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Okonjo-Oweala Reacts To Attacks For Alleged Cropping Tinubu From Paris Photograph

Published

1 year ago

June 24, 2023

Editor

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Director General of the World Trade Organisation, WTO, on Saturday reacted to the criticisms from Nigerians over the photographs he took in Paris, France.

Okonjo-Oweala had posted a photograph of him in which President Bola Tinubu was cropped out.

The WTO DG had taken the photograph during the summit for ‘A New Global Financing Pact’ convened by the French President, Emmanuel Macron.

The summit afforded Tinubu the opportunity of projecting, on a global stage, his advocacy for widening the fiscal space, economic justice for Africa as the world accelerates the pace of energy transition, and the urgency of addressing the pressing issues of poverty and climate change.

The photograph had generated so much controversy among Nigerians.

Reacting to the controversy generated, Okonjo-Oweala urged Nigerians to relax.

Tweeting, the former Finance minister said the controversy has exposed how polarised Nigeria has become.

According to Okonjo-Iweala: Nigerians, please relax! Re Paris, Interesting attacks from both sides. This sadly shows the depth of polarization in our society.

“I post photos in the order received by accompanying staff or colleagues. Reading more into it is unwarranted. Let’s unite to build our country, not attack.”

Headline

FULL LIST: Lagos Gets 13 New Band A Feeders

Published

2 hours ago

July 4, 2024

Editor

Lagos State has been bolstered with 13 additional Band A feeders, following approval from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission.

The Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company announced that the upgrade was granted due to their consistent provision of at least 20 hours of daily electricity.

“Premised on our demonstrated ability to consistently provide for a minimum of 20 hours of daily during a performance evaluation period monitored by the regulator, we are pleased to announce that we have obtained approval to add 13 Band Feeders to our network,” a statement on IKEDC’s Twitter handle read on Wednesday.

The upgraded feeders include – OgbaINJ-T3-Agege, AlimoshoINJ-T8-Okunola, OworoINJ-T3-Anthony, AdeniyiJonesINJ-T1-Anifowoshe, and IsheriINJ-T1-Bankole.

IBEDC disconnects Ogun industrial estate, others over debts
Others are, EjigboTCN-Igando, EjigboTCN-Ijegun, IkoroduTCN-Fakale, Maryland INJ-T1-Ketu, OjoduINJ- T1-King Avenue, OdungunyanINJ-T1-Agodo and T1-IjuINJ-T1- Ajuwon..

This upgrade increases IKEDC’s total feeders to 141 from 128.

Meanwhile, NERC has warned DisCos of sanctions if they fail to complete the STS meter migration by July 31, 2024.

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JUST IN: FG Raises Mining Rates by 50 Per Cent

Published

3 hours ago

July 4, 2024

Editor

The Federal Government through the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development has raised the dues and rates paid by operators in the mining sector.

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, announced the price increase at an ongoing press conference at the ministry headquarters on Thursday in Abuja.

He said the government increased a total of 286 rate regimes ranging from 50 per cent to 100 per cent adding that compliance begins immediately.

He also warned that defaulters will have their licenses revoked.

The minister said the review was necessary due to the paucity of funds repatriated to the coffers of the government by operators.

He said the new increase will also assist the ministry enhance the ease of doing business in the sector.

FG to revoke land titles of owners with illegal miners
Alake added that relevant stakeholders were involved in deciding the new rates adding that all parties unanimously accepted the increase.

He said, “It is therefore equitable that those who use these services to invest in the mining sector and make profits from it should be on the frontlines of the government’s efforts to recoup rather than pass it to poor Nigerians.

“Thus, in line with the powers conferred on me by the Mining and Minerals Act 2007, I set up a committee of the directors of departments and directors-general of agencies under the ministry and charged them with the mandate to work out new rates to justify governments’ investment in the service infrastructures and to cope with the expected meteoric spike in the traffic of applicants besieging the regulatory machinery.

“Today we are taking a significant step in efforts to implement the seven-point agenda to reposition the sector and international competitiveness by announcing a new regime of rates and charges for various services, departments and agencies.

“This is given qualitative measures and technological capacity upgrades implemented in recent times to raise the level of technical efficiency and improve the traffic of transactions and cope with business interest.”

Headline

Over 100 Edo Community Residents Benefit From Late Cecilia Asoro’s Free Medical Care

Published

12 hours ago

July 4, 2024

Editor

Over 100 residents of Evbareke community, a neighbourhood around Textile-Mill Road in Egor Local Government Area, Benin City, Edo State were given a free medical checkup in memory of Cecilia Ewemade Asoro, who passed away 28 years ago.

The programme included blood pressure test,sugar level tests in addition to free drugs that were provided to treat various ailments and complaints.

Speaking, initiator of the programme, Dr. Ann Osamudiamen Asoro, daughter of the late nurse, said the aim was to continue her mother’s legacy of providing free medical services and other essential services like midwifery to the underprivileged.

Late Cecilia, a trained nurse and midwife, was said to have dedicated her life to serving humanity through her work.

Consequently the late nurse’s daughter decided to keep her mum’s memory alive by continuing her philanthropic work through a larger outreach.

Speaking further, Dr. Asoro described her “mother as a cheerful and kind-hearted woman who would have wanted her legacy to continue. “

“She was a disciplinarian and a very good educationist; and a humanitarian too. Dr. Asoro recalls.

“My mum used to have a black handbag that was literally a mobile clinic. Anywhere she goes and finds out someone has a medical need, she offers assistance immediately free of charge,” Dr. Asoro added.

The late nurse’s daughter, while encouraging residents to take advantage of the free medical services, urged Edo indigenes to give back to the community.

She added: “Beyond celebrating the memory of my late mum, I see this as an opportunity too to give back to my community by encouraging healthy living through this check ups”.

One of the beneficiaries, Joy James, expressed gratitude for the initiative, noting that “Grace of God will continue to be with her so that next year, she can still remember us with these free medical care.”

The programme climaxed with a grand reception at Dr. Asoro’s compound to celebrate with guests, friends, well-wishe was and family members.

Some family members also took the opportunity to share fond memories of their time with late Cecilia when she was alive.