Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, has disclosed that he enjoys wine as an alternative to drinking water. He said rather than giving the necessary inspiration and satisfaction, water takes up space and he tries to avoid water as much as possible. Speaking in an interview with CNN’s Larry Madowo, the literary icon explained that wine does the magic for him; either for sleep or work. Responding to a question on why he substituted water for wine during the interview, Soyinka said, “Water just takes up space and you know and it belongs to other commodities. So, I am not keen…
Author: UZDO Media
The Bank of Japan left interest rates unchanged on Friday, but governor Kazuo Ueda said further hikes remain on the cards if the economy grows as predicted. Two days after the US Federal Reserve slashed rates for the first time since the start of the pandemic, the BoJ’s decision came as data showed inflation in the world’s fourth-largest economy picked up in August. Japanese central bank officials said borrowing costs would be left at 0.25 percent, a widely expected decision after a surprise hike at the previous meeting. The BoJ raised borrowing costs in March for the first time since…
Vice President Kashim Shettima has called for the alignment of Nigeria’s regulatory practices with global standards to enhance the country’s business environment. This is according to a statement issued by Special Adviser to the President on Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole on Friday. PEBEC was established in July 2016 to oversee interventions in Nigeria’s business environment by removing bureaucratic obstacles and improving the ease of doing business. Speaking at the inaugural Regulators’ Forum of the PEBEC at the Presidential Villa on Thursday, Shettima emphasised the importance of transparency, trust, and efficiency among regulatory bodies. At…
Borno Government says it has realised over N12 billion in cash and material donations for victims of the Alau Dam flood disaster in Maiduguri. The Senior Special Adviser on New Media to Borno Governor, Abdurrahman Bundi, gave the update on the donations for the Maiduguri Relief Fund on Thursday in Maiduguri. Bundi said the donations came from corporate entities, state governments, State and National Assembly members, individuals, and Non-Governmental Organisations. List of donors showed that the North East Development Commission donated N3bn and foodstuff, Aliko Dangote N2bn, Aminu Dantata N1.5bn, and Mohammed Indimi N1bn. Other donors were Borno LGAs; N1.2bn,…
A 40-year-old man, Jibrin Adamu, has committed suicide by hanging at Jigawar Maroka village in Kiyawa Local Government Area of Jigawa. The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Lawan Shiisu, confirmed the incident in a statement in Dutse on Friday. Shiisu said the deceased, who suffered from mental illness, committed the act on Thursday evening. “On September 19, 2024, at about 1830hrs, a tragic incident was reported at the Command headquarters that one Jibrin Adamu aged 40 of Jigawar Maroka village, Kiyawa LGA has committed suicide by hanging himself in a classroom at Miftahul Khairat Islamiyya And Primary…
Phase 1 of the Abuja Rail Mass Transit, otherwise called the Metro Rail, which began commercial operations on May 29, 2024, following its commissioning by President Bola Tinubu, has transported over 250,000 passengers in over 100 days of operations. An Official of the China Civil Engineering and Construction Company, John Zhao, who constructed the first phase of the rail lines and operates the system, made this known on his X handle on Friday. Recall that President Tinubu approved the extension of free train rides on the Abuja Rail Mass Transit, otherwise called the Metro Rail, for the next six months…
Super Eagles and Bayer Leverkusen striker, Victor Boniface, has expressed his delight at playing in his first Champions League match during his team’s 4-0 victory against Feyenoord on Thursday. In a post obtained from Fabrizio Romano’s X handle on Friday, Boniface reflected on his journey, recalling how, as a young footballer, he used to pay N30 to watch Champions League matches and is now living his dream by playing in the same competition. He said: “From paying 30 naira to watch the Champions League… to playing my first Champions League game. Proud of this moment.” It is worth recalling that…
The Federal Government is set to achieve over 60 per cent savings on diesel costs following successfully retrofitting train locomotives to operate on a dual-fuel system. The Minister of Transportation, Said Alkali, expressed his satisfaction with the test run in a statement released by the ministry on Friday. He said, “This achievement is a step towards reducing transportation costs and making train fares more affordable for the general public.” At the Amina J. Mohammed Train Station (Idu Train Station) in Abuja, the Minister led the demonstration of the locomotive’s capabilities along the Abuja-Kaduna rail corridor. The newly retrofitted locomotives, which…
Players in the Nigeria Premier Football League say they are looking forward to being invited to the Super Eagles B ahead of the African Nations Championship (CHAN 2024) qualifiers, which begin next month, PUNCH Sports Extra reports. The Confederation of African Football on Tuesday announced a new date for the 2024 tournament, fixing February 1 to 25, 2025, for the championship meant for African footballers based in their countries. Even though the Nigeria Football Federation has yet to confirm the country’s participation amid the absence of a substantive coach for the Super Eagles B, the players are fancying donning the…
The Federation of Construction Industry on Thursday expressed concerns over the alleged inconsistent policies of the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, urging him to stop bringing politics into the profession. The call was made by FOCI President, Chief Vincent Barrah, at the 68th Annual General Meeting of the construction workers’ union in Abuja. Barrah argued that the imposition of contract prices and random termination of projects by the ministry due to lack of funding were breaches of standard contract conditions. He also raised the alarm that Umahi’s policy reversals since coming into office were forcing many employers to retrench their…