Author: Akintayo Adams

A plane carrying 21 passengers and crew members crashed in South Sudan’s Unity State on Wednesday, resulting in the deaths of 18 people. Before the tragedy occurred, the aircraft had departed from an oilfield in the northern state. The United Nations’ Radio Miraya reported the incident, but further details remain unclear. Government officials, including Information Minister Michael Makuei, have yet to comment on the crash. South Sudan has a history of aviation disasters, with several deadly crashes recorded in recent years. The cause of this latest crash remains unknown, and authorities are expected to launch an investigation. Get instant and…

Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Olayemi Cardoso, has issued a stern warning to commercial banks and Bureau De Change (BDC) operators regarding compliance with the newly introduced Foreign Exchange (FX) Code. Speaking at the launch of the FX Code in Abuja, Cardoso emphasized that any violation of the Code will attract prompt and severe penalties. The FX Code aims to ensure transparency and curb unethical practices in Nigeria’s financial sector Cardoso stated that deliberate FX market distortions will no longer be tolerated and that the Code represents a firm commitment to fairness, trust, and market-driven principles. Get…

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has officially recognized the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger Republic from the regional bloc. The exit, which became effective on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, follows a year-long process initiated by the three countries. Despite their departure, ECOWAS has decided to keep its doors open, requesting member states to continue recognizing the national passports and identity cards bearing the ECOWAS logo of citizens from these countries. Additionally, ECOWAS has asked its members to treat goods and services from these countries according to the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS) and investment policy,…

American rapper Dajua Blanding, known as Dank DeMoss, is suing a ride-hailing company for weight discrimination after a driver refused her service, citing her size. Blanding, who weighs 489 pounds, said she was humiliated by the incident, which she filmed and posted on TikTok. Her lawyers argue that the driver violated Michigan’s anti-discrimination laws, which include weight as a protected characteristic. In response, the ride-hailing company stated that it does not condone any form of discrimination and that its community guidelines and terms of service explicitly prohibit harassment or discrimination. Get instant and latest news updates via Our WhatsApp Community, X/Twitter or Google News online…

Nigeria has secured a $1.1 billion loan from the African Development Bank (AfDB) to provide electricity for 5 million people by the end of 2026. President Bola Tinubu announced this during the Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The funding aims to bridge Nigeria’s energy access gap and advance the country’s electrification efforts. Additionally, Nigeria has obtained a separate $200 million facility from the AfDB for the Nigerian Electrification Project, which is expected to provide electricity to 500,000 people by the end of 2025. President Tinubu emphasized his commitment to making energy access a top priority…

A Max Air aircraft with the registration number 5N-MBD experienced a tyre burst upon landing at Malam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) in Kano on Tuesday night. The flight, which had departed from Lagos, was carrying 53 passengers and six crew members. Fortunately, all passengers and crew were safely evacuated without any injuries. The incident occurred around 10:19 p.m., and the front tire of the aircraft burst into flames upon landing, filling the cabin with smoke. Following the incident, the runway at MAKIA has been temporarily closed for inspection and clearance. Max Air announced the closure, apologizing for any inconvenience…

The Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced the registration and examination dates for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). Registration will start on January 31, 2025, and end on March 5, 2025. The UTME itself will begin on March 8, 2025, with a mock examination set for February 23, 2025, for those who opt to participate. Ishaq Oloyede, JAMB’s registrar and chief executive officer, shared this information during a meeting with media executives in Lagos. He emphasized that candidates must provide their National Identification Number (NIN) to ensure a smooth registration process. According to JAMB, “The NIN…

The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has announced that approximately 3,690 Nigerians are at risk of deportation as part of a broader initiative to address illegal immigration. This move is part of a larger effort to deport over 1.4 million non-citizens who have final removal orders. The data, titled “Noncitizens on the ICE Non-Detained Docket with Final Orders of Removal by Country of Citizenship,” reveals that Nigeria is one of the countries significantly affected by this operation, alongside Mexico and El Salvador, which have the highest numbers of deportations. As of November 2024, more than 1.4 million individuals,…

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has introduced a new rule requiring importers to clear goods at the nation’s ports within 30 days of arrival. This move is intended to ease port congestion and improve cargo handling processes. Importers can request an additional 30-day grace period, but this requires approval from the Area Controller. If further time is needed, clearance can extend up to 90 days with the approval of an Assistant Comptroller General or Zonal Coordinator. Goods left uncleared beyond 90 days will face disposal under the Nigeria Customs Service Act (NCSA) 2023, which enforces these timelines. The Comptroller General…

The Kwara State Muslims Pilgrims Welfare Board has issued an ultimatum to intending pilgrims for the 2025 Hajj, setting a deadline of January 31, 2025, for the payment of the Hajj fare. The fare for intending pilgrims from Kwara State, which falls under the Northern zone, is ₦8,457,685.59. The board emphasized that no extensions will be granted and that payments must be remitted to the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) on time to meet the deadlines established by the Saudi Hajj Authority. The Executive Secretary of the Board, Alhaji Abdulkadir Abdulsalam, explained that the fare varies across Nigeria’s geopolitical…