Vice President Kashim Shettima has called for the revival and revitalisation of Nigeria’s railways system as the only way to secure the nation’s position as Africa’s logistics hub. Speaking at the opening of the 2nd International Railway Conference in Abuja, Shettima urged stronger networking and collaboration among stakeholders to drive progress in the sector. He noted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has prioritised strategic railway projects such as the Kano–Maradi modernisation to open new trade gateways under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The Vice President stressed that over-reliance on road transport has caused congestion, decayed infrastructure and…
Author: Abdallah el-Kurebe
The United Nations has revised its proposed 2026 programme budget, slashing more than $500 million in response to financial pressures. The cuts, shared Monday with the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), represent a 15.1% reduction in resources and an 18.8% cut in posts compared to 2025. Peacekeeping support operations will also face reductions. Secretary-General António Guterres said the review was part of the new UN80 Initiative, aimed at making the organisation leaner and more resilient as it marks its 80th anniversary. He stressed the cuts were “carefully calibrated,” shielding programmes that directly benefit least developed, landlocked and…
Nigeria is banking on proactive agricultural policies to transform its food systems, protect the climate, and secure better livelihoods for farmers, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, has said. Speaking at a high-level UN event in Rome, Italy, Kyari stressed that agriculture must go beyond just producing food. According to him, it should restore degraded soils and ecosystems, reduce emissions, and ensure that farmers—especially smallholders—can live and work with dignity. “In Nigeria, we are laying the foundations for a climate-resilient, nature-positive food system. From distributing improved seeds and promoting better soil management to expanding agroforestry, we…
The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has clarified that Nigerians will not be required to obtain a separate Tax Identification Number (TIN) in order to open or operate bank accounts. The agency explained that the TIN system has been designed to work seamlessly with existing national identifiers such as the National Identification Number (NIN) for individuals and Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) registration numbers for companies and other legal entities. The clarification followed reports suggesting that, beginning January 2026, Nigerians would have to present a TIN before they could open or maintain bank accounts. The reports sparked concerns that citizens might…
Hypertension, commonly called high blood pressure, is one of Nigeria’s deadliest silent killers. Millions live with the condition without knowing, until complications such as stroke, heart attack, or kidney failure strike. Now, Apple has stepped into the fight against hypertension. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a new Apple Watch feature that can alert users if it detects signs of persistently high blood pressure. Here’s how it works: The Apple Watch’s optical heart sensor tracks how blood vessels respond with every beat. Over 30 days, it gathers data. If signs of hypertension are consistent, the wearer receives a…
The tongue is a muscular organ that plays a vital role in speaking, swallowing, and tasting. It’s supported by the hyoid bone and connected to several key muscles, like the palatoglossus, palatopharyngeus, and hyoglossus, which help it move in complex ways. The tongue is a muscular organ in the mouth essential for speaking, swallowing, and tasting. It is composed of intrinsic muscles that change its shape and extrinsic muscles that move the tongue in complex directions. Parts of the tongue Tip: The most anterior, highly mobile part of the tongue. Body: The middle section of the tongue, with a rough dorsal (upper)…
The Federation of African Journalists (FAJ) has strongly condemned what it described as the “relentless killing and abuses” of journalists and media workers in Gaza by the Israeli military. In a statement on Friday, the regional body of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) said it was horrified by the scale of attacks allegedly carried out by Israeli forces, lamenting that more than 221 Palestinian journalists and media workers have so far been killed in the ongoing conflict. “We mourn our fallen colleagues, we recognise the trauma carried by victim journalists and we send our heartfelt solidarity to the Palestinian…
Before you plant a seed, the first step toward a bountiful harvest begins beneath your feet — the soil. Proper soil preparation and fertility management are key to healthy crops, increased yields, and long-term productivity. Here’s a detailed breakdown every farmer or gardener should understand: Understanding Soil PreparationSoil preparation is the process of getting the land ready for planting. It involves clearing, tilling, and conditioning the soil to support seed germination and plant growth. Key steps include: Clearing the land: Remove weeds, stumps, and debris. Tillage: Break up compacted soil to allow air, water, and roots to penetrate easily. Leveling:…
The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has achieved a historic first with the conversion of Petroleum Prospecting Licence (PPL) 202 to Petroleum Mining Lease (PML) 66. NUPRC Chief Executive, Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, said the move, finalised at a signing ceremony in Abuja, marks the first-ever conversion under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021. He noted that the development underscores Nigeria’s resilience in the upstream sector and reaffirms the country as a leading destination for oil and gas investment. The licence, won in the 2020 Marginal Field Bid Round, is held by Suntrust Oil Company, Petrogas Energy Trade W.A Ltd,…
The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has called on oil companies to show greater commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR) in their host communities, in line with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA). Chairman of the Commission, Dr. Mohammed Bello Shehu, gave the charge during a meeting with Sterling Oil Exploration & Energy Production Company (SEEPCO), Orient Petroleum, and their host communities in Anambra State. The meeting, held on Friday in Abuja, was also attended by officials of the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC). Shehu said the forum was convened following complaints of neglect by…