Author: Ogochukwu Ndubuisi

Dangote, NUPENG Face-Off: NLC Seeks Tinubu’s Intervention The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on President Bola Tinubu to promptly intervene in the face-off between the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Dangote Group, The congress specifically called on the President to call on the Dangote Group to comply with labour laws and international conventions. NLC made the call in a statement signed by its President, Mr Joe Ajaero, which was made available to newsmen on Saturday in Abuja. The statement was sequel to the announcement by NUPENG that it woukd commence a nationwide strike…

Nigeria Boosts Ebola Alert as Outbreak Hits DRC The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) assured Nigerians there are no confirmed cases of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in the country. This statement comes amid reports of a new Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Dr Jide Idris, Director-General of the NCDC, said in a public health advisory issued Saturday in Abuja that Nigeria was on high alert, enhancing surveillance at entry points, healthcare facilities, and communities. Nigeria’s only Ebola outbreak occurred in 2014, when the virus was imported from Liberia by a traveler, resulting in…

Nigeria’s Senate Takes Bold Step to Regulate Crypto Market The Nigerian Senate has taken a significant step towards regulating the cryptocurrency market by collaborating with the Stakeholders in Blockchain Association of Nigeria (SIBAN) to establish a comprehensive legal framework for digital assets and blockchain operations. According to Senator Osita Izunaso, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Capital Market, “We truly value your dedication to fostering a safe, innovative, and well-regulated digital economy” The partnership was unveiled during an interactive session between the Senate Committee on Capital Market and a delegation from SIBAN, led by its President, Obinna Iwuno. Iwuno emphasized…

Congo Announces Ebola Virus Disease Outbreak Health authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have declared an outbreak of Ebola virus disease in Kasai Province where 28 suspected cases and 15 deaths, including four health workers, have been reported as of 4 September 2025. The outbreak has affected Bulape and Mweka health zones in Kasai Province where health officials have been carrying out investigations after the cases and the deaths reported presented with symptoms including fever, vomiting, diarrhoea and haemorrhage. Samples tested on 3 September at the country’s National Institute of Biomedical Research in the capital Kinshasa confirmed the…

Putin Rejects Zelensky Meeting Abroad, Insists on Moscow Venue Russian President Vladimir Putin has rejected calls for a meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky at a negotiating venue abroad. If Zelensky wants to meet with him but at the same time demands that he travel somewhere for the meeting, then that is asking too much, Putin said at the economic forum in Vladivostok. “The best place for this [for a meeting] is the capital of the Russian Federation, the heroic city of Moscow,” he said. Zelensky had previously rejected plans for a Moscow meeting. There are seven countries willing…

FIRS Approves eTranzact for Nationwide e-invoicing The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), has approved eTranzact International PIc as a certified provider for its nationwide e-invoicing rollout, expanding a collaboration that begun with VAT automation under Tax Administration 2.0. A statement on Thursday by Adeyemi Opene, Head Corporate Communications, FIRS, said that the approval strengthens eTranzact’s position as a trusted partner in government-led digitisation of tax and business processes. “The FIRS e-invoicing platform, the Merchant Buyer Solution (MBS), introduces structured digital invoices across business to business, business-to-consumer and business-to-government transactions. “By design, it simplifies tax processes, enhances compliance and improves transparency…

Ebonyi Govt Bans House and Land Agents to Curb Exploitation The Ebonyi State Government has announced a ban on house and land agents, effective January 1, 2026, in a bid to curb soaring rents and protect residents from exploitation. According to Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, the decision is aimed at stopping agents from charging exorbitant fees, sometimes as high as ₦500,000, for properties they don’t even own. “I don’t want to see or hear anything about house or land agents in Ebonyi State from 2026,” Governor Nwifuru declared. “This exploitation must stop. No agent should collect any money from anyone…

Agusto & Co. Assigns “A1” Ratings to Heirs Insurance Group Agusto & Co., Nigeria’s leading credit rating agency, has assigned strong ratings to the Life and General businesses of Nigeria’s fastest growing insurance group, Heirs Insurance Group. Heirs Life Assurance (HLA), the Group’s specialist life insurance business, was upgraded from “A-“ to “A” (long-term), with a short-term rating of “A1”. Heirs General Insurance (HGI), the group’s general insurance business, was rated “A-“ (long-term) and “A1” (short-term). Both businesses received a “Stable Outlook”, reflecting the Group’s financial strength, efficient claims management, and expanding market footprint, driven by customer-first innovations and digital capabilities.…

UN Ends Air Service in Nigeria Over Poor Funding The UN Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS), has ended its fixed-wing air service in Nigeria due to  lack of funding. Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, disclosed this during the noon press briefing at the UN Headquarters in New York. UNHAS, which is operated by the World Food Programme (WFP), had to end their fixed-wing air service in Nigeria last week due to a lack of funding. “For nine years, the service has transported humanitarian staff, medical supplies, and critical cargo to and from the epicentre of the crisis in Borno and…

Tinubu to Inaugurate 6,000mt Lithium Plant in Nasarawa ‎President Bola Tinubu is expected to inaugurate a brand-new 6,000-metric-ton lithium processing plant built by Chinese investors in Nasarawa State, Gov. Abdullahi Sule said. ‎Sule disclosed this after a closed-door meeting with President Tinubu on Wednesday at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja. The facility, located in Nasarawa Local Government Area, is the second lithium plant in the state and twice the size of the 3,000MT plant inaugurated in 2023. While no specific date was provided, the governor said the visit would happen after the President’s return from his scheduled visit to France.…