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  • Reps propose semester-based fee paying system introduced in tertiary institutions

    Reps propose semester-based fee paying system introduced in tertiary institutions

    The House of Representatives (Reps) has called for the introduction of semester-based school fee payment system for tertiary institutions in the country as part of efforts to lessen the financial burden on students and their parents. 

    The House asked the Federal Ministry of Education to work closely with institutions and other stakeholders in the education sector to provide the necessary support for adopting the school fee payment system. 

    While adopting a motion on notice sponsored by Hon. Sa’ad Wada Taura, the House asked its education related committees to find out the viability of adopting a semester-based school fee payment system while considering the specific needs and circumstances of each institution. 

    Hon. Taura said there was an increasing demand for cost-effective and efficient education financing models in the nation’s Tertiary institutions. 

    According to him, the current annual school fee payment system in Nigeria presents financial challenges for students and families given the recent subsidy removal and single-window forex policy. 

    He said adopting a semester based school fee payment system for tertiary institutions has ultimate benefit to both the students and their parents.

    Read Also: Reps to probe N11m discrepancies in JAMB remittances to CRF

    He stressed that some nternational universities, including the University of California and the University of Sydney, recently implemented semester-based fee payment systems to maximize financial convenience and reduce the strain on students and parents. 

    He said that adopting the payment system can minimize the financial strain on students, improve access to higher education, and create a more transparent financial structure for institutions.

  • Tinubu’s wife support 250 vulnerable elders in Oyo

    Tinubu’s wife support 250 vulnerable elders in Oyo

    No fewer than 250 vulnerable elders across Oyo State on Thursday benefitted from Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme (RHIESS), an initiative of wife of President Bola Tinubu, Senator Oluremi. 

    The economic empowerment programme, according to Mrs Tinubu, was borne out of a steadfast commitment to well-being of elderly citizens, saying it marked significant stride in collective pursuit of more inclusive and compassionate society.

    Speaking in Ibadan at the maiden edition of RHIESS, Oyo chapter, the First Lady, who was represented by wife of Oyo Governor, Mrs. Tamunominini Makinde, said the scheme was to support 250 vulnerable citizens from 65 and above in all 36 States of the Federation, the Federal Capital Territory and veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA). 

    She stated that selected beneficiaries will receive N100,000 each to cushion effect of economic situation and alleviate their burdens during this festive period.

    She said: “The total sum to be disbursed is Nine Hundred and Fifty Million Naira (N950,000,000) as approved by the Governing Board of the Renewed Hope Initiative.

    “Each state of the Federation will receive the sum of N25m. We are committed to ensuring that each state receives this gesture, without discrimination.

    “As we approach the festive season, it becomes very important to emphasize the significance of prioritizing our elderly citizens in our initiatives, by reaching out to the elderly this festive period, we not only honour their contributions but also acknowledge the unique encounters they face.

    Read Also: Oyo Assembly passes budget, raises estimate by N4.2b

    “To our senior citizens, I urge you to embrace life to the fullest, prioritize your health, nurture your minds, and strengthen your bonds with loved ones and with God, these are the keys to a rich and fulfilling life in your golden years.

    “I equally extend my heartfelt appreciation to all your Excellencies, state coordinators of RHI, and partners who have supported with free medical screening and the distribution of other sundry items to the beneficiaries as the case may be, in ensuring the success of this programme.

    “This period should be a time of joy and comfort for all, even as we hope for a greater Nigeria, in security, education, health, employment and business opportunities for all, we seek your continued support and prayers for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, as we look forward to better days ahead.”

    She however said the programme would serve as beacon of renewed hope, dignity and prosperity for elders across the nation.

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  • NAFDAC denies aiding expired license operations

    NAFDAC denies aiding expired license operations

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has refuted allegations of assisting specific companies in compromising their operational licenses within the country.

    In response to a media report, NAFDAC clarified on Thursday, December 2, through its Resident Media Consultant, Sayo Akintola, that the allegation of overlooking the expiration of certain companies without appropriate action or sanctions was inaccurate.

    Akintola clarified that after a thorough investigation, it was established that the reported issue was unfounded while encouraging the public to verify concerns before making public statements about the agency’s activities.

    The statement reads: “Wishes to disabuse the minds of our clients and the public about an online report claiming that the Agency was ‘watching’ while the manufacturers of certain products ‘flaunt expired licenses.’ 

    “Nothing could be further from the truth!

    “On the directive of the Director General, Prof. Christianah Mojisola Adeyeye, the Director, Food Registration and Regulatory Affairs of the Agency investigated the erroneous claims and discovered that the registration status of all the four products mentioned in the mischievous write-up are valid.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, Cway Drinking Water, Eva Premium Table Water, Peak Full Cream Instant Milk Powder, and Golden Penny Pasta Spaghetti all have valid registration. Cway Drinking Water (October 28, 2021 – October 27, 2026); Eva Premium Table Water (February 27, 2022 – February 26, 2025); Peak Full Cream Instant Milk Powder (June 5, 2020 – June 4, 2025); and Golden Penny Pasta Spaghetti (November 30, 2023 – November 29, 2028) are all validly registered products. 

    Read Also: NAFDAC shuts Eziukwu market

    “The online publication also mentioned Gino Magic Seasoning Tomato Mix and Cway Ultra Drinking Water. 

    “While Gino Tomato Mix has since ceased to be in circulation due to the Federal Government pronouncement of prohibition of importation on certain products, Cway Ultra Drinking Water is no longer in circulation.

    “The Agency urges the consuming public to avail themselves of the opportunity provided by the NAFDAC Registered Products Automated Database (NAPPAD) to check for products regulated by the Agency and their registration status.

    “In addition, the public and stakeholders can always contact the Agency for further information on any product validity as the above search system is not the final verdict due to possible backlog of approvals yet to be uploaded.”

  • BREAKING: Senate okays 11 Justices for Supreme Court

    BREAKING: Senate okays 11 Justices for Supreme Court

    The Senate on Thursday, December 21, confirmed the nomination of 11 Justices for appointment as Justices of Supreme Court.

    This followed the consideration of the report of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters that screened the Justices and the approval of its recommendations by the red chamber.

    The Chairman of the Committee, Senator Mohammed Monguno (APC – Borno North) presented the report.

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had on Wednesday asked the Senate to confirm the 11 nominees, who were recommended by the National Judicial Council to fill the vacant positions following death and resignation of some justices of the Supreme Court.

    The Supreme Court Justices- designate include Justice Haruna Tsammani (Northeast) who chaired the Presidential Election Petition Court, Justice Moore Adumein (South-South), Justice Jummai Sankey (North-Central), Justice Chidiebere Uwa (South-East) and Justice Chioma Nwosu-Iheme (South-East).

    Read Also: Supreme Court: Tinubu seeks Senate confirmation of 11 Justices

    The others Justice Obande Ogbuinya (South-East), Justice Stephen Adah (North-Central), Justice Habeeb Abiru (South-West), Justice Jamilu Tukur (Northwest), Justice Abubakar Umar (Northwest) and  Justice Mohammed Idris (North-Central).

    The appointment of the 11 Justices brings to 21 the number of Justices on the Supreme Court’s bench which hitherto had only 10 justices.

    The confirmation marks the first time in history that the Supreme Court would have its full complement of 21 justices, as stipulated by 1999 Constitution (As Amended).

    Details shortly…

  • Osun Assembly passes 2024 budget of N273.90bn

    Osun Assembly passes 2024 budget of N273.90bn

    The Osun State House of Assembly, on Thursday, passed the  state’s N273,908,997,410 budget for 2024.

    The motion for the passage of budget was moved at plenary by the Majority Leader, Mr Babajide Kofoworola and which was supported by other members.

    Earlier on Wednesday, the Chairman of the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Mr Olumide Fatunmise, had presented the report of the committee to the legislature for passage after the third reading.

    Read Also: Osun APC and some hard home truths  (1)

    The Speaker, Prince Adewale Egbedun, said the final copy of the Bill would be produced and forwarded to the Governor, Sen. Ademola Adeleke, for assent.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun had presented the 2024 budget of N273,908,997,410 before the legislature on Nov. 9 for consideration and approval. (NAN)

  • FULL LIST: Transport companies, routes to get Tinubu’s 50% cut on fares

    FULL LIST: Transport companies, routes to get Tinubu’s 50% cut on fares

    President Bola Tinubu recently approved a 50% rebate for interstate travel on 28 opulent bus routes in response to worries about rising transportation costs.

    The president also gave his approval to Nigerians who wanted to go to different regions of the nation to celebrate Christmas and New Year’s Eve with a 100% rail fare reimbursement.

    To provide more clarification, the chosen routes anticipated to gain from this subsidy were disclosed in a recent post on X by Bayo Onanuga, President Bola Tinubu’s special assistant on information and strategy.

    Here’s a full list of transport companies that are part of this scheme:

    1. GIG (God is Good)
    2. Chisco Transport
    3. Young Shall Grow
    4. God Bless Ezenwata
    5. Area Motor

    Onanuga provided an update today that the scheme would be kick starting immediately, and that two God is good locations have launched programme.

    Read Also: Supreme Court: Tinubu seeks Senate confirmation of 11 Justices

    Here’s a list of the 28 routes to enjoy the 50% fare subsidy:

    Lagos-Kano, Lagos-Abuja, Lagos-Kaduna-Zaria, Lagos-Jos, Lagos-Enugu, Lagos-Onitsha, Lagos-Owerri, Lagos-Aba, Lagos-Abakaliki, Lagos-Nsukka, Lagos-Uyo, Lagos-Port Harcourt, Onitsha-Kano and Onitsha-Lagos.

    Others include Onitsha-Jos, Onitsha-Abuja, Onitsha-Sokoto, Onitsha-Gombe, Onitsha-Zakibiam, Port Harcourt-Owerri-Aba-Kano, Aba-Owerri-Abuja, Aba-Lagos, Abuja-Sokoto,
    Abuja-Lagos, Abuja-Onitsha-Owerri-Port Harcourt, Abuja-Enugu/Abakaliki, Abuja-Gombe and Abuja-Kano.

  • Actress Toyin Alausa breaks down over financial instability

    Actress Toyin Alausa breaks down over financial instability

    Nollywood actress, Toyin Alausa, emotionally broke down, shedding tears as she opened up about her financial struggles. 

    In a heartfelt post on her Instagram page, the role interpreter expressed how a viral video of a Hollywood actress crying over financial difficulties deeply resonated with her.

    Toyin shared a recent experience when she felt emotionally overwhelmed on her way home from work. 

    She that despite being drained and exhausted from a series of jobs, she found her account balance not adding up. 

    Questioning where the figures went throughout the year, she couldn’t help but weep for herself.

    She stated that most of the Nollywood stars don’t have extra support other than what they earn and yet they still extend love to family and friends.

    Alausa added that it’s unreasonable for anyone to assume that screen life is the same as Real life and expect someone like her to live the facade some people live.

    Still with a heart full of thanks, she said she is grateful for the numerous blessings money can’t buy and she looks forward to when her hard work will match her reward.

    She said: “First of this isn’t a pity post or s.m stunt, I didn’t think I’d ever post this or knew I’d get the best and most suitable voiceover for the mood.

    Just going through the streets of IG now and I found the post on the @realsusanpeters page where a Whole Taraji P. Henson broke down… I mean this woman we all know is a dynamic world-class Actor and yet her math ain’t mathing, aarrghhh !!!

    “So I remembered how I got so emotional and overwhelmed a few days ago on my way back from work, I was drained and exhausted from a series of jobs, and I’ve barely had time for anything than work and yet when I checked account balance math wasn’t mathing at all … I wept for myself … Jan – Dec where did all the figures go?? How ??

    Read Also: Toyin Alausa seals ambassadorial role with AHZ associates

    “Some of us don’t have any extra support from anywhere other than what we earn from our sweat which at times shouldn’t be heard of ( contrary to what those outside the industry think), and from that little we earn we still extend love to those in need around us, take care of ourselves, family ( for some who are breadwinners), mobility to and fro etc.

    “It’ll be unreasonable for anyone to assume that screen life is the same as Real life and expect someone like me to live the facade some people live …

    “While I’m super Thankful and Grateful for the numerous blessings money can’t buy bestowed on me I earnestly look forward to when every hard work will come with a matching reward, and Math go begin Math solidly.

    “Special Shout out to all the hardworking women out there, diligently and consistently striving to achieve success, don’t be discouraged, tough times don’t last tough people do.

    WE WILL SURELY SUCCEED.”

  • BREAKING: Supreme Court reserves judgment in Kano guber dispute

    BREAKING: Supreme Court reserves judgment in Kano guber dispute

    The Supreme Court has reserved judgment in the appeal pertaining to the Kano State gubernatorial election

    Following the hearing from the parties involved, a five-member panel of judges led by Justice Inyang Okoro on Thursday, December 21, reserved their decision.

    Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf and the New Nigeria People Party (NNPP) have filed an appeal against the Court of Appeal’s November 17 ruling, which declared the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Yusuf Gawuna as the winner of March 26, gubernatorial election in the state. 

    The party also told Supreme Court that there were  inconsistencies in the CTC ruling that invalidated the governor’s election and granted him N1 million in damages.

    The appeal of All Progressives Congress member Nasir Yusuf Gawuna was sustained by a three-judge bench presided over by Justice Moore A. Adumein. (APC).

    Read Also: Kano deputy governor probes burning of council secretariat

    The tribunal determined that Yusuf, a member of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), lacked party registration and, as a result, was unable to run for office.

    However, parties disputed the court’s authority over a candidate’s political party membership during the lengthy hearing before the supreme court on Thursday.

    Details shortly…

  • Why prayer is important to my career, success, achievement – Tems

    Why prayer is important to my career, success, achievement – Tems

    Grammy-winning singer, Temilade Openiyi, aka Tems has opened up on how she is more rooted in the place of prayers, particularly when she is traveling. 

    Tems in an interview with Cool FM, emphasised how she incorporates prayer in her day to day routine. 

    She said: “I have a routine and a couple of practices and prayer is one of them. Every time I’m on the road, in a plane or in a car, I’m always listening to a message of some sort.”

    The ‘Me & U’ crooner noted that many people have different beliefs and stressed how important her relationship with God is to her on her journey.

    “I know what I’ve been through. It’s important that people know that I didn’t come here by myself and everything has been orchestrated by God and I wanna be as honest as possible no matter how much backlash, some people might think it’s weird but it’s okay. I stand on what I believe in. People have different beliefs and I get that and I have to thank him,” she added

    Read Also: I received death threats over pregnancy rumour – Tems

    Tems made it clear that she didn’t want anyone to ever believe that she did it all by herself.

    She believes in God and her faith, which has so far enabled her to overcome obstacles.

    “I feel like when you have a relationship with someone or If you’ve been through something with someone and someone says, ‘How did you do this?’ and you know that it is this person that has been guiding you through and helping you, imagine how the person would feel if you said I’ve just been doing my own thing, I came here by myself, everything I got was me. For me God is not a word or just an idea, for me he’s real and my life is real and my journey is real. In moments where I thought I wasn’t going to make it, I did and I have to.”

  • Port Harcourt refinery reopens after years of closure

    Port Harcourt refinery reopens after years of closure

    The Port Harcourt Refining Company in Rivers State has resumed operations, in line with the federal government’s commitment, aiming to produce refined goods at the plant by December 2023.

    The plant underwent turnaround maintenance and underperformance for many years prior to its development. 

    The total processing capacity of four Nigerian refineries, located in Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna, is 445,000 barrels per day (bpd). However, in 2019, they were shut down.

    But in August, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, the minister of state for petroleum resources (oil), said that the refinery will start up again in December.

    Lokpobiri said this during an inspection tour of the rehabilitation work progress at the PHRC Ltd. plant

    “Our objective in coming here today is to ensure that in the next few years, Nigeria stops fuel importation. From what we have seen here today, Port Harcourt Refinery will come on board by the end of the year,” he said during the visit.

    More than two years have passed since the federal government authorized $1.5 billion (1.2 billion euros) in funds to rehabilitate one of its largest oil refineries, when activities at the Port Harcourt plant resumed.

    The government selected Maire Tecnimont, an Italian company, to handle the facility’s repairs at the Port Harcourt location, which can produce about 210,000 barrels per day.

    “We are happy to announce that the rehabilitation of productivity refinery will commence in three phases,  the then-Minister of Petroleum (State) Timipre Sylva had told reporters.

    Read Also: Port Harcourt refinery ready this month, NNPCL insists

    “The first phase is to be completed in 18 months, which will take the refinery to a production of 90 percent of its nameplate capacity,” said Sylva, adding that the second phase would be completed in 24 months and the third in 44 months.

    Nigeria has been dependent on petroleum product imports despite having the largest oil producer in Africa due to a lack of refining infrastructure within the country. Fuel shortages occur often.

    However, the government has been attempting to increase capacity at the nation’s underperforming state-owned refineries as part of efforts to restructure the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

    The restoration of refinery operations at the plant and the start of a comparable project at the Dangote Refinery are expected to enhance fuel supplies in Africa’s top oil producer and enable savings on refined fuel and other petroleum products.