Author: New Daily Prime

FIFA’s evaluation report on Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the 2034 World Cup has highlighted significant concerns over human rights, classifying the potential risks as “medium” while acknowledging the country’s commitment to various reforms. The report, released on 30th November, is set against the backdrop of FIFA’s upcoming Congress on 11th December, where delegates will vote to determine the hosts for the 2030 and 2034 World Cups. Saudi Arabia is the sole candidate for the 2034 tournament, with a bid that promises a “very strong all-round proposition”, according to FIFA. The report praised the proposed infrastructure, both for sporting events…

The Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) has announced the commencement of the installation of over 4,000 prepaid meters for its Band A and Band B customers. This initiative is part of the Meter Acquisition Fund (MAF) program, introduced by the Federal Government to close the metering gap in Nigeria’s power sector. KEDCO’s management stated that the company has engaged approved Meter Asset Providers (MAPs) to supply and install the prepaid meters as part of efforts to improve metering coverage in the region. The meters provided under this initiative are free of charge for eligible customers. The MAF is overseen by…

The Yobe State Government has officially agreed to implement the new national minimum wage of N70,000 for all civil servants, pensioners, and those on special salary structures, starting in December 2024. This decision follows extensive negotiations between the state government and organised labor, led by the NLC (Nigeria Labour Congress) in the state. The agreement was announced by Baba Wali, the Secretary to the State Government and Chairman of the N70,000 Minimum Wage Committee, who revealed that after discussions, the committee recommended the wage increase, which was subsequently approved by Governor Mai Mala Buni. The signing ceremony, which took place…

The President General of the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, Yerima Shettima, has revealed that the northern region has not yet taken a unified stance on whether to support or oppose President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027. This statement comes after Mamman Osuman, the suspended National Chairman of the Arewa Consultative Forum, suggested last week that the north should back a candidate from the region to contest against Tinubu in 2027, in a bid to address the region’s challenges. In an interview, Shettima stated that discussions are ongoing within the northern region, but no collective decision has been made yet…

The Federal Government has announced a significant increase in the amount small businesses can access through its loan scheme, raising the limit to N5 million for eligible Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). This move is part of the government’s efforts to foster inclusive economic growth across the country. Dr. Olasupo Olusi, Managing Director and CEO of the Bank of Industry (BoI), made the announcement on Friday, November 29, during a town hall meeting in Lagos. The event, organised by the Federal Ministry of Finance in collaboration with the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, the Presidency, and the Bank…

Syrian rebels, primarily from the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) jihadist group, made significant territorial gains in Aleppo on Friday, raising the stakes in the ongoing conflict between anti-government factions and the regime of President Bashar al-Assad. The rebels’ lightning-fast offensive, which reached the heart of Syria’s second-largest city, threatened to undermine Assad’s control, with fighters advancing into the city’s iconic citadel. By early Saturday morning, social media videos showed rebels celebrating their apparent control over Aleppo, which has been a key battleground in Syria’s civil war. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that the rebels had taken control of…

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has made a significant shift in his stance on the ongoing war with Russia, stating that he is willing to temporarily cede territory to Russia in exchange for NATO protection over Ukraine’s remaining territory. In an interview with Sky News on Friday, November 29, Zelensky explained that his country could consider giving up land under Russian control for a ceasefire agreement, provided NATO member countries, such as the United States, Britain, and France, extend security guarantees over the territories Ukraine still holds. “If we want to stop the hot stage of the war, we should take…

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) says the cumulative electricity subsidy for 2024 will increase to N2.4 trillion. The Commissioner of Planning, Research, and Strategy of the NERC, Dr Yusuf Alli, disclosed this at the PricewaterhouseCoopers’ (PwC) annual power and utilities roundtable, held in Lagos on Thursday, November 28, with the theme, ‘Reigniting Hope in Nigeria’s Electric Power Sector.’ Alli attributed the increase in the subsidy figures to challenges with foreign exchange and adjustments to tariffs. He said, “As of November, the subsidy amount stood at N1.9 trillion, but with current trends, the monthly subsidy for electricity is expected to reach…

Edo State Governor, Mr. Monday Okpebholo, has approved a new initiative that guarantees automatic employment for first-class graduates from both Nigerian and foreign universities into the state’s Civil and Public Service. This move is part of efforts to enhance the quality of manpower within the state’s workforce. The announcement was made by the state’s Head of Service, Anthony Okungbowa, who issued a statement on Friday, November 29, detailing the Graduate Development Programme. According to Okungbowa, the programme aims to integrate top-tier graduates into the state’s civil service to drive effective and efficient service delivery. Okungbowa explained that the Governor’s decision…

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has issued a stern warning to financial institutions over the ongoing cash scarcity at Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) across the country. CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, announced that penalties would be imposed on erring banks and other financial players during his address at the annual Bankers’ Dinner organised by the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria on Friday. Recent reports have highlighted a significant shortage of cash, both at ATMs and over-the-counter services, leading to inconvenience for ordinary Nigerians. The CBN has acknowledged the challenges and stated that it is taking measures to address the…