Author: Ayo

The Federal Government has announced an upward review of Nigerian passport fees, effective September 1, 2024. According to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), the increment aims to maintain the quality and integrity of the Nigerian Standard Passport. The NIS spokesman, Kenneth Udo, disclosed that the 32-page passport booklet with five-year validity will now cost N50,000, up from N35,000. The 64-page passport booklet with 10-year validity will now cost N100,000, previously N70,000. While apologizing for any inconvenience caused by the fee hike, the NIS assured Nigerians of its commitment to transparency and quality service delivery. The service pledged to maintain the…

Hollywood power couple, Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck, are calling it quits. Lopez has filed for divorce from her husband of two years, Affleck, at the Los Angeles County Superior Court on Tuesday, August 20, 2024. The couple’s whirlwind romance began in the early 2000s, with their friendship blossoming into a romance on the set of Gigli in 2001. Their relationship has been subject to intense media scrutiny over the years. Reports indicate that the couple had been living separately since April 26, 2024, before Lopez’s decision to file for divorce. This was Lopez’s fourth marriage and Affleck’s second. Lopez…

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has endorsed former President Goodluck Jonathan to run for the presidency in 2027. This comes as northern elites and politicians express dissatisfaction with President Bola Tinubu’s administration. Deputy National Publicity Secretary Ibrahim Abdullahi stated, “We support the position of the Bauchi State governor. Jonathan has the experience to revamp the economy and would do a good job if given a second mandate.” Abdullahi dismissed concerns about former presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar’s potential opposition, saying, “It’s not Atiku’s place to decide for the PDP. We respect him, but we need a nationalist like Jonathan to salvage…

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced a significant increase in remittance inflows, reaching a record high of $553 million in July 2024. This represents a 130% increase from the corresponding period in 2023. The CBN attributed the growth to policy measures aimed at enhancing liquidity in the foreign exchange market. Diaspora remittances have remained a crucial source of foreign exchange for Nigeria, supplementing foreign direct investment and portfolio investments. The apex bank’s initiatives, including granting licenses to new International Money Transfer Operators and implementing a willing buyer-willing seller model, have supported continued growth in remittance inflows. The CBN…

As the deadline for the implementation of the new N70,000 minimum wage draws near, only nine states have taken concrete steps towards compliance. Lagos, Edo, and Adamawa have either started paying or indicated willingness to pay the new wage, while seven others – Kano, Kwara, Ogun, Borno, Jigawa, Ondo, and Abia – have set up implementation committees. However, 21 states are still dragging their feet, with no implementation panels in place. These states include Plateau, Kebbi, Sokoto, Nasarawa, Bayelsa, Delta, Osun, Ekiti, Zamfara, Benue, Enugu, Taraba, Gombe, Kogi, Enugu, Adamawa, Niger, Anambra, Imo, Ebonyi, Oyo, Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Katsina, Kaduna,…

As we stand on the cusp of a technological revolution, groundbreaking advancements are poised to transform our world in unimaginable ways. From quantum computing to space tourism, these ten innovations will reshape the fabric of our lives, work, and environment. QUANTUM COMPUTING: UNPARALLELED PROCESSING POWER Companies like IBM and Google are pioneering quantum computing, promising faster problem-solving capabilities that could revolutionize industries like cryptography, drug discovery, and complex simulations. AI-POWERED PERSONAL ASSISTANTS: ANTICIPATING YOUR NEEDS Next-generation AI assistants will go beyond voice commands, managing day-to-day tasks efficiently and seamlessly integrating with devices, making them smarter and more intuitive. FOLDABLE AND…

In a bid to combat fake degree mills, the Federal Government has directed higher institutions to submit matriculation lists to the Education Ministry within three months of ceremonies. This move follows an investigative report exposing fake degree mills in Benin Republic, leading to a ban on degree accreditation from Benin Republic and Togo. An Inter-Ministerial Investigative Committee’s report has led to the implementation of measures to flush out fake degree holders from the system. Tertiary institutions must submit matriculation lists through the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board’s dedicated channel, ensuring authenticity and transparency. The Federal Government has also enforced the…

In a surprising comment, former US President Donald Trump claimed he is “much better looking” than Vice President Kamala Harris at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania. Trump alleged that Harris’ portrait on Time Magazine’s cover was a drawing, not a picture, and that the illustrator was “too generous” with her features. Despite admitting Harris is a “beautiful” woman, Trump insisted he looks better, sparking debate about the role of physical appearance in politics. The comments come ahead of the highly anticipated November election, where Trump will face off against Harris, who emerged as the Democratic Party’s candidate after President Joe…

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Imo State has announced August 22, 2024, as the date for its local government primary elections, ahead of the forthcoming council polls. State Chairman, MacDonald Ebere, made the announcement on behalf of the State Executive Committee, assuring that the party is prepared to conduct a free and fair exercise. He urged aspirants to maintain decorum during and after the primaries. However, there is a growing demand from party faithfuls at the Local Government and Ward levels for all card-carrying members to be allowed to participate in the primaries. They argue that this would ensure…

Tragedy struck on Friday when Anambra State Commissioner for Youths Development, Patrick Aghamba, and his wife were allegedly kidnapped while travelling to Abuja. The commissioner’s aide, ABK Offiah, was reportedly killed during the incident. A top government source confirmed the incident, stating that it occurred in Edo State, although the exact location is yet to be confirmed. The source added that the state government will react to the development soon. The commissioner was reportedly on his way to attend the wedding of Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s daughter, Adaora, scheduled for Saturday. However, no further information has been released regarding the situation,…