Cloned Nigerian Anchor

Author: Doris Israel Ijeoma

  • New Vocational Subjects Added to Nigeria’s Education System

    New Vocational Subjects Added to Nigeria’s Education System

    Starting January 2025, the Nigerian government will introduce 15 new trades into the country’s Basic Education curriculum, aiming to provide practical skills to students in primary and junior secondary levels. 

    This decision, approved by the National Council on Education, is part of a broader strategy to make education more skill-oriented and adaptable to current economic demands.

    The curriculum now includes subjects like Basic Digital Literacy, Robotics, plumbing, bakery services, GSM repair, and agricultural practices such as beekeeping and poultry farming. 

    Schools across the country, both private and public, will begin preparations, which include training teachers and improving infrastructure to support these subjects.

    This educational update is designed to align learning with real-world skills, allowing students to choose entrepreneurship paths and gain practical knowledge. 

    The government believes these changes will prepare graduates to become self-sufficient and economically active, ultimately strengthening the nation’s workforce and economy.

     A similar update for Senior Secondary Education is expected to launch by December 2025.

    ReplyForwardAdd reaction
  • Senate President’s Office Debunks Viral Video 

    Senate President’s Office Debunks Viral Video 

    The office of Senate President Godswill Akpabio has responded to a viral video that misrepresents his comments about food and economic challenges.

     According to Akpabio’s media aide, Jackson Udom, the video in question is a manipulated version of a lighthearted conversation among Senate members shortly after Akpabio’s inauguration in June 2023. 

    Udom clarified that the clip was part of a private discussion where Akpabio jokingly suggested his colleagues take advantage of a dinner organized for them, given the current economic climate. 

    He criticized the dissemination of this doctored footage as a harmful attempt to tarnish Akpabio’s reputation and cause embarrassment to him and his constituents.

    Udom called for a balanced portrayal, urging media outlets to publish corrections alongside the misleading video to address the negative implications it has had on public perception.

     He stressed the importance of context in such communications, asserting that the original remarks were never intended for public scrutiny.

    ReplyForwardAdd reaction
  • Supreme Court Judgement: Nasarawa State Moves to Reform LG Structure

    Supreme Court Judgement: Nasarawa State Moves to Reform LG Structure

    The Nasarawa State Government has introduced a bill to the State House of Assembly aimed at revising the local government system in line with the Supreme Court’s recent decision on local government autonomy.

    The proposed legislation, titled “A Bill for a Law to Repeal and Re-enact the Establishment, Structure, Composition, Finance and Function of Local Government System in Nasarawa State, 2024,” seeks to update the current framework to reflect the new mandate.

    During a recent session, the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Danladi Jatau, noted that the bill represents a move to reshape the local government structure to align with the Supreme Court’s ruling on financial independence for local councils.

     The House Leader, Hon. Suleiman Azara, presented the bill for the first reading, with the Minority Leader, Hon. Luka Zhekaba, providing support.

    The state government’s plan, as outlined by the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Hon. Jonah Dizaho, includes the removal of the joint account system and the elimination of the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs. 

    The second reading of the bill is scheduled for October 16, 2024.

  • Libyan FA President Steps Down Amid Super Eagles Drama

    Libyan FA President Steps Down Amid Super Eagles Drama

    Abdelhakim Al-Shalmani, head of the Libyan Football Federation, has stepped down from his position during a recent General Assembly meeting.

     The announcement came as tensions rose over the treatment of Nigeria’s Super Eagles ahead of an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

    Al-Shalmani’s departure follows criticism of the Libyan sports sector. 

    During the assembly, he expressed dissatisfaction with the state of affairs and opted to leave, marking an end to his tenure. 

    Despite the challenges, he highlighted his long-standing involvement in international and regional football organizations.

    Meanwhile, the Nigerian team’s experience has sparked controversy.

     The Super Eagles, who arrived for their qualifying match, reported being held at an abandoned airport for over 15 hours.

     They have since refused to participate, citing security risks.

  • FG Set to jack up Value Added Tax

    FG Set to jack up Value Added Tax

    The federal government has put forward a proposal to raise the Value Added Tax (VAT) from 7.5% to 10%. 

    This proposal is encapsulated in an executive bill currently under consideration by the National Assembly. 

    Reports indicate that the government plans to implement further increments, targeting a VAT of 12.5% by 2026, increasing to 15% starting in 2030. 

    The legislative document outlines a gradual increase in VAT rates across several assessment years. 

    Earlier discussions around VAT included insights from Taiwo Oyedele, chairman of the presidential committee on fiscal policy and tax reforms, who previously stated the necessity for a VAT increase.

     In contrast, Finance Minister Wale Edun had clarified that the VAT rate had not yet been modified.

    In addition to the VAT hike, the bill also suggests a reduction in the Corporate Income Tax (CIT) from 30% to 27.5% by 2025, with a further decrease to 25% in 2026. 

    Small businesses with annual turnovers below ₦20 million will not be subject to this tax. 

    The document further stipulates that companies falling under certain categories with an effective tax rate below 15% must pay an additional tax to meet that minimum threshold. 

    This measure aims to bolster compliance among larger corporations.

    Furthermore, the federal government recently published new withholding tax regulations, set to take effect on January 1, 2025, as part of its ongoing tax reform agenda.

     These proposed changes reflect the government’s intention to adapt the taxation framework to stimulate economic activity while managing fiscal responsibilities.

  • Details of meeting between oil Marketers, DSS Emerge

    Details of meeting between oil Marketers, DSS Emerge

    The Director General of the Department of State Services, Adeola Ajayi, addressed the grievances of Nigeria’s oil marketers regarding rising petrol prices and outstanding debts owed to them.

     This meeting followed a significant increase in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), which reached N1,030 per liter due to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s (NNPC) adjustments.

    Chinedu Ukadike, spokesperson for the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, provided insights into the discussions held. 

    He noted that the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed, agreed to issue bulk purchase licenses to the marketers, allowing them to procure petrol directly from Dangote Refinery. 

    Additionally, the NMDPRA committed to releasing N10 billion to settle outstanding debts owed to the marketers. 

    Ukadike stated that the DSS’s involvement was crucial in addressing the marketers’ concerns over high petrol prices and financial challenges within the oil and gas sector.

     He encouraged members to continue their operations while the situation is being resolved.

    The backdrop of this intervention comes after the marketers threatened to halt operations due to the ex-depot price set by NNPC, which they deemed unmanageable compared to retail prices.

     Furthermore, the marketers raised concerns about NNPC’s debt of over N15 billion owed to them.

     The situation has intensified since Dangote Refinery commenced petrol distribution with NNPCL as its primary off-taker on September 15, 2024.

  • Two-storey building collapses in Lagos

    Two-storey building collapses in Lagos

    A two-storey building has collapsed on Amusu Street, in the Orile Iganmu area of Lagos State.

    The incident happened in the early hours of Monday.

    As seen in a video trending online, the building caved in as residents nearby scampered for safety.

    The Head, Public Affairs Unit, LASEMA, Mr Nosa Okunbor, who confirmed that there was no casualty in the building collapse, reports News Agency of Nigeria.

    In a statement, the LASEMA boss said that the building collapsed on its own at about 8.45am.

    “LASEMA Response Teams in Search and Rescue Operation is at a self-collapsed building on Amusu Street, Baale Bus Stop, Orile Iganmu.

    “No casualties and updates to follow,” he said

    Earlier, an official of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency who confirmed the incident anonymously to PUNCH Online said no casualty was recorded.

    The official added that the building had been evacuated before the collapse.

    “I can confirm to you that the incident happened this morning but there were no casualties. An evacuation already took place before the collapse.”

    The LASEMA source further stated that emergency responders were already at the scene of the incident.

  • NFF Withdraws Super Eagles After Libya Airport Incident

    NFF Withdraws Super Eagles After Libya Airport Incident

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has withdrawn the Super Eagles from their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Libya, scheduled for Tuesday.

    The decision comes after the team experienced a 12-hour delay at Al Abraq International Airport in Libya.

    The Super Eagles, traveling for the crucial match in Benghazi, faced an unexpected detour when their chartered flight was redirected to Al Abraq, a smaller airport typically used for hajj services.

     This diversion, which occurred mid-flight, left the team stranded without assistance or transport from the Libyan Football Federation. 

    The team, unable to reach their accommodation in Benghazi, remained at the airport for over half a day.

     Frustrated and exhausted by the ordeal, the players have opted not to proceed with the match. 

    The NFF, supporting the players’ decision, is now making arrangements to return the team to Nigeria, canceling their participation in the upcoming qualifier.

  • Edo Guber Poll: Akpata Says He Won’t Be Contesting Outcome

    Edo Guber Poll: Akpata Says He Won’t Be Contesting Outcome

     Labour Party governorship candidate in Edo State, Olumide Akpata, has decided not to contest the outcome of the September 21 election. 

    Akpata, who finished third with 22,763 votes, trailed behind APC’s Monday Okpebholo, who won with 291,667 votes, and PDP’s Asue Ighodalo, who secured 247,274 votes. 

    Despite raising concerns over irregularities and electoral malpractices, Akpata announced that he would not take the matter to the tribunal.

     His decision focuses on pursuing broader electoral reforms rather than challenging the specific results of the contest.

    “My decision not to contest the election results at the tribunal is not an indication of compromise; rather, it is a strategic move aimed at redirecting our energies towards systemic changes that our democracy desperately needs,” he said.

    “This moment calls for a paradigm shift in our approach to electoral reform. We cannot continue to operate within a system that incentivises manipulation and disenfranchisement.”

  • Former Kaduna Governor’s son dies in auto crash

    Former Kaduna Governor’s son dies in auto crash

    Faisal Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi, the eldest son of former Kaduna State Governor, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, has died following a tragic auto accident.

    A source close to the family, who requested anonymity, confirmed the incident, revealing that the accident occurred on Saturday evening along the Kaduna-Zaria expressway.

    “The accident happened along the Kaduna-Zaria highway this evening. Faisal was rushed to an undisclosed hospital, where he was declared dead. His father was at the hospital, and the body has been taken home for burial arrangements,” the source said.

    Faisal, a trained engineer, began his education at Kaduna International School before proceeding to Adesoye College in Offa, Kwara State, for his secondary education.

    He later attended the University of Greenwich, London, where he obtained his undergraduate and master’s degrees. He had also enrolled for a PhD at the same institution.

    At the time of filing this report, efforts to reach Senator Makarfi, a former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party for comments were unsuccessful.