Business Drive

Tesla CEO, Elon Musk, has joined several others in calling for the temporary halt of Artificial Intelligence experimentation. An Open Letter,” 1,332 signatories, including Musk, and Apple's co-founder Steve Wozniak, called on AI labs to pause the training of advanced AI systems for at least six months. The letter sounded a note of warning regarding the possible costs of the continued creation of “AI systems with human-competitive intelligence The signatories raised the alarm that AI systems were currently poised to automate human jobs, flood information channels with untruths, and ultimately replace the human race.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4090160/advertisement

Britain's Charles III will address the German parliament on Thursday, becoming the first monarch to do so, on the occasion of his inaugural state visit as king. Germany marks the first trip abroad for Charles since ascending the throne and is being interpreted as a “strong gesture” to build post-Brexit ties with the continent. Arriving for his three-day trip on Wednesday, he and Queen Consort Camilla were greeted with military honours at the Brandenburg Gate, the first time the iconic site had lent the backdrop for such a ceremony. The two countries' joint support for Ukraine in its battle against Russia's unprovoked aggression epitomised their commitment to “protecting and advancing shared democratic values.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4090160/advertisement

The United States has announced hikes in fees for certain Non-Immigrant Visa application processing fees. The increment, published in the Federal Register on March 28, 2023, will be effective from May 30, 2023. The US government in the document says, “The fee for B-1/B-2 visitor visas, Border Crossing Cards for Mexican citizens aged 15 and above, and student and exchange visitor visas will increase from $160 to $185. Also, the fee for certain petition-based non-immigrant visas for temporary workers (H, L, O, P, Q, and R categories) will increase from $190 to $205. It says the NIV fees are set based on the actual cost of providing NIV services and are determined after conducting a study of the cost of such services.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4090160/advertisement

South Sudan's President Salva Kiir has appointed a new defence minister replacing Angelina Teny, who he sacked earlier this month. The appointment of Gen Chol Thon Balok has announced in a presidential decree read on the national broadcaster, the South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC), on Wednesday night. Gen Thon is from the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) of President Salva KiirMs Teny is from the Sudan People's Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) of First Vice-President, Riek Machar. This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4090160/advertisement

The President of the National Institute of Credit Administration, Mr Andy Ojei, has announced the inauguration of committees set up by the governing council of the institute. A statement said that during the inauguration event in Lagos, the president thanked its members for accepting to serve the institute voluntarily, honourably, and consciously through the various committees.The committees are the education, training and research committee, membership and subscription committee, publication and events committees, government, and corporate relations committees.According to him, the committees are key to the successful operation of the National Institute of Credit Administration.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4090160/advertisement

The Federal Government began an online registration of medical laboratories in Nigeria to enhance service delivery. Dr Tosan Erhabor, the Registrar of the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria made this known in Abuja at a meeting with stakeholders and the agency's consultants on automation led by Prof. Effiong Akpan of the University of Calabar. He called on stakeholders to avail themselves of the great opportunities offered by the new framework to enhance service delivery. Erhabor said that the registration would scale up efficiency, effectiveness, transparency, speed of service delivery, as well as data collation and management. This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4090160/advertisement

Dangote Industries has completed its listing of the firm's N200bn series 1 and 2 Bonds on Nigerian Exchange Limited. The Chief Executive Officer, Dangote Industries Limited, Mr Olakunle Alake, speaking at the closing-gong ceremony to commemorate the listing of the bond held at the Exchange on Wednesday, expressed delight after the listing. Alake, who was represented by the Group's Chief Finance Officer, Mustapha Ibrahim further noted that the listing of the bond recorded participation from a wide range of investors including domestic pension funds, asset managers and insurance companies and further demonstrates investors' confidence in Nigeria's credit reality. The listing is the largest aggregate local currency bond issued in the capital market so far, within the year.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4090160/advertisement

Utah has become the first US state to require social media firms get parental consent for children to use their apps and verify users are at least 18. The governor says he signed the two sweeping measures to protect young people in the state. The bills will give parents full access to their children's online accounts, including posts and private messages. The move comes amidst heightened concern over the impact of social media on children's mental health. The bills also impose a social media curfew that blocks children's access between 22:30 and 06:30, unless adjusted by their parents.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4090160/advertisement

The US and Canada have reached a deal to reject asylum seekers at unofficial border crossings, officials say. US President Joe Biden and Canadian PM Justin Trudeau will announce the pact on Friday during Mr Biden's visit to Ottawa. The accord is expected to allow officials on both sides of the border to turn back such asylum seekers heading in either direction. Canada will create a new refugee programme for 15,000 migrants fleeing persecution and violence in South and Central America.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4090160/advertisement

Kenya's interior ministry is proposing changes to security laws that will make it more difficult for people to hold protests. The constitution gives Kenyans the right to assemble, demonstrate and picket, but the participants must be peaceful and unarmed. The changes proposed by the ministry seek to limit the number of people holding protests on any occasion and make protesters pay the costs of cleaning up. Protesters must also seek consent from the people affected by the protests.The demonstrators will also be liable for paying damages to those harmed by their activities. The interior ministry also seeks the demarcation of areas where people can assemble and hold protests.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4090160/advertisement

A Ugandan MP who voted in favour of a bill that targets homosexual people has told the BBC that if the US withdrew funding in protest it would amount to modern genocide. The US government says there could be repercussions should the measure be signed into law by President Yoweri Museveni. MP Charles Ayume says that Uganda's sovereignty should be respected. He added that there were things he objected to in the US, but he did not want to interfere in the politics of that country. Dr Ayume says that in backing the measure, he was representing the views of his constituents.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4090160/advertisement

A court in Kenya's capital Nairobi has barred Meta, Facebook's parent company, from laying off its content moderators pending the determination of a lawsuit that is challenging their planned dismissal. The labour court also barred Meta and its outsourcing firm, Sama, from hiring other moderators to replace the sacked ones. The lawsuit was filed by 43 Facebook moderators in Kenya, hired by Sama on behalf of Meta. They allege that the redundancy exercise being undertaken was unlawful.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4090160/advertisement

The International Monetary Fund says that subsidies, tax incentives, infrastructure development and protective regulations will help fast-track the growth of industries in Nigeria and other emerging market economies. The Washington-based lender noted that when implementing industrial policy as part of their growth strategy, countries were often faced with competing objectives, such as securing sustainable economic growth, maintaining financial and fiscal stability, and establishing national champions. The report says establishing national champions was often a distinct objective of a nation's growth strategy.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4090160/advertisement

The Federal Executive Council has approved over four billion nairas for the construction of barracks to accommodate the personnel of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency. The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami says the project became necessary because of the unprecedented threats and attacks on personnel, officers, men and other ranks of the agency. He says the need has arisen for the Federal Government to consider the possibility of security measures that will now provide the prerequisite protection to the officers and men of the agency for commission.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4090160/advertisement

The French government has narrowly survived a vote of no-confidence, which was triggered when it forced through an increase in the pension age to 64. It sparked new anti-government protests in Paris, where 101 people were arrested after stand-offs with police. The vote, tabled by centrist MPs, had 278 votes in favour, falling short of the 287 votes needed.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4090160/advertisement

China's anti-fraud watchdog has accused chip tycoon Zhao Weiguo of corruption, in the latest sign of trouble faced by the country's semiconductor industry. The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection alleges that Mr Zhao took the state-owned company he managed as his private fiefdom. The regulator says he handed profitable businesses to his relatives and friends and purchased goods and services from companies managed by his associates at prices significantly higher than the market.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4090160/advertisement

Ethiopia's government has rejected a statement by the US alleging that members of its forces, along with Eritrean and Amhara forces, committed war crimes during the two-year war. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs called the US statement selective and inflammatory saying The partisan and divisive approach from the US is ill-advised. It says that it was untimely, coming shortly after Ethiopia launched a national consultation on transitional justice policy aiming to bring peace and reconciliation. It says the US statement would be used to advance highly polarised campaigns pitting one community against others in the country.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4090160/advertisement

The Chief Economist at the Economic Commission for Africa, Hanan Morsy, says Africa currently accounts for more than half of the World's poor 54. 8 per cent. Morsy says the continent faced a tsunami of global shocks that have exacerbated existing socioeconomic operations and equity. Africa, as a result of these shocks, currently accounts for more than half of the world's poor at 54.8 per cent. Morsy says the situation was further exacerbated by existing inequalities, noting that even in times of high economic growth in Africa, the rate of inequality still rose. She explained that several recommendations, both domestic and international, had been put in place to help tackle this.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4090160/advertisement

President Vladimir Putin says that deepening ties between Russia and Africa was a key goal for the Kremlin, as Moscow seeks to expand its influence on the continent. He added that Russia would continue supplying the continent with grain if Moscow exits a landmark agreement with Ukraine to allow exports from the country's Black Sea ports. Putin's comments come as Moscow is seeking deeper political, economic and military ties in Africa and Asia as Russia becomes increasingly isolated on the international stage over the conflict in Ukraine.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4090160/advertisement

The Monetary Policy Committee of the Central Bank of Nigeria has voted to increase the benchmark interest rate by 50 basis points to 18. per cent. The CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, says the committee voted to keep the asymmetric corridor at +100 and -500 basis points around the MPR. The governor stated the slight increase is to mitigate the effect of inflation and other economic issues. He says the MPC committee voted to raise the MPR by 50 basis points to 18 per cent, and retain the asymmetric corridor at +100 and -500 basis points around the MPR.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4090160/advertisement

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has increased the salaries of workers in the state by 20 per cent, shortly after he secured a second term in office. The Head of Service, Hakeem Muri-Okunola, says the governor reiterated his administration's determination to improve the welfare and well-being of public servants in Lagos State. Those affected by the increment were officers in the mainstream public service, local governments and local council development areas, and the State Universal Basic Education Board by 20 percent with effect from January 1, 2023. He says that the arrears for the month of January 2023 will be paid along with salaries for the month of March 2023, while the arrears for the month of February 2023 will be paid together with the salaries of April 2023.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4090160/advertisement

The Federal Government has announced the removal of its proposed five per cent excise duty on telecommunication services. The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, Pantami, says Muhammadu Buhari, has approved the exemption of the digital economy sector from the five per cent excise duty to be paid and this is because of the strength of the argument presented to him by the Committee that additional burden on telecom sector will increase the sufferings of Nigerians and that other sectors that are not making as much contribution to the economy should be challenged to do more and pay the five per cent excise duty. Pantami stated that the telecoms sector was already paying 41 categories of taxes, levies, and charges. He noted that the tax exemption will be upheld by the incoming administration.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4090160/advertisement

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp says New York Community Bank has agreed to buy a significant chunk of the failed Signature Bank in a $2.7bn deal. The FDIC says the 40 branches of Signature Bank will become Flagstar Bank, starting Monday. Flagstar is one of New York Community Bank's subsidiaries. The FDIC said $60bn in Signature Bank's loans will remain in receivership and are expected to be sold off in time. The FDIC says it expects Signature Bank's failure to cost the deposit insurance fund $2.5bn, but that figure may change as the regulator sells off assets.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4090160/advertisement

Central banks have moved globally to keep credit flowing after an unsettled period in the US banking sector and the Credit Suisse merger. Six central banks, including the Bank of England, announced they would boost the flow of US dollars through the global financial system. The Bank of England, Bank of Japan, Bank of Canada, the European Central Bank, the US Federal Reserve and the Swiss National Bank launched the coordinated action to enhance the provision of liquidity. The announcement says it served as an important backstop to ease strains in global funding markets" and to lessen the impact on the supply of credit to households and businesses.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4090160/advertisement

Troubled bank Credit Suisse has been rescued by its Swiss rival UBS in a government-backed deal. Sunday's announcement came after a weekend of emergency talks in Switzerland between the two banks and the country's financial regulators. The Swiss National Bank says the deal was the best way to restore the confidence of financial markets and to manage risks to the economy. Credit Suisse says it was not expecting any disruption to client services.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4090160/advertisement

Kenya's Cooperatives and SMEs Cabinet Secretary Simon Chelugui says the government is collecting over Sh100 million every day after the digitization of services on the E-citizen platform. He says 5,318 services can now be accessed via mobile phones with the government targeting a doubling of the figure by the mid this year. The CS further says that the roll-out of the Hustler Fund has transformed the previously unbankable young Kenyan into a millionaire through their savings on the platform. This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4090160/advertisement

The United Kingdom has earmarked a £10 million grant for innovators in Sub-Saharan Africa, South Africa and Southeast Asia to address the energy situation in the benefitting countries. Knowledge Transfer Manager for Innovate UK Nigeria, Mr Joshua Adedeji, says the programme was designed to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all. Adedeji says the mission of the energy catalysts was to accelerate the intervention needed to meet Sustainable Development Goal 7 by providing financial and advisory support to innovators. He explained that transforming energy access was to speed up access to affordable, clean energy services for poor households, enterprises and social institutions in Official Development Assistance-eligible countries.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4090160/advertisement

The currency in circulation in the country dipped by 235.03 per cent to N982.09bn at the end of February from N3.29tn at the end of October 2022, on the back of the naira redesign policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria. The CBN says the currency in circulation moved from N3.16tn to N3.29tn and N1.38tn in November 2022, December 2022 and January 2023 respectively. The governor decried the challenges associated with currency management, including the hoarding of banknotes by members of the public, with statistics showing that over 80 per cent of currency-in-circulation was outside the vaults of commercial banks.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4090160/advertisement

The Federal Government has raked in N10.1tn from the collection of Value Added Tax under the regime of President General Muhammadu Buhari. The National Bureau of Statistics showed that VAT earnings continued to rise annually throughout the eight-year period. The country earned N759.4bn in 2015, N777.5bn in 2016, N972.4bn in 2017 and N1.1tn in 2018. VAT collections in 2019 amounted to N1.2tn, N1.5tn in 2020, N2.1tn in 2021 while N2.5tn was paid in 2022.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4090160/advertisement

The Kano State Government has imposed a dawn-to-dusk curfew with a view to avoiding a breakdown of law and order, following tensions generated from the collation of results of the governorship and state Assembly elections. The state Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Muhammad Garba, says the decision was to prevent hoodlums from to causing chaos in the already made situation tense. The commissioner called on people in the state to remain indoors as security agents would not spare anyone or a group bent on causing trouble.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4090160/advertisement

The country's foreign ministry says China will once again start issuing a range of visas to foreigners in a major easing of travel restrictions in place since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. The move marks the latest step towards reopening China to the outside world, as Beijing breaks with the strict zero-Covid strategy that defined its pandemic response until a few months ago. The updated policy will also allow for the resumption of visa-free travel for those arriving on cruise ships to Shanghai as well as for certain tourist groups from Hong Kong, Macau and countries within the ASEAN regional grouping. This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4090160/advertisement

US President Joe Biden is set to issue an executive order that aims to increase the number of background checks conducted before firearm sales. The Democratic president will sign the measure however Action on gun control appears unlikely in a divided Washington. Biden's call for an assault weapons ban, universal background checks on gun sales and repealing gun manufacturers' immunity from prosecution are unlikely to make headway while Republicans control the US House of Representatives.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4090160/advertisement

Argentina's inflation rate has soared past 100% for the first time since the end of hyperinflation in the early 90s. Inflation hit 102.5% in February, the country's statistics agency said, meaning the price of many consumer goods has more than doubled since 2022. Argentina has been in economic difficulty for years, and most of the population now lives in poverty. Argentinian media said that this increase could partly be due to a sharp hike in the price of meat, which rose by almost 20% in the space of a month.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4090160/advertisement

The US has accused Russia of reckless behaviour after an American drone crashed into the Black Sea following an encounter with Russian fighter jets. Russian jets are said to have dumped fuel into the path of the drone, which the US says was in international airspace. The US says the MQ-9 Reaper drone was downed on Tuesday after a confrontation lasting 30-40 minutes. Russia has denied its two Su-27 fighter jets made any contact.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4090160/advertisement

The World Bank has temporarily suspended its future engagement talks with Tunisia amid uproar over recent statements by the country's president against migrants. Outgoing World Bank President David Malpass attributed the decision to recent statements about migrants by Tunisian President Kais Saied. The statements triggered tension between Tunisia and the African Union Commission with its chairperson terming Saied's comments as "shocking".This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4090160/advertisement

The Central Bank of Nigeria has scheduled the next Monetary Policy Committee meeting between Monday and Tuesday next week. The apex bank said the 290th meeting would be held at the CBN Headquarters in Abuja. The MPC is the highest policy-making committee of the apex bank with the mandate including to review economic and financial conditions in the economy and determine the appropriate stance of policy in the short to medium term. It is also empowered to review regularly, the CBN monetary policy framework and adopt changes when necessary, communicate monetary/financial policy decisions effectively to the public and ensure the credibility of the model of the transmission mechanism of monetary policy.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4090160/advertisement

The president of the African Development Bank Group, Dr Akinwumi A. Adesina, says the size of Africa's digital economy will rise from $115 billion to $712 billion by 2050. Adesina says it was estimated that the size of digital global wealth would expand from $217 billion in 2022 to over $1 trillion by 2031 with most of this growth already being driven by four countries -Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya and Egypt. He says the creative industry in Nigeria is growing rapidly, in line with similar trend in Africa. The creative industry in Africa generated over $14 billion in revenue annually between 2015 and 2018 and is projected to help create close to three million jobs by 2025.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4090160/advertisement

No fewer than 12.9 million cyberattacks have been recorded from within and outside the country during the just-concluded Presidential and National Assembly polls. The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof Isa Pantami, says over 6.9 million attacks were recorded on election day alone. Pantami says the attacks were successfully blocked owing to the sophisticated infrastructure on the ground by different agencies of government charged with the responsibility of protecting the nation's cyberspace. The Minister stated that in the build-up to the presidential elections, threat intelligence revealed an astronomical increase in cyber threats to Nigeria's cyberspace.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4090160/advertisement

US President Joe Biden has approved a major oil and gas drilling project in Alaska that faced strong opposition from environmental activists. The company behind the Willow project, ConocoPhillips, says it will create local investment and thousands of jobs however the $8bn proposal faced a torrent of online activism in recent weeks, particularly among youth activists on TikTok. Opponents argued it should be halted over its climate and wildlife impacts. The US Bureau of Land Management estimates, that it will generate up to 278 million metric tonnes of CO2e over its 30-year lifetime - the equivalent of adding two million cars to US roads every year.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4090160/advertisement

Bank shares in Asia and Europe have slumped, despite reassurances from the US president that America's financial system is safe following the collapse of two US lenders. The falls come after authorities moved to protect customer deposits when the US-based Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank collapsed. Joe Biden promised to do whatever is needed to protect the banking system. But investors fear other lenders may still be hit by the fallout.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4090160/advertisement

Rwandan authorities have banned traders from selling meat that has not been refrigerated for at least 24 hours, according to a report. The National Agency for Quality Control, Competition and Consumer Protection says fresh meat that has not been refrigerated contains cells that may transmit diseases to consumers. Some local traders, however, said the order would cause them losses because some customers prefer fresh meat.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4090160/advertisement

The largest oil and gas field financing transaction of about $1.1bn – Oil Mining License 17, owned by billionaire business tycoon, Tony Elumelu, is currently under investigation following the uncovering of an illegal oil bunkering facility connected to it. The investigation was necessitated after the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps uncovered an illegal local refinery at Otamiri-Etche, Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State. The illegal refinery steals crude from OML17 fields operated by Heirs Holding Oil and Gas Limited. This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4090160/advertisement

The National Identity Management Commission says Nigerians applying for passports will be charged N1000 in Nigeria for the verification of their National Identification Number. The Head, of Corporate Communications, Kayode Adegoke, says the fee is to improve the quality of service, accuracy, and speed of passport services through timely verification of NIN. It stated that it agreed on this framework with the Nigerian Immigration Service. The commission says Nigerians will pay N1000 for NIN verification in Nigeria, $5 in other African countries, and $15 in other countries.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4090160/advertisement

The Federal Government through the Ministry of Aviation is looking at ways of collecting landing fees from helicopters operating in Nigerian airspace. The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika inaugurated the latest batch of trained Helicopter Monitoring Officers at the International Wing of the Port Harcourt International Airport in the Rivers State capital. The minister reiterated the resolve of the Federal Government to improve revenue collection of helicopter landing charges.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4090160/advertisement

The Central Bank of Nigeria says old N200, N500, and N1,000 banknotes remain legal tender till December 31, 2023. The apex bank's Acting Director of Corporate Communications, Isa AbdulMumin says in compliance with the established tradition of obedience to court orders Deposit Money Banks operating in Nigeria have been directed to comply with the Supreme Court ruling of March 3, 2023. The highest court of the land had on March 3 ordered that old N200, N500 and N1000 notes remain valid till December 31, 2023. This was after 16 states of the Federation instituted a suit to challenge the legality or otherwise of the introduction of the policy.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4090160/advertisement

China's parliament approved changes to a law that would allow it to pass emergency legislation more quickly. The amendment to the Legislation Law, which governs how legislation is enacted, gives the highest body of the national parliament, the roughly 170-member National People's Congress Standing Committee, special powers to pass laws after just one review session.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4090160/advertisement

The French Senate has approved President Emmanuel Macron's unpopular pension reform plan as hundreds of thousands of protesters rallied in cities across the country to oppose the changes. Senators voted late on Saturday to adopt the reforms by 195 votes to 112, bringing the package whose key measure is raising the retirement age by two years to 64 closer to becoming law. Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne says she was totally committed to ensuring the text will be definitively adopted in the coming days. This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4090160/advertisement

The US government says People and businesses who have money deposited with failed US bank Silicon Valley Bank will be able to access all their cash from Monday. A statement from the US Treasury, the Federal Reserve and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation said depositors would be fully protected. The statement says the taxpayer will not bear any losses from the move as SVB was shut down by regulators who seized its assets on Friday. The Federal Reserve says it would offer assistance through a new Bank Term Funding Program, making it easier for banks to borrow from it in a crisis.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4090160/advertisement

South Africa's anti-corruption watchdog says there is no evidence of wrongdoing by President Cyril Ramaphosa linked to the theft of $580,000 in cash from his farm. The public protector, Kholeka Gcaleka, concludes that Mr Ramaphosa did not violate an ethics code or abuse his role as head of state. The report says the president declared the theft within weeks of it taking place three years ago. it however says the head of the presidential protection service, Maj Gen Wally Rhoode, acted improperly by carrying out an unofficial investigation into the crime.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4090160/advertisement

The authorities in Malawi have closed schools in 10 districts over safety concerns after Cyclone Freddy wreaked devastation in neighbouring Mozambique. Heavy rains pounding southern Malawi have washed away roads and disrupted power generation, with more rainfall expected in the next few days. Physical classes have been suspended for Monday and Tuesday in all learning institutions in the area. The education ministry says teachers and learners have been encouraged to use available online platforms and radio lessons, The death toll in Mozambique is at least 28 since the storm first made landfall.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4090160/advertisement

Seplat Energy, a leading oil and gas supplier in Nigeria, has denied racism and discrimination accusations against its chief executive Roger Thompson Brown calling them vindictive". This comes after the Nigerian government revoked the work and residence permit of the British executive, following the allegations. Nigeria's interior ministry also alleged that Mr Brown was fraudulently in possession of an expatriate residence permit. The energy firm says it will be engaging with the ministry to reject the impressions created by these allegations.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4090160/advertisement