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Reps Demand Reversal Of Telecom Tariff Hike As New Fees Begin

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Following a motion of urgent national importance by a member, Oboku Oforji, the House of Representatives on Tuesday called for the immediate suspension of the 50% hike in telecoms tariff.

The House also decried the poor service delivery from telecom operators and insisted that an increase in tariff should not happen until service improves.

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The lawmakers ordered the NCC and the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, to suspend the tariff increase because of the economic hardship in the country.

This was as telecommunications operators in the country began the implementation of the new tariff regime earlier approved by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

READ ALSO: Subscribers React As MTN Raises Data Prices To Reflect 50% Tariff Hike

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Many subscribers on social media who used the services of telecom operators on Tuesday observed about a 50% increase in the cost of calls, data and text messages.

As of December 2023, Nigeria has over 224 million subscribers, according to official data by the regulator. MTN boasts over 87 million subscribers, representing 38.79% of the total market share, the highest in the country by any licensed Mobile Network Operator (MNO). Globacom and Airtel have 61 million subscribers each, while 9mobile has 13.9 million users.

Earlier in January, the NCC said telephone subscribers in Nigeria would pay more for data and airtime as it approved a 50% tariff increase for telecom operators in the country.

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A spokesman for the regulator, Reuben Muoka, had said the price adjustment, though lower than the “over 100% requested by some network operators, was arrived at taking into account ongoing industry reforms that will positively influence sustainability”.

The regulator had said the increase was pursuant to its power under Section 108 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003 (NCA) to regulate and approve tariff rates and charges by telecommunications operators.

READ ALSO: Trump To Impose 25% Tariffs On US Steel, Aluminium Imports

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Also, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) had threatened an industrial action, demanding a reversal of the hike, but the labour unions aborted their rallies after last-minute talks with government representatives.

Nigerians are experiencing what many have described as the worst economic crisis in decades following the removal of energy subsidies and the floating of the naira. The two economic policies, many believed, have plunged Nigeria into severe inflationary pressures.

After his inauguration in May 2023, President Bola Tinubu, former Lagos governor, removed petrol subsidy and floated the naira. Petrol prices more than quadrupled, soaring from less than N200 per litre to over N1,100 in many parts of the country. The naira also took a nosedive, wobbling from around N700/$ to N1,600.

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Food and commodity inflation have skyrocketed as Nigerians battle what can pass for the worst cost of living crisis since the country’s independence over six decades ago.

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7 Essential Blood Tests Every Adult Should Take Regularly

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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.

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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

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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)

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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)

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Your kidneys clean your blood. This test helps detect chronic kidney disease, kidney infections, and kidney failure risks

READ ALSO:Malaria Kills 9 Nigerians Every Hour – SFH

6. Thyroid Test (TSH, T3, T4)

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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.

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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)

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5 Common Causes Of Plane Crashes

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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

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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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READ ALSO:49 Feared Dead As Passenger Plane Crashes In Russia

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.

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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

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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)

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Why Only Virgins Deserve Bride Price — Reno Omokri

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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.

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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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READ ALSO:Ambassadors: FG Screens Femi Fani-Kayode, Others, Reno Omokri Copiously Missing

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.

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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.”

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Omokri criticised practices where large sums of money or property are demanded in marriages involving non-virgins.

READ ALSO:MohBad: Seven Takeaways From Naira Marley’s Interview With Reno Omokri

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!”

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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.’”

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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.”

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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.

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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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