Author: New Daily Prime

MTN Nigeria Communications Plc has raised N42.2 billion through its Series 15 and 16 Commercial Paper (CP) issuance under its N250 billion Commercial Paper Issuance Programme. According to a recent notice to the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) signed by the Company Secretary, Uto Ukpanah, MTN Nigeria disclosed that the 180-day and 270-day Commercial Papers were issued at yields of 27.50 per cent and 29.00 per cent, respectively. The Series 15 and 16 CP were issued on December 23, 2024, following the successful completion of two prior CP issuances in the last two months. In his comments on the successful CP…

In the lead-up to Monday’s inauguration, President Biden and his wife Jill hosted Trump for a cup of tea at the White House. But four years ago, Trump did not extend the same invitation — an inauguration-day tradition — to Biden. Why? Al Jazeera correspondent Kimberly Halkett explains it has to do with Trump’s false claims that his defeat in the 2020 election was marred by fraud. “It didn’t [happen] because Donald Trump was of course contesting the results of the election,” she said. “He was not happy with the transition to power, but this time around, Joe Biden and…

The National Assembly has called for a thorough review of Nigeria’s Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) initiative, citing safety concerns after reports of vehicle explosions linked to uncertified conversions. The call for reassessment was made during the 2025 budget defence session of the Joint Committee on Petroleum (Downstream), Petroleum (Upstream), and Gas. Lawmakers demand reassessment of Nigeria’s CNG programme Lawmakers emphasised the need for extensive testing to ensure the technology is safe and adaptable to local conditions. Senator Natasha Akpoti, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), raised concerns over the insufficient research conducted before the program’s rollout. Akpoti…

Sir Keir Starmer’s government had been optimistic about getting an accord with Mauritius Britain will await Donald Trump’s blessing before finalising a deal with Mauritius over the future of a strategic UK-US military base in the Indian Ocean, according to people familiar with the talks. The UK government had in recent weeks been optimistic about securing an agreement with Mauritius over the Chagos Islands before the president-elect is sworn into office on January 20. On Sunday, British officials said “good progress” had been made in the negotiations after London offered to frontload a tranche of payments to Port Louis…

Amid controversies around his suspension, a former pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Idowu Iluyomade, has allegedly opened a new church. The newly-launched church called Family Fellowship, is said to be opened in the Victoria Island axis of Lagos. Iluyomade, who was the former pastor of the City of David parish of the RCCG, was suspended in 2024 following a backlash of a 60th birthday party he held for his wife, Siju Iluyomade. The party was also deemed inappropriate, according to reports, because of the tragic and sensitive helicopter death of Herbert Wigwe in the United States. Wigwe was said to…

The Lagos State Government has revealed that it generated more than $71.6 million in revenue from tourism, hospitality, and entertainment during the 2024 ‘Detty December’ festivities. This impressive sum highlights the growing economic impact of the state’s vibrant cultural scene, with substantial contributions from hotels and short-let apartments. According to the government, hotels alone generated over $44 million, while short-let apartments added a further $13 million to the overall revenue. These figures were shared by the Special Adviser to the Governor of Lagos State on Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Idris Aregbe, during a weekend review of the Lagos State ‘Detty…

Donald Trump and wife Melania have arrived at St John’s Episcopal Church for a prayer service ahead of his inauguration ceremony at midday (5pm GMT). The president-elect’s motorcade departed Blair House, a guest house of the sitting US president located in Washington DC, a short while ago. Mr Trump’s family took their places inside the church before the arrival of the soon-to-be president. After the service, Mr Trump and his wife Melania will be greeted at the executive mansion by Joe Biden and the first lady for the customary tea, before making their way to the Capitol together. After being…

The 47th US president poised to lead backlash against Hague-based court’s ruling on Israeli PM Donald Trump could sanction the International Criminal Court (ICC) this week over its arrest warrant issued for Benjamin Netanyahu, Foreign Office insiders believe. Karim Khan KC, the British lawyer who is the ICC’s chief prosecutor, may be personally targeted in the action, given the fierce criticism of Mr Trump’s allies over his decision. The move could become one of the first points of tension between the US administration under Mr Trump, as he is inaugurated as the US president on Monday, and Sir Keir Starmer. Mr Trump’s…

Fresh blow risks impacting tens of thousands of staff and 14 million customers Santander is reportedly considering leaving Britain over excessive red tape, in a blow that risks impacting tens of thousands of staff and some 14 million customers. The Spanish banking giant is considering pulling out of the UK as part of a strategic review of its future, according to the Financial Times. If executives decide to leave, they would seek a buyer for the lender’s operations here. The extraordinary proposal is said to have been partly triggered by frustration over costly UK rules introduced in the wake of the financial…

By Daniel Johnson ‘Cabrini’ film lead and Gomorrah star Cristiana Dell’Anna travelled to Geneva on Friday to highlight the age-old dangers confronting migrants – and the astonishing Italian missionary who travelled to New York City’s slums at the turn of the last century, determined to protect them. “Being from southern Italy, the migration issue is very close to my heart. Southern Italians have always emigrated throughout history, especially during the Second World War and I have in my family people who have emigrated and I am an emigrant myself,” Ms. Dell’Anna said, ahead of a special screening of her film at…