Author: Binta Agboola

Alhaji Lai Mohammed, former Minister of Information and Culture, has lamented the devastating effects of fake news, revealing that a false report of a $1.9bn payment into his account almost destroyed his 40-year marriage. Speaking at a program organized by the Mass Communication Department of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Mohammed emphasized the need for collective action against fake news, stressing that its gravity can only be understood when one becomes a victim. He narrated how his wife believed the false report and requested to be made a signatory to his bank account, preparing for the worst. Mohammed explained that the allocation…

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has sold dollars to eligible Bureau De Change (BDC) operators at a rate of N1450/dollar, according to a statement by the acting director of the Trade and Exchange Department, AA Mahdi. This move comes after the CBN sold $123m to authorised dealers earlier in the week, which the Association of Bureau De Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON) claimed excluded them. ABCON President, Aminu Gwadebe, stated that only banks received the forex intervention. However, the CBN has now approved the sale of FX to eligible BDCs to meet the demand for invisible transactions. Each BDC…

Italy’s competition watchdog, AGCM, has launched a probe into Google and its parent company, Alphabet, over suspected unfair commercial practices related to user data consent requests. The investigation is focused on whether Google’s consent requests are misleading and aggressive, and if they provide adequate information to users. According to the watchdog, Google’s consent requests may be accompanied by “inadequate, incomplete, and misleading information” that could influence users’ decisions on whether and how much consent to give. Google requests consent to aggregate and use personal data across its services, including search, Maps, and YouTube, but the watchdog alleges that the consent…

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has launched its disbursement, but Southern students are hesitant due to skepticism. Dr. Akintunde Sawyerr, NELFUND MD, attributed this to a lack of awareness, saying the South is “questioning everything.” In contrast, Northern institutions have shown better coordination, leading to more applications. Sawyerr assured that skepticism will fade as disbursements continue, and awareness efforts are underway. Universities have the highest demand, followed by polytechnics and colleges of education. Private institution students are excluded due to higher fees. Sawyerr praised President Bola Tinubu’s vision, saying the loan scheme will positively impact many lives. National Association…

Nigerian air travellers are expressing anger and frustration over the United Arab Emirates (UAE) government’s decision to increase visa fees by over 300 per cent, despite the recent lifting of the visa ban on Nigeria. The new visa fee, which now stands at N640,000, has been described as “outrageous” and “exploitative” by travellers at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos. Rose Aikigbe, a traveller, said, “This is a clear indication that the UAE government doesn’t want Nigeria in their domain. How much is the United Kingdom taking? Why is the amount so out of reach?” Adejare Adebukola, a father…

Rwandan President Paul Kagame has won a resounding victory in Rwanda’s presidential election, securing 99.15% of the votes counted so far. The electoral body has counted 79% of the ballots, with 9.5 million Rwandans registered to vote. Kagame, 64, is set to continue in office until 2034, following a constitutional amendment in 2015 that removed the two-term limit. His opponents, Frank Habineza and Philippe Mpayimana, trailed behind with less than 1% each in the provisional results. This outcome mirrors the 2017 election, where Kagame won nearly 99% of the votes. Final results are expected by July 27, but may be…

A 43-year-old French tourist is currently receiving medical attention at Santa Chiara hospital in Trento after being attacked by a bear while out running in Naroncolo, near Lake Garda. According to the province of Trento, the victim suffered injuries to his limbs and was airlifted to the hospital, where his condition is reported to be stable and not life-threatening. “This morning a foreign tourist was attacked by a bear in Naroncolo, in the municipality of Dro,” the province said in a statement. Forestry officials are investigating the incident, which has raised concerns about the presence of bears in the region.…

In a significant legal win for Donald Trump, a Florida judge has dismissed the criminal case against the former US President and Republican presidential candidate. The case centered on charges of mishandling top secret documents, with Judge Aileen Cannon ruling that the appointment of Special Counsel Jack Smith was improper. The ruling comes as Trump prepares to be announced as the Republican Party’s presidential candidate at the Republican National Convention. The 78-year-old had faced 31 counts of “willful retention of national defense information,” each carrying a potential 10-year prison sentence. Additional charges included conspiracy to obstruct justice and making false…

Chelsea Football Club has unveiled its new home kit for the 2024-25 Premier League season, manufactured by Nike. The bold design features a “blue flame” theme, symbolizing the “melting pot” of London culture and the club’s rich history and success. The kit’s design is centered around the concept that “the hottest part of the flame burns blue,” with a swirling, shimmering graphic on a vibrant blue background. The sleeves and shorts feature thin white and bright orange trim, representing the “fresh fire coming through the club’s youth ranks” at their Cobham training centre. While some fans have praised the new…

The Copa America final between Argentina and Colombia was marred by chaotic and dangerous scenes as thousands of fans were prevented from entering the Hard Rock Stadium, leading to a delayed kickoff by over an hour. Despite the chaos, Argentina emerged victorious, defeating Colombia 1-0 in extra time to defend their title, albeit without their star player Lionel Messi, who was forced off with an injury. The match finally commenced at 9:22 pm ET, 82 minutes after its scheduled start, amidst scenes of chaos and disorder outside the stadium. Fans, including young children, were left stranded outside in the sweltering…