Blast Naija Media

  There have been an tension  in the Federal Capital Territory over the terror alerts issued by the United States and the United Kingdom respectively. The Federal Government has since on Friday heightened security in the capital city. Reports show there are massive deployment of Special Forces and the elite Presidential Guards Brigade in Abuja metropolis to prevent possible terrorist attacks. Armed security personnel, including policemen, were seen patrolling the city centre, the Kubwa Expressway, Jabi and other strategic points. They were also seen around the NNPC Towers, War College, both in the Central Business District, and around the Central Bank of Nigeria headquarters. The US and UK had stated that there was an elevated risk of terror attacks in Nigeria, specifically in Abuja. The US advisory said the militants might target government buildings, places of worship, schools, markets, shopping malls, hotels, bars, restaurants, athletic gatherings, transport terminals,...

  L-R: Chairman, Afrinvest Asset Management, Mr Abdul-Rahman Esene; Chairman, Afrinvest Securities Limited, Mrs Fatumata Soukouna Coker; Director General, Securities and Exchange Commission, Mr Lamido Yuguda; Chairman, Afrinvest, Donald Lawson; and Group Managing Director, Afrinvest, Ike Chioke, during the launch of Afrinvest's 2022 Nigerian Banking Sector Report, titled ‘Brace for Impact’, in Lagos… on Wednesday. The 2022 Afrinvest Banking Sector Report has shown that commercial banks recorded modest improvement in all regulatory indicators despite daunting economic challenges. The report, presented by Deputy Group Managing Director, Afrinvest West Africa, Mr Victor Ndukauba, showed that the banks beat all the prudential guideline limits set by the Central Bank of Nigeria, showing resilience and strength during the year. Its presentation was made at the launch of the 17th edition of the Nigerian Banking Sector Report and unveiling of Optimus, Afrinvest’s digital investment app, in...

  The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has applauded the move by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to redesign and reissue higher denominations of the Nigerian Currency, the Naira. Speaking at a press briefing today, October 26, 2022, the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele announced that the apex bank had obtained the approval of President Muhammadu Buhari to resign and issue new N200, N500 and N1000 notes that shall come into circulation by the 15th of December, 2022. Responding to the development, the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Abdulrasheed Bawa described the move by the apex bank as “a well-considered and timely response” to the challenges of currency management which has negatively impacted the country’s monetary policy and security imperatives. “The EFCC, the CBN and some other regulators in the financial sector have worked closely in the recent past to determine how best to stabilize the country’s monetary policy environment. It is heart-warming that the CBN ha...

  United Nigeria Airlines has flown relief materials to Yenagoa for distribution to victims of the devastating flood disaster in Bayelsa State. Chief Operating Officer of the airline, Mazi Osita Okonkwo, said the donations were made in fulfillment of the airline’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). “The flood experienced this year has been very devastating. Lives have been negatively impacted by the flood. Families have been separated. Homes and properties were destroyed. Businesses have also been negatively affected. More than half of the state is under water. We hope for the immediate receding of the flood so that people can return to their normal lives. “What we have done is in line with our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). It is also in response to the call for help. The impact of the flood is huge and it will cost a lot to fix. We have only contributed towards ameliorating the sufferings of the people many of who cannot even find a place to cook for their families. W...

  Anambra State Governor, Prof. Charles Soludo has emphasized on the need to ensure that the Igbo culture takes it's pride of place in the affairs of his government. The Governor had during his inauguration as the Executive Governor promised to reorganize the State Ministry of Culture to spearhead, Entertainment and Tourism to reflect on the states cultural heritage more. Governor Soludo was speaking during the 20th Ofala Festival of His Royal Majesty, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, the 21st Obi of Onitsha in Onitsha, Anambra State. Igwe Achebe is the Chairman, Anambra State Council of Traditional Rulers and also Chairman, South East Traditional Rulers Council. While congratulating, HRM, the Governor noted that though he was witnessing the festival for the third time, it was his first as the Executive Governor. Commending Igwe Achebe, he described his 20 years of rule in Onitsha as impactful. Governor Soludo revealed that as the largest city East of the Niger, Onitsha k...

The Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) Peter Obi has tasked the Federal Government to be proactive in mitigating the effects of the nationwide floods. It is gathered that the floods are caused by the failure to prepare for the release of excess water from Cameroon and the heavily silted River Benue. Obi disclosed this in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, on Thursday where he had gone as part of his follow-up visit to the state governor Samuel Ortom during which he announced the suspension of his campaign to allow him to show support to victims of the flood disaster. Although Obi had appealed to other presidential candidates to do the same, his visit to displaced persons both from the flood disaster and victims of herdsmen attacks camped in Daudu, brought hope to the displaced as he donated N5m to assist them.

Flooded community in Jigawa State Several states across the country have continued to experience severe flooding as the Federal Government on Saturday faulted state governments for not heeding early warnings issued by its agencies. Thousands have been displaced in states such as Anambra, Katsina, Nasarawa, Rivers, Bayelsa, Kogi, and Jigawa in recent weeks. According to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), over 300 people have been killed by devastating floods in 2022. Speaking on national television, Director-General of the Nigeria Hydrological Services (NIHSA), Clement Nze, blamed state governments for disregarding “adequate and timely warnings” and weather advisories issued by the various Federal Government agencies "if our predictions were heeded by relevant sub-nationals, we will not have been where we are today,” Eze said. “But I am believing that following this year’s flood disaster across the land, the consciousness of relevant actors especially sub-nationals wi...

Nigeria’s major carrier, Air Peace, yesterday announced that it would today resume flights to Johannesburg, South Africa, two months after it suspended service due to high cost of operation. The airline in a statement, said that it would resume flights from October 9, 2022. “This is to inform the flying public that our Johannesburg service resumes on Sunday, October 9, 2022. The schedules are now live on our website/mobile app, and you can now book your flights to South Africa. We look forward to having you on board,” Air Peace said. Nigeria’s biggest operator decided to suspend flights to Johannesburg early August 2022 when it couldn’t cope with the high cost of aviation fuel and low passenger traffic due to the failure of the South African Embassy in Nigeria to issue visas to Nigerians who were willing to travel to the country. The airline noted that the high cost and scarcity of aviation fuel, known as Jet A1, forced it to suspend its Lagos-Johannesburg flight operations.The airline...

  Dr Obiageli Ezekwesili The School of Politics, Policy and Governance will hold its second convocation on Saturday, October 8, 2022, at the Shehu Musa Yar'Adua Centre, Abuja.   SPPG's Chief Executive Officer, Mrs Alero Ayida-Otobo, in a statement on Wednesday, also announced other activities planned for the ceremony.   “In January, the inaugural convocation took place, virtually and physically, at the Executive Hall of the International Conference Centre, Abuja. For the second, however, there will be an alumni association launch on October 6 by 4pm at Grand Pela Hotels and Suites, Abuja; Solidarity Walk on October 7 by 9am from Unity Fountain; and Graduation Dinner on October 8 by 6pm at Shehu Musa Yar'Adua Centre,” she said.   The school aims to transform politics in Africa as part of the values of the #FixPolitics Initiative. The institute intends to create a massive base of a new value-based and disruptive-thinking political class with the knowledge and skills to...