Author: damazah@gmail.com

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Friday called for an urgent action against the alarming rate of use of drugs among Nigerian youths. The commission made the call in a statement commemorating this year’s International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. Tony Ojukwu, the executive secretary of the NHRC, Tony Ojukwu, said in the statement that coordinated efforts are needed to address this concern, noting that “substance abuse, particularly among young people, has reached alarming levels and requires urgent and coordinated action from all stakeholders.” The Senior Advocate of Nigeria said this is “a major threat to public…

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has imposed a ₦6 million fine on Saudi Airlines for what it described as consumer-protection-related violations. Michael Achimugu, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the NCAA, disclosed this on Friday. Mr Achimugu stated that the sanction became necessary after the airline failed to resolve several outstanding consumer issues, despite repeated interventions by the regulator and an extended period granted for compliance. According to him, the NCAA had previously stepped in to support the airline in managing a situation at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja a few months ago that could…

Apple just raised the prices on Macs and iPads in response to the rising costs of memory chips, right in the middle of Amazon Prime Day. That means existing discounts (even small ones) on Apple laptops like the MacBook Neo, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro just became significantly better deals.As an example, the 13-inch MacBook Air M5 that used to start at $1,099 and is currently on sale for $949.99 (at Costco) will soon carry a full retail price of $1,299. That initial $150 discount just became a savings of $350 compared to Apple’s upcoming pricing.There’s no guarantee how long…

Etim Etim explains how a press conference organised by Akwa Ibom State government turned out to be a practical lesson on importance of effective communication. To mark Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno’s third anniversary in office, his Commissioner for Information, Aniekan Umanah, and the entire cabinet recently organized a press conference in the Government House Banquet Hall in Uyo, the state capital. It was essentially meant to showcase the administration’s landmark achievements, but it turned out to be a lesson on the importance of effective communication as a tool for effective leadership. On the second anniversary last year,…

Temperatures broke June records in Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands on Friday as the death toll from Europe’s heatwave climbed in Spain and France and authorities cancelled concerts and other public events because of health risks.Germany’s highest ever temperature of 41.3C was recorded provisionally in the south-western city of Saarbrücken, just over the border from France, which this week endured its hottest temperatures three days in a row.Although France’s heatwave has peaked, Health Minister Stéphanie Rist said the “emergence of deaths at home” was of particular concern.World Meteorological Organization spokeswoman Clare Nullis warned of the “major impacts” to health, ecosystems,…

Key events34 min: That’s not the quickest hat-trick at a World Cup finals: Erich Probst of Austria needed just 20 minutes against Czechoslovakia in 1954. But it’s fast! Mon Dieu it’s fast.ShareGOAL! Norway 1-3 France (Dembele 32)It’s a third curler into the bottom right for Dembele, who teases Bjorkan again. A couple of touches to make space. Whip. In. What a player! What a hat-trick, scored in 25 minutes!Share31 min: Schjeldrup slips a ball down the inside-left channel and very nearly releases Stand Larsen. Upamecano does enough to usher the striker away from the box.Share29 min: Aasgaard’s flick down the…

Stellamaris, the widow of the late Nollywood actor John “Mr Ibu” Okafor, has responded to allegations made against her by her husband’s son, Somtochukwu. PREMIUM TIMES previously reported that Somtochukwu accused Ms Stellamaris of selling his late father’s property and misappropriating funds donated for Mr Ibu’s medical care, among other claims. He made these allegations following an interview with content creator Mukoro “King Mitchy” Michelle, in which Ms Stellamaris and her children appealed to Nigerians for financial assistance. In her response, published on King Mitchy’s Instagram page on Friday, Ms Stellamaris denied all of Somtochukwu’s claims. “Before they sold the…

Anambra Man of the Year (AMTY) Awards has named Mr Felix Okwudili Obika as the Logistics Person of the Year, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to Nigeria’s freight forwarding and logistics industry. Obika, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of FEOK Agency Services Limited, has built one of the country’s fast-growing freight forwarding companies, providing clearing, forwarding and supply chain services that facilitate trade and support businesses across multiple sectors of the Nigerian economy. According to the award organizers, the honour acknowledges his role in strengthening Nigeria’s maritime and logistics ecosystem through efficient freight solutions that have enabled manufacturers,…

The Lagos State Special Offences Court, on Friday, set 9 July for ruling on the admissibility of extra-judicial statements credited to a former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, who is facing $4.5 billion fraud charges. Trial judge Rahman Oshodi fixed the date after hearing arguments from both the prosecution and the defence over the voluntariness of the statements sought to be tendered by the prosecution. Mr Emefiele and his co-defendant, Henry Omoile, are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on charges of receiving gratification and making corrupt demands while serving as…

Nigeria has been elected into the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). The announcement was made Friday by Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, who congratulated Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and Nigerian women on the achievement. Nigeria secured 123 votes in the election, emerging among the countries elected into the UN women-focused body. Other countries that won seats include Sri Lanka, which scored the highest with 144 votes, followed by Egypt with 141 votes, Uganda with 140 votes, Mongolia with 136 votes, Canada with 135 votes, Estonia and Azerbaijan…