Nigeria’s crude oil exports are set to decline by about 225,000 barrels per day in February following the shutdown of the Bonga Floating Production, Storage and Offloading vessel for scheduled turnaround maintenance. The development was confirmed by Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Ltd., operator of the Bonga field, in a statement issued on Sunday. The shutdown affects one of Nigeria’s largest deepwater production assets and comes at a time when the country is working to stabilise output and boost foreign exchange earnings from crude oil exports. The company said the maintenance exercise has already commenced on the Bonga FPSO and will temporarily halt…
Author: Newsdesk
The World Bank’s Mission 300 will provide household energy to 17.5 million Nigerians, as officials engage the Federal Government to boost jobs, private sector growth, and broader national development. This was disclosed in a statement sent to Ashenews on Sunday. The initiative forms part of the World Bank Group’s broader efforts to support Nigeria’s reform agenda and development priorities. World Bank Managing Director of Operations, Anna Bjerde, will begin a three-day official visit to Nigeria on February 1, 2026, aimed at deepening consultations on how the Bank can best support the country’s development strategy, the statement noted. The visit will…
The Scarlet Cord Initiative (SCI), a non-governmental organisation, has empowered 82 widows in Kachia Local Government Area (LGA) in Southern Kaduna with skills, grants and trauma counselling. SCI Patron, Prof. Sunday Agang, made the state disclosure in a statement made available to newsmen on Monday in Jos. Agang said that the gesture was to help the widows rebuild their lives after the demise of their husbands in violent attacks. The patron stated that healing was paramount for the widows, and that’s why the NGO deemed it fit to conduct a free trauma counselling session, as “trauma freezes and makes the…
The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), with support from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), is driving a rapid expansion of farmer-led pigeonpea seed enterprises in Mozambique, opening up new income opportunities for smallholders and accelerating the country’s integration into regional and international pulse markets. The initiative is reshaping how farmers access quality seed and markets, transforming pigeonpea from a largely subsistence crop into a profitable, market-oriented enterprise. Agriculture remains the backbone of Mozambique’s economy, with more than 70% of the population dependent on the sector. Yet only about 10% of the…
A former Chief Whip of the Anambra State House of Assembly and representative of the Dunukofia Constituency, Lawrence Ezeudu, has officially defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Ezeudu’s defection was formalised through a letter addressed to the ADC Chairman of Ifitedunu Ward 2, Lawrence Akoba, during a brief event held at the former lawmaker’s residence in Umanugwo village, Ifitedunu, on Sunday. Speaking to journalists shortly after the event, Ezeudu blamed his exit on the APC’s persistent internal crisis and what he described as “poor leadership” at both local and state levels. “After careful reflection…
Lagos State Government reveals readiness to partner with the World Bank Group in energy, agriculture, tourism and human capital development. He said the state was open to deeper collaboration and investment partnerships to improve infrastructure and raise living standards across Lagos. Sanwo-Olu spoke on Sunday at Lagos House, Marina, while receiving a World Bank delegation led by Managing Director (Operations), Ms Anna Bjerde. The delegation also included the International Finance Corporation (IFC) Regional Vice President for Africa, Mr Ethiopia Tafara. The governor said Lagos remained committed to reforms that attract global support and was ready to meet requirements for increased…
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) say they will stage a peaceful solidarity rally on Feb. 3 in support of the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC). The unions announced this in a joint statement signed by Mr Benson Upah, General Secretary of the NLC, and Mr Nuhu Toro, Secretary General of the TUC, in Abuja. The solidarity is in support of the strike by Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) workers, led by JUAC, over unpaid salaries. Workers under JUAC commenced an indefinite strike on Jan. 19, shutting down key administrative offices, including the FCTA Secretariat…
The 68th Annual Grammys Awards, held Sunday at Crypto.com Arena, showcased a diverse array of musical talent, with Bad Bunny and Kendrick Lamar emerging as major winners in a night filled with memorable performances and historic moments. Bad Bunny clinched Album of the Year for his Spanish-language masterpiece DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS, marking the first time a non-English album has taken the top prize twice for the same artist. He also secured Best Música Urbana Album for the same project and Best Global Music Performance for “EoO”. Kendrick Lamar led the pack with five Grammys, including Record of the Year for…
The Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Abuja has dismissed reports on social-media alleging negligence and non-availability of anti-snake venom in the case of late Ms Ifunanya Nwagene. Nwagene died on Jan. 31, after suffering severe complications from a snake bite. The Head of Clinical Services, Dr Bioku Muftau, in a statement on Sunday in Abuja, said the hospital acted promptly when the patient arrived. According to him, doctors quickly determined that she had suffered severe neurotoxic complications from the bite. Muftau explained that Nwagene’s condition deteriorated suddenly as she was being prepared for transfer to the Intensive Care Unit. “We want…
Niger State has intensified efforts to address suspected cases of Buruli ulcer in Munya Local Government Area, as health authorities await laboratory results from samples collected from six affected residents. The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Murtala Muhammad Bagana, disclosed this during a press briefing organised to mark the 2026 World Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) Day. The World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day is an annual event designated by the World Health Organization to diseases that affect the poor and vulnerable populations. Bagana explained that residents of Munya had lived with the condition for years, resorting to traditional treatment methods that…