BREAKING: First phase of student loan scheme starts
The first phase of the student loan scheme has gone live, with the beneficiaries being students from federal institutions across the country. The PUNCH observed that the loan website became active some minutes past 12 am on Friday. Recall that President Bola Tinubu enacted an initial version of the student loan policy in June 2023 to grant interest-free loans to students. The scheme was to commence in October 2023, but implementation was repeatedly deferred until a re-enactment in April 2024. During pre-application sensitisation, NELFUND said the scheme’s pilot phase would only be open to federal tertiary institutions.
Source:Punch
May 24, 2024 11:43 UTC
Publisher arrested by police regains freedom
The management of Globalupfront newspaper, an online publication, has confirmed the release of its publisher and editor in Chief, Madu Onuorah, by the police after he was arrested from his home in Abuja on Wednesday. Onuorah’s release came in the wake of public backlash and media outcry over his arrest by men of the Nigeria police from Ebonyi command. The newspaper management in a statement, confirmed his release on bail condition late Thursday night by the Enugu State Police Command who requested arrest in Abuja. Affirming unflinching support for its editor in chief, the management said, “we solidly stand by our Editor-in-Chief and the harmless story we published. “We insist the police station is not a court of law where alleged defamation cases are tried.”The newspaper commended the media and Nigerian public that stood behind its publisher in defence of freedom of expression.
Source:The Guardian
May 24, 2024 10:31 UTC
One Big Chart: how does the cost of nuclear power compare to renewables?
Electricity from nuclear power would cost Australia significantly more than generating it from solar and wind, according to the CSIRO. The opposition leader, Peter Dutton, has revived the idea of Australia lifting its restriction on nuclear power, but has yet to provide any details apart from suggesting large-scale nuclear reactors should be built on the sites of decommissioned coal power plants. This chart draws from the CSIRO’s latest GenCost report, which estimates the cost of building new electricity generation and storage. Nuclear power from either large-scale reactors or small modular reactors (SMR) is far more expensive than electricity generated with renewables, according to the report. This is the first time the GenCost report is estimating the cost of large scale nuclear reactors in Australia.
Source:The Guardian
May 24, 2024 09:15 UTC
Takahashi Juri leaves Rocket Punch
Former AKB48 member Takahashi Juri, who re-debuted as a member of the K-Pop girl group Rocket Punch in 2019, has announced her departure from the team. On May 24 KST, Rocket Punch's label Woollim Entertainment announced Juri's departure from the group as a result of her exclusive contract termination. Rocket Punch will promote from here on as a 5-member group. Meanwhile, Rocket Punch most recently promoted with their 3rd single album, 'Boom', in September of last year. SEE ALSO: Juri dedicates a heartfelt letter to fans after announcing her departure from Rocket Punch + plans to open a consultation service for aspiring K-Pop idols
Source:Punch
May 24, 2024 07:00 UTC
How to apply for student loan
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) Nigeria has uploaded step by step guide on how students can apply for students loan. Step 6: Click the “Verify with JAMB” and enter your JAMB details in the screen. ALSO READ: Anambra: Pupil beaten to coma by teacher dies days laterLoan ApplicationStep 1: Click on the “Request for Student Loan” button at the top right of the screen on the home or loans page after logging into the application. Step 2: If you want an upkeep loan, click the check box, and click Continue, if all you need is the institutional charge, click the “Continue” button. HOW TO APPLY FOR STUDENT LOAN CREATING AN ACCOUNT Step 1: visit https://t.co/faZaFn5F4A Step 2: Click on the “Apply Now” Step 3: Click on “Get Started” Step 4: Answer the questions on this page to continue by clicking on “Yes, I am a Nigerian” Step 5: Verify your… — NELFUND Nigeria (@NELFUND) May 23, 2024https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Source:Nigerian Tribune
May 24, 2024 05:21 UTC
What truly is our problem?
“Dad, what really is our problem?” My business-owner 24-year-old son asked me recently. What does Joshua mean by ‘our problem’? Readers, millions of Nigerians dispersed across the globe, and many non-Nigerians walking the terra-firma often ask the very question my son asked. The day civility returns to the Nigerian civil service, Nigeria’s corruption problem will end. What truly is our problem as my son asked me?
Source:Punch
May 24, 2024 03:15 UTC
The Best Canned Wines Right Now
When we last surveyed the canned wine landscape, back in 2021, we didn’t really know what to expect. As I observed at the time, situating this revolution within the wider rise of natural wine, canned wine has exploded into a full spectrum of styles, from piquette to pét-nat. Overwhelmingly, the options now include a disproportionate number of natural wines. And if making wine more accessible is central to the movement’s mission, what could telegraph those ideals better than a lovable, chuggable, low-key can of the stuff? Each wine that made our final cut succeeded not only as a high-quality wine, but specifically as a high-quality canned wine.
Source:Punch
May 23, 2024 16:04 UTC
Human Trafficking: Police rescue 10 teenage girls, arrest 2 suspects
The Police Command in Lagos State says it has rescued 10 teenage girls, who were allegedly being trafficked to some West African countries for prostitution. The Lagos Command Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed this on Thursday while briefing newsmen on the success of the operation. “The girls were brought by the suspects from Imo, Abia, Ebonyi, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Ogun and Benin Republic,” Hundeyin said. READ ALSO: Police arrest suspected kingpin of human trafficking syndicate in LagosHe said that the police operatives intercepted the suspects at the point of departure at Mazamaza area of Mile 2 – Badagry Expressway. Hundeyin said the police were on the trail of other suspects, stressing that those arrested would be charged to court on the completion of investigation.
Source:The Guardian
May 23, 2024 14:48 UTC
Three killed in new attack in Niger: govt
Two soldiers and a civilian have been killed in Niger in a fresh suspected jihadist attack in the restive region of Tillaberi, the defence ministry said. The attack was carried out by “terrorists on some 20 motorcycles” in the Tabala village, some 100 kilometres (60 miles) east of the capital Niamey, according to a ministry statement released late on Wednesday. It marked the second attack in a week in the region, after armed bandits killed around 20 people in another village in the Tillaberi earlier this week, public radio reported on Wednesday. Tillaberi is in the vast and unstable “three borders” region between Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, where insurgents have carried out attacks for years despite the massive deployment of anti-jihadist forces. Niger is ruled by military leaders who seized power in a July coup, citing a worsening security situation as justification for the power grab.
Source:The Guardian
May 23, 2024 14:34 UTC
Electricity subsidy gulps N629bn as Discos generate N1.1tn
The rise in revenue by Discos prompted calls for improved services from the power firms, as consumers condemned the Discos’ inability to deliver satisfactorily. Power consumers complainPower consumers condemned the rise in the revenue of electricity distribution companies amid the worsening state of power supply nationwide. “Now, you have over 60 per cent of unmetered customers and the Discos will bring bills to these customers whether these Discos supplied power or not to the power users. In February, The PUNCH reported that Discos overbilled customers by N105bn, and were to face sanctions from NERC. Abuja Disco, for instance, overbilled its customers without meters to the tune of N17.874bn, while Eko Disco over-billed its unmetered customers by N13.137bn.
Source:Punch
May 23, 2024 13:30 UTC
Do you know how the US economy is actually doing? Try our interactive quiz
The United States is less than six months away from sending either Joe Biden or Donald Trump back to the White House. For many voters mulling this decision, the economy is front of mind. A majority of Americans believe the US is in recession, according to a Harris poll conducted for the Guardian. Do you know how the US economy has been performing? Plot your answer on each chart, and then hit ‘submit your guess’ to see how it squares with reality.
Source:The Guardian
May 22, 2024 16:57 UTC
Firm, NPA partner to deploy free e-tag technology for truckers
Trucks Transit Parks Limited (TTP) has partnered with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to deploy electronic-tag technology for trucks across the nation’s ports to boost efficiency and security in the maritime sector. This partnership, aligning with the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Committee (PEBEC) goals, will ensure the technology is provided at no cost to truckers. The e-tag system will apply to all trucks entering major ports like Apapa and Tincan Island, including those owned by industrial companies. He said it would also improve the ease of doing business for truckers and the maritime or blue economy. He said this strategic initiative not only supports the broader objectives of the NPA but also promotes technological advancement and improved business conditions within Nigeria’s maritime industry.
Source:The Guardian
May 22, 2024 09:59 UTC
Seplat Energy CEO gains LTIP N14.644bn shares
The Managing Director of Seplat Energy Plc, Roger Brown, has been awarded shares under the company’s Long-Term Incentive Plan. This was disclosed in a document filed with the Nigeria Exchange Group and signed by the Company Secretary, Edith Onwuchekwa on Tuesday. Brown was granted 4,943,445 units of vested shares, valued at N14.644bn for 2962.30 per share between 2014 and 2022 subject to statutory deductions. “Following statutory deductions of 937,278 ordinary shares at a price of N 2,962.30 per share, Brown will have 4,006,168 units of shares. PUNCH had reported that the shareholders of Seplat Energy Plc commended the company’s dedication to environmental sustainability and approved the payment of US 15 cents as dividends.
Source:Punch
May 22, 2024 02:19 UTC
Seven Palestinians killed in Israeli West Bank raid
Seven Palestinians, including a doctor, have been killed by Israeli forces during an operation in Jenin in the north of the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian health ministry has said. The UN says at least 480 Palestinians – members of armed groups, attackers and civilians – have been killed in conflict-related incidents in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. Ten Israelis, including six security forces personnel, have also been killed in the West Bank. The West Bank-based Palestinian health ministry said seven people had been killed and nine wounded, two of them seriously, by Israeli fire during Tuesday morning’s operation in Jenin. The ministry accused Israeli forces of intentionally killing the doctor.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
May 21, 2024 20:56 UTC