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Showing posts from November 28, 2024

U. S. LAWMAKERS SLAM STATE DEPARTMENT FOR DENYING NIGERIANS, GHANAIANS VISAS AT HIGHER RATES TGAN ASIAN APPLICANTS. (PHOTO).

- November 28, 2024

U.S. lawmakers slam State Department for denying Nigerians, Ghanaians visas at higher rates than Asian applicants Three U.S. lawmakers flayed the State Department under Anthony Blinken for rejecting a huge chunk of student visa applications filed by Nigerians, Ghanaians and Kenyans while approving those of their Asian counterparts by a margin so wide that the lawmakers requested a briefing. Gwen Moore, Sheila Jackson Lee and Sara Jacobs sent a scathing letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken on January 24 to explain the wide disparity between the 54 per cent study visa denials of African students and 10 per cent rejection rate for the same demographic in Europe and less than 35 per cent in other regions across the world. The letter validated concerns that the State Department deliberately discriminated against African students and favoured their Asian counterparts whose native countries, like Bangladesh and Honduras, did not fare economically better than the marginalised Africans.

LIONEL MESSI LAUNCHES BRAND NEW GOAT 10 WINE COLLECTION. (PHOTOS).

- November 28, 2024

Lionel Messi launches brand new GOAT 10 wine collection We all know Lionel Messi has an eye for goal, with the Argentine icon scoring 856 times in a glittering career. Lionel Messi the best soccer player on the planet, no one can doubt that, but now we also have to talk about the business side of the world champion, as he has just launched his own line of wines, and how could it be otherwise, the alcoholic beverage is called 10 GOAT The high-end Lionel Collection features two unique varieties, Syrah and Primitivo, and both are adorned with the words GOAT 10. Messi's GOAT wine launch "Some of you asked us about these unique wines we made with Mmwinemaker. Here you have a special limited edition: two premium wines with collectible bottles that you can't miss. Have you tried them yet?" Messi posted on Instagram. The wine has two different labels, one, the 'white' varietal Syrah and Indicazione Geografica Tipica (I.G.T.) from Sicily; and the other, the black, Ind

AN ARIZONA MAN JUMPS OUT OF A ROLLER- COASTER AFTER HIS LAP BAR BECAME UNLOCKED. (PHOTO).

- November 28, 2024

An Arizona man jumps out of a roller-coaster after his lap bar became unlocked. A man was captured on video bailing out of the Desert Storm roller coaster at Castles N' Coasters amusement park right before the rides big drop. The man, whose name hasn't been shared, claims that he had to jump out after his lap bar came unlocked. The man said, "It was just adrenaline, and I just didn't want to die that day." After jumping onto a platform at the apex of the ride the man used the emergency stairs to climb down. He says the park manager offered to refund his money after the mishap. He feels more needs to be done to ensure rider safety after the harrowing incident. The ride has been closed since the incident. Would you have jumped out or just tried to hold on? I play it the safest way, by not riding roller coasters.

3 PEOPLE FACING CHARGES AFTER A 79-YEAR-OLD WOMAN WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL WITH HER MATTRESS AND HAVE IT SURGICALLY REMOVED AFTER EXTREME NEGLECT, SHE SADLY DIED. (PHOTOS).

- November 28, 2024

A 79-year-old Massachusetts woman had to be taken to the hospital with her mattress and have it surgically removed after extreme neglect. She sadly passed away. Three people are facing charges in connection with the horrific death of Dinora Cardoso. Dinora was found suffering from extreme neglect when EMT's arrived at her home on May 17th, 2023 after a call from her daughter Eva Cardosa. First responders say "Dinora was found covered in cockroaches, feces and bedbugs". Her condition was so bad she was literally "stuck to her bed and had to be taken to the hospital on the mattress where it was surgically removed from her body". Sadly Dinora passed away 2 days later from necrotizing fasciitis and sepsis. Her nurse, Lisa Hamilton, who is one of the trio being charged in her death, reported she was "clean and well cared for only days before her death". Officials say her daughter (Eva) collected up to $140,000 while caring for Dinora although her diabetes

TERRORISM: FINNISH COURT SETS MAY 2025 DEADLINE FOR EKPA'S TRIAL. (PHOTO).

- November 28, 2024

Terrorism: Finnish court sets May 2025 deadline for Ekpa’s trial Pro-Biafran agitator, Simon Ekpa, who was arrested in Finland for alleged terrorism-related activities, is scheduled to face charges in May 2025 potentially, according to Finnish authorities. A Senior Detective Superintendent at Finland’s National Bureau of Investigation, Mikko Laaksonen, confirmed to The PUNCH via email on Tuesday that the district court had set May 2025 as the deadline for prosecutors to present possible charges against Ekpa. The Finnish government had last week announced the arrest of Ekpa alongside four others on suspicion of terror-related activities, including incitement to violence and terrorism financing. Finnish police confirmed that Ekpa, described as the self-proclaimed Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government-in-Exile, allegedly used social media to promote violence in the South-East region, targeting civilians and authorities. According to local publication Yle, Ekpa was remanded in

LITTLE MISS AMARACHI IZUAGBA, ONE OF THE VICTIMS OF THE CHRIST THE KING PROCESSION INCIDENT IN ABA LAID TO REST. (PHOTO).

- November 28, 2024

Little Miss Amarachi Izuagba: One of the vict!ms of the Christ the King Procession incident in Aba laid to Rest The faithful of Blessed Tansi Chapel gathered to m0urn the d€mise of one of the vict!ms of the unf0rtunate incident that occurred on Christ the King Procession of the year 2024. The Catholic Bishop of Aba, Most Rev Augustine Ndubueze Echema who presided at the Funeral Mass eulogized the saintly personality of little Amarachi and consoled the family for this tragic l0ss. He prayed that God grants the family the f0rtitude to bear this irreparable l0ss. "This Mass," he stated, "is for the faithful rep0se of her soul." "We truly believe that Amarachi is in God's hand for she lived and di€d in the act of praising and singing hosanna to the King of Kings." More photos below.

TAX REFORMS WILL EASE BURDEN OF MILLIONS OF NIGERIAN WORKERS- PRESIDENCY. (PHOTOS).

- November 28, 2024

Tax reforms will ease burden of millions of Nigerian workers — Presidency …As FIRS Boss canvasses exclusion of vulnerable people in taxation The Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, has clarified that the tax reform bills proposed by President Bola Tinubu aim to alleviate the tax burden on 90% of Nigerian workers while restructuring the sharing formula for Value Added Tax (VAT) to benefit states based on local consumption. Speaking at the Senate plenary on Wednesday, Oyedele emphasized that the reforms, if approved, would exempt over 30% of Nigerians earning between N50,000 and N70,000 monthly from paying taxes at all, classifying them as low-income earners. Two months ago, President Tinubu sent four tax bills to the National Assembly for approval. They are the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, the Tax Administration Bill, the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill, and the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill. One of the bills seeks to ch

POLICE NOT CHARGING VANDALS FOR ACTUAL CRIMES- TCN LAMENTS. (PHOTO).

- November 28, 2024

Police not charging vandals for actual crimes — TCN laments …Says N8.8bn spent on fixing vandalised transmission towers The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), has lamented that the Nigeria Police Force is not charging vandals for the actual crimes they commit. This is as the TCN disclosed that it has spent approximately N8.8 billion to repair 128 vandalised transmission towers across the country. Speaking at the Quarterly Power Sector Working Group meeting in Abuja, the Managing Director of TCN, Suleiman Abdulaziz represented by Olugbenga Ajiboye, TCN’s executive director for transmission services, Abdulaziz revealed that these towers, destroyed by vandals or bandits, have been restored to functional use despite significant challenges. He lamented the ineffectiveness of prosecuting offenders, noting that many are often released on bail and return to vandalise infrastructure. “As I talk to you today, 128 of our towers have been destroyed by either vandals or bandits. Till date, we

CAC PARTNERS CBN TO STRENGTHEN COMPLIANCE AMONGST MDAs. (PHOTO).

- November 28, 2024

CAC partners CBN to strengthen compliance amongst MDAs The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) have agreed to strengthen their collaboration in the exercise of compliance and regulatory functions among MDAs. This indication was given today during a courtesy call on the Registrar-General/CEO of the Corporate Affairs Commission, Hussaini Ishaq Magaji, SAN, in Abuja by a team from the Central Bank of Nigeria. Led by Director Legal, Mr. Kofo Salam-Alade, the team underscores the Commission’s contribution to the country’s economy, particularly compliance, enforcement, and regulatory duties. The CBN team included Mrs. Omotunde Oke (Principal Legal Officer), Abubakar Gajam (Senior Manager), and Onokevbagbe (Legal Officer), while the CAC team has Mr. Justine Ndiaye, Director (Compliance), Mr. Moses Adaguusu, Director (Training School), Mr. Ayua Terver Jor (SA to RG), and Mr. Tolulope Sonaike (Deputy Director Compliance), amongst others. Speaking, Mr Kofo s

PETROAN CLARIFIES NEGOTIATIONS STILL ONGOING FOR PORT HARCOURT REFINERY PETROL. (PHOTO).

- November 28, 2024

PETROAN clarifies negotiations still ongoing for Port Harcourt refinery petrol The Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has clarified that no new price has been released for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, from the Port Harcourt refinery. According to the oil marketers, negotiations are still ongoing with the Nigerian National Petroleum (NNPC) Limited for petrol from the refinery. Members of PETROAN only bought PMS with the old pricing template awaiting new prices,” National President of PETROAN, Billy Sotubo Gillis-Harry, said in a press release made available. Earlier, it was reported that the oil marketer said the price of petrol churned out by the old Port Harcourt Refinery, which resumed production on Tuesday, is N75 per litre higher than that sold by the Dangote Refinery. “Dangote Refinery sells petrol to marketers at N970 per litre, NNPC’s price stands at N1,045, a difference of N75 per litre,” the earlier report read. H

REPS SUMMON CBN GOV, BANKS' CEOs OVER UNVERIFIED POS OPERATORS. (PHOTO).

- November 28, 2024

Reps summon CBN gov, banks’ CEOs over unverified POS operators The House of Representatives, on Wednesday, resolved to invite the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Olayemi Cardoso, and Chief Executive Officers of commercial banks operating in the country to appear before it to propose solutions to the challenges posed by the lack of documentation of Point of Sale users across the country. The resolution of the House followed the consideration and adoption of a motion sponsored by the member representing Ehime/Mbano/Uboma/Obowo Federal Constituency, Imo State, John Okafor, during Wednesday’s plenary. Lobbying his colleagues for support for the motion, the lawmaker identified the increasing challenges associated with the undocumented identities of POS users in Nigeria. According to him, cases of fraudulent activities within the financial system have been established against POS users, adding that there is “A necessity to combat such illicit practices and safeguard the integrity o

INCREASED COMPETITION WILL PLAY A ROLE IN REDUCING PUMP PRICR- ARGUS VP. (PHOTO).

- November 28, 2024

Increased competition will play a role in reducing pump price — Argus VP …As Marketers embrace local production, dump importation The VP Crude Oil, Argus Media, James Gooder has highlighted that competition will play a key role in reducing the fuel pump price in Nigeria. James spoke during a quarterly webinar organised by the Major Energy Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN) for energy editors. Speaking, James noted that globally crude prices have been falling with Gasoline prices being the lowest. He further noted that the coming on board of the Port-Harcourt Refinery will boost competition in the country noting that a monopolised market is dangerous for the consumers and the industry. He added that with the increased capacity for exports of crude products, it will boost the country’s foreign earnings and ultimately impact the price of fuel commodities. In his own remarks, CEO of MEMAN, Clement Isong, represented by Head of Economic Intelligence Research Regulation, Ogechi Nkwoji

UZOR NGOLADI (DAILY-BLASTNG PUBLISHER) REMARRIES IN GRAND STYLE. (PHOTOS). #PRESS RELEASE.

- November 28, 2024

DailyBlastNG publisher, Uzor Ngoladi remarries in grand style Igbo cultural heritage was displayed on Sunday, 24th September, in Lagos during the traditional marriage ceremony between Hon. Princess Brenda Ifeoma Esokawu and the publisher of DailyBlastNG, Dr Uzor Ngoladi with family, friends and well wishers in attendance. Guests present at the colourful event include Eze Dr John Nwosu, Eze Steve Dike, Hon. Rahman Owokoniran, Hon. Francis Barthlomew Chima (OmoBarca) and his beautiful wife Chief Esther Francis, Hon. Paschal Izuchukwu Nwankwo, Hon. Adewale Nurudeen, Hon. Okeke Njideka, Hon. Ejimadu Charles, Hon. Alebiosu, Hon. Sule Aminu, Mallam Kasimu Ebozogie and many others were on ground to support the power couple. The traditional marriage ceremony witnessed the breaking of kolanut, serving of palm wine to the groom, cutting of cake, bride and groom blessings by their parents, several cultural dance displays and assorted food delights and drinks were served to the guests who da

REPS TO PROBE N8. 4TN ALLEGEDLY WITHHELD BY NNPCL. (PHOTO).

- November 28, 2024

Reps to probe N8.4tn allegedly withheld by NNPCL The House of Representatives on Wednesday asked its Committees on Finance, Petroleum (Upstream and Downstream) to investigate reports from the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Responsibility Commission “alleging that the NNPC (now Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited) withheld N8.48tn as claimed subsidies for petrol.” The House further stated that “the investigation will address the NEITI report stating that NNPC (now NNPCL) failed to remit $2bn (N3.6tn) in taxes to the Federal Government.” The committees were further directed to verify the total cumulative amount of unremitted revenue (under-recovery) from the sale of petrol by the NNPC between 2020 and 2023. This is as the House approved the 2025-2027 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper ahead of next week’s presentation of the 2025 Appropriation Bill to the National Assembly by President Bola Tinubu. MTEF is a multi-year plan for public expendi

TINUBU TO NAME NEW ENVOYS AFTER FRANCE, SOUTH AFRICA VISITS. (PHOTO).

- November 28, 2024

Tinubu to name new envoys after France, S’Africa visits There are indications that President Bola Tinubu is set to transmit names of ambassadors-designate to the Senate for screening and confirmation, The PUNCH reports. The list comprises nominees who will serve as Nigeria’s ambassadors and high commissioners to various countries and multilateral organisations. Government officials with knowledge of the developments told our correspondent that names of nominees would be transmitted in early December. The development comes 14 months after 83 ambassadors were recalled in September 2023. Nigeria has 109 missions, 76 embassies, 22 high commissions and 11 consulates globally. The PUNCH reported on November 21, 2024, that the Federal Government had commenced the deployment of consular officers to diplomatic missions worldwide, before the anticipated release of the ambassadorial list. On Wednesday, the President left Abuja for a three-day state visit to France at the invitation of President

TAX REFORM BILLS: NIGERIANS EARNING BELOW N1M A YEAR EXEMPTED FROM INCOME TAX. (PHOTO).

- November 28, 2024

Tax Reform Bills: Nigerians earning below N1m a year exempted from income tax ABUJA — Barring last-minute changes, the Senate will pass the controversial Tax Reform Bills today, exempting those earning below N1 million per annum from the tax net. Most lawmakers who were initially opposed to the bills have changed their position following clarifications given by the Federal Government’s tax executives including the Director-General, Budget Office, Tanimu Yakubu; the Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, Zacch Adedeji; and the Chairman, Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Mr Taiwo Oyedele. The tax executives, who appeared before the legislators, yesterday said among others that the bills were to tax prosperity and not poverty and that those earning less than One Million Naira a year would be exempted from income tax. They also said sharing of Value Added Tax, VAT, which favours states like Lagos, will be reviewed and made more equitable Deputy Pr