Author: straightnewsng.com

By Straightnews To boost its internally generated revenue, Akwa Ibom government plans to levy churches in the state to pay yearly operational licences beginning from 2025. Speaking at the second day of the ongoing Exco Ministerial Briefings/End-of-the-Year Review in Uyo, the state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mkpisong Frank Archibong said three Churches in a village of the state are selected to pay N15,000 each into government coffers. Archibong who reviewed the performances and expectations of his ministry in the coming year noted that 6,816 churches will be charged to pay for the licences. Though the Commissioner did…

By Press release The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has bagged the 2024 Overall Best Performing Parastatal SERVICOM Unit (PSU), together with the 2024 Best Performing PSU, Team B Awards. A press release signed by Mrs Olaide Shonola, Head, Public Affairs and Corporate Communication said the Commission got the significant recognition at the 2024 SERVICOM MDAs’ Awards held in Abuja on Wednesday, December 17, 2024. Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, the NUPRC’s Chief Executive (CCE), was honored with a Recognition Award for his commitment to citizen-centered service delivery. Related news:  NUPRC’s ‘speedy’ approval of Oando/ENI deal Raises Concerns In addition to…

By Straightnews Nigerians paid N2.23 trillion ransom to suspected kidnappers to secure their freedom from May 2023 to April 2024, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). According to the NBS’s latest Crime Experience and Security Perception Survey (CESPS) report, the sum was paid by households affected by kidnapping incidents. The CESPS report provides an in-depth understanding into the situation of crime in Nigeria.  Findings from the survey reveal that an estimated 51.89 million crime incidents were recorded across Nigerian households in the reference period. Related post: Akwa Ibom Among 20 Nigeria’s states that generated revenue from LGAs in…

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sued President Bola Tinubu over failure to probe allegations that over N57 billion of public funds are missing, diverted or stolen from the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation in 2021 alone.” SERAP filed the lawsuit against the President over “the failure to direct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN to work with appropriate anti-corruption agencies The allegations are documented in the 2021 audited report released last month by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation. Joined in the suit as Respondent…

The Nigerian Government has approved an upward review of allowances for officers in public service. Some of the allowances under review include Duty Tour Allowance, transport allowances, uniform allowances, and overtime allowances. The decision was reached at the 46th meeting of the National Council on Establishment, chaired by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack. The NCE, which serves as the highest policy-making body for public service matters, is chaired by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and includes the Heads of Service from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. According…

Ademola Lookman and Barbara Banda have become African Players of the Year at the prestigious 2024 Confederation of African Football Awards. The announcement was made during a glittering ceremony in Marrakech, Morocco, celebrating the finest talents in African football. Lookman is the second consecutive Nigerian to claim the award after Victor Osimhen in 2023. The Atalanta forward had a sensational year, dazzling fans with his incredible skill, blistering pace, and clinical finishing. Related news: Lookman, Troost-Ekong make 2024 FIFA Best Players’ Award Nominees Lookman was instrumental in both his club’s success in Serie A and Nigeria’s qualification for the 2025 Africa…

By Agency Report Bitcoin has soared to history-breaking record of $106,000 (£83,890) on Monday before stabilising around $106,000 during Asia trade. The cryptocurrency’s meteoric rise—over 50% since Donald Trump’s election victory on November 5—has reignited investor enthusiasm and speculation about its future trajectory. The rally comes as the incoming Trump administration signals a more cryptocurrency-friendly approach compared to the Biden White House. On Thursday, President-elect Trump announced plans to consider a national Bitcoin stockpile, akin to the US strategic oil reserve, fueling optimism in the market. Related news: Bitcoin Soars above $80,000 wager for first time  Market analysts are attributing…

The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has directed its members to resume duties effective Monday, December 16, 2024. This directive followed the expiration of a two-week industrial action observed by the union from December 2, 2024, to December 15, 2024. ASUP President, Shammah Kpanja, in a statement, said the directive for polytechnic lecturers to resume duties followed the warning strike over the inability of the government through its agencies to execute nine items in the work plan jointly developed with ASUP to resolve some pending issues of trade dispute. Related news: ASUP to embark on nationwide strike Dec 2 …

Federal Government, States and the Local Government Councils in the country have received N1.729 trillion November 2024 revenue, according to Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC). The December 2024 meeting was held in Abuja in which the revenue was shared among the component beneficiaries. In October 2024, FAAC disbursed N1.411 trillion to Federal Government, States and Local Government Councils. A statement by FAAC Director of Press and Public Relations, Bawa Mokwa, on Friday, noted that the N1.727 trillion total distributable revenue comprised distributable statutory revenue of N455.354 billion, distributable Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue of N585.700 billion, Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL)…

Six new High Court Judges are set to join Akwa Ibom State Judiciary following approval of Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno. Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah stated this in a statement on Thursday, December 12. The six high court judges are Mfon Winifred Umohandi, Bassey James Ekanem, Bassey Iwakaowo Essien, Comfort Henry Morrison, Edet Ekpo Ntekim, and Sharon Julius Eddie. Already, the State Judiciary with 12 Judicial Divisions has 22 High Court Judges. Related news: Foster Unity, Love In The Judiciary- Gov Udom Charges Acting CJ Uwah said the governor approved the appointments of the legal…