By Abimbola Ogunnaike Despite the directive by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar that fasting would continue today, Tuesday, 9 April, 2024, Sheikh Musa Lukwa, a Sokoto-based cleric, on Tuesday, 9 April, 2024, led his followers to observe Eid prayers. Recall that the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), under the leadership of the Sultan of Sokoto, had on Monday night, 8 April, 2024, declared that fasting would continue on Tuesday as the crescent moon could not be sighted. The Sultan declared Wednesday, 10 April, 2024, as the first of Shawwal and Eid day, which would commemorate…
Author: Khadijah Olowode
By Dapo Okubanjo When the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) announced what has been described as a hike in electricity tariff, there was bedlam in the land even before many Nigerians understood what was happening. But a close look at the press statement issued by the regulators indeed showed that subsidy on electricity tariff is still largely intact. What NERC did in response to demands by electricity distribution companies (disCos) for a cost-reflective price regime amounts to a partial removal of subsidy. It only affects 15% of electricity users or about 1.5m consumers who, on paper, enjoy 20+ hours of…
By Abimbola Ogunnaike The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has said that hotels, schools, estate developers, supermarket and other establishments that accept payments in dollars from their customers are at risk of facing arrest. The Chairman, EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, stated this in the agency’s publication called EFCC Alert on Monday, adding that action would be taken against individuals involved in the dollarisation of the economy. Olukoyede said charging local activities and customers in dollars is against Nigeria’s constitution. According to anti-sleaze boss, the exception is if foreigners come in to transact business and the only means of transacting is their…
As part of its ongoing commitment to eliminate hunger among vulnerable persons in the society, Abbey Mortgage Bank, a leading primary mortgage bank in Nigeria, has distributed over 400 food packs to Kuramo community in Victoria Island, Lagos State. The donation is an initiative under the bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility Initiative tagged “Nourishing Communities” created to reach out to vulnerable persons and reduce the effect of hunger and poverty in the society. Speaking during the distribution of the food packs to Kuramo community that includes: Adetokunbo Ademola street; Olosa Street; Karimu Kotun Street; Oyin Jolayemi Street; and Oko Awo Street;…
The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has pledged to support small-holder farmers to grow their operations and become training centers for youth, as part of its plan on advancing food security and promoting youth employment. Speaking during an inspection visit to some farms in Akwa Ibom State, the NDDC Executive Director of Projects, Sir Victor Antai, stressed the Commission’s commitment to leveraging on the agricultural potential of the Niger Delta region and promoting the shift from traditional to mechanised farming methods. The Executive Director, who was accompanied by the NDDC Director, Agriculture and Fisheries, Mrs. Winifred Madume and the Director…
Dufil Prima Foods Ltd, makers of Indomie Instant Noodles has once again reaffirmed its mission to help in easing the burden on vulnerable Nigerians as occasioned by the present economic challenge. The company restated this when it visited the Ajegunle area on Saturday April 6 for the second time in two weeks to distribute free meals and cartons of its popular product, Indomie Instant Noodles to the less privileged in that part of Ajeromi Ifelodun LGA, Lagos. The beneficiaries were mostly women, the elderly, and children. It would be recalled that the brand had earlier visited the area on March…
The Ford Foundation has made a commitment towards supporting the ongoing fight against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Nigeria The commitment was made on Monday by the visiting Vice President, International Programmes, Ford Foundation, Martin Abregu, at a roundtable organized by UN Women at UN House Abuja with stakeholders. Abregu said having listened to all the contributions of the stakeholders in the battle to end GBV in the country, the Ford Foundation is ready to collaborate and ensure its success. He noted that fight against gender based violence and discrimination are topmost on the agenda of Ford Foundation. At the roundtable…
By Abimbola Ogunnaike The Minister of State for Environment, Dr Iziaq Salako, has disclosed that plans are underway to engage no at least 10,000 youths and retirees in the planting of six million trees across the country to mitigate the negative effects of climate change. Salako, who made this disclosure during an interview with PUNCH Healthwise, explained that the programme is meant to create jobs for the unemployed and provide economic benefits to retired persons, while also addressing the pressing issue of environmental degradation. According to the minister, the tree planting programme would be carried out in phases, with a focus…
By Umar Ali Kime “The nourishment of the body is food, while the nourishment of the soul is feeding others” – Imam Ali Rahimullah. The Executive Governor of Yobe state, Hon. Mai Mala Buni CON, has repeatedly said “there is no joy in wealth until and unless, someone benefits from it”. This corroborates the maxim which says “life is good when you are happy, but much better when others are happy because of you.” There is no doubt that Gov. Buni has a special passion for making others happy, loved and dignified as clearly exemplified in his personal interactions, goodwills…
Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has condemned the brutalisation of two officials of the Oyo State Road Transport Management Agency (OYRTMA) by Nigeria Immigration Service personnel in Ibadan. The Governor decried the inhumane treatment meted out to the OYRTMA officials for apprehending an officer of the Immigration Service for violation of traffic rules. Governor Makinde stated this on Monday, 8 April, 2024, when he paid visits to the two assaulted officials, Mr Nurudeen Abiola, resident at Binukonu Olunloyo Area and Mr Taiwo Adeagbo, resident at Oke-‘Badan area as well as the Nigeria Immigration Service, Oyo State Command. He described the…