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Nigeria undergoing major reset after subsidy removal — Soludo

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 Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, has stated that Nigeria is undergoing a fundamental and disruptive reset, following the removal of subsidies by President Bola Tinubu. Soludo made this remark during Veritas University’s 13th convocation lecture in Abuja, on Thursday. The lecture, titled ‘Let Us Make a New Deal for Nigeria’, explored ways to address the country’s challenges. Soludo noted the need to transition from subsidies, which largely benefitted the urban elite, to a productive social contract that creates opportunities for all. He explained that the country has ended the harmful fuel, foreign exchange, and electricity subsidies. “We have entered a ‘muddling-through’ phase that requires careful navigation,” Soludo said. He acknowledged that, despite other issues, the military regimes invested in education during Nigeria’s early oil booms. Soludo urged Nigerians to craft a pragmatic new deal for the country, as well as an emergency national infrastructure plan, sim...
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Updated news)EFCC silence over another naira abuse video worrisome

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 A video of naira rain at a recent glitzy event has kept the Internet buzzing for three reasons. First, it seemed to be a public contest for the wealthiest guest at the occasion. They made cash confetti in the air and put a carpet of notes on the floor. Second, the event evoked memories of cross-dresser, Idris Okuneye, better known as Bobrisky, and his encounter with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. Third, and more worryingly, it posed a major question: are there two sets of laws for Nigerians, one for the common folk, and another for the rich and powerful? Bobrisky seems made for the news. The latest is that he has finally flown overseas after Immigration officials bundled him off a KLM flight on the night of October 31 and promptly took him into custody over bribery allegations he reportedly made against the EFCC. Before the airport encounter, the 33-year-old social media influencer had presumably served a six-month prison sentence for abusing the naira. Showering pe...
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(Intertaimentnews)Actress Sarah Martins on Equatorial Guinea Scandal: Some Women may Have Been Offered as Settlement

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  Nigerian actress Sarah Martins has weighed in on the controversy surrounding Baltasar Engonga, the Equatorial Guinea government worker embroiled in a scandal involving leaked explicit videos. The internet was shaken when approximately 400 explicit videos featuring Engonga surfaced, sparking global reactions and diverse opinions. Engonga's position in the government has raised concerns about abuse of power and exploitation. Martins took to social media to share her thoughts, stating that despite the scandal, Engonga remains an attractive figure to many women. She attributed this to his perceived prowess in bed, considering it a desirable trait. "Engonga's skills and energy in bed make him a sought-after partner," Martins said. "Some women willingly engaged with him, while others may have been offered as a settlement to clear their husbands' corruption records."  Martins' comments have ignited debate, with some criticizing her views and others suppor...
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(Foreignnews;updated)Australia moves to ban children under 16 from social media

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 Australia’s prime minister on Thursday vowed to ban children under 16 from social media, saying the pervasive influence of platforms like Facebook and TikTok was “doing real harm to our kids”. The tech giants would be held responsible for enforcing the age limit and face hefty fines if regulators notice young users slipping through the cracks, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said. Australia is among the vanguard of nations trying to clean up social media, and the proposed age limit would be among the world’s strictest measures aimed at children. “This one is for the mums and dads. Social media is doing real harm to kids and I’m calling time on it,” Albanese told reporters outside parliament. The new laws would be presented to state and territory leaders this week, before being introduced to parliament in late November. Once passed, the tech platforms would be given a one-year grace period to figure out how to implement and enforce the ban. “The onus will be on social media platfor...
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Foreignnews)joe Biden to address Americans following Trump’s comeback victory

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 United States President Joe Biden will address the nation on Thursday, committing to a peaceful transfer of power to Donald Trump after his political rival secured a decisive victory over Kamala Harris in the recent election. In what is expected to be a solemn moment for Biden, he will speak from the White House Rose Garden at 11 am (1600 GMT) to “discuss the election results and the transition” to Trump’s second term. The 81-year-old withdrew from the race against Trump in July 2024, passing the Democratic nomination to Vice President Kamala Harris — only to see his legacy likely threatened by the Republican’s surprising comeback. Biden is, however, determined to present a stark contrast to Trump, whose refusal to accept his own 2020 election defeat by Biden culminated in the violent assault on the US Capitol by Trump supporters on January 6, 2021. Trump, falsely claiming voter fraud, also declined to attend Biden’s inauguration and blocked a standard transition process. The Whit...
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Updated( business;news)Marketers battle Dangote in court, insist on petrol import

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 Three oil marketers, AYM Shafa Limited, A. A. Rano Limited, and Matrix Petroleum Services Limited, have asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to dismiss a suit filed by Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals. The marketers, in a joint counter affidavit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1324/2024, and dated November 5, 2024, a response to an originating summon filed by Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals, argued that granting the application of refinery would spell doom for the country’s oil sector. They emphasised that the plan to monopolise the oil sector is a recipe for disaster in the country. Dangote refinery in its originating summon dated September 6, 2024, had sued Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority and Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited, AYM Shafa Limited, A. A. Rano Limited, T. Time Petroleum Limited, 2015 Petroleum Limited, and Matrix Petroleum Services Limited as 1st to 7th defendants respectively. The refinery prayed the court...
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Updated news)Chief of Army Staff, Lagbaja, dies at 56

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 The Chief of Army Staff, Taoreed Lagbaja, is dead. This was confirmed in a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Wednesday. In the statement titled ‘Announcement of the Passing of Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja,’ Onanuga said Lagbaja died on Tuesday night in Lagos after a period of illness. “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, regrets to announce the passing of Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, Chief of the Army Staff, at age 56. “President Tinubu expresses his heartfelt condolences to the family and the Nigerian Armed Forces during this difficult time.  He wishes Lt. General Lagbaja eternal peace and honours his significant contributions to the nation,” the statement read. Lagbaja was appointed Chief of Army Staff on June 19, 2023, by Tinubu. Tinubu and First Lady decorating the Chief of Army Staff, Major General Taoreed Lagbaja Tinubu and First Lady decora...
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