Organisers Fix 24th Yiwu Fair for October

By Kestér Kenn Klomegâh Russia, the largest country in the world by area, has a population of 147.2 million, according to the population census. In the 2021 census, it was said that roughly 81% of the population were ethnic Russians, and 19% of the population were ethnic minorities. Demographers say Russia has become increasingly reliant on immigration to maintain its population. Russia’s population is increasingly decreasing since the start of its invasion of neighbouring Ukraine in late February 2022. The demographic crisis has deepened primarily due to high military fatalities while simultaneously facing renewed brain drain and human capital flight

By Kestér Kenn Klomegâh South Africa prepares to host the African Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA) forum to review critical challenges and obstacles adversely impacting trade opportunities and economic cooperation between the United States and Africa. The United States first introduced the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) in 2000. It is the 20th AGOA forum scheduled from November 2 to 4 in Johannesburg, South Africa. The AGOA Trade and Economic Cooperation Forum seeks to expand and deepen trade and investment relationships between the United States and Sub-Saharan Africa. It also encourages regional integration and further reaffirms Africa’s position as a

By Kestér Kenn Klomegâh The African continent is one of the fastest-growing energy markets in the world. This is due to the growing economic and demographic potential of African countries, as well as the efforts of many of them to combat climate change. Despite having passed through a long period of tumultuous post-colonial era, Africa’s efforts to ensure effective energy cooperation with leading global powers has not been an easy journey down the years. Until today, more than half of the estimated 1.4 billion still have no access to electric power for domestic utilization while industries continue suffering from frequent

By Dipo Olowookere Last week, the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) recorded a total turnover of 924.6 million shares worth N14.2 billion transacted in 14,119 deals compared with the 1.4 billion equities valued at N19.5 billion traded the previous week in 16,076 deals. This was mainly buoyed by financial stocks, which led the activity chart by volume with 745.2 million shares valued at N9.5 billion traded in 8,329 deals. With this, the sector alone contributed 80.60 percent and 66.77 percent to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively during the week. According to data released by the NSE on Friday,

By Adedapo Adesanya The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has explained that it would only partner with strategic policies and projects that are promoted by the federal government and would not invest or interfere in private sector oil and gas businesses that are competitive. This was disclosed by its Executive Secretary, Mr Simbi Wabote, when he hosted members of the Women in Energy Oil and Gas (WEOG) Nigeria, led by the President, Mrs Oladunni Owo, at the board’s liaison office in Abuja. He clarified that the board would not invest in competitive businesses because such investments would compromise

By Aduragbemi Omiyale The Minister of Information and Culture, Mr Lai Mohammed, has said Nigerians, especially the beneficiaries of the various social investment programmes, are enjoying a better quality of life under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. Speaking on Monday at the 16th PMB Administration Scorecard Series (2015-2023) in Abuja, he said the social investment schemes had given a new life to Nigerians. He described this as a legacy that might be difficult to match, noting that the initiatives remain “unprecedented in the whole of Africa.” Some of the social investment programmes include N-Power, School Feeding, Conditional Cash Transfer

By Adedapo Adesanya The Naira further depreciated against the American Dollar at the Peer-2-Peer (P2P) arm of the foreign exchange market on Thursday but closed stronger at the Investors and Exporters (I&E) window and maintained stability in the parallel market. As the market continues its first trading week in the new year, there was a further N10 loss on the greenback yesterday at the P2P window to settle at N768/$1, in contrast to the N758/$1 it was traded in the preceding session. However, in the specialised I&E window or the spot market, the Naira appreciated against the United States currency

By Walter Duru, Ph.D Three weeks ago, the hammer of the world’s watchdog on money laundering and terrorist financing, Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence Units fell on Nigeria for non-compliance with global best standards. The crux of the matter is the absence of autonomy for the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit-NFIU. The suspension which was announced at the Egmont Group meeting held in China from July 2nd to 7th, 2017, was following the refusal of Nigeria to make NFIU autonomous in its funding, operations and management of financial intelligence. The failure of Nigeria to pass a law making the NFIU independent

By Modupe Gbadeyanka The premises of Access Bank, Heritage Bank and other companies in Oyo State have been sealed by the state government over their failure to pay the land use charge. A statement signed on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr Dotun Oyelade, disclosed that the affected organisations refused to act on the notices sent to them before the closure of their business premises. Apart from commercial banks, some telecommunications masts around the Ibadan metropolis were not left out by the state government. It was gathered that the enforcement team of the Ministry

By Adedapo Adesanya Following a setback suffered from the failure to acquire English top-flight side, Newcastle United, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has reportedly moved its sight to Italian giants, Inter Milan FC. Italian media are reporting that Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) – among the largest sovereign wealth funds in the world with total estimated assets of at least $500 billion is moving its focus on a takeover of the struggling Italian champions. Saudi Arabia has been making attempts to secure the European football market and is said to be looking to complete a flagship deal with the

By Modupe Gbadeyanka The duration for processing and securing approval for title documents in Lagos State has been reduced to nine months from two years. The General Manager of the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA), Mr Kehinde Osinaike, explained that the reduction became necessary to address the rate of non-compliance with the of terms of agreement guiding the presentation of registered statutory title documents for approval as well as the level of abuse by members of the public. According to him, his agency has observed that over the years, 99 per cent of applicants granted provisional permits based