Tag: Nigeria

Foreign Investors Eyeing Nigeria’s Untapped Lithium Reserves

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Abdullahi Ibrahim Danjija carefully extracts pieces of whitish rock from an open-cast mine, filling sacks that earn him N150,000 daily, double Nigeria’s monthly minimum wage. Three years ago, he migrated from Kano, drawn by the promise of fortune in Nasarawa’s burgeoning artisanal lithium mining industry. Like others in the region, he hopes to capitalize on the global surge in lithium demand, a crucial component in electric batteries and mobile phones. Near Danjija’s site, another group of workers operates a mine, where families, including women and children, were seen preparing explosives.…

DR Congo Conflict: Death Toll Surpasses 900

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Over 900 people have died in the past two weeks due to intense fighting between M23 rebels and government forces in Goma, in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The World Health Organization reported on Monday that approximately 2,880 injured people have been admitted to Goma health facilities since January 26. Last week, Rwandan-backed M23 fighters seized Goma’s airport and swept through the city, the capital of North Kivu province, forcing tens of thousands to flee. The rebels have escalated attacks in eastern DRC, claiming control of Goma, establishing checkpoints, and…

USAID places staff on leave as part of Trump’s purge

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The United States Government’s humanitarian agency USAID on Tuesday announced it was placing its staff in the US and around the world on administrative leave as it moved to recall employees from overseas postings.   The agency said in a statement on its website, which reappeared Tuesday that the staff leave will begin shortly before midnight on February 7, 2024.   The administrative leave will hit “all USAID direct hire personnel… with the exception of designated personnel responsible for mission-critical functions, core leadership and specially designated programs.”   “Thank you…

Telecom Tariff Hike: NLC Pauses Protest, Awaiting Review Outcome

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The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called off its planned nationwide protest against the recent 50% hike in telecom tariffs. This decision followed a meeting between NLC representatives and government officials at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation in Abuja. The tariff increase, implemented by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), was justified by the regulator as necessary due to rising operational costs, including inflation, foreign exchange fluctuations, and increased energy expenses. The NCC cited its mandate under the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003, to ensure the…

PenCom issues new guidelines on PFAs’ branches

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The National Pension Commission (PenCom) has released a new circular outlining the operational guidelines for Licensed Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) regarding their branches and service centers. This directive aims to enhance service delivery by PFAs to meet the growing demand for pension-related services. PenCom, established under the Pension Reform Act 2004, is responsible for regulating, supervising, and ensuring the effective administration of pension matters in Nigeria. The circular specifically targets improving the accessibility and efficiency of services offered to Retirement Savings Account (RSA) holders. The circular outlines specific requirements for…

Osun Rep : Aregbesola should make peace with Tinubu

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he lawmaker representing the Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency of Osun State in the House of Representatives, Mr. Oluwole Oke, stated on Sunday that former Governor Rauf Aregbesola should “go and beg, prostrate, and make peace” with his “principal,” President Bola Tinubu. In a social media post, Oke, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, emphasised that if he were in Aregbesola’s position, that is exactly what he would do. The comment comes amid political tension in Osun State, where Omoluabi Progressives, a political group supported by Aregbesola, recently announced its departure…

Tems Makes History with Grammy Win

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Tems, a Nigerian singer whose full name is Temilade Openiyi, has won the Best African Music Performance category at the 67th Grammy Awards. Her song “Love Me JeJe” earned her the win, besting tracks from Yemi Alade, Asake featuring Wizkid, Chris Brown featuring Davido and Lojay, and Burna Boy. This marks Tems’ second Grammy win. The category itself is relatively new, having been introduced in 2024, with South African artist Tyla taking the inaugural award for her song “Water.” At this year’s Grammys, Tems received three nominations, bringing her career…

MTN Reinforces Network with N11bn Fiber Cable Investment (GSMA)

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MTN Nigeria, the country’s largest telecommunications provider, spent N11.1 billion over two years repairing and relocating 2,502 kilometers of fiber-optic cables, according to a new GSMA report. The report suggests that these funds, if allocated to expansion instead of maintenance, could have enabled the company to deploy an additional 870 kilometers of new fiber. Specifically, MTN spent N4.4 billion in 2022 repairing 1,069 kilometers of cable and N6.7 billion in 2023 fixing 1,433 kilometers. The report attributes these damages primarily to construction activities, road projects, and vandalism. These ongoing fiber…

Legal Challenge: Lawyer Demands Constitutional Clarity on IG Tenure

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Legal practitioner and Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners secretary, Tonye Jaja, asserts that only a constitutional amendment can legitimize the appointment and tenure extension of Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun. Jaja, in a letter to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, challenged the AGF’s declaration that the IG’s continued service is lawful. Jaja argues the AGF’s position is incorrect. The AGF initially stated Egbetokun’s appointment, effective October 31, 2023, would conclude when he reached 60 on September 4, 2024. However,…

NYSC Corps Members to Receive ₦77,000 Monthly Allowance Starting February

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National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Director-General, Brigadier General Yushau Ahmed, has revealed that the monthly allowance for corps members will be significantly increased to ₦77,000, effective from February 2025. This announcement was made during a meeting with the 2024 Batch ‘C’ Stream II corps members stationed in Katsina State on Thursday. The DG clarified that this increase has been factored into the 2025 Federal Government budget and awaits final passage before implementation. General Ahmed explained the timeline, noting that while January was already concluding, the increased allowance would be disbursed…