NIGERIAN NOTCH

As Nigerians prepare for Valentine’s Day celebration tomorrow, the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) has urged them to prioritise their safety and well-being while expressing affection. The director-general (DG) of NACA, Dr Aliyu Gambo, who gave the piece of advice in a statement yesterday, advocated for regular HIV testing and conversions around sexual health by partners. He said these measures contribute not only to personal health but also to the broader goal of building safer and healthier communities. Gambo said, “As people celebrate love on Valentine’s Day, we want everyone to enjoy it while prioritizing their well-being. “Love is a powerful force and by embracing responsible practices, we can ensure that it enriches our lives without compromising our health. “NACA encourages individuals to adopt a comprehensive approach to love, which includes open communication, mutual respect, and responsible choices,” Gambo stated. Nigeria currently has 1.8 million pe...

Access Holdings Plc on Monday announced the appointment of Ms. Bolaji Agbede as the Acting Group Chief Executive Officer. This follows the death of its former Group Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Herbert Wigwe. Wigwe died in a helicopter crash alongside his wife, son, and a former chairman of the Nigeria Exchange Group, Abimboloa Ogunbanjo on Friday A statement made by the company’s Board of Directors and dated February 12, 2024, stated that the appointment was subject to the approval of the Central Bank of Nigeria “Further to its announcement dated February 11, 2024, the Board of Directors of Access Holdings Plc (‘the Company’) has today announced the appointment of Ms Bolaji Agbede as the Acting Group Chief Executive Officer of the Company following the unfortunate demise of its former Group Chief Executive Officer, Dr Herbert Wigwe, on February 9, 2024. “The appointment is subject to the approval of the Central Bank of Nigeria,” the statement read in part. Agbede who joine...

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), says it has no plans to tax online content creators. According to a staff of the agency who spoke under the condition of anonymity, skit makers are individuals who do not fall within the purview of the FIRS. “FIRS does not tax Personal Income Tax, States governments do. “FIRS collects Company Income Tax. Only those who are corporate names and earn profit of N25 million and more are required to pay tax,’’ he said. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a section of the media recently quoted the FIRS as saying that media content creators and influencers constituted a major block of tax evaders. Meanwhile, the FIRS recently unveiled a new structure to improve the country’s tax administration. The Executive Chairman of the FIRS, Dr Zacch Adedeji, said that the structure was in pursuit of a more efficient and contemporary tax administration methodology. He said that the agency was embracing an integrated tax approach, leveraging ...

 The National Industrial Court has upheld the elections of the Performing Musicians Employers Association of Nigeria (PMAN), which held October 24, 2023 and saw the emergence of Pretty Okafor as the President. In a landmark ruling of January 18, 2024, the National Industrial Court sitting in Lagos affirmed the legitimacy of Pretty Okafor’s leadership and denounced attempts by a group that sought to exploit an expired consent judgment of Suit No: NICN/LA/272/2015. In his ruling, Justice M.N Esowe unequivocally stated that any defiance of the outstanding ruling constitutes contempt of the court of competent jurisdiction. The judgment solidified Okafor’s position as the rightful President of PMAN, ensuring stability and continuity in the association’s leadership.In a statement, PMAN expressed its gratitude to the National Industrial Court for upholding justice and preserving the democratic process within the association.  “The court’s intervention serves as a resolute...

The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company PLC (EEDC) has explained that the poor power supply currently experienced by its customers across the South East is beyond the organisation. The company attributed the situation to low energy generation, which has resulted in a drop in power supply availability. The Head, Corporate Communications, EEDC, Mr Emeka Ezeh, who made this known on Monday, appealed to customers to bear with them. According to him he said that "the development has resulted in low generation, leading to a reduction in the quantum of daily megawatt hour (MWH) of energy allocated to distribution companies nationwide, thereby impacting the quality of service to its customers." "We understand the inconveniences this situation has caused our esteemed customers and appeal for their understanding as it is beyond us," Ezeh appealed. "We can only distribute what is allocated to us" He however stated that efforts are being made by the var...

By -Ugo Nnabuihe-   In our present generation, true great men are like gold, difficult to find.  Prince MacDonald Uchenna Enwere, a distinguished gentleman of note, a respected breed, a royal Prince and a man of many parts is a golden fish which has no hiding place. Born with Aristocratic swagg, shakespearian intelligence and socratic wisdom, Prince MacDonald Enwere is no doubt one of the best brains in Imo state and Nigeria at large. His intellectual faculty, composure , physiognomic makeup, gentle disposition, high intellectual frequency and leadership acumen are captivating and legendary. Prince MacDonald Enwere can best be described as a man ahead of his time. A man of physical and intellectual stuff with aromantic and fascinating beauty. A prolific writer of international status, a grassroot political leader, a community leader, a journalist, an author of note and a renowned public Affairs consultant. The interventions and contributions of this great intellect...

Police Service Commission (PSC) says it has not announced any date for examination for applicants in the ongoing recruitment of constable cadre of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF). The PSC stated this when it disowned trending dates on social media for the examinations yesterday. The PSC advised applicants to discountenance the dates currently circulating in the social media, noting that the commission will at the appropriate time not only officially announce  the date for the examination but will notify applicants who were successful from the screening exercise that has just been concluded in the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. The spokesperson of the PSC, Ikechukwu Ani, also said in a statement that the commission has directed the Police Cyber-crime Unit to investigate the source of the trending publication and quickly arrest the culprits for prosecution. “The commission wishes to advise prospective applicants to disregard any...

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and Edo State-based public notary, Olayiwola Afolabi has called on the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun to reconsider the recent mass transfer of police personnel which, he said, has separated families, especially those who are married to fellow policemen and women. Afolabi also called on the police leadership to take up the challenge of housing for police personnel with the Federal Ministry of Housing to check accommodation crisis confronting the Force. In a letter to the IGP dated February 9, 2024 which was made available to journalists in Benin yesterday, Afolabi said he wrote the letter as a friend of the police and human rights activist. According to him, “While we have no problem with the mass transfers which is normal in the police force, our concern is on behalf of those married police officers who are even married to police officers as well. “We quite believe that you will find time to reconsider those female officers...

Following the death of group managing director and chief executive of Access Holdings, the former Nigerian minister of Finance and current director general of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; the Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi; and the group MD/CEO of NGX Group, Temi Popoola, among others, have expressed their condolences over the death of group managing director, Access Holdings Plc, Herbert Wigwe in a helicopter crash in the United States of America at the weekend. This is even as the board of Access Holdings Plc may soon begin to hunt for a helmsman after the tragic demise of its group managing director, Herbert Wigwe, in a helicopter crash in the United States of America. The group had, in an earlier statement, yesterday, noted that it will soon name a successor to Herbert Wigwe in acting capacity. It is expected that the board of the financial conglomerate will officially notify the regulators on the first day of business and ...

President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio,  has assured the Government and people of Akwa Ibom State of the readiness of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration and the National Assembly to support its development plans, aimed at making lives meaningful for the people. Akpabio gave the assurance on Sunday, while speaking at the Special Thanksgiving Service, organised by the state government to thank God for the Supreme Court victory of Governor Umo Enoh, with the theme: My Heart Rejoiceth In The Lord,"  held at the All Nations Christian Ministry International, Eket Akwa Ibom State.  A statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr Jackson Udom, quoted the President of the Senate as saying, "elections are over, governance has started and that is why we are here to show our support for the government and the people of Akwa Ibom State. Let me assure you of the total support of  President Bola Tinubu and the 10th Senate towards the development of Akwa I...