As of February 28, Microsoft Defender customers will lose access to the VPN that came with the subscription. Billed as “the privacy protection feature,” it included in the subscription isolated Microsoft 365 applications for additional security. It was released in 2023. Why did Microsoft remove the VPN feature? “Our goal is to ensure you, and your family remain safer online,” an anonymous Microsoft employee wrote in the end-of-support notification. “We routinely evaluate the usage and effectiveness of our features. As such, we are removing the privacy protection feature and will invest in new areas that will better align to customer…
Author: Abdoulaye Kay
BudgIT, a civic tech organization committed to transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s public finance, has responded to recent media reports that it says misrepresented its findings on Sokoto State’s budget and fiscal transparency. The organization emphasized that its evaluation was not meant to criticize Governor Ahmed Aliyu’s administration but to encourage greater financial disclosure, which is crucial for good governance. In a statement, BudgIT explained that its State Fiscal Transparency League (SFTL) Report builds on the World Bank’s State Fiscal Transparency, Accountability, and Sustainability (SFTAS) Program. The SFTL assessment uses a clear methodology to evaluate how timely, accessible, and comprehensive…
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported a decline in confirmed Lassa fever cases in Epidemiological Week 3 of 2025. However, fatalities remain a concern, with 39 deaths recorded so far this year. The NCDC disclosed this in its latest Lassa Fever Situation Report, published on Sunday via its official website. According to the report, confirmed cases fell from 89 in Week 2 to 71 in Week 3, with infections reported in Ondo, Edo, Bauchi, Taraba, Plateau, Ebonyi, Gombe, Nasarawa, Delta, and Kogi States. Despite the weekly decline, cumulative confirmed cases for 2025 have risen to…
The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA) has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate an alleged ₦480 million bribery scheme involving members of the National Assembly and university vice-chancellors. HEDA, a leading anti-corruption and good governance group, raised concerns over reports that some lawmakers are demanding bribes from vice-chancellors in exchange for the smooth passage of university budgets and funding approvals. In a statement issued on Sunday, HEDA Chairman Olanrewaju Suraju described the alleged scheme as a direct attack on Nigeria’s education sector, warning…
Stakeholders in the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) have acknowledged the transformative leadership of Bishop Wale Oke, crediting him with elevating the Christian body beyond the pulpit into a significant force in national affairs. They noted that under his leadership, the Fellowship has evolved from being solely a religious organization to actively shaping policies, driving social change, and strengthening churches across the country. Public affairs analyst Adeniyi Ifetayo highlighted one of Bishop Oke’s major initiatives, the Greater Nigeria Crusade, which mobilizes ministers and believers to pray for national transformation. The program has drawn thousands in Anambra, Uyo, and Port Harcourt,…
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has announced a reduction in the ex-depot price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, from N950 to N890 per litre. In a statement issued on Saturday, the company said the new price takes effect from February 1, 2025. According to the refinery’s spokesperson, Anthony Chiejina, the price adjustment aligns with the recent decline in international crude oil prices and the improving outlook in the global energy market. “This reduction reflects the fluctuations in global crude oil prices, just as our January 19 adjustment was based on rising international crude costs at the time,”…
A professor of Animal Science at the Bayero University Kano, Bashir Muhammad Fagge has advocated for a national push toward fortification and modification of milk, meat, and eggs to enhance nutrition and economic sustainability. Prof. Fagge made this assertion during the 52nd inaugural lecture of Bayero University, Kano held on 30 January 2025. Fagge has spent years studying the power of animal-based foods and their impact on human health. Speaking on the subject, Fagge highlighted that the everyday foods that are packed with essential nutrients could be even more beneficial with scientific enhancements. “Milk and eggs are among the most…
Afrobeats superstar Davido has unveiled his own line of electric bikes, a project he describes as a step towards generational wealth, sustainability, and empowerment. Announcing the venture on Instagram on Tuesday, the 32-year-old singer expressed his long-term vision for ownership and impact. “Manifestation is spiritual,” Davido wrote.“Years ago, I claimed 30BG, but it wasn’t just about success—it was about purpose. Today, I’m transforming that vision into something bigger: generational wealth and ownership.” Developed in partnership with Spiro, a major player in Africa’s electric vehicle market, the bikes aim to provide a Made-in-Africa solution to transportation challenges across the continent. The…
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has inaugurated a ‘Drug-Free Safety Club’ under its Catch Them Young initiative to promote a drug-free society among students. The inauguration and awareness campaign against illicit drugs took place on Friday at Government Secondary School, Gwarinpa Estate, Abuja. NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, represented by Dr. Paul Kamai, Deputy Director in charge of Narcotics in the FCT, emphasized the importance of early intervention to prevent substance abuse. “There is a high rate of alcohol and drug abuse in society. Our goal is to educate young students on the dangers…
The Coca-Cola System in Nigeria, comprising Coca-Cola Nigeria Ltd. and its authorized bottler, Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC), has inaugurated a state-of-the-art packaging collection hub in Lagos to address plastic waste management. Speaking at the commissioning ceremony on Friday night in Lagos, Zoran Bogdanovic, Chief Executive Officer of Coca-Cola, stated that the facility aims to enhance waste collection and recycling efforts in Nigeria. The hub, a significant milestone in Nigeria’s plastic recycling infrastructure, can process up to 13,000 metric tonnes of plastic bottles annually. Bogdanovic emphasized that the investment demonstrates the company’s commitment to sustainability, job creation, and community support. “This…