Author: New Daily Prime

Corruption within Nigeria’s power sector is at the heart of the country’s ongoing electricity grid collapses and chronic power supply issues, according to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). On November 12, EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede shared disturbing insights during a visit by the House Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes to the commission’s headquarters in Abuja. Olukoyede revealed that contractors awarded power supply contracts often engage in corrupt practices by using substandard materials, ultimately leading to widespread equipment failures and the recurrent collapse of the national electricity grid. He cited specific instances where contractors replaced high-quality materials, such…

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has reached a landmark agreement with the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, signaling a potential shift in the country’s fuel distribution and pricing structure. With more than 30,000 members set to buy petrol directly from Dangote’s refinery in Lekki, Lagos, this deal is poised to transform Nigeria’s fuel landscape, offering consumers relief from soaring prices and supply chain inefficiencies. Under the new arrangement, IPMAN members will have the option to purchase Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) at a rate of N940 per litre if transported via vessels, or N990 per litre when using trucks to…

Cristiano Ronaldo was honored earlier this week with the Quina de Platino award from the Portuguese Football Federation for his 200 international caps. During his acceptance speech, he spoke about his journey with the national team, his goals for the future, and the value of playing for one’s country. Ronaldo spoke about how his goals for the national team have evolved over time. He started with the dream of making his debut, then aimed for 25 caps, then 50. He eventually set his sights on 100, then 150, and finally 200. He said,”I’m very proud, very fulfilled; it’s been a…

French Footballer Wissam Ben Yedder was given a two-year suspended prison sentence for sexual assault. The sentence was handed down on Tuesday following his trial last month in Nice, France. Ben Yedder’s lawyers confirmed the sentence to the Associated Press and stated that he plans to appeal the ruling. The prosecution had requested a two-and-a-half year sentence, with 18 months suspended. In addition to the suspended sentence, Ben Yedder was ordered to pay €5,000 ($5,300) in compensation to the victim and must undergo treatment. The victim had requested €25,000 in damages and was said to be in shock following the…

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has called on African youths to embrace the rapidly evolving field of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a means to advance their careers and prepare for the future. The advice came during a Q&A session at the 5th Edition of the Presidential Youth Mentoring Retreat, which took place at the Youth Development Centre, Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) in Abeokuta, Ogun State. “If I were your age, between 20 and 35, I would focus on AI,” Obasanjo told the attendees, emphasising AI’s transformative potential for the future workforce. He predicted that by 2040, the world would see…

Nigeria has recovered over $5 billion in illicitly acquired assets over the past 25 years, according to a new report from the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC). The report, launched on Tuesday in Abuja, highlights the country’s ongoing efforts to combat corruption and recover stolen assets that were illicitly moved abroad. CISLAC’s Executive Director, Auwal Rafsanjani, presented the findings during the official launch of the 2024 Common African Position on Asset Recovery (CARPA) Implementation Report. The event was attended by various stakeholders, including government officials, civil society groups, and international partners focused on tackling corruption and illicit financial flows…

The Federal Government has paid tribute to the late Abibat Mogaji, mother of President Bola Tinubu, by naming the ICT block at the Maryam Babangida National Centre for Women Development (MBNCWD) in Abuja after her. The ceremony, held on Tuesday, was attended by dignitaries and key figures in the women’s empowerment sector. Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, who officiated at the unveiling, described Mogaji as a “resilient matriarch” and a tireless advocate for women’s empowerment. In her address, Sulaiman-Ibrahim emphasised the late Mogaji’s significant contributions to gender inclusion and the upliftment of women in Nigeria. “She served as…

Omoyele Sowore, the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in the 2023 elections, has shared a fascinating account of his encounter with the late Chief MKO Abiola, the acclaimed winner of Nigeria’s annulled 1993 presidential election. Sowore, in an appearance on the Honest Bunch podcast, revealed how, at the age of 21, he turned down a generous offer of N800,000 from Abiola during a pivotal moment in Nigerian history. The encounter, which took place in 1993, occurred shortly after General Ibrahim Babangida annulled the June 12 election. At the time, Sowore was the leader of the University of…

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic truck accident that occurred in the Aiyetoro area of Epe, Lagos State, on Monday, November 11, which claimed the lives of at least three people and left several others injured. In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, November 12, Governor Sanwo-Olu extended his condolences to the families of the victims, describing the incident as heartbreaking. “I wish to extend my heartfelt condolences in light of the tragic traffic accident that occurred in the Aiyetoro area of Epe, Lagos State, yesterday, Monday, 11 November 2024,” Sanwo-Olu…

The Federal Government has announced significant progress in Nigeria’s export sector, with trade policies and facilitation programmes leading to a surge in the country’s trade balance. According to government officials, Nigeria’s trade surplus reached N6.5 trillion in the second quarter of 2024, driven by strong export performance. Vice President Kashim Shettima, speaking at the 3rd National Conference on Non-Oil Exports in Abuja on Tuesday, November 12, revealed that exports now make up 60.89% of Nigeria’s total trade, amounting to N19.42 trillion. This marks a slight increase of 1.31% from the first quarter of 2024, and a remarkable 201.76% growth compared…