Author: Abdallah el-Kurebe

The Coalition of Association in Computer Village (CACOVI) has launched the relocation campaign of the Computer Village to the N40 billion Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Business Park at Katangowa, Lagos. The ceremony which began on Wednesday was in conjunction with Sterling Alternative Finance, Bridgeways, and Lagos state government. Mr Timi Famoroti, President, CACOVI said that the inauguration was to create awareness on the reality of the relocation of Computer Village to the new ICT Business Park. Famoroti said that Cocavi members had agreed to move to a more conducive environment free of any intimidation, harassment and aggression. According to…

The United Nations Population Fund (UNPF) on Thursday expressed concern over the increase in the number of the out-of-school children in Nigeria. UNPF made the observation at a workshop in Abeokuta on Civil Society Engagement on COVID-19 Response for Community Stakeholders. The programme was organised for stakeholders in Abeokuta South and Ado-Odo-Ota local government areas of the state. The programme was organised in collaboration with the Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria (PPFN). According to the Minister of State for Education, Mr Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, Nigeria has the highest number of out-of-school children in Sub-Sahara Africa, with over 10 million children affected.…

Canada Acting High Commissioner to Nigeria, Nicolas Simard, says his country is making financial and technical contributions to curbing terrorism in the ECOWAS sub-region and the Sahel. Simard made the assertion on Thursday in Abuja while addressing newsmen in commemoration of the 2021 Canadian National Day. According to him, a regional and comprehensive approach is what is required to effectively address the insecurity which has affected many countries in the sub-region. “On the security front, we are providing already funding at the regional level for the fight against terrorism. “The counter terrorism mechanisms to address some of the issues with…

Host communities will receive $500 million annually, as funding from the three per cent approved for Host Communities Trust Fund in the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), the Senate has said. Chairman, Senate Committee on Petroleum Downstream, Sen. Mohammed Sabo said this when he briefed newsmen on Thursday shortly after the senate passed the PIB. Sabo said although the committee initially recommended five per cent to the host communities, but after consultations, discovered that three per cent would adequately take care of the communities. “As at today, what is going to the host communities is three per cent. And three per…

The Afreximbank on Thursday in Abuja, says it will invest $2.5 billion in Nigeria for infrastructural development, as well as maximizing the economy of the country. The President,Board of Afreximbank, Prof. Benedict Oramah disclosed this when he led the delegation of the bank to visit the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha in his office. “We decided that giving importance of Nigeria to the bank in terms of the share of membership of the bank, the pivotal role Nigeria is playing is the bank, and also the extent of activities we undertake in Nigeria. “We…

Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN has hosted the High Commissioner of the Great Britain, Ms. Catriona Laing on Thursday. The meeting which lasted for almost an hour discussed bilateral issues relating to Asset Recovery, Anti-corruption crusade, amendment of the Electoral Act, the Audit Bill, Petroleum Industry Bill, Twitter ban and counter terrorism approaches. Malami said the fundamental interest and objective of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration was to leverage on the bill to enhance value in terms of creating amiable environment for investment, protecting the public interest for the maximum benefit of the…

The Senate has passed the long-awaited Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB). This followed approval of recommendations of the report of the Senate Joint Committee on Petroleum, (Downstream,) Petroleum (Upstream) and Gas at plenary on Thursday. Presenting the report, Chairman of the committee, Sen. Mohammmed Sabo said the bill consisted of five distinct and logically connected chapters. Sabo listed the chapters to include governance and institutions, administration, host communities development, petroleum industry fiscal framework and miscellaneous provisions, comprising 319 clauses and eight schedules. He said the committee carried out its assignment effectively and conducted a public hearing to collate inputs from critical…

A Kaduna High Court on Thursday, fixed July 28 for ruling in the No-case-submission filed by the leader of  the proscribed Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), Ibrahim Zakzaky and his wife Zeenat. Justice Gideon Kurada fixed the date after the prosecution and counsel to the defendants, addressed the court on the no case submission prayer. Mr Femi Falana, SAN, and lead counsel to El-Zakzaky, who spoke to reporters shortly after the adjournment, prayed the Court to rule in favor of his clients. “The prosecution and the defence addressed the court on the the no-case-submission prayer. “We did indicate last time…

A businessman, Tunde Akeem, 35, was on Thursday, remanded by an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for allegedly defiling a 13-year-old girl. The Magistrate, Mrs Ejiro Kubeinje who did not take the defendant’s plea, ordered that he be remanded in Kirikri Correctional Centre. Kuneinje, however, directed the police to send the case file to the state Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for advice. She adjourned the case till Sept. 29, for DPP’s advice. The defendant, who resides at Alakuko Lagos, is being tried for defilement. The Prosecution Counsel, ASP Bisi Ogunleye told the court that the defendant committed the offence on June…

The World Bank Group, International Monetary Fund, IMF, World Health Organisation, WHO, and World Trade Organisation, WTO, have expressed deep concern about the limited COVID-19 vaccines, therapeutics, diagnostics and support for deliveries available to developing countries. This is according to a joint statement issued on Thursday by the Task Force on COVID-19 Vaccines, Therapeutics and Diagnostics for Developing Countries at its first meeting in Washington. The task force is headed by David Malpass of the World Bank, Kristalina Georgieva of the International Monetary Fund, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus of World Health Organisation and Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala of the World Trade Organisation…