion rate had dropped from 46.3 per cent in 2010 to 26 per cent as of last year.He said: “Despite…

A tax expert, Dr. Titilayo Fowokan, has expressed excitement on the recently gazetted withholding tax regulation titled, ‘The Deduction of Tax at Source (Withholding) Regulations, 2024’, maintaining it aligned with international best practices in taxation as it will enhance business operations and economic transparency.Fowokan, who said this in a statement, declared that the alignment will enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of tax collection in the country, which becomes effective January 1, 2025.She said, “The revised legislation offers rate reductions and full withholding tax exemptions for businesses, including SMEs with annual turnovers up to N25m.”“The regulation clarifies the application of withholding…

The National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), in partnership with Coronation Group Ltd., has unveiled a permanent exhibition of late Ben Enwonwu’s 1956 sculptural masterpiece of Queen Elizabeth II.The exhibition, entitled “Building A Nation: Ben Enwonwu and the Impact of Sculpture”, also in partnership with Fine Art Auctioneers, Bonhams, was unveiled at NCMM in Lagos on Tuesday.This entailed a dynamic look into the career of Nigerian master sculptor, late Ben Enwonwu, as the exhibition took art lovers through his process of production of the masterpiece.The exhibition also featured some of the artist’s world-famous works, highlighting his influence on Nigerian…

Niger Republic wants Russian firms to invest in uranium and other natural resource production, its mining minister said on Wednesday, amid an ongoing dispute with former colonial master France.French nuclear group Orano halted uranium output in Niger last month as relations soured with the military junta that seized power in July 2023.”We have already met with Russian companies that are interested in coming to explore and exploit Niger’s natural resources… not only uranium,” mining minister Ousmane Abarchi told Russia’s Ria Novosti press agency in an interview.”With regards to French companies, the French government, via its head of state, has said…

The Federal Government has suspended 13 students of the Federal Government College in Enugu State for six-weeks for alleged bullying in the school.This is contained in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday by the Director of Press and Public Relations in the ministry, Folashade Boriowo.The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa ordered the suspension of the students based on a viral video showing some students of the school engaging in acts of bullying.Alausa, reaffirmed the ministry’s unwavering commitment to maintaining a safe and conducive learning environment in all federal schools across the country.According to him, a recent report received by…

Analysts are of the view that future millionaires and billionaires from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) subregion will emerge from among owners of Small and Medium Entreprise (SMEs).According to them, West Africa’s SMEs, leveraging the recently unveiled African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), will hit the ground running to become the next generation of mega-companies and achieve explosive, unprecedented economic growth.AfCFTA, which has now entered its operational phase with a permanent secretariat in Accra, Ghana, is said to provide the greatest opportunity and potential for SMEs to thrive and transform into mega firms and employers of labour.Under…

African leaders said categorically on Tuesday at the World Leaders Climate Action Summit (WLCAS) in Baku, Azerbaijan’s capital, that they are taking steps to reduce carbon emissions but will be unable to meet climate goals without funding from wealthier nations.”We cannot reach our climate goals alone, we call on our global partners to honour their commitments ensuring accessible concessional financing for sustainable development in Africa without unsustainable debt,” Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo said.Addressing the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, or COP29 summit, Akufo-Addo said his country has planted…

The Church of England is beginning its search for a new leader after the Archbishop of Canterbury resigned.The Most Reverend Justin Welby announced he is stepping down after an independent review found he “could and should” have reported decades-long abuse of men and young boys by his former friend, the barrister John Smyth QC.Thousands of church leaders, including members of its General Synod committee, had called for him to step down.Here we look back at his 11 years as archbishop – and his career both in and outside the church. LINKS TO CHURCHILL AND SLAVE OWNERSMr Welby, 68, was born…

The Police Command in Plateau has dismissed rumour of a bomb explosion on Murtala Way, near JosTerminus, in Jos North Local Government of the state.Mr Alfred Alabo, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) said this in a statement on Tuesday in Jos.Alabo said that the command had on Tuesday morning received report that an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) was allegedly planted around Murtala Way, Jos.“At exactly 8:20 a.m., we received a report of a shallow dug hole suspected to be planted with an IED at Murtala Way beside the old site of the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH).“The rumour created…