Author: Chief Editor

The Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM) is collaborating with Fidelity Bank to increase the capacity of five million Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) exporters in the non-oil sector. NEXIM said the move is in line with the overall objective of promoting export diversification efforts of the Federal Government. The Managing Director of NEXIM Bank, Abba Bello, who disclosed this in Abuja yesterday at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Fidelity Bank, said NEXIM had earlier developed an online platform – the Nigerian Export Academy (NEXA) – which offers free courses to exporters and SMEs but is now inviting…

As the drive for better financial inclusion continues to resound, Africa-focused fintech platform, PalmPay, has recorded 25 million users, a network of 500,000 mobile money agents and 300,000 merchants in its payments ecosystem. The growth in just four years of its market operation in Nigeria is a testament to the company’s robust strategy centered on offering secure, user-friendly and inclusive financial services, the company said. Global CMO, PalmPay, Sofia Zab, said the company is proud to be a driving force of financial inclusion and cashless payment adoption in the country. She added that its growth validates its approach and illustrates…

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has issued fresh guidelines for contactless payments in Nigeria. According to a circular with reference number, PSM/DIR/PUB/CIR/001/039, signed by the Director of the Payments System Management Department, Musal Simon, the guidelines were conceived to ensure that participants in contactless payments implement appropriate risk management measures, while keeping to best relevant standards. The apex bank said the step was in furtherance of its efforts to standardise operations in the payments system, while encouraging the deployment of innovative products and sustaining the financial system stability. Contactless payment, which involves the consummation of financial transactions without physical…

The former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani has hit out at Nigerian oil marketers for projecting that petrol will be sold at N700 per litre in some parts of the country. “Oil marketers projecting N700 per litre; that’s their way, always threatening and blackmailing the country for their greed,” Sani tweeted. Recall that oil marketers have projected that the pump price of petrol could rise above N700 per litre in Northern Nigeria starting from July. The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) National Controller of Operations, Mike Osatuyi, revealed this in an interview with The PUNCH on Wednesday. Osatuyi…

Nigeria’s Super Eagles moved up from 40th to 39th in the latest FIFA world ranking. The ranking was posted on the world football governing body’s official website on Thursday, 29 June. In Africa, the Super Eagles currently occupy sixth position and are behind Morocco (1st) Senegal (2nd) Tunisia (3rd) Algeria (4th) and Egypt (5th). Jose Peseiro’s side gained one place in the ranking after they defeated Sierra Leone 3-2 in Group A of the 2023 AFCON qualifiers in Monrovia, Liberia. Their final group game is an home fixture against bottom team São Tomé and Principe in September. Meanwhile, World Cup…

Mindfulness is an awareness of your internal state and surroundings. Many who practice mindfulness also believe in cultivating a state of acceptance with this awareness. This means letting go of any judgment or negative feelings. When applied to listening, mindfulness means being aware of what the person speaking says without judging them. Mindful listening is about being present in your conversation, so others feel heard and perceive your intention to listen and understand them. Mindful listening can create a safe space for the speaker to share their thoughts and feelings with an open, attentive listener. Similar to conscious listening, you put effort into…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has received the assurance of support from the leadership of the 10th National Assembly and state governors on his Renewed Hope agenda. Senate President Godswill Akpabio gave the assurance when a delegation of senators, governors and captains of industry paid Tinubu a Sallah courtesy visit on Wednesday in Lagos. The Renewed Hope was Tinubu’s campaign agenda that touched all aspects of national life from economy, health, education, and youth empowerment to international relations. “The president has clearly shown a roadmap of his administration in the decisions taken within his first few days in office. “These decisions…

Arsenal on Wednesday signed German attacking midfielder Kai Havertz from Chelsea on a “long-term contract”. Neither club disclosed a fee but British media said Arsenal were paying Chelsea 65 million pounds or 75 million euros. He is Arsenal’s first signing of the summer but the British press reported the club had agreed a 105 million-pound fee for West Ham’s England midfielder Declan Rice. Havertz joined Chelsea in 2020 from Bayer Leverkusen. He made 139 appearances in three seasons, scoring 32 times, including the only goal in the 2021 UEFA Champions League final victory over Manchester City. Arsenal were runners up…

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has debunked the news making the rounds that it has renewed Super Eagles Manager, Jose Peseiro’s contract. On Monday, there were reports that Peseiro’s contract has been extended till after next year’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote d’Ivoire. The reports also said that the NFF gave the Portuguese a minimum of a semifinal finish in Cote d’Ivoire to get added time on the job. NFF Media Director, Ademola Olajire, yesterday, told The Guardian that the Federation has not begun the process of reviewing the Super Eagles handler’s contract, which current deal expires this…

Shehu Sani, a socio-political commentator has mocked former President Muhammadu Buhari after he reportedly pleaded not to be probed by his successor. Sani said Buhari was allergic to being probed and blamed after he did the same to his predecessor. The former Kaduna Central Senator recalled that Buhari blamed the previous administration for Nigeria’s problems while he was in office. Tweeting, Sani wrote: “They arrogantly oppressed, dispossessed, and killed the poor and the innocent and without remorse seek divine blessings for their injustice and inequity. “Buhari probed and blamed all the ills and vices of this country on the previous…