Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

Nigeria Joins BRICS As Partner Nation Alongside 12 Other Countries. Nigeria has officially joined BRICS as a partner nation, alongside 12 other countries, following the announcement made during the BRICS summit held in Kazan, Russia, from 22nd to 24th October 2024. The expansion of BRICS includes Algeria, Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Thailand, Turkey, Uganda, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam. This significant move aims to strengthen economic ties with emerging economies and foster international cooperation. BRICS, originally composed of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and later South Africa in 2010, is a bloc focused on promoting trade, investment, and development among…

Three Confirmed Dead In Port Harcourt Helicopter Crash. Tragedy struck in Port Harcourt on Thursday as three people were confirmed dead following a helicopter accident. The incident occurred at 11:22 a.m. when the Sikorsky SK76 helicopter, with registration number 5NBQG, operated by East Wind Aviation, crashed along the waterways in the Rivers State capital. The helicopter was en route from the Port Harcourt Military Base (DNPM) to the Nuimantan oil rig when it tragically ditched into the waters near Bonny Finima in the Atlantic Ocean. According to the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development spokesperson, Odutayo Oluseyi, there…

President Tinubu Announces Major Restructuring Of Ministries And Cabinet Portfolios. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a sweeping restructuring of Nigeria’s ministries and ministerial portfolios, aimed at improving the efficiency of his administration in delivering on key promises to the Nigerian people. The changes, which were announced by the Presidency in October 2024, include the renaming and merging of ministries, reassignment of ministers, and the appointment of new officials. One of the most significant changes is the renaming of the Ministry of Niger Delta Development to the Ministry of Regional Development. This newly named ministry will oversee the activities…

Reps Urge CBN To Begin Gradual Withdrawal Of Old Naira Notes Before December Deadline. The House of Representatives has called on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to initiate a gradual withdrawal of old Naira notes ahead of the December 31, 2024, deadline. This decision was made following a motion of urgent national importance presented by Hon. Afam Ogene during the plenary session on Thursday. Hon. Ogene stressed the importance of preparing the public for the transition, citing the confusion and hardship that accompanied the currency change in 2023. He recalled that the old N200, N500, and N1,000 notes,…

UNICEF Urges Nigerian Government To Boost Polio Vaccination Efforts On World Polio Day. As part of the World Polio Day commemoration, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has called on the Nigerian government to intensify its commitment to ensuring that no child in the country misses out on life-saving polio vaccinations. Speaking during the event, Rahama Farah, the Chief of the UNICEF Field Office in Kano, highlighted the importance of raising awareness about immunisation, stressing that it remains the most cost-effective way to prevent diseases, particularly in children under five. Farah acknowledged the progress Nigeria has made in…

INEC To Provide Hotlines For Media During Ondo Governorship Election. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that it will provide dedicated telephone hotlines for media practitioners covering the forthcoming Ondo State governorship election, scheduled for 16th November 2024. These hotlines will allow journalists to verify any unclear issues before publishing their reports, ensuring accuracy in media coverage. Amosa Lamidi, the Head of Electoral Operations at INEC, disclosed this during a media workshop organised by the Commission in Akure, the Ondo State capital. Represented by Mr. Tope Onojobi, Lamidi explained that the hotlines would be made available ahead…

Nigerian Rugby League Grand Finale Set For November, As Taekwondo Gains Ground. The 2024 Nigerian Rugby League is set to conclude with an eagerly anticipated grand finale on Saturday, 16th November, in Abuja. According to an official statement from the league body released on Wednesday, the showdown will see the Lagos Bulls take on the Kano Lions in what promises to be a thrilling contest between the top teams from the Southern and Northern Conferences. The Kano Lions earned their place in the final by dominating the Northern Conference, overcoming rivals such as the Zazzau Bulls, Zaria Bees, and…

GoTV Working On Restoring Service After Technical Glitch, Reassures Subscribers. GoTV subscribers in Nigeria, particularly football enthusiasts, were briefly left without access to key channels on Tuesday night due to a sudden disruption in service. The outage, which affected multiple sports channels during the much-anticipated UEFA Champions League matches, sparked frustration among fans. However, GoTV has since reassured its customers that the issue is being resolved and services will return to normal shortly. The disruption, which affected sports stations like SS Blitz Africa, SS Football Africa, and ESPN, left football fans unable to follow their favourite teams during one…

Bayern Munich, Milan, And Atletico Madrid Face Champions League Elimination After Match Day 3 Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid, AC Milan, and PSV Eindhoven are among the top European clubs in danger of being eliminated from the UEFA Champions League following poor performances on Match Day 3. Vincent Kompany’s Bayern Munich suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat to Barcelona on Wednesday night, marking their second loss in the group stage. This followed a 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa on Match Day 2, leaving the Bavarian giants in a precarious position. Atletico Madrid also find themselves in trouble, sitting in 27th…

NDCMB Promotes Local Content In Oil And Gas Sector With $50 Million Research Fund. The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NDCMB) has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing local content in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry through its $50 million Research and Development Fund. The fund, established in 2020, is aimed at promoting research and innovation within the sector. Felix Ogbe, Executive Secretary of the NDCMB, highlighted the board’s efforts during the opening session of the SciBiz 2024 annual conference, themed “Integrating Research, Innovation, and Policy: Triple Helix Pathway to Research Commercialisation.” Represented by the General Manager of Research…

Lookman And Osimhen Nominated For 2024 IFFHS Best Player Award. Super Eagles stars Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen have been shortlisted for the prestigious 2024 International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS) Men’s World Best Player Award. The Nigerian duo are among 30 nominees vying for the global accolade. Ademola Lookman played a pivotal role in Atalanta’s UEFA Europa League triumph last season, delivering a stunning hat-trick in their final victory over Bayer Leverkusen. The 27-year-old winger also impressed on the international stage, scoring three goals in seven appearances for Nigeria at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.…

Federal Government Scraps Ministry Of Sports Development And Niger Delta Ministry. President Bola Tinubu, in conjunction with the Federal Executive Council (FEC), has abolished the Ministry of Sports Development and the Niger Delta Ministry. The announcement was made on Wednesday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, via a post on his official X (formerly Twitter) account. The government has also approved the merger of the Ministry of Tourism with the Ministry of Culture and Creative Economy, a move aimed at streamlining administrative functions and fostering growth in related sectors. Onanuga revealed that…