Author: straightnewsng.com

By Akanimo Sampson The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) Regional Office for West and Central Africa marked the International Day of the Disappeared last Friday by paying tribute to all those who lost their lives or their loved ones during their journeys across the region and beyond. Those like the traveling companions of ‘Favour,’ a Nigerian who witnessed several deaths attempting to cross North Africa. “The journey to Libya was very tough as we drove past many dead bodies and a lot of people fell ill on the way”, said Favour, now returned to Nigeria. She added: “Whenever someone was…

Against xenophobic attacks on Nigerians by South Africans, the diplomatic tension between Nigeria and South Africa has heightened for the worst. In the meantime, Nigeria has recalled its Ambassador to South Africa, Ambassador Kabiru Bala. The nation has also pulled out of the World Economic Summit. This is even as MTN has shut down its operations nationwide and Shoprite has also shut its outlets to avoid some hoodlums venting anger on the malls. It also demanded full compensation to Nigerians affected by the attacks, the News Agency of Nigeria has reported, quoting a “presidential source.” The move, it is learned,…

By Akanimo Sampson It seems the state-owned firm is seeking to diversify geographically and boost capacity. In 2017, CMG’s container throughput was over 100 million TEU for the first time, which makes the company the Chinese biggest, and a world-leading terminal developer, investor and operator. The company is the largest toll road investor and operator in China, which has invested in 8354 kilometers toll roads, bridges and tunnels in 19 provinces, namely Beijing, Tianjin, Guangdong, Zhejiang, Guang Xi etc. 18 National-class and provincial-class Research and Development Platforms have been launched to tailor full-chain toll road businesses covering exploration, design, construction,…

Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in real term is said to have declined quarter-on quarter (QoQ) by 0.16 basis points to 1.94 percent in the second quarter of 2019 (Q2’19), the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Tuesday said. The bureau said the GDP performance was aided by stability in oil output as well as the GDP. It noted that the oil sector contributed 8.82 percent of total real GDP while the non-oil sector contributed 91.2 percent to the nation’s GDP during the period. Data from the NBS GDP report for Q2’19 showed that in real terms, QoQ, real GDP declined…

It was a major upset as Grigor Dimitrov skirted dangerously into Roger Federer’s shadow on Tuesday to claim a spot in the US Open semi-finals with a shock 3-6 6-4 3-6 6-4 6-2 win over the wounded Swiss. Coming into the US Open, the 78th ranked Dimitrov, dubbed “Baby Fed” because of the similarities between his game and Federer’s, did not look much of a threat, posting just one win from his last eight matches. But the Bulgarian, who had been ranked as high as number three, has found some form on the New York hardcourts and claimed his first…

By Akanimo Sampson With over 50 Igbo people so far kidnapped in Benue State in a matter of weeks, some aggrieved Igbo youths are currently considering to unleash reprisal attacks in the bleeding state as the security agencies are allegedly unwilling to protect them and their investments. Tension and violence among communities in Benue appear to be boiling over with Igbo people in the state as targets. Before now, violence between Ikyurav and Shitile communities last August was linked to the struggle for supremacy between rival gangs. Igbo communities in various parts of the state, especially Gboko, are no longer…

The continued xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and African nationals by some South African locals have elicited negative comments from different individuals in Nigeria. Femi Fani-Kayode, a social media commentator and critic, on Tuesday lamented “Look at what Buhari has reduced us to! The South Africans will pay dearly for this affront! In his Twitter handle, Fani-Kayode, a one-time Nigerian Minister of Aviation, wished “If I were President of Nigeria no South African or South African company would feel safe in Nigeria at this point.Buhari will not be there forever and we have long memories!They WILL pay!” Reno Omokri tweeted “You…

As Nigerians are trying to figure out the controversial $9.6 billion judgment in favour of the Process and Industrial Developments, P&ID, the country is at the verge of losing another $2.3b billion in France. This time the matter is over unresolved legal and funding crisis involving the Nigerian government and a local content partner, Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited (SPTCL). A statement obtained by TheCable, revealed that the country could possibly lose $2.3 billion fine in arbitration in France as a result of controversies surrounding the Mambilla power project in Taraba state. The company through its chief executive officer…

The Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, Monday, directed shareholders of the defunct Afribank Plc to claim their dividends. In a statement in Abuja, acting Director-General of SEC, Ms. Mary Uduk, said this was part of its investor protection programme to ensure that shareholders got the benefits of investing in the capital market. She noted that SEC was making concrete efforts to ensure that investors got their dividends, saying this would reduce the number of unclaimed dividends in the market. She said: “We have informed shareholders of the defunct Afribank Plc that unclaimed dividends declared by the bank are being held…

By Akanimo Sampson The United Nations System Standing Committee on Nutrition (UNSCN) says coherent policy, good governance and accountability are essential to achieving sustainable nutrition outcomes and that these can only be achieved if nutrition is fully integrated into a range of intergovernmental processes and policies. According to its mandate, UNSCN is accountable through regular update on progress and results to the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). Last June 6, UNSCN presented its annual report for 2018 to the ECOSOC 2019 Management Segment in New York. UNSCN reports to ECOSOC every year, along with other United Nations committees, such…