The eagerly anticipated launch of the Nigerian Student Loan Scheme by the Federal Government has been postponed indefinitely, according to Akintunde Sawyer, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund. Sawyer disclosed this development during an interview with ARISE NEWS on Tuesday. The scheme, which was initially proposed by former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, and signed into law by President Bola Tinubu in June 2023, aimed to provide interest-free loans to Nigerian students for higher education. Despite initial plans for implementation between September and October 2023, the programme faced delays, with Tinubu indicating a revised…
Author: Editor Francis
The Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, formally announced his bid for re-election on Tuesday, setting the stage for a competitive gubernatorial race slated for November 16. The declaration ceremony, held at the Gani Fawehinmi Arcade in Akure, was marked by a jubilant atmosphere as Aiyedatiwa, flanked by his loyalists and supporters, articulated his vision for the state’s future. Assuring continuity from his late predecessor, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, whose untimely passing elevated Aiyedatiwa to the governorship on December 27, 2023, the incumbent leader pledged to build upon Akeredolu’s legacy of progress. Emphasising key pillars of governance such as welfare enhancement, infrastructural…
In a recent development concerning the investigation into the death of popular singer Ilerioluwa Aloba, also known as Mohbad, the Lagos State Police Command has re-arrested afro singer Ibrahim Owodunni, popularly known as Primeboy. Primeboy, along with Ayobami Fisayo, also known as Spending, were reportedly apprehended on Tuesday morning during their visit to the State Criminal Investigation Department at Panti, Yaba. Sources close to the investigation revealed that Primeboy and Spending had been instructed to report to the SCID weekly since the investigation into Mohbad’s death commenced. During this routine visit, Primeboy was unexpectedly detained, while Spending was released after…
In a monumental effort to address the pressing issue of extreme heat, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) are set to convene the inaugural Global Summit on Extreme Heat. Scheduled for March 28, 2024, at 8:30 AM ET, this groundbreaking virtual summit aims to unite global leaders and influencers in a crucial dialogue on combating the impacts of extreme heat on communities and workers worldwide. Leading the charge will be USAID Administrator Samantha Power and IFRC Secretary General Jagan Chapagain, alongside a distinguished lineup of government…
In the midst of escalating tensions within the Edo State political arena, stakeholders are urgently calling for a resolution to the feud between Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, and Governor Godwin Obaseki. This appeal comes amidst brewing efforts by the House of Assembly to impeach Shaibu, ahead of the critical September 21, 2024 governorship election. Former Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Rowland Owie, has debunked reports suggesting that leaders of Edo South have reached a consensus on the choice of running mate for the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Asue Ighodalo. One prominent figure…
Palestinians began fasting for Ramadan on Monday as the Muslim holy month arrived with cease-fire talks at a standstill, hunger worsening across the Gaza Strip and no end in sight to the five-month-old Israel’s war on Gaza. “This month of Ramadan is different from all previous Ramadans,” said Ramallah resident Bilal abed Rabbo. There was little to celebrate after five months of war that has killed over 30,000 Palestinians and left much of Gaza in ruins. Families would ordinarily break the daily fast with holiday feasts, but even where food is available, there is little beyond canned goods, and the…
Ayo Adebanjo, the esteemed leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has thrown his considerable support behind the growing clamour for Nigeria’s reversion to a parliamentary system of government. In a recent interview with Arise Television, Adebanjo emphatically asserted that the current presidential system is both excessively costly and prone to corruption. Expressing his views with conviction, Adebanjo emphasised, “Those of us who’ve had experience with the parliamentary system in this country see that it’s the only way out. The presidential system is corrupt, especially in Nigeria; it makes the president a dictator.” In his critique of the presidential system,…
A team of experts from the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), has commenced security audits at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. These audits, part of the 2024 ICAO Universal Security Audit Programme through Continuous Monitoring Approach (USAP CMA), aim to assess critical aviation security areas including Inflight Security, Passenger and Baggage Security, Acts of Unlawful Interference, Facilitation, Legislation, Training, Quality Control Function, Operations, and Cargo, Mail, and Catering. The team, consisting of Callum Vine as team lead, alongside James Mabala, Tebogo Mphela, and Alagie Jeng, will conduct the nearly two-week…
To bolster economic development across Africa, the United Bank for Africa (UBA), has unveiled a groundbreaking initiative offering $100 million in new loans. The loans, which are earmarked for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), and green finance projects, are poised to inject vitality into businesses continent-wide. The revelation came during a momentous partnership signing ceremony between UBA and the African Guarantee Fund (AGF) at the bank’s Lagos Head Office, as announced by UBA’s Group Managing Director, Oliver Alawuba. Alawuba underscored the bank’s commitment to driving economic progress and alleviating poverty through this initiative. He highlighted UBA’s intention to extend loans…
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged state governors to promptly implement wage awards to alleviate economic hardships faced by citizens while awaiting the determination of the new minimum wage. He emphasised that such implementation would offer relief without causing inflationary pressures. Speaking at the launch of an agricultural mechanisation initiative for food security and the reopening of the remodelled domestic terminal at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport in Minna, the President emphasised the importance of adopting the wage awards by all states, with plans for the National Executive Council to follow suit. Tinubu stated, “If all of you, the…
The Federal Government is set to increase electricity megawatts from 4000 to 6000 within the next three to six months to improve power supply. The Minister of Power, Mr Adebayo Adelabu, said this in Abuja on Monday, while meeting with the Heads of Power Agencies and other stakeholders in the industry. He said, “4000 megawatts is not acceptable and we have plans to increase the megawatts to a minimum of 6000 to 6500 within the next three to six months. ”What we are looking at is to have an agreement to ramp up to a minimum of 6000 megawatts within…
The United Kingdom has implemented a ban preventing Health and Care Workers from bringing their dependants into the country, as announced by the UK Home Office through its verified X handle on Monday. In a statement released on social media, the Home Office declared, “From today onward, care workers entering the UK on Health and Care Worker visas will no longer have the option to bring their dependents with them. This measure is a component of our strategy aimed at achieving the most significant reduction in migration to date.” The decision marks a significant shift in immigration policy, impacting individuals…