Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

Telecommunication companies in the country have threatened to take legal action against banks over N120 billion Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) debt owed by banks. The telcos who also threatened to withdraw USSD services have resolved that going to court might be the only option, since the banks have kept dragging the payment of the N120 billion debt. The Chairman, the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria, Gbenga Adebayo, told pressmen at the weekend that they leave them with no choice since banks have become adamant about making the payment despite the recent discussion between both parties over the payment…

Governor Alex Otti Of Abia State has revealed he will appoint billionaires as local government chairmen to add value to governance in the state. He added that the era where people take up government appointments for the purpose of enriching themselves was gone. The Governor disclosed this when he spoke to some stakeholders in Abia State last week after the flag off of Port Harcourt Road. The governor revealed that only merit would determine who gets what in his administration and confirmed he will use more billionaires as local government transition chairmen depending on the need of the areas. “I…

Tola Odeyemi, the newly appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Nigeria Postal Service (NIPOST), has assumed duty at the headquarters of the agency in Abuja. GOVIMA had earlier reported how workers who were unpleased of the service shut down the head office in Abuja, saying they were against her appointment. President Bola Tinubu had last week sacked Adeyemi Adepoju as CEO/Post Master General of the agency and appointed Odeyemi. The announcement made by Ajuri Ngelale, presidential spokesperson, was part of the leadership shuffle implemented for agencies and parastatals under the Ministry of Communications, Innovations and Digital Economy. Speaking during…

Nigeria’s headline inflation increased by 0.92 per cent to 26.72 per cent in September 2023 compared to 25.80 per cent in August 2023, lower than analysts’ expectations of 27.95 per cent. According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Monday, on a year-on-year basis, the headline inflation rate was 5.94 per cent points higher compared to the rate recorded in September 2022, which was 20.77 per cent. The headline inflation rate in September 2023 was 2.10 per cent, which was 1.08 per cent lower than the rate recorded in August 2023 at 3.18 per cent. This means that in…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has sworn-in, and inaugurated three new ministers into the Federal Executive Council (FEC). The brief swearing in ceremony took place at the Council Chamber, Presidential Villa, Abuja before the commencement of Federal Executive Council, FEC, meeting, which is the second in Tinubu’s administration. This is coming nearly two weeks after the Senate cleared the trio after screening on October 4, 2023. The new Ministers that took the oath of office are, Jamila Bio Ibrahim, Ayodele Olawande and Balarabe Lawal took the oath of office at 12:15 pm. Recall that on September 17, 2023, President Tinubu nominated…

Workers of the Nigerian Postal  Service (NIPOST) have shut down the head office of the service in Abuja, protesting against the appointment of Tola Odeyemi as Chief Executive Officer/Post Master General. Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Presidential spokesman, had announced last week that President Bola Tinubu made some changes in the leadership of communication agencies, including NIPOST. However, moments after the news of Odeyemi’s appointment broke, there were reports that Adeyemi Adepoju, the sacked Post Master-General had been reinstated. In a viral video, Adepoju was seen addressing some workers who claimed Tinubu had reappointed him. But on Monday, the protesting workers denied entry…

Cricket’s return to the Olympics for the first time since 1900 has been confirmed as International Olympic Committee members voted to include the sport in the 2028 Games. Only two delegates at the IOC session in Mumbai on Monday voted against the new sports. There is expected to be both a T20 men’s and women’s tournament. Organisers for the LA Games have proposed a six-team event, but no firm decision has been made on the number of teams, or how they will qualify. Niccolo Campriani, sports director of Olympic and Paralympic Games 2028, said the committee is “thrilled to be…

Gavi’s goal was enough to secure victory for Spain in Norway meaning the Scandinavian side will not be able to finish in the top two of Group A. Spain dominated the match throughout and were unfortunate when Alvaro Morata’s first-half goal was disallowed for a dubious offside. Soon after the break Spain got the goal their play deserved when Gavi, after a goalmouth scramble, turned the ball home. Again there was a lengthy stoppage to review the goal but on this occasion it was able to stand. Norway were extremely disappointing, creating little in what was such a crucial game…

The Lagos State Government on Monday ordered the reopening of Mile 12 International Market after it was sealed on Friday. The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, said the market was reopened after a thorough assessment, covering various aspects of environmental compliance, waste management practices, and general cleanliness within the market. He noted that issues critical to the environment, public health and safety, were not negotiable, as government would not watch helplessly as those values were compromised and eroded by the conduct of few people. “We cannot continue to be nonchalant about our environment. Our negative attitude towards…

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secretariat in Akure, Ondo state capital, has been shut. The development seems as though it is connected with plans by some members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to stage a protest inquiring about the continued absence and whereabouts of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu. Akeredolu had in September returned to the country from his three-month medical vacation in Germany where he treated an undisclosed illness. But since his return, Akeredolu has reportedly been staying at his private residence in Ibadan, Oyo state capital, a development that has forced critics of his administration to demand his resignation.…

Banana entrepreneur Daniel Noboa will become Ecuador’s youngest ever president as he defeated leftist politician Luisa González in elections on Sunday, the head of the electoral authority CNE has said. Thirty-five-year-old Noboa of the centre-right National Democratic Action alliance led by González, from the camp of ex-president Rafael Correa, by 52.30 per cent to 47.7 per cent with more than 90 per cent of votes counted. González congratulated Noboa on his victory. “Today we made history,” Noboa said on social media platform X. “We are going for a country… where promises do not remain in the electoral campaign and corruption…

President Bola Tinubu will swear in three additional ministers into his cabinet today, Monday, October 16, 2023. The appointment of the new ministers was recently confirmed by the Senate and thus increased Tinubu’s cabinet size to 48 persons. An anonymous source in the presidency disclosed that the new ministers would be sworn into office at the Council Chamber of the State House before the commencement of the Federal Executive Council meeting. This is the second FEC meeting since President Tinubu assumed power on Monday, May 29, 2023. The first meeting took place on August 28, 2023, following the inauguration of 45 ministers. The…