Author: Akintayo Adams

The Nigerian Government has allocated ₦700 billion from the federation account to fund the distribution of free electricity meters under the Presidential Metering Initiative (PMI). This initiative aims to bridge the country’s substantial metering gap and improve revenue collection efficiency in the electricity supply sector. The PMI targets delivering 2 million meters annually starting from the first quarter of 2025. The World Bank’s Distribution Sector Reform Programme (DISREP) will also contribute to this effort, with a target of delivering 1.3 million meters by the end of December 2024. Get instant and latest news updates via Our WhatsApp Community, X/Twitter or Google News online channel.

The Football Association (FA) has opened an investigation into the behavior of Tottenham Hotspur fans during their 4-3 defeat to Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday. During the match, Spurs supporters were seen throwing objects onto the pitch. Tottenham initially took a 2-0 lead within the first 11 minutes with goals from Dominic Solanke and Dejan Kulusevski. However, Chelsea made a comeback with goals from Jadon Sancho, two penalties from Cole Palmer, and a strike from Enzo Fernandez, before Son Heung-min scored a late consolation goal. Before the match, Spurs fans in the South Stand were given pieces of…

Human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi has been granted bail by the Ekiti State High Court in the sum of ₦50 million, with a surety of the same amount. The court also ruled that the surety must possess a landed property. Farotimi was arrested by operatives of the Ekiti State Police Command and taken to court by Chief Afe Babalola, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, who accused Farotimi of defaming him in a book titled “Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System.” The arrest sparked outrage across the country, prompting civil society organizations and the Nigerian Bar Association to call for the…

The World Bank Government Analytics Fellowship is a fully sponsored program designed to harness and utilize data resources held by governments to enhance public administration efficiency through data-informed decision-making. Summary Fellowship Details The Fellowship program leverages insights from the Government Analytics Handbook and support from World Bank experts and academics to provide cutting-edge evidence and practitioner insights aimed at enhancing government efficiency. Requirements To be eligible for the 2025 World Bank Fellowship, applicants must: Benefits The Fellowship spans 6 months, including a concentrated full-time commitment during the 2 weeks of in-person training in Washington, D.C. Benefits include: Required Documents Candidates…

A 31-year-old man was arrested after allegedly attempting to divert a Mexican domestic flight to the United States. The incident occurred on Sunday morning when the man, identified only as Mario N., attacked a flight attendant and tried to storm the cockpit. The flight, operated by Volaris, was en route from León to Tijuana when it was diverted to Guadalajara. The Mexican National Guard arrested the suspect upon landing. The man claimed that a close relative had been kidnapped and that he had received a death threat if he traveled to Tijuana Following his arrest, the flight continued to Tijuana…

The Centre for Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE) has explained that the Naira has recorded massive gains against the dollar in recent weeks due to improvements in the country’s external reserves and interventions by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). The Director of CPPE, Muda Yusuf, stated that the rise in Nigeria’s external reserves to over $40 billion has given the CBN more power to intervene in the market, stabilizing the currency. “You can ascribe this to several issues. First, we have seen an improvement in our reserves, which reached the $40bn mark a few weeks ago, and that implies…

Nigeria’s pension assets grew by N541 billion month-on-month, reaching N21.92 trillion by the end of October 2024. This represents a 24.14% increase compared to the previous year. The National Pension Commission (PenCom) attributes this growth to an increase in new registrations and returns on investment earned by Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs). In terms of asset allocation, FGN Securities continue to dominate, recording N13.57 trillion in October. This includes N11.76 trillion in FGN bonds and N499.19 billion in treasury bills. Domestic ordinary shares accounted for N2.11 trillion, while money market instruments held N2.20 trillion. The number of registered contributors also increased,…

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has started lifting Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, directly from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery. This follows an agreement reached between the refinery management and marketers in November 2024. IPMAN’s National Publicity Secretary, Chinedu Ukadike, confirmed the development, stating that independent marketers began loading products through MRS Oil while final documentation of the agreement is underway. The Dangote refinery has reduced its petrol price for marketers from ₦990 to ₦970 per litre, which has increased demand for PMS in the local market. Nigerians are hopeful that this direct purchase agreement…

Jay-Z has been accused of raping a 13-year-old girl in 2000, along with Sean “Diddy” Combs. The accusation, made in an updated civil lawsuit, alleges the incident occurred at an MTV Video Music Awards after-party. “Another celebrity stood by and watched as Combs and Carter took turns assaulting the minor. Many others were present at the after party, but did nothing to stop the assault,” the complaint reads. “Carter has been with Combs during many such instances described herein. Both perpetrators must face justice.” Jay-Z strongly denies the allegations, calling them “heinous” and accusing the lawyer bringing the case…

Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad has reportedly fled to Moscow, where he and his family have been granted political asylum. This follows the collapse of his government after a surprise offensive by rebel forces. The Russian Foreign Ministry confirmed Assad’s decision to step down and leave Syria, issuing instructions for a peaceful transfer of power. Related || Islamic Rebels topple Syrian Government Celebrations erupted in Syria, with videos showing citizens exploring presidential palaces and taking selfies. In Homs, thousands celebrated in the streets, chanting and dancing. Rebel forces also entered the notorious Saydnaya military prison, known for its association with torture…