Ecobank Clears Air on Disengagement of Contract Staff

By Adedapo Adesanya The Senate on Tuesday confirmed the nomination of Mr Zacch Adedeji as the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS). Mr Adedeji, who appeared at the upper chamber for his screening today, revealed his plans to improve the nation’s revenue, referring to the dearth of information in the oil and gas sector. The FIRS boss promised that most of the leakages would be halted. According to him, the core problem in the country is that of proper data, adding that developing data upon which decisions will be made is fundamental. He explained that this would enable

By Aduragbemi Omiyale Two new independent non-executive directors have been appointed to the board of a sector-agnostic proprietary investment company, VFD Group Plc. The firm, which publicly trades its stocks on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited, confirmed this development in a statement. The appointees joining the board comprising highly respected professionals are Ms Rashida Saleh and Ms Nneka Okekearu. The statement disclosed that the appointments became effective on Wednesday, October 25, 2023, though subject to shareholder approval at the next Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the organisation. VFD Group, which said the addition of the duo underscores its commitment to

By Modupe Gbadeyanka A veteran journalist, Mr Bayo Onanuga, has been appointed as the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy. A statement issued on Friday by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Ajuri Ngelale, said Mr Tinubu also appointed Ms Delu Bulus Yakubu as his Senior Special Assistant on Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation. In the statement, the President wished his new aides “well in the discharge of their duties,” noting that their appointments were “part of efforts to prioritize effective and efficient working synergy between the Presidency and Federal Ministries.

By Adedapo Adesanya Music streaming service, Spotify, will cut about 17 per cent of its global workforce in another round of layoffs amid slowing economic growth. According to the CEO of the streamer, Mr Daniel Ek, this figure represents around 1,500 of its 9,000 staff. Earlier in January, Spotify, based in Sweden, said it would cut staff by 6 per cent and announced a hiring slowdown in October, but this move to reduce costs goes much deeper. Most Spotify staff impacted by the cuts will receive approximately five months’ severance pay, including healthcare, and be eligible for two months’ outplacement

By Aduragbemi Omiyale Some customers of a prominent wellness company, iFitness, are currently not happy with the management of the firm because of the introduction of annual club dues. They described the development as a rip-off, calling on the team to reverse it or risk losing them to competitors. iFitness is a gym club with a unique selling point of using a membership subscription in any of its branches nationwide. It also operates a franchise, which makes it easier for members to use any of its facilities in any state of the federation it operates. On Sunday, there were reports

The humanitarian community in South Sudan has today launched an appeal for US$1.5 billion to provide urgent and life-saving assistance to 5.7 million people affected by conflict, hunger and displacement. Alain Noudéhou, the Humanitarian Coordinator for South Sudan, said: “As we prepare to enter 2019, South Sudan remains in the grip of a serious humanitarian crisis. The cumulative effects of years of conflict and violence against civilians has destroyed people’s homes and livelihoods. “It is with this in mind that today I am calling for $1.5 billion to give assistance and protection to 5.7 million people who have been affected

By Modupe Gbadeyanka The first trading day of this week started off on a negative note as the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) closed on Monday with a marginal loss. The equity market finished 0.04 percent lower after being in the green zone for most part of the trading day, but slipped into the red territory late afternoon when heavy sell-off witnessed in the banking and oil and gas sectors dragged the market down. By the time the stock market closed for the day’s activity, Seplat emerged as the biggest price loser, depreciating by N21.90k to close at N700.10k per share.

By Modupe Gbadeyanka Transcorp Hilton Abuja Hotel is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, having officially opened its door to its first guest on April 21, 1987. The iconic hotel, which has through the years, hosted royalty, Presidents, global leaders, celebrities and other dignitaries, gathered friends, partners, clients, its board members and staff to commemorate its legacy and rich history as a pioneer in Nigeria’s hospitality sector. Built on 20 hectares of land, the 670 bedroom 5-star hotel began operations as Nicon Noga Hilton Hotel, a member of the Hilton family of brands. To commemorate this milestone, Transcorp Hilton Abuja

By Jerome-Mario Chijioke Utomi Seemingly good news came recently the way of Nigerians living in the flood-prone areas of the country. The message, which was from the new Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof Joseph Utsev, among other remarks, stated that ‘there is no immediate threat of flooding in the country. Utsev, who spoke to newsmen in Abuja on Friday, explained that the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) had observed an increase in the volume of flow along the River Benue system, registering a flow level of 8.97 meters today. This, he said, was insignificant, as compared to a

By Modupe Gbadeyanka Residents of the Ojokoro community in the Ifako/Ijaiye area of Lagos State have benefitted from the free cataract surgeries performed by the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) in collaboration with a group known as Friends of LASUTH. This is part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative aimed at giving back to society and an offshoot of a free medical outreach the hospital held earlier in the year. Over 500 beneficiaries were screened during the outreach, and 48 people were diagnosed with cataracts and scheduled for free operations at LASUTH. The Chief Medical Director of LASUTH,

By Modupe Gbadeyanka The Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Mr Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, has been appointed to head the tax advisory committee constituted to boost the internally generated revenue (IGR) of the oil-rich state. The Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Mr Ayiba Duba, announced this on Thursday after the executive council session at the Government House in Yenagoa, the state capital. Mr Duba, while addressing newsmen after the meeting, said the team has as members the Commissioners for Finance, Justice, Budget, Environment, Trade and Investment, Agriculture, Transportation, the Accountant General of the state, chairman of internal revenue board and three