Prof. Charles Anosike, Director-General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), has urged the private sector to increase investment in advancing weather and climate services across Nigeria and the wider region. Anosike made the call during his opening remarks on Wednesday in Abuja at the World Meteorological Day celebration themed “Observing Today, Protecting Tomorrow,” highlighting the critical role of timely and accurate weather information. According to him, the private sector can strengthen meteorological observation systems by investing in weather stations, remote sensing technologies, data analytics platforms, AI weather models and innovative observation tools that complement national networks globally. “We recognise that…
Author: Newsdesk
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has ordered all International Money Transfer Operators (IMTOs) operating in the country to open and maintain naira settlement accounts with authorised dealer banks, in a move to tighten oversight of diaspora remittances and improve transparency in the foreign exchange (FX) market. The directive was contained in a circular dated March 24, 2026, signed by Musa Nakorji, Director of the Trade and Exchange Department, and addressed to IMTOs, authorised dealer banks, and the general public. The circular was published on the CBN’s website on Tuesday. According to the apex bank, the measure is part of…
Regular blood donation is an “anti-ageing therapy” as it promotes fresh blood circulation in the body, haematologists at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, have said. Dr Adeyemo, a Consultant Haematologist, explained that blood donation keeps the bone marrow active, which in turn helps keep individuals younger. “Blood donation is a process of body renewal because each time an individual donates a pint of blood, the bone marrow becomes more active, creating an opportunity for fresh blood circulation in the body. “So, if an individual does that regularly, it slows down ageing. “Blood donation keeps the bone marrow…
The Federation of Informal Workers Organisations of Nigeria (FIWON) has urged the Federal Government to provide matching pension contributions and subsidised health insurance for informal workers. FIWON General Secretary, Mr Gbenga Komolafe, made the call during a rally in Abuja on Wednesday while speaking with journalists. Participants at the rally carried banners with inscriptions such as “Contributory pension with government support” and “Effective social protection is a right,” demanding a 50:50 pension contribution arrangement. In a letter submitted to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Abbas Tajudeen, Komolafe called for the extension of social protection to millions of…
Namibia has rejected an application by Elon Musk’s satellite internet company, Starlink, to operate in the country, dealing a fresh blow to its Southern Africa expansion. The decision, published in a government gazette on Monday, confirms that Starlink’s local unit, Starlink Internet Services Namibia (Pty) Limited, will not receive a licence to provide satellite internet services. The Namibia Starlink licence rejection highlights tightening regulatory scrutiny across Southern Africa, where governments are prioritising local participation and telecom oversight. The move signals a broader regional pattern that could slow the rollout of satellite internet despite growing demand for connectivity. Namibia’s Communications Regulatory…
Malawi is moving to unlock earnings for digital creators through new partnerships with Meta and TikTok, as regulators push to connect local content producers to global monetisation systems and expand the country’s digital economy. The Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) said it is coordinating with the two platforms to explore how Malawian creators can begin earning directly from their content. The first round of structured engagements is scheduled for April in Lilongwe, where selected creators will meet platform representatives. The initiative marks a shift from digital participation to economic inclusion. While Malawians have long accessed social media platforms, most creators…
OpenAI, the company behind the popular chatbot ChatGPT, has shut down its Sora video-generation tool, effectively ending a planned $1 billion partnership with Walt Disney Co. The decision was disclosed on Tuesday, March 24, in a post by the Sora team on X, confirming the abrupt end of the AI video project. Ashenews gathered through Walt Disney Co and OpenAI had been working on a project linked to Sora but were blindsided by news of the shutdown just 30 minutes after a meeting on Monday. The shutdown signals a major strategic shift by OpenAI, as it moves away from video…
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has identified drug abuse as a major driver of HIV transmission in Nigeria, and called for integrated strategies to address both challenges. The Chairman, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), retired, Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, disclosed this at the inauguration of the National HIV Prevention Plan, on Wednesday in Abuja. Marwa said the fight against HIV could not be separated from efforts to curb drug abuse, particularly the use of injectable drugs, which he said increases the risk of infection through the sharing of contaminated needles. According to him, substance abuse also contributes to…
The National Senior Secondary Education Commission (NSSEC) has sought the support of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to strengthen secondary schools data collection and management systems. The Executive Secretary of NSSEC, Dr Iyela Ajayi, made the request when UNICEF officials paid him a courtesy visit on Wednesday in Abuja. Ajayi said improved data systems were critical for evidence-based planning and the development of senior secondary education in the country. He noted that the commission had faced challenges of inadequate funding and low awareness of its activities. He stressed the need for UNICEF’s support in advancing digital literacy for teachers…
Brazil has launched an ambitious pilot project to replace diesel with a renewable biofuel across its municipal vehicle fleet, marking a significant step towards cleaner urban transport. Metrópoles, a partner of TV BRICS, reports that the initiative is being implemented in Passo Fundo, located in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. According to the news source, local authorities are testing how public vehicles perform when powered by a biofuel derived from renewable sources such as soy, animal fats and used cooking oil. The trial will initially involve 17 vehicles and heavy machines, including buses, trucks and municipal equipment. The…