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  The Federal Ministry of Education has announced that the implementation of the Students Loans scheme is scheduled to commence during the 2023/2024 academic session. This disclosure was made by David Adejo, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, during a meeting with the House of Representatives Committee on Students Loans. Adejo also dispelled rumours that the signing of the Students Loan Act had prompted several federal universities to increase their charges. He emphasized that President Bola Tinubu has directed the completion of necessary work on the modalities for the students’ loan implementation, with a target start date in September 2023. Adejo further stated that the president has established a coordinating committee, with the Chief of Staff serving as the chairman, adding that the committee comprises key entities such as the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Federal Budget Office, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Finance, and others. He noted that the committee has...

  The Federal Government will on Thursday arraign suspended Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, and his associates for N6.9 billion procurement fraud at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja. Emefiele will be arraigned alongside a female CBN employee, Sa’adatu Yaro and her company, April1616 Investment Limited on 20 charges of procurement fraud, conspiracy and conferring corrupt advantages on his associates. The embattled apex bank chief, who has been in detention since he was suspended from office on June 9, 2023, was accused of conferring corrupt advantages on Yaro, a director in April 1616 Investment Ltd. The offence is contrary to Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000. The section read, “Any public officer who uses his office or position to gratify or confer any corrupt or unfair advantage upon himself or any relation or associate of the public officer or any other public officer shall be guilty of an offe...

  Following rumours of a hike at the weekend, there was panic buying in some places, with Labour threatening a nationwide strike without notice should there be a further price adjustment. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) said it had no plan to adjust the current pump price. Ngelale stressed that Labour’s strike threat was premature. He told reporters at the Presidential villa that the steps being taken to clean up inefficiencies within the petroleum industry continue. He said: “The President wishes, first, to state that it is incumbent upon all stakeholders in the country to hold their peace. “We have heard, very recently, from the Organised Labour movement about their most recent threat. “We believe that the threat was premature and that there is a need for all sides to ensure that fact-finding and diligence are done on what the current state of the downstream and midstream petroleum industry is before any threats or conclusions are arrived at or issued. “Se...

  Bank of Ireland has warned customers that money withdrawn from ATMs will still be debited from their accounts after some people with low balances reported being able to take out 1,000 euros in cash following an IT failure. An Garda Siochana said it was aware of an “unusual volume of activity” at some ATMs across the country following reports of people queuing to withdraw money at Bank of Ireland cash machines. The gardai also said it was aware of issues relating to banking services on Tuesday after the bank’s online and app services were down. Officers were on Tuesday night reported to be guarding some ATMs after videos were posted on social media of huge queues forming in Dublin, Limerick and Dundalk. In a statement to the PA news agency, a Bank of Ireland spokesman said: “We would like to remind customers that if they transfer or withdraw funds – including over their normal limits – this money will be debited from their account. “While we are conscious customers may not be able...

  Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Tuesday announced one-off payment of N10,000 each to students of Kwara state origin in public-owned tertiary institutions across the country. Rafiu Ajakaye, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, announced this in statement issued on Tuesday in Ilorin. The governor also approved a stipend of N10,000 each for some categories of security agents defined as the first line of defence, which would be disbursed through the Kwara State Social Investment Programme (KWASSIP) Office. “The approval for students’ support, described as one-off in its scope, is a departure from the previous bursary award, which covered only final year students of tertiary schools. “The Governor had raised bursary award from the age-long N5,000 to N10,000 for final year students. “The special support will be coordinated by a government committee to be headed by Prof. Shehu Adaramaja, the Chairman of the Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board (KWSUBEB). “He will be supp...

  Nine persons have reportedly died after taking local gin called ogogoro in Ijebu Ogbogbo, Ogun state. According to TMC Reporter, he narrated that a friend suspected poisoned his friends after some rancor between them with led to ‘threats’. Read the Details as reported by TMC: THE FULL STORY OF THOSE WHO DIED IN OGBOGBO, IJEBU ODE. This unfortunate incident occured on Sunday night after some set of people (names unknown) came to local gin seller in ogbogbo. Even at that black spot center, I got an information that some friends there had a dispute that lead to threatening of each other that one of them uttered that he will show his friend the stuff he his made of. After they drank together they dispatched to their various homes. On Monday morning to evening, four of them died, while another one died Monday night. Before we got there on Tuesday morning, we heard the death of another two person. All thanks to DPO from Attan division and his men for quick intervention as he calmed dow...

  President Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday ordered immediate release of grains and fertilisers to 50 million farmers and households. The sum was proposed for payment to 12 million poor households for six months to ease the harsh effects of the fuel subsidy removal.  The entire government’s palliative and relief package will be unveiled, the presidency said. The decisions were in response to feedback on the post-subsidy relief plan. Special Adviser on Special Duties, Communication and Strategy, Mr. Dele Alake, in a statement, said: “You will agree with me that it has become part of the culture of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration to constantly dialogue with Nigerians who voted him into office.  “The President covenanted with Nigerians that their welfare and security will be topmost in the Renewed Hope Agenda of his government. “In the last few days, the conventional and new media platforms have become awash with stories of the government intending to embark on condit...

  The girls, one 13 and the other 15 years old… Operatives of the Ondo State Security Network Agency which is also known as the Amotekun Corps have arrested two minors for allegedly feigning being kidnapped. The duo (names withheld) were nabbed after locking themselves inside a hotel room in the Akoko area of the state and demanded ransom from their parents for their release. Disclosing this to newsmen, the Commander of the Amotekun Corps, Adetunji Adeleye, said the girls, one 13 and the other 15 years old, hid themselves and demanded a ransom of N100,000 from their mother after faking their abduction. He added that the two girls also threatened the monarch of the town to pay the ransom within 24 hours or ‘they would kill the abductees in their custody.’ The Amotekun Corps boss, who also doubles as the Special Adviser, Security Matters to Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, said that the teenagers were nabbed through a joint operation with the operatives of the State Security Service (SSS) ...

  The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has increased the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) popularly known as petrol to N617 per litre at outlets in Abuja. The fresh hike in the price of fuel was announced on Tuesday barely two months that President Bola Tinubu announced the removal of subsidy. Meanwhile, in Lagos, the outlets are selling between N560 to about N617, according to a survey conducted by Vanguard. As Nigerians groan over the new fuel price regime, the National Operations Controller of the Independent Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Mr Mike Osatuyi gave reasons for the hike. Here are the reasons: Increase in crude oil prices in the international market Brent crude benchmark price had surpassed $80 per barrel for the first time since May 2023. This is a sign that supply is gradually tightening and demand is expanding. This happened after Saudi Arabia agreed to cut its output to firm up oil prices, reflecting in 1 million barrels reduct...

By Lekan Adesina, Lagos. President Muhammadu Buhari, Monday, inaugurated Dangote Petroleum  Refinery in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, which is expected to enable Nigeria achieve self-sufficiency in refined products and even have surplus for export. Speaking at the occasion attended by Heads of State from Ghana, Togo, Niger, Senegal and a representative of the President of Chad, the President described the feat as a significant milestone for Nigeria’s economy and a game changer for the downstream petroleum products market in the entire African region. ‘‘This mega industry we are commissioning today is a clear example of what can be achieved when entrepreneurs are encouraged and supported and when an enabling environment is created for investments and for businesses to thrive. ‘‘I am confident that my successor, His Excellency Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, will sustain the improvement in our economic and business environment and strengthen the framework of our public private partnership policies ...