In a move to address the unique skincare challenges faced by women of colour, Skin by Zaron has launched a new Vitamin C range designed to tackle concerns such as hyperpigmentation, uneven skin tone, and sensitivity to harsh formulations.

Formally unveiled at a press conference in Lagos recently, the range aims to provide tailored beauty solutions for melanin-rich skin, an often underrepresented segment in the skincare industry.

During the event, representatives from Skin by Zaron shared insights into the rigorous formulation process, emphasising the use of high-quality ingredients such as Vitamin C, Vitamin E, castor oil, and collagen, combined with soothing agents to ensure the products brighten and hydrate without causing irritation.

The range includes a cleanser, serum, moisturiser, and sunscreen—all designed to work in tandem to address common skin concerns while providing essential sun protection, a key factor for melanin-rich skin prone to pigmentation issues from sun exposure.

Founder and CEO of Zaron Cosmetics Limited, Oke Maduewesi, took attendees through what informed the formulation of the range:

“As the fastest-growing beauty brand in Africa, what we really pride ourselves on is that we make products for women of colour, by women of colour, who better understand and develop products for them. Our brand’s shift to skincare was informed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the skin education it spurred at the time, leading to extensive research spanning years that involved tests on actual Africans under similar conditions in Africa.”

She added, “A few years ago, I’m sure we all witnessed how Nigerians gravitated towards skin-whitening products. When we started Skin by Zaron, many told us we would be out of business if we didn’t have a bleaching range. But our reputation doesn’t support that.”

The introduction of this Vitamin C range further reflects Skin by Zaron’s commitment to inclusivity, reinforcing the brand’s role in promoting accessible, effective skincare solutions for women of colour in Africa.

[ThisDay]

Data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has indicated that the net foreign exchange (FX) inflows into the economy increased by 65.7 percent year-on-year (YoY), reaching $46.92 billion during the first ten months of 2024 (10m’24).

The CBN’s Economic Report for the review period showed that the rise was from $28.31 billion in the corresponding period of 2023.

Aggregate forex inflow to the economy rose YoY by 41 percent to $79.8 billion in 10m’24 from $55.57 billion in 10m’23.

However, forex outflows from the economy fell by 1.4 percent YoY to $29.84 billion in 10m’24 from N30.29 billion in 10m’23.

Analysis showed that inflows through autonomous sources rose by 0.06 percent YoY to $35.82 billion in 10m’24 from $34.4 billion in 10m’23.

Similarly, outflows from autonomous sources surged by 195 percent year-on-year, reaching $7.08 billion in the first ten months of 2024, up from $2.4 billion in the same period of 2023.

As a result, net foreign exchange inflow from autonomous sources increased by 73 percent year-on-year, totaling $39.7 billion in the first ten months of 2024, compared to $22.93 billion in the prior year.

The figures also show that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) inflows grew by 55 percent year-on-year, amounting to $32.94 billion in 10m’24, up from $21.25 billion in 10m’23.

Conversely, outflows via the CBN saw a slight decline of 1.11 percent, dropping to $25.74 billion in 10m’24 from $26.03 billion in 10m’23.

Consequently, net forex inflow through the CBN skyrocketed by 556.8 percent year-on-year, rising to $7.16 billion in 10m’24 from a negative figure of -$1.09 billion in 10m’23.

In its Economic Report for October 2024, the central bank noted that the economy experienced a decrease in month-on-month net foreign exchange inflow, attributed to reduced inflows through the Bank.

“Foreign exchange flows through the economy amounted to a net inflow of $4.86 billion, relative to $6.35 billion in September 2024.

“Aggregate foreign exchange inflow increased to $9.15 billion, from $8.59 billion in the preceding month.

“Similarly, foreign exchange outflow increased to $4.29 billion, from $2.24 billion in the preceding month.

“Foreign exchange inflow through the bank declined to $4.48 billion, from $5.22 billion in the preceding month, while autonomous inflow increased to $4.67 billion, from $3.37 billion in the preceding month.

“Outflow through the bank rose to $3.73 billion, from $1.84 billion, while autonomous outflow fell to $0.56 billion, from $0.40 billion in September 2024.

“Consequently, a net inflow of $4.11 billion was recorded through autonomous sources, compared with $2.97 billion in September 2024, while the bank recorded a net inflow of $0.75 billion, relative to US$3.38 billion in the preceding month.”

[Leadership]

Popular skit maker, Mark Angel, has revealed how he lost $3.7 million to forex trading, with his properties taken away by loan sharks.

Describing 2024 as his worst year in a post on Instagram on Sunday, the content creator said the losses brought him to the brink of hopelessness.

He wrote, “The year 2024 began like every other year, but I had no idea how much it would test me how much it would break me, yet ultimately reshape me. It was the year I lost everything. I trusted the wrong hands in forex and lost all my money. Nobody knew except my family and closest circle.

“The weight of the loss, over $3.7 million was suffocating. I was drowning in debts, and one by one, I watched all my properties slip into the hands of loan sharks. It felt like my world was crumbling, and in my darkest moments, I considered ending it all.

“But God… If not for His mercies, I wouldn’t be here writing this. He sent angels into my life when I needed them the most. Blessing, my friend who became family, never gave up on me. My pastor and his wife stood by me, praying and guiding me. My daughters, Victoria and Mila, reminded me of the beauty of life, even when it felt unbearable. My ex-wife Mandy extended a hand of kindness I will never forget. My son, Schoolboy, showed me strength beyond his years. And Bright, my social media assistant, stood as a pillar in moments I thought I’d collapse.”

Mark Angel further explained that while he was still trying undergoing therapy to recover from the trauma, life dealt him another blow.

“A scandal hit, shaking the foundation of my career and questioning the loyalty of those around me. It was in that storm that God began to uncover the truth. He exposed the fake friends, the pretenders, and the ones who had been silently sabotaging my peace and my circle. It was painful, but it was necessary.

“2024 was the hardest year of my life, but it was also the year God drew me closer to Him. Through the ashes, He taught me resilience, faith, and the true meaning of grace. I don’t take it for granted that I’m alive today. To everyone who stood with me, prayed for me, and held me up when I had no strength left, thank you.

“Here’s to God’s unwavering faithfulness. If 2024 taught me anything, it’s that even in the darkest valleys, His light never stops shining,” he added.

[DailyTrust]

Germany has launched a new online platform to simplify the visa application process for Nigerians seeking to work, study or join family members in the country.

Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock described the online visa application portal as a positive development that will help the country meet its demand for skilled workers.  

“Every year, Germany is short of at least 400,000 skilled workers. 400,000 clever minds and even more agile hands to keep our country running – in the skilled crafts sector, in the care sector, in tech companies. Our national economy is also in a global competition to attract trainees, apprentices, and students.  

“At times like these, we cannot afford to downright put the best off coming here to roll up their sleeves because of long paper application forms and even longer waiting periods. 

“At times like these, as one of the biggest economies and as a modern country of immigration, we need a national visa process that is state-of-the-art – modern, digital and secure,” Ms Baerbock said.

Accessible globally, the portal allows applicants to select from 28 categories of national visas and is available to all 167 German visa offices worldwide.

The initiative is part of a broader effort to modernise the immigration process and address Germany’s pressing shortage of skilled workers.

By simplifying visa access, Germany hopes to attract skilled workers and ensure a more inclusive and responsive immigration system in line with modern demands.

[TheNation]

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday vowed an “all-out battle against corruption” as top leaders convened in Beijing for an annual planning session of the country’s top disciplinary agency.

“We must always maintain our tenacity and perseverance… and resolutely fight the tough, protracted, and all-out battle against corruption,” Xi said, according to state broadcaster CCTV.

The Chinese leader has overseen a wide-ranging campaign against official corruption since coming to power just over a decade ago.

Proponents say the policy promotes clean governance, but others say it also serves as a means for Xi to purge political rivals.

In November, the ruling Communist Party suspended a top military official and placed him under investigation for “serious violations of discipline,” a common euphemism for corruption.

Admiral Miao Hua had been a member of Beijing’s powerful Central Military Commission, sitting alongside five other men — including Xi at the top.

He joined a host of high-ranking figures, including two former defence ministers, to fall foul of a sweeping crackdown on graft in the country’s armed forces in just over a year.

On Monday, Xi called corruption “the biggest threat” to the Communist Party, adding that “the fight against corruption remains grave and complex.”

Instances of corruption continue to occur, he told the party’s Central Commission for Discipline Inspection’s meeting, adding that eliminating conditions that fuel graft remains a difficult task.

China in December executed a former official working in Inner Mongolia over crimes including bribery and misappropriation of public funds.

The sweeping anti-corruption drive has also ensnared top names in finance and sport, including former Chinese men’s national football coach Li Tie.

[AFP]

The house of representatives is considering extending the time limit for the prosecution of sexual offences against girls below 13 years of age.

The bill, which has passed the first reading, is sponsored by Bitrus Laori, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmaker representing Demsa/Numan/Lamurde federal constituency of Adamawa state.

The bill proposes an amendment to sections 218 and 221 of the Criminal Code Act.

Section 218 of the extant law stipulates that: “Any person who has unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl under the age of thirteen years is guilty of a felony and is liable to imprisonment for life, with or without caning.

“Any person who attempts to have unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl under the age of thirteen years is guilty of a felony and is liable to imprisonment for fourteen years, with or without caning.

“A prosecution for either of the offences defined in this section of this Code shall be begun within two months after the offence is committed.

“A person cannot be convicted of either of the offences defined in this section of this Code upon the uncorroborated testimony of one witness.”

The bill seeks to amend the section by replacing the paragraph: “A prosecution for any of the offences defined in this section shall be commenced within two months after the offence is committed” with “A prosecution for any of the offences defined in this section shall be commenced within two years after the offence is committed”.

Laori said the two-month period stated in the law is insufficient to gather the necessary facts needed to prosecute an offender and is a “defence to free the offender of criminal responsibility even if it were true that the accused actually committed the offence”.

“The two-month period of limitation within which an offender of these offences has to be prosecuted provides a window of escape from prosecution and punishment of such offenders after two months,” he said.

“Many times where these offences are committed, reporting of the cases, arrest of the offender, investigation, collection and processing of evidence as well as commencement of trial take longer time than two months.

“This is usually influenced by many factors including threats, stigmatisation and absence of willing witnesses to testify for the prosecution.

“The two-month period provided by the law is, without doubt, too short to achieve this.

“The implication is that where the two-month period elapses, the offender is in law free of all criminal responsibility in that regard while the victim is denied justice and the effect of the offence on the victim remains.

“The removal of this time limit would put perpetrators in the know that there is no window of escape for them once they commit this offence and would operate to a great extent in deterring them and others from further committing the offences.”

[TheCable]

A report by the Auditor-General of the federation’s office has indicted the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) in the diversion and misappropriation of public funds and non-timely remittance of revenue to the federation account in 2021.

The report, published in November, details cases of unauthorized deductions of N82.9 billion from the federation revenue for refinery rehabilitation and irregular deductions of funds valued at N343 billion from domestic crude sales at the source.

The OAuGF report observed that N343,642,598,726.51 was unilaterally deducted from the gross domestic crude sales as NNPC Value shortfall, Strategic Stock Holding Cost, Crude Oil, and Products Pipeline Losses, as well as the pipeline maintenance and management costs.

The corporation did not provide the details of each cost component for audit review, and the corporation’s management could not justify the reasons for the deductions.

The NNPCL management ought to have paid a net payable sum of N127,075,366,570.65 in May but only remitted the sum of N77 billion, leaving the sum of N50 billion largely unaccounted for.

According to the report, these anomalies are attributed to the weaknesses in the NNPC’s internal control system.

This deduction is a violation of the 2009 Financial Regulations and the OAuGF has advised the Group Chief Executive Officer of the NNPCL to provide reasons for the deductions, remit the funds to the federation account, and provide proof of remittance else stand a chance of facing sanctions relating to irregular payments and gross misconduct.

Similarly, the NNPCL was also indicted for the deduction of N82.9 billion from the sale of Crude Oil and Gas (Federation Revenue) from the 2020 and 2021 records for purported refineries rehabilitation.

This deduction was not supported with evidence of authorisation and approvals.

Following these revelations, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), a civil society organisation (CSO), directed the GCEO of NNPCL, Mele Kyari, to account for the misappropriated funds.

The Guardian earlier published a report detailing SERAP’s demands.

The CSO demanded that Kyari identify and hand over those suspected of involvement to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and

Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

“According to the recently published 2021 audited report by the Auditor-General of the Federation (AGF), the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) failed to account for over

N825 billion and $2.5 billion of public funds meant for refinery rehabilitation and repairs, and other oil revenues,” SERAP noted.

SERAP emphasized that Section 15(5) of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended) requires public institutions to abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power.

[Guardian]

A Rivers State High Court has upheld Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s authority to conduct official business with the three lawmakers who have not vacated their seats in the state house of assembly.

The ruling, delivered on December 20 by Presiding Judge Sika Aprioku, dismissed a suit seeking to compel Fubara to present the 2024 state budget to the Martin Amaewhule-led assembly.

The case, marked PHC/3552/CS/2024, was filed by the Registered Trustees of the Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners.

The plaintiffs sought to require the governor to submit the budget for passage to the 27-member assembly, led by Amaewhule.

The suit named the Government of Rivers State, Governor Fubara, and the Attorney General of the state as defendants.

After hearing arguments from both parties, the court ruled that the governor is constitutionally allowed to engage only with the lawmakers who have not vacated their seats.
Judge Aprioku referenced previous instances, including under former Governor Nyesom Wike, where business was conducted with fewer than the full legislative numbers.

“Therefore, the same way His Excellency Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, presented Budgets and financial Bills with only six members when the numbers were less than two third 2/3 of the 32 Members, so shall His Excellency, Siminalayi Fubara, the Governor of Rivers State be constitutionally guided to interface, and approach the properly constituted House of Assembly led by Oko-Jumbo, to carry on the business of the state and until the 27 lawmakers who defected and lost their seats, approaches the court, for a redemption or INEC conducts another election to the seats vacated by the 27 lawmakers upon their defection,” the court said.

The ruling also explained that as long as the status of the 27 defecting lawmakers remains in question—pending the outcome of the ongoing case concerning their seats—the governor can work with the current assembly members who have retained their positions.

This includes presenting the state budget, making board appointments, and screening nominees for executive positions.

The court concluded that the suit brought by the claimant lacked merit and dismissed the application.

The plaintiffs were also ordered to pay N500,000 in costs to the defendants.

“In sum, until the Supreme Court gives its verdict on the issue of jurisdiction which affects the status of the 27 lawmakers, it is only those who did not vacate their seats, the Governor can constitutionally approach to the present budget, appoint chief judges and president, customary court; also screen commissioners, including the attorney general and make board appointments.

“That the claimant’s claim seeking declaratory and injunctive reliefs for the Representation of the 2024 budget to the former 27 lawmakers, who defected and automatically vacated their seats, lacks merit and is accordingly dismissed.

“That this suit be and is hereby dismissed, with cost in the sum of N500,000.00, awarded in favour of the defendants and against the claimant.”

[Guardian]

The Seventh-Day Adventist (SDA) Church in the Wenchi West District of the Mid-West Ghana Conference, Bono Region, celebrated 20 young girls over the weekend for preserving their virginity. The girls, aged 13 to 16, received undisclosed financial support during a special Thanksgiving service.

As reported by GhanaWeb, the ceremony was led by the Young Adventist Women Ministries and aimed to promote moral integrity, rooted in Christian and cultural values.

The Coordinator of the Young Adventist Women Ministries, Mrs. Nana Amponsah Poku, highlighted the initiative’s focus on nurturing the holistic development of young women.

She emphasized the importance of self-confidence and wise decision-making, urging the girls to maintain their purity and remain cautious in choosing friends in the coming year.

“God created you uniquely beautiful and you must not allow anybody to lure and break your virginity until you marry”, she urged the girls and asked them to be cautious about the friends they picked in 2025.

“The ancient Bragoro or Dipo rite was very essential in preserving girls’ virginity and controlling teenage pregnancies inimical to the growth and development of young girls and women”, she stated.

Associate Pastor Andrews Dua Bour Kyereh praised the honorees for their discipline and purity. He encouraged them to prioritize education and faith, urging other young girls in the church and community to follow their example.

Pastor Kyereh also called on parents to take an active role in guiding their children toward virtuous living and instilling strong moral values.

[Punch]