MTN Nigeria said it had eliminated at least 8.6 million lines from its network in compliance with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) ruling of February 28, 2024, which requires telecommunication companies to disconnect SIM cards not linked to the National Identity Number (NIN).

This information was disclosed in the company’s financial report for the first quarter (Q1) of 2024, indicating an impact on the operations of the quarter.

MTN specified that users with more than five lines connected to an unverified NIN and those who did not submit their NIN are the ones affected by the complete ban on their lines.

Additionally, MTN mentioned that the NCC has extended the deadline from April 15 to July 31, 2024, to allow users with fewer than five lines connected to an unverified NIN more time to complete the necessary verification process.

Karl Toriola, the CEO of MTN Nigeria, addressed the effects of the NIN-SIM linkage exercise and the regulatory directive on the sector, stating that during the quarter, the company also continued to manage the effects on its business of the industry-wide directive of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for a full barring of subscriber lines not linked to their National Identity Number (NIN) – the NIN-SIM directive.

He added: “This impacted the development of our user base across all of our key business units (voice, data, and fintech) in Q1 2024. Although we had to fully bar 8.6 million subscribers in line with the directive, we minimised the net effect of the barred subscribers, and our total number of subscribers only decreased by 2 million in Q1, closing with a total of 77.7 million subscribers.”

Toriola stated that this demonstrated the effectiveness of the company’s customer value management (CVM) initiatives, contributing to lower churn rates, improved customer loyalty, and an increase in total connections.

Information provided by the NCC indicates that the combined active mobile subscriptions in Nigeria from MTN, Airtel, Globacom, and 9mobile decreased from 224.4 million in December 2023 to 219 million by March 2024 due to the enforcement of the mandatory NIN-SIM registration policy by all telecom service providers.

“MTN also reported a decline in its data subscribers in the quarter under review. Active data subscribers declined marginally by approximately 78,000 to 44.5 million. Notwithstanding these headwinds, we recorded increased activity within the base, with voice traffic rising by 5.1 per cent and data traffic by 40.6 per cent. This is a result of the consistent growth in demand for data and voice, supported by our attractive offers to customers and continuous investment in network quality and coverage,” Toriola stated

A 45-year old man, Chiemenam Adigwe, has been arrested by the operatives of the Delta State Police Command for allegedly manufacturing fake alcoholic drinks in Bomadi, Bomadi local government area of the state.

Police accused the suspect, a native of Akpo community in Aguata local government, Anambra State, of mixing ethanol with water and then add flavor before packaging the fake drinks in empty bottles of popular beverage brands which he usually buys from Onitsha.

The suspect confessed to telling those he supplied that he usually order the drinks from Onitsha.

Adigwe was apprehended on 25th April 2024 at about 1100hours following an intelligence received about his fake production of alcoholic drinks in Bomadi.

On receiving the intelligence, the State Commissioner of Police, CP Abaniwonda Olufemi directed the DPO of Bomadi Division to ensure that the suspect is tracked down, arrested and brought to book.

The DPO then led operatives to the hideout of the suspect where he was arrested with over hundred bottles of counterfeit Gordons, Chelsea, Eagle Schnapps and McDowell.

CP Olufemi confirmed this while parading the suspect among other arrested persons for various criminal activities in Asaba.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect committed the offense. He is in police custody while investigation is ongoing,” Olufemi said.

The Kano State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) has intercepted a tanker carrying over 20,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) along Ibrahim Taiwo Road amidst the shortage of petroleum products in the state.

A statement by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SC Ibrahim Abdullahi, revealed that the tanker was suspected to have diverted the petrol from a filling station in Kano and was heading to an undisclosed location in neighbouring Katsina State when it was intercepted.

Abdullahi said, “An investigation is underway, and upon conclusion, the petroleum product will be returned and offloaded at the original designated filling station in Kano. Legal action will be taken against the offenders.”

Meanwhile, the Command also addressed concerns about criminal activities in the Bachirawa Kwanar Ungoggo Market in Ungoggo local government.

Abdullahi said traders at the market have reported the activities of miscreants bordering on vandalism, theft of private property, and dealing in illicit drugs to the NSCDC.

In response, he said a joint operation involving NSCDC personnel from the armed squad unit and vigilante groups was assembled and this has resulted in the arrest of over 50 suspected criminals in the market.

The NSCDC spokesman confirmed that investigations into the matter have commenced, and that the suspects will face prosecution for their alleged crimes at the appropriate time.

A Federal High Court in Kano has issued an order restraining the National Electricity Regulatory Commission and the Kano Electricity Distribution Company from implementing the new electricity tariff for Band A consumers.

The suit marked FHC/KN/CS/144/2024 was filed by Super Sack Company Limited and BBY Sacks Limited.

Others are Mama Sannu Industries Limited, Dala Foods Nigeria Limited, Tofa Textile Limited, and Manufacturers Association Of Nigeria Limited.

However, ruling on an ex-parte motion by Abubakar Mahmoud, counsel to the plaintiffs, the presiding judge, Abdullahi Liman, ordered NERC and KEDCO from going ahead with the impending tariff pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed before it.

The order also restrained the defendant from intimidating and threatening to disconnect the applicants’ electricity supply for non-acceptance of the new increased tariff.

In April, NERC approved an increase in electricity tariff for customers under the Band A classification.

With the new tariff, customers under the category, who receive 20 hours of electricity supply daily, would begin to pay N225 per kilowatt, starting from April 3 — up from N66.

The sudden hike has since been criticized by the House of Representatives and other stakeholders who have asked NERC to suspend the implementation of the new tariff.

The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero, provided insights into the NLC’s rationale behind proposing a monthly minimum wage of N615,000.

This was posted on the Nigeria Labour Congress X handle on Friday, 3rd May, 2024.

It wrote, ”It has become imperative at this point that we inform Nigerians who may not have known already the foundations upon which our initial demand for a N615,000 (Six Hundred and Fifteen Thousand Naira) new National Minimum Wage is based upon.

The figure was a product of a painstaking effort through which we captured the cost of living of Nigerian workers and masses in all parts of the country.

It was essentially an outcome of an independent research conducted by the NLC and TUC on the cost of meeting the primary needs of an average family around the country.

Our research was based on a family with both parents alive and four children without the burden of having other dependents with them.

A questionnaire was designed and sent to all the State Councils of NLC and TUC from where these questionnaires were sent to our members in all the Local government areas in the country to gather the monthly cost of living for the average family as described above.

Below is a summary of our findings and we hope that this will enable Nigerians understand what propels our demand so that better clarity is made to create better engagement around the ongoing National Minimum Wage negotiation process.

A cursory look at the table above shows that we have deliberately removed certain elements from the Basket used in calculations of this nature.

However, it should also be noted that we have not included things like expenditure on calls and data, offerings in churches and Mosques, community dues, entertainment, savings and Security etc.

These are therefore just for the bare necessities. It should be noted that we arrived at this figure before the increase in electricity tariff and the recent scarcity of Petrol across the nation leading to the appearance of long queues with attendant increased transport fares.

Any figure below this amount becomes a starvation wage and condemns Nigerian workers and their families to perpetual poverty.

We have to remember that the old one having expired on the 18th day of April, 2024, a new one is expected to have come into effect on the 19th day of April, 2024.

However, because of government’s inability to comply with the Law that demanded for negotiations for a new national minimum wage to have begun 6 (six) months before the expiration of the existing one, concluding the new one has become unfortunately delayed.

We are sure that our social partners would see our demonstration of understanding, sacrifice and reasonableness in our demands thus accepts this figure without much delay.

We also enjoin all well-meaning Nigerians to implore the Government and Employers to meet our demands for the sake of justice, equity and national development.”

The executive chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, stressed the importance of following rules and regulations for the growth and development of the country.

He emphasized that the lack of compliance with these regulations is the root cause of corruption in the country.

Naija News reports that the Chairman of EFCC disclosed this during a courtesy visit by a delegation from Compliance Institute Nigeria (CIN) in Abuja on Thursday.

Olukoyede pledged his support and commitment to CIN, while citing lack of compliance as the primary cause of corruption in the country.

According to him, “The success of any process or procedure in any society is based on the issue of compliance. The difference between developed countries and undeveloped ones is simply compliance.

“If you take compliance out of developed countries, they would be as terrible and as poor as the undeveloped countries. If we get it right with compliance, we have gotten it right with governance and corporate governance in Nigeria.”

“Compliance has been dear to my heart. It is the core of my professionalism and practice. So, you have found the right partner in me.

“We are ready on our part in EFCC to collaborate with you. The essence of our work is compliance and enforcement. We make people play by the rules and if they don’t, we apply the force of law. We are ready to cooperate and collaborate with you. We will support your activities and your programmes.”

The Schengen visa is a document that allows non-European Union (EU) citizens to enter, travel within, and leave the Schengen Area, which comprises 26 European countries that have abolished passport and other types of border control at their mutual borders.

These countries have agreed to common visa policies and procedures, allowing travelers to move freely within the area without needing separate visas for each country.

The Schengen visa is issued by one of the Schengen Area member states and grants entry to all member countries for a specified period, typically up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

However obtaining a Schengen visa can be tiring and frustrating especially if it keeps getting rejected after meeting several criteria.

Here are six common reasons why you Schengen visa application might be rejected.

1. Incomplete or incorrect documentation

If any required documents are missing or filled out incorrectly, it can lead to a rejection.

Also, providing false information or withholding important details on the application form can lead to a rejection and may also result in a ban from future applications.

2. Lack of travel insurance

Failure to provide proof of travel insurance covering medical emergencies and repatriation can result in a visa rejection.

This is because travel insurance is a compulsory requirement needed while applying for a Schengen visa.

3. Unconvincing travel itinerary

If the purpose of the trip or the itinerary provided by the applicant seems unclear or not well-planned, the visa may be denied.

Therefore it is important to clearly state the purpose of your visit whether for vacation, tourism, family visit or study.

4. Insufficient funds

If the applicant cannot prove they have enough money to cover their expenses during their stay in the Schengen area, the visa may be rejected.

5. Previous immigration or visa violations

If the applicant has a history of overstaying visas or other immigration violations, it can greatly reduce the chances of getting a Schengen visa.

6. Lack of strong ties to home country

If the applicant cannot demonstrate strong ties to their home country, such as stable employment, property ownership, or family relationships, it may cast doubt on their intention to return after their trip.

The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Olayemi Cardoso, has identified the government’s bulk purchases of foodstuffs for palliative distribution as a key factor exacerbating the food inflation crisis in Nigeria.

Speaking during the March Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting, Cardoso expressed concerns about the inflationary impact of these purchases, with the details published on the CBN’s official website.

Naija News recalls that the MPC increased the benchmark interest rate to 24.75% from 22.75% in an effort to combat rising inflation.

Despite these measures, the national inflation rate soared to 33.2% in March, with food inflation particularly severe at 40.01%, a significant increase from the previous year’s rate of 24.45%, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.

The spike in food prices comes in the wake of the Federal Government’s decision to eliminate fuel subsidies, prompting an allocation of ₦5 billion to each state and the Federal Capital Territory for food purchases intended for the economically vulnerable. This move, however, has contributed to inflationary pressures.

“Despite notable stability in the foreign exchange market resulting from decisions taken at that 293rd MPC meeting, inflationary pressure remains unabated,” Cardoso stated.

He highlighted that the government’s interventions in the food market have introduced new inflationary dimensions, exacerbated by seasonal fluctuations during religious and festive periods.

Emphasizing the structural nature of the current inflation, Cardoso argued for a combined fiscal and monetary strategy to address the issue effectively.

“This could be considered as evidence of the impact of decisions reached at the 293rd MPC meeting,” he noted, pointing out that primary drivers of inflation now include hikes in food and energy prices due to structural factors.

MPC member Bala Bello also commented on the inflationary trend, noting its impact on the economy.

He said, “Inflation is currently unacceptably high and requires decisive and coordinated efforts to curb it, given its adverse impact on citizens’ purchasing power, investment decisions, and broad output performance.”

Bello acknowledged the government’s initiatives to mitigate food insecurity, such as distributing seeds and supporting dry-season farming, as critical, though insufficient to counter the broader inflationary trends.

The Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has appointed Basirat Damilola Marshall, daughter of Fuji maestro, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshall, a.k.a KWAM1, as his Senior Special Assistant on Tourism.

This was according to a viral video of her father thanking the governor, and congratulatory messages sighted by PUNCH Online on her Instagram page, @damimarshall_ on Thursday.

In the viral video, her father, KWAM1, while performing on stage at the coronation and birthday reception of Oba Sikirullah Apena on Thursday, thanked Sanwo-Olu for appointing his daughter into his cabinet.

The fuji singer noted that it was his daughter, Damilola, who asked him to publicly thank the governor for her appointment.

Congratulating her on the appointment, a Nigerian, Olanrewaju-Smart Wasiu wrote, “Congratulations Barr. @damimarshall_ on your appointment as the Senior Special Assistant to the Lagos State Governor on Tourism. This is a deserving recognition for your hard work and contributions to our party”, to which she responded by saying “Thank you, sir.”

Another person, Balogun Basia wrote, “Please, join me in congratulating my friend K1 and the entire family on the appointment of my daughter Barrister Basirat Damilola Marshall as the SSA to the governor of Lagos State on Tourism. Damilola, this shall be the beginning of many good things that will come your way and that of your siblings Insha Allah, Alaumoh Amin.”

Until her appointment, Damilola was a principal partner at a law firm, Damilola Ayinde Marshal and Co.

As of the time of this report, efforts to reach the Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the Lagos State Governor, Gboyega Akosile, for confirmation proved abortive, as messages sent to his WhatsApp line were not responded to.

Elder statesman and leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, Edwin Clark said former President Muhammadu Buhari imposed Abdullahi Adamu, a former Governor of Nasarawa State, as national chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC despite his alleged corruption charges by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

Clark stated this while speaking during an interview on Arise Television.

The elder statesman decried the freedom enjoyed by alleged corrupt politicians in the country.

He noted that nothing has so far been heard about 15 former governors and ministers who were dragged to court during the period when Nuhu Ribadu was the chairman of the EFCC.

Clark said, “In 2007, more than 15 former governors and ministers were charged to court during Ribadu’s time as the EFCC chairman.

“Some of them were charged to courts in Lagos, Abuja and so on. But after some time, some of these cases were not heard again.

“All we heard was that these same governors had been cleared to contest senatorial seats. Let me take a case of Abdullahi Adamu, who was the governor of Nasarawa State in 1999.

“He was charged to court for embezzling money from his state to the tune of N15 billion with other commissioners who were to be charged to court in Nasarawa State.

“Then after being charged to court he contested election to the Senate and he won and he has been there and nobody cared about him. Thereafter, former President Muhammadu Buhari imposed him as the National Chairman of the APC.

“We have many such people in the APC. Nobody heard about his trial again. He became an honest man and talked about corruption more than any other person,” he said.