Breaking News / News / Oil & Gas

NEMA warns of massive gas leakage at computer village, Oba-Akran, Awolowo, Anifowose axis

A massive gas pipeline leak is reportedly taking place in some areas around Ikeja, Lagos State.

NEMA’s acting Coordinator for Lagos State Territory, Ibrahim Farinloye confirmed the incident while asking residents in the Computer Village/Under bridge, Awolowo Way, Oba Akran axis, Anifowoshe Street, and Medical Road to avoid coming into contact with naked flames for safety concerns. The agency said a distress alert was received about a massive leakage of gas pipeline around these areas.

The agency called on residents to proceed with extreme caution.

Mr.  Farinloye stated that emergency responders are attempting to avert the unexpected. Residents around these areas have been advised not open shops pending when normalcy will return.…

Breaking News / EndSARS / News

Police arrest two persons at #EndSARS memorial protest in Lekki [ PHOTOS ]

Two persons have been arrested by the Nigerian Police Force at the Lekki Toll Gate, the venue of the #EndSARS memorial protest in Lagos.

It was gathered that one of the arrested was a lone protester dressed in a white, while the other is a journalist with Legit.ng.

The journalist, Abisola Alawode, was assaulted while doing a live streaming reportage of the #EndSARS memorial protest.

Both persons were reportedly beaten, punched in the nose, and subsequently driven away in a police truck. About 30 police trucks and officers are currently at the toll plaza. Remember that the EndSARS protest was sparked by extrajudicial killings committed by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), a Nigerian Police Force unit established in late 1992 to combat robbery, motor vehicle theft, kidnapping, cattle rustling, and firearms offense.…

Breaking News / EndSARS / News

Mr Macaroni, Falz lead Lekki toll gate #ENDSARS memorial protest

Popular comedian Mr Macaroni and activist singer Falz are leading the car procession at the #EndSARSMemorial protest at Lekki tollgate in Lagos.

They showed up at the procession weaving Nigerian flags and shouting #ENDSARS.

The process at the toll gate, which was the epic center of the nationwide protests last year, was despite a ban on public gathering and heavy security presence.

Macaroni, who was in a Lexus SUV, told reporters Nigeria must listen to the demands of youths and embrace good governance.

Falz, who also drove himself, said Nigerians must learn to stand up for their rights.

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Breaking News / News / politics

Mr Macaroni donates N500K to family of lady killed during Yoruba Nation rally

He, who visited the family of the deceased disclosed this on Saturday, July 17, 2021, via his Twitter page.

Jumoke was killed two weeks ago when Yoruba Nation agitators gathered at the Gani Fawehinmi Park in Ojota to demand an independent nation in the south-west region of Nigeria.

The 25-yr-old lady was said to be displaying drinks at a shop around the protest venue when she was hit by a stray bullet and she died on the spot.

In a series of tweets on Saturday, Mr Macaroni said, “I visited the family of the late Jumoke Oyeleke; the 25yrs old that was killed during the Yoruba Nation Rally. They need all the support they can get right now. I have donated N500,000 today and I plead with all those who can to kindly support the family.”

The comedian then shared a fundraising link for the family, calling on all members of the public to donate.

He added that “As of the time of my visit, neither the government nor police force had taken responsibility. The family despite their state of mourning have been told to bear all responsibilities. This is heartbreaking. Meanwhile, the Lagos State Police Command had denied killing Jumoke saying, the claim that the lady was killed by their bullets is a calculated attempt to create confusion and fear in the minds of the good people of Lagos.

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Breaking News / News / Telecommunication

$12b e-commerce suffers as Twitter ban costs N7.5 billion in three days

• FG in talks with China, considers Internet firewall to block VPN access
• A4AI Nigeria says situation creates $1.2b loss for MSMEs
• Raises questions of our readiness for investors, says ALTON

 

The suspension of Twitter, a leading micro-blogging platform, has begun to take its toll on struggling Nigeria’s economy, leading to a loss of N7.5 billion in the past three days.

Nigeria’s decision to suspend Twitter, at first indefinitely but later temporarily, could backfire for the government and cost the country economically in terms of new investment into its technology sector. The ban may threaten Nigeria’s status as one of the best-performing African countries in attracting investment for technology start-up businesses.

According to Net Blocks, a watchdog organization that monitors cyber-security and governance of the Internet, each hour of the social media gagging costs Nigeria about $250,000 (N102.5 million), bringing the daily loss to N2.5 billion. It means the economy would have lost approximately N7.5 billion in the past three days.

The suspension has already created a market access gap for millions of small and medium scale enterprises (SMSEs) that use the platform to reach their customers. This could potentially complicate the challenges COVID-19 and other structural defects had imposed on businesses. Also hit is the e-commerce market in the country, estimated at $12 billion.

But within hours of the ban, internet searches for ‘VPNs’ – virtual private networks, which allow users to disguise their online identity and evade country-specific limits, surged across the country. Multiple videos appeared on YouTube explaining the ins and outs of VPNs to Twitter-hungry Nigerians. Nigerians also have plenty of other digital options to share opinions and information, from the popular WhatsApp to the Indian micro-blogging service, Koo, which has quickly announced plans to expand into the country.…

Breaking News / politics

We’re targeting more 3m children for free feeding, says Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, said his administration was expanding the homegrown school feeding programme by targeting additional three million children for a free daily meal.

He made the disclosure at an event to mark the 2021 Children’s Day celebration organised by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Social Development Secretariat in Abuja.

Represented by the FCT Minister, Mohammed Musa Bello, the President said the menace of out-of-school children was being given attention through a comprehensive programme where the affected kids are enrolled in school and supported to continue their education wherever they are.

He disclosed that a full range of social intervention programmes would be deployed across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government to achieve the vision of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty by 2030.

Also speaking, UNICEF Deputy Representative in Nigeria, Rushnan Murtaza, urged Nigerians to see the occasion as an opportunity to commit to the wellbeing of children in policy and practice, as well as put enforceable measures in place to protect their interest.

According to Murtaza, children are protected when they are registered at birth, urging the government to make the process easier for vulnerable families.

RELATED to that, a group, Save the Children International (SCI), has sought innovative local solutions, strategies and International cooperation to redress the devastating effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on children.

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Breaking News / News

Sixty Bodies Recovered from 200+ Onboard Passengers in Boat Accident

The rescue operation in Nigeria’s Kebbi state has entered day three with 60 bodies having been recovered so far.

The authorities say the number of survivors still stands at 22 with some of them still being treated at the hospital.

Authorities say chances of finding more people alive are low.

Ngaski local government chairman Abdullahi Buhari Warra said five people had been buried.

A survivor said that the boat crashed midway through the journey and split into two.

President Muhammadu Buhari described the accident as devastating.…