TotalEnergies Nigeria has launched the 2024 edition of its Startuppers challenge with each winner getting N8 million to support its business in Nigeria and the African continent.

The challenge was launched virtually on Thursday at an event attended by the Managing Director of TotalEnergies Marketing Nigeria Plc, Dr Samba Seye and other executives of the energy company.

During the launch, it was revealed that the 2024 edition of the challenge would be used to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the multinational.

A statement from the company said : 100 businesses across 32 African countries with each winner becoming a “Startupper of the Year by TotalEnergies” and will benefit from a monetary award of N8 million , personalised support and a communication campaign to enhance their project’s visibility.’

“This 4th edition aims to support and encourage young African entrepreneurs to innovate and bring their projects to reality in their country of application,”

Presenting the mode that this year’s competition would take, the General Manager, Country Services, TotalEnergies, Mrs Adesua Adewole, said registration for the challenge would open on May 13th and close on June 18th, 2024.

“100 startups would be selected at first before 15 finalists would be selected.

Aliko Dangote has been ranked as the world’s sixth richest person in the manufacturing industry.

Dangote whose net worth is put at $14.3 billion is the founder of Dangote Cement, the leading cement producer in Africa, in which owns about 85 percent stake, as well as Dangote Fertilizer and Refinery, the world’s largest single-train refinery.

The ranking was carried out by Insidermonkey.com, an American firm that uses a hybrid evaluation system to track insider transactions and other market anomalies, and educate investors about the intricacies of investing.

Dangote is the only African among the top 25 billionaires ranked.

The world’s richest billionaire in the manufacturing industry is Reinhold Wuerth with a net worth of $35.3 billion.

Wuerth joined his father’s wholesale screw business in 1949 and retired from the firm in 1994.

The second ranked billionaire in manufacturing is He Xiangjian, worth $26.1 billion.

Xiangjian created one of the world’s leading appliance makers, Midea Group Co. Ltd. In 2012, he stepped down from Midea Group operations.

Michael Hartono was ranked the third richest person in manufacturing, with a net worth of $23.1 billion.

Hartono and his family made a huge fortune from the tobacco business and are still one of the biggest clove cigarette makers in Indonesia. He also has investment in the Bank of Central Asia (BCA).

Takemitsu Takizaki was named the world’s fourth richest billionaire in manufacturing with a net worth of $20.7 billion.

Takizaki founded Keyence Corporation, a company that manufactures sensors and electronic components for factory automation systems.

The fifth richest billionaire, according to the rankings, is James Ratcliffe worth $16.2 billion

Ratcliffe is the founder, chairman, and majority owner of the chemical powerhouse, Ineos Group.

A former Commissioner for Works in Rivers State, George-Kelly Alabo, has stated that the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, would have been “a level 14 officer in the civil service” if not for his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who helped him to rise.

Alabo resigned from the cabinet of Fubara in March before he became the Director-General of the Border Communities Development Agency.

Speaking on his resignation in a video shared by Channels Television, Alabo declared his loyalty to Wike, saying he couldn’t be seen as a betrayer.

“My loyalty lies irreversibly with Nyesom Wike.

“ Let me tell you something, we must not forget those who helped us to climb. The governor, for instance, would have been a level 14 civil servant in the Ministry of Finance if not for Wike who made him a DFA, Permanent Secretary, Accountant General, and governor,” he said.

On his disagreement with the governor, the former commissioner said he couldn’t have taken sides with Fubara because he did not fulfil his side of the peace agreement initiated by President Bola Tinubu.

“Part of the resolution was that the budget should be represented to the House of Assembly. So, there is no appropriation. How are you spending? That’s probably why I couldn’t side with him,” he stated.

Fubara and his godfather, Wike, have been at loggerheads since some lawmakers loyal to the Federal Capital Minister moved to impeach the governor.

Speaking on Saturday, the minister apologised to the people of the state, saying he made a mistake that would be corrected at the appropriate time.

He, however, did not disclose the nature of the mistake.

“I want to say this clearly: in life, we make mistakes. I have made a mistake. I own it up, and I say God forgive me. I have said all of you forgive me. But we will correct it at the appropriate time,” he said.

Some hunters have found a baby reportedly buried alive in Buruku Local Government Area of Benue State.

The incident, according to a resident of the local government who simply identified himself as Terna happened in the Ashav Kusuv community.

Terna said that hunters found her and brought her alive from the forest where she was buried alive.

“Some hunters on Saturday found a baby girl and said that they found her buried alive in a forest. The baby is currently being taken care of at Ashav Kusuv community,” he said.

Chairman of the local government, Iorkyaan Agber who spoke to our correspondent on the phone on Sunday confirmed the report and stated that the baby was found in a forest by some hunters.

“Some hunters indeed found a baby in the forest but we are investigating to know who went and dropped a baby in the forest and the reason for doing that,” he said.

Efforts to get the reaction of the Benue Police Spokesperson, Catherine Anene, were not successful as her phone rang out.

The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, has absolved President Bola Tinubu of any blame in the scenario which played out over the failure of the National Assembly to confirm former Kaduna State Governor as a Minister.

Speaking during an interview with Premium Times, Bagudu submitted that Tinubu played his role by nominating El-Rufai for appointment, but going ahead to lobby the National Assembly after the former Governor was rejected, would be an abuse of power and lack of respect for the separation of power between the executive and the legislative arms of government.

The Minister added that President Tinubu was constitutionally handicapped and had to respect the decision of the lawmakers not to confirm El-rufai.

Naija News recalls that President Tinubu nominated El-Rufai for a ministerial appointment, but the National Assembly failed to confirm him after screening, citing a lack of security clearance.

El-Rufai later withdrew his interest in working for the Tinubu government.

“Constitutional democracy is based on separation of powers. The Senate has been given a constitutional role in the confirmation process. If they decide to deny any one of us, they are approving their confirmation power.”

“The president is handicapped by our constitution to do everything. Is it fair? But that is how the laws have been set up,” he stated.

Bagudu added that the president did everything constitutionally possible to have Mr El Rufai in his cabinet.

“I wish the National Assembly had confirmed him,” the Minister said.

When asked why President Tinubu did not intervene or lobby the National Assembly to confirm El-Rufai, Bagudu said he would not want to speculate, but for Tinubu to have nominated El-Rufai, it shows he wanted him as part of his government.

“What was done objectively is that the president nominated him. We know that his name was read at the Senate. He went to the National Assembly for screening. He answered all the questions that were asked of him. Although some were stepped down.

“So that’s an objective way to look at it. That is what happened. I can’t answer speculatively, but I believe for the president to submit your name, for you at least to be taken to the National assembly, it’s the best measure of the president’s willingness and confidence in the person,” he said.

BBNaija star and media personality, Natacha Anita Akide, popularly known as Tacha, has revealed the cost of her outfit to the 10th edition of Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards, AMVCA, held om Saturday. 

The radio host in an interview with content creator, Timi Agbaje disclosed that her dress cost $100,000 (about 140 million naira).

Agbaje asked, “Last year you wore a $20,000-outfit to the AMVCA. How much did this outfit cost?”

Tacha replied, “It’s $100,000 or nothing, bro.”

The reality TV star and social media influencer graced the red carpet in a mesmerizing all-white dress, intricately adorned with shimmering stones. The dress featured a striking floating bust design on her shoulders, adding a touch of sophistication to her attire.

Complementing her outfit, Tacha wore a flowing cape that billowed behind her with every step, exuding grace and poise. To complete her ensemble, she carried a matching handbag, perfectly accentuating the ensemble’s seamless blend of style and glamour.

Nigerian sprint icon Tobi Amusan has become the world’s fastest woman in the women’s 100m hurdles after running a world-leading 12.40 seconds.

In a thrilling race, the world record holder secured the victory, leaving behind Danielle Williams, the world champion, who clocked her best time of the season at 12.46 seconds. Following closely was American Christina Clemons, claiming the third spot with a time of 12.54 seconds.

This triumph means the Nigerian athlete has now claimed the top spot globally, surpassing American Tonea Marshall’s previous record of 12.42 seconds set in late April.

Tobi Amusan’s impressive win arrives just two months before the Paris 2024 Olympics, setting the stage for an exciting competition ahead.

John Enoh, the minister of sports development, on his X handle congratulated Amusan over the feat.

“Take your flowers Tobi Amusan, you stormed to an emphatic win in the women’s 100m hurdles at the Jamaica Athletics Invitational, clocking a time of 12.40s (0.9), a World Lead time! You defeated World Champion Danielle Williams, who came 2nd in 12.46s, while Christina Clemons was 3rd in 12.54s,” he wrote.

“Tobi, you keep making our country proud. Paris Olympics is around the corner, your performance gives us hope just like others, that Nigeria is set to break a jinx. Keep soaring, we are proud of you.”

Recall the 26-year-old athlete recently set a new African record in the 60m hurdles event, clocking in at 7.77 seconds during the Astana Indoor Meet in Kazakhstan. This impressive feat shattered a record that stood for 25 years, previously held by Gloria Alozie.

With her exceptional performance, she is anticipated to lead the Nigerian team’s charge for gold medals at the upcoming Olympics, scheduled to kick off on July 26 at France’s national stadium.

A mother of five, Ramat Mercy Mba, has been convicted by a Federal Capital Territory High Court in Gwagwalada, Abuja, of forging the signature of the late Abba Kyari, former Chief of Staff to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari.
Justice Ibrahim Mohammad postponed the convict’s sentencing until May 16th, 2024, but ordered her to remain in the Suleja Correctional Centre.

In June 2022, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) charged Mba with five counts of cheating, fraud, and forgery.

The charges violate Section 13 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 200 and Sections 320 (b) and 366 of the Penal Code Cap 89 laws of Northern Nigeria.

One of the counts read: “THAT you RAMAT MERCY MBA (F) sometimes in the month of October, 2019 or thereabout at Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did fraudulently induce one Mr. Ismail Adewole Oladipupo, an unsuspecting job seeker and collected the sum of Seven Hundred Thousand Naira only N700,000.00 from him which sum was paid into your private account under the guise of securing employment for him at the National Space Research and Development Agency. (NASDRA), AND you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 320(b) and punishable under Section 322 of the Penal Code Cap 89 Laws of Northern Nigeria.”

During the trial, the Prosecutor of the ICPC, Hamza Sani, presented evidence before the court revealing how the convict fraudulently deceived her victims by falsely claiming to secure employment for them in government agencies such as the Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS), National Space Research Development Agency (NASRDA), and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

The documentary evidence presented further proved that the convict had fraudulently forged a letterhead paper and signature of the Office of the Chief of Staff to the former President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, Abba Kyari.

The letter was a request to the ICPC Chairman to recruit three individuals.

However, the late Chief of Staff distanced himself and his office from authorising the letter in a written correspondence that was also tendered in court as an exhibit.

In his judgment, Justice Ibrahim Muhammad convicted the mother of five on counts 1, 2, 3, and 5 for cheating and forgery.

She was discharged on count 4, which deals with a felony.

The Catholic Bishop of Yola, Stephen Mamza, has lamented the growing number of churches in the country set up as commercial ventures to make money for the owner(s).

The cleric lamented that many people are going into ministry and setting up churches just to make money and live in affluence.

Speaking on Sunday at St Augustine’s Catholic Church, Bekaji, Yola, where he presided over a Mass to mark this year’s World Communications Sunday of the Catholic Church, Bishop Mamza said many people just want to become general overseers and own private jets.

In his words, “Even the holy spirit will find it difficult to count the churches in Yola. Churches are set up today just for business.”

Bishop Mamza recalled a particular experience when the general overseer of a particular church asked him to buy his church because the church was not yielding financial fruits.

“A general overseer approached me to buy his church. He said things were not moving well for him, and he knew of a place where things would work and where he wanted to go,” he said.

Speaking on the theme for the day, the catholic bishop emphasized the need to strengthen human communication with all the necessary empathy that it possesses even as human beings pursue technology.

The Federal Government is poised to receive fresh loan funding from the World Bank, with approval expected for loans totalling $2.25bn on June 13, 2024.

The funding will be received via two major development projects. The first project is the Nigeria Reforms for Economic Stabilization to Enable Transformation Development Policy Financing, which is set to receive $1.5bn.

The second project, NG Accelerating Resource Mobilization Reforms Programme-for-Results, has proposed funding of $750m.

Recall that The PUNCH had indicated that the government might reintroduce previously suspended telecom tax and other fiscal measures in pursuit of securing the $750m loan.

A copy of the plan’s document posted on the World Bank website indicated that the government might reintroduce the excises on telecom services, and EMT levy on electronic money transfers through the Nigerian Banking System among other taxes.

However, the latest information suggests that the administration may have nearly guaranteed the loan.

The Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, at the spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank last month, had announced that the nation had qualified for processing a loan, described as ‘virtually a grant’ of $2.25bn from the World Bank at one per cent interest rate.

The package, approved by the Board of Directors of the World Bank, offers a 40-year term with a 10-year moratorium and a nominal one per cent interest rate.

He stated, “We have qualified for the processing just this week to the Board of Directors of the World Bank of a total package of $2.25bn of what you can call ‘the closest you can get to a free lunch’- virtually a grant. It’s for about 10- 20 years moratorium and about one per cent interest.”

According to programme information documents posted on the international lender website, the two projects aim to enhance Nigeria’s economic stability and resource mobilisation capabilities.

It is expected that the funds will bolster Nigeria’s efforts in reforming economic policies and enhancing government resource mobilisation, essential for the country’s long-term financial sustainability and economic resilience.

The document stated that the primary aim of the PforR programme is to boost non-oil revenues and safeguard oil and gas revenues from 2024 to 2028 at the federal level, emphasising substantial tax, excise, and administrative reforms.

The programme includes three main result areas: implementing tax and excise reforms to increase VAT collections and excise rates on health and environmentally friendly products, strengthening tax and customs administrations to enhance VAT compliance and effectiveness of audits, and safeguarding oil and gas revenues by increasing transparency and net revenue contributions.

The PforR programme includes technical assistance, supporting the Federal Inland Revenue Service and the Nigeria Customs Service to enhance taxpayer and trader compliance.

“The principal programme development objective is to raise non-oil revenues and safeguard oil and gas revenues. This result area aims to increase the transparency of NNPCL’s financial and operational performance through audits and regular production of enhanced reports submitted to FAAC, including all relevant information; and increase net oil and gas revenues transferred to the Federation,” the report read.

Also, the proposed DPF for Nigeria consists of a standalone operation with two tranches designed to support significant reforms in alignment with the government’s economic stabilization and recovery priorities.

This operation is structured around four key results distributed across two pillars: increasing fiscal oil revenues from 1.8 per cent of Gross Domestic Product in 2022 to 2.7 per cent by 2025, boosting non-oil fiscal revenues from 5.3 per cent to 7.3 per cent over the same period, expanding social safety nets to assist 67 million vulnerable Nigerians, and raising the import value of previously banned products from $11.3m to $54.6mby 2025.