Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has described the arrest and detention of a Lagos-based lawyer and human rights advocate, Dele Farotimi, as a grim reminder of the dark days of military dictatorship when the iron fist of tyranny sought to crush all dissents. The former presidential candidate of the major opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in a press statement on Farotmi’s arrest, also reminded the Bola Tinubu administration that the repeated acts of arrest stand in direct contradiction to the principles of democracy. He said freedom of speech and association are not privileges but constitutionally enshrined rights, adding that if…
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The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has dismissed claims of forced mass retirements, clarifying that its Early Exit Package (EEP) is entirely voluntary and without any negative consequences for eligible staff. CBN’s Acting Director of Corporate Communications, Mrs. Hakama Ali stated that the decision to implement the exercise was the outcome of extensive consultations with the bank’s joint consultative council, a body representing staff interests. Mrs. Sidi Ali explained that the EEP, a longstanding policy previously accorded to the executive cadre, has now been made available to eligible staff at all levels. RELATED: CSO Clarifies CBN Retirement Allegations, Confirms Voluntary…
The England’s Football Association (FA) will again remind Crystal Palace defender Marc Guéhi about kit regulations but he will face no formal action after writing “Jesus loves you” on his rainbow-coloured captain’s armband during a match against Ipswich Town on Tuesday. The England international, who played the full 90 minutes of Palace’s 1-0 win, had already been given a first warning hours before the Ipswich match. Guéhi wrote “I love Jesus” on his rainbow armband for Palace’s 1-1 draw with Newcastle United on Saturday. On Tuesday, Guéhi faced a possible FA charge for breaking Rule A4 of the FA’s kit…
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar said the Nigerian Air Force has taken delivery of 12 aircraft in 2024, bringing the total number of aircraft acquired in the last three years to 64. Air Marshal Abubakar disclosed this at the Nigerian Air Force training and safety seminar for the year 2024 with the theme: “Agile and Resilient Air Power for National Security: Enhancing Safety and Optimising NAF Air Operations to Combat Emerging Threats”. The Nigeria Air Force also decorated 28 new pilots with their flying wings. The CAS said between June 2023 and September 2024,…
President Ramaphosa has expressed South Africa’s interest in collaborating with Nigeria to harness critical minerals, particularly Lithium, to drive the green energy transition and support the development of electric vehicle (EV) batteries. According to a statement by the special adviser on information and strategy to President Bola Tinubu, Bayo Onanuga, he disclosed this on Tuesday in Cape Town, South Africa, at the Nigeria-South Africa Business Roundtable. He proposed leveraging Nigeria’s vast lithium reserves as a cornerstone for industrialisation efforts in the EV sector. He urged the private sector and development finance institutions to collaborate in building infrastructure and scaling…
The Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) has expressed deep concerns over the proposed tax reforms by the Federal Government, warning that the Tax Bills could jeopardise the survival of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and, by extension, the nation’s tertiary education system. In a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja, COEASU President, Dr. Smart Olugbeko, criticised aspects of the proposed tax administration reforms, which he said threatened to cut off TETFund’s critical funding sources. Olugbeko described the move as a “dangerous ambush” that could severely undermine the development of public tertiary institutions in Nigeria. “Our Union, the…
With LeBron James in the midst of his worst outside shooting slump since his rookie year, Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick said he was unsure whether the veteran star’s goal to play in all 82 games is sustainable this season. “I don’t know that’s in the best interest of him and us if he does that, but if he’s feeling well and feeling good, then he should play,” Redick said after James tied a season low with 10 points on 4-of-16 shooting from the field in L.A.’s 109-80 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday. “But we obviously want…
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced dedicated phone numbers and email addresses for customers to report difficulties in accessing cash either over the counter or at Automated Teller Machines (ATMs). The move, disclosed in a circular issued on November 29, came as part of the apex bank’s efforts to improve cash availability and ensure efficient currency circulation across the country. Jointly signed by Solaja Olayemi, Acting Director of Currency Operations, and Isa-Olatinwo Aisha, Acting Director of Branch Operations, the circular highlighted the importance of public participation in addressing cash scarcity. “Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) are directed to…
With LeBron James in the midst of his worst outside shooting slump since his rookie year, Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick said he was unsure whether the veteran star’s goal to play in all 82 games is sustainable this season. “I don’t know that’s in the best interest of him and us if he does that, but if he’s feeling well and feeling good, then he should play,” Redick said after James tied a season low with 10 points on 4-of-16 shooting from the field in L.A.’s 109-80 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday. “But we obviously want…
With LeBron James in the midst of his worst outside shooting slump since his rookie year, Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick said he was unsure whether the veteran star’s goal to play in all 82 games is sustainable this season. “I don’t know that’s in the best interest of him and us if he does that, but if he’s feeling well and feeling good, then he should play,” Redick said after James tied a season low with 10 points on 4-of-16 shooting from the field in L.A.’s 109-80 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday. “But we obviously want…