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Author: Oluwadamilare Emmanuel

  • Mulitichoice hikes DStv, GOtv subscription rates for second time this year

    Mulitichoice hikes DStv, GOtv subscription rates for second time this year

    Multichoice Nigeria has announced an increase in the cost of its DStv and GOtv packages.

    In an email to customers earlier in the week, Multichoice Nigeria said the new rates would take effect from November 6, 2023. 

    The latest development represents the second price hike from the pay-tv firm in the year.

    MultiChoice Nigeria had reviewed prices on its packages on May 1, 2023.

    Explaining the rationale behind the latest hike, the company said the price adjustment was due to the rising costs of business operations.

    “We understand the impact this change may have on our valued customers and partners, but the rise in the cost of business operations, has led us to make this difficult decision,” the email reads.

    Detailing the price review, the firm said the price of the premium bouquet would increase from N24,500 to N29,500, and Compact+ from N16,600 to N19,800.

    From November 6, customers on Compact bouquet will pay N12,500 — up from N10,500 — the organisation said.

    For Confam, Yanga, and Padi bouquet subscribers, accessing the packages will now cost N7,400, N4,200, and N2,950 — from N6,200, N3,500 and N2,500, respectively. 

    The pay-tv company moved the prices of HDPVR Access Service, Access Fees, and Xtraview bouquets from N3,400 to N4,000.

    Meanwhile, customers on Supa+ will pay N12,500, compared to the old price of N10,500.

    The GOtv Supa package was also adjusted to N7,600 from N6,400; while N5,700 is said to be the new price for GOtv Max bouquet as against the previous N4,850.

    Also, the GOtv Jolli package price was increased from N3,300 to N3,950.

    Multichoice said the price of GOtv Jinja bouquet will rise from N2,250 to N2,700; while GOtv Lite customers will now be required to pay N1,300, instead of N1,100.

  • ‘Please help me, I can’t move my legs,’ another ailing Nollywood actor cries out

    ‘Please help me, I can’t move my legs,’ another ailing Nollywood actor cries out

    Nollywood icon, Amaechi Muonagor has appealed to his colleagues, fans and friends to come to his aide sharing his recent struggle with a paralyzing stroke.

    In a widely circulated video, the ailing actor was seen flat on his back, sharing the nitty-gritty of how the stroke ordeal reared its ugly head and the medical path he’s been treading thus far.

    He recounted how he was swiftly whisked to the hospital in the wake of his initial stroke attack, where he stayed for a few months. However, as his condition showed no signs of improvement, he found himself relocated to Nnewi Teaching Hospital in Anambra, where he currently undergoes treatment.

    Amaechi went on to explain that seven months ago, on a day fated for misfortune, he had just wrapped up a taxing shoot alongside his colleagues Emeka Ani, Patience Ozokwo, Rita Edochie, and Ebele Okaro on a movie set. Just as he was preparing to hit the road in his car, he found himself suddenly struck by a debilitating stroke.

    Since that ill-fated day, the actor revealed that his stroke condition has been deteriorating. He can no longer move his legs or walk independently, and half of his body is now paralyzed. He apologized for not sharing this publicly earlier, as he never anticipated the illness would persist for so long.

    Now, he is reaching out to kind-hearted Nigerians, seeking financial assistance for his paralysis, which has caused significant swelling in parts of his body and rendered him unable to eat. He also mentioned that during his three-month stay at the current hospital, they have run out of the necessary medications for his treatment.

    Amaechi added that he is in desperate need of help from his colleagues, fans, and friends.

  • CBN commences clearing FX backlogs to banks

    CBN commences clearing FX backlogs to banks

    Spokesperson for the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Isah Abdulmumin on Thursday confirmed that the apex bank has initiated the process of settling outstanding foreign currency forwards owed to banks.

    According to banking sources, an initial payment of $1 billion has been disbursed.

    “The CBN has started paying the FX backlogs to banks. So far, 14 banks have been paid,” Isah Abdulmumin told Reuters but declined to give the amount or name the banks.

    Four banking sources said the banks were paid varying amounts totalling about $1 billion and that the payments would continue in the next few weeks.

    While a few of the lenders were paid the entire amount owed, others got as much as 80% of backlog, the sources said.

    Nigeria has nearly $7 billion in forex forwards that have matured, which corporates bought from local banks. Banks then repaid foreign credit lines with their own funds when the central bank did not pay out.

    The central bank’s payments follow Finance Minister Wale Edun’s Oct. 23 announcement that Nigeria was expecting $10 billion of inflows to improve foreign exchange market liquidity. It will come as a relief to local lenders, who have been struggling to meet demands from customers due to chronic dollar shortages in Africa’s largest economy.

    “The fulfillment of obligations…will free up credit lines,” Abuja-based economic analyst Kelvin Emmanuel said. “I expect that within the next week or two, banks will be able to open letters of credit at fair value.”

    New central bank governor Yemi Cardoso has said clearing the backlog was a priority but gave no timeline for how long it would take.

  • PDP rejects ‘imposition of APC member’ as Akwa Ibom REC

    PDP rejects ‘imposition of APC member’ as Akwa Ibom REC

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected the appointment of Etekamba Umoren as the resident electoral commissioner (REC) in Akwa Ibom.

    On October 25, President Bola Tinubu appointed 10 new resident electoral commissioners for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Umoren, a former chief of staff to Godswill Akpabio, the senate president, was among the INEC REC nominees the president recommended for confirmation.

    Umoren, who had in times past openly campaigned for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) was appointed as the secretary to the state government (SSG) of Akwa Ibom by PDP’s Udom Emmanuel in 2015.

    At a press conference on Thursday, Debo Ologunagba, spokesperson of the PDP, said the ruling APC is using Umoren as a tool to manipulate the operations of the national electoral commission.

    “The PDP rejects the imposition of Ejikabam Umoren as Akwa Ibom state Resident Electoral Commissioner. As a party we counsel him to steer clear of Akwa Ibom INEC office,” he said.

    “We demand that President Bola Tinubu to appoint a neutral resident electoral  commissioner. We expose a dangerous design by the ever scheming All Progressives Congress (APC) to put itself into power by annexing and manipulating the operations of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    “Of particular concern is the brazen imposition of a card-carrying member and prominent leader of APC in Akwa Ibom state Mr Ekuobah Umoren as the INEC resident commissioner for the state despite the loud and wide outcry and rejection by Nigerians particularly by our party, the PDP and the people of Akwa Ibom state.

    “Mr Umoren is not only a card carrying member of APC, he is a leader and cap-wearing and cloth-wearing APC member.”

  • Canada unveils plans to welcome 485,000 new immigrants in 2024, to extend policy till 2026

    Canada unveils plans to welcome 485,000 new immigrants in 2024, to extend policy till 2026

    Canada has announced new immigration levels plan for skilled workers, caregivers, families, and other classes.

    In a statement on Wednesday, the citizenship and immigration Canada (CIC) said the North American country will target the admission of 485,000 new immigrants.

    “In 2025 and 2026, Canada will look to welcome 500,000 new immigrants in each year,” the statement added.

    According to the Canadian government, the immigration plans will be for economic, family, refugee, and humanitarian classes.

    Categories of the economic classes include high-skilled workers, business owners, and caregivers, while the family option of the immigration plan covers parents, children, and grandparents.

    The economic category of the immigration plan recorded the highest slots with about 281,135 immigrants in 2024 – 58 percent of the country’s annual target.

    “By 2026, this will rise to 301,250 immigrants, or 60% of the annual target,” the statement added.

    Economic immigrants are selected for their skills and ability to contribute to Canada’s economy.

    “This plan is tailored to support economic growth while balancing with the pressures in areas like housing, healthcare and infrastructure,” the Canadian government said.

    “It charts a responsible course for sustainable and stable population growth.”

    “Starting in 2026, the government will stabilize permanent resident levels at 500,000, allowing time for successful integration, while continuing to augment Canada’s labour market.

    “The government also plans to take action over the next year to recalibrate the number of temporary resident admissions to ensure this aspect of our immigration system also remains sustainable.”

    Owing to a low birth rate, Canada has continued to record low rates of labour force which in turn, slows down economic growth.

    Low economic growth makes it difficult for Canada to raise the taxes it needs to support social spending on services such as education, health care, and other important areas that provide high living standards in the country.

    As such, the country heavily relies on economic immigration as a major driver of its revenue.

    In 2022, Sean Fraser, Canada’s minister of immigration, refugees and citizenship, said the country was looking to welcome 1,450,000 migrants between 2023 and 2025 to tackle the problem of labour shortage.

    In May, Fraser announced the introduction of faster temporary resident visa (TRV) processing and more considerate application measures.

  • JUST IN: Presidency breaks silence on N5bn ‘Presidential Yacht’ in 2023 supplementary budget

    JUST IN: Presidency breaks silence on N5bn ‘Presidential Yacht’ in 2023 supplementary budget

    The Presidency on Thursday said the Presidential Yacht in the 2023 Supplementary Budget was not meant for President Bola Tinubu.

    Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, in a statement said following public reactions over the provision for what is termed presidential yacht and other line items in the 2023 Supplementary Appropriation presented to the National Assembly, it was important to provide some clarifications.

    “First, we need to make clear that President Bola Tinubu’s administration respects the views of Nigerians on all matters of public concern. We thus consider it very imperative to clear any misconception and misunderstanding of the issues.

    “What was named as Presidential Yacht in the budget is an Operational Naval boat with specialized security gadgets suitable for high profile operational inspection and not for the use of the President. It is called presidential yacht by way of nomenclature because of the high level security features.

    “The Naval boat was ordered by the navy under the previous administration. President Tinubu has consistently said that government is a continuum as he inherited both assets and liabilities of past administrations.

    “The payment request for the boat was part of the committed obligation submitted by the office of the Chief of Naval Staff to the Ministry of Defence. The total of the submitted requests was in excess of N200 billion out which N62 billion was approved by the President,” he explained.

    Onanuga said Tinubu is focused on securing the country and its territorial waters, saying that the Federal Government under his leadership is investing more resources to enhance greater economic output from the oil and gas, marine and blue economy.

    “In President Tinubu, we have a leader who understands the economic challenges being faced by the masses. His administration is working very hard to confront and surmount those challenges.

    “Nigerians will soon get the benefits of the ongoing reforms that will certainly lead to a buoyant and improved quality of life for all citizens,” he said.

  • Some of Tinubu’s female ministers dress like beauty pageant contestants – Ex-minister

    Some of Tinubu’s female ministers dress like beauty pageant contestants – Ex-minister

    Former Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu has said some of the female ministers in President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet dress like beauty pageant contestants. 

    Shittu said this during an interview on Channels TV’s Politics Today on Wednesday.

    At the opening of a three-day retreat for ministers and presidential aides on Wednesday, Tinubu warned that ministers who do not deliver on their assignments and set targets will be sent packing from the federal cabinet.

    Asked what he made of the president’s warning to members of his team, Shittu said: “I’m happy that President Tinubu appointed a number of female ministers but my impression whenever I see them on television is as if they are going to beauty competitions based on the type of dresses they wear”.

    He said there is a need for all ministers to show that they are serious about the business of governance.

    “I think there is need for us (APC) as a government to show more seriousness in the assignments that we have in this government,” he said.

    Shittu who served as the minister of communications under former President Muhammadu Buhari from 2015 to 2019, also compared the leadership styles of his former boss and Tinubu.

    He said Buhari did not issue threats of sack to his ministers, adding that the former president did not supervise his appointees.

    Shittu said the warning Tinubu issued to his appointees during the retreat would make them sit up.

    The former minister said Tinubu’s warning to the ministers shows that he intends to do things differently.

    He said Buhari was the kind of president who handed assignments to appointees without demanding feedback or results.

    “Buhari did not give anybody any threat. Buhari is not Tinubu and Tinubu is not Buhari,” he said.

    “With all due respect to him, Buhari is a more reserved person. He is one person who gives a job and rarely never ask how you are going about it.

    “It is unfortunate but I have to say this for national interest so that the government coming after him will learn lessons.

    “Once you are there, you are there. If you are in Buhari’s government, if you don’t go and meet him, probably in the next four years, he will not ask about you.

    “In terms of policy formulation and supervision, we rarely did not have such thing. I’m happy that President Tinubu is trying to do things differently.”

  • JUST IN: National Assembly passes N2.17trn 2023 supplementary budget

    JUST IN: National Assembly passes N2.17trn 2023 supplementary budget

    The Senate and the House of Representatives, on Thursday, passed the N2.17trn 2023 Supplementary Appropriation Bill after third reading.

    Before the passage of the bill, the Senate adopted the report of the harmonized sittings of both red and green chambers on the 2023 Supplementary Appropriation Bill as submitted by Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (APC Ogun West).

    The bill expeditiously scaled readings in both upper and lower chambers as lawmakers said it is for the benefit of the country.

    President Bola Tinubu had written the National Assembly seeking the approval of the sum of N2,176,791,286,033 as 2023 supplementary budget to address labour wage adjustments, security and more.

    The President had also sent the 2024-2026 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) & Fiscal Strategy Paper to both chambers of the National Assembly,

    Recently, the Senate passed N819bn making provision for a N500bn palliative package.

    Tinubu had said the supplementary bill was necessary for additional palliative measures including wage awards. The Federal Executive Council (FEC) chaired by the President on Monday had approved the 2023 supplementary budget of N2.1 trillion.

    Lawmakers on Tuesday began debate on the urgency of expediting the passage of the supplementary budget. The lawmakers identified the need to particularly enhance the critical needs of the people and emergency areas including infrastructure, insecurity, labour demands (N210bn wage award payment and (N5.5bn student loan).

  • Femi Kuti’s son, Made ties the knot with partner, Inedoye

    Femi Kuti’s son, Made ties the knot with partner, Inedoye

    Afrobeat singer and grandson of legendary Fela Kuti, Made Kuti has tied the knot with his partner, Inedoye. The couple got married on Wednesday, November 1 2023, in a white wedding ceremony in Lagos, Nigeria.

    The wedding was a private affair, with only close family and friends in attendance. In a video shared on social media, Made Kuti is seen reciting his vows to Inedoye. He promises to love her unconditionally and to always be there for her. Inedoye also recites her vows to Made Kuti, promising to love him forever and to be the best wife and mother she can be. The couple then exchanges rings and kisses, sealing their love for each other.

    Fans and friends of Made Kuti have taken to social media to congratulate him on his wedding. They have also wished him and Inedoye a lifetime of happiness.

    Made Kuti is one of the most popular Afrobeat singers in Nigeria. He is known for his energetic live performances and his catchy songs. Inedoye is a private person and not much is known about her.

  • Supplementary budget: What Nigerians are saying about N25.7b earmarked for Tinubu, wife’s yacht, air fleet, luxury vehicles

    Supplementary budget: What Nigerians are saying about N25.7b earmarked for Tinubu, wife’s yacht, air fleet, luxury vehicles

    Reactions have trailed the billions of naira earmarked for a presidential yacht and luxury cars, among others, in the N2.1 trillion supplementary budget submitted by President Bola Tinubu to the National Assembly.

    According to the budget document, N5.09 billion is allocated for the yacht, N2.9 billion for Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) for the Presidential Villa, and another N2.9 billion for the replacement of operational vehicles for the presidency.

    The yacht is listed under the Nigerian Navy’s proposed capital expenditure of N42.3 billion.

    The sum of N1.5 billion was budgeted for vehicles for the Office of the First Lady, an office not recognised by Nigerian constitution.

    The government allocated N4 billion for the construction of an office complex in Aso Rock while N2.5 billion will be used for the renovation of the Vice-President’s official residence in Lagos. In all, N28 billion is proposed for the State House.

    It plans to spend N12.5 billion on the Presidential Air Fleet.

    The presidential fleet includes Boeing Business Jet (Boeing 737-800 or NAF 001), one Gulfstream 550, one Gulfstream V (Gulfstream 500), two Falcons 7X, one Hawker Sidley 4000, two AgustaWestland AW 139 helicopters and two AgustaWestland AW 101 helicopters.

    Meanwhile, the Federal government under the capital supplementation for the 2023 supplementary budget proposed the sum of N5.5 billion as an education loan fund to fund the student loan. The total capital supplementation for the 2023 supplementary budget totalled N210.5 billion.

    NewsClick Nigeria reports that the President Tinubu-led administration have repeatedly pleaded with Nigerians to be patient with the administration as the prices of most goods and services have surged owing to the removal of petrol subsidy, rising inflation, and the unification of exchange rates. However, Nigerians are baffled that the ruling class seemed to be the only ones excluded from making sacrifices for the nation. Members of the National Assembly also recently spent a whopping N75 billion on Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs).

    Nigerians (including President Tinubu’s strong supporters) have however taken to their various social media platforms to express their disappointments in government’s decision to not sacrifice anything from their end. They said this amounts to complete ‘insensitivity’ to the plight of the common man.

    See reactions below;