Year: 2024

Dabiri-Erewa lauds Eniola Shokunbi’s scientific innovation

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has expressed great pride for Eniola Shokunbi, a 12-year-old Nigerian-American girl, who has made a remarkable scientific feat.   Dabiri-Erewa commended Shokunbi, who invented a low-cost (costs $60) air purifier. The invention, tested by the University of Connecticut and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was proven to remove 99 percent of airborne viruses.   The device won a $11.5 million grant from the Connecticut State Bond Commission to produce and install the air purifiers in all schools across the state,…

BREAKING: Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala reappointed as WTO DG

Emporium Reporters

The World Trade Organisation (WTO) has reappointed Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as its Directors-General for a second term.   The WTO announced in a post on X on Friday that the decision was taken after its members agreed to give Okonjo-Iweala a second term after a general council meeting today.   WTO said the reappointment will take effect on September 1, 2025.   “Her second four-year term, which was approved at a special General Council meeting, will begin on 1 September 2025,” WTO said.   “DG Okonjo-Iweala took office as Director-General in…

Lilypond Customs command seizes 11 containers of unprocessed Timber

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Lilypond Export Command, has intercepted and seized 11 containers of unprocessed timber intended for illegal export. The operation, carried out on 1 November 2024, followed a tip-off and subsequent physical examination of the consignment. During a press briefing at APMT, Apapa, on Wednesday, 27 November 2024, the Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller Ajibola Odusanya, explained that the export of raw timber is prohibited under Schedule 6 of the Common External Tariff (CET). “We are resolute in not sacrificing compliance on the altar of trade facilitation,…

Failed portion of Ekpoma-Benin Road ‘ll be fixed before Christmas – Gov Okpebholo assures

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo has assured residents that contractors working on the failed portion of Obadan Junction road along the Benin-Ekpoma Expressway are working hard to complete the road before Christmas. Governor Okpebholo who inspected the ongoing road project for the third time on Thursday evening, since his inauguration on the 12th of November 2024, said the contractors are working round the clock to complete the project. He said when it is fixed, motorists will enjoy travelling during this festive period.   The Governor said his administration has…

JUST IN : Edo Govt lifts ban on State Security Corps

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Edo State Government has lifted the suspension imposed on the Edo State Security Corps in September 2024.The move was to fortify the security architecture of Edo State.   The decision made by the Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, mark a comprehensive shift in the state’s quest for enhanced safety and security.   The suspension, which was initiated by the Inspector General of Police ahead of the September 21 2024 Gubernatorial Election, was based on the constitutional stipulation that election security is the sole responsibility of the Nigeria Police Force, assisted by…

Edo Govt sets up response team to tackle traffic gridlock

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo has set up the Edo State Public Response Safety Team (PRST) to check frequent traffic gridlock especially in and around the King square, Benin City and other busy intersections.   The gridlock is often caused by indiscriminate parking, picking and dropping off of passengers, street trading among others.   Embarking on a sensitization tour around the city centre, Coordinator of the team, Kelly Okungbowa said the exercise was very important to enable the people know of the team’s existence in order to ensure that…

Tax Reform Bills propose New Sharing Formula, Cede 55% to State Govt ….. Exempt employees earning below N800,000 PAYE …… Mull zero VAT on exports and essential consumptions …… Reduce company income tax from 30% to 25%

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Senate on Thursday resumed its debate on the Tax Reform Bills, a set of four legislative proposals to increase value-added tax (VAT) distributable to the subnational governments to 55% while reducing the federal government’s share to 10%.   The new legislative regimes also proposed zero VAT on exports and essential consumptions by the masses and grant of input VAT credit on assets and services in addition to goods consumed by businesses to lower the cost of production   These far-reaching initiatives were contained in the lead debate of Leader…

NCC gives Licensed Operators January 9th as deadline for submission of updated contact details

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has directed all Licensed Operators to submit updated contact information on or before January 9th ,2025 or face necessary sanctions.The Commission also ordered licensees licensees to update any changes to their contact information within seven days of occurrence.   This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Director of Public Affairs, Dr. Reuben Mouka.   NCC further stressed that the requirement was essential for effective regulatory oversight and seamless communication with licensees.   The statement said Licensees are required to update the following information…

One Year in Office: DG NIMC highlights recorded feats,says 115Million NIN Enrolments achieved, Two-Year Backlog Cleared ……Seeks Media collaboration to enhance National Identity Management

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, the Director General/CEO of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), has said,within one year,the commission has successfully scaled Nigeria’s National Identification Number (NIN) enrolment to a record-breaking 115 million.   Speaking at a two-day roundtable with online newspaper publishers in Abuja today, Coker-Odusote who was represented by Director, ICT/Identity Data Base; Engr. Lanre Yusuf also announced the clearance of two years’ backlog of payments owed to Front-End Partners (FEPs), a feat achieved in her first year as the substantive head of the commission.   Highlighting the commission’s…

Gov Okpebholo congratulates New NUJ President, National Deputy President

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has extended his warmest congratulations to Mr. Alhassan Yahaya on his recent election as President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).   The Governor also congratulated Dr. (Mrs.) Bimbo Oyetunde on her remarkable achievement as the newly elected and first female National Deputy President of the NUJ.   Governor Okpebholo emphasized the importance of a free and responsible press in promoting transparency and accountability within the government and society at large.   He noted that the media played a crucial role…