News

Wednesday, 12 February 2025 04:59

USAID: Study finds aid money reached terrorist groups

A new report from the Middle East Forum, a U.S. think tank, alleges that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) provided millions of dollars in funding to organizations with ties to extremist groups. According to the report published February 4, the think tank's multi-year study identified $164 million in approved grants to what it describes as radical organizations, with at least $122 million allegedly going to groups aligned with designated terrorist organizations and their supporters. The report specifically highlights several cases, including: - A reported $900,000 grant to Bayader Association for Environment and Development, a Gaza-based organization that…

Monday, 10 February 2025 04:10

Saudi Arabia restricts multiple-entry visas for Nigeria, 13 other countries

Saudi Arabia has implemented new visa regulations affecting travelers from 14 countries, limiting them to single-entry visas valid for 30 days without the option of an extension. The restrictions apply to tourists, business travelers, and those visiting family members but do not affect applicants for Hajj, Umrah, diplomatic, or residency visas. The affected countries include Algeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sudan, Tunisia, and Yemen. Saudi authorities cited the misuse of multiple-entry visas as the reason for the policy change, stating that some travelers overstayed their visas or participated in Hajj without proper authorization. The…

Sunday, 09 February 2025 04:32

US Embassy in Nigeria quietly removes Visa Drop Box facility - Report

The drop box visa processing option is no longer available for US visa applicants in Nigeria, marking a significant shift in the visa renewal process. Nairametrics sources confirm that the service, which previously allowed eligible applicants to renew their visas without an in-person interview, has been quietly removed from the appointment booking system. While the US Embassy in Nigeria has yet to issue an official statement on the change, applicants attempting to schedule visa renewals have reported that the drop box feature is no longer an option on the appointment booking platform. Appointment backlogs Applicants who spoke to Nairametrics stated…

Saturday, 08 February 2025 04:36

USAID claims to have spent $7.8bn in Nigeria over the last 10 years. These are the queries people are raising

Several netizens have raised concerns and called for a systemic investigation into how USAID health funds allocated to Nigeria have been spent amid widespread dissatisfaction. The U.S. Agency for International Development allocated approximately $2.8bn to Nigeria between 2022 and 2024, according to data from the United States Foreign Assistance Dashboard. The platform serves as the primary source for budgetary and financial data from U.S. government agencies managing foreign assistance portfolios. Before President Donald Trump’s second election, USAID faced significant controversy, with critics accusing the agency of inadequate oversight in its funding mechanisms, which could have led to resource misallocation. In…

Friday, 07 February 2025 11:14

Alaperu: A legacy of unity, service, and progress - Kesington Adebutu

PRESS RELEASE It is with profound sorrow and a heavy heart that we announce the passing of His Royal Highness, Oba Idowu Adeleke Basibo, the Alaperu of Iperu-Akesan-Land, who transitioned to join his ancestors on the 6th of February, 2025. The news of his departure has left a deep void in the hearts of the Basibo family, the Iperu-Akesan-Land in Council, the Ruling Houses, and the entire community of Iperu-Akesan-Land. Oba Basibo was not just a monarch; he was a beacon of hope, a unifying force, and a tireless advocate for the progress and development of Iperu-Akesan-Land. His reign was…

Friday, 07 February 2025 04:20

NPA announces 15% tariff increase a day after Customs imposed new levy. Here’s what these mean

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has announced a 15% increase in its tariffs. The move, approved by relevant authorities, aims to address aging infrastructure, obsolete equipment, and slow port capacity expansion. Abubakar Dantsoho, the NPA Managing Director, disclosed this during a maritime stakeholders’ meeting in Lagos, as reported in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday. Dantsoho, represented by Olalekan Badmus, Executive Director of Marine and Operations, emphasized that the tariff hike is necessary to fund critical upgrades, including infrastructure maintenance, dredging, automation, and the deployment of modern marine crafts. He also highlighted the need for Nigeria to regain…

Friday, 07 February 2025 04:19

Egbetokun directs police officers to ignore PSC retirement order, remain in office

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun has instructed all affected police officers to disregard the recent directive from the Police Service Commission (PSC) mandating their immediate retirement. The PSC had ordered officers who have completed 35 years of service or reached the age of 60 to retire without delay. However, a wireless message from the Force Secretary’s office stated that the IGP “strongly directs all officers affected by the PSC’s directive to stay action, pending further instruction.” Officers were instructed to comply strictly with this order. Last week, PSC spokesman Ikechukwu Ani explained that the directive resulted from a…

Friday, 07 February 2025 04:18

Trump signs Executive Order to create task force against ‘anti-Christian bias’

President Donald Trump announced at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C., on Thursday that he will sign an executive order instructing the Justice Department to create a new task force to "eradicate anti-Christian bias." Trump praised new Attorney General Pam Bondi as a "great person," saying she would lead the new task force. "About time, right? Anti-Christian bias. Yeah, I never heard of that one before, right? But there is," Trump said. "The mission of this task force will be to immediately halt all forms of anti-Christian targeting and discrimination within the federal government, including at the DOJ, which…

Thursday, 06 February 2025 04:51

Imported goods to cost more as Nigeria Customs imposes new levy

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced the introduction of a 4 percent levy on the free-on-board (FOB) value of imported goods. The FOB value refers to the cost of goods and transportation expenses incurred up to the point of loading the goods onto the vessel at the port of departure. Under FOB terms, the seller is responsible for delivering the goods to the port, clearing them for export, and loading them onto the vessel. Once the goods are on board, the risk and associated costs transfer to the buyer. In a statement issued on Wednesday, Abdullahi Maiwada, the NCS…

Thursday, 06 February 2025 04:43

At least 17 students die in fire in Zamfara

At least 17 students died in a fire in Zamfara state on Tuesday night, a state police spokesperson said on Wednesday. The students at an Islamic school in Kauran Namoda town in Zamfara State, who were between seven and 17 years old, died in the blaze while around 12 others were taken to hospital with severe burns, the police said. Police spokesperson Yazid Abubakar said an investigation was ongoing to ascertain the cause of the blaze. Hussaini Adamu, who lost two children to the inferno, said the fire started in a nearby house and spread to the Islamic school. Reuters

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Wednesday, 05 February 2025 04:19

Trump proposes US’ ownership of Gaza Strip; to ‘level it out, rebuild it’

The U.S. will "take over the Gaza Strip," level it and rebuild the area, President Donald Trump said during a press conference Tuesday evening after meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House. "The U.S. will take over the Gaza Strip, and we will do a job with it, too," Trump said Tuesday evening in a joint press conference with Netanyahu. "We'll own it and be responsible for dismantling all of the dangerous, unexplored bombs and other weapons on the site." "Level the site and get rid of the destroyed buildings, level it out, create an economic…

Wednesday, 05 February 2025 04:18

FG launches toll collection on major Nigerian highway

The Federal Government began collecting tolls Tuesday on the 227.2km Abuja-Keffi-Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi Highway, marking a significant shift in infrastructure management. The launch took place at the Garaku Toll Plaza. Minister of Works David Umahi, represented by Minister of State Bello Goronyo, emphasized the highway's crucial role in connecting central and northern Nigeria. The project operates under a 25-year concession agreement with MS China Harbour Operations and Maintenance Company, established in 2023 and funded through a China Exim Bank loan. The toll rates are: - Cars: N500 - SUVs: N800 - Minibuses: N1000 - Multi-axle vehicles, trucks, and buses: N1600 Commercial light…

Wednesday, 05 February 2025 04:17

FG to issue N758bn bonds to settle pension arrears

The Federal Government plans to issue bonds worth N758 billion to clear outstanding pension liabilities, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, announced on Tuesday in Abuja. Speaking after the 23rd Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Aso Rock Villa, Edun explained that the debt, accumulated under the old Defined Benefit Scheme before the Contributory Pension Scheme was introduced in 2004, will be addressed through the Debt Management Office (DMO). According to the minister, these pension arrears have built up over time due to periodic wage increases, making it difficult to settle them through…

Wednesday, 05 February 2025 04:15

Shell reports another oil spill in N’Delta

Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) reported an oil spill on Tuesday at its facility in Ogale, near Port Harcourt, Rivers State, after a saver pit overflowed during flushing operations in the Niger Delta region. The oil major confirmed that its spill response team swiftly contained the overflow and notified relevant authorities. A Shell spokesperson stated that arrangements are underway for a regulator-led joint visit to assess the cause and impact of the spill. According to the Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria), the spill occurred when an underground pit filled with crude oil began flowing into a pipeline that separates…

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