NIGERIAN NOTCH

President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio on Saturday, unveiled his future plans aimed at promoting the Catholic Diocese of Ikot Ekpene. A Speaking during the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Catholic Diocese of Ikot Ekpene, Akpabio unveiled new plans aimed at promoting their future aspirations church, he exalted God for upholding the diocese since its inception and for constantly blessing the church. Akpabio, who was accompanied by his wife, Unoma, Senator Eteng Williams, the Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, among numerous others, expressed admiration for the accomplishments of the Diocese, highlighting the establishment and growth of numerous schools and organizations within the Diocese.  He commended the Diocese for its achievements in the area of spreading the word of God, saying, "We have collectively achieved a lot. I pray the Lord keeps all of us to continue winning more souls into the Catholic fold. I will like to see more...

A Lagos-based businessman, Chief Anthony Obidulu, has accused one of the new-generation banks of deceiving the court with false information on a loan owed it, to claim ownership of the company. Consequently, the company, according to him, had been sealed for seven years, following a procurement of a court order by the bank to take over it. Briefing journalists, in Okota, Obidu who is the Chief Executive Officer of the company, lamented that the action crippled the company and rendered 300 direct employees and more than 2,800 persons in its distribution chain jobless.. Appealing to the Federal Government to intervene to checkmate what he described as alleged crookedness with which some commercial banks in Nigeria had adopted to manipulate accounting books relating to loans, he revealed that “ our company is a victim of such crookedness and we would want Nigerians to beware of such obnoxious tendencies of the banks.” Explaining the company’s travail, he said, ”Our company is ...

President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has reiterated the commitment of the National Assembly under his leadership, to continue to partner with the President Bola Tinubu-led administration in the provision of infrastructure for the people and the improvement of the economy.  Akpabio stated this while commissioning some urban and farm roads in Ikot Ekpene and Essien Udim Local government areas of Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District on Friday. A statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Jackson Udom, quoted him as saying, "the commissioning of these roads today, is a clear demonstration of the fulfillment of this current administration to our people that their lives would be bettered through the provision of physical infrastructures like good road network, hospitals, water and empowerment of our youths and women. "The Senate under my leadership will continue to support and collaborate with the current administration to ensure that our people at the gras...

The Inspector General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, has approved the posting of dedicated Police Public Relations Officers, PPROs and Deputy Public Relations Officer at the Force Headquarters, Abuja. This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi. The statement said these appointments were meant to strengthen community engagement and strategic communication. It reads: “The newly posted officers and their respective portfolios include CSP Isuku Victor Edailokun as Deputy Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters Abuja; DSP Ukandu Joshua to PPRO Ebonyi; ASP Buhari Abdullahi to PPRO Gombe; ASP John Timfon to PPRO Akwa-Ibom; and ASP Hundeyin Isaac Sewanu to PPRO Ports Authority Police (Western) Lagos. “The Inspector General of Police hereby reiterates his commitment to standardising and repositioning the Force in line with his vision statement while wishing the newly posted officers success in their new roles.” Adejo...

- Calls On Media Agents Of Politicians to desist from using Old Video to peddle mischief, political hatchet job, and propaganda against the Senator.     ▪︎ Calls on the public not to get distracted by an issue that no longer exists.  The Chief Executive Officer of Coscharis Group Ltd , Dr Comas Maduka, has called on agents of politicians to stop the mischievous penchant of recycling old videos of his then business dispute with Senator Dr Ifeanyi Ubah CON which he said has since been resolved over 11 year ago.  It is common knowledge that, in recent times , political detractors for want of smear materials to use against the rapidly rising profile of the Distinguished Senator representing Anambra South Senatorial District,resorted to recycling the old video of the Coscharis Vs Ifeanyi Ubah saga which was since resolved several years ago with a payment by Access bank to the Senator and a nondisclosure agreement signed by all parties.  Worried by this de...

The depreciation of the Nigerian currency(Naira) in the past few months, have hit the West African market region’s local currency as trans-border traders have started rejecting the currency. Findings across the Seme border show that the traders on both sides are now preferring either the CFA or the domestic currency of the non-francophone countries. Hitherto, Naira ruled the sub-region as the dominant currency accepted as a medium of exchange by traders across the borders due to the high volume of trade between those countries and Nigeria. The Nigerian currency traded in the status of convertibility in the unofficial payment systems of the countries. However, findings indicated that the Naira began sliding from that status in February, hitting the point of outright rejection in March 2024. Some of the traders interviewed included Nigerians. They lamented that holding Naira has become a huge risk as the value keeps depreciating since last year with the worst rate of deprecia...

Canada’s unemployment rate climbed in March to 6.1 percent, the statistics agency announced on Friday. Unemployment had hit an annual rate of 5.8 percent in February. Statistics Canada said in a statement that employment declined in the hospitality and food sectors, in wholesale and retail trade and in the professional, scientific and technical services sectors. Jobs were added in health care and social assistance. The average hourly wage rose 5.1 percent in March, compared with the same period in 2023. The employment rate — the segment of the population aged 15 and over who are employed — fell for the sixth month in a row due to a population boom and now stands at 61.4 percent. “The Canadian labor market is beginning to show more cracks,” Desjardins Bank economist Royce Mendes said in a note. “The economy shed 2K jobs in March, undershooting even our below-consensus call.” Mendes said he expects the Bank of Canada to announce next week a plan to lower interest rates in the...

FCT Minister, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike says the Abuja Rail Mass Transit (ART) project is now 97 percent completed and would be ready for commissioning by May 29. The minister disclosed this on Friday after an inspection tour of the Metro Station in Central Area and the station at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. Describing the project as a “dream come true”, Wike said President Bola Tinubu had approved the schedule for the inauguration of projects to celebrate his one year in office. He said; “We are very happy. We are almost 97 per cent completed. All works are ongoing to make sure that the May delivery date is a reality. “I believe this is one of the projects Mr President would like to inaugurate, because it is very key to the development of the economy.  “For me, it is a dream come true, and we are happy that after all said and done, the metro line will be put to use for Nigerians, come May 29″. The minister, who took a 30-minute ride from the Metro Station...

Mr. Bamanga Jada, the Chief Executive Officer of the Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA), has addressed misconceptions surrounding the departure of international oil companies (IOCs) from Nigeria. Contrary to media reports, Jada clarified that rather than leaving the country, IOCs are strategically divesting into deeper waters and selling off offshore operations. He emphasized that these companies have a longstanding presence in Nigeria, spanning decades, during which they have played a significant role in developing local capacity and transferring technology to Nigerians. During a televised interview in Lagos, Jada highlighted that IOCs are shifting their focus towards cleaner and more sustainable energy sources, particularly gas exploration in deeper waters within Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. He noted that companies like Shell are reducing investments in hydrocarbons to prioritize environmental concerns, aligning with global efforts to mitigate emissions and promo...

… faults prosecution style, accuses DSS of denying him fair trial The team of lawyers representing the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, on Friday, said they would not oppose the adoption of a political solution to resolve the protracted case between the Federal Government and their client. The lawyers, led by Kanu’s special counsel, Mr. Alloy Ejimakor, stressed that section 17 of the Federal High Court Act, empowered the trial judge to recommend reconciliation, otherwise referred to as “political solution” for the resolution of such matters. “The provision of that section is not limited to civil matters alone. So, anyone that puts the issue on the table, we will consider it. Political solution makes better sense than prosecution. “However, it is for the government to put it on the table, then we will consider it. Having said that, our duty first is to defend him and not to play politics. Right now, what is on our table is to fight for h...