Author: Editor

W’Bank lends Nigeria $1.08bn for education, nutrition, economic boost

Editor

The World Bank has approved three financing operations totalling $1.08bn to support education, nutrition, and economic resilience in Nigeria. According to a statement on the bank’s website on Wednesday, the concessional loans are aimed at improving the quality of education, building household and community resilience, and enhancing nutrition for underserved groups. The statement read, “The World Bank has approved three operations in Nigeria, totalling $1.08bn in concessional financing, to enhance education quality, build household and community resilience, and improve nutrition for underserved groups.” The approved operations include $500m in additional…

NNPCL board Officials: Why Tinubu sacked Kyari

Editor

President Bola Tinubu’s decision to sack Mele Kyari and other board members of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited stems from mounting concern over performance and a failure to meet key production targets, Presidency officials have disclosed. In an abrupt move on Wednesday, Tinubu removed Kyari, who had been at the helm of the national oil company since 2019, as part of a broader overhaul, which the Presidency said was aimed at boosting Nigeria’s crude and gas output. “President Tinubu removed all other board members appointed with Pius Akinyelure and…

NAPE praises Tinubu’s NNPC board reshuffle

Editor

The Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists has lauded President Tinubu for the new Nigerian National Petroleum Company board appointment, noting that the appointment is a bold step towards repositioning the oil and gas industry for greater efficiency, transparency, and profitability. In a statement signed by NAPE president, Johnbosco Uche  made available on Wednesday, the association said, the appointment of Bayo Ojulari as the new Group CEO, alongside Ahmadu Musa Kida as Non-Executive Chairman, is a testament to the President’s commitment to excellence and his desire to drive growth in the…

Sterling Bank stops transfer fees on online transactions

Editor

Sterling Bank has announced the removal of transfer fees on all local online transactions, becoming the first major Nigerian bank to eliminate the contentious charges for digital banking. The move was confirmed by the bank on Tuesday in a press release. The statement noted that the bank reaffirmed its commitment to customer-centric banking, declaring that the zero-transfer-fee policy is real and effective immediately. The bank’s Growth Executive in charge of Consumer and Business Banking, Obinna Ukachukwu, described the decision as a values-driven approach aimed at ensuring fair and inclusive banking.…

Ancelotti denies tax fraud, blames Real Madrid’s payment system

Editor

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti denied in court that he intentionally committed tax fraud on the opening day of his trial for allegedly failing to declare income to Spain’s tax office. This is the latest in a string of such cases targeting sports figures in the country. Prosecutors are seeking a jail term of four years and nine months for the 65-year-old Italian, accusing him of failing to pay more than one million euros ($1.1 million) due to undeclared earnings from image rights in 2014 and 2015 during his first…

Barcelona lacks funds to register Olmo, Victor, says La Liga

Editor

La Liga said on Wednesday that Barcelona did not have the financial capacity to register players Dani Olmo and Pau Victor and still lack it, ahead of a decision by Spain’s sports council (CSD) over the duo’s eligibility to play. In January, Barcelona announced a deal had been reached to sell VIP boxes at the club’s Camp Nou stadium, currently being rebuilt, worth a reported 100 million euros ($108 million), which gave them the financial fair play room for new licences for the players. La Liga said Barcelona used an…

Osun lawmaker apologises to Oyetola, condemns EFCC petition

Editor

A lawmaker representing Obokun/Oriade federal constituency of Osun State in the House of Representatives, Oluwole Oke, has apologied to ex-governor Gboyega Oyetola over a petition written to Economic and Financial Crimes Commission by one of his constituents. In a Facebook post on Wednesday, Oke faulted the Osun State Government’s petition to the anti-graft agency. The Osun State Government petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to investigate the immediate past governor and current Minister of Blue Economy, Oyetola, over the alleged misappropriation of a $20m World Bank health grant. On…

From Marinho to Ojulari: History of NNPCL’s leadership from inception

Editor

President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday removed Mele Kyari as the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and appointed Bashir Bayo Ojulari as his replacement, effective April 2, 2025. The President also dissolved the company’s board, including its chairman, Pius Akinyelure, and reconstituted an 11-member board. The announcement was made in a statement issued by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, in the early hours of Wednesday. “President Tinubu removed all other board members appointed with Akinyelure and Kyari in November 2023,” the…

‘Stand up’ to Trump, ex-Australian PM Turnbull urges political leaders

Editor

Former Australian prime minister Malcolm Turnbull drew chuckles Tuesday as he impersonated Donald Trump, urging the nation’s political leaders to contest a general election next month to “stand up” to the US president. Turnbull, who was Australian prime minister when Trump first took office in 2017, briefly adopted a nasal American accent as he mimicked the US commander-in-chief during a speech. Political hopefuls contesting Australia’s May 3 general election should not be scared of angering Trump, Turnbull said. “That’s the challenge for our leaders — they’ve got to be able…

Subscribers petition NCC, FCCPC over rapid data depletion

Editor

Telecom subscribers are sending emails and direct messages to the Nigerian Communications Commission and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, demanding an investigation into what they describe as unexplained data consumption. Operators insist that there is no mechanism for reducing customers’ data, arguing instead that rising consumption is due to user behaviour, particularly the shift from 3G and 4G to 5G and increased video streaming habits. The controversy comes as the Nigerian Senate, last Wednesday, urged the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy to engage operators on…