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A conservation area in the Australian state of New South Wales has been declared feral predator-free after a four-and-a-half-year battle to capture a fox dubbed “Rambo’’. The Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) and NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) on Tuesday confirmed it. It said that Rambo, the last predator living in a fenced area safe haven in the Pilliga State Conservation Area, likely died during flooding. The AWC now intends to move forward with a wildlife programme which would seek to reintroduce six locally extinct species to Pilliga park. This includes the greater bilby, the bridled nail-tail wallaby and the brush-tailed bettong. The organisation said that the last sighting of the fox was on Oct. 9. “In spite of intensive monitoring and tracking,...

British intelligence update on Tuesday said due to a shortage of ammunition, Russia is using outdated shells in the war against Ukraine. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) in London said in its daily update that the ammunition had previously been deemed unserviceable. “In recent weeks, Russian artillery ammunition shortages have likely worsened to the extent that extremely punitive shell-rationing is in force on many parts of the front. “This has almost certainly been a key reason why no Russian formation has recently been able to generate operationally significant offensive action.” The Russian defence industry was increasingly taking on the traits of a command economy, the MoD update said. The leadership in Moscow has recognized that the industry is at a crucial weak point in ...

The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), has notified its customers residing along Apo/Gudu, Abuja, that there will be an annual preventive maintenance at the Gudu Injection Substation. The management of AEDC, in a statement in Abuja on Monday, said that the maintenance would take place on March 14, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The company said that during this period, there would be power interruptions which would affect Prince & Princess Estate, Parts of Kaura District, Dubai Market, Behind Games Village, and Part of Durumi 2, Adisa Estate. AEDC listed other areas to include Sharia Court of Appeal, Federal Boys College, Sharon Plaza, Anon Plaza, Cedar Crest Hospital, MKK Plaza, Durumi 3 Shell Estate, A.A. Shafa Filling Station, Amina Court, NPI Estate, and environs. ...

Nollywood actress, Halima Abubakar, has urged ladies to desist from dating married men, saying leaving a quality life of being responsible with good moral virtues is the best life. The renowned movie star, who took to her Instagram page to give the advice, said that ladies should not make the same mistake she made by dating someone else’s husband. According to her, being a side chick to married men is morally wrong, but staying away from people’s husband’s is a moral upright living. She stressed that she did not want them to experience what she went through, therefore, relationship with married men should be avoided. She expressed gratitude to fans and well wishers, for their constant prayers, love and encouragement, adding that they should live a life they would be proud of. ...

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has restored the old 200, 500 and 1000 naira notes to remain as legal tender until December 31, 2023. CBN spokesperson Isa Abdulmumin made the disclosure in a statement on Monday. “In compliance with the established tradition of obedience to court orders and sustenance of the Rule of Law Principle that characterized the government of President Muhammadu Buhari, and by extension, the operations of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), as a regulator, Deposit Money Banks operating in Nigeria have been directed to comply with the Supreme Court ruling of March 3, 2023,” Abdulmunin said. Accordingly, the CBN met with the Bankers’ Committee and has directed that the old N200, N500 and N1000 banknotes remain legal tender alongside the redesigned banknotes ...

The Presidency has said that the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele has no reason not to comply with the Supreme court judgement on Naira. Presidency, in a statement on Monday, the said President Muhammadu Buhari did not direct Abubakar Malami, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), and Godwin Emefiele, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), not to obey the supreme court ruling on the naira redesign policy. “The CBN has no reason not to comply with court orders on the excuse of waiting for directives from the President.” It will be recalled that Supreme Court ruled on March 3 to invalidate the naira redesign policy introduced by the CBN. The court made the declaration while delivering judgment in a suit instituted by three states of the federat...

The Abuja Municipal Area Council Marshal, popularly known as AMAC Marshal, has commended the Council Chairman, Christopher Zakka Maikalangu for commencement of settlement of salary arrears owed the organisation for several months. AMAC Marshal General, Kashim Isiaku Karshi disclosed this to journalists in a recent interview in his office at the AMAC permanent headquarters, Apo resettlement. Karshi, while commending the Chairman for settlement of some salary arrears, praised him for making available funds for the renewal of Marshal's operating license for this year, to enable it operate. His words: "I appreciate the effort of the new AMAC Chairman, Hon. Christopher Maikalangu for paying AMAC Marshal three months out of the several months we are left behind. "I also want to call...

The Lagos State Ministry of Health says 21 survivors of the train-bus collision were discharged on Sunday from five state public health facilities after quality medical care and management. Prof. Akin Abayomi, the state Commissioner for Health, stated this in an update about the accident. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the state on March 10 discharged 32 survivors involved in the accident from three state hospitals. “Total number of patients on admission as of today March 12 are 43. “There are 39 patients at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), two at General Hospital Odan-Lagos and another two at General Hospital, Gbagada. “Total number of patients or passengers discharged are 53,” he said. Abayomi disclosed that fatality figure from the...

The Sector Commander, FCT Command, Mr Danlami Abdul with his team The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has vowed to clampdown on stunt drivers in the FCT, saying their operation was illegal and a danger to the society. The FCT Sector Commander, Mr Danlami Abdul who led a special operation against the stunt drivers in Idu area of the FCT, said stunt drivers had led to the death of road users and caused obstructions. “Their activities will no longer be tolerated”, Abdul said on Sunday, and pledged to deploy a permanent monitoring team to check the unlawful act in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). “The FRSC will not fold its hands and allow any person no matter how highly placed, take laws into his hands. “We will ensure this is properly checked and further occurrences are ...

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) says it will continue to arrest and prosecute those involved in producing and circulating fake redesigned naira notes. The commandant-general of the corps, Ahmed Audi, told journalists on Sunday in Abuja that the number of cases of circulation of fake naira notes had become worrisome. He warned perpetrators to desist, adding that the corps would not relent but continue to arrest and prosecute those involved in economic sabotage of the country. According to him, in less than a month, the corps had arrested and seized fake naira notes worth millions from members of syndicates in different states. The CG said that while interrogating most of the arrested suspects, it was deduced that the alleged fraudsters took advantage of the...

Minister of Foreign Affairs Geoffrey Onyeama has honoured 110 retired staff of the ministry for their contribution to the nation’s development while in service. Onyeama urged them to avail themselves any opportunity for national assignment even in retirement. He spoke during a valedictory ceremony held in Abuja in honour of the staff who retired between 2019 and 2022. The minister said that their services were duly recognised by diplomats and other nationals who have come into contact with them in the course of their service. He said the diplomats and other nationals acknowledged the quality of human resources in Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs ministry. Onyeama told the retirees that their training in the diplomatic service should position them to serve even in elective position...

The Peoples Democratic Party has demanded the immediate stepping down of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, from office. The party made the demand on Friday in Abuja through its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba. Ologunagba, who spoke at a press conference at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, said: “From all indications, the INEC under Prof. Mahmood Yakubu was compromised to rig the election by brazenly violating the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022 as well as INEC’s Regulations, Guidelines and Manual issued for the election. It is also obvious that the Commission under Prof. Mahmood Yakubu deliberately sabotaged the uploading and transmission of results directly from the Polling Units to give room fo...

The Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Sunday Dare, has commended the Flying Eagles for their third-place finish at the Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Egypt. Nigeria’s Flying Eagles humbled the Young Carthage Eagles of Tunisia 4-0 on Friday to clinch the bronze medal, setting a record of finishing on the podium in the competition a record 13 times. Dare, in a statement issued on Friday by his Special Assistant on Media, Toyin Ibitoye, described the bronze medal as better than nothing. The minister charged the team to put to good use lessons learnt at the tournament as they prepare for the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Indonesia in May. “We were disappointed that we couldn’t play in the final or win this competition as planned but this convincing victory over Tun...

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) in Abuja on Friday gave awards to three persons for their efforts toward elimination of Sexual and Gender- Based Violence (SGBV). The awardees were given the award of plaques and certificates based on their contributions to their communities in Federal Capital Territory (FCT). They are: Amb. Gimbiya-Hannatu Usman, Ruth-Anta Osu and Buhira Ibrahim. The Director-General of NAPTIP, Prof. Fatima Waziri-Azi, said the recipients of the awards had over the years devoted their lives to the development of their communities. She said that the awards which was in commemoration of the 2023 International Women’s Day, was given in partnership with two other organisations. According to her, these community activist...

Dr Thomson Nduka, a Public Health Expert, says the prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is rising, yet it is under diagnosed in the country. Nduka told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Abuja, that as many as 90 per cent of Nigerians who had CKD did not know they had the disease until it was very advanced. According to him, the good news is that the earlier you find out you have kidney disease, the sooner you can take steps to protect your kidneys from further damage. He said that protecting the kidneys would allow a person to continue to work, spend time with their family and friends, stay physically active, and do other things. The expert said that every 30 minutes, the kidneys filtered all the blood in the body, noting that about 800 million people world...

By Perpetua Onuegbu The Digital Rights and Information Partnership (DRIP) and Paradigm Initiative, have urged the Federal Government to embrace electoral transparency and safeguard digital rights of citizens. The groups gave the charge on Friday in Abuja at a news conference organised to educate media practitioners and the public on the importance of safeguarding digital rights and improving transparency in electoral processes. DRIP’s Spokesperson, Mr Edozie Chukwuma, said the sensitisation became imperative because of the several shortcomings that trailed the Presidential and National Assembly elections. According to him, the Feb.25 elections fell short of international transparency standards due to the INEC’s inability to effectively and efficiently leverage digital technolo...

Amid nationwide naira scarcity and growing efforts by Nigerians to use electronic means to pay bills and do other transactions, the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has warned bank customers and the public against displaying their bank details, saying fraudsters are becoming more creative. The NDIC, on its official website on Friday, gave out four tips for bank customers to safeguard their accounts. The corporation said customers should ensure that their phones have a password, and they must not share their mobile bank application password with anyone. NDIC also warned bank customers to ensure their token was secure and other parties could not access it. The corporation urged customers to ensure that their debit card numbers and the card verification value (CVV) we...

The Nigeria Archery Federation (NAF) says it is making plans to organise a national open championship in April. Mohammed Abdullahi, its President, said on Friday in Abuja that the aim of the event was to improve skills of the athletes, as well as give them an opportunity to compete among themselves. Abdullahi also said that the planned competition was an offshoot of Nigeria’s participation in the African Continental Archery Championship that was held in Pretoria, South Africa in Nov. 2022. “We are making plans for the event in April. We hope to get financial support and more from the Nigerian Army. “This event is an open one and will welcome all athletes in spite of age, level of skill, experience and more. “We feel this competition is necessary following our participation ...

The Supreme Court has affirmed the nomination of Rufai Hanga as the Kano central senatorial district candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP). The apex court removed Ibrahim Shekarau, a former Kano governor, who was earlier nominated by NNPP and declared winner of the election. In May 2022, Shekarau dumped the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the NNPP after months of leadership tussle with Abdullahi Ganduje, governor of Kano. In August 2022, Shekarau decamped from NNPP to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Owing to his defection from NNPP, the party moved to replace him with Hanga, a former senator. However, when the final list of senatorial candidates was published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the former Kano governor was listed as ...

The Management of the Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma, Edo, has said that it was up-to-date in the payment of salaries for all staff in the institution. This is contained in a statement issued by Mr Ambrose Odiase, its Acting Registrar. The university said that 2,260 regular staff and pensioners had received their February 2023 salary. “Management considers it strange that with all the efforts it has made over the months in the payment of salaries, a group of politicians’ poster boys would still come out and describe the payment as “rumour”, “selective”, etc. “The latest payment of February, 2023 salaries is a case in point. “It is certainly beyond rumour that over 2,260 regular staff and pensioners have received their February 2023 salaries as at Thursday, including some of...