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Tigray unrest: Sudan needs $150 million to help Ethiopian refugees – UN
UNHCR Sudan needs $150 million in aid to cope with the flood of Ethiopian refugees crossing its border from conflict-stricken Tigray, the UN refugee agency chief said Saturday during a visit to a camp. The Tigray conflict broke out on November 4 between Ethiopia’s federal forces and leaders of the region’s ruling party. Sudan has since hosted more than 43,000 Ethiopian refugees fleeing from the intense fighting into one of its most impoverished regions. “Sudan needs $150 million for six months to provide these refugees water, shelter and health services,” said UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi at Um Raquba camp, some 80 kilometres (50 miles) from the border. Grandi called on “donors to provide Sudan with these resources as soon as they can”. Between 500 and 600 refugees are ...
US sanctions Chinese, Russian firms over Iran dealings
The US on Friday announced economic sanctions on Chinese and Russian companies that Washington said had supported the development of Iran’s missile program. The four firms, accused of “transferring sensitive technology and items to Iran’s missile program,” will be subject to restrictions on US government aid and on their exports for two years, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement. The sanctions, imposed Wednesday, were against two Chinese-based companies, Chengdu Best New Materials and Zibo Elim Trade, as well as Russia-based Nilco Group and Joint Stock Company Elecon. “We will continue to work to impede Iran’s missile development efforts and use our sanctions authorities to spotlight the foreign suppliers, such as these entities in the PRC (China) and Russia, that provide mi...
Firm restates commitment to enhance financial inclusion
Nigeria-based fintech solution, NowNow, has said that it will continue to upgrade its services to attune to current realities, such that will drive economic and social growth. Founder of NowNow, Sahir Berry, while speaking on how COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the financial space recently, mentioned that Nigeria needs to strengthen its fintech space more than before. Berry stated that it was important for Nigeria to tap into the trends and prospects of fintech given the country’s large unbanked or underbanked. He added the company recognised this gap in Nigeria, which informed its investment in the space. “In 2017 we identified that one of the two big problems in Nigeria was lack of youth empowerment and financial inclusion. With a population of almost 100 million youths, we found that ac...
Nigerian government seeks new Eurobond
The federal government yesterday disclosed that it would approach the Eurobond market next year in its effort to shore up the economy, amidst cocktails of measures being put in place to douse the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on the economy. On the same day, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, while speaking at the 55th Annual Bankers Dinner organised by the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) in Lagos, predicted a two per cent growth in the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2021. Finance Minister, Zainab Ahmed, who disclosed the Eurobond plan while speaking on Bloomberg TV, explained that the decision would depend on the prevailing interest rates. She, however, did not specify the amount to be accessed from the Eurobond. The Eurobond option is ...
First Country Holiday Edition: New Original Christmas Music From Dan + Shay, Carrie Underwood, Dolly Parton & More
Reigning CMA duo of the year Dan + Shay’s two originals this year serve as flip sides of the same coin: one spritely, the other sad. The upbeat “Take Me Home For Christmas” is a bouncy ode to going home with your beloved to their hometown for the holidays, so you can go caroling and relive her childhood memories. “Christmas Isn’t Christmas” is a lush piano and string ballad that plays on the pair’s gorgeous harmonies about how Christmas is “just a day at the end of December” if you’re apart from the one you love—though Jesus may agree to differ. Carrie Underwood & John Legend, “Hallelujah” Not to be confused with the Leonard Cohen classic, the new tune featured on Underwood’s chart-topping holiday album “My Gift” combines both romance, the meaning of the holiday, and hope. In lesser ha...
Federal government launches portal for exited N-Power beneficiaries to apply for central bank empowerment options
The federal government has launched a portal for exited N-Power beneficiaries to apply for Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, empowerment options. Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, which announced the launch of the portal in a statement, explained that the platform was developed in collaboration with the CBN. The platform, according to the statement released, Friday, by Nneka Anibeze, Special Assistant to the Minister, Sadiya Umar Farouq,” will enable exited N-Power beneficiaries to log on and apply for the various economic, empowerment and entrepreneurship options provided by the CBN.” In the statement signed by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Bashir Nura Alkali, the Minister Sadiya Umar Farouq urged and encouraged interested exited benefici...
Governor Akeredolu: We are in a serious security crisis
Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo state has said that the murder of the first class traditional ruler in the state, the Olufon of Ifon, Oba Isreal Adewusi was an indication that the country was in a serious security crisis beyond the ordinary. Akeredolu who led a top government delegation to the affected area on Thursday night described the murder of the monarch as heinous. A statement by the information and Orientation commissioner Donald Ojogo said “With a heavy heart, the Ondo State Government hereby confirms the unfortunate incident around Elegbeka, Owo-Ifon road in Ondo State to be true. Truly, Ondo has lost a great one-a deep cut, too sad. “This is a heinous crime, an incident which has, again, confirmed that we are indeed, in a serious security crisis beyond the ordinary. “Already, ...
Best Moments of the 94th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Below, Billboard rounded up all the must-see moments from this year’s truly one-of-a-kind Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The Welcome Return of Broadway Eight months after the shutdown on the Great White Way, the Thanksgiving Day Parade saw the welcome return of numerous Broadway shows for a handful of pre-taped special performances. Filmed in Manhattan’s Theater District, the cast of Hamilton kicked things off with a joyful rendition of “The Schuyler Sisters,” while the company of Ain’t Too Proud — The Life and Times of The Temptations delivered a show-stopping medley of “My Girl” and “Get Ready.” Alanis Morissette‘s legacy also took center stage with an emotional performance of “You’ll Learn” by the ...
Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, Cardi B & More Celebrate Thanksgiving 2020
Cardi encouraged her fans to “enjoy your family & friends and the turkey legs” during the holiday, while Bieber summed up his Thanksgiving message in three concise words: “Thankful. Grateful. Blessed.” Midler, meanwhile, took time to recognize the healthcare professionals and frontline workers dedicated to fighting COVID-19. “We bow our heads in thanks to the doctors, the nurses, the frontline workers, everyone across the nation who has worked so hard to save lives, under the most terrible conditions imaginable. Consider yourselves not just loved, but revered,” the iconic singer tweeted. See more musicians celebrating Thanksgiving on social media below. You Deserve to Make Money Even When you are looking for Dates Online. So we reimagined what a dati...
INEC chief wants Senate to accelerate Electoral Act amendment
The nominee for the position of Chairperson for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu, has appealed to the National Assembly to expeditiously pass the Electoral Act Amendment Bill before the end of first quarter of 2021. Yakubu made the call in Abuja on Thursday when he appeared before the Senate Committee on INEC for screening. President Muhammadu Buhari had on Wednesday sought Senate’s confirmation of Yakubu as INEC chairperson for a second term. Yakubu said the passage of the Electoral Act was critical for the success of the 2023 general elections and ultimately the nation’s electoral system. He said that INEC under his leadership had recommended some areas of amendments in the Electoral Act. He said that if confirmed, INEC under his watch would consolidat...
Senator Lawan urges South Africa to secure business interests of Nigerians
President of the Senate Ahmad Lawan has urged the South African authorities to reciprocate Nigerian Government’s gesture by ensuring that business interests of Nigerians in South Africa are secured. Mr Ezrel Tabiowo, his Special Assistant on press, in a statement said lawan made the call in Abuja on Thursday when he received a delegation led by High Commissioner of South Africa to Nigeria, Mr Thamsanga Mseleku. Other members on the delegation include: Mr Bobby Moroe, Minister Plenipotentiary; and Ms Boipelo Lefatshe, First Secretary, Political. According lawan efforts by both countries to secure the business interests of their nationals would create better chances of employment for their citizens and guarantee stronger economic prospects for Nigeria and South Africa. “For quite some time n...
Afenifere: Nigeria becoming ungovernable
Pan-Yoruba sociocultural group, Afenifere, on Thursday declared that Nigeria is on the brink of collapse, insisting that the country must restructure to survive the near precipice. “The truth is that the country has virtually become ungovernable and unless we restructure and restore Nigeria to federalism, the country is on the brink of collapse and God should save us from the worst case scenario,” Afenifere said. This was contained in the communique issued at the end of its national caucus meeting held at the Akure country home of its Leader, Chief Reuben Fasoranti. In the communique signed by the National Publicity Secretary of the group, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, Afenifere asked the Federal Government to immediately implement the report of the 2014 national conference. The group also called on...
