Google Earmarks $25m for Women Empowerment in Africa

By Adedapo Adesanya  The Vice President,  Mr Kashim Shettima,  has said the private sector forms an integral half of the crucial foundation that holds the Nigerian government, noting that President Bola Tinubu is committed to creating an environment that fosters entrepreneurship and innovation. This, according to him, explains why the president’s vision for Nigeria is grounded in eight priority areas, including poverty eradication, economic growth, job creation, and equitable access to capital. The Vice President spoke on Thursday while commissioning some projects, including the Ijele 93.1 FM Radio Station, Phase Two of the Sir Emeka Offor Foundation (SEOF) Touch-a-Life Housing

By Adedapo Adesanya The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has written to the World Bank to suspend issuing loans to Nigeria’s 36 states over allegations of mismanaging public funds which may include loans obtained from the institution. In the letter dated November 25, 2023, the group specifically wants the bank’s President, Mr Ajay Banga, “to promptly, transparently and effectively conduct an investigation into the spending of loans and other facilities by the country’s 36 state governors and to suspend any loans and funding if there is relevant admissible evidence of mismanagement or diversion of public funds by any of

By Aduragbemi Omiyale The Oyo State government has maintained that its decision to register all commercial motorcycle and tricycle riders in the state was to promote public safety and not for any other purpose. The Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mr Dotun Oyelade, said this during a one-day sensitisation meeting with Okada and Keke riders in Ibadan. He explained that the meeting became necessary following a recent state security council meeting, noting that the exercise will help in the documentation of riders in the state. The Commissioner called for sustained cooperation between motorcycle and tricycle riders and the state

By Bliss Okperan The Minister of FCT, Mr Nyesom Wike, has been advised to extend an olive branch to the Governor of Rivers State, Mr Siminialayi Fubara. The Minister, who handed over the reins of Rivers State to Mr Fubara, has been at loggerheads with his successor. A few weeks ago, some lawmakers of the Rivers State House of Assembly loyal to Mr Wike attempted to impeach the Governor, but President Bola Tinubu quickly intervened and doused the tension. However, all is still not well with both parties, with the Minister granting an interview last week to accuse his ‘political

By Adedapo Adesanya The NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange recorded a 0.31 per cent depreciation on Friday, October 13, caused by the N8.77 loss posted by 11 Plc and the 6 Kobo decline suffered by Geo-Fluids Plc. During the trading session, the share price of 11 Plc ended at N135.63 per unit compared with the previous day’s N144.40 per unit, while Geo-Fluids Plc finished at N2.80 per share versus Thursday’s N2.74 per share. As a result, the market capitalisation of the bourse went down by N3.42 billion to close at N1.107 trillion, in contrast to the preceding day’s value of

By Adedapo Adesanya Italian oil major, Eni, which is the parent company of Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC), is set to resume its contract after it lifted force majeure on Brass terminal, Bonny NLNG and Okpai power plant following the restoration of the Ogoda/Brass 24 oil pipeline at Okparatubo, Nembe Local Government Area, Bayelsa State. The embargo was lifted on Friday after completing repairs to the pipeline hit by blast on March 5. The company had earlier announced its intention to lift the embargo last week. The energy firm had blamed the cause of the leak on third-party interference. After

No fewer than 25 local entrepreneurs have benefited from an advanced manufacturing training programme organised by the Ondo State government and General Electric, the world’s digital industrial company. The skill development partnership programme involved GE’s Lagos Garage and the Ondo State Information Technology Agency. It was aimed to develop the skills of entrepreneurs in the state in advanced manufacturing and business development. The intensive one-week training was also aimed at empowering 25 entrepreneurs drawn from across the state with valuable skills in advanced manufacturing. The programme, facilitated by GE Garage engineers and instructors, took place at the Ondo State Information

By Investors Hub The major U.S. index futures are pointing to a lower opening on Thursday, with stocks likely to give back ground after trending higher over the past several sessions. Profit taking may contribute to initial weakness on Wall Street, as traders cash in on the recent strength in the markets that has lifted the Nasdaq and the S&P 500 to record highs. Uncertainty about trade talks between the U.S., Canada and Mexico may also weigh on the markets along with concerns about the ongoing trade dispute between the U.S. and China. The U.S. is considering imposing tariffs on

By Adedapo Adesanya Oil prices traded mixed on Thursday as concerns remain about a potential global recession that would knock energy demand, with the Brent crude futures growing by 52 cents to settle at $107.14 a barrel and the United States West Texas Intermediate crude (WTI) falling by 84 cents to $96.42 a barrel. The US economy unexpectedly contracted in the second quarter, with consumer spending growing at its slowest pace in two years. It is also fuelling concerns about a recession – a signal that would affect demand in one of the world’s largest oil-consuming nations. This could deter

By Modupe Gbadeyanka To increase digital inclusion across Nigeria and the African continent, Airtel Nigeria has partnered with a phone maker, itel, to allow customers to acquire affordable 4G smartphones. To enjoy the 4G experience, customers are only required to purchase the itel A60 smartphone, insert an Airtel 4G SIM card, and get 5GB data to browse the internet and connect to different social media platforms. “The itel A60 is specially packaged with a 5GB data, which is accessible once you purchase and activate your phone with an Airtel 4G SIM,” the Marketing Director of Airtel Nigeria, Mr Ismail Adeshina,

By Modupe Gbadeyanka A primary mortgage institution (PMI) in Nigeria, Omoluabi Mortgage Bank Plc, has declared a 39 percent growth in its profit in the first half of the year. Its financial statements released yesterday showed that the growth also cut across key areas of the firm in the period under review when compared with the corresponding period of 2016. Omoluabi Mortgage Bank Plc is a financial institution which offers residential and commercial mortgage financing services in the country. An analysis of its financial results showed that it raked N229 million as total turnover as at June 30, 2017 versus

By Dipo Olowookere The Senate Committee on Health, Dr Lanre Tejuosho, has called for the removal of outsourcing services from the service wide vote to ensure uninterrupted service delivery in the health sector. The lawmaker made this call during the budget defence of health ministry and its agencies in Abuja. He stated that the incessant strike in the health sector has adversely affected the progress made so far in the sector. He further observed that the one percent consolidation funding enshrined in the National Health act 2014 has not been realised, because the act has not been implemented. He added