Home Blog Page 544

National Humanities Center offers residential fellowships

Blessing OTOIBHI
-
0
National Humanities Center offers residential fellowships

THE National Humanities Center is accepting applications for the 2025-2026 Residential Fellowship Programme.

The fellowship provides scholars with the resources necessary to generate new knowledge and deepen their understanding of all forms of cultural expression, social interaction and human thought.

To apply, applicants must submit a project proposal, a project outline, a resume and a short bibliography.

Proposals should convey the importance of the project for advancing knowledge both within a scholar’s field and for the humanities generally.

The organiser says, “The National Humanities Center, located in North Carolina, will also provide fellows with exceptional library services, breakfasts and lunches in the dining area, and administrative support in organising seminars and study groups”.

Experienced journalists with a PhD are eligible for a fellowship that awards stipends.

The application deadline is October 3, 2024.

Interested applicants can apply here.

Naira depreciates against dollar despite CBN’s $122.67m intervention

Ehime ALEX
-
0
Naira depreciates against dollar despite CBN’s $122.67m intervention

THE naira depreciated against the dollar in the just concluded week despite the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) $122.67 million foreign exchange (FX) sales to authorised dealers.

At the official Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market (NAFEM) on Friday, July 12, the naira fell to N1,563.80 to the dollar, compared to N1,509.67 per dollar on Monday, July 8.

In the parallel market, the naira also fell to N1,540 on Friday from N1,523 to the dollar on Monday.

Last week’s performance of the Nigerian currency against the dollar reflects the weakness in the value of the naira in recent times, traceable to FX volatility in the Nigerian currency market.

Although the sale of the $122.67 million to authorised dealers led to a surge in FX turnover in the week, it could not relieve the naira depreciation against the dollar.

In a statement on Friday, July 12 by its Director of Financial Markets, Omolara Duke, the apex bank disclosed that it sold $122.67 million FX to authorised dealers.

According to the CBN, it sold $67.5 million to 27 authorised dealers while purchasing $2.5 million from one authorised dealer on Wednesday, July 10.v

He realed that the bid range for the transactions was between N1,480/$1 and N1,500/$1.

He said on Thursday, July 11, it sold $55.17 million to 19 authorised dealers at a rate of N1,540.0/$1, stating that the payments for these spot sales are due on July 15, 2024.

“All authorised dealers are to ensure that foreign exchange purchases from the Bank are used exclusively for trade-backed transactions, which should be reported within 72 hours,” the apex bank added.

According to the Chief Economist at Vetiva Capital Management Limited, Ibukun Omoyeni, the naira will begin to shed some gains with the coming up of the CBN by-monthly Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) this month.

While on Channels TV on Saturday, July 13, he noted this to be the practice, given the fact that the MPC has its stands against FX pressure.

“The exchange rate factor is that we don’t look at weekly or monthly forecast, we look at quarterly or yearly forecast because a lot of factors can cause the naira to depreciate today in the short term and appreciate today in the medium term,” he said.

Between January and February this year, the naira traded around N1,800 to the dollar.

Omoyeni added, “The fact that we are at N1,500 shows that there are some improvements.”

The ICIR reports that Naira depreciation remains one of the economic headwinds causing food inflation and soaring commodities prices in the country.

In the last year, basic staples like rice, beans, and vegetables have become increasingly unaffordable for the average Nigerian, stretching household budgets to their limits.

The monthly inflation data of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) show food index constitutes over 51 per cent of the inflation basket which could be attributed to rising prices in fundamental food commodities, including bread, cereals, oil, and fat.

According to analysts at Cowry Asset Management, 43 food items surveyed reported price increases on a year-on-year and month-on-month basis between April and May 2024.

“An unweighted simple average, which does not account for consumption trends, shows that the average price of food items in the Bureau’s designated basket increased by 137.3% year-on-year and 13.4% month-on-month,” the analysts stated in weekly financial markets review.

People in Need seeks entries to film festival on human rights

Blessing OTOIBHI
-
0
People in Need seeks entries to film festival on human rights

THE One World International Human Rights Documentary organised by People in Need, a Czech nonprofit organisation, is inviting applications to its Film Festival.

The event will hold from March 12 to 20, 2025 in Prague.

The organiser says, “There are 10 categories: international competition, best director, Vaclav Havel jury award for a film that makes an exceptional contribution to the defence of human rights, Czech competition, immersive films competition, audience award, student jury award, regional jury award, Abakus Foundation audience award for exceptional discussion, and a kids jury award.

Films produced between 2023 and 2025 are accepted, and films made in languages other than English should include English subtitles.

Filmmakers from all over the world can participate in this festival. The entry fee ranges from free for certain countries to EUR30.

The deadline for the submission of the application is September 1, 2024. The final deadline is November 1, 2024.

Interested applicants can apply here.

Kano Assembly passes bill to establish 2nd class emirates

Bankole ABE
-
0
Kano Assembly passes bill to establish 2nd class emirates

THE Kano State House of Assembly has passed the Kano State Emirates Council Establishment Bill 2024 to establish 2nd class emirates in the state.

The bill scaled third reading in a session presided over by speaker, Ismail Falgore, on Tuesday, July 16.

According to the bill, the Rano Emirate consists of Rano, Bunkure and Kibiya Local Government Areas. Gaya Emirate has Gaya, Albasu and Ajingi LGAs, while the Karaye Emirates comprises Karaye and Rogo LGAs.

The bill states that emirs of the three second-class emirates would report to the emir of Kano, whom they would advise on any issue concerning keeping public order, managing communal disputes, or related issues in their domains.

According to Section 3 of the bill, the governor, acting through the commissioner for local governments, will approve nominations and actions made by first-class and second-class emirs.

The creation of the first-class Kano emirate and second-class emirates is contained in Section Four (1) of the bill. The second-class emirs of Rano, Gaya, and Karaye are listed in subsection two.

Section Seven of the bill empowers the governor of Kano State to designate any qualified person as a second-class emir according to Section Four.

However, not included in the bill was the Bichi emirate, established by former governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and abolished by the new Kano emirates council (repealed) law 2024.

The administration of the state’s immediate past governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, currently the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), abolished the single emirate system in the state and created the Bichi, Karaye, Gaya, and Rano emirates in addition to the Kano emirate.

Incumbent governor Abba Yusuf’s government, which belongs to a rival party, the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), repealed the Ganduje’s law and scrapped the five emirates and all offices created under them.

The ICIR reported on May 23, that the Kano State House of Assembly dethroned the state’s five emirs, after repealing the Emirate Council Law of 2019 that created the five emirates.

The new law created by the lawmakers revived the single emirate system in the state, vesting constitutional powers to appoint a new emir in the state governor alone.

Consequently, the governor, on Thursday, May 23, announced the reinstatement of Muhammadu Lamido Sanusi as the Emir of Kano.

The governor made the announcement immediately after assenting to the new Emirate Bill.

Sanusi’s reinstatement has led to crises in the state with the deposed emir, Aminu Ado Bayero refusing to quit.

Backed by conflicting court’ rulings, the two leaders have maintained their stance on holding on to the throne.

The latest of such rulings was from a Kano State High Court which ordered Bayero to stop parading himself as the Emir of Kano.

The court, in a judgement by Amina Aliyu, on Monday, July 15, also barred four other deposed emirs from posing as the emirs of Bichi, Rano, Karaye, and Gaya.

According to the court’s ruling, they should return the government’s moveable and immovable items in their custody.

 

Rwanda’s Kagame wins 4th term as president

Itoro ETUKUDO
-
0
Rwanda’s Kagame wins 4th term as president

RWANDAN President Paul Kagame has again won the national election, securing a 4th term as President.

He was declared the election winner on Tuesday, July 16, by the President of the country’s Electoral Commission, Chrysologue Karangwa.

Kagame, who represented the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) polled 7,099,810 of the total 9,071,157 votes cast.

His opponents, Frank Habineza of the Democratic Green Party, garnered 38,301 votes, and Phillipe Mpayimana, who contested as an independent candidate won 22,753 votes.

Addressing the nation, Kagame expressed gratitude to Rwandans for granting him the opportunity to rule the country for another five years.

“The results that have been presented indicate a very high score, these are not just figures, even if it was 100 per cent, these are not just numbers. These figures show the trust, and that is what is most important. I am hopeful that together we can solve all problems,” he said.

Kagame has been president of Rwanda since 2000 and a de facto leader of the country since the end of the 1994 genocide. In 2017, he won the election with over 98 per cent of the votes.

READ ALSO:

As a result of the country’s 2015 constitutional amendment which allowed him to seek an additional three terms, he also became eligible to contest in the current election.

Although the election granted eligibility to contest more than once, it reduced the presidential terms from seven years to five years starting in 2024.

The president’s campaign centered around giving Rwandans inclusive development, security, and improving citizens’ livelihoods without leaving anyone behind.

13 candidates score 1 out of 210 marks as NECO releases 2024 common entrance results for Unity schools

Ijeoma OPARA
-
0
13 candidates score 1 out of 210 marks as NECO releases 2024 common entrance results for Unity schools

THE National Examination Council (NECO) has released the results for the 2024 common entrance examinations for Unity Schools.

Minister of State for Education, Yusuf Sununu, disclosed this during a press briefing on Tuesday, July 16.

He stated that 66,931 students were present for the examinations while 4,360 did not show up.

Sununu also said the candidate with the highest score in the exercise scored 203 out of 210 obtainable marks.

“Out of the maximum obtainable score of 210, one candidate obtained the highest score of 203, while 13 candidates obtained the lowest score of one.

“This year, an unprecedented number of 52 candidates, two candidates from Lagos State and 50 candidates from Rivers State, were involved in examination malpractice,” he said.

He also said the admission requirement into the Unity Schools was 60 per cent merit.

A week ago, NECO released the results for the 2024 admissions into the Federal Government Gifted Academy, Suleja, Niger State.

Zamfara emerged as the best-performing Northern state, producing 30 gifted students in the exercise.

The state came second nationally after Anambra, which produced 35 gifted students, according to a report.

“In 2024, Zamfara received three slots based on the state quota and secured an additional 27 slots based on national merit into the Federal Government Academy. The students from Zamfara performed exceptionally well in the exams, obtaining more slots than any other state in the North.

“This is a significant development, particularly considering that a state of emergency was declared in the state’s education sector last year,” spokesperson to the Zamfara Governor, Sulaiman Idris was quoted as saying.

Police arrest crypto entrepreneur, Blord over fraud, terrorism funding

Itoro ETUKUDO
-
0
Police arrest crypto entrepreneur, Blord over fraud, terrorism funding

THE Nigerian Police Force (NPF) has confirmed the arrest of a cryptocurrency entrepreneur, Linus Williams, also known as BLord over alleged internet fraud, terrorism funding, and violations of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Act.

He was arrested on Tuesday, July 16.

According to the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a statement released on X, he was arrested following complaints against his companies and allegations around fraud and non-compliance with regulatory frameworks.

“The FCID (NPF-NCCC) is currently investigating complaints lodged against Blord Group, Blord Real Estate Ltd, Blord Jetpaye Limited, and Billpoint Technology.

“These offences include allegations bothering on cryptocurrency fraud, aiding internet fraud, computer-related fraud, terrorism funding, and non-compliance with regulatory frameworks,” he stated.

He assured that the Force would ensure the safety of the country’s cyberspace.

“We will do due diligence in our investigations. Our cyberspace in Nigeria must be safe and secure by all means. We are committed to achieving that,” he added.

In 2021, The ICIR reported that the CBN sent a circular to financial institutions, instructing them to immediately close the accounts of persons or entities transacting in or operating cryptocurrency exchanges.

In December 2023, the CBN relaxed the ban but warned banks and other financial institutions were still prohibited from holding or trading in virtual currencies on their account.

Another House of Reps member, Ekene Abubakar Adams, is dead

Bankole ABE
-
0
Another House of Reps member, Ekene Abubakar Adams, is dead

THE House of Representatives has lost another member, Ekene Abubakar Adams, who represents the Chikun/ Kajuru Federal Constituency of Kaduna State.

Ekene, who was the Chairman House Committee on Sports, was ill and died on Tuesday morning, according to his wife.

The Vanguard Newspaper reported that Ekene’s wife said the lawmaker who was the Chairman, House Committee on Sports, died on Tuesday, July 16, after a brief illness.

Ekene, a former general manager of Kada City FC and Remo Stars, was elected into the House of Representatives on the platform of the Labour Party (LP) in 2023. 

His victory on the LP platform was one of the biggest upsets at the 2023 election after he defeated Yakubu Barde, who had held the position for 16 years.

His death came barely a week after another lawmaker representing Ibadan North Federal Constituency, Musliudeen Olaide Akinremi, died.

The ICIR reported on Wednesday, July 10 that a member of the House of Representatives representing Ibadan North Federal Constituency, Oyo State, Musiliudeen Akinremi, also known as Jagaban, died aged 51.

Akinremi was a two-time member of the House and a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

 Akinremi’s death was confirmed by the spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Akin Rotimi, in a statement.

The statement quoted the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, as expressing “profound sadness over the loss.”

The ICIR reported that at least three members of the House of Representatives have died since the inauguration of the 10th Assembly in June 2023.

On Friday, May 10, a lawmaker representing Babura/Garki Federal Constituency in Jigawa State on the All Progressives Congress (APC) platform, Isa Dongoyaro, died after a brief illness.

Dongoyaro was 46 years old at the time of his death.

Similarly, in October 2023, a lawmaker representing Isa/Sabon Birnin federal constituency of Sokoto state, Abdulkadir Danbuga, died at 63.

Before the 10th Assembly was inaugurated in 2023, Isma’ila Maihanchi, who was elected to represent the Jalingo/Yorro/Zing Federal Constituency in Taraba, died, aged 36.

FG repatriates 190 Nigerians from UAE

Mustapha USMAN
-
0
FG repatriates 190 Nigerians from UAE

THE Federal Government has repatriated 190 Nigerians from the United Arab Emirates.

A statement signed by the Director General, North Central Zone, Bashir Garga, of the  National Emergency Management Agency on Tuesday, July 16, said the returnees arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja at 5:57 am on Tuesday and were received by a combined team of government officials led by NEMA.

The NEMA confirmed that the returnees had been profiled and documented by relevant agencies and advised to conduct themselves responsibly upon their return to Nigeria.

The federal government also advised its citizens residing in the UAE to conduct themselves as good ambassadors of the country and avoid actions that would pitch them against their hosts.

“The federal government urges all Nigerians, wherever they may be, to act as exemplary ambassadors of their country, upholding the fundamental values of patriotism, rule of law, decency and integrity,” the statement added.

This development came almost two years after the federal government repatriated 542 from the UAE.

In October 2022, Manzo Ezekiel, head of the press unit, NEMA, confirmed the development in a statement, noting that the returnees, consisting of 79 males, 460 females and three children, arrived in Nigeria on Sunday morning.

He said the returnees were examined by health administrators and profiled by relevant authorities, including the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) before they were given transport fares to return to their various destinations.

UAE lifts visa ban on Nigeria

Meanwhile, the federal government again on Monday, July 15, claimed that the government of the UAE had lifted visa restrictions placed on Nigerians.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed this to journalists after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, headed by President Bola Tinubu.

According to Idris, an agreement has been reached between the Federal Government and the authorities in the UAE to lift travel restrictions on Nigerians, effective immediately.

The minister disclosed that bearers of Nigerian passports could enter the UAE without any problems.

In addition, Idris said that Nigerians interested in learning more about the most recent requirements for obtaining a UAE visa could go to documentverificationhub. ae 

“You are aware that Nigeria has been discussing with the United Arab Emirates the issue of visas for Nigerian passport holders going to the United Arab Emirates.

“Today, an agreement has been reached on that, and effective from today 15th July, Nigerian passport holders are able to obtain visas to go to the United Arab Emirates.”

Two years before then, the UAE had banned Nigerians from entering the country due to several diplomatic issues.

In addition, Emirates Airlines of Dubai suspended its services to Nigeria due to the Central Bank of Nigeria’s inability to transfer an estimated $85 million the airline generated in Nigeria to the UAE.

UAE lifts visa restriction on Nigerians

Bankole ABE
-
0
UAE lifts visa restriction on Nigerians

THE Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has finally lifted visa restrictions placed on Nigerians with immediate effect.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed this to journalists on Monday after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, headed by President Bola Tinubu.

According to Idris, an agreement has been reached between the Federal Government and the authorities in the United Arab Emirates to lift travel restrictions on Nigerians, effective immediately.

The minister disclosed that bearers of Nigerian passports can now enter the UAE without any problems.

In addition, Idris said that Nigerians interested in learning more about the most recent requirements for obtaining a UAE visa could go to documentverificationhub. ae 

“You are aware that Nigeria has been discussing with the United Arab Emirates the issue of visas for Nigerian passport holders going to the United Arab Emirates.

“Today, an agreement has been reached on that, and effective from today 15th July, Nigerian passport holders are able to obtain visas to go to the United Arab Emirates.”

Two years before then, the UAE had banned Nigerians from entering the country due to several diplomatic issues.

In addition, Emirates Airlines of Dubai suspended service to Nigeria due to the Central Bank of Nigeria’s inability to transfer an estimated $85 million in earnings to the UAE.

The ICIR reported that Emirates Airlines said it decided to reduce the number of its weekly flights from Dubai to Lagos from 11 to seven due to issues of repatriation of its funds.

In a letter addressed to the former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, Emirates stated it had attempted to repatriate $85 million it alleged was stuck in Nigeria.

The letter, signed by the Divisional Senior Vice President, Sheik Majid Al Mualla, said that due to the blocked funds, it would be cutting its flight frequencies from August 15, 2022.

The subsequent diplomatic crisis between Nigeria and the UAE over the frequency of Air Peace flights to the UAE and money owing to Emirates Airlines further worsened Nigeria’s situation.

Only one of Air Peace’s three weekly requests for flights to Sharjah Airport was approved by the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) of the United Arab Emirates.

Nigerian Airlines refuted the GCAA’s claim that Air Peace could not reasonably be expected to maintain its frequency of flights following its departure from Sharjah Airport.

Emirates, a Dubai-based airline, was forced to suspend all of its flights to Nigeria when the Nigerian federal government cut the firm’s flight slots from 21 to one.

In June Nigerians were given the assurance by the Federal authorities that the visa ban would be removed shortly after multiple talks with the UAE authorities.

The Nigerian government declared in the same month that it had paid 98 per cent of $850 million.

1...543544545...3,440Page 544 of 3,440