Author: Chief Editor

There is respite as the country’s currency, the Naira, appreciated on Thursday against the Dollar, exchanging at N768.16 at the Investors and Exporters window. According to NAN, the Naira gained by 3.22 per cent compared with N793.70, which it exchanged for the Dollar on Wednesday. The open indicative rate closed at N787.13 to the Dollar on Thursday. A spot exchange rate of N844 to the Dollar was the highest rate recorded within the day’s trading before it settled at N768.16. The Naira sold for as low as N700 to the Dollar within the day’s trading. On Thursday, 56.22 million dollars…

Super Falcons defender, Nicole Payne has joined French club, Paris Saint Germain Feminine. Payne penned a three-year contract with the club. The 22-year-old joined the former French champions from the University of Southern California. She scored three goals in 16 appearances for the University of Southern California last year. Payne expressed her joy after signing the contract. “It’s something I’ve always dreamed of! I became a professional player when I was a teenager, and I’ve grown up playing football since I was four, so to experience a moment like this is very special. I’m really grateful to be here,” she…

The Leader Of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has cautioned the Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, against making mistakes that will disgrace him out of office. In a statement signed by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, Primate Ayodele revealed that several things will go wrong in Adeleke’s government that will make people criticize him. He mentioned that he will make some mistakes that will knock him out of a second-term ambition as Governor of the state. The man of God stated that there is an aura around that governor that will turn him against the people. He…

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has appealed to Nigerians to be patient to ensure they reap the long-term gains of the current economic policies. The group’s Executive Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, made the appeal in a statement on Friday in Lagos. “The deregulation of the oil sector of the Nigerian economy which has been hailed by experts as a wise step must come with a price. “It has necessitated the determination of prices of petroleum products by global market forces. “This implies that even the Nigerian government can no longer fix the prices of petroleum products, and it was not…

As part of measures to cushion the effects of the petrol subsidy removal, President Bola Tinubu has approved the establishment of Infrastructure Support Fund (ISF) for the 36 States of the Federation. The approval was announced at the monthly meeting of the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) on Thursday. The infrastructure fund will enable the States to intervene and invest in the critical areas of transportation, agriculture, livestock and ranching solutions, health and education. It will also improve economic competitiveness, create jobs and deliver economic prosperity for Nigerians. The Committee also resolved to save a portion of the monthly distributable…

A former Aviation Minister, Sen. Stella Oduah, and others on Friday pleaded not guilty to a N5 billion fraud charge preferred against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Oduah and eight others were arraigned by the EFCC before Justice Inyang Ekwo of a Federal High Court, Abuja. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) had, on Monday, reported that Justice Ekwo fixed the date after a counsel that appeared for EFCC, Hassan Liman SAN, prayed the court to allow the defendants to take their plea, having filed the charge against them since Dec. 17, 2020. Others arraigned alongside…

The Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) has called for 300 per cent increment in the minimum wage for workers across all sectors due to the inflation caused by the removal of fuel subsidy. NULGE National President, Mr Ambali Olatunji, said this in a communique jointly signed by Mr Isah Gambo, General Secretary of the union, at the end of its regular National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on Thursday in Abuja. Olatunji said that the 300 per cent rise was imperative considering the inflation necessitated by the removal of fuel subsidy on local government staff. Accordingly to him, it…

This year’s pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca is one of the most expensive in recent times. Yet, also one of the most disappointing for several faithful. And from the sob stories of pilgrims, it was a logistic nightmare from start to finish. But beyond the Saudi authorities’ pledge to refund as compensation, stakeholders are unanimous that the entire value-chain of preparation, pilgrimaging and return-to-base is due for regulatory overhaul, SHAKIRAH ADUNOLA reports. Year 2023 Hajj exercise will linger in the minds of all pilgrims for a long time to come. But for several, it would be for the raw deal.…

* Okay resignation of Adamu, Omisore* Lukman faults alleged moves to appoint Ganduje as chairman The Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF), yesterday, pledged to ensure effective utilisation of extra funds, following removal of fuel subsidy. The three tiers of government are set to share a record N1.959 trillion in July 2023, thrice the N786.161 billion shared in June, and more than triple the N655.93 billion in May. Chairman of the forum, Hope Uzodimma, who did not specify the amount involved, acknowledged there would be more money available to the 36 states. Speaking to journalists after a closed-door meeting by members of…

• Senate dismisses talk on Ministerial list, sets up committee on NASS internal security• Senators stop TCN from obtaining $155m World Bank loan to manufacture meters, seek protection for domestic manufacturers• Implement 35% affirmative action, include women in cabinet, Reps tell Tinubu After raised hopes, it was an anti-climax yesterday as the Senate failed to announce the arrival of the list of Ministerial nominees reportedly submitted by the Presidency. Contrary to the expectations of Nigerians on the Ministerial list of President Bola Tinubu, the Senate, shortly before commencing the legislative business of the day, which was their last for the…