CBN faults call for Emefiele’s resignation

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September 21, 2021

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has faulted claims from certain quarters for the resignation of the CBN Governor over issues relating to the exchange rate of the naira.

In a statement seen on Tuesday, Osita Nwanisobi, CBN’s spokesman, alleged that those behind such calls were only pursuing their selfish agenda fueled by those who had long benefitted from rent-seeking practices in the parallel forex market, which he refused to recognize as a significant segment of the country’s forex market.

According to him, the CBN would not be distracted in its mandate by yielding to the selfish tendencies of a few to the detriment of the majority.

He, therefore, urged the banking public to disregard claims aimed at impugning the reputation of the Bank, insisting that the Bank remained committed to carrying out its mandate for the good of the Nigerian people.

2023: Over 3m apply for fresh voter’s registration

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Henry Williams

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September 21, 2021

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No fewer than 3.165 million Nigerians have applied to be registered as voters ahead of the 2023 general elections since the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) resumed the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) three months ago.

The CVR which commenced on June 28, 2021 would clock first quarter on Tuesday, 21st September 2021.

Festus Okoye, INEC national commissioner and chairman, information & voter education committee in a statement on Monday said 1.457 Nigerians have applied for voter transfer, replacement of Permanent Voter’s Card (PVCs) and update of their voter information records.

Okoye stated that completed registrations now stands at 1,081,947 voters as at Monday and youths between the ages of 18 and 34 still constitute the majority with 771,770 (71.33%) completed registration.

FG’s mass metering programme to generate 500,000 jobs, says expert

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Henry Williams

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September 21, 2021

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A power expert, Mr Kola Balogun, says the Phase One of the National Mass Metering Programme (NMMP) can create 500,000 jobs for Nigerians.

Balogun, who is the Chairman, Momas Electricity Meter Manufacturing Company (MEMMCOL), made the assertion on Tuesday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

NAN reports that the Federal Government launched the Phase Zero of the NMMP in respect of which the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), in October 2020, issued the Framework for Financing of National Mass Metering Programme.

He appealed to the CBN to create easier access to Forex by local meter manufacturers to source for raw materials ahead of the programme.

Balogun noted that the phase zero of the NMMP recorded the desired success of installing meters for about one million customers.

UK High Commissioner Welcomes New Country Director For UK-Nigeria Tech Hub

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Koko Lawrence

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September 21, 2021

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Catriona Laing, UK High Commissioner to Nigeria, says new Country Director of its UK-Nigeria Tech Hub, Adaeze Sokan will bring her experiences to bear on the job.

The British high commissioner made this known in a statement in Lagos on Tuesday.

The new country director was introduced to guests on Monday.

Laing said: “The Deputy High Commission welcomes you and we hope your wealth of experience will help in building the Sustainable Digital Ecosystems in Nigeria.”

She said the UK placed development and adoption of digital inclusion at the very heart of its agenda as a global force for good, and recognised the power of the digital economy to deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals.

”We are committed to help drive digital access across the country and support Nigeria to develop its digital economy by leveraging the role and expertise of the UK, in a number of areas.

“The UK plans to do this particularly through the three pillars of the global Digital Access Programme, which cuts across- Connectivity and Inclusion, Cybersecurity and Sustainable Digital Ecosystems, ” she said.

The new country director, said she was excited to join the team.

She said Nigeria’s digital sector was an increasingly important part of the economy.

Sokan said: “I am looking forward to deepening the ongoing work that supports more tech founders, especially women.

” We will continue to foster linkages between the UK and Nigeria, support the growth of high-end digital skills and strengthens partnerships with government and businesses to harness the potential of the UK and Nigeria tech ecosystem.

“I strongly believe that innovation driven start-ups are the most sustainable path for driving a strong digital economy. In turn that boosts sustainable and inclusive growth, job creation and poverty reduction in Nigeria, “she said.

Sokan has over six years of experience working in the tech sector, before joining the UK- Nigeria Tech hub.

Court Restrains ARCN From Replacing College Provost

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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September 21, 2021

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The National Industrial Court sitting in Abuja has again, restrained the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN) from replacing the provost of Federal College of Veterinary and Medical Laboratory Technology, Vom, Jos.

The presiding judge, Justice Bashar Alkali, gave the order while ruling on an application for an order of interlocutory injunction brought before him on Monday.

Alkali said that the earlier order of the court stopping the conduct of a recruitment exercise to replace Dr Joseph Okwori, the Provost of the college should subsist.

He ordered that ARCN should desist from conducting the recruitment exercise pending the determination of the substantive matter.

”The order of interim injunction earlier granted by this court still subsists.

”The defendants are restrained from replacing the claimant as the provost pending the determination of the substantive suit,” he said.

Recall that on Sept. 1, the court granted an ex-parte order restraining the defendants from conducting an exercise to replace the provost.

Okwori was appointed as provost of the college on July 2, 2018, for a term of five years.

Joined as co-defendants in the suit are, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the minister in charge of the ministry

High electricity costs overwhelm South South, South East businesses

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Henry Williams

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September 21, 2021

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With an average of about N70 billion spent on alternative energy, yearly, by local manufacturers due to poor power supply, many industrial firms and businesses in Southeast and South-south are struggling to sustain their operations, with many already suspending production, a survey by The Guardian has revealed.

According to the operators, the high cost of electricity is taking a toll on their businesses, as manufacturers allege that distribution companies and their cohorts are frustrating the eligible customer initiative.

Similarly, efforts to shift to gas consumption as an alternative source to automotive gas oil (AGO), otherwise known as diesel, have resulted in higher costs of equipment migration and inadequate infrastructure to transport gas to factories.

With operating costs already near 80 per cent in some instances, the pass-on effect is already being felt by consumers in the form of a hike in the price of goods and essential commodities.

Expo Dubai 2020: Zimbabwe’s NUST, Top Architect Design Pavilion

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Precious Obazee

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September 21, 2021

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The collaborative effort of students from the National University of Science and Technology and a top Zimbabwean architect Emiel Murwira has aided Zimbabwe to come up with a top notch pavilion design to house the country’s product and service exhibits at the Expo Dubai 2020.

The Zimbabwe Pavilion is strategically located in the “Opportunities District” of the prime global expo in the United Arab Emirates where the country seeks to harvest huge investment and trade gains.

Zimbabwe will join 190 other participating countries for the global showcase to be held under the theme: “Connecting Minds, Creating Future”, which opens on October 1, 2021 and runs until March 31, 2022.

Taking part in the expo is critical for the Second Republic’s international re-engagement and economic diplomacy drive, under which President Emmerson Mnangagwa has declared “Zimbabwe is open for business” with trade, investment and private sector led growth as key elements of the broader development matrix.

With preparations progressing well and now at advanced stages, Zimbabwe has already exhibited design creativity in the layout of its pavilion, which overlooks the grand Emirates Pavilion and the main Al Wasil Plaza, which is the core or centre of the expo events.

As the pavilion detail design architect, Murwira of Design Pro Architect believes the country has deployed tremendous professional technical expertise to the concept that was initiated by students from the National University of Science and Technology.

Using his experience and vast skill, he then transformed it into detailed working drawings and technical specifications that met the required international standards and procedures.

Buhari arrives New York, to push vaccine equity at UNGA

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Henry Williams

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September 21, 2021

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President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, arrived in New York, United States, for high-level meetings of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the President was received at the JF Kennedy International Airport, New York by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama; Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Niyi Adebayo; and the Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the UN, Tijjani Muhammad-Bande.

Other Nigerian officials on the ground to welcome the President were Minister of State, Power, Goddy Jeddy-Agba; his environment counterpart, Sharon Ikeazor; Director-General of National Intelligence Agency, Ahmed Abubakar, and Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United States, Uzoma Emenike, among others.

Buhari would be the second head of state to address the high-level session of the General Assembly on the fourth day of the General Debates around 9:00 a.m. local time on Friday, September 24, when he would speak on the theme of the conference and other global issues

NOSC Announce Call For 94th Academy Awards IFF Submissions

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Koko Lawrence

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September 21, 2021

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The Nigerian Official Selection Committee (NOSC) has announced the reopening of its submission portals for the Academy Awards’ International Feature Film category.

The Nigerian Oscars committee made the announcement confirming entries for the 94th Academy Awards via their social media handles on Monday September 20, 2021.

“The Nigeria Official Selection Committee (NOSC) for the Academy Awards in International Feature Film (IFF) submissions, has reopened the submission portal for the 94th Academy Awards from Monday, September 20th, to Monday, October 4th, 2021,” the statement read.

Having successfully submitted two entries for the International Feature Film category, the NOSC has established itself as a game changer.

It will be recalled that in 2019, the committee also known as the Oscar selection committee submitted Nigeria’s first-ever Oscar submission ‘Lionheart’ and in 2020, the committee unanimously voted Desmond Obviagele’s ‘The Milkmaid’ for Academy consideration.

“We were able to make our first-ever entry submission to the Oscars for the International Feature Film Awards category as a country, and the awareness this has brought to the industry as a whole has been amazing. It has opened the industry to other markets, and we hope to see partnerships with other industries soon,” said NOSC chairperson, filmmaker Chineze Anyaene.

This year’s committee members will reportedly be confirmed in the coming weeks. Like previous years, filmmakers are expected to submit their film entries following NOSC guidelines.

D’Tigress beat Angola 85-65 to qualify for Women’s AfroBasket quarter-finals

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Henry Williams

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September 21, 2021

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D’Tigress, Nigeria’s senior women basketball team, on Monday in Yaoundé beat their Angolan counterparts 85-65 to advance to the quarter-finals of the 2021 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Championship

In their final Group B game, the Nigerian side dislodged the Angolans who were leading the group to make it two wins from two matches and emerge as group leaders.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a loss would have seen the Nigerian side finishing second and going to play in the qualifier to quarter-finals match against Cape Verde on Wednesday.