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 STATE HOUSE PRESS STATEMENT PRESIDENT TINUBU ASSURES OF A ROBUST ECONOMY President Bola Tinubu has welcomed the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) 's new report on the country’s trade balance.   According to the report, Nigeria recorded another trade surplus in the second quarter of 2024, hitting N6.95 trillion. The current surplus is 6.60% higher than the N6.52 trillion surplus recorded in the first quarter.   Just days after the country recorded almost 100 percent oversubscription of its first $500 million domestic bond and half-year revenue of N9.1 trillion, the latest report underscores the increasing positive shifts in the economy over the last year.   President Tinubu expresses confidence in the reforms his administration is pursuing and believes they will create a more robust economy that will usher in a new era of prosperity for Nigerians.   The NBS report reflects the country’s strong export performance in the second quarter.   Although total merchandise trade in Q2 2024

 Britain's police minister has purse stolen at police conference Britain's police and crime minister had her bag stolen at a conference for senior and midranking police officers where she spoke about the growing problem of theft and shoplifting, a government official said on Thursday. The incident occurred when Diana Johnson attended the Police Superintendents' Association conference in central England on Tuesday where one senior officer told her in a speech that the criminal justice system was broken. The official said Johnson had her bag stolen at the conference, but no security risk had been identified. In her speech, Johnson said Britain had been "gripped by an epidemic of anti-social behaviour, theft and shoplifting". The Home Office, or interior ministry, declined to comment. Warwickshire Police said a 56-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of burglary and released on bail in connection to the incident.

 Turkey's Erdogan Says Russia Must Return Crimea To Ukraine Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who in the past has been called a "dear friend" by Vladimir Putin, dealt a blow to the Russian leader when he advocated the return of annexed Crimea to Ukraine. "Our support for Ukraine's territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence is unwavering," Erdoğan said in a video message to the Fourth Crimea Platform Leaders Summit on Wednesday, Turkey's state-run Anadolu Agency reported. "The return of Crimea to Ukraine is a requirement of international law." Turkey, a NATO nation since 1952, has maintained cordial relations with Russia throughout Putin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, opposing Western sanctions placed on the country. At the same time, Ankara has sent Kyiv armed drones and condemned Russia's decision to invade its neighbor. Erdogan said on September 11 that Russia must return Crimea to Ukraine.  Erdoğan's remarks are

 Cardi B gives birth to third baby with estranged husband Offset Rapper Cardi B has welcomed her third child with estranged husband Offset, despite the couple's ongoing divorce proceedings.  The 31-year-old "WAP" hitmaker revealed the birth of a baby girl, sharing heartwarming photos of her newborn with her two older children, daughter Kulture, 6, and son Wave, 3. In a touching moment, Cardi B was joined by Offset, 32, in the delivery room, where the family celebrated the arrival of their newest addition.  The name of the baby girl has not yet been revealed to the public. The birth comes amid reports that Cardi B and Offset are moving forward with divorce plans after a turbulent relationship.  However, the couple was seen putting their differences aside for the birth of their child. With the new baby, Offset is now a father of six children by four different women.

 PRESIDENT BOLA TINUBU MEETS WITH KING CHARLES III AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE   President Bola Tinubu was warmly received on Wednesday in London by His Majesty King Charles III at Buckingham Palace for a private meeting, highlighting the enduring and cherished relationship between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.     This will be the two leaders' first meeting since they met in Dubai at the COP 28 Climate Summit last year. The latest meeting was at the King’s request.   Both leaders discussed global and regional matters of shared priority, focusing on the urgent and complex challenge of climate change.     President Tinubu and His Majesty also explored opportunities for collaboration in anticipation of the upcoming COP 29 Summit in Azerbaijan and the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa.    President Tinubu reiterated Nigeria's firm commitment to addressing climate change in a manner that aligns with the country's energy security objectives whilst affirming Ni

 UNESCO raises alarm on possible looting of Sudan's ancient treasures The UN cultural agency on Thursday raised the alarm over reports of armed groups looting several museums and heritage institutions in war-wracked Sudan, AFP reported. "UNESCO is deeply concerned about the recent reports of possible looting and damage of several museums and heritage institutions in Sudan, including the National Museum, by armed groups," it said. It said it had been monitoring the impact of fighting on Sudan's heritage, cultural institutions and artists since hostilities broke out in 2023. "In recent weeks, this threat to culture appears to have reached an unprecedented level, with reports of looting of museums, heritage and archaeological sites and private collections." Ancient pieces It said it was particularly concerned by reports of looting at the National Museum of Sudan, as well as the Khalifa House Museum in Omdurman and Nyala Museum in South Darfur. The National Muse

 You have sin against your God go and Apologize - Nigeria cleric advice Portable Zazzu  Nigeria Alfa have advice the Nigeria Controversial Music Singer Portable Omolalomi Zazzu to go and apologize to the pastor he slap for preaching infront of his bear parlor.  The cleric said is against the rule of God to slap man of God and this can cause downfall of the singer that he need to apologize to the pastor because is a Big sin to raise hand and slap man of God. The Alhaji further said though is a Muslim but he will not clap for portable that what he did is right because they are not  thesame religion. We reported that Portable Zazzu slap one pastor last week because the pastor stand in front of Portable bar parlor and start preaching the words of God. The incident generated lots of reaction from natizen as they where surprise that the singer can act in that way.

 Why Ethiopia is seven years behind rest of the world On Wednesday, September 11, 2024, Ethiopia entered 2017 with fireworks and a concert headlined by Afrobeats star Davido. This New Year’s celebration, typically reserved for December by the rest of the world, left many non-Ethiopian netizens confused. Amid the rise of deep fakes, videos of Davido performing in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital, while the East Africans rang in the new year might seem suspicious. However, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali confirmed the reality of the situation by tweeting “Happy New Year 2017” from his verified X account, seven years after the rest of the world did. This seven-year gap often raises eyebrows and questions from those unfamiliar with the East African nation’s unique timekeeping system but this is simply because the country follows its unique calendar system, known as the Ethiopian or Ge’ez calendar. It is based on the ancient Egyptian calendar and has some distinctive features compared to the G

 Ifeanyi Ubah for burial November 22 The family of the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah has announced the date for his burial. A burial poster, spotted by our correspondent on Monday, signed by his first son, Ifeanyi Ubah (Jnr), on behalf of the family of the late senator, indicated that the deceased would be buried on Friday, November 22, 2024. Ubah, who was a Senator, representing Anambra South Senatorial District in the National Assembly, died in London in July at the age of 52. The businessman-turned-politician would have been 53 on September 3, 2024. According to the poster, the ceremony will be a solemn moment to celebrate a life dedicated to service, leadership, and humanity. It read, “With profound sadness and deep loss, the family of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah announces the arrangements for his funeral ceremony/interment. Senator Ubah was a loving husband, father and an accomplished statesman whose legacy will continue to inspire all those whose lives he touched. “His departure has left a

 Aviation Workers Plan Protest Sept 18, Reject 50% Revenue Deductions  Aviation workers’ unions on Thursday announced plans to stage a peaceful protest on September 18, 2024. The General Secretary of the National Union of Air Transport Employees, Ocheme Aba, and the Deputy General Secretary of the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, Frances Akinjole, disclosed this in a statement. Other unions that signed the statement include the Secretary General of ANAP, Abdul Rasaq; the General Secretary of the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers, Olayinka Abioye; and the General Secretary of the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees, Sikiru Waheed. They blamed the decision on the refusal of the Federal Government to accede to their call for the reversal of the 50 per cent deduction policy from the internally generated revenues of agencies in the aviation sector. “All workers of the NCAA, FAAN,

 Police, Military launch joint operation against kidnapping in Imo The Imo State Police Command, in a joint security operation with the military, has launched a specialized squad to smash and dismantle kidnapping, armed robbery and other violent criminal syndicates in the state. A statement by the Police Public Relations Officer,(PPRO), ASP Henry Okoye disclosed that the joint effort underscores the Command’s unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety and security of communities in the state. He said the operation will leverage the combined expertise and resources of both agencies to bring those responsible for the criminal activities to justice. According to him, there were recent reports of increased kidnapping incidents in those areas which have raised significant concern among residents and students. Okoye maintained that in responding to the development that the State Police Command has deployed a team of highly trained personnel to conduct focused operations aimed at neutralizi

 CBN Directs Service Providers To Commence PoS Transaction Tracking  The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has directed payment service providers to begin the tracking of all Point of Sale (PoS) transactions. In a circular to all Payment Service Providers (PSPs) on connectivity to payment terminal service aggregators, the apex bank handed a 30-day deadline to PSPs to regularise with Payment Terminal Service Aggregators (PTSA). The circular, dated September 11, 2024, was signed by CBN’s Director of Payments System Management, Oladimeji Taiwo. “As part of efforts to mitigate the concems regarding channeling all Point of Sale (PoS) transactions through a single aggregator, the CBN on April 19, 2024, granted a second PTSA licence to Unified Payment Services Limited (UPSL),” the circular partly stated. The CBN therefater directed that “acquirers are henceforth required to route all transactions from PoS terminals at merchant and agent locations, whether on physical or electronic PoS terminals,

 We’ll be forced to export 97% of our petrol – Dangote Refinery warns Dangote Refinery has said that it will be forced to export 95-97 percent of its Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) because of low patronage by marketers in Nigeria. This is as the 650,000 barrels per day indigenous oil firm revealed that only 3 to 5 percent of petrol marketers are willing to buy its petrol. The Vice President, Oil and Gas at Dangote Industries Limited, Devakumar Edwin, disclosed this on Wednesday during an X Space session organized by Nairametrics. He gave insights into the challenges facing the Dangote Refinery and the country’s oil and gas sector. “I’m selling 2 to 3 percent to small traders who are willing to buy, while the rest 95 to 97 percent I’m forced to export,” he said while speaking about the quantity of the refinery’s products sold locally. The development comes as Sunday’s date for NNPCL to lift Dangote Refinery’s fuel approach without a visible plan. Recall that the President of Dangote Grou

 EndBadGovernance protests: You’ve become agent of oppression – HURIWA knocks judiciary The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA, has condemned in strong terms what it describes as punitive and excessive bail conditions imposed on 10 #EndBadGovernance protesters by the Federal High Court in Abuja. The association expressed its deep disappointment, stating that the courts are increasingly behaving like colonial agents, wielding their powers not to protect the rights of the people but to oppress and criminalize peaceful protests. The case in question, which involves 10 Nigerians accused of treason, has sparked outrage across the country, particularly due to the stringent bail conditions set by Justice Emeka Nwite. Each defendant was granted bail with a requirement of N10 million, alongside a surety of the same amount who must be a resident and property owner in Abuja. Additionally, the sureties were required to deposit property documents with the court and swear an affidav

  LAGOS TASKFORCE INTENSIFIES ANTI-OKADA OPERATION ACROSS THE STATE …confiscates 64 bikes in Ikorodu, Berger, other areas The Lagos State Taskforce, led by the Agency’s Chairman, CSP Adetayo Akerele, carried out a major anti-okada operation today at Aunty Kenny Bus Stop in Ikorodu and Berger Bus Stop. The operation, which targeted areas restricted by the Lagos State Government, resulted in the confiscation of 64 motorcycles which had been operating on the restricted routes thereby flouting the ban on their activities on all Highways in the Metropolis. This enforcement exercise is part of the ongoing effort by the Agency to maintain order and ensure compliance with the State Government’s ban on okada operations in designated areas. Speaking after the operation, CSP Akerele reiterated the Government's stance, warning okada operators to desist from flouting the law. He urged them to seek alternative means of livelihoods, as continuing to operate illegally could lead to severe penaltie

 Federal University of Lokoja Student Arrested For Allegedly Abducting, Killing Colleague A student of the Federal University, Lokoja, has been arrested in connection with the d*ath of his fellow student. The student, identified as Jeremiah, was arrested in connection with the murd*r of Damilola, a 100-level Biology student of the Federal University Lokoja. Reports indicate that the suspect, from Kaduna State, allegedly abducted Damilola, and took her to an uncompleted building.  After demanding and receiving a ransom of N400,000 from her family, Jeremiah allegedly k!lled Damilola and removed her vital organs. After the kill!ng Damilola, the suspect allegedly contacted her family again, demanding an additional N10 million.  However, he was tracked by police to his location and arrested.  The suspect confessed to acting alone and led authorities to where he had left her remains, stating that he took her life because she had seen his face after the abduction.

 Food Security: Ogun to Introduce Price Control, Bans Levies in Markets ...commences implementation of bulk purchase and selling of food items. Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has disclosed plans by his administration to introduce a price control mechanism in the state. Governor Abiodun also disclosed that henceforth, all forms of market levies have been suspended, noting that only development and environmental levies will be allowed, as they are meant for the development of markets in the state. The Governor made this known during a meeting with market leaders led by the Iyaloja General, Chief (Mrs.) Yemisi Abass, at the Governor's Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta. Prince Abiodun said as part of measures to control the uptick in the prices of food items, the state government will soon commence the operation of its Bulk Purchasing Company, which has now been rebranded as Gateway Trading Company, with the aim of ensuring that the cost of food items is much more affordable for th

 I am sorry this is coming Late - Nollywood Actress Toyin Abraham apologize to veteran actor Wale Ojo Nigeria Actress Toyin Abraham have apologized to Actor wale Ojo for her late Birthday Wish to veterans Actor Wale Ojo Toyin Abraham posted a short video of she and  the veteran Actor when paying visitation to Chatta village. In her caption the actress said she is very sorry for the late birthday wish to Wale Ojo. More photos below. 

 I appreciate all of the tiny blessings in my life and forgive myself for the mistakes I made when I didn't know - Actress Dayo Amusa Nollywood Actress Dayo Amusa have given thanks to her Creator for all her success and blessings in her life. She also used the opportunity to forgive herself for all the mistakes she did when she didn't know better In her message on her verified social media handle she said  I appreciate all of the tiny blessings in my life that bring me immense joy and peace  Just as I forgive myself for mistakes I made when I didn’t know better… PATHETIC is now showing on YouTube via Amzadol Productions TV YouTube Channel - Watch link.  More photos below. 

 In reply, please quote; Ref No. CZ.5300/FPRD/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.6/234                   Date: September 12, 2024   The Director of News  …………………………….  PRESS RELEASE IGP PAYS UNSCHEDULED VISITS TO POLICE TRAINING SCHOOL (PTS), 5PMF BASE, BENIN. Harps on Professionalism, Discipline. The Inspector General of Police IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD., NPM., today September 12 2024, made an unscheduled visit to the Police Training School and the Police Mobile Force (PMF) 5 in Benin City, Edo State, as part of his ongoing efforts to ensure that police training across the country adheres to the highest standards of professionalism, discipline, and service. The IGP was accompanied by the AIG zone 5, Benin, AIG Azungua Nwazue, CP Edo State, CP Nemi Iwo, SIS, CP Lanre Ogunlowo, and the Force PRO, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi. During the visit, the IGP inspected various facilities, including the recruits’ dormitories, classrooms, and the kitchen, where meals for trainees are prepared. He took a special interest i

 Flood Kills Two Children, Destroys Farmlands In Southern Kaduna  A devastating flood in the Kafanchan in Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State has claimed the lives of two children, washed away farmlands and displaced hundreds of people. The Vice Chairman of Jema’a Local Government Area, Christy Usman, who made the disclosure, said the incident followed heavy rainfall in the area some days ago. According to him, the Kaduna State Flood Assessment Committee led by the Chief of Staff to Governor Uba Sani, Sani Kila, has visited the area to assess the impact of flooding in the southern part of the state. During the visit, the Governor’s Chief of Staff warned residents against building along waterways and indiscriminate dumping of refuse on drainage to mitigate flooding during the rainy season. Kaduna, located in the North-West zone is among the states predicted to witness flooding, and so far, Sabon Gari, Zaria, Kaduna North and Jema’a local government areas have been affected, whi

 *Government To Sanction Unaccredited/Unapproved Schools In Anambra* The Government of Anambra State is concerned  that about 2000 unaccredited/unapproved schools are operating across the 21 Local Government Areas in Anambra State . This is unacceptable, given the priority that Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo CFR, a first class academic himself, has accorded quality education.  Settiing up and running a school without requisite accreditation and approval is an indication that the school is not operating in accordance with the standards set by the Government through the Ministry of Education. Government is of the view that our children, irrespective of their location in Anambra State, deserve the best learning environment, teachers and curriculum.  In the light of this, Government has directed that all the affected schools whose names are listed hereunder should obtain the requirements for proper accreditation and registration from Anambra State Ministry of Education, and take immediat