The Lagos State Government on Thursday inaugurated the Board of Trustees (BoT) for the J.K. Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History to restore the lost glory of the centre.

Speaking during the inauguration ceremony in Lagos House, Ikeja, Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, who is the Chairman of the Board, pledged to make the centre a critical reference point for Yoruba culture and arts.

Sanwo-Olu said that the seven-member board was set up to revive tourism and engender cultural renaissance in Lagos.

https://newsrand.com/2021/07/09/sanwo-olu-appoints-board-to-restore-randle-centre-for-yoruba-culture/

The Minister of Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika says the national carrier will commence operations next year.

He stated this in Abuja while briefing State House correspondents on the achievements of the ministry assured Nigerians that efforts were in place to make air transportation more affordable through an improvement of facilities and services.

Sen. Sirika also said plans were underway to establish an Aerospace University which would boost aviation activities as well as produce the needed manpower in the sector.

https://newsrand.com/2021/07/09/nigerias-national-carrier-to-commence-operation-in-2022-fg/

Lauretta Onochie, one of the Presidential media aides, has denied before the Senate Committee on the Independent National Electoral (INEC) Committee that she is not a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

She, however, admitted swearing an oath at an Abuja Federal High Court that she was a member of the APC.

https://newsrand.com/2021/07/08/onochie-denies-being-apc-member-before-senate/

Prof. Moji Adeyeye, the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has said that the World Health Organisation (WHO) is screening the agency for a permit to produce COVID-19 vaccines in Nigeria.

Adeyeye spoke at the stakeholders’ interactive session organized by the House of Representatives Committee on Safety Standards and Regulations in Abuja.

Represented by the Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, Mr. Fori Tatama, Adeyeye said that health, safety, and environment-based issues were taken seriously by NAFDAC.

https://newsrand.com/2021/07/08/nafdac-nigeria-to-soon-start-producing-covid-19-vaccines/

Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers has announced the relaxation of the existing curfew on the entire state beginning from Wednesday, July 7.

The governor stated this in a state broadcast on Tuesday in Port Harcourt, saying that the government acknowledged the negative impacts of the curfew on businesses and the social life of residents.

He explained that the review of the curfew was also a sequel to the considerable improvement in the security situation of the state as well as other neighboring states.

https://newsrand.com/2021/07/07/rivers-state-governor-relaxes-curfew-in-the-state/

The Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Clem Agba has reiterated the need to deregulate the downstream petroleum through the removal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit.

According to him, only the wealthy were currently benefiting from the subsidy.

The minister spoke during the leadership and governors’ discourse on open government partnership held in Abuja on Tuesday.

https://newsrand.com/2021/07/07/why-fg-must-deregulate-oil-sector-minister/

Gunmen have abducted four workers on a farm at Ikosu Ekiti in the Moba council area of Ekiti State.

It was learnt that the farmworkers were whisked away around 5pm on Monday, July 5, 2021.

A source said the hoodlums had contacted the victims’ families and demanded N50m ransom.

https://newsrand.com/2021/07/07/gunmen-demand-n50m-ransom-from-family-of-kidnapped-farmworkers/

Mr. Victor Bamidele, Deputy Managing Director, Deepwater District, TotalEnergies, says the company has invested over 60 billion dollars in exploration and other projects in Nigeria.

Bamidele disclosed at the Ongoing Nigeria Oil and Gas (NOG) Conference in Abuja, on Monday.

He spoke on the topic: Expanding the Nigerian Content Frontiers through. intra-African Trade

https://newsrand.com/2021/07/06/totalenergies-invests-60bn-in-exploration-activities-others-in-nigeria/

BUA Cement Plc has increased the ex-factory price of its cement product by N200 per bag. The cement manufacturer, it was reliably gathered, unveiled its new price increase from N2,800 to N3,000 per bag over the weekend.

The price increase by BUA is contrary to what he has repeatedly asserted that it does not have any justification to increase the price of cement as it is currently making enough returns.

It would be recalled that BUA Cement, in various statements issued between April 24 and June 18 this year, had refuted any claims of an increase in the ex-factory price of its cement products by N300 per bag, stating that, “the company had no plans to increase prices of its cement now or in the near future.”

https://newsrand.com/2021/07/06/bua-leaves-consumers-in-disappointment-increases-cement-price/

The Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Ambassador Maryam Katagum, yesterday (Monday, July 5, 2021), slumped at an official event in Bauchi.

Katagum, who was in Bauchi to inaugurate an empowerment programme on Monday at the NAADI office, Sani Mallam Shopping Plaza located on the Ahmadu Bello Way, was said to have suddenly collapsed as she tried to deliver her speech.

She was immediately rushed by officials to the Trauma Centre of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital for medical attention.

https://newsrand.com/2021/07/06/how-minister-lands-in-hospital-after-collapsing-in-bauchi/

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has confirmed the demolition of over 400 illegal structures that constitutes a security threat along the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Road.

The Chairman, FCT Ministerial Committee on City Sanitation, Mr. Ikharo Attah, led the exercise on Sunday in Abuja.

Attah, who led the exercise, said the operation was necessitated by the desire of the administration to enhance the security of lives and properties in Abuja.

https://newsrand.com/2021/07/05/over-400-illegal-structures-demolished-along-airport-road-fcta/

“Mr President, , you are the Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. You appoint the IGP. You appoint the Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Naval Staff, the Commissioners of Police, the Director of Department of State Security and other heads of security. Which one do we appoint? How can people appointed by Mr President be under me?



Governor Nyesson Wike, of Rivers State responding to President Major-General Muhammadu Buhari [rtd]’s call on governors to protect their people.

https://newsrand.com/2021/07/05/thank-you-governor-wike-by-dele-sobowale/

Ahead of completion of the Dangote Oil Refinery, the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN) has expressed an intention to engage the management of the company on commercial terms regarding the lifting of its refined petroleum products.

On the 17th of February 2021, the MOMAN CEOs had a virtual meeting with Alhaji Aliko Dangote, the President of the Dangote Group and Mr. Edwin Devakumar, where the Dangote Group presented its project and which culminated to this physical site visit.

https://newsrand.com/2021/07/04/moman-expresses-interest-to-lift-dangote-refinery-products/

The Federal Government has projected a rise to 4.2 percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2022.

Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, Minister of Finance, Budget, and National Planning said this at the Public Consultation on the Draft 2022 to 2024 Medium Term Fiscal Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper (MTFF/FSP) on Thursday.

Ahmed said the GDP projected in 2021, to close at three percent, had been adjusted downwards to close at 2.5 percent.

https://newsrand.com/2021/07/02/nigeria-is-expecting-a-rise-in-gdp-to-4-2-finance-minister/

An Ekiti State High Court, Ado Ekiti division, on Thursday, July 1, 2021, sentenced a 24-year-old man, Dayo Asiwaju, to life imprisonment for raping a college student with charms.

He was tried and found guilty on two counts bordering on rape and unlawful possession of charms.

Justice Lekan Ogunmoye, in her judgment, said, “The sole issue for determination is resolved in favour of the prosecution. The defendant is accordingly found guilty as charged on both counts. He is sentenced to life imprisonment on count one (rape) and on count two, he is sentenced to three years’ imprisonment.”

https://newsrand.com/2021/07/02/man-imprisoned-for-life-after-raping-student-with-charms/

Premiere Academy, Lugbe, Abuja, has been called out following the death of its former SS1 pupil, Karen-Happuch Akpagher.

According to Karen-Happuch’s grieving mother, Vihimga Akpagher, the 14-year-old died of an infection after a condom was found in her private parts.

The deceased was believed to have been sexually abused before she was withdrawn from the school by her mother for treatment.

https://newsrand.com/2021/07/01/premiere-academy-in-trouble-as-pupil-died-after-being-defiled/

A member of the Zamfara State House of Assembly, Mohammed Ahmed has been shot dead.

He was reportedly killed by bandits along Sheme- Funtua Road in Katsina State, hours after he defected with Governor Bello Matawalle to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Zamfara governor’s spokesperson, Yusuf Idris, said the deceased was the chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation and represented Shankafi in the state’s assembly.

https://newsrand.com/2021/06/30/lawmaker-shot-dead-after-defecting-to-apc/

Toyota, a Japanese multinational automotive manufacturer, has snubbed Nigeria, as it opened an assembly plant in Ghana.

The plant, which was established to assembly Toyota Hilux pick-up and other sedans by the Toyota Tsusho Manufacturing Company Limited, is located in the Freezones Enclave in Tema.

President Akufo-Addo of Ghana commissioned the plant yesterday (Tuesday, June 29, 2021), saying the development will help make the acquisition of new vehicles by Ghanaians more affordable as well as enable public sector workers to be able to afford and purchase locally assembled vehicles.

https://newsrand.com/2021/06/30/toyota-snubs-nigeria-opens-assembly-plant-in-ghana/

The Senate will on Wednesday consider the 2021 Supplementary Budget of N895.8 billion.

President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan said this in his remarks on a Point of Order raised by Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriations, Sen. Jibrin Barau during plenary on Tuesday.

Barau had raised Point of Order 43 of the Senate Standing Rules, seeking more time to submit the report on “A Supplementary Bill for an Act to authorize the issue from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation the total sum of N895, 842, 465, 917.

https://newsrand.com/2021/06/29/were-working-on-the-2021-supplementary-budget-of-n895-8bn-lawan/

Suspected robbers, on Saturday, June 26, 2021, attacked an apartment occupied by some corps members in Osogbo, Osun State capital.

In the course of the attack, the robbers injured six of the lodge occupants, as they carted away valuables belonging to them.

The robbers reportedly entered the house occupied by members of Nigeria Christian Corpers Fellowship (NCCF), located on Dada Estate, Osogbo, in the early hours of the day, to rob residents.

https://newsrand.com/2021/06/29/robbers-attack-osun-christian-corpers-lodge-steal-n130000/

The Federal Government has expressed optimism that its forthcoming “EnjoyNigeria Expo” would generate 100,000 new jobs between 2021 and 2023 in the trade sector of the Nigerian economy.

Kemi Arodudu, Director, Investment Department, Ministry of Industry Trade and Investments disclosed this on Thursday in a statement by Tunde Hassan, Head, Media Subcommittee of EnjoyNigeria Expo.

Arodudu noted that it would scale up the value chain delivery of the creative, entertainment, travel, trade, and cultural industries between 2021 and 2023.

https://newsrand.com/2021/06/25/fg-to-create-100000-jobs-heres-how/

British-born United States billionaire, John McAfee has been found dead.

McAfee, 75, died on Wednesday, June 23, 2021, by suicide in a Barcelona prison after a Spanish high court authorised his extradition to the United States on tax evasion charges.

McAfee’s lawyer, Javier Villalba said the anti-virus software pioneer died by hanging as his nine months in prison brought him to despair.

https://newsrand.com/2021/06/24/tech-billionaire-commits-suicide-over-tax-evasion-charges/

The Federal Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC), said it shared a total of N605.958 billion as of May 2021 revenue to the Federal, state, and Local Governments as well as other relevant agencies.

Mr. Charles Nwodo, Director, Information, Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, in a statement in Abuja, said the amount was shared during a virtual conference of the committee.

The committee, in a communique, noted that the N605.958 billion shared included the cost of collection to the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

https://newsrand.com/2021/06/24/faac-allocates-n605-95bn-to-fg-state-and-lgs-in-may/

The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, said that the reported roof leakage at the National Assembly has vindicated its request for the approval of N37 billion for the renovation of the assembly complex.

It was earlier reported that the Tuesday, June 22nd Senate Plenary was disrupted due to leakage in the roof that allowed rain to enter into the NASS complex.

Lawan stated this in his remarks on two Points of Order raised by Senate Deputy Chief Whip, Sen. Sabi Abdullahi, during plenary on Wednesday.

https://newsrand.com/2021/06/23/lawan-rook-leakage-is-why-nass-complex-needs-n37bn-for-renovation/

Mr. Wamkele Mene, the Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, says 38 countries have now deposited their instrument of ratification of the agreement establishing the AfCFTA.

Mene, who disclosed this while speaking with newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja, said that it was at the initial stages of AfCFTA implementation.

https://newsrand.com/2021/06/23/nigeria-37-others-approve-establishment-of-afcfta/

Mr. Olufunmi Olatunji, the Chairman, Eti-Osa East Local Council Development Area (LCDA) in Lagos State, is dead.

Mr. Gbenga Arowolo, his Chief Press Secretary, announced this in a statement on Tuesday.

“The chairman was until the late night of Monday, June 21, the Executive Chairman of Eti-Osa LCDA.

https://newsrand.com/2021/06/22/olufunmi-olatunji-lagos-council-chairman-is-dead/

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde has laid off the state’s Internal Revenue Service Chairman, Aremo John Adeleke.

The IRS Chairman was sacked on Monday, 21st of June for alleged mismanagement of revenue from Federal Institutions in the state, among others.

https://newsrand.com/2021/06/22/makinde-sacks-oyo-state-irs-boss/

President Muhammadu Buhari has sought the approval of the National Assembly for a supplementary budget of N895 billion. This is according to the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, who on Tuesday, June 22, 2021, read an official communication from the presidency.

While the amount had earlier been approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC), Newsrand understands that a large chunk of the money was meant to fund the procurement of military hardware to prosecute the war against insurgency and banditry.

The Federal Government is also expected to spend the remaining amount on health-related issues.

https://newsrand.com/2021/06/22/breaking-buhari-seeks-approval-for-n895bn-supplementary-budget/

Facebook, on Monday, June 21, 2021, floated an audio product, which appeared to be a copycat of Clubhouse’s live audio-chat app.

The Facebook’s Live Audio Rooms feature, is now available to public figures and selected Facebook Groups in the United States.

This development, however, emerged after Facebook’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg staged the first test of Live Audio Rooms last week.

https://newsrand.com/2021/06/21/facebook-imitates-clubhouse-with-audio-rooms/

The prices of beans and garri drove annual food inflation in May 2021. This is according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

The ‘Selected food prices watch for May 2021’, shows that there was a general rise in food prices in the month under review.

According to the report, national beans recorded 58.28 percent and 15.94 percent annual and monthly inflation respectively, while national garri recorded 53.89 percent and 9.25 annual and monthly inflation respectively.

https://newsrand.com/2021/06/21/nbs-beans-garri-accelerated-hike-in-food-prices/

There is likely to be a fresh strike, as the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities, (SSANU), advised the Federal Government to withdraw the circular directing some of its members not to be captured in the 2022 budget.

Speaking with journalists, the President of SSANU, Mohammed Haruna threatened that the union would embark on industrial action if the government refused to heed the union’s request.

https://newsrand.com/2021/06/21/new-strike-imminent-as-fg-plans-to-sack-over-3000-university-staff/

Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has expressed shock over deaths and bodily harms occasioned by the reported misuse of firearms by a police operative in Enugu.

According to reports, the state Police Command confirmed five persons dead and four critically injured in Sunday’s attack on residents.

The incident occurred when a police inspector attached to RC Lotto Company allegedly opened fire on some residents of Golf Estate, Enugu at about 9.30 a.m.

https://newsrand.com/2021/06/21/gov-ugwuanyi-sad-over-police-officer-killing-citizens-in-enugu/