World News

Over dozen of Nigerian pilgrims die in Saudi Arabia

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The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has revealed that 14 Nigerian pilgrims died in Saudi Arabia during the 2023 hajj operations.

Usman Galadima, chief of operations and head of the NAHCON National Medical Team, disclosed this during a post-Arafat meeting with stakeholders on Sunday in Makkah, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Mr Galadima explained that seven pilgrims died before Arafat, six died during the five-day Mashair (core Hajj period), and another one died after Arafat.

“We had six reported death at Mashair, four died in Arafat, and the other two died in Mina. Already we lost seven pilgrims before Arafat and just now I have just been informed that we lost another pilgrim. This brings the total of deaths recorded to 14,” the NAHCON official explained.

He added,

“The mortality rate is similar to that of 2019.”

The Hajj official also revealed that the medical team recorded three cases of chickenpox during the core hajj period, and the affected pilgrims were immediately moved out of the area as a preventive measure to avoid the spread of the disease.

Mr Galadima also mentioned that the team recorded two deliveries during the Hajj ritual in Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah, adding that one of the pregnant women was delivered of a baby on the road, while the second one was brought to the clinic and delivered safely.

He emphasised the need for a thorough pre-hajj medical screening with the issuance of a certificate of medical fitness, stressing that elderly pilgrims and those critically sick should be discouraged from participating in the symbolic devil stoning at Jamrat because of the stress involved.

NAHCON’s aviation head, Goni Sanda, disclosed that the transport of pilgrims back to Nigeria would begin on Tuesday.

He said the policy of first in, first out would strictly be applied in the evacuation of the pilgrims back to Nigeria and that the Saudi authorities have a policy that in the first two weeks, the air carriers would not operate fully due to the volume of traffic and a large number of aircraft involved in the evacuation of pilgrims from different countries, as well as the fact that virtually all planes will take off from one airport, the King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah.

Politics

Turkey: Buhari congratulates Erdogan on reelection

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President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated President Recep Erdoğan on his victory in the presidential election.

Mr Erdoğan defeated opposition candidate Kemal Kilicdaroglu in the second round of voting.

In a statement by his media aide Garba Shehu on Sunday night in Abuja, Mr Buhari said Mr Erdoğan’s reelection would augur well for the well-being of the relations between Nigeria and Turkey.

“I welcome the reelection of Erdoğan, a steadfast champion of a fair and just global order and a true friend of Nigeria. On behalf of the government and the people of Nigeria, I say happy cheers, my friend and a true friend of Nigeria,” Mr Buhari said.

“Under your leadership, the engagement between our two nations will grow from strength to strength.”

He added, “I wish you yet another successful tenure of office.”

Mr Erdoğan won a historic runoff vote that is set to extend his 20-year rule until 2028.

Mr Erdoğan had won 52.14 per cent of the votes, while his challenger Mr Kılıçdaroğlu received 47.86 per cent.

Football

Nigeria loses Crystal Palace midfielder Eberechi Eze to England

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Super Eagles target Eberechi Eze has been handed a national team call-up by England manager Gareth Southgate ahead of Three Lions Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia, ending speculation about the Crystal Palace player’s international career.

But his 10 goals and four assists in the Premier League for Crystal Palace this season earned him a place in the squad.

The 24-year-old was born in England to Nigerian parents.

The Nigerian Football Federation had previously tried to get the midfielder to switch allegiance to Nigeria so he could play for the Super Eagles. If he makes his competitive debut in any of the forthcoming matches, he will no longer be able to play for Nigeria.

But his 10 goals and four assists in the Premier League for Crystal Palace this season earned a place in the Three Lions squad this time.

In the list released by Southgate on Wednesday, Eze was named alongside 24 other players, including Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka.

Eze joined a growing list of players (Saka, Dele Alli, Tammy Abraham, Fikayo Tomori, Gabby Agbonlahor, etc.) that have chosen to represent England at the international football level over Nigeria.

On June 16, England play Malta in Ta’ Qali before taking on North Macedonia three days later at Old Trafford.

The Three Lions top the early Group C table after beating Italy and Ukraine in their opening two qualifying matches in March.

Meanwhile, last week, both England and Nigeria were on the losing end as Arsenal loanee Folarin Balogun, born to Nigeria parents in the United States but grew up in England, ditched the two countries to pledge his allegiance to the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT).

The 21-year-old, currently playing for French Ligue 1 side Reim, has been impressive for his club this season, with 20 goals and two assists in 35 matches as he continues his development away from Emirates.

World News

Nigeria resumes oil exploration in Chad Basin 28 years after pulling out

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Nigeria has resumed the exploration of crude oil and gas in the Chad Basin area, 28 years after pulling out of the region.

Speaking virtually on Tuesday, May 23 in Abuja at the Wadi-B Drilling Campaign which physically took place in Borno State, President Buhari said he was aware that crude oil and gas exploration activities had been ongoing in the Chad Basin since 1976, as well as the discovery of some commercial gas at Wadi-1 well in 1985.

“I am also aware that active drilling activities were suspended in 1995 to enable re-evaluation of exploration activities in the entire frontier basins.

“I am happy that the NNPC has since then conducted extensive Basinal Analysis and Evaluation of all frontier basins leading to the successful drilling and discovery of crude oil and gas in commercial quantities in Kolmani River 2 and providing insight to the ongoing crude oil and gas drilling campaign in Nasarawa State as well the current re-entry activities into the Chad Basin.”

Buhari affirmed that the country stands to benefit immensely from a positive outcome of the operations.

President Buhari also thanked the Government and people of Borno State for their support in ensuring the resumption of drilling campaigns, urging security agencies and other stakeholders to ensure that the venture meets with a resounding success.Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited, Mele Kyari, said:

“NNPC Limited is committed to carrying out detailed exploration of the Frontier Sedimentary Basins using the best industry standards and technologies, with the aim of attaining commercial discoveries of crude oil and gas.

“This is a spud-in event that will reinforce the Government’s commitment for exploration in the Nation’s Frontier Basins, primarily aimed at increasing the Nation’s hydrocarbon reserves. This is a mission that we will take to delivery. We are very committed. It does not depend on Mele Kyari. It will work. This is a process, and this process has value, and this value will be created for everyone,” Kyari further said.

Politics

I’m leaving Nigeria in competent hands – President Buhari

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President Buhari has said that he is happy that he will be leaving Nigeria in the competent hands of his successor, President-elect Bola Tinubu.

While speaking at a function in Lagos state on Monday, May 22, President Buhari said he is confident that Tinubu will “strengthen the framework of Nigeria’s public-private partnership policies to accelerate the pace of her economic growth and development.”

‘‘I am happy to leave our economy in very competent hands. I am confident that my successor, His Excellency Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, will sustain the improvement in our economic and business environment,” Buhari said

World News

Turkish Embassy organises cuisine week to help deepen ties with Nigeria

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The Embassy of Turkey, in a bid to strengthen ties with Nigeria, has organised a week-long event, where both countries can learn more about each other’s culture through food.

Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria, Hidayet Bayraktar at the inaugural gala of the cuisine week on Friday in Abuja said that varieties of Turkish meals would be on the menu of the Frazer Suites, Abuja all week.

Bayraktar said that one of the symbols of Turkish culture, which has always been famous for its hospitality was Turkish Cuisine which symbolises the spirit of community and solidarity.

“This is the second of the Turkish cuisine week that will be held since last year and it was initiated by our first lady, Mrs Emine Erdogan.

“And the aim of this gathering is to show Turkish culture to other cultures.

“During this week, the hotel, chefs will prepare different varieties of food from different parts of Turkey.

“This year it is more from the Hatay region because of the earthquake that we just had on Feb. 6.

He disclosed that one aspect of culture was the food, the cuisine of Turkey.

“As everybody knows jollof rice all around the world is a Nigerian dish, of course, Turks have many dishes like that that are worldwide known.

“Which is why we have gathered friends and foreign mission colleagues to enjoy the food and see what we can cheer about our culture,” Bayraktar said.

He said that following positive reports on tasty Turkish meals from Nigerians who have visited Turkey, he would engage with Nigeria’s Ministry of Culture to jointly organize a food fair in both countries.

“On the food fair, we could do something like that. I need to talk to the Ministry of Culture, I believe it will be a good opportunity.

“I know that a lot of people that go from Nigeria to Turkey, they said they loved the food and enjoyed a lot of restaurants that they have gone to.

Mr Dele Oye, Chairman, Nigerian-Turkey Business Council commended the exquisite event.

He said that introducing a person to the food and culture of a country was the smartest way to strengthen business relations.

“I will tell you that once you eat someone’s food, you will definitely do business with that country.

“If you look at the Chinese principle, they make sure all of us know about their food before they even came out with the business, that will make it a lot easier.

“When you go for business meetings you will feel comfortable doing business in a comfortable environment,” Mr Oye said.

Highlights of the event were when the Ambassador made “Pide” a popular cuisine called Turkish Pizza for guests in the kitchen.

Those present at the event include Nigerian government representatives, members of the diplomatic corps including the Chinese, Indians, Mexicans, and Ambassadors to Nigeria among others.

Football

Nigeria crash out of AFCON U-17 to miss World Cup

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The Golden Eaglets of Nigeria have been eliminated from the ongoing U-17 African Cup Of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.

The Nigerians lost 2-1 to Burkina Faso in the quarter-final match held at the Nelson Mandela Stadium, Algiers, Algeria, on Thursday evening, May 11.

Burkina Faso found the back of the net when forward Camara slotted home from close range following sloppy play and missed chances from the Eaglets.

Camara later grabbed a brace from the penalty spot 12 minutes into the second half. Nigeria’s Abubakar Abdullahi gave the Golden Eaglets little hope in the 67th minute when he reduced his team’s deficit off a cross from substitute Daniel.

The 2 -1 result meant the Golden Eaglets won’t feature in the under-17 World Cup that would take place later this year, with Burkina Faso completing the quartet of teams to represent Africa in the tournament.

The other teams are Senegal, Mali, and Morocco.

World News

Nigeria doesn’t have ECOWAS biometric card- Official

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Omar Touray, president of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, said only six of the 15 member states had the ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card (ENBIC).

The commission’s president named the member states as Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, Ghana, Benin, The Gambia, and Sierra Leone.

Mr Touray said this while presenting his address on the implementation status of the community work programmes at the ongoing first ordinary session of the ECOWAS parliament in Abuja on Wednesday.

“ECOWAS is introducing innovative measures to facilitate free movement across the sub-region. We are working on introducing an ECOWAS Visa, ECOVISA, like that of Schengen VISA,” stated Mr Touray.

In a presentation on the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice, the commission’s president said enforcement of the court’s decisions remained a challenge.

“Records at the court show that there are a total of 106 judgments that have not been enforced by member states and another 11 by ECOWAS institutions,” he explained.

Moreso, he urged parliamentarians to facilitate the challenges militating against enforcing the court’s decisions.

“Even though the court is engaged with member states to resolve the challenges militating against the enforcement of its decisions, this is hopefully an area that the parliament can help in facilitating the resolution of the challenges,” he stated.

Mr Touray lauded the role of the court as a community institution. He said this was particularly an important force for promoting human rights, regional stability, and peace and security.

“Enforcement of its decisions is a critical component in determining its efficiency,” Mr Touray noted.

He said as of March 24, 641 cases had been filed at the court since 2003, of which 347 judgments and 135 rulings had been delivered.

The bloc first announced the biometric ID card programme in 2016 after leaders within the sub-region at the ECOWAS proposed to replace residence permits with biometric identification cards.

In 2019, Nigeria’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved the production of the identity card to replace the ECOWAS certificate by January 2020.

World News

Nigeria projected to be largest producer of plastic waste by 2025

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Nigeria is projected to be the largest producer of waste in the world by 2025.

The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) general manager, Dolapo Fasawe, said this on Tuesday during a circular economy workshop in Lagos.

“The truth is Nigeria, by 2025, will be the largest producer of plastic waste. We need to step up our activities in recycling and circular economy. Once plastic is used, it should not just be deposited anywhere,” stated the LASEPA boss.

Ms Fasawe added,

“It can be reused, recycled, and reduced to something else. This is because plastic is not degradable. And when we say economics and plastic, it means that there’s a lot of money that can be made out of plastic waste.”

Oluyomi Banjo, the UNIDO national programme coordinator, said the UN agency was pleased to work with Lagos, one of the biggest cities in Africa, to tackle plastic waste by investing in the circular economy.

Mr Banjo said that achieving a circular economy in Lagos was important because it would set the stage for other states in Nigeria and other regions in Africa.

The UNIDO official added that to achieve the project’s aim, Lagos must develop a plastics action plan on circular economy.

“We will bring everybody together to sensitise them on what circular economy is all about; the benefits to the environment, socially and economically. We will work with the private sector to be more productive and efficient to make more profit,” explained Mr Banjo.

The UNIDO representative also noted that the informal sector would be considered “to see how we can incorporate them in achieving this, knowing that we cannot achieve this without the informal sector.”

LAWMA managing director, Ibrahim Odumboni, said the Lagos government had done a lot in promoting the reuse and recycling of plastics.

Mr Odumboni revealed that LAWMA was partnering Polysmart, one of Africa’s largest plastic recyclers, to convert tonnes of plastic waste into reusable products.

He said the authority was enforcing the policy of adopt-a-bin in Lagos to teach the value of waste separation at source, adding that LASEPA, LAWMA and other agencies had banned single use of plastics in their offices to lead by example.

Politics

China meets President-elect Tinubu on trade, diplomatic relations with Nigeria

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The Chinese government said its delegation headed by its ambassador to Nigeria has met with President-elect Bola Tinubu to discuss diplomatic and trade relations.

China said it had identified people-to-people cooperation, which leads to cultural exchanges, as one of the main focus areas in its relationship with Nigeria and other countries.

Chinese ambassador to Nigeria, Cui Jianchun, said this at a one-day seminar held at the University of Abuja on Tuesday day.He added that he was ready to work with the new administration to be sworn in on May 29.

“I have talked with the president-elect and the vice-president-elect, and I believe we shared a lot of ideas, and I have also shared my ideas and practices with the current President Buhari, and China believes that the current president has set a very solid foundation for the next government,” Mr Cui said.

“In spite of the challenges Nigeria faced, the country has smart, hardworking and talented people.”

The seminar had as its theme ‘Chinese Harmony and China-Nigeria Symphony’.Mr Cui said policy coordination, financial integration, facilities connectivity, and trade and investment were the other cooperation priorities of its government.

The ambassador explained that policy coordination included planning and supporting large-scale infrastructural development projects, and financial integration included enhancing monetary coordination and bilateral financial cooperation.

He also described trade and investment as facilitating cross-border investments and supply chain cooperation, and the facilities connectivity included building facilities to enable connectivity along the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

The BRI, also called the New Silk Road, is a China-led infrastructure project that aims to stretch globally.

The initiative was launched in 2013 by President Xi Jinping and had a collection of development and investment initiatives originally devised to link East Asia and Europe through physical infrastructure.

The project has, however, expanded to Africa, Oceania, and Latin America.Moreover, Mr Cui said the trade value between China and the BRI countries was ¥13.8, approximately N923 trillion or $2 trillion, which Nigeria is part of.

“The BRI is an initiative proposed by the Chinese government aimed at promoting Nigeria-China, Africa-China relations. It is good to try to increase trade among the big countries, not only the individual countries. Nigeria and China have huge potentials, which both countries can work together to harness,” explained the Chinese ambassador.

Mr Cui added;

“The most important thing is how we can increase our productivity in Nigeria, and I am working hard on trying to build industries, trying to get Chinese investment. I do believe in the future that we can have products exported to Chinese markets.”

The envoy, who said BRI had achieved its objectives, urged both countries to explore the extensive consultations, enjoy the contributions, and share the benefits.

Lifestyle, Politics

Nigerians will not stop demanding restructuring – Prof Soyinka

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Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has stated that Nigerians will continue to call for a restructuring, even as citizens gear up for the inauguration of the new administration on May 29.

Soyinka said the government of President-Elect, Bola Tinubu, must place a renewed focus on the persistent calls for restructuring the Nigerian federation otherwise its programmes and policies will face serious challenges.

“Whomever it is must understand that the people of this country will not cease demanding a restructuring of this nation,” he stated on Channels TV.

“New voices are being heard and they are more powerful than before. They are not just whining voices, they are voices based on actualities. We have failed in so many directions and they are saying, ‘let us try in this direction’ and you cannot ignore it.

“Otherwise, even your economic policies will fail, your infrastructure and transformation will fail. We will just go back threading the same old spur.”

Business, Lifestyle

Nigeria’s debt stock hits N46 trillion

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Nigeria’s total public debt stock as of Dec.31, 2022, stands at N46.25 trillion (103.11 billion dollars).

This is according to a statement issued by the Debt Management Office (DMO) in Abuja on Thursday.The DMO said the total public debt stock of the country consisted of the domestic and external debts of the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) and the sub-national governments.

The sub-national are the 36 state governments and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) with comparative debt stock for Dec. 31, 2021 is N39.59 trillion (95.77 billion dollars)DMO said in terms of composition, total domestic debt stock stood at N27.55 trillion (61.42 billion dollars), while total external debt stock was N18.70 trillion (41.69 billion dollars).

“Among the reasons for the increase in total public debt stock were new borrowings by the Federal Government and sub-national governments, primarily to finance budget deficits and execute projects.

“The issuance of promissory notes by the Federal Government to settle some liabilities also contributed to growth in the debt stock,’ “the office said.

It, however, said that ongoing efforts by the Federal Government to increase revenue from oil and non-oil sources through initiatives like the Finance Acts and the Strategic Revenue Mobilisation Initiative are expected to support debt sustainability.

“Meanwhile, the total debt-to- Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ratio for Dec. 31, 2022, was 23.20 per cent. It indicates a slight increase from the figure of Dec. 31, 2021, at 22.47 per cent.

“The ratio of 23.20 per cent is within the 40 per cent limit self-imposed by Nigeria and the 55 per cent limit recommended by World Bank/International Monetary Fund (IMF).

“It is also within the 70 per cent limit recommended by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS),’’ it said.

The total public debt stock as released by DMO excludes the N22 trillion Federal Government’s indebtedness to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), through Ways and Means advances.

The Ways and Means advances are presently awaiting securitisation by the National Assembly, and can only be added to the country’s public debt after such securitisation.

Politics

Name and arrest those plotting an interim govt – IPAC chairman tells DSS

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The Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Yabagi Sani, has asked the Department of State Service (DSS) to name and apprehend those it said are behind plans to install an interim government in the country.

On Wednesday, March 29, the DSS issued a statement saying it had discovered a plot by “misguided” political actors to set aside the constitution and install an interim government in the country as the May 29 date for the takeover of the new government approaches.

However, speaking on Channels Television on Wednesday, Sani who is also the chairman of the African Development Party (ADP) said it is not enough for the DSS to announce a plot for the interim government but that the security agency should go further to name the plotters as well as take action against them.

“To say the least, it is an embarrassment because I believe that the DSS, the agency that is in charge of gathering intelligence and then passing intelligence to other agencies, are supposed to take action.

And I don’t think it serves the purpose of this country for the DSS to come and make this pronouncement in the manner they are making it. What would have made sense to us is that so person is involved, so person has been arrested or is under interrogation or whatever action has been taken. Okay, what do we do as politicians or citizens of this country? We can’t do nothing” Sani said

He said that law enforcement agencies should not fail to demonstrate that nobody is above the law as this will serve as a deterrent to others who might have other plans to scuttle democracy in the country.

“Look at what happened in the United States when (Donald) Trump wanted to interrupt the inauguration of (Joe) Biden, something happened, they took action. So, I believe as much as we commend the effort of the DSS, I think they should go beyond that because as citizens what can we do?” he queried

Business, Politics

Buhari regime’s continued payment of fuel subsidy is damaging Nigerians’ well-being- NNPCL

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The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) on Thursday said Nigerians had missed enormous infrastructure development due to the protracted fuel subsidy regime in the country.

The NNPCL disclosed that the amount spent on fuel subsidy payments could provide 7,500km of a road network at N400 million per kilometre and 37 well-equipped 120-bed tertiary health centres at N32 billion per hospital annually.

Lawal Musa, NNPC’s senior business adviser to the GCEO, disclosed this in Abuja at a joint National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS)/Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) sensitisation workshop on the NNPCL Operations.

Mr Musa, in a presentation entitled ‘Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and the Nigerian Economy’, said the federal government spent as much as N4.8 trillion annually on fuel subsidy at the expense of the well-being of Nigerians.

In an analysis of the opportunity cost of the subsidy spending, the NNPC official said deregulation could deliver 500,000 new houses and the education and upskilling of two million Nigerian students, among others.

Mr Musa explained that it could deliver N12 trillion in four years to Nigeria while annual petrol under-recovery would escalate to N3 trillion, stressing that the cost of fuel subsidy outweighed the direct benefits, particularly to the masses.

He maintained that deregulation could provide additional 27,000 megawatts of electricity to Nigerians and build and equip 2,400 hospitals in 774 LGAs.“

Nigeria is the largest producer of crude oil in Africa, possessing 28 per cent of Africa’s reserve, with petroleum contributing significantly to the country’s economy,” Mr Musa revealed.

“The benefits derived have over the years been eroded due to the amount paid on subsidy, a regime has been fuelling the vicious circle of poverty in the country.”

The NNPC business adviser also explained that petrol was sold at the lowest price in Nigeria among most West African countries despite the average cost of $2.7 per litre globally, which amounted to N570 per litre.

He stated that verifiable petrol demand data is critical to National planning and energy security.

In an overview of the PIA and New NNPCL structure, Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, NNPC’s chief strategy and sustainability officer, said the new entity was incorporated as a commercial company to be run like any other private company in the country, following the provision of the PIA 2021.

Ms Eyesan said NNPCL’s activities were guided by three core values: integrity, excellence and sustainability.She explained that signing PIA into law overhauled the institutional, regulatory and fiscal framework for the Nigerian petroleum industry and provided a structured approach for managing host community development and investments.

Ms Eyesan said the PIA mandated the incorporation of NNPC and established NNPCL as a fully commercial entity.“Under the Act, NNPCL is to conduct affairs without recourse to government fund.

The new NNPCL is being owned by 200 million Nigerians with Ministries of Finance and Petroleum Resources as major shareholders,’’ she said.

Lifestyle

Nigeria Air to fly before May 29 – Minister of Aviation

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Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika has announced that the proposed national carrier, Nigeria Air will fly before May 29th, 2023.

Speaking at the 10th Aviation stakeholders forum on Thursday, March 23, Sirika revealed that the project is 98 percent complete.

He added;

“The airline will fly before May 29th this year”.

World News

Finland retains 1st position as world’s happiest country while Nigeria ranked 95th

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Finland has been ranked as the happiest country in the world for the sixth year in a row, with a happiness score significantly ahead of all other countries.

The enduring effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with the war in Ukraine, and worldwide inflation made 2022 a year of global crises but the human resolve to be happy has been “remarkably resilient,” says the 2023 World Happiness Report, which recorded global satisfaction averages as high as those in the pre-pandemic years.

The report, which draws on global survey data from people in more than 150 countries, placed Finland in the top position for the sixth year in a row.

Other countries in the top ten include Denmark, Iceland, Israel, Netherlands. While Sweden, Norway, Switzerland, Luxembourg and New Zealand make up 6,7,8,9, and 10th position.

The report utilized the World Happiness Report—an annual survey of how satisfied citizens are worldwide—to map out the world’s happiest and least happy countries.Nigeria, the largest black nation on earth, comes 95th- in the report, out of 150 countries polled in the report.

Ukraine a current war zone, is ranked even higher than Nigeria – at 92.

To create the index the map is based on, researchers simply asked people how satisfied they are with their lives. Scores were assigned using these self-reported answers from people living within various countries, as well as quality of life factors.

While there may be no perfect measure of happiness around the world, the report is a robust and transparent attempt to understand happiness at the global level.

Lifestyle

African leaders don’t love their country, they only love their greedy bellies – Simi speaks up against disrespect Africans get outside the continent

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Nigerian singer, Simi has lashed out at African leaders over the disrespect their countrymen get outside the continent.

In tweets she shared, Simi noted that Black Africans have to fight for space, respect and survival everywhere they go because the one place that is their birth right is hard on their lives.

The singer also averred that while this should make African leaders wake up, they’ve always shown they only love their bellies and only their children.

She tweeted;

Black Africans have to fight and fight for space and respect and survival everywhere they go because the one place that is their birth right is hard on their lives. One would think this would make African leaders wake tf up and help us fight for our dignity.

Who really wants to go a land of strangers, away from everyone and thing they love? People that want to survive. Nobody chooses that life because it’s good or easy. They just don’t want to die feeling that helpless.

But these leaders don’t love their country. They don’t love their people. They only love their greedy bellies. They only care about their own children. They only care about their families. As long as their wickedness is not happening to them, why stop?

Politics

Buhari’s regime promise to use digital tools for 2023 census

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President Muhammadu Buhari’s regime has promised that the 2023 census will be successfully conducted using digital tools for the exercise.

Specifically, finance minister Zainab Ahmed said the 2023 population and housing census would involve digital maps, questionnaires and cloud computing.

She said this on Monday at a meeting between high-level partners aimed to seek support for the conduct of the 2023 census in Abuja.

Ms Ahmed explained that the count method would ensure compliance with the global climate change campaign for reducing emissions by 30 per cent unconditionally and an additional 15 per cent conditionally by 2030.

According to her, it has become imperative and urgent for Nigeria to conduct another census almost two decades on, as clearly spelt out in the National Development Plan 2021 to 2025.

“This month marks 17 years since the last national census was conducted in Nigeria in 2006. By the United Nations standard, PHC ought to be conducted every 10 years,” the regime’s finance minister said.

Ms Ahmed added that there was a need to address the inconsistency in the nation’s census and statistical system, limiting the effectiveness of development initiatives premised on obsolete data.

She stressed that a major challenge over the years was inadequate funds to conduct the census.

“It is worthy to note that 60 per cent of the funding and other requirements for the 2006 census could not have been achieved without the invaluable support of the development partners, corporate bodies and other key stakeholders,” the minister noted.

The Minister of State, Budget and National Planning, Clem Agba, said major activities had been successfully completed in preparedness towards the census exercise, revealing that in the demarcation of 773 local government areas into enumeration areas for the census, only Abadam LGA remains to be demarcated, and hybrid enumeration strategy is being deployed for its demarcation.

Mr Agba said the Buhari regime had set up a census call centre and situation room, conducted a trial post-enumeration survey and convened a stakeholder’s conference at the national and state levels.

World News

Nigeria ranks 93rd on Global Soft Power Index

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Nigeria has fallen 24 places down on the Global Soft Power Index which provides a comprehensive assessment of nations’ presence, reputation, and impact on the global stage.

Soft Power, according to Brand Finance, the brain behind the Index, was “a nation’s ability to influence the preferences and behaviours of various actors in the international arena through attraction or persuasion rather than coercion.”

Nigeria, which was ranked 69th last year, is now 93rd out of 121 countries according to the Index after scoring poorly on the familiarity, reputation, and influence metrics, which are major determinants of how a country is perceived.

The U.S. came ahead of 120 nations to secure the first position on the Index, scoring 74.8 out of 100 points.

UK held the second position with 67.3 points and Germany came third with 65.8 points.

With only 35.4 points, Nigeria fell to 93rd rank under the harrowing leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari.

The nation’s reputation continues to suffer on the international stage under Mr Buhari whose two terms have been marred by banditry, high inflation, abductions for ransoms, energy crisis, terrorism and a rushed naira redesign that left many citizens struggling to spend cash despite having money in banks.

The European Union on Monday described Nigeria’s February 25 presidential elections as lacking transparency and credibility, an assessment that has further dented the nation’s already damaged reputation.

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