Austen Peters, Olugbodi, Others for Verdant Zeal 7th Innovention Series

By Adedapo Adesanya The federal government has declared Monday, October 2, 2023, a public holiday to celebrate Nigeria’s 63rd Independence Day, which falls on Sunday, October 1. The Minister of Interior, Mr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made this known in a statement signed by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mrs Oluwatoyin Akinlade, in Abuja on Thursday. Mr Olubunmi acknowledged the global socio-economic hardship, noting that Nigeria is not excluded. He, however, reasserted the government’s commitment to tackling the issues facing the country to reassure Nigerians. “It is today a known fact that difficult Socio-Economic and Security challenges are global, and Nigeria is not

By Adedapo Adesanya An initiative to boost youth employment and shore up Nigeria’s foreign exchange (FX) earnings has been introduced by the Nigerian government. The scheme, the National Talent Export Programme (NATEP), was unveiled over the weekend at the Microsoft Office in New York, United States of America by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mrs Doris Uzoka-Anite. She said the programme would position Nigeria as an export hub for talent outsourcing in Africa following the example of India, Bangladesh, Mexico and The Philippines. Mrs Uzoka-Anite noted that NATEP is a key national initiative that will serve as a

By Bliss Okperan The early morning fire that gutted a part of the Supreme Court complex in Abuja has been blamed on an electrical malfunction. The Director of Information of the apex court, Mr Festus Akande, said this on Monday morning when he appeared on Arise Television’s breakfast programme, The Morning Show. According to him, preliminary investigation showed that the fire was triggered by an electrical fault, playing down rumours that the Supreme Court was attacked by arsonists. Attention is on the apex court over the outcome of the presidential election held on Saturday, February 15, 2023. The Appeal Court

By Bliss Okperan The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has accused a former presidential candidate of the party, Mr Rabiu Kwankwaso, of being responsible for the sacking of the Governor of Kano State, Mr Yusuf Abba, at the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal on Wednesday. A three-man panel led by Justice Oluyemi Akintan-Osadebay removed Mr Abba as Governor, ordering the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to hand the Certificate of Return to the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the poll, Mr Nasir Gawuna. Reacting to the development, a chieftain of NNPP in Southwest, Mr Abass Akande Onilewura, alleged

By Adedapo Adesanya  With travel restrictions and quarantines accelerating, major crude futures fell more than 13 percent on Wednesday as the bearish outcome added to fear of a looming recession. Brent crude dropped 6.54 percent or $1.99 to trade at $28.42 per barrel, while the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude fell by 16.25 percent equivalent to $4.44 to add more worries to the United States economy at $20.83 per barrel. The coronavirus pandemic has caused global travel to collapse affecting oil which is a major commodity that powers the economy. But as flights have been cancelled. Shipping, transportation, and manufacturing

By Funmi Dele-Giwa If you’re reading this, there’s a very good chance you’re already familiar with the acronym ESG. Standing for “environmental”, “social”, and “governance”, it’s a constantly evolving standard that emphasises the importance of doing business in a way that positively impacts the environment, society and stakeholders. In essence, it’s the idea that companies can grow and profit while doing good and it encourages businesses to be more transparent about how they add to or create value for their society, community and/or stakeholders. While ESG has its critics (on both sides of the aisle), its philosophy has gained near-universal

By Dipo Olowookere President Muhammadu Buhari is already in the Gambia with other leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to have discussions with the country’s President, Mr Yahya Jammeh. The Nigerian leader arrived Banjul, the Gambia capital, on Friday ahead of the talks. The ECOWAS leaders hope to pressure Mr Jammeh to handover power to the President-elect, Mr Adama Barrow. Mr Buhari and his crew were supposed to be in the small West African country on Wednesday, but Mr Jammeh asked for the meeting to be pushed to today. If the talks become successful, Mr Jammeh

By Modupe Gbadeyanka Treasury bills yields yesterday traded on a flat note at the market as traders participated in the bond auction conducted by the Debt Management Office (DMO). At the close of business on Wednesday, the yields closed at 14.26 percent, the same rate it traded on Tuesday. Investors are anticipating the repayment of N131.415 billion worth of maturing Nigerian Treasury Bills (NTBs) today by the government through the debt office. But due to the bond auction yesterday, Business Post reports that the treasury bills market was quiet. However, the market is expected to be vibrant today, though the

The indigenes of Osun State and visitors to the ongoing Osun Osogbo festival have expressed excitement and appreciation to Goldberg Lager Beer for unveiling the Goldberg Beer Village, an initiative that enhances trade and commerce in the ancient city. The people commended the beer brand at the Ogo-Oluwa area, venue of the Goldberg Beer Village on Tuesday during the official unveiling by the Ataoja of Osogboland, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun Larooye II and the Goldberg brand team. The Baale Elese of Osogboland, Adebayo Moshood, who represented the royal father at the event, showered prayers on the Goldberg team and Nigerian

By Adedapo Adesanya As African countries kick off intra-regional trading under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement, many stakeholders on the continent have welcomed the latest development. The African Union (AU) launched the start of the trading of the continental free trade area on January 1, marking a significant milestone towards the world’s largest free-trade zone. The Rwandan President, Mr Paul Kagame, via a Twitter post, stated that, “Cheers to the launch of Trading #AfCFTA, to those who put it all together and the rest of us who have to join in to make it work and worthwhile!!”

By Aduragbemi Omiyale On Saturday, March 12, 2022, women entrepreneurs in Lagos, Abuja, Ibadan and Port Harcourt will have the opportunity to display their products and services for free and network with others to boost their businesses. This free platform is being provided by Ecobank Nigeria through its female-flagship initiative called Ellevate. It is to commemorate this year’s International Women’s Day (IWD). Apart from the free exhibition, participants will undergo free training sessions to be facilitated by experts to help their businesses. The Ellevate by Ecobank is designed to reduce gender inequality in entrepreneurship and aid equal representation for women