The Chairman of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Kwara Chapter, Mr Abdulmalik Baba, has praised President Bola Tinubu for approving tax waivers for the pharmaceutical sector. Baba made this known during an interview with newsmen in Ilorin on Sunday, stating that the policy would significantly reduce medicine costs nationwide and ease the burden on consumers. He noted that the two-year tax relief for pharmaceutical firms would lower production and importation costs, especially amid high foreign exchange rates. “Importation of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients is very expensive, and exchange rates have driven up drug costs. With this waiver, we expect a…
Author: Newsdesk
The first female pilot of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Nafisat Balogun, has obtained a commercial multi-engine pilot licence in the United States. NCS spokesperson Abdullahi Maiwada disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen on Sunday in Abuja. Maiwada said that following the feat, Superintendent of Customs Balogun was honored at a ceremony organized by the Nigeria Customs Technical Hangar Service recently. He described her achievement as a historic milestone, being the first female pilot in a field long dominated by men. Maiwada noted that Balogun’s resilience, discipline, and determination serve as motivation for other officers to strive…
Security experts have renewed calls for urgent reform of Nigeria’s policing system, citing recent killings in Kaduna State and persistent insurgency in the North-East as evidence of the limitations of the current centralized structure. The position is contained in a communique issued at the end of the 46th Annual General Meeting of the Alumni Association of the National Institute (AANI), made available to reporters on Monday. The communique noted that Nigeria continues to grapple with complex security challenges, including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and violent conflicts, especially in the North-East and North-West regions. It observed that the current centralized policing framework…
Children from the Child Rights Advocacy Club in Mashi Local Government Area of Katsina State have raised serious concerns over worsening climate-related and environmental challenges affecting their safety and education. The children made their voices heard during an advocacy visit to the Mashi Council Chairman and the District Head of Mashi on Sunday, urging authorities to act swiftly. The event was supported by Save the Children International through the Education Cannot Wait (ECW) funded project. The young advocates warned that the deteriorating state of their school environments poses a direct threat to their health, safety, learning, and overall well-being. Speaking…
The Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE) has called for targeted tariff adjustments to strengthen domestic refining, improve mobility, and expand access to renewable energy nationwide. CPPE Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Muda Yusuf, made the call in a statement on Sunday in Lagos, reacting to the 2026 Fiscal Policy Measures and Tariff Amendments. The framework is reported to signal a strategic shift towards domestic production, deeper industrialization, and reduced import dependence. The measures include revisions to the Import Adjustment Tax across 192 tariff lines, selective import restrictions, lower tariffs on inputs, excise adjustments, and green taxes on imported…
The Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers (NICE) has called for sweeping reforms in urban mass transport, warning that rapid urbanisation is outpacing infrastructure and policy delivery. The call was made on Sunday at the 6th U.G. Jibrin Distinguished Annual Public Lecture in Abuja, themed “Urban Mass Transportation: An Urgent Agenda.” Guest speaker, Mr. Nebolisa Emordi, said Nigeria’s urban population has exceeded 100 million, with nearly 70 per cent projected to live in cities by 2050. He said the surge demands urgent and deliberate action to modernise transport through strategic planning, regulation, and technology-driven solutions. Emordi noted that the system is…
Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has confirmed the safe rescue of 15 abducted passengers in the state. Alia disclosed this on Sunday during a joint briefing with the Police Commissioner, Ifeanyi Emenari, at the Government House in Makurdi. The victims were reportedly kidnapped on Wednesday, April 15, along the Taraku–Otukpo road but were later rescued unharmed. The governor explained that 17 persons were initially abducted, but two escaped separately, leaving 15 who were eventually rescued. Among the victims were eight candidates of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). Alia urged JAMB to make special arrangements for the affected…
Turkish Airlines and Air Peace have signed a Bilateral Special Prorate Agreement to enhance connectivity between Nigeria, Africa, and global destinations. This was contained in a statement issued by Air Peace spokesperson, Mr. Efe Osifo-Whiskey, on Sunday in Lagos. Osifo-Whiskey said the partnership enables passengers to enjoy single-ticket travel, coordinated schedules, and simplified baggage handling across both airlines. He added that the agreement applies to selected routes and eligible itineraries, ensuring smoother and more convenient journeys across multiple destinations. “Through this agreement, Turkish Airlines passengers arriving in Lagos can connect seamlessly to Air Peace’s domestic and regional network,” he said.…
The Lagos State Government has unveiled comprehensive cybersecurity guidelines to enhance digital safety for businesses, public institutions, and residents across the state. The framework aims to strengthen protection against cyber threats and support Lagos’ ambition of becoming a secure, globally competitive digital hub. Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, stated on Sunday that the initiative responds to rising cyber risks in Nigeria’s rapidly expanding digital ecosystem. Omotoso noted that Lagos, as Africa’s fastest-growing technology hub hosting thousands of enterprises, faces increasing exposure to cyber threats. Citing data from NITDA, he said Nigeria loses over 500 million dollars annually…
An entrepreneur, Dr. Obaje Austin, has called for the adoption of solar technology to drive economic growth, strengthen value chains, and create jobs in Nigeria. Austin, Managing Director of Powerverse Tech Ltd and Executive Director of Oyoyo Market Square Ltd, made the remarks in an interview with reporters on Sunday in Abuja. He spoke during the one-year anniversary of Oyoyo Iceblock, a solar-powered business initiative. Austin said solar energy has the potential to transform Nigeria’s economy and improve livelihoods across sectors. His solar-powered ice block production business demonstrates how renewable energy can support small-scale industries and stimulate economic activity. “For…