₦airaland Forum

The Nigerian Army has released the list of successful candidates at the Short Service Combatant Course 47/2021 Selection Board.

The Army, in a statement issued on Friday, advised the successful candidates to report for officer cadet training at the Old-Site of the NDA Kaduna on Tuesday, April 6, 2021.

“This is to inform the general public that candidates who are successful at the Short Service Combatant Course 47/2021 Selection Board have been shortlisted and published on the Nigerian Army recruitment portal.

Successful candidates are to report for officer cadet training at the Old-Site of the NDA Kaduna on Tue 6 April 2021. The candidates who fail to report by 6 pm on Wed 7 April 2021 will forfeit their positions & be replaced by another candidate on the Reserve List” the statement said.

The NA warned candidates to beware of internet fraudsters that may operate other websites to publish names and defraud unsuspecting candidates. Accordingly, candidates were advised to make sure they only confirm their names from the authentic Nigerian Army Recruitment Portal using https://recruitment.army.mil.ng/ssc/enlisted the statement signed by Major General GAT Ochigbano, Military Secretary on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff stated.

Source: https://matrixliveng.com/army-releases-list-of-successful-candidates-for-short-service

The Federal Government has disclosed that the cost of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS popularly known as petrol will increase very soon.

Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mele Kyari at a ministerial briefing on Thursday said the state-owned Oil Company spends between N100 and N120 billion every month to cushion the burden of underpriced sales of petrol, noting that the market price needs to be implemented.

“The price could have been anywhere between N211 and N234 to the litre. The meaning of this is that consumers are not paying for the full value of the PMS that we are consuming and therefore someone is paying that cost.
As we speak today, the difference is being carried in the books of NNPC and I can confirm to you that NNPC may no longer be in a position to carry that burden.

That is why early last year if you recall, the full deregulation of the PMS market was announced and we have followed this through until we got to September when prices shifted to N145.

As we speak today, I will not say we are in a subsidy regime but we are in a situation where we are trying to exit this subsidy or underpriced sale of PMS until we get in terms with the full value of the product in the market.
Today, PMS sells across our borders anywhere above N300 at any of our neighbours. And in some places, it is up to N500 and N550 to the litre.

Read full story here: https://matrixliveng.com/get-ready-to-pay-more-for-petrol-nnpc-tells-nigerians

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB has fixed the date for the 2021 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and Direct Entry (DE) registration.

This is according to a statement issued by Head, Public Affairs and Protocols, Dr. Fabian Benjamin in Bwari, the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

“UTME will hold from Saturday, June 5 to Saturday, June 19, 2021,’’ he stated.

Benjamin also disclosed that all potential candidates must provide their National Identity Number (NIN) at the point of registration.

“This is mandatory for participation in the 2021 registration exercise. Registration will take place in 700 centres across the country; the list is available in all the state offices of JAMB and on its website at www.jamb.gov.ng...

Read full quote and story here: https://matrixliveng.com/jamb-fixes-date-for-2021-utme-commences-registration-april-8/

About 7, 200 fans will be allowed to watch the Super Eagles Of Nigeria take on the Crocodiles Of Lesotho in a 2022 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifying match at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.

This is according to The Confederation of Africa Football (CAF).

CAF’s approval was in response to Nigeria Football Federation’s request to allow football fans to be allowed to watch the match in Lagos but warned that the football house must comply with the COVID-19 protocols.

The latest figure released by the NFF is quite different from the news making the rounds that CAF had agreed for 10,000 Nigerian fans to storm Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos in a show of solidarity for the Eagles.

“The Super Eagles will be returning to Lagos for the first time in 20 years and we felt it would be unfair to play in an empty stadium hence we applied to CAF to allow us to admit fans into the Teslim Balogun Stadium for our game against Lesotho later this month.

“Fortunately for us, CAF obliged by allowing the admittance of 30 percent of the stadium’s total capacity to watch the game. So, we expect about 7,200 fans to be at the stadium to cheer the Super Eagles to victory on March 30. The total seating capacity of the Teslim Balogun Stadium is 24,000 and its 30 percent will be 7,200, explained NFF’s Director of Communications, Ademola Olajire in a post on social media.

Source: https://matrixliveng.com/7200-fans-to-watch-eagles-play-lesotho-in-lagos

A 43-year old businessman, Salisu Ibrahim, on Tuesday dragged his wife Basira Adamu before a Shari’a Court sitting in Magajin Gari, Kaduna, for allegedly committing an abortion.

The complainant through his counsel M.M. Dahiru, told the court that the defendant also trespass into his house and took away some of his belongings.

“She travelled to Kano with her sister in-law without my permission, claiming that she had a miscarriage due to a motorcycle accident,” he said.

The counsel noted that Ibrahim divorced his wife under duress.

“My client upturned the divorce because of the love he had for her,” he said.

In her defence, Adamu through her lawyer Murtala Idris said that the miscarriage she had was not planned.

‘My client is no longer his wife because he granted her divorce and she has completed her waiting period (Iddah),” he said.

The judge, Malam Nuhu Falalu, said that a man and his wife are one in statutory law and as such, there is no criminality between them.

He urged the two parties to try to settle the matter out of court and adjourned the matter untill April 26 for report of settlement.

Source: https://matrixliveng.com/man-drags-wife-to-court-for-allegedly-committing-abortion

In a bid to rebuild and reposition the All Progressives Congress, APC, a 61-member Contact/Strategy Committee for the party has been constituted by the All Progressives Congress Caretaker/Extra Ordinary Convention Planning Committee.

The party made this known in a statement by the National Secretary of the CECPC, Senator John James Akpanudoehede, titled, ‘Governor Badaru Chairs 61-Member APC Contact/Strategy Committee’ on Monday.

According to Akpanudoehede, members of the committee are expected to be inaugurated on Tuesday.

Amongst members of the Contact/Strategy Committee are a former governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode; ex-Speakers House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole and Yakubu Dogara; and 12 governors.

“The National Chairman of the Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee, H.E. Mai Mala Buni has approved the constitution of a high-powered 61-member Contact/Strategy Committee for the APC.

“This is part of ongoing efforts by the CECPC to rebuild and reposition our great party.

“The high-powered committee will be inaugurated by the CECPC National Chairman, on Tuesday 23rd March 2021, by 2:00pm at the APC National Secretariat,” the statement added.

SEE FULL LIST OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS

1. H.E. Mohammed Badaru Abubakar – Chairman

2. H.E. (Sen.) Obarisi Ovie Omo-Agege – Member

3. H.E. Alh. Yahaya Bello – Member

4. H.E. Prof. Babagana Umar Zulum – Member

5. H.E. Alh. Inuwa Yahaya – Member

6. H.E. Engr. Abdullahi Sule – Member

7. H.E. (Hon) Aminu Bello Masari – Member

8. H.E. Simon Bako Lalong – Member

9. H.E. Babajide Sanwo-Olu – Member

10. H.E. Dapo Abiodun – Member

11. H.E. (Sen.) Hope Uzodinma – Member

12. H.E. David Nweze Umahi – Member

13. H.E. Alh. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje – Member

14. H.E. (Sen.) Aliyu Magatakarda Wammako – Member

15. H.E. (Sen.) Mohammed Danjuma Goje – Member

16. H.E (Sen.) Kashim Shettima – Member

17. H.E. (Sen.) Ibikunle Amosun – Member

18. H.E. (Sen.) Mohammed Umar Jibrilla – Member

19. H.E. Timipre Sylva – Member

20. H.E. Rauf Aregbesola – Member

21. H.E. (Dr) Chris Ngige – Member

22. H.E. (Sen) George Akume – Member

23. Abubakar Malami, SAN – Member

24. Hajia Sadiya Umar Faruq – Member

25. Mallam Adamu Adamu – Member

26. H.E. Akinwunmi Ambode – Member

27. H.E. Mohammed A. Abubakar – Member

28. H.E. (Sen.) Mohammed Adamu Aliero – Member

29. H.E. Gbenga Daniel – Member

30. H.E. Sullivan Chime – Member

31. H.E. (Sen.) Iyiola Omisore – Member

32. H.E. Mamadu Aliyu Shinkafi – Member

33. H.E. Saidu Dakingari – Member

34. Rt. Hon. Dimeji Bankole – Member

35. Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara – Member

36. Sen. Julius Ali Ucha – Member

37. Sen. Ganiyu Solomon – Member

38. Sen. Margaret Okadigbo – Member

39. Sen. Jibrin Wowo – Member

40. Sen. Anthony Oduma Agbo – Member

...

Check the remaining names here: https://matrixliveng.com/see-the-full-list-of-apc-committee-members-to-rebuild-party

The first-ever tweet on Twitter sold on Monday for $2.9 million when its sender Jack Dorsey accepted the winning bid for the collectible as a “non fungible token” or NFT at an auction.

“Jack accepted the offer from sinaEstavi for $2,915,835.47,” read a tweet from the Valuables by Cent auction platform.

The profile on the auction-winning account indicated it belonged to Sina Estavi, Chief Executive Of Blockchain technology-related startup Bridge Oracle.

A copy of Dorsey’s inaugural tweet and history of the bidding was posted at the v.cent.co website.

Dorsey’s tweet highlighted a surge of interest around NFTs or non-fungible tokens.

Read full story here: https://matrixliveng.com/jack-dorseys-first-tweet-fetches-2-9m-at-auction

In a bid to fulfill an earlier promise, former U.S. President Donald Trump is set to launch his own social media platform in two to three months, his senior advisers Jason Miller told Fox News on Sunday.

Miller told Fox News he couldn’t say much more right now, but claimed “numerous companies” have approached the former president and he’s held meetings on the subject at Mar-a-Lago. Miller suggested Mr. Trump’s future social media platform will bring in “tens of millions of people.”

“I do think that we’re going to see President Trump returning to social media, probably in about two or three months here, with his own platform,” Miller said on Fox News. “And this is something that I think will be the hottest ticket in social media, it’s going to completely redefine the game, and everybody is going to be waiting and watching to see what exactly President Trump does.”

Read full story here: https://matrixliveng.com/trump-to-launch-his-own-social-media-platform-in-two-months-with-ten-of-millions-of-new-users

The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor, has assured that the military would enhance its kinetic operations in dealing with the prevailing security challenges confronting the nation.

Irabor gave the assurance at a One-Day National Defence and Security Summit with the theme: “Promoting Kinetic Operations as a major Plank for Counter Terrorism and Counter Insurgency in Nigeria” on Monday in Abuja.

He said that the Armed Forces of Nigeria were committed to ensuring the return of peace to different parts of the country being confronted by insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and other forms of security challenge.

Irabor said that defence and security were universally considered as common, but existential values that affect the entire nation.

He said the summit would seek to discuss how to promote kinetic operations by leaders and eminent personalities in the Nigerian society who would contribute their narratives towards addressing the security challenges.

According to him, it is no longer news that the nation experiences a wide range of national security threats including terrorism, insurgency, farmers/herders conflict, ethno-religious conflicts, kidnapping and banditry.

Read full quote and story here: https://matrixliveng.com/nigeria-shall-have-peace-again-irabor

In a bid to improve its customers’ experience, MTN Nigeria has announced the acquisition of an additional 10MHZ spectrum in the 800MHz band from Intercellular Nigeria Limited.

The company disclosed this in a press statement. MTN noted also that the transaction had been signed by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), and the frequency had been assigned to MTN Nigeria.

The 800MHz spectrum is a technology developed to enhance service delivery and also overcome the challenges and costs of digging trenches and right of way issues. The CDMA technology operating in the 800MHz band is capable of full mobility, which means easy connectivity.

MTN acquired its first 10MHz from Visafone in 2019 and the telecom company has been able to use the technology to expand its 4G LTE services in the country since then.

With this additional spectrum, MTN expects that customer experience will significantly improve in line with its commitment to deliver excellent service quality to its subscribers.

Read the full story here: https://matrixliveng.com/mtn-purchases-further-800-mhz-spectrum-from-intercellular

The Director General of World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, says the organisation will assist Nigerian women entrepreneurs to improve their businesses, nation’s trade and economy.

Okonjo-Iweala, who had served as Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Supervising Minister of the Economy, gave the assurance during a visit to the Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Pauline Tallen, on Wednesday in Abuja.

She said the visit of the WTO delegate was to engage with the country on ways to help improve the economy and trade in Nigeria, as well as show appreciation for their support during her election.

According to her, WTO is also trying to find small business holders and women entrepreneurs to upgrade their businesses to enable them penetrate both local and international markets.

She revealed that WTO was working to support women entrepreneurs in the country, as it had assisted a women cooperative producing shea butter in Oyo State to upgrade and export their products.

“The challenge on how to assist women entrepreneurs so that they move from the small activity they are doing to the next level...

Read full quote and story here: https://matrixliveng.com/okonjo-iweala-wto-to-assist-nigerian-women-entrepreneurs

The unemployment rate in Nigeria rose from 27.1% to 33.3% in the fourth quarter of 2020.

This is according to the latest Labour Statistics Report released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Monday representing a 6.1% increase to the 27.1% recorded in the second quarter last year.

“The number of persons in the economically active or working-age population (15 – 64 years of age) during the reference period of the survey, Q4, 2020 was 122,049,400. This is 4.3% higher than the figure recorded In Q2, 2020, which was 116.871, 186,” NBS said.

A breakdown of the report shows that the total number of people with employment stood at 46.48 million while the underemployment rate was down by 20.6 percent at 15.91 million.

NBS added that in the case of unemployment by state, Imo State reported the highest rate of unemployment with 56.64%, followed by Adamawa and Cross River States with 54.89% and 53.65% respectively.

Benue recorded the highest number of underemployment at 43.52%, while Lagos State recorded the lowest underemployment rate, at 4.5% in the fourth quarter of 2020, the report said.

Read the full story here: https://matrixliveng.com/unemployment-rate-in-nigeria-hits-33-3-in-q4-2020

Burna Boy and Wizkid on Sunday, March 14, 2021, at the Los Angeles Convention Center, US put Nigeria on the global entertainment scene by carting home two Grammy Awards in one night.

Prior to that historic win, many Nigerian have promised so much but delivered so little with many artists coming close to winning the most coveted prize in International music.

In 2020, African Giant, Burna Boy became the latest Nigerian music act to be saddled with the responsibility of bringing home the honour. Although he didn’t promise fans a Grammy, music lovers all over Africa rejoiced when the “Killin Dem” hitmaker scored a Grammy nomination.

The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences that oversees the Grammy Awards released its 2020 Grammy awards nominees and Burna Boy got a nod thanks to his “African Giant” album under the “World Music Album” category. The singer was nominated alongside other music stars like Altin Gün for “Gece”, Bokanté & Metropole Orkest Conducted By Jules Buckley for “What Heat”, Nathalie Joachim With Spektral Quartet for “Fanm D’ayiti” and Angelique Kidjo for “Celia”.

A win by Burna Boy would no doubt be a win for African music as a whole but sadly, he lost out to Angelique Kidjo in 202. However, in 2021, he came back stronger and won in the same category with the album “Twice As Tall.”

He was not alone in his Grammy win as Nigerian superstar singer Wizkid also clinched a Grammy the same night thanks to his feature on the Beyonce-led song “Brown Skin Girl.”

Interestingly, the music video for “Brown Skin Girl” video was co-directed by British-Nigerian filmmaker Jenn Nkiru, which means she also gets to have a Grammy!

While the wins by Burna Boy and Wizkid are the latest, they are by no means the only Nigerian to have won the Grammys.

In the light of the foregoing, The Matrix has compiled a list of previous winners of a Grammy Awards who are of Nigerian descent for your reading delight.

Sikiru Adepoju

Sikiru Adepoju is a percussionist and recording artist and plays primarily in the genres of traditional African music and world music. He plays a variety of instruments and styles. He first won a Grammy in 1991 as a part of Mickey Hart’s group Planet Drum, whose title album won the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary World Music Album. That was the first time there was a Grammy in that category. He won again on 8 February 2009 as a part of Mickey Hart’s latest group Global Drum Project, whose title album won the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary World Music Album at the 51st annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles.

Olusegun Olumide Adeola Samuel (Seal)

Born Henry Olusegun Adeola Samuel in 1963, he is better known by his professional name Seal. He is a British-Nigerian musician, singer, and songwriter best known for his 1994 hit song, “Kiss from a Rose.” He has 14 Grammy nominations to his name and has won four. His song, “Kiss From A Rose” earned him three Grammy awards in 1996, and in 2011 he nabbed his fourth “Imagine”. He holds one of the highest numbers of Grammy awards by a Nigerian.

Helen Folasade Adu (Sade Adu)

Born in Ibadan as Helen Folasade Adu in 1959 but professionally known as Sade Adu, the singer, songwriter cum actress grew up in Essex, England. She is known as the lead singer of her eponymous band. She holds the title of the first artiste of Nigerian origin to win the prestigious award. Her first Grammy was in 1986 for “Best New Artist” then another followed in 1994 with “No Ordinary Love” for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals. She earned her third Grammy in 2002 with “Lovers Rock” in the Best Pop Vocal Album and bagged her fourth in 2011 with “Soldier of Love” for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals.

Lekan Babalola

Born in 1960, Lekan Babalola is a Nigerian jazz percussionist and musician who started playing the conga at an early age. He has seven albums to his name and two Grammy awards. He began his professional career after joining a band called Samba Samba Band and later New York City-based Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers band, where he perfected playing the Bongo drums and performing jazz music. In 2006, he became Nigeria’s first Grammy Award winner for his work on Ali Farka Touré‘s In the Heart of the Moon which he was credited in three tracks. He also won a second Grammy in 2009 for his work on Cassandra Wilson‘s 2008 album titled Loverly.

Hakeem Seriki (Chamillionaire)

Born Hakeem Seriki but professionally known as Chamillionaire, he is a rapper, entrepreneur, and investor. Chamillionaire was born to a Muslim Nigerian father and an African-American Christian mother in Washington D.C. and moved to Houston, Texas at the age of four. He clinched a Grammy in 2007 for his song, “Riddin’ under the Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group category. He received a total of four nominations that year.

Kevin Olusola

Kevin Olusola was born in Owensboro, Kentucky, to Nigerian father Oluwole Olusola and Grenadian-born Curline Paul. Olusola is a musician, beatboxer, cellist, rapper, record producer, singer, and songwriter best known as the beatboxer of the vocal band Pentatonix. He has three Grammy awards to his name. On February 8, 2015, Pentatonix won a Grammy in the “Best Arrangement, Instrumental or a cappella” category for their song “Daft Punk”, a medley of songs by Daft Punk. On February 15, 2016, Pentatonix won a Grammy in the same category, this time for “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” from their “That’s Christmas to Me” album. On February 12, 2017, Pentatonix won a Grammy in the “Best Country duo/group performance” category for “Jolene” which featured Dolly Parton.

Wizkid

Wizkid’s win came via his feature on Beyonce’s Brown Skin Girl video. Wizkid has skirted around the edges of a Grammy win for a few years. Although “One Dance,” his monster hit collaboration with Drake was snubbed by Grammy, “Views“, the album on which the track appears was nominated for the Album of the Year. Wizkid has a producer and featured artist credits on the album.

Burna Boy

Burna Boy‘s big win in the Global Music category with his Twice as Tall album is no little achievement. When he lost to Republic of Benin’s Angelique Kidjo in 2020, many felt he was still deserving. Even Kidjo publicly acknowledged the talent, genius, and greatness that Burna typifies.

The African Giant didn’t retreat into his corner to sulk. He dropped a no-skip album before the end of that year, which ultimately put him in the frame for consideration this year. And on Sunday night, a Grammy win cemented Burna’s African Giant status.

Jenn Nkiru

There is more. The “Brown Skin Girl” video was co-directed by British-Nigerian filmmaker Jenn Nkiru. Nkiru first worked with Beyonce in 2018 as second unit director of Ricky Saiz’s video for Beyoncé and Jay-Z, “Apeshit”. In 2020, Nkiru handled the video for the launch of Beyonce’s Ivy Park fashion line.

Source: https://matrixliveng.com/

A tragedy of monumental proportion was averted on Monday after a 40-foot container fell from a trailer in Lagos State on Monday and crushed three vehicles and a tricycle in the process.

According to the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), no life was lost or injuries sustained, some vehicles and the tricycle were badly destroyed.

The incident which happened at Barracks Bus-Stop inward Trade Fair on the Lagos-Badagry Expressway occurred after the driver of the trailer, who was reportedly driving recklessly lost control of the trailer as the container fell off destroying the three vehicles and a tricycle.

The vehicles destroyed were a black Toyota Yaris with registration number LSR 247 GP; a grey Honda CRV with registration number LND 80 BS; an ash colour Suzuki Minibus with registration number KSF 904 XY and a green tricycle with registration number AGL 831 QL.

Read the full story here: https://matrixliveng.com/tragedy-averted-as-container-falls-from-trailer-crushes-three-vehicles-one-tricycle-in-lagos

Subject to Rio de Janeiro State Governor Claudio Castro’s approval or disapproval, Rio de Janeiro’s state legislators on Monday renamed the world-famous Maracanã stadium after Brazilian football legend, Pelé.

The officials voted in favour of the change on 9 March, in a move that has stirred controversy among football fans.

The iconic ground was originally named “Municipal Stadium,” but was later changed to “Journalist Mario Filho Stadium” after the death of Mario Filho, who is considered a pioneer in sports journalism in Brazil.

He was also part of a group that advocated for the stadium’s construction for the 1950 football World Cup.

Read full story here: https://matrixliveng.com/rio-lawmakers-rename-iconic-maracana-stadium-after-pele

The Nigerian Army says the troops of Operation Lafiya Dole have eliminated over 41 Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists in an encounter at Gulwa and Musuri in Gamboru Ngala Local Government Area of Borno.

The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Yerima, in a statement on Monday, said the success was recorded in the early hours of Monday.

Yerima said 60 captives were rescued from the terrorists, and sophisticated weapons were recovered during the encounter with the criminals.

He said the troops engaged the terrorists at Musuri in a firefight that lasted about 45 minutes leading to the killing of 41 terrorists as a result of the superior firepower of the troops...

Read full story here: https://matrixliveng.com/troops-kill-41-terrorists-rescue-60-captives-in-gamboru

Imo has discovered the existence of ghost workers on its payroll leading to monumental fraud, Gov. Hope Uzodimma said in Owerri on Monday.

Addressing newsmen as part of activities marking his first anniversary in office, Uzodimma said ghost workers and ghost pensioners had been receiving monthly salaries and pensions in the state.

“This government has paid every genuine worker; those complaining of non-payment are either ghost workers or fraudsters.

“I am challenging anybody who has not received his or her salaries to come to Government House with his employment details and we will pay him or her immediately,’’ he said.

The governor said that the era when Permanent Secretaries were chosen through appointment was over...
Read full story here: https://matrixliveng.com/uzodimma-decries-existence-of-ghost-workers-on-imos-payroll

The Kaduna State Government has confirmed the abduction of primary school pupils and teachers in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of the state.

Samuel Aruwan, Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, said in a statement that the pupils and teachers were abducted on Monday.

He however said that the number of those abducted has not been ascertained.

“The Kaduna State Government is receiving security reports of kidnapping of some pupils and teachers in a primary school located in Rema, Birnin Gwari local government area...

Read the full story here: https://matrixliveng.com/gunmen-abduct-primary-school-pupils-in-fresh-kaduna

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), says it has destroyed counterfeit medical products worth billions of naira in Kano and Anambra states.

NAFDAC made this known in a statement by the agency’s resident media consultant, Mr Olusayo Akintola, and issued to newsmen on Sunday in Abuja.

Akintola said products destroyed by the agency were drugs, vaccines, cosmetics and expired food items, in three geo-political zones of north-west, south-east and south-south respectively.

He noted that the NAFDAC Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, had also warned that henceforth, there would be no hiding place for the merchants of death, who derived joy in unpatriotic acts of circulating expired products...

Read full story here: https://matrixliveng.com/nafdac-destroys-vaccines-other-products-worth-billions-of-naira

The Association of Resident Doctors, Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital Yaba, says passing of the National Mental Health Bill into law will help reposition the health sector to meet emerging modern challenges.

The Executive Secretary of the association, Dr Samuel Aladejare, gave the assertion in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lagos.

Aladejare said that passage of the mental health bill had became very necessary to provide direction for a coherent response to mental health and substance abuse victims, while regulating the activities of mental services and institutions.

According to him, the bill seeks to address the issue of social discrimination against people suffering from mental related ailments.

“This mental health bill in Nigeria has been at the National Assembly for several years without passage into law...
Read the full quote and story here: https://matrixliveng.com/association-extols-importance-of-mental-health-bill-passage

The Director, National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Enugu State, Mr Isaac Onukwube has urged residents in the state to disregard death rumors surrounding COVID- 19 vaccine.

Onukwube gave the advice on Friday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu.

According to him, the vaccine is real and safe; the arguments whether it is real or infectious is done to discourage people from taking the vaccine.

“The rumor that the vaccine is programmed to reduce Nigerian population or has side effect is nothing but fake news

“Nigeria is not different from the entire world hit by COVID-19, so people should forget about the conspiracy theory about the vaccine” he said.

Onukwube stressed that no government would allow western world to bring vaccine that would diminish its population.
Read the full quote and story here: https://matrixliveng.com/disregard-death-rumors-on-covid-19-vaccine-noa-urges-enugu-residents

Bayelsa Government has enacted a law prohibiting open grazing of livestock in the state.

Gov. Douye Diri assented to the Livestock Breeding, Rearing and Marketing Regulation Law 2021 on Wednesday at the Executive Chamber of Government House, Yenagoa.

He said the essence of the law was to ensure harmonious living between cattle dealers and other inhabitants of the state and to forestall violent clashes being experienced in other parts of the country.

His words: “Bayelsa welcomes all and sundry to eke out a living legitimately. The people of Bayelsa want to have a mutual and harmonious relationship with non-natives and natives...
Read full Statement from the Governor here: https://matrixliveng.com/bayelsa-bans-open-grazing-to-arrest-armed-herders

The US Congress has approved the landmark $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill on Wednesday.

President Joe Biden and Democrats claimed a major triumph on legislation marshaling the government’s spending might against twin pandemic and economic crises that have brought the country to its knees.

The House gave final congressional approval to the sweeping package by a near party line 220-211 vote precisely seven weeks after Biden entered the White House and four days after the Senate passed the bill. Republicans in both chambers opposed the legislation unanimously, characterizing it as bloated, crammed with liberal policies and heedless of signs the crises are easing.

Most noticeable to many Americans are provisions providing up to $1,400 direct payments this year to most people and extending $300 weekly emergency unemployment benefits into early September. But the legislation goes far beyond that...
Read full story and tweets from Biden here: https://matrixliveng.com/biden-to-sign-massive-1-9tn-covid-19-relief-bill-on-friday

The Lagos Zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested 25 suspects for their alleged involvement in computer-related fraud.

EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.

He listed the suspects to include Ibrahim Olatunji, Kelechi David, Olutayo Oluwapelumi, Abiola Gideon, Adesuyi Adeyika, Wano Ahmed, Imoukhuede Peter, and Ige Oluwatobi...
See full list of names here: https://matrixliveng.com/efcc-arrests-25-suspected-yahoo-boys-in-lagos

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Area Command in Katsina, says it intercepted smuggled goods worth N79million between February and March 2021.

Mr Adewale Aremu, the state Area Controller of Customs (ACC), disclosed this when he spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Katsina on Wednesday.

Aremu said the seized goods included 470 bags of 50kg rice concealed in different compartments of a fuel tanker...
Read the full story here: https://matrixliveng.com/customs-intercepts-smuggled-goods-worth-n79m-in-katsina

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday said it had arrested 10 suspected internet fraudsters in Port Harcourt.

Spokesman for EFCC in Rivers, Wilson Uwujaren, said in a statement in Port Harcourt that the suspects defrauded their victims of undisclosed sums of money and properties.

“The suspects were arrested at God City Estate in Rumualgu and No. 23, Sam Mba Close, off NTA Akparale Road, all in Port Harcourt...
Read the full story here: https://matrixliveng.com/efcc-arrests-10-suspected-internet-fraudsters-in-port-harcourt

The Central Bank of Nigeria’s Targeted Credit Facility portal has reopened for fresh applications.

This was disclosed by the Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL) on Monday through a tweet.

The TCF is a stimulus package by CBN to support households and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to cushion the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The loan will be disbursed through NIRSAL.

This is the second tranche of the relief package, following the first phase that was announced by CBN in March 2020.
Read the details of the charges here: https://matrixliveng.com/portal-reopens-for-covid-19-stimulus-package-for-households-businesses/

The FG has launched the e-Temporary Passport, a four-page travel document for a one-way return journey to Nigeria, usually in emergencies.

The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola launched the Electronic Temporary Passport to cater for Nigerians desirous of returning home but whose national passport is not available.

The four-page document is for the one-way return journey to Nigeria usually in emergencies.

This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Sunday James, on Tuesday, March 9, 2021.
Read the details of the charges here: https://matrixliveng.com/fg-launches-e-temporary-passport-for-nigerians-in-diaspora

The President of the African Development Bank Group, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, has opined that the restructuring of Nigeria should be driven by economic and financial viability, which he noted are necessary for political viability.

Adesina stated this while delivering a public lecture titled ‘Toward a New Nigeria From Federal Fatherism to a Commonwealth’ in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

In the lecture delivered virtually from the base of the African Development Bank in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, Adesina stressed the need to diversify the source of financing for states across Nigeria, noting that Nigerians in Diaspora remitted $24 billion in 2019, which accounted for half of the crude oil exports...
Read the details of the charges here: https://matrixliveng.com/what-should-guide-nigerias-restructuring-adesina

Golf legend Tiger Woods is awake and recovering from surgery, according to a statement posted early Wednesday on his official Twitter account.

Woods, who was involved in a serious car accident on Tuesday near Los Angeles, is “responsive, and recovering in his hospital room,” the statement said.

Woods suffered serious leg injuries and was trapped but conscious when emergency responders reached the scene of his one-vehicle rollover crash on a stretch of California road known for speeding and accidents, authorities said Tuesday...
Read the details of the charges here: https://matrixliveng.com/tiger-woods-awake-recovering-from-surgery-after-serious-accident

At least ten persons have been killed while 47 persons are said to have sustained varying degrees of injuries from multiple explosions that rocked Maiduguri, the Borno State capital on Tuesday evening.

This is the first attack on Maiduguri town in a long time and this may not be unconnected with the sustained onslaught on insurgents in the Sambisa axis of the state.

Hospital officials where the affected persons were rushed to, confirmed the figures to Governor Babagana Zulum who was there to assess the situation.
Read the details of the charges here: https://matrixliveng.com/10-killed-47-injured-in-maiduguri-explosions