Microsoft has published a new code of conduct for its artificial intelligence models, placing human control and safety at the centre of how its systems should operate. The code, released by Microsoft’s AI division, is based on what the company describes as “Humanist AI” — an approach designed to ensure that AI systems remain under human control rather than operating independently. Microsoft said the central principle behind the framework is that people should remain more important than AI. The move comes amid growing concerns over the potential risks posed by increasingly capable AI systems, including their use in cyberattacks. Microsoft…
Author: Abdoulaye Kay
Nearly five million people have been affected by severe flooding in India’s eastern Bihar State, with all seven major rivers in the region reportedly rising above danger levels following heavy rainfall. The flooding, which began earlier this month, has submerged large areas of farmland and disrupted livelihoods across several communities. According to Bihar’s Disaster Management Department, close to five million people have been affected by the disaster. The state government said relief operations were underway in the worst-hit areas, with food, drinking water, medicines and other essential supplies being distributed to affected families. Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary said…
Zamfara State has confirmed 367 cases of diphtheria, with 320 patients treated and discharged as health authorities intensify efforts to contain the outbreak. The state Director of Public Health, Dr Yusuf Haske, disclosed the figures in Gusau while briefing journalists on the latest situation. Haske said laboratory tests on samples from suspected patients confirmed the presence of the diphtheria-causing organism, with further confirmation obtained from the National Reference Centre in Abuja. Following the confirmation, the state government declared an outbreak and activated its Incident Management System to coordinate the response. Rapid response teams were deployed across the state’s 14 local…
Researchers at the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) have raised concerns over the possible contamination of commonly consumed foods during milling, saying metallic particles released from cast-iron grinding discs could pose long-term health risks. The researchers found that as much as 1.7 grammes of metallic contaminants could be introduced into 10 kilogrammes of ground maize during dry milling. The study, funded by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) under its National Research Fund, examined the levels, sources and potential health implications of metallic contamination associated with grinding discs used in food processing. According to the researchers, the average size of the…
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled another industrial-scale methamphetamine laboratory in Ebonyi State and arrested a suspected Mexican drug kingpin linked to the facility. The agency, in a statement made available to ASHENEWS on Tuesday, said the breakthrough followed months of investigation into a wider transnational network allegedly involved in establishing clandestine drug laboratories in Nigerian forests and rural communities. The suspect, identified as 56-year-old Arturo Carrera Loaiza, was arrested on August 19, 2026, while allegedly attempting to leave Nigeria through the Lagos airport. According to the NDLEA, Loaiza initially claimed that he had been invited into…
President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, has assured investors that the Initial Public Offering (IPO) of Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals FZE presents a compelling opportunity for strong returns and sustainable wealth creation, positioning the offer as a chance for Nigerians and Africans to participate in one of the continent’s most significant industrial achievements. Speaking during the “Facts Behind the Offer” presentation at the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) in Lagos, Dangote described the $1.6 billion offer as the largest IPO ever undertaken in Africa, underscoring the company’s commitment to broadening ownership and enabling millions of individuals to…
Investors subscribed to about N1.48 trillion worth of shares in the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals Initial Public Offering (IPO) within the first hour of its opening, signalling strong demand from both retail and institutional investors. The Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX) said 402,634 transactions worth N1.476 trillion had been recorded before midday on Monday, shortly after the offer opened. The IPO involves 4.1 billion ordinary shares priced at N525 each, with the company targeting approximately N2.15 trillion from the offer. The subscription will close on October 13, 2026. The strong opening means investors had subscribed to a substantial portion of…
Nigeria’s solid mineral exports rose by N113.53 billion to N249.70 billion in the first half of 2026, reflecting a significant increase in the country’s mineral trade. An analysis of the National Bureau of Statistics’ Foreign Trade Statistics shows that solid mineral exports increased by about 83.4% from N136.17 billion recorded in the first half of 2025. The increase was driven by stronger performances in both quarters of the year. In the first quarter, mineral exports rose to N102.80 billion from N58.87 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2025. The value increased further to N146.91 billion in the second quarter,…
Nigeria’s equities market extended its winning streak on Monday as banking stocks helped lift the benchmark index by 0.10% on the first day of the Dangote Refinery IPO. The Nigerian Exchange All-Share Index (ASI) rose to 243,299.24 points from 243,052.74 points, while market capitalisation increased by N159.8 billion to N157.75 trillion. The modest gain extended the market’s recovery to a fourth consecutive session and pushed its year-to-date return to 56.35%. The positive close came as investors turned their attention to the much-anticipated Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals IPO, which opened on the same day. Banking stocks provided much of the…
Aliko Dangote’s personal fortune could increase by almost $23 billion if the valuation projected for Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals is achieved following the company’s initial public offering (IPO). According to Bloomberg calculations cited by Nairametrics, Dangote’s net worth could rise from about $35.3 billion to approximately $58.2 billion, representing an increase of about $22.9 billion. The potential increase is linked to Dangote’s 84.34% stake in the refinery and the valuation of the business at nearly $50 billion under the IPO. The public offer, which opened on Monday, is expected to raise about $1.6 billion for the refinery. The offer…