Author: Tina George

ASHENEWS reports that the Sani Bello Foundation has sponsored 2,601 students to tertiary institutions in Nigeria and outside Nigeria in the past eight years. The Director General of the Foundation, Dr Zakari Ikanni, disclosed this after the disbursement of local scholarships to 501 students for the 2024/2025 academic session. He said that the programme, which began in 2017, focuses on students from underserved and remote communities in Niger state. He added that the beneficiaries receive comprehensive support, including tuition assistance, mentorship, and career guidance, to ensure they are well-prepared for academic and professional success. “Since its inception, the Sani Bello…

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ASHENEWS reports that some financial organizations are joining forces in Niger state to drive economic growth through self-employment, financial inclusion, and sustainable agriculture as a means to empower women and youths in rural communities. To this end, ThriveAgric and Crust Microfinance Bank organized the Niger Youth and Women dialogue with the theme “igniting change and driving economic growth” to implement projects to help women and youths in rural communities to financial independence. According to the financial institutions, the dialogue would provide participants with the tools and knowledge necessary to achieve financial independence and drive local economic growth. Olawoye Olawale of…

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President Bola Tinubu has directed the exclusion of third-party research grant funds of federal universities and research institutions from the Treasury Single Account (TSA), a move aimed at boosting research and innovation in the country. This directive was communicated by the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, to the Coordinating Minister of Finance and National Economy, Wale Edun, instructing the exemption of research funds from the TSA system. The directive also grants universities and research institutions the autonomy to operate their endowment fund accounts through commercial banks. In a letter dated September 6, 2024, from the National Universities Commission (NUC)…

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ASHENEWS reports that the agricultural sector led Nigeria’s Company Income Tax (CIT) growth in the second quarter of 2024. According to a new report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), this sector recorded an impressive 474.50 per cent increase on a quarter-on-quarter basis. The report, released on Monday, September 9th, showed that overall, CIT collections for Q2 2024 totalled N2.47 trillion. This reflects a 150.83 percent rise from the N984.61 billion collected in the first quarter of the year. Local CIT payments contributed N1.35 trillion, while foreign CIT payments accounted for N1.12 trillion during the period under review. “Agriculture,…

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ASHENEWS reports that 48 people were burnt to death when a tanker conveying fuel exploded along the Lapai-Agaie road. The people were burnt beyond recognition and were buried on Sunday afternoon by humanitarian workers after the bodies were recovered from the scene of the incident. The incident occured in the early hours of Sunday two kilometers from Dendo community along the Lapai-Agaie road in Niger state. The Director General of the Niger state Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Alhaji Abdullahi Baba Arah who confirmed the incident said that the petrol tanker collided with a trailer truck loaded with travellers and cattle…

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ASHENEWS reports that the federal government has been called to establish a Ministry for Widow Affairs or an Agency for Widows to ensure that widows’ welfare is prioritized and their rights are protected. Dr. Omolola Omoteso, founder of the Walk With Widows Initiative, who stated this during the 5th Annual Justice for Widows Press Conference said that the Ministry or Agency will be responsible for the criminalization of widow abuse which would serve as a powerful deterrent, ensuring that perpetrators are held accountable. The conference, which drew stakeholders from various sectors, including human rights activists, government representatives, and members of…

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