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By Joan Nwagwu The Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) has appealed to the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, to pay withheld salaries of its members. Dr Makolo Hassan, President of NASU, who made the appeal during a two-day National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on in Abuja, urged the minister to pay 50 per cent of the withheld salaries as directed by President Bola Tinubu. According to him, the Federal Government has yet to resolve the issue of the four months unpaid salaries of NASU members in the universities and inter-university centres. “This is in spite of the fact that we have been informed that President Bola Tinubu has directed that 50 per cent of the unpaid salary, that is the two months,...

By Vivian Emoni The IBILE Oil and Gas Corporation (IOGC), has expressed commitment to ensuring that Lagos State is transited into gas economy for affordable, sustainable and secure energy sources. Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of IOGC, Mrs Doyin Akinyanju, stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, on Thursday. Akinyanju said this was aimed at providing an alternative source of fuel and alleviating the effects of petrol subsidy removal on the people of the state.. “We have already done quite a lot of investments and this is the vision of our governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to transit the state into a gas economy as quickly as possible. “We have been doing so for the past four years. Today, we have over seven main plants where...

By Emmanuella Anokam The Host Communities of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas (HOSTCOM) says the Host Community Development Trust (HCDT) Fund is being implemented in line with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA 2021). Dr Benjamin Tamaranebi, National President, HOSTCOM, said this at a media briefing on Thursday in Abuja. He said, contrary to claims that the implementation of the projects was slow, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) was executing 137 HCDT projects with over N200 billion disbursed. He said HOSTCOM’s attention was drawn to recent media publications regarding alleged delays in funding development projects in host communities in Akwa Ibom. He said the publications claimed that host communities in Akwa Ibom had expressed frustration over the ...

By Emmanuella Anokam The Host Communities of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas (HOSTCOM) says the Host Community Development Trust (HCDT) Fund is being implemented in line with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA 2021). Dr Benjamin Tamaranebi, National President, HOSTCOM, said this at a media briefing on Thursday in Abuja. He said, contrary to claims that the implementation of the projects was slow, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) was executing 137 projects in Akwa Ibom with over N200 billion disbursed. He said HOSTCOM’s attention was drawn to recent media publications regarding alleged delays in funding development projects in host communities in Akwa Ibom. He said the publications claimed that host communities in Akwa Ibom had expressed frustration o...

At least three persons sustained injuries after a CNG-powered vehicle exploded at NIPCO filling station in Benin, City, Edo State. It was gathered the incident happened Thursday morning at the NIPCO gas station located in Aduwawa on the Benin-Auchi road in Uhunmwonde Local Government Area of the state. The explosion was said to have been as a result of the fake conversion kits and substandard cylinder used in the installation and conversion of the fuel to gas. The explosion was said to have been as a result of the fake conversion kits and substandard cylinder used in the installation and conversion of the fuel to gas. In a 25 seconds viral video of the incident, a damaged vehicle was seen while a voice was heard saying this is gas explosion at the NIPCO station. It was gath...

Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Sanwo-Olu has said that the State is ready to pay N85,000 as minimum wage. The Governor who stated this while appearing on Channel's TV personality program, said that the state is ready to pay N85,000 as minimum wage to workers in the State. According to him, the State is even planning to pay more as minimum wage to workers in few years. Details later….

By Collins Yakubu-Hammer The National Orientation Agency  (NOA) in the Federal Capital Territory’s (FCT)  Directorate has urged Nigerians to learn, recite, internalise the National Anthem and embody national values in their daily life. Mrs Joy Ijeoma Agbanusi, Director of NOA in FCT made the call at a media conference to the mark the commencement of a nationwide campaign on the National Anthem and National Value Charter (NVC) on Tuesday in Abuja. According to her, NOA is taking a positive step to call for renewing the minds of Nigerians to collectively build a better society for us all. “NOA is also spearheading this campaign to ensure that all Nigerians in every corner of the country come together under the shared principles outlined in our National Anthem and NVC. ...

Mr Sule Abdulaziz, Managing Director, Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) says the anti-corruption unit will enhance transparency within the company's operations. Abdulaziz, who was represented by Mrs Abiodun Afolabi, Executive Director, Human Resources and Corporate Services, spoke at the inauguration of the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) of the TCN. He said that the company would identify potential risks and vulnerabilicorruptis in the system. He said that the inaguration of the ACTU would not only prevent corruption but will also allow TCN to address inefficiencies that may be hindering its ability to meet the growing demands of the power sector. According to him, the ACTU will serve as a strategic tool in fostering that trust, ensuring that operations remaa...

A petrol tanker has exploded along the Kano-Hadejia expressway, in Taura LGA of Jigawa state, resulting in numerous casualties. Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, reported that the incident began late Tuesday night at around 11:45pm and continued until 3:15am on Wednesday. The publication added that the explosion triggered a massive fire, claiming many lives and leaving at least 300 people severely injured. Videos of the inferno have been circulating on social media.

By NAN  The  African Union (AU) Agenda 2063 Ambassadorial Assembly has created awareness on the dangers of mental health in the Federal Capital Territory,  Abuja. The Assembly created the awareness through a Mental Health Walk that took participants from Marjanatu House in Maitama to the Unity Fountain on Saturday in Abuja. They held placards with inscription such as "Lets fight depression together", "Break the Silence", "Stop the Stigma", "Seek Help", "Stop discrimination",  and many others. Meanwhile,  the Chairman of thr Governing Board of the Assembly, Prof. Tunji Asaolu said the Walk is a contribution by the Assembly to promote mental health in the country. "In supporting the celebration of the World Mental Health Day, the Social Affairs and He...

By Joan Nwagwu The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on the National Assembly (NASS) to expedite action on modalities for the coverage of the new natonal minimum wage. Mr Joe Ajaero, NLC President said this during a book launch titled, “The Future of Work: Is the Tripartite Body in Africa Ready for Digital Economy?” on Monday in Abuja. The book was written by Mrs Sharon Ijasan, a TVC’s Labour Correspondent. It would be recalled that on July 24, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, had said during a plenary session that the N70,000 new national minimum wage applied to all workers, including maids and other domestic staff. According to Ajaero, there is need for the National Assembly to come out clean on the area of coverage to the new minimum wage. “There is need...

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has called on Nigerian leaders to judiciously use the country’s abundant resources to develop the nation. The Methodist Church has significantly contributed to our nation’s development through social justice, education, and humanitarian efforts, transforming lives nationwide.” Mr Tinubu commended the church’s peace and unity promotion, urging continued dedication. “As leaders, we acknowledge our responsibilities and commitment to overcoming obstacles. I call upon you to persist in your compassionate mission, as united efforts are crucial to addressing our national challenges.” In his message, “Our Appreciation and Gratitude to God,” Methodist Church Prelate Dr Oliver Aba, emphasised the importance of appreciating God amidst challenges. Cit...

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a Thailand returnee, Simon Oguejiofor, for importing 13.30 kilogrammes of heroin worth more than N3.192 billion at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Ikeja, Lagos. Mr Babafemi said the combined monetary value of the seized opioids comes to N22.7 billion. He said the illicit consignments were seized from containers watch listed by NDLEA based on intelligence and processed for a 100 per cent joint examination. Mr Babafemi said this was with the help of men of the Nigeria Customs and other security agencies at the three seaports between Monday, October 7 and Friday, October 11. In the same vein, NDLEA operatives in Anambra on Saturday, October 12, arrested a suspect, Okelue Chidera, 29, with 50,000 tablets o...

The federal government has announced a strategic plan to overhaul Nigeria’s health sector. It is to be used to equip healthcare centres with solar energy solutions and other climate-resilient infrastructure, particularly in rural areas,” he said. He said that the NHSRII recognised the crucial role of the private sector in strengthening the healthcare system. According to him, private sector actors are expected to help expand digital health services, improve data reporting, and bolster the local production of pharmaceuticals. The national coordinator said the blueprint also included plans to expand health insurance coverage, aiming to provide financial protection for the most vulnerable through innovative mechanisms like Third-Party Administrators (TPAs). He said the Health ...

The Nigerian Air Force is set to acquire another set of fighter helicopters to boost its combat capabilities. The aircraft are 24 M-346 Fighter Ground Attack jets and 10 AW-109 Trekker helicopters. The service had in June disclosed that it would acquire 50 new aircraft to strengthen its capabilities against armed gangs and terrorists. Already, the service in the last two years had taken delivery of 12 Super Tucano, two additional DA-62 surveillance aircraft and T-129 ATAK helicopters, and two Diamond-62 Multi-Purpose aircraft among others. In a statement on Sunday, Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Olusola Akinboyewa, said the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, along with officials from the Ministries of Defence and Fi...

Mrs Nkechi Obi, MD/CEO, Techno Oil Group (in green attire) with other participants at the induction into the Bank Of Industry (BOI) Hall of Fame By Emmanuella Anokam Mrs Nkechi Obi, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Techno Oil Group, has described the company’s induction into the Bank of Industry (BoI) Hall of Fame, as an honour well deserved. Obi said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja, following the company’s induction alongside other companies for demonstrating integrity in their business operations. She said that Techno Oil had maintained an unwavering commitment to ethical operations, integrity, safety and flawless operational standards since it commenced operations. Obi said that the company would continue ...

By NAN The Public Complaints Commission (PCC) on the 7-11 October, 2024, held a 5-Days training Program for over 57 members of its staff, on Conflict Resolution and Mediation Skills in Maiduguri, Borno State. The Facilitator of of the workshop Aysha Hassan, said the training was aimed at enhancing the capacity of the 57 staff members of the Commission to enable them perform their duties effectively, particularly in resolving conflicts and mediating between conflicting parties. The PCC State Director, Salisu Mohammed El-jummah, while declaring the training open underscored the importance of the program on improving the effectiveness of the Commission in fulfilling its mandate of addressing public complaints, especially within the challenging context of Borno State....

Algeria began repatriating its citizens from Lebanon on Friday due to escalating military tensions between Israel and the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah. The Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Community Abroad said in a statement that 306 Algerian citizens were flown from Beirut’s Rafic Hariri International Airport to Cairo International Airport on two specially arranged flights. According to the statement, Algeria’s national airline, Air Algerie, will bring them back home. The ministry said this was the second time such an operation had occurred in recent months, following a similar effort in August that successfully repatriated 125 Algerian nationals. The ministry noted that further repatriation measures would be taken if necessary.Xinhua/NAN

The House of Representatives has urged the inspector general of police to initiate measures to find a missing corps member, Okeke Chukwuemeka Godwin, who has not been seen since May 9, 2024.The call for the rescue was sequel to a motion by Nnolim Nnaji (PDP-Enugu) at a plenary on Thursday in Abuja. Moving the motion, Mr Nnaji said the NYSC was established to engage Nigerian university graduates in effective community services and nation-building across ethnolinguistic boundaries. He said that the scheme had been threatened by myriads of abductions, incessant attacks and murder due to the inadequate facilities and general welfare. The lawmaker said that there is an optimum obligation to provide a safe environment and facilities for NYSC members in federal and state governments in ...