Author: New Daily Prime

The Rivers State Police Command has confirmed that 18 individuals sustained severe injuries following a gas explosion in the Oroazi community of Port Harcourt on Sunday evening. The explosion, which occurred at a gas refilling shop, caused significant damage to surrounding buildings. The incident is part of a troubling series of gas-related explosions and Improvised Explosive Device (IED) occurrences that have been reported in the state since the start of 2024. Police spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the explosion during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Monday. According to Iringe-Koko, the explosion was triggered by a welder…

Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Yahaya, has reiterated his administration’s commitment to addressing the long-standing gratuity liabilities for retirees in the state. Speaking on Monday, December 6, during the presentation of cheques and the payment of backlog gratuities to state retirees, Yahaya revealed that his government has cleared ₦17.2 billion of the ₦21 billion inherited from previous administrations. Yahaya, who assumed office in 2019, acknowledged the gravity of the responsibility his government faced when it inherited the substantial backlog of gratuities. Despite significant progress in clearing these debts, the Governor noted that the obligations continue to rise as more civil servants…

Dr Titus Okunrounmu, a former Director of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has called on the Federal Government to strategically reduce the cost of governance in 2025 in order to address rising recurrent expenditures. In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday, in Ota, Ogun State, Okunrounmu emphasised that the current financial burden posed by high governance costs was placing a strain on the country’s economy. The ex-CBN Director of Research pointed out that the Federal Government’s debt servicing had escalated sharply, from N9.8 trillion in 2023 to N12.1 trillion in 2024. He stressed that…

…As FG moves to stop disease By Damilola Michael The virus is referred to as Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV). It is a single-stranded Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) virus with signs similar to common cold and influenza. The spread of a respiratory virus is currently hitting China. The first case of the virus was reported in 2001 in the Netherlands. Since then, it has increased across northern Chinese provinces during the winter season. The symptoms of HMPV include cough, fever, nasal congestion, and fatigue, with an incubation timeline of three to six days with complications such as pneumonia in infants, elderly, and individuals…

By Damilola Michael The Nigerian music scene is on fire, with various artistes dropping hits that are taking over music streaming platforms. From Apple Music to Shazam, here are the top Nigerian songs that are currently trending: Top 10 Nigerian Songs on Apple Music Top Nigerian Songs on Shazam Top Nigerian Songs on Mdundo These songs are currently trending on music streaming platforms, an indication that Nigerian music is taking over the world. From Afrobeats to hip-hop, it is easy to see that these artists are pushing the boundaries of music and creating something truly special. Report written by Damilola…

As the holiday season turns our attention to festive meals like turkey and mince pies, the pressing issue of food security takes center stage. In the UK, an alarming 10 million people face food insecurity, meaning they lack consistent access to affordable, nutritious food. Compounding this crisis, the government recently warned that the climate crisis poses a serious threat to the nation’s food security. At the same time, farmers have been protesting in Westminster, arguing that a weakened agricultural sector undermines the UK’s ability to produce its own food. FareShare, a network of 8,300 charities, 34 regional centers, and 26,000…

UK mortgage approvals dropped unexpectedly in November, signaling caution among households post-Budget. Consumer credit growth hit a 29-month low as borrowing costs and stamp duty changes impacted the housing market. UK mortgage approvals unexpectedly fell in November, interrupting the gradual recovery in housing market activity. Data released by the Bank of England on Friday revealed a decline in net mortgage approvals — approvals net of cancellations — to 65,700 in November, down from 68,100 in October and below the 68,500 forecast by economists polled by Reuters. The figures indicate growing caution among households following the Autumn Budget, as borrowing costs…

The Deputy National President of the National Parent Teacher Association of Nigeria, NAPTAN, Chief Deolu Ogunbanjo, has said each state of the federation should set up its own student loan scheme.Speaking in an interview with New Daily Prime, he opined that doing so would take some financial burdens off the shoulders of parents.According to him, the step would also complement what the federal government has done with the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, NELFUND, otherwise known as the Student Loan Scheme.” There is no reason for each state of the federation not to have a similar body like the student loan…

Former Anambra State Governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has publicly expressed admiration for lawyer and activist Dele Farotimi, following the latter’s recent release from a correctional facility in Ekiti. In a tweet on Friday, December 3, Obi described Farotimi as a symbol of courage, noting that the activist remained in high spirits despite the challenges he had faced. Obi shared his pleasure at finally meeting with Farotimi after his return from detention and expressed deep encouragement from the activist’s unwavering commitment to advocating for a better Nigeria. “Since his return from the correctional center in Ekiti,…

Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo announced on Friday that, starting from the beginning of this year, all African passport holders will enjoy visa-free travel to Ghana. This move is a significant step towards greater economic integration across the continent. The announcement was made during Akufo-Addo’s final State of the Nation address, as he prepares to step down on January 6 after completing two terms in office. He expressed pride in the decision, noting that it would contribute to the goals of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the world’s largest trading bloc. “I am proud to have approved visa-free travel…