Africa’s Energy Expenditure to Hit $110B In 2024– IEA

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July 15, 2024

Tinubu Meets UAE President, Secures Landmark Deals

The United Arab Emirates, UAE Government has finally lifted visa restrictions imposed on Nigerians with immediate effect.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made this known to State House correspondents on Monday after the Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu.

Idris said the Federal Government and the UAE authorities have reached an agreement vacating travel restrictions imposed on Nigerians with immediate effect.

The minister revealed that Nigerian passport holders can now travel to the UAE without any hindrance. He also asked Nigerians seeking information on the updated UAE visa conditions can visit documentverificationhub.ae for further details.

He said, “I can tell you that the agreement has been reached and effective from today, Nigerian passport holders intending to travel to the UAE are able to do so.

“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.

“Details of that will be provided to you later today when we put out a statement.”

It will be recalled that the UAE imposed the visa ban on Nigeria in connection with several diplomatic disputes.

It would be recalled that the UAE had imposed a visa ban on Nigeria barely two years ago due to various diplomatic disputes.

Additionally, Dubai’s Emirates Airline halted flights to Nigeria because the Central Bank of Nigeria couldn’t remit an estimated $85 million in revenue to the UAE.

In June, following several meetings with the UAE government, the Federal Government assured Nigerians that the visa ban would soon be lifted.

During the same month, the Nigerian government announced that it had paid 98 percent of $850 million.

Nigeria To Become Net Fuel Exporter By Dec. – NNPCL

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July 15, 2024

NNPCL Signs $7bn Agreement To Promote Natural Gas Usage

The Group Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mele Kyari, has said Nigeria will be a net exporter of refined petroleum products by December this year, based on emerging indicators in the oil and gas sector.

Kyari stated this on Monday at the National Assembly when economic stakeholders, including the Ministers of Finance, Wale Edun; Minister of Budget and National Planning, Atiku Bagudu; Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri; and the Governor of the Central Bank, Olayemi Cardoso, met with the Senate Committee on Finance led by Senator Sani Musa of Niger East.

The emerging indicators, according to Kyari, are the Port Harcourt refinery, which he said would start production early next month, followed by the one in Warri months later, and the Kaduna refinery, latest by December this year.

He added that in a few months, the oil production level for the country would hit 2 million barrels per day, as all the enablements towards that had already been put in place.

In his words, “Mr Chairman and members of the joint committee, let me just confirm that NNPCL and the oil and gas industry are very critical in bringing about a turnaround in our current economic situation, and we understand the importance of this. We are taking every step that is practical for us to achieve this.

“We have already seen growth in our oil and gas production because of certain actions that Mr President personally took, and the very mere truth that we have also declared war on production activities, and this is yielding the required results.

“The combination of these two has now seen us restoring production in our country, and we believe that, as the Honorable Minister has said, we will soon hit the target of 2 million barrels of oil production per day.”

According to Kyari, there are several comments in the public space around the refining business and domestic production, including production that will come from the commissioned Dangote refinery.

“Yes, this country, as we have said, will be a net exporter of petroleum products by the end of this year.

“We’re very optimistic that by December, this country will be a net exporter. That means a combination of production coming from us, and also from the Dangote refinery and other smaller producing companies that we know are in line to do this. So, I can confirm to you that by the end of the year, this country will be a net exporter of petroleum products.”

On the government refineries, he mentioned, “We have spoken to a number of your committees, and it is impossible to have the Kaduna refinery come into operation before December, it will get to December, both Warri and Kaduna; but that of Port Harcourt will commence production early in August this year.”

In his submission, the CBN Governor, represented by the Deputy Governor, Economic Policy, Muhammad Abdullahi, said the triple challenges of rising inflation, foreign exchange rate fluctuations and food inflation, would take a downward trend soon.

Earlier in his submission, the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Bagudu, stated that the 2024 budget was already being implemented, adding that there was an ongoing negotiation with labour leaders on minimum wage to ensure there was no further disruption to the economy.

In his remarks, the chairman of the committee appealed to Nigerians to persevere as the government was working around the clock to stabilise the economy

JAMB Uncovers 88 Universities, Others That Conducted Illegal Admissions

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July 15, 2024

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has uncovered 88 universities, polytechnics, and other tertiary institutions of learning in Nigeria that conducted illegal admissions during the 2022/2023 admission session.

An illegal admission is one conducted outside of the Central Admissions Processing System, popularly referred to as CAPS.

According to JAMB, admissions conducted outside CAPS are illegal, null and void. Introduced in 2017 by the admission board, CAPS is a centralised platform where all tertiary institutions upload the admission status of candidates offered admission.

In a recent statement, JAMB warned candidates against accepting admissions offered by the institutions without going through CAPS.

It noted that it would no longer condone illegal admissions outside the CAPS.

JAMB reiterated that all admissions applications for first degrees, national diplomas, national innovation diplomas, and the Nigeria Certificate in Education in full-time, distance learning, part-time, outreach, sandwich, etc., must be processed only through the board.

The board had earlier warned that admissions conducted outside of CAPS are null and void.

The list of indicted institutions includes several prominent universities, such as the University of Uyo, the University of Abuja, and Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH).

Starmer against banning children’s phones

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July 15, 2024

UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer says he is not in favor of simply banning phones for children under 16.

In May, a committee of MPs said the new government should consider a ban within its first year, warning of the serious dangers posed to children online.

The prime minister said there was a serious question to be asked about what content children can access.

He said he would not be drawn on whether his own teenage children have their screen time monitored.

But the prime minister, who has repeatedly expressed concerns about his children’s privacy, said he and his wife had taken a strong decision to keep their offspring out of political discussions.

Speaking to the programme during his trip to Washington DC for the Nato summit, Starmer said he would sit down with anyone to look at how to put in place better protections.

Somalia Teachers Rally Against Contract Termination, Demand Permanent Jobs

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July 15, 2024

SOMALIA-POLITICS-UNREST — Supporters of different opposition presidential candidates demonstrate in Mogadishu on February 19, 2021. - Somalia missed a deadline to hold an election by February 8, when President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, better known by his nickname Farmajo, was due to step down, creating a constitutional crisis. (Photo by - / AFP)

In a significant show of solidarity, over 100 school teachers in Somalia recently staged a protest outside the Ministry of Education in Mogadishu.

The educators who have been serving the education sector for a decade, were protesting against the termination of their services and calling for their jobs to be made permanent.

The teachers, some of whom have been working on temporary contracts, argue that their long-term commitment to the education sector should be recognized by offering them permanent positions.

The demonstration comes amid concerns over job security and the lack of recognition for their contributions to the education system.

Speaking to local media at the protest site, the teachers expressed their frustration and called on President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to intervene in the situation.

They emphasized the importance of stable employment in the education sector and the need for the government to value the contributions of educators.

The protest highlights the ongoing challenges faced by teachers in Somalia, including issues related to job security, fair compensation, and recognition for their dedication to education.

It also underscores the importance of addressing these concerns to ensure the sustainability of the education system and the well-being of those who play a vital role in shaping the future of the country.

As the teachers continue to voice their demands, it remains to be seen how the government will respond to their call for permanent jobs and recognition for their services.

The outcome of this protest could have significant implications for the education sector in Somalia and the future of its educators.

Malawi Engages 4,200 Auxiliary Teachers for Primary Schools

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July 15, 2024

The Ministry of Education through Malawi Education Reform Program (MERP) has engaged 4,200 temporary Auxiliary teachers to be deployed in various primary schools across the country.

The Ministry has also increased the monthly honoraria amount from K80,000 to K120,000 representing a jump of 50 per cent.

The Ministry’s Public Relations Officer, Mphatso Nkuonera confirmed the development saying the teachers have been drawn from the Initial Primary Teacher Education IPTE 14, 15 and 16.

He said the engagement of the teachers forms part of efforts by government to reduce the pupil qualified teacher ratio across the country.

Nkuonera added that the teachers will be placed in various primary schools in 32 education divisions for 2024 to 2025 academic year.

The selected teachers are expected to report to work on 1st September, 2024.

He however, reminded the prospective teachers that the engagement does not in any way guarantee automatic employment on permanent basis after the expiry of the temporary period.

MERP is a four year program which taps financial support from the Malawi Government, the World Bank and the Global Partnership for Education (GPE).

22 Dead, 132 Injured In Plateau School Collapse

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July 12, 2024

1970 Bridge Collapses In Plateau After Heavy Downpour

The Plateau State Government says 22 persons have died and one hundred and thirty-two persons injured after a school collapsed in the Busa Buji, Jos North Local Government Area of the state.

The Plateau State Commissioner for Information and Communication Musa Ashoms said this in a Friday evening statement.

“As of 6:00 pm, 154 people have been rescued from the debris. Sadly, 22 individuals have been confirmed deceased,” the statement read.

“Injured students and staff are receiving medical treatment at various hospitals across Jos.”

Ashoms had earlier visited the scene of the collapsed two-storey structure and said while the school had a population of 400 students, the section that was affected had about 200 persons.

He said emergency workers took the survivors to hospital.

“To ensure prompt medical attention, the government has directed all major hospitals in Jos to prioritize treatment of the victims, regardless of documentation or payment,” the commissioner said.

“Governor Barrister Mutfwang has specifically instructed these hospitals to accommodate all those affected by the collapse.”

The collapsed structure is said not to meet the standards for buildings and warned schools that have similar structures to shut down.

“You can see that it is by the river bank and, from your eye evaluation, you know that it is not a very strong structure,” said the commission.

“We are calling on other schools that didn’t follow plans that have similar issues to close down in the interest of our state in the interest of our people, because we have established a committee to go around,” he added

Minimum Wage: Labour To Reconvene with Pres. Tinubu In 7 Days

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July 11, 2024

Fed. Govt. Offers Labour N62,000 As New Minimum Wage

The Organised Labour is scheduled to reconvene discussions with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in another seven days, marking a significant step in finding common ground on ongoing deliberations about a new National Minimum Wage for workers in Nigeria.

The President of the Nigerian Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero and the Leader of the Trade Union Congress TUC, Felix Osifo, made this known to State House Correspondents on Thursday after the closed-door meeting held with the President at the State House Abuja.

According to the NLC President, the meeting held with President Tinubu was not a negotiation summit but a discussion meeting where issues were discussed in real terms with the expectation of reconvening in the next week.

Speaking on the proposed N62,000 minimum wage proposed by the Nigerian government and the Organised Labour N250,000 demand, Ajaero said “the status quo remains, stressing that until the unions reconvened with the President final positions would be known.

The President of the Trade Union Congress, Festus Osifo told Journalists that the unions tabled current economic indices including the value of naira and increasing prices of commodities and goods in the market.

Osifo said; “In the meeting, we tried to put the issues on the table: the economic difficulties biting Nigerians today, the eroding value of the naira, and how these factors have affected the prices of commodities and goods in the market. We presented these concerns to Mr. President because he is the leader of the country, and the ultimate.

“We had previously discussed these matters with his representatives, but today we wanted to speak directly with the father of the nation. We presented Labour’s arguments, including economic analyses, and covered macro, micro, fiscal, and monetary issues. After presenting everything, the president made his remarks. We agreed to internalize the discussion, hold further conversations, and reconvene at a later time.”

After the meeting, the Minister of Information Mohammed Idris said that deliberations on the new minimum wage for Nigeria are ongoing.

He said that “the meeting is part of the President’s continuous efforts to reach a new minimum wage agreement that works for Nigeria.”

The Minister also mentioned that the organised labour requested one week to consult further with their respective members before reconvening.

Minister of State for Labour and Employment Nkeiruka Onyejeocha described ‘the one hour and thirty minutes meeting as an amiable deliberation between the President and labour leaders.’

Nato Vows Irreversible Path To Ukraine Membership

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July 11, 2024