Author: straightnewsng.com

Democratic Republic of Congo’s government on Saturday ordered telecommunications providers to cut internet and SMS services across the country ahead of planned anti-government demonstrations. Grassroots Catholic activists have called for marches in major cities on Sunday to demand that President Joseph Kabila commit to not changing the constitution to stand for a third term and release political prisoners. Kabila was required by the constitution to step down in December last year when his mandate expired but an election to replace him has been repeatedly delayed and is now scheduled for December 2018. Security forces killed dozens of protesters during anti-Kabila…

The Nigerian Army says it has commenced its online registration for the 77 Regular Recruit Intake for both trades, non-tradesmen and women from December 29, 2017 to February 9, 2018. Sani Usman, brigadier general, the army spokesman, said in a statement on Saturday that the exercise was aimed at selecting able-bodied Nigerians and would take place in all states. “Interested applicants must be Nigerians between the ages of 18 to 22 for non-tradesmen and women, while tradesmen and women must be between 22 to 26 years by 1st March 2018. “Applicants are to visit the Nigerian Army official website http://recruitment.army.mil.ng…

Sunday David, 38, is an indigene of Ikot Ekpe in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. But he lives in Uyo close to the Ibibio Museum along Udo Udoma Avenue. He hawks fresh coconut fruits. To Him, coconut water is “heavenly drink.” Slim but short David is a coconut hawker. He peddles the business to eke out a living for himself and his family. According to him, “I use rope to climb a coconut tree. Armed with a matchet, I pluck coconut fruits. I put them in the wheel barrow and hawk them to interested buyers along…

A Nigerian prophet has cited absence of love and compassion among the leaders as the cause of poverty in the world. T. B. Joshua, who wrote this on his Facebook page, reasoned that money or resources are not the major factor behind world lack. “The beauty of life does not depend on how happy you are, but on how happy others can be because of you,” he said. Quoting from 1 Corinthians 13:13, he explained, “The manner you love your neighbour determines the measure of your relationship with God.” The cleric argued that even those who are materially wealthy are…

Implications of the Constitutional Court judgment which found that Parliament failed to hold President Jacob Zuma accountable will form part of the discussions when the National Executive Committee (NEC) meets in January 2018, ANC has hinted. The African National Congress (ANC) was reacting to the Constitutional Court ruling which stated that Parliament failed to hold Zuma responsible for spending taxpayers’ money upgrading his private Nkandla home. In a statement issued after the judgment was delivered on Friday, ANC’s Deputy Secretary-General Jessie Duarte said the organisation will study the judgment. “The ANC will study the judgment and discuss its full implications…

Potato is a starchy and tuberous crop. It bears white, pink, red, blue, or purple flowers with yellow stamens. Potato is in the category of vegetable and a sub-category: Starchy vegetable. Its taste is bland. Benefits: It serves as the richest sources of carbs and energy. It is a very good source of vitamin B6 – rich source of potassium. It improves skin health. It is a rich source of vitamin C – good source of antioxidant – prevents kidney stone Health: Potato prevents the action of acids in our stomach that disturb our sleep. Take a boiled and mashed…

Despite not taking part in the Champions League last season, Chelsea have announced that the club recorded a turnover of £361.3 million or 9.8 per cent in June this year against £329.1 million made same period in the previous year. The Premier League champions also made £15.3 million profit during the same period. The club said the Premier League’s latest contracts with TV broadcasters as well as revenues rising thanks to Chelsea claiming the title. “It is very pleasing we matched significant achievement on the pitch in 2016-17 with a successful year commercially,” chairman Bruce Buck said. “Our business has…

President Muhammadu Buhari has assented to the Niger Delta Development Commission (Establishment) Amendment Act, 2017. The Act includes the gas producing and gas processing companies in the list of agencies that are contributing to the Niger Delta Development Commission in addition to the oil companies in a bid to increase funding of the commission for effective discharge of its duties. Previously, the NDDC Act excluded the gas companies. The Act makes it explicit that the gas companies have to be included. This is to diversify the sources of funding for the NDDC for the economic wellbeing of the region. The…

China on Thursday opened a 1km-section solar expressway for testing. Last week, StraightNews published reactions of Nigerians to the Chinese technological feat. One week after, China officially the expressway which has solar panels laid beneath part of a ring road surrounding Jinan, capital city of Shandong Province in east China. The road surface is made of a transparent, weight-bearing material that allows sunlight to penetrate. The panels, covering 5,875 square meters, can generate 1 million kwh of power in a year, enough to meet the everyday demand of around 800 households, according to Qilu Transportation Development Group, the project developer.…

South Africa’s rand was firmer on Friday, the last trading day of the year, as continued volatility in low liquidity conditions saw the currency touch and then retreat from levels near its 2-1/2 year best. At 1100 GMT, the rand was 0.8 percent firmer at 12.3100 per dollar, with technical buying kicking-in first at 12.4000 and then at the 12.3300, both recent support levels. The unit is now trading below its 200-day moving average, a confirmation of the firmer price trend likely to spur further buying interest into the new year. The rand, along with fellow emerging markets currencies, has…