Blaise Felix Aliyu, a student of the Air Force Comprehensive School, Kaduna, has been punished to death by two of his senior colleagues.

Aliyu, an orphan, who lost his parents in 2013, is said to be survived by his twin brother, who is also a student at the military boarding school, located in Mando, Kaduna.

Two SS3 students reportedly summoned the 15-year-old to their room under the pretext of punishing him but ended up killing him.

The deceased body has been deposited in the mortuary.

Reacting to the development, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, Spokesperson for the Nigerian Airforce (NAF), expressed the institutions sorrow.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Gabkwet said an investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident is ongoing.

The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar and indeed, the entire NAF family are saddened by the painful and unfortunate incident of the untimely death of one of our students at Air Force Secondary School, Kaduna, on June 19, 2024.

“To avoid all sorts of speculations, a thorough investigation is currently ongoing to unravel how, why, and what actually led to the death of the victim. Rest assured that this matter is receiving the utmost urgency it deserves, and we wont rest until it is unravelled”, the statement said.

The founder of LoveWorld Incorporated popularly known as Christ Embassy, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, on Sunday, said the fire incident at the churchs headquarters was not an accident but an avenue for bigger and better things.

He said this during a live Sunday service at the churchs campground, Asese.
The men of the Lagos Fire Service were already on the ground to rescue the situation at the time of this report and no life was reported lost.

According to the cleric, the church will build a bigger, better and more glorious church following the fire incident.

He said, “Nothing happens in the life of a child of God by accident. During the 2001 Ikeja cantonment bombing incident, the building vibrated so much and we thought it was going to collapse. I thought to myself that if it collapsed, I was going to build a bigger, better one. At the end of the day, it didnt collapse and we called the engineers to see if there was any need to bring it down and rebuild but it was still okay. Now that this has happened, we will build a bigger, better, and more glorious one, and the devil will lick his wound”

The Kano State government has earmarked the sum of ₦99.9 million for the renovation of Nasarawa mini palace, where the 15th Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero currently occupies.

The States Commissioner of Information, Halilu Dantiye disclosed this while briefing newsmen on outcome of the State Executive Council meeting chaired by Governor Abba Yusuf.

According to him, the money was meant to renovate the defective wall or fence and surroundings at Nassarawa Emirs Palace.

The money is from the ₦8.6 billion total sum earmarked for various projects around health, education, water supply and agriculture among others expected to be executed across the state.it would be recalled that the government had ordered the Commissioner of Police to evict the 15th Emir, Bayero from the palace where he is trespassing on government property and for onward demolition and renovation.

Revocation and Re-award of contract for the construction of Post Midwifery Institute at Gezawa Local Government Area at the sum of N770,858,450.39, Reconstruction and Renovation of Defective Wall/Fence and Surroundings at Nassarawa Emirs Palace at the sum of N99,928,541.63 and Rehabilitation of water supply infrastructure at government house at the sum of N126,987,787.

Release of funds for the procurement of essentials drugs and welcome packs for newborns, free maternal, neonatal, child health and free accidental and emergency commodity for January to March, 2024 at the sum of N165,000,000, Repair of 18km old water pipeline at Dambatta LGA and its Environs at the sum of N129,636,102 and Construction of 138 No. new hand pump boreholes under the second phase of PEWASH programme State Matching Project at some local government areas at the sum of N193,000,000.

Revocation and Re-award of contract for the completion of the construction of College of Nursing and Midwifery at Madobi local government area at the sum of N57,066,422.52, Payment for the excess workload allowances to the two state owned universities ADUDT and YUMDUK at the sum of N447,621,640.79, Construction of Magistrate courts complex at the premises of Gidan Murtala at the sum of N259,143,824.08 and the procurement of fertilizer by the 44 Local Government Councillors to enhance food security and agricultural productivity during the 2024 raining season at the cost of N5,073,840,000.

Others include, Renovation & Upgrading of D-ward for the establishment of sickle cell unit at Murtala Muhd Specialist Hospital, Kano at the sum of N81,621,546.76, Construction/Renovation works at Infectious Diseases Hospital to accommodate the new Kano State Centre for Diseases Control at the sum of N64,825,000.83 and 25- Reconstruction/Conversion of Gidan Murtala ground floor to accommodate a new ministry at the sum of N196,853,158.99 among others to the total of N8,629,636,749.49 Billion.

These projects aim to enhance the states infrastructure, healthcare, education, and security, the approvals by the State Executive Council reads.

The Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) has announced the appointments of Mrs. Ebehijie Juliet Momoh as Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer and Mr. Ugo Obasi as Chief Operating Officer of AfriGOPay Financial Services Limited (AFSL), a subsidiary of NIBSS.

These appointments mark a significant step forward in the mission to transform the payment landscape and improve the financial experience for businesses and consumers throughout Nigeria, Africa and beyond.

A press statement by the NIBSS, on Sunday, said Mrs. Momoh brings an impressive breadth of experience and a forward-thinking vision to her pivotal role as MD/CEO, with over 30 years of extensive experience in the financial services industry.

She began her career at Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) and has held strategic leadership positions at Diamond Bank Plc (now Access Bank Plc), First City Monument Bank, Standard Chartered Bank and most recently, as Senior Vice President and Country Head, West Africa at Mastercard.
Her extensive background is marked by a proven ability to drive growth, foster innovation and implement strategic initiatives that align with the nations financial objectives and values.

In her new role, according to the NIBSS, Momoh will lead the development, operations and acceptance of AfriGO Card. The card scheme is designed to deliver a seamless, secure and efficient payment system that meets the diverse needs of the populace. By facilitating faster transactions, reducing costs and enhancing the overall user experience, the AfriGO Card Scheme aims to position Nigeria at the forefront of the digital payment revolution.

Momoh holds a bachelors degree in chemistry from the University of Lagos, and an MBA from the University of Benin and Bangor University. She is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, Member, Chartered Banker Scotland & Wales, Member, Chartered Institute of Directors and a Fellow of the Institute of Credit Administration.

The NIBSS also said Mr. Obasi joins AfriGOPay Financial Services Limited as COO, bringing over 20 years of exceptional leadership experience in banking, information technology, and payments across West Africa. His career is distinguished by a series of strategic roles in which he led and implemented transformative payment solutions throughout the region.

Before joining AFSL, Mr. Obasi served as the Director responsible for Business Development and Bank Partnerships at Ceviant Payments. His extensive background also includes pivotal roles at Unity Bank Plc, Ingenico, and other card schemes where he oversaw operations across Anglophone West Africa and played a crucial role in implementing transformative payment solutions.

As the COO of AfriGOPay Financial Services Limited, Mr. Obasi will be instrumental in driving operational excellence and innovation. He will oversee the development and implementation of strategic initiatives that aim to enhance the efficiency, security and user experience of AfriGO Card.

Commenting on the appointment, the Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS), Mr. Premier Oiwoh, said: We are thrilled to welcome Ebehijie as the MD/CEO and Ugo as the COO of AfriGOPay to lead our national domestic card scheme. Their proven leadership, innovative mindset and extensive experience in the financial and payment industry are exactly what we need for this transformative initiative, which is proudly Nigerian. We are confident that under their leadership, we will reach new heights in delivering cutting-edge card and payment solutions to our citizens.

Mrs. Momoh expressed her excitement about the new role, stating: I am honoured to join AfriGOPay at such a pivotal time. The launch of the national domestic card scheme underscores our commitment to innovation and excellence in the financial sector. I look forward to collaborating and working with our talented team to advance our vision to live and make a significant impact on the way payments are made across Nigeria, Africa and beyond.

More than 1,000 people died during this years Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia as the faithful faced extreme high temperatures at Islamic holy sites in the desert kingdom, officials said Sunday.

More than half of the fatalities were people from Egypt, according to two officials in Cairo. Egypt revoked the licenses of 16 travel agencies that helped unauthorized pilgrims travel to Saudi Arabia, authorities said.

Saudi Arabia has not commented on the deaths during the pilgrimage, which is required of every able Muslim once in their life.

The Egyptian government announced the death of 31 authorized pilgrims due to chronic diseases during this years Hajj, but didnt offer an official tally for other pilgrims.

However, a Cabinet official said that at least 630 other Egyptians died during the pilgrimage, with most reported at the Emergency Complex in Meccas Al-Muaisem neighborhood.
Confirming the tally, an Egyptian diplomat said most of the dead have been buried in Saudi Arabia.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief journalists.

Saudi authorities cracked down on unauthorized pilgrims, expelling tens of thousands of people. But many, mostly Egyptians, managed to reach holy sites in and around Mecca, some on foot. Unlike authorized pilgrims, they had no hotels to escape from the scorching heat.

In its statement, the government said the 16 travel agencies failed to provide adequate services for pilgrims. It said these agencies illegally facilitated the travel of pilgrims to Saudi Arabia using visas that dont allow holders to travel to Mecca.

The government also said officials from the companies have been referred to the public prosecutor for investigations.

The fatalities also included 165 pilgrims from Indonesia, 98 from India and dozens more from Jordan, Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria and Malaysia, according to an Associated Press tally. Two U.S. pilgrims were also reported dead.

The AP could not independently confirm the causes of death, but some countries like Jordan and Tunisia blamed the soaring heat.

Associated Press journalists saw pilgrims fainting from the scorching heat during the Hajj, especially on the second and third days. Some vomited and collapsed.

Deaths are not uncommon at the Hajj, which has seen at times over 2 million people travel to Saudi Arabia for a five-day pilgrimage. The pilgrimages history has also seen deadly stampedes and epidemics.

But this years tally was unusually high, suggesting exceptional circumstances.
A 2015 stampede in Mina during the Hajj killed over 2,400 pilgrims, the deadliest incident ever to strike the pilgrimage, according to an AP count. Saudi Arabia has never acknowledged the full toll of the stampede. A separate crane collapse at Meccas Grand Mosque earlier the same year killed 111.

The second-deadliest incident at the Hajj was a 1990 stampede that killed 1,426 people.
During this years Hajj period, daily high temperatures ranged between 46 degrees Celsius (117 degrees Fahrenheit) and 49 degrees Celsius (120 degrees Fahrenheit) in Mecca and sacred sites in and around the city, according to the Saudi National Center for Meteorology. Some people fainted while trying to perform the symbolic stoning of the devil.

The Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, is one of the worlds largest religious gatherings. More than 1.83 million Muslims performed the Hajj in 2024, including more than 1.6 million from 22 countries, and around 222,000 Saudi citizens and residents, according to the Saudi Hajj authorities.

Saudi Arabia has spent billions of dollars on crowd control and safety measures for those attending the annual five-day pilgrimage, but the sheer number of participants makes ensuring their safety difficult.

Climate change could make the risk even greater. A 2019 study by experts at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology found that even if the world succeeds in mitigating the worst effects of climate change, the Hajj would be held in temperatures exceeding an extreme danger threshold from 2047 to 2052, and from 2079 to 2086.

Islam follows a lunar calendar, so the Hajj comes around 11 days earlier each year. By 2029, the Hajj will occur in April, and for several years after that it will fall in the winter, when temperatures are milder.

The Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, has secured the release of a legal practitioner, Pius Awoke, after he had spent three years in the detention cell of the Department of State Services, DSS.

Awoke, who belongs to the Abakaliki, Ebonyi State Branch of the NBA, was arrested and detained since 2021 by DSS operatives on an allegation of terrorism.

The legal body, in a statement it made available to newsmen on Sunday, disclosed that Awoke was arrested and detained alongside his cousin,one Onyiba Emmanuel Chinonso, who was a final year student of Computer Studies at the Ebonyi State University.

According to the NBA, its President, Mr. Yakubu Maikyau, SAN, got to know about their prolonged detention without trial, recently.

Meanwhile, following their eventual release from custody, both Awoke and his cousin were received at the National Secretariat of the NBA in Abuja by the leadership of the association,on, Saturday, June 22
.
Those that were on ground to receive them, included the NBA President, Maikaya, SAN, the General Secretary, Adesina Adegbite, 2nd Vice President, Clement Chukwuemeka, the National Publicity Secretary, Akorede Habeeb Lawal and the Welfare Secretary, Chinyere Obasi.

In his brief remarks, the NBA President thanked the Chairman of Minna Branch of the association, Mr. Mohammed Waziri, who was delegated to physically interface with the DSS to ensure the release of the detainees.

The NBA President revealed that the DSS handed over the duo to Mr. Waziri at Minna, last Friday, June 21.

On his part, Mr. Awoke thanked the NBA leadership for being responsible for his release.
He said: I was left with no hope. I only hoped in God. I did not know that the NBA was taking any steps to get me out. The NBA has not just secured the release of a lawyer, but you have saved the life of a lawyer.

While the NBA is relieved that Mr. Awoke has regained his freedom, the NBA is committed to interrogating the circumstances that led to his arrest and detention for such a long period without arraignment.

The NBA decries incidents of long detention of citizens without charge by law enforcement agencies as a breach of citizens fundamental right to fair hearing and personal liberty, and we reiterate our commitment to the protection of these fundamental rights, the statement, which was signed by the National Publicity Secretary of the NBA, Lawal, added.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared that civil servants who moved abroad while still drawing salaries without officially resigning must reimburse the wages they received during that time.

The reports said that Tinubu made this statement at the 2024 Civil Service Award and Gala Night, which marked the conclusion of the week-long 2024 Civil Service Week, held at the Abuja Continental Hotel.

During a media briefing to commemorate the 2024 Civil Service Week, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Folasade Yemi-Esan, revealed that some employees had relocated abroad while continuing to draw salaries without officially resigning.

She noted that measures have been put in place to address this issue.

Speaking on Saturday, President Tinubu called for accountability and restitution, stating that civil servants who fraudulently collected salaries must repay the money and that their supervisors should be punished for enabling the fraud.

He emphasized that the Civil Service is crucial for government operations and cannot tolerate misconduct.

Tinubu highlighted the Civil Services role as the foundation and engine of government, essential for delivering public services.

The President emphasized the need for accountability and restitution: We must ensure those responsible are held accountable and restitution is made.

The individuals involved must repay the money they fraudulently collected. Additionally, their supervisors and department heads must be punished for allowing and facilitating this fraud under their supervision.

The civil service of any nation is too important for such misconduct to take root or be tolerated. The Civil Service is the foundation, the engine, the driving force of government, essential for delivering public services to citizens. As politicians, we are merely the drivers of the locomotives that you provide.

He stressed that the Civil Service cannot become a place where anything goes and where employees break rules without fear of consequences.

As academic and non-academic workers in the university system have threatened to embark on another round of industrial action, students and parents have said they dont want another closure of universities, calling on the workers and the government to find a way out of their face-off.

According to them, incessant closure of universities is one of the reasons the schools are not faring well in global rankings.

The students spoke under the aegis of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, and the parents under the auspices of the National Parent Teacher Association of Nigeria, NAPTAN.

Speaking in a chat with newsmen, the National President of NANS, Comrade Lucky Emonefe, noted that students were always bearing the brunt in cases of industrial actions by university workers.

Government should listen to the lecturers and university workers generally. Some of the things the lecturers are complaining about are genuine.

Look at the issue of the composition of Governing Councils for higher institutions in the country, many people who have no job being put into such positions were included. Such sensitive positions should be for technocrats in the education sector and academicians.

Why would the government not honour an agreement it willingly entered into. Honour an agreement you signed.

However, I would appeal to ASUU members to also give room for mediation and negotiation because in the long run, all parties would still come to the table to talk. Let the parties give room for negotiation and mediation. Students are always at the receiving end of such fight between the sides and nobody wants to waste his or her precious time, he said.

Also speaking, the Deputy National President of NAPTAN, Chief Adeolu Ogunbanjo, said government should honour its promise to the workers.

Government should pay them and fulfil their obligations. When they went on strike the other time, part of what was agreed to making the workers suspend their action was that nobody would be victimized on account of the strike.

So, if you are not paying them their dues, are you not victimizing the workers? If ASUU goes on strike, SSANU and NASU do so, the university system would collapse. The other time parents had to keep their children at home for about a session, that is not good for the system.
Look at the recent global ranking of universities, the best ranked university in the country was in about 1,000th position. All these incessant stikes are parts of the poor ranking of our universities. Government should just be alive to its responsibilities and avert another round of industrial disharmony, he noted.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, is already warming up for another strike, following the inability of the government to meet some of their demands.

The union, last week, started nationwide press briefings and sensitisation on issues it said could disrupt academic activities on campuses.

Top on the list of their demands is the renegotiation of the 2009 Agreement and its implementation.

The agreement is about better welfare packages, funding of the universities, better facilities among others.

Also, ASUU is demanding the payment of four months withheld salaries of members.
Eight months salaries were withheld following the 2022 strike by the union, but only four months have been paid by the Bola Tinubu administration.

On the other hand, non-teaching staff under the umbrella of Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU, National Association of Academic Technologists,NAAT and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Allied Institutions, NASU, are also demanding the payment of their withheld salaries of between three and a half months and five and a half months.
They are also calling for the implementation of an earlier agreement entered into by their unions and the government.

The academic and non-academic unions have given various timelines as when their demands must be met or they would go on strike.

In response to allegations of exposed sensitive data, the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has reassured the public that the data of Nigerians remains uncompromised.

The reports has it that this assurance was provided in a statement issued on Saturday by Kayode Adegoke, the head of corporate communications at NIMC.

The concern arose after Paradigm Initiative, a pan-African social enterprise, reported on Thursday that National Identification Numbers (NINs), Bank Verification Numbers (BVNs), and other personal data of Nigerians were being sold on a website for as little as N100.

The organization identified AnyVerify.com.ng as a platform involved in the illegal sale of such data.

Paradigm Initiative highlighted that multiple unauthorized websites claim to possess and sell sensitive personal and financial information of Nigerian citizens for minimal amounts, raising significant privacy and security concerns.

This alarming development presents a major breach of the fundamental rights to privacy, a breach of data privacy rights, and poses significant risks to individuals and the national economy, the organization stated.

In response to these reports, NIMC clarified that it has not authorized any website or entity to sell or misuse the National Identification Number (NIN) or any other identities.

The Commission specifically named idfinder.com.ng, Verify.Ng/sign in, championtech.com.ng, trustyonline.com, and anyverify.com as unauthorized data harvesters.

NIMC urged the public to disregard any claims or services offered by these websites, warning that they are potentially fraudulent and collect data to provide illegal services.

The Commission has implemented robust measures to protect the nations database from cyber threats, ensuring a secure, world-class, and foolproof system.

Our infrastructure complies with the stringent ISO 27001:2013 Information Security Management System Standard, with annual recertification and adherence to Nigerian Data Protection Law, the statement emphasized.

NIMC also advised Nigerians to avoid submitting their data to unauthorized or phishing sites, as this could lead to data harvesting and compromise individual privacy.

The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to ethical standards in data protection, in line with federal government directives and data privacy regulations.

Additionally, licensed partners or vendors are only authorized to verify NINs through approved channels, not to scan or store NIN slips.

The Commission is collaborating closely with security operatives to apprehend those masquerading as online vendors, who will face the full extent of the law, the statement continued.

NIMC concluded by urging the public to remain vigilant against false information and rely on verified sources for accurate updates.

The Commission remains dedicated to providing secure and reliable identity management, ensuring the highest level of security for national systems and databases

Abia North Senator, Orji Uzor Kalu, has advocated that the federal government should pay more than ₦62,000 as the new minimum wage for Nigerian workers.

The former Governor advocated that President Bola Tinubu should make the minimum wage ₦90,000 because civil servants need good treatment and the minimum wage has not been increased in the last five years despite the inflation in the country.

Kalu also said that although the President has done well in certain aspects of the economy, it is obvious that Nigerians are hungry, and more needs to be done in the area of food production.
Speaking with Channels Television, the federal lawmaker said: Im sure the president has done well in some areas and he also needs to improve in many other areas. Im a very practical person, I fear nobody and I support the truth.

President Tinubu has done so well in some areas, and in some other areas of feeding our people, people are hungry, so I cannot say.

He has done well in economic policy, monetary policy. Very good.
But in fiscal policies we haven’t grown more food. I want us to grow more food.”
On the new minimum wage, Kalu proposed ₦90,000, and also advocated local government autonomy.

“I’m a proponent that local governments should be getting their money fully.

“I also believe that N62,000 cannot do anything. N90,000 and why Im proposing N90,000 is very simple. We have not increased the minimum wage in five years.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), on Saturday, sent a warning to some of the governors not to plunge the country into a state of resentment, misery, and impoverishment through their wrong pieces of advice.

The Organized Labour also reiterated that the position taken by President Bola Tinubu on the two proposals before him from the report of the Tripartite Committee on the National Minimum Wage would determine their next line of action.

It would be recalled that the government team and the organized private sector made an offer of ₦62,000 on the last day of the meeting of the Tripartite Committee on New National Minimum Wage.

The organised labour rejected the offer and requested ₦250,000 as a new living wage.
Speaking to newsmen, the Head of Information of the NLC, Comrade Benson Upah, said that the two labour centres will subject whatever figure the President submits to the National Assembly to the decision of the appropriate organs of the two labour centres.

He also ruled out the option of rushing to strike immediately, explaining that not every problem will be solved with a strike and adding that a strike is always the last option.

Fielding questions over the agitation in some quarters that President Tinubu has delayed making pronouncements on the figure to be transmitted to the National Assembly, Comrade Upah advised Nigerians to tarry for a while in concluding, contending that the report was sent to the President within the period of Democracy Day and Sallah when some relevant stakeholders had to travel out.

The NLC spokesman said, As at the time the Tripartite Committee submitted the report to the President, there was Democracy Day and then the Sallah break, all of which were practically lumped together for the political stakeholders to travel.

So, on the length of time taken for the transmission of the executive bill, we have no issue with that; what we are concerned about is what will be transmitted to the National Assembly.

Asked what will be the reaction of the organized labour if the government decides to go with the N62,000 as offered by the government and the organized private sector against the labours demand of N250,000, he said, Well, let the government come up with it first, and then I even want you to note that there is division in the ranks of the government team, with the governors saying they cant even pay the N62,000. So, whatever the government transmits to the National Assembly, will determine our mood. So, let us wait to reach the bridge before we climb it.

On the allegation that the state governors are the obstacle to the new minimum wage and what would be the position of the organized labour towards the disposition of the governors to a new living wage, Upah said that the governors have a negative disposition to a new living wage are in the minority but very vocal.

According to him, In fairness, we will not say that the state governors are the obstacle; it is a vocal minority in the ranks of the governors that is projecting the governors as bad and dishonest people, and we know that minority group. Quite a number of governors have come out to say that whatever they say is the minimum wage, we are ready to pay, quite a number of them have said so.

Our message is to the vocal minority group in the rank of the governors, giving the governors a bad name, misleading the President, and creating a major social problem in the country. We would warn them to retrace their steps; their behaviour in their state has not enhanced the wealth or capacity of their states.

We will advise them to retrace their steps instead of giving a piece of advice that is capable of plunging the country into a state of impoverishment, the state of misery, and the state of resentment

A popular Ondo State based Gospel artiste, Yemi Adeola, is dead.

Her death was confirmed on Saturday by a broadcaster, Bisi Ajiboye, popularly known as Sogigun on his Facebook page.

In the post, the journalist described the late singer as a kind hearted and beautiful soul, adding that he spoke with her a week ago.

He wrote, Yemi Adeola was Kind hearted, beautiful in and out. When we spoke last week you never say goodbye! (sic)

In my experience over the years, I have never seen something shocking and sad like this in my life.

The post, which has now gone viral, however, failed to disclose the cause of her death.

Yemi Adeola was an evangelist and minister known for her inspiring and uplifting songs and performances.

Some of her works include, Annual Praise Concert, My Praise to the Great Healer among others.

She hailed from Isarun in Ifedore local government area of Ondo State.

Nigeria and the Space Exploration and Research Agency, (SERA), from Delaware, USA, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, to send the first Nigerian to space.

Chief Uche Nnaji, Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, said at the signing of the MoU in Abuja yesterday, that human spaceflight was a major aspiration of Nigeria.

“Human spaceflight is not just a random aspiration of our country but a major objective of the Nigeria Space Policy and Programme which was approved by the Federal Executive Council, FEC, in 2001.

“Reviving and implementing all abandoned national plans is a cardinal point of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the administration of President Bola Tinubu. This partnership provides a way of achieving our long-time aspiration as a nation,” he said.

The minister said the slot could be available from now till December, or in 2025, as SERA would still be test-running the platform.

Dr Matthew Adepoju, Director- General of NASRDA, said the cost of sending a Nigerian to space had been fully sponsored by SERA, adding that the event marked the commencement of the agency’s efforts to implement part of its roadmap of having a human spaceflight.

He also said the event was worth celebrating at a time Nigeria was marking the 25 years of its space programme.

“The Human Spaceflight programme is one of the cardinal objectives of National Space Policy and Programme.

“It was with this in mind that we established the Department of Physical and Life Sciences about three years ago to forge this mandate.

“This is also coming as one of our deep space explorations because there are many spinoffs that will come from the collaboration and opportunities opened for Nigerians,” he said.

Mr Joshua Skurla, Co-Founder of SERA, said that 80 per cent of astronauts, globally, had exclusively emanated from three countries.

Skurla noted that Nigeria had a rich history of scientific, technological innovation, adding that SERA was excited to partner with NASRDA to extend the legacy into space and create new opportunities for Nigerian space explorers.

Mr Sam Hutchison, Founder of SERA, said that the application to be in space was open to any Nigerian older than 18 years, in spite of their discipline.

“The Nigerian people will choose the citizen to go to space, the process of application will be open to anybody who is over 18 years, and there are no other qualifications required.

“You will be able to sign up and then encourage others to vote for you; as part of democratic process, the Nigerian people will select four potential astronaut candidates before a final selection process.

Seven people have died in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State after inhaling fumes from a Generator

They died while working in the recording studio located along Transformer Road in Amarata axis of Yenagoa.

The young men in the studio were working from night to morning, using their generator but may have fallen asleep and forgot to switch off the generator.

The generator was kept inside and the studio which had no ventilation.

Six of them were discovered dead in the morning, while one of the victims who was unconscious was rushed to the hospital where he later gave up the ghost.

The owner of the studio, a popular producer named Akpos Barakubo AKA SlimKelz was among the deceased.

The Benin Zone of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), has lamented the non review of University staff salary after the last exercise that took place 15 years ago.

Zonal ASUU expressed its displeasure while addressing journalists in Benin City on what it tagged :On the unresolved issues between the federal government and ASUU: Government is begging ASUU to go on strike”

Speaking for the union, the Zonal coordinator, Benin Zone of ASUU, Prof. Monday Igbafen said government at all levels are busy reviewing other workers salary while leaving the lecturers salaries the same way it was since when the value of naira to a dollar was N120.

“University teachers in Nigeria have been on the same salary regime since 2009 when the value of naira to a dollar was N120, and when salaries in other sectors have been reviewed twice or more.

“It is better imagined to note that what a Professor at bar earns in today’s Nigeria is about $400 per month which is a scandalous under-valuation of scholars.

“To continue to remain on the same salary regime for 15 years without review is not only wicked and inhuman but also an invitation to resistance/industrial disharmony”, Igbafen said.

Prof. Igbafen, while listing the union’s demands which the federal government has refused to meet, said they have been pushed to the wall, and may likely embark on industrial action.

“Having been irked by the obvious lack of sincerity on the part of federal and state governments to address the issues which have worsened the living and working conditions of academic staff in the public universities, it is sad to note that barely a month after our engagement with the press in DELSU, there is refusal and/or total neglect of our union’s demands and ultimatum by the government, i.e. the government completely turned deaf ears to the contending issues.

“This disposition of government is certainly not a good recipe to the impending paralysis in Nigeria’s public universities.
“It is imperative to point out that the nagging issues between the government and our union in reference revolves round the abysmal failure by the government to satisfactorily implement the 2009 FGN/ASUU agreement.

“The resulting issues have been the source of the seemingly unending confrontation between us as a union and the government.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the issues include the stalled renegotiation of 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement; funding for the revitalization of public universities based on the FGN-ASUU MoU of 2021, 2013, and the MoA of 2017; the illegal dissolution of Governing Councils in federal and state universities; withheld salaries in federal and state universities; unpaid salaries of staff on sabbatical, adjunct, etc. due to IPPIS; the non-release of third-party deductions; non-payment of Earned Academic Allowances (EAA); proliferation of public universities; non-implementation of the reports of Visitation Panels and the refusal to adopt UTAS in place of IPPIS.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, has urged media professionals to partner with the Nigerian Army and other security agencies to combat insecurity in the country.

Gen. Lagbaja made the call in a keynote address he delivered at the Nigerian Army Civil-Military Cooperation Media Chat, held in Kano, on yesterday.

“I urge you to be committed partners with the Nigerian Army and other security agencies as we collectively unite to combat insecurity in our country, so as to restore peace, stability, and progressive development for this generation and indeed future generations”, he said.

Represented by the General Officer Commanding 1 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Mayirensa Lander David Saraso, the Chief of Army Staff also solicited the cooperation and understanding of the media to be committed to the ideals of responsible and professional practices by being balanced and objective in their reportage of security matters.

According to him, balanced and objective reporting requires a deliberate effort to ensure that national interest and security are not jeopardised on the basis of press freedom and the urgency to be the first to break the news.

He, therefore, urged media executives and editors to be circumspect in their reportage of issues concerning national security and survival.
Gen. Lagbaja also urged all well-meaning Nigerians to keep faith with the Nigerian Army and continue to support its activities.

“As the Nigerian Army continues to conduct kinetic and non-kinetic operations geared towards the complete elimination of elements and purveyors of insecurity in our beloved country, I urge all well-meaning Nigerians to keep faith with their army and continue to support our activities”, he solicited.

He said the Nigerian Army was fully aware of the intricacies and challenges facing the nation, and that the imperative to address security challenges had led the Army to increase the tempo in various theatres of operations.
“I am pleased to state that the Nigerian Army in collaboration with sister Services and other security agencies has continued to record remarkable successes.

“You may be aware that troops of the Nigerian Army operating with other security agencies have made significant milestones in operations across all theatres within Nigeria.

“Specifically, our gallant troops in the North East have neutralised hundreds of terrorists, including scores of their top commanders, thereby liberating several of their enclaves in the Sambisa forest, Tumbuktu triangle and the Mandara mountains.

“Similar feats have also been achieved in the North West, North Central, South East, South West, and South-South regions of the country. The culminating effects of these operations include the rescue of abducted Nigerians, such as the 350 persons rescued from Sambisa forest last month, the surrender of over 120,000 Boko Haram fighters and their family members in the North East, the desire of over 20,000 Nigerian refugees in Cameroon to return to their ancestral homes in Borno and Adamawa states, and the thwarting or rescue of thousands of kidnapping incidents/victims across the country”, the Chief of Army Staff added.

Bayo Onanuga, special adviser on information and strategy to President Bola Tinubu, has tackled Peter Obi over his comments on the proposed purchase of a new presidential aircraft.

It could be recalled that the House of Representatives committee on national security and intelligence asked the federal government to purchase new aircraft for President Bola Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima.

The committees recommendation was contained in a report released after an investigation into the status of the aircraft in the presidential air fleet.

But speaking on the development on Monday, Obi, faulted the proposal, saying it highlights the disconnect between the government and the people.

According to Obi, the proposal is unacceptable, adding that there is need for a more compassionate use of resources and prioritising citizens welfare.

Reacting to Obi’s comment in an interview with newsmen, Onanuga said the purchase of another aircraft is a necessity.

Onanuga said the proposed presidential aircraft is a basic thing any sane government will do because it cannot toy with the presidents welfare.

He said, “Does Peter Obi want the President dead? Is that his wish? Does he want him to continue moving around in a rickety plane and die like the VP of Malawi and Iran President? Let him tell us. The plane he used now, I learnt, was bought during (former President) Obasanjos era. That was over 20 years ago and I learnt it was a very small plane.
The plane developed a problem the last time he travelled to Saudi Arabia. The President had to go from there to the UK on a commercial airline. Even those managing them said the aircraft needed to be replaced”, he said.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said that Nigeria must find a way to tackle banditry, terrorism and bad roads to address food price hikes.

Ajuri Ngelale, the presidential spokesperson in a statement on Tuesday said President Tinubu made this known when he met with the delegation of the National Assembly in Lagos.

Tinubu stressed that 60-70 percent of food is damaged in Nigeria due to bad roads, banditry and terrorism.

“We must find a way to eliminate banditry and terrorism so that farmers can bring out food from the farmland. If you do not have good roads to bring the food to the population, even if you grow the food and you are losing 60-70 percent to damages, you will pay the price”, he said.

The Presidents comment comes as Nigerians continue to groan over rising food prices.

The National Bureau of Statistics latest Consumer Price Index and inflation report said Nigerias headline and food inflation surged to 33.95 percent and 44.66 per cent in May 2024.