Good Evening. Here is today’s News Brief from The Matrix:
1. Minister Calls For Increased Trade Value, Volume Between Nigeria, UK
The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole has charged the Nigeria British Chamber of Commerce NBCC, and other stakeholders to increase the value and volume of trade between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, UK from the current £7.5bn.
Oduwole threw the challenge while speaking at the NBCC 2024 Presidential Dinner & Awards, held in Lagos on Wednesday, November 27, 2024.
2. Bianca Ojukwu Still Our Member Despite Ministerial Appointment – APGA Chairman
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Sly Ezeokenwa, has affirmed that Bianca Ojukwu, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, remains a member of APGA, even after her recent appointment by President Bola Tinubu.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday, Ezeokenwa clarified that the widow of the late Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu has not resigned her membership in the party.
3. No New PMS Price Yet From Port Harcourt Refinery – PETROAN
The Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has clarified that no new purchase price for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) has been issued by the Port Harcourt Refinery Company Limited.
Dr. Billy Gillis-Harry, National President of PETROAN, made this known in a statement on Wednesday.
His statement follows the refinery’s recent commencement of crude oil processing and truck-out of petroleum products after its rehabilitation by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.).
4. Vice President Shettima Returns To Abuja After Côte d’Ivoire Summit
Vice President Kashim Shettima has returned to Abuja following his participation in the inaugural International Exhibition of Extractive and Energy Resources (SIREXE) in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
Shettima arrived in Nigeria on Wednesday night via the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, though no official statement was issued regarding his return.
5. Senate Passes Four Key Tax Reform Bills For Second Reading
The Nigerian Senate, on Thursday, November 28, passed four proposed Tax Reform Bills for a second reading.
The legislation aims to overhaul the country’s tax administration framework and enhance revenue generation.
The Senate’s resolution followed deliberations on the general principles of the Bills, which were sponsored by Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele.
6. Amnesty International Accuses Nigerian Police Of Killing 24 #Endbadgovernance Protesters
Amnesty International Nigeria has issued a scathing indictment against the Nigerian police, accusing them of the extrajudicial killing of 24 protesters during the #Endbadgovernance demonstrations held from August 1–10, 2024.
The rights group unveiled a report titled “Bloody August: Nigerian Government’s Violent Crackdown on #Endbadgovernance Protests” on Thursday in Kano.
7. Nigeria’s Adeyemi Re-Elected Secretary General Of African Civil Aviation Commission
Nigeria has once again cemented its status as a leader in African aviation with the re-election of Nigeria’s Ms. Adefunke Adeyemi as Secretary General of the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC).
The announcement came earlier today during the 35th Ordinary Plenary Session held in Brazzaville, Congo, where Ms. Adeyemi triumphed with 22 votes in favour and seven against.
8. Kidnappers Of Prof Ephraim In Jail – Towuru
Jonathan Towuru, The Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 6 Calabar has confirmed that the kidnappers of late Prof. Ekanem Ephraim, the first female professor of medicine at University of Calabar Teaching Hospital are now in jail.
Professor Ephraim, 60, died in the abductors custody in 2023.
In a statement signed by the PRO of Zone 6 Police, SP Nelson Okpabi, Towuru stated this when he received a delegation from the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, Cross River State chapter led by Dr. Ezoke Epoke their Chairman on a courtesy call in his office in Calabar, where he assured the NMA of adequate security during the discharge of their duties to the public.
9. Gov. Fubara Commences Payment Of N85,000 Minimum Wage To Rivers Civil Servants
The Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi has kickstarted the payment of N85,000 new minimum wage to the state civil servants, The Chairman of Nigeria Civil Service Union, Rivers State Chapter, Chukwuma Osunna confirmed this in a recent interaction with Newsmen in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State Capital. He confirmed that the payment began with November salaries.
“The Governor has fulfilled his promise, as of today, November 27, 2024, I can confirm that he has paid the N85,000 new minimum wage to workers, and the workers are happy,”
10. Edo Committee Retrieve 30 Vehicles From Obaseki’s Men
The Edo State Vehicle Recovery Committee has recovered 30 government-owned vehicles from officials of the Obaseki administration.
In a statement made available to Newsmen on Thursday, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Fred Itua said that the recovery was made known by the Chairman of the committee, Kelly Okungbowa.
According to the release, Okungbowa promised to travel to wherever state owned Vehicles are taken to in the country and recover them, applauding whistleblowers for their help in the discoveries.
