Dangote Raises Petrol Prices to N955 From N899/litre

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January 17, 2025

David Lynch, a movie and television director who radicalized American film with a dark, surrealistic artistic vision in films died on Thursday, 16th January 2025, at the age of 78.

The visionary producer passed away following last year’s reveal of his emphysema diagnosis.

Lynch who moved to Los Angeles, where he studied film-making at the AFI Conservatory, was born January 20 1946, in Missoula, Montana.

He also studied painting at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts and the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in the sixties.

Blockbusters Movies Lynch Produced

The Elephant Man

A story of a Victorian surgeon who rescues a heavily disfigured man mistreated as a sideshow freak. Beneath his monstrous façade lies a person of kindness, intelligence, and sophistications.

The Elephant Man had a powerful emotional impact, and became a box office, grossing about $1.06m with a critical hit. Lynch received Oscar nods as best director and for best adapted screenplay, with the film also taking a nomination for best picture. The triumph led to a multiple-picture deal with Dino Di Laurentiis.

He was hired by Mel Brooks’ production company to write and direct this movie. The feature captured eight Academy Award nominations, including Lynch’s first for best director.

2. Twin Peaks

A series he created with writer Mark Frost. In 1990, he revolutionized American episodic TV with action, springing from the investigation of a high school girl’s mysterious murder in a Washington lumber mill town. The weekly ABC show plumbed disquieting, somewhat taboo subject matter and made the inexplicable, a fixture of modern narrative television.

3. Blue Velvet

In 1986, it starred Kyle McLachlan, who had played the messianic hero of “Dune,” as a small-town boy who is plunged into a whirlpool of sexual violence, murder and sadomasochism.

The discovery of a severed human ear found in a field leads a young man on an investigation related to a beautiful, mysterious nightclub singer and a group of psychopathic criminals who kidnapped her child.

Featuring a potent cast that included Isabella Rossellini (with whom Lynch became involved romantically), Laura Dern, Dean Stockwell and, most notably, Dennis Hopper as its deranged, out-of-control villain, “Blue Velvet” polarized critics, but it cemented Lynch’s reputation as a fearless and daring film author. The film was the start of his collaboration with composer Angelo Badalamenti.

4. Eraserhead

A horrific, black-humored work that became a disturbing fixture on the midnight movie circuit. It was released by indie distributor Libra Films International in 1977. This was Lynch’s first full-length movie, that started kicked off his long and fruitful career.

His outré and uncompromising style quickly won the attention of the Hollywood and international movie-making establishment. The disquieting black-and-white film followed the psychological descent of its maladroit hero Henry Spencer (Nance) after the birth of his monstrously malformed baby and tries to survive his industrial environment, his angry girlfriend, and the unbearable screams of his newly born mutant child.

5. Mulholland Drive

After a car wreck on Mulholland Drive renders a woman (Laura Harring) amnesiac, she and a Hollywood-hopeful (Naomi Watts) search for clues and answers across Los Angeles in a twisting venture beyond dreams and reality.

This movie won him the best director award at Cannes in 2001 shared with Joel Coen for The Man Who Wasn’t There. Lynch also earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Director for the film. The film boosted Watts’ Hollywood profile considerably, and was the last feature film to star veteran Hollywood actress Ann Miller.

Mulholland Drive is often regarded as one of Lynch’s finest works and as one of the greatest films of all time. It was ranked eighth in the 2022 Sight & Sound critics’ poll of the best films ever made and topped a 2016 BBC poll of the best films since 2000.

He is a four-time Oscar nominee, who received an honorary Oscar for lifetime achievement in 2020. Lynch was married four times and he’s survived by two daughters and two sons.

He will be buried on the 28^th of January, 2025.

INEC Removes 7,746 Deceased Voters From Register

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January 17, 2025

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the removal of 7,746 deceased individuals from the national voter register across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as of December 2022. This was disclosed by the Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Victoria Etta-Messi, on Thursday.

“Seven thousand, seven hundred and forty-six deceased persons across the 36 states and the FCT were removed from the National Register of Voters as of December 2022,” she stated.

INEC explained that a comprehensive audit of the voter register is conducted before every general election. However, the commission noted challenges in maintaining an accurate register, particularly regarding deceased voters, due to inadequate official death records.

“Problems with official death records continue to make it very difficult for INEC to remove deceased registrants,” the commission noted in its 2023 post-general election review conducted in December 2024.

The review also highlighted issues such as double or multiple registrations, which were addressed using the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS). This system helped identify and remove 2,780,756 cases of invalid registrations, representing 22.6% of new registrants nationwide.

Another concern raised was the declining voter turnout. The 2023 presidential and National Assembly elections recorded a turnout of 27.5%, a drop from 35.6% in 2019. Stakeholders partly attributed this decline to an inflated voter register and called for intensified efforts to clean it.

To address these issues, stakeholders recommended that INEC strengthen collaboration with agencies such as the National Population Commission (NPC) and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to better identify and remove deceased voters.

Additionally, there was a suggestion to suspend individuals who had not voted in the past three elections and require them to revalidate their registration. “One suggestion from this review was to strengthen collaboration with other agencies such as NIMC and NPC to identify deceased persons in the register and remove them. In addition, the commission could suspend individuals who have not voted in the past three elections from the register and request them to revalidate their registration,” INEC stated in its report.

Amad Diallo: How Manchester United Crashed Southampton

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January 17, 2025

Manchester United secured a dramatic 3-1 victory over Southampton on January 16, 2025, at Old Trafford, thanks to a sensational late hat-trick by Amad Diallo.

First Half: A Struggling United

The match began with Manchester United appearing lackluster and disjointed. Southampton capitalized on this, creating several scoring opportunities. Their persistence paid off just before halftime when a corner led to an own goal by United’s Manuel Ugarte, giving the visitors a deserved lead.

Second Half: Diallo’s Game-Changing Entrance

In the second half, United’s manager Ruben Amorim introduced Amad Diallo, seeking to inject energy and creativity into the team’s attack. Diallo’s impact was immediate and profound. In the 82nd minute, he netted the equalizer, showcasing his agility and finishing prowess. Just eight minutes later, in the 90th minute, Diallo struck again, this time combining seamlessly with Christian Eriksen to put United ahead. He completed his hat-trick in stoppage time, capitalizing on a defensive error by Southampton’s Taylor Harwood-Bellis, sealing a remarkable comeback for the Red Devils.

Amad Diallo’s Historic Feat

At 22 years and 189 days old, Diallo became the second-youngest player to score a Premier League hat-trick for Manchester United, a record previously held by Wayne Rooney. This achievement not only underscores his burgeoning talent but also highlights his potential to be a key figure in United’s future endeavors.

Manager’s Perspective

Despite the victory, manager Ruben Amorim exercised caution in his post-match comments, emphasizing the importance of managing young talents like Diallo carefully. He acknowledged the team’s overall underwhelming performance and stressed the need for improvement in controlling matches and maintaining consistency.

Amad Diallo’s late-game heroics not only salvaged three crucial points for Manchester United but also provided a glimpse into a promising future led by young talents. While the team’s overall performance left much to be desired, Diallo’s standout display offers a beacon of hope for the remainder of the season.

How Moniepoint Weathered The Storm In 2024

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January 17, 2025

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In recent years, Moniepoint has emerged as a significant player in Nigeria’s fintech space, revolutionizing how financial services are accessed and delivered. Founded in 2015, Moniepoint has consistently championed financial inclusion while making impactful contributions to communities across the country.

The Visionary Behind Moniepoint: Tosin Eniolorunda

At the heart of Moniepoint’s success is its visionary founder, Tosin Eniolorunda, a serial entrepreneur with a passion for leveraging technology to solve everyday problems.

Background and Expertise

Tosin Eniolorunda is a graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University, where he earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Despite his technical background, his interest in financial technology and problem-solving led him to the world of software development and entrepreneurship.

Before founding Moniepoint, Tosin worked at Interswitch, a Nigerian digital payment giant, where he developed a deep understanding of the financial ecosystem and its challenges. Recognizing the gaps in financial access, particularly for small businesses and rural communities, Tosin co-founded Moniepoint (then TeamApt) alongside Felix Ike.

Leadership Style and Vision

Tosin’s leadership is defined by his innovative mindset and commitment to driving economic inclusion. Under his stewardship, Moniepoint has become synonymous with reliability, innovation, and customer-centric solutions. Tosin’s ability to anticipate market needs and implement scalable solutions has been instrumental in Moniepoint’s growth and its ability to make a tangible impact on communities.

Moniepoint’s Key Contributions to Communities

1. Expanding Financial Inclusion

Moniepoint’s agent banking network has played a transformative role in bringing financial services to underserved and unbanked populations. With over 250,000 agents nationwide, Moniepoint ensures that individuals in remote areas can:

– Withdraw and deposit money seamlessly.

– Pay utility bills and access other financial services without the need for traditional bank branches.

This approach has not only reduced the financial exclusion rate in Nigeria but has also empowered local agents to earn sustainable incomes.

2. Empowering Small Businesses

Moniepoint offers tailored services for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), including:

– Easy access to credit facilities: SMEs can secure loans to expand operations without bureaucratic hurdles.

– Business management tools: These include inventory tracking, sales monitoring, and seamless digital payment solutions.

This has enabled businesses to grow and thrive, contributing to local economic development.

3. Employment Creation

Through its agent banking network and operational structure, Moniepoint has created thousands of direct and indirect jobs, contributing to youth empowerment and reducing unemployment rates in Nigeria.

4. Community Engagement and Support

Moniepoint has been involved in several community-focused initiatives:

– CSR Programs: The company has organized financial literacy programs to educate communities about the importance of savings, credit management, and digital banking.

– Emergency Support: During crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, Moniepoint provided relief measures and ensured continuity of financial services to vulnerable communities.

5. Technology-Driven Development

By integrating innovative technology into its operations, Moniepoint has significantly reduced transaction failures, long processing times, and inefficiencies. Its reliable infrastructure supports the digital economy, fostering trust and encouraging more Nigerians to adopt cashless transactions.

Recent Achievements and Recognition

Unicorn Status

In 2024, Moniepoint secured $110 million in funding, achieving unicorn status with a valuation exceeding $1 billion. This milestone underscores its credibility and potential to become a major player on the global fintech stage.

Expansion Across Africa

Moniepoint is scaling its operations beyond Nigeria, with plans to enter other African markets. This move aims to replicate its success across the continent, addressing similar financial challenges in other regions.

Awards and Accolades

Moniepoint has been recognized for its impact and innovation in the fintech sector, winning awards such as the African Fintech Startup of the Year and being listed among the Top 50 Most Innovative Companies in Africa.

Impact Beyond Banking

Beyond financial services, Moniepoint’s influence extends to the socio-economic fabric of Nigeria:

– Rural Transformation: The presence of Moniepoint agents in rural areas has sparked economic activities, reducing reliance on cash and enabling faster transactions.

– Educational Support: Moniepoint has supported educational initiatives, offering grants and technological tools to schools in low-income communities.

As Moniepoint continues to grow, its focus remains on solving Africa’s financial access challenges through technology.

Toyota to Settle Emissions Fraud Charges For $1.6Bn

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January 16, 2025

Toyota Motors’ trucking unit has agreed to plead guilty to criminal charges and pay $1.6 billion in civil and criminal penalties for fraudulently concealing excess emissions from diesel engines sold in the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency said.

For more than a decade, Hino Motors, a Toyota subsidiary, submitted false testing data to meet pollution requirements and win approval to install diesel engines in heavy trucks, the E.P.A. said. Data submitted by Hino also exaggerated the vehicles’ fuel economy, the agency said.

The criminal portion of the fine, $522 million, is the largest in an emissions case since Volkswagen agreed in 2016 to pay civil and criminal penalties totaling $15 billion to settle accusations it hid excess emissions from diesel cars it sold in the United States. The size of the penalties in the Hino case reflects “the egregiousness of the conduct and the flagrant disregard for the E.P.A.’s certification program,” the agency said.

California, which has stricter emissions requirements than the federal government, will receive $237 million as part of a settlement.

The E.P.A. does not have the resources to test every vehicle sold in the United States and relies on manufacturers to provide emissions data for their products. Hino’s violations were discovered after the agency conducted its own checks, the agency said.

In a statement, the company said: “Hino voluntarily disclosed these issues to U.S. authorities in 2019 and has provided what the U.S. Department of Justice has called ‘exemplary’ cooperation with the D.O.J.’s investigation. The agreements resolve all of the company’s outstanding legal issues in the United States related to its legacy emissions issues.”

Diesel engines produce large amounts of nitrogen oxides, which are linked to asthma, cardiovascular problems and other serious ailments, and contribute to climate change. Automakers use technology to control the pollution, but adding it to engines makes vehicles more expensive and can affect their performance. Several automakers have been caught cheating.

Hino’s misconduct involved 110,000 motors that were imported and installed in trucks that the company sold in the United States from 2010 to 2022, the E.P.A. said. As part of a settlement, which must be approved by a federal judge, Hino will be barred from importing diesel engines to the United States for five years. It will also recall motors in trucks from the 2017 to 2019 model years and make modifications to bring them into compliance with emissions regulations.

Hino also agreed to improve its internal controls to prevent future misconduct. And the company will finance programs designed to compensate for the excess pollution from its engines that, for example, will replace older diesel engines in 35 ships and train locomotives with cleaner motors.

The resulting reduction in pollution will be the equivalent of taking 110,000 trucks off the road, the E.P.A. said.

Senate Rejects Ministry’s 2025 Budget Proposal

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January 16, 2025

The Nigerian Senate has rejected the N9 billion budget proposal for 2025 submitted by the Ministry of Information and National Orientation, citing it as inadequate for the sector’s needs.

During the ministry’s budget defence held on Tuesday at the National Assembly in Abuja, lawmakers noted that the allocation fell short of addressing the requirements of the ministry, which oversees numerous parastatals critical to national orientation and information dissemination.

Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan, PDP, representing Kogi State, cited funding on reorientation in South Africa as over 400 billion Naira equivalent in Rand to fund public information systems, but Nigeria allocates few resources.

Also, Senator Abdul Ningi, PDP, representing Bauchi Central, described the proposed allocation as inadequate.

The Chair of the Senate Committee on Information and National Orientation, Senator Ken Eze, resolved to invite the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Atiku Bagudu, to appear before the Committee along with the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, to discuss ways to propose realistic budget allocations to the Ministry and its agencies in line with the duties they perform of enlightenment on government policies and reorientation of Nigerians, especially the youths.

The Nigerian National Assembly is still considering the budget proposals of the Ministries, Departments, and Agencies of Government (MDAs) as the budget defence continues for the allocations in the 2025 budget estimates.

Since last week, MDAs have all been appearing before the Senate and House of Representatives joint committees to defend their budget.

The National Assembly intends to end the defence on time to enable the Appropriation Committees of the two chambers to work on the details and make the clean copy available for passage and subsequent presidential assent.

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriation, Senator Solomon Adeola Olamilekan, said the 2025 Appropriation Bill is expected to be passed by January 31, 2025, following thorough deliberations and consultations.

76 Islamist Militants Killed in Borno State- Army

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January 16, 2025

Nigerian troops have killed 76 Islamic militants in the country’s northeastern Borno state in recent weeks, a spokesperson said on Thursday.

The militants were believed to belong to the armed group Boko Haram and its offshoot ISWAP, who have been waging a deadly insurgency in northeast Nigeria since 2009 that has displaced millions and killed thousands, with Borno at its epicenter.

The militants have stepped up attacks in Borno since the turn of the year, including an assault on Dumba community on Sunday where at least 40 farmers were killed.

The Army spokesperson Major-General Edward Buba said troops killed 24 fighters during offensive operations in Damboa, Bama, and Chibok areas of Borno between Jan. 7 and 13.

He did not provide details on troop casualties during the operations.

Troops arrested 72 suspects and rescued eight hostages during the operations, he said in a statement.

Buba said weapons and ammunition, including AK-47 rifles, grenades, rocket-propelled grenades, and improvised explosive devices, were recovered during the operations.

ASUU Sounds Alarm Over TETFund’s Future Under Nigeria Tax Bill 2024

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January 16, 2025

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has raised alarms over the potential phasing out of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) under the proposed Nigeria Tax Bill 2024. ASUU has called on the National Assembly to safeguard TETFund, emphasizing its critical role in maintaining accessible and affordable higher education for Nigerian students.

Labeling the proposal to prioritize an untested loan scheme over TETFund as “illogical, shortsighted, and anti-people,” ASUU expressed concerns about its impact on middle-class and low-income families.

Speaking on Thursday in Makurdi, the Zonal Coordinator of ASUU-Nsukka Zone, Raphael Amokaha, urged the government to fulfill its constitutional obligation to adequately fund tertiary education, rather than relying solely on intervention programs like TETFund.

Amokaha detailed provisions in the proposed tax bill, highlighting that only 50% of the education tax would be allocated to TETFund in 2025 and 2026, with reductions to 66.7% in the following years and complete cessation by 2030. Instead, these funds would be redirected to the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), a yet-to-be-established agency focused on student loans.

“This plan would essentially cripple TETFund, which has been a cornerstone of university development in Nigeria,” Amokaha warned. “The proposal to allocate portions of the Education Tax to other agencies not recognized under the TETFund Act 2011 is illegal and detrimental to the education sector.”

ASUU criticized the move, arguing that the student loan scheme would benefit less than half of Nigerian students while leaving public universities underfunded and struggling to address infrastructure needs.

The union expressed horror over the implications of the tax bill, noting that the education tax has been instrumental in funding TETFund, a creation borne out of ASUU’s advocacy to rejuvenate Nigeria’s higher education system.

“TETFund’s contributions to our public universities cannot be overstated. Over 80% of campus infrastructure today bears TETFund’s mark. Without this intervention, many students would lack access to education due to inadequate facilities,” Amokaha stated.

He also underscored the transformative role of TETFund in providing street lighting, laboratory equipment, school clinics, and building renovations across 244 public tertiary institutions, including 96 universities, 72 polytechnics, and 76 colleges of education.

“TETFund has yet to reach its full potential, but its impact is undeniable. Redirecting funds to an untested loan scheme risks undermining years of progress in the education sector,” Amokaha cautioned.

ASUU called on the government to reconsider the proposal, emphasizing that sustainable education funding should take precedence over experimental loan programs that may not address the broader needs of Nigerian students and institutions.

Currency Crisis: Zimbabwe Firm to Lay off 1,000 Workers

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January 16, 2025