Headlines
In Case You Missed
Former Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has throw his weight behind the House of Reps members that are advocating for Nigeria to revert back into parliamentary system of government, saying Nigeria cannot survive executive presidential system. According to the former interior minister, presidential system is responsible for budget deficit cankerworm that has continued to under develop the country.
The Senator representing Delta North senatorial district, Ned Nwoko has revealed that his constituency got more than N1 billion as projects fund.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership has named Dennis Idahosa as running mate to Senator Monday Okpebholo in the forthcoming Edo gubernatorial polls. Okpebholo, who during the February 17 primary election came second to Idahosa; although, was announced winner in a parallel election.
The number of children dying globally before their fifth birthday has reached a historic low, dropping to 4.9 million in 2022, the latest report by the United Nations Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME) revealed. The report reveals that more children are surviving today than ever before, with the global under-5 mortality rate declining by 51 per cent since 2000. Several low-and lower-middle-income countries have outpaced this decline, showing that progress is possible when resources are sufficiently allocated to primary health care, including child health and well-being. For example, the findings show that Cambodia, Malawi, Mongolia, and Rwanda have reduced under-5 mortality by over 75 per cent since 2000.
Nigerian health workers seeking greener pasture has been directed to gladly resign their appointment with Federal Government before leaving the country. The Minister of State for Health, Dr. Tunji Alausa stated this in a directive by the FG, that health workers seeking employment opportunities abroad must resign their appointments before leaving. Alausa revealed this on Saturday, stating that the era where health workers could apply for leave of absence and pursue opportunities in other countries has ended. He disclosed that the ban on leave of absence for health workers resulted from an Executive Order issued by President Bola Tinubu, who aims to combat the ‘Japa Syndrome’ facing the nation’s health sector. The ‘Japa Syndrome’ refers to Nigerians leaving the country in search of better opportunities.
Medical doctors under the auspices of Association of Resident Doctors, ARD, at the University College Hospital, UCH, Ibadan in Oyo State have commenced a three-day strike over alleged assault on one of their members by relatives of a patient in the hospital.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has strongly reaffirmed his administration’s position against importing food commodities into Nigeria even as food prices continue to escalate unabatedly thereby worsening food crises and inflation rates. President Tinubu revealed this in a statement at a meeting with the Forum of State Chairmen of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the State House in Abuja on Friday. Nigeria’s food inflation rate according to the latest figures from the National Bureau of Statistics, has soared to a concerning 37.92% as of February 2024, prompting speculation that importing food could swiftly alleviate nationwide food price pressures.
The appellant is challenging the judgment of the Court of Appeal ordering the forfeiture of the money to the Federal Government of Nigeria, being proceeds of an unlawful activity in the Paris Club Fund involving Melrose General Services Limited.
The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mr. Mele Kyari has disclosed that petroleum product from the Port Harcourt refinery will begin to deliver in two weeks time.
Kyari also revealed that Warri refinery was almost ready too, while the Kaduna refinery would be completed and delivered into production latest by December this year. Kyari stated all this today when he appeared before the Senate to brief them on the progress of work so far.
The draw for 2023/2024 Champions League quarter-final, Semi-final, and finals have been conducted on Friday. Former Super Eagles captain, John Obi Mikel, was tasked with picking the balls. Arsenal will take on Bayern Munich, while Atletico Madrid plays Borussia Dortmund. Holders Manchester City has been drawn against Real Madrid for the third year running. Paris Saint-Germain will play Barcelona The first legs of the quarter-final fixtures will be played on April 9 and 10, with the second-leg fixtures on April 16 and 17.
The Confederation of African Football CAF, has confirmed dates for the 2024 Olympic Games qualifiers between the Nigeria Super Falcons and Banyana Banyana of South Africa. Accordingly, the first leg is slated to hold at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja on Friday, April 5. However, date for the reverse fixture will take on Tuesday, April 9 at a yet to be identified venue. Meanwhile, the Algerian referee Ghada Mehat will take charge of the first leg at the Nigerian stadium.
Former Super Eagles Technical Adviser, Joe Bonfrere has upholds Emmanuel Amuneke for the team’s vacant coaching job. The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, has declared the position vacant following the expiration of Jose Peseiro’s contract. Peseiro, a Portuguese guided the West Africans to second position at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. Amuneke, a Nigerian, former Nigeria Winger and coach as enjoyed a couple of successful spells for both club and country. He played for a couple of top European team clubs, including Zamalek, Sporting CP, Barcelona, and Albacete.
The SAT-3/West Africa Cable System (WACS), the Africa Coast to Europe (ACE), and MainOne are said to have been damaged, which has resulted in the disruption of internet services in Nigeria, Ghana, and other countries across the continent. According to NetBlocks, an internet analysis, the cut has triggered outages and connectivity issues for mobile operators and internet service providers across the West African sub-region.
Krystyna Pyszkova of the Czech Republic has clinched the coveted Miss World 2024 title during a glamorous event in India on Saturday, edging out Indian contestant Sini Shetty who made it to the top 8. Miss Lebanon, Yasmina Zaytoun, secured the first runner-up position in the competition. Karolina Bielawska, the reigning Miss World from Poland, crowned Pyszkova as her successor at the star-studded finale. This victory marks the second time a representative from the Czech Republic has claimed the Miss World crown, following Tatana Kucharova’s win in 2006. Expressing her astonishment at winning the prestigious title, Pyszkova, who is in her twenties, confessed it was beyond her expectations.
The British Foreign Secretary, Lord Cameron has gave a knock on the Russia election, stating that President Vladimir Putin tighten his grip on power following the stifling of any real opposition.
President Bola Tinubu has directed that the killers of 16 military personnel in Okuama Community, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, must be brought to justice. This was released in a statement signed by the president yesterday describing the killing as “unprovoked” expressed “profound grief over the needless death of our gallant soldiers.” This followed the incident where 16 military personnel on duty were attacked and killed at one Okuama community, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta state last week.