Headlines
The House of Representatives on Thursday passed the N27.5trn 2024 budget for a second reading. Leading the debate on the general principles of the budget, House Leader, Julius Ihonvbere commended President Bola Tinubu, stating that national security and education which got significant allocations, will be enhanced if implemented. “Nigeria will be more secure with the allocation to defense and security. “As a teacher, I am impressed by the emphasis on basic education. I am sure that education will be better off this time,” he said.
After the intervention of President Tinubu last week in the ongoing ondo state government house skirmishes between Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu and his Deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa; the latter will preside over the State Executive Council meeting today as the Vice Chairman of the Council. According to reports, it was gathered that the embattled deputy governor resumed office yesterday after arriving in the state from Abuja, a few days after the peace meeting with President Bola Tinubu.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will on Wednesday present the 2024 budget to a joint session of the National Assembly. The Secretary of the Research and Information Department of the National Assembly, Ali Barde, disclosed this to the press on Monday. The Appropriation Bill will contain budget proposals for the 2024 fiscal year.
The acting Head, Media and Publicity, Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Manji Yarling, has disclosed the collaboration of the Austrian and the Federal Government of Nigeria on Transport Infrastructure and other Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs).
A variant of the flu strain H1N2, similar to one that is currently circulating in pigs, has been detected in a human for the first time in the UK, according to public health officials. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said the disease has not previously been detected in humans in the country. The person reportedly experienced a mild illness and has since fully recovered. However, the UKHSA mentioned that they have not yet worked out how the person became infected and the case remains under investigation.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has revealed in its safety audit report, incidences of sexual violence against children living in some Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in Benue State.
The Nigerian currency has continue to appreciate to N1,165 per dollar ($) in the parallel market from N1,167/$ on Wednesday.
The African Development Bank (AfDB) has reviewed its short-to medium-term macroeconomic forecasts for Africa for 2023 and 2024 downward. AfDB while giving details in a statement said it reviewed the forecast to 3.4 and 3.8 per cent from 4.0 per cent and 4.3 per cent, respectively. The bank had earlier in May projected the African economy to grow by 4.0 Cortana% in 2023 and 4.3% in 2024. However, it now forecasts the African economy to expand by 3.4% in 2023 and 3.8% in 2024. According to the statement, the updated data has been published in the 2023 Africa's Macroeconomic Performance and Outlook (MEO) update, a follow-up to the Bank's 2023 Africa Economic Outlook released in May.
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) High Command said on Wednesday that its aircraft under Operation Delta Safe carried out air strikes against economic saboteurs and oil thieves in the South-South region, during which an active illegal refining site (IRS) with equipment and reservoirs loaded with illegal products at Yellow Island near Bonny Island in Rivers State were totally destroyed.
The Federal Government has open applications for the Fourth Industrial Revolution Technologies (4IRTA) meant to optimize Nigeria’s economy on Monday.
Sam Altman has agreed to return to lead OpenAI, overcoming an attempted boardroom coup that sent the company into chaos over the past several days. Former president Greg Brockman, who quit in protest of Altman’s firing, will return as well. The company while revealing the above on Wednesday on X (formerly Twitter) said “We have reached an agreement in principle for Sam Altman to return to OpenAI as CEO with a new initial board.”
The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has revealed that they will need for upward review in tariffs, noting that telecom tariff in the country as the current tariff regime in the telecom sector is no longer sustainable. the current tariff is not sustainable with the present regime. This was revealed by the Chairman of ALTON, Mr. Gbenga Adebayo during a stakeholders' meeting with the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida.
South African former Paralympic star who was jailed for killing girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in 2013 will be freed on 5 January 2024. According to South Africa’s correctional services department on Friday, 24th November 2023, South Africa’s parole board granted early release to Oscar Pistorius, after deeming him fit for social reintegration.
Arsenal legend Paul Merson has today ahead of the march fixtures’ predicted the outcome of the Premier League match 13 taking place across different grounds in England this weekend and on Monday night. Accordingly, Manchester City will host Liverpool in the first leg of Premier League match on Saturday afternoon at the Etihad Stadium.
Former Barcelona and Sevilla star Dani Alves could be facing up to nine years in prison if the prosecution gets the conviction they are hoping for, as his rape case has finally reached the trial phase.
Nigerian Afrobeat singer, Divine Ikubor, popularly known as Rema has revealed he will not be hosting or performing in any show until 2024 to concentrate more on his health, as he has been trying to manage his health initially and struggle to take to the stage for fans but unable to do so now as his workload has taken a huge toll on him due to negligence in the first stage. The Edo state-born singer made this known in a post on his Instagram story on Wednesday, 29th November 2023, stating that after years of ignoring his health due to continuous touring, he needs time to recuperate.
Popular Kannywood actor and movie Director, Aminu Surajo Bono has died. Bono is said to have collapsed on Monday evening and was rushed to hospital where he was confirmed dead by doctors. His colleagues in the movie industry confirm the incident on Social media. Actor Ali Nuhu, in an Instagram post on Monday wrote: “May God have mercy on Aminu S Bono and make paradise your final abode.”
An Irish chef, Alan Fisheran, owner of a Japanese restaurant has dethroned Hilda Baci, the previous holder of the longest cooking marathon in Guinness World Record (GWR). Recall that Guinness World Records confirmed Nigerian chef, Hilda Bassey aka Hilda Baci as the record holder for the longest cooking marathon by an individual after she cooked for 93 hours.
Oil-producing nations including the Saudi Arabia, Russia on Thursday announced further slash in production next year with an effort to prop up volatile prices.
President Bola Tinubu, hours after presenting the 2024 appropriation bill to the National Assembly has arrived in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, to attend the COP28 Climate Summit which is scheduled to hold from 1st to 2nd December 2023. The president upon arrival met with His Majesty, King Charles III. The President noted that meeting with the Common Wealth Monarch was productive, and he is optimistic about the positive impact the joint efforts will have on the planet’s future.
The regional bloc, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which has contended with a series of coups among its members since 2020, has condemned the attempted coup in the capital city of Sierra Leone which was thwarted in the early hours of Sunday. ECOWAS expressed its utter disgust over a "plot by certain individuals to acquire arms and disturb the peace and constitutional order”.