News
Insecurity: Telecom Operators Threaten Tariff Hike
Published
3 years agoon
By
Editor
Telecom operators have threatened an upward review of their tariffs over the rising cost of doing business and the safety of telecommunications infrastructure in the country.
The Association of Licensed Telecommunication Operators of Nigeria also said it is considering varying tariffs in some of the unfriendly telecommunications states in order to accommodate their demands.
The Chairman of ALTON, Mr Gbenga Adebayo, told newsmen on Thursday in Lagos that the high cost of energy and security of telecom workers was hampering operations.
“We are concerned that unless there is an intervention to save this sector, operators will have no choice but to begin a process of price review.
“Operators are very concerned about the rising cost of diesel and its implications on the general cost of business,” the ALTON chairman said.
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He said the government needed to do a lot more to keep the nation safe and keep telecom workers safe.
“We reaffirm our commitment to working with the security agencies in order to get the necessary support for national security.
“We now need protection from sub-national government and agencies to stop the interference of smooth operations of telecom services,” he said.
Speaking on Kogi State, the association said it was concerned about the shutting down of telecommunications facilities in the state over disputes arising from unusual taxes and levies demanded by the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service.
Adebayo said, “The action by KIRS was hinged on an ex-parte court order obtained by the KIRS over unsubstantiated allegations that our members are in default of tax payments to the state government, which is not the truth.”
He said operators had been denied access to critical telecom sites.
“This issue is likely to lead to a total communications blackout in the entire Kogi state, parts of Abuja and possibly impact on service availability in some parts of the following states: Nassarawa, Benue, Enugu, Anambra, Edo, Ondo, Ekiti, Kwara, and Niger.These are states sharing borders with Kogi,” he said.
Adebayo said that as a result of these actions by the state government, its members were unable to refuel the power generators nor provide any support or maintenance services in the sites.
He said the situation had resulted in the outage of over 70 sites across parts of Kogi.
“The impact of these outages will gradually spread to the states mentioned above and if no action is taken within the next few days, a total outage of telecommunication sites in all these states will be catastrophically experienced.
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“To the best of our knowledge, our members have settled all statutory levies and taxes due to the Kogi government and have taken necessary steps to comply with local laws that govern business activities within the state,” Adebayo said
Speaking on the degrading quality of service in Abuja, he said, “The Federal Capital Development Authority, Directorate for Signage and Advertisement, has refused to grant telecommunication service providers permit to build infrastructure in the Federal capital city.”
Adebayo said that the refusal was affecting the quality of services around FCT and Abuja.
He urged the Federal Executive Council to prevail on the FCDA in granting approval/permit to its members to deploy infrastructure.
“ALTON and its members will no longer tolerate discriminatory charges against the sector.
” The industry is planning to begin a study on varying tariffs to some of the unfriendly telecommunications states in other to accommodate their demand,” he said.
“We want to be clear and state categorically that the action by Kogi and FCDA will jeopardize communication services provided by our members to Nigerian subscribers.”
He said it would also negatively impact the use of critical communication infrastructure by the national and state security agencies in the discharge of their duties to provide necessary security for the country.
(NAN/PUNCH)
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News
7 Essential Blood Tests Every Adult Should Take Regularly
Published
3 hours agoon
August 3, 2025By
Editor
Many diseases don’t show clear symptoms until it’s too late. That’s why routine health checks, especially blood tests, are important. They help catch silent problems early so you can treat them before they get serious.
There are specific blood tests every adult should take, even if you feel perfectly healthy. In this article are blood tests adults need, and what they reveal about your body.
1. Complete Blood Count (CBC)
The CBC test checks your red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. It helps detect things like anemia (low red blood cells), infections, and immune system issues.
READ ALSO:Why We’re Spending N712bn To Renovate Lagos Airport — Kayamo
2. Fasting Blood Sugar Test (Glucose Test)
This test measures the amount of sugar in your blood. It helps detect prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes. High blood sugar can silently damage your nerves, eyes, and kidneys without you noticing.
3. Lipid Panel (Cholesterol Test)
This test checks your LDL (bad cholesterol), HDL (good cholesterol), and Triglycerides. High cholesterol increases your risk of heart disease and stroke.
4. Liver Function Test (LFT)
The liver helps filter toxins from your blood. This test checks for hepatitis, fatty liver disease, and liver damage from alcohol or medication.
5. Kidney Function Test (Creatinine and BUN Test)
Your kidneys clean your blood. This test helps detect chronic kidney disease, kidney infections, and kidney failure risks
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6. Thyroid Test (TSH, T3, T4)
Your thyroid controls your metabolism, weight, mood, and energy. This test detects hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) and hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid)
7. Vitamin D and B12 Tests
These tests check your nutrient levels. Low Vitamin D can cause bone weakness. Low Vitamin B12 can cause tiredness, nerve problems, and memory issues.
Don’t wait for symptoms before you get tested. Your health is your greatest asset, and blood tests are one of the smartest, simplest ways to protect it.
(TRIBUNE)

The main causes of plane crashes are due to negligence, errors, lack of maintenance, and so on. Understanding the root of every crash is a way to improve safety measures and standards. Over the years, in Nigeria, plane crashes have been a cause for concern. The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau continues to inform the public on efforts to improve the aviation industry through safety measures.
1. Pilot’s Errors
One of the common causes of plane crashes is pilots’ errors. It is expected of every pilot to think ahead by checking the weather and be alert to changes. A pilot must understand the mechanical components of an aircraft and the skills that would enable him or her to handle an aircraft. When a pilot loses focus or is confused about what to do, it can lead to a crash. That is why piloting an aircraft requires lengthy training.
2. Negligence of the Air Traffic Controller
In the aspect of ensuring the aircraft is safe, air traffic controllers are very crucial. They have to separate and guide aircraft through the airspace. But if a controller fails to do this or feeds the pilot the wrong information, a collision can occur, and if there is no swift adjustment, a crash would happen. So, communicating accurate information and ensuring safety are vital in preventing a crash.
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3. Weather Conditions
The weather conditions must be known before an aircraft takes off. Pilots and air traffic controllers must understand the weather conditions. In the course of the flight, the air traffic controllers are expected to give more accurate information to the pilots. Not being cognizant of bad weather conditions enough can, of course, lead to a crash.
4. Lack of proper maintenance
Another common cause of a plane crash is a lack of maintenance, which is very crucial. It is expected of airplane mechanics to uphold inspection requirements or guidelines because there are rules and regulations governing aeroplanes. If an accident occurs, it is also important to know what caused it so that measures can be taken.
5. Relying on the GPS
The GPS (Global Positioning System) is a navigation system for aircraft. It can be programmed to follow what the pilot is doing. But when it is not done professionally or the pilots get carried away by the help of this tool, this can cause an aeroplane to get off the assigned altitude. The GPS also gives pilots the information on how to land safely. But over-reliance on this system can lead to havoc.
(TRIBUNE)
News
Why Only Virgins Deserve Bride Price — Reno Omokri
Published
3 hours agoon
August 3, 2025By
Editor
Former presidential aide, Reno Omokri, has said that only virgins should be considered eligible for bride price, arguing that any financial demand for a non-virgin in marriage is not only untraditional but constitutes extortion.
In a post shared via his official Facebook account on Sunday, Omokri addressed what he described as a widespread misconception in African societies between the concepts of dowry and bride price.
“There is a huge difference between a dowry and a bride price. But in this part of the world (Sub-Saharan Africa), we use them interchangeably. But they are not interchangeable,” he stated.
He explained that dowry refers to the property a bride receives from her parents, which becomes joint property with her husband after marriage.
“A dowry is the money and property given to a female child on her wedding day, by her parents, to take to her husband’s home to become the joint property of both her and her husband. It is practised in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. This is in line with the Biblical injunction that a wife is a helper to her husband, not a burden—Genesis 2:18,” he wrote.
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In contrast, Omokri described bride price as a separate tradition, rooted in both African and Jewish customs, which applies only when the bride is a virgin.
“A bride price, however, is different. In African culture, and Jewish traditions and law, it is the property or money demanded by a bride’s family to give her away in marriage to her intended husband, on the grounds that she is a virgin,” he wrote, citing Exodus 22:17 and Yoruba customs.
According to him, biblical law supports this tradition: “If her father absolutely refuses to give her to him, he must still pay the bride-price for virgins.”
He referenced the Lukumi Yoruba tradition where virginity is confirmed by a white cloth used during consummation.
“If the bride’s virginity is not proven by the aso funfun (white cloth on which the marriage is consummated on the bridal night), being stained, the marriage is not valid and the bride price will be returned.”
Omokri criticised practices where large sums of money or property are demanded in marriages involving non-virgins.
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“The exorbitant demand for property and money by some Sub-Saharan African ethnicities, who I will not identify, for a woman who is not a virgin is not legally and technically a bride price. It is extortion!”
He backed his argument with scriptural references, saying the Bible consistently associates the term “bride” with virginity.
“If you read Scripture, the term ‘bride’ is never used for a woman who is not a virgin,” he said. “For example, Isaiah 62:5 is very clear on the matter. That verse says: ‘For as a young man marries a virgin, so your sons shall marry you; and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so your God will rejoice over you.’”
He added, “Also, Jeremiah 2:32 says: ‘Can a virgin forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire?’ These verses prove that bridehood is synonymous with virginity. Song of Solomon 4:12 is even more explicit. That verse says: ‘A locked up garden is my sister, my bride; a locked up spring, a sealed fountain.’”
Although he acknowledged that men can marry non-virgins, Omokri argued that such unions should not attract bride price.
READ ALSO:MohBad: Seven Takeaways From Naira Marley’s Interview With Reno Omokri
“As a man, by African tradition and Scriptural law, you can marry a woman who is not a virgin. But such a woman is not a bride. And you should not pay any bride price for her.”
He cited examples from the Bible to support his claim. “You will notice that David paid a bride price for King Saul’s daughter in 1 Samuel 18:20-27. However, he did not pay a bride price for Abigail—1 Samuel 25:40-42.”
Warning of societal consequences, he added, “If we in Africa do not return to these traditions and continue the moral decadence in our society, where sex and sensuality are not curtailed, we will continue to be the dregs of the world, with high rates of sexually transmitted diseases.”
Omokri also condemned the widespread practice of white weddings in Africa, arguing they are neither Christian nor African in origin.
“A White wedding is not our culture in Africa, and it is not a Christian wedding. It is purely a European traditional wedding.”
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