Good Evening. Here is today’s News Brief from The Matrix:
1. CBN Warns Public Against Fraudulent Contract, Project Funding Claims
The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has alerted members of the public to the activities of fraudsters purporting to be in receipt of award letters of contracts related to construction and special financial interventions on behalf of the Bank.
The Bank in a statement signed by Mrs Hakama Sidi Ali, Acting Director, Corporate Communication warned that the purported letter in circulation is false.
2. JAMB Begins Accreditation of Centres For 2025 UTME
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has commenced the accreditation process for centres participating in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
New Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres are required to review JAMB’s guidelines and notify the board of their intention to participate through their zonal or state offices.
3. Tinubu Seeks National Assembly Approval For N1.77tn Loan
President Bola Tinubu has formally requested the National Assembly’s approval to borrow N1.767 trillion from external sources to address the 2024 budget deficit.
In a letter presented during Tuesday’s plenary by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, Tinubu explained that the loan is critical to part-financing the N9.7 trillion shortfall in the 2024 budget.
4. Tinubu Sacks Pension Directorate Boss, Appoints Odunaiya As Replacement
Following protests by retirees under the Nigeria Union of Pensioners Contributory Pension Scheme Sector (NUPCPS), President Bola Tinubu has sacked Chioma Ejikeme, the Executive Secretary of the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD).
The retirees had staged the protest over unpaid benefits since March 2023.
5. DSS Releases Adebutu, Dismisses Allegations as Baseless
Former Ogun State governorship candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party, Ladi Adebutu, has been released from the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).
Adebutu, detained over alleged disturbances during the November 16, 2024, local government elections, described the accusations as unfounded and politically motivated.
6. Zulum Criticizes Religious Leaders Silence Over Polygamy In IDP Camps
Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has expressed frustration over the growing issue of polygamy among residents of Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps in the state.
He noted that many of the men taking multiple wives cannot provide adequately for their families, further exacerbating the economic strain on the state.
7. Marine, Blue Economy Sector’s Intervention An Economic Game-Changer, Says Speaker
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas has described the marine and blue economy sector’s intervention in Nigeria as a game-changer and critical in improving the country’s economic diversification efforts to boost economic growth and development.
This is even as the Speaker disclosed that the focus on marine intervention is firmly rooted in the legislative agenda of the 10th House of Representatives, particularly in the goals of Economic Diversification and Agricultural Development.
8. Equities Market Maintains Positive Run As Investors Gain N136bn
Investors in the Nigerian equities market sustained its positive run with a profit of N136 billion on the trading floor of the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX) on Tuesday, November 19, 2024.
This followed a surge in the share prices of stocks like UNILEVER, WAPCO and SCOA amongst others on the trading floor.
9. LCCI Faults FG’s N1,400/$1 FX Rate Projection In Proposed 2025 Budget
The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has described the N1,400/$1 foreign exchange rate (FX) projection in the proposed 2025 budget as unrealistic.
A few days ago, the federal government proposed N47.9 trillion as the total expenditure for the 2025 budget.
10. Senate Holds Valedictory Session For Late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah
The Senate is set to honor the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah of Anambra South in a valedictory session at the National Assembly Complex.
The casket bearing the senator’s remains lies in state at the foyer of the White House wing.
