Author: TNC Reporter

Google Maps has rolled out its “Glanceable Directions” feature, enhancing the user experience by providing real-time Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA) and turn-by-turn directions directly in the route preview.  This innovation aims to streamline navigation, allowing users to check their route without the need to unlock their phones each time. The feature, announced in February of the previous year, permits users to effortlessly view their route overview without initiating the traditional ‘Start’ button. This proves particularly beneficial for quick, on-the-go checks during walks, bike rides, or drives. Moreover, the adaptability of this feature shines through as it automatically adjusts the…

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Come March 6, 2024, the Lagos Continental Hotel will host an unforgettable occasion when the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Akinwumi Ayodeji Adesina, will be formally honoured and presented with the distinguished Obafemi Awolowo Prize for Leadership 2023. The Obafemi Awolowo Prize for Leadership was first announced in December 2012, with the official award ceremony held on March 6, 2013. Before Dr Adesina was announced as its fourth recipient, three other distinguished personalities had been conferred with the prestigious award – Noble Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka; former South African President, Thabo Mbeki; and the founder of the…

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By Fegalo Nsuke Ogoni is one of the world’s most celebrated cases of state-sponsored repression. Against all odds, the people have persevered in the search for justice, equity and basic freedoms deserving of all humanity. Indeed, it has been a painful account that in our own country, our government ordered a military crackdown that left some 4,000 people dead, thousands of others went through torture, rape, brutal detentions which were supervised by Major Paul Okuntimo, the commander of the military task force at the time. Trouble started in 1958 when the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited, Nigeria’s…

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By Umar Usman Duguri A Bauchi based Non-Political Group, The Other Alternative, has described the representation of Bauchi South Senator, Shehu Buba Umar as an insult to civilization, democracy, extremely retrogressive and a slap on progressive politics tailored to weakening and discouraging innovation and invention while demoralizing the moral of the people that should be condemned by all. Speaking at a press conference in Bauchi, leader of the Group, Abdullahi Jan-Wuya stated that the embattled lawmaker is bereft of developmental ideas due to poor educational background, incapacitation and the desired exposure to move such an important senatorial district out…

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In Katsina State, bad people caused a lot of fear and sadness on Wednesday night and Thursday morning. They attacked a mosque and homes, hurting and taking people away. The worst thing happened during prayers in Yargoje village, Kankara area. The bad people came into the mosque and started shooting at people who were praying. It was very scary. Three people died, and four others got hurt. The hurt people are now getting help at a hospital in Kankara. The bad people also took one man and two women from the village. One man tried to fight them, but they…

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By Umar Usman Duguri Disturbed by the weighty allegation of banditry sponsorship by a serving senator from the North-east, a North-east based Political Think-Tank Group, The Defenders led by Muhammed Al-Ghazali, has called on security agencies to commence a deep rooted investigation on the allegations of the banditry sponsorship flying the media space targeted at a particular senator from the North-east sub-region who is alleged to be one of the sponsors of banditry activities bedeviling the country. Speaking after their monthly brainstorming meeting in Bauchi, the Group said: “The allegations against a particular senator from the North-east whose identity was…

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No one should take the Èmi Lo Kàn in the title of this article to mean I am referring to myself. I am not referring to myself but I don’t know of a better way to say it. It literally means it is my turn to punish Nigerians. I am referring to the propounder of the Èmi Lo Kàn political theory—a concept he propounded in 2022. I strongly believe that many Nigerians did not have a full idea of what the concept means prior to the 2023 Presidential Election. Those who thought it is a positive idea only realized too…

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American rapper Kanye West has hinted at hosting a show in Lagos, Nigeria, later this year, as part of his extensive concert lineup. This revelation surfaced through a posted schedule of his upcoming performances on his Instagram story, setting the date for December 14th at Eko Energy City. Additionally, West plans to embark on a tour across several African countries, including Cairo and Nairobi, scheduled for August 30th and July 12th, respectively. While fans are filled with anticipation, there remains skepticism regarding West’s actual appearance. His last confirmed visit to Nigeria dates back to 2007, when he and T-Pain performed…

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Since sealing a five-year partnership with Netflix in 2020, estimated at $100 million, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been actively developing content through their Archewell Productions banner. Bela Bajaria, Netflix’s chief content officer, disclosed that Harry and Meghan have a slate of projects in progress, including a film and two other “unscripted” endeavors, all of which are in their early stages of development. The couple’s debut Netflix release, a six-part documentary titled ‘Harry and Meghan’, made its premiere in December 2022, offering a candid perspective on their experiences and featuring pointed commentary on the Royal Family. Shortly thereafter,…

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In an interview on ARISE TV monitored by The News Chronicle, Prof. Jibrin Ibrahim of the Centre for Democracy and Development and Prof. Jideofor Adibe of Nasarawa State University, were on hand to tackle issues arising from the decision by the Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger Republic juntas to leave the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Prof Jibrin who was critical of the actions of the three landlocked West African countries, said though it is a heavy blow for the ECOWAS that needs to be addressed so it doesn’t get out of hand, yet the exiting nations have…

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There has been a pardon. But, there is no end in sight for the recent crisis involving traditional institutions in Anambra. Two other traditional rulers quickly followed that of Neni to suspension. If a ritual that has become a source of income and influence for traditional rulers has suddenly become too risky, it has something to do with 2025. Anambra is a unique political experiment. The Anambra voter is sophisticated and defiant. The Anambra political terrain is full of landmines and banana peels. Veteran politicians and age-long political dynasties have known sudden defeats in a state that has consistently mocked…

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OpenAI has modified models and pricing structures, unveiling fresh models and slashing API access costs. Users of GPT-3.5 Turbo can rejoice as API access prices see a 50% reduction for input and 25% for output. These adjustments are geared towards customer retention amidst growing competition from open source and self-managed models. GPT-3.5 Turbo sees an upgrade with the introduction of version 0125, incorporating various enhancements, while GPT-4 Turbo offers a preview of its model (0125) tailored for code generation tasks. The eagerly awaited GPT-4 Turbo with vision (GPT-4 V) is set to launch to the public in the coming months. Technical users can benefit…

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On the afternoon of Friday, January 19, 2024, a significant fire incident unfolded at the renowned Ahmed Musa Centre in Karji, Kaduna metropolis.  Ahmed Musa, the captain of Nigeria’s Super Eagles, was away on national duty in Cote d’Ivoire at the time. The blaze, which commenced around 2 pm, swiftly engulfed a substantial portion of the event center situated along Yakowa Way. The source of the fire, still under investigation due to limited information, was reportedly linked to welding activities conducted on the premises. Initial reports indicate that the welding work ignited the roof of some relaxation huts constructed with…

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Awesome Ekene A conference for media professionals and social media influencers held Wednesday in Awka, the Anambra State Capital, has buttressed the need to abolish laws bordering on criminal defamation from Nigeria’s penal code. Participants at the conference organized by the Association of Digital Media Core Advocates(ADMCA) said the call has become expedient, as such law was being used as tool by the wealthy members of the society to intimidate journalists in the country. The one day conference on cyber aggression, cyber bullying and safe use of social media, also urged Proprietors and Publishers of Media Outfits to guarantee job security and welfare of journalists working under them. A…

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In order to overcome the situation, the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) has urged the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to maintain effective foreign exchange management by appropriately intervening in the market. The employers’ organization demanded that the monetary authority modify the present reduction of money in circulation to an ideal amount that will stabilize the economy, even as it called for a dramatic reassessment of policy positions. Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, the Director-General of NECA, made this statement in response to the most recent inflation figures yesterday. Oyerinde claims that at 33.93 percent, food inflation was the largest contributor to the…

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India’s Deputy IT Minister, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, has issued a stern warning to tech companies, threatening potential bans if they fail to actively combat the rising menace of deepfake videos. Chandrasekhar announced plans to amend IT Rules, intending to establish definitive laws against the creation and dissemination of deepfakes. Expressing dissatisfaction with tech companies’ compliance with earlier advisories on manipulative content, Chandrasekhar emphasized that their failure to combat deepfakes would lead to severe legal consequences from New Delhi. Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar added weight to the concerns, raising alarm about manipulated video advertisements falsely utilizing his likeness for an online gambling…

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The Anambra State Police Command says its operatives have shot dead a suspected armed robber, during an attempt to rob a motorist. A press release on Monday by the Command’s spokesperson, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga showed that the robbery attempt was foiled, while arms were recovered from the gang. Ikenga in the release said: “Police Special Crack Squad deployed to Ihiala by Anambra State Commissioner of Police weeks before Christmas has foiled an armed robbery operation and neutralized one of the hoodlums. “The Crack Squad which works with the local vigilante, had restored calm in the ancient city, making it possible for Ihiala sons and…

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By Donald Ikenna Ofoegbu Part One – Challenging Misleading Narratives: Unmasking the Hazards. Crops have been exposed to different chemicals, such as pesticides and fertilizers, during the stages of cultivation, storage, and food preparation since the 19th century. While there is no denying that these herbicides have increased agricultural yields, a sobering number highlights their consequences: an average of 200,000 documented fatalities per year worldwide. This cost is particularly noticeable in poor countries, where issues such as improper use of pesticides, overexposure, and inadequate regulation continue to exist. Various stakeholders, including practitioners, farmers, communities, agrochemical companies, investors, and nations,…

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In a bid to enhance user safety, Bolt Kenya has rolled out a new security feature allowing users to decline and report offline trips and payments. This feature aims to empower riders, offering them control and protection in potentially unsafe situations. Drivers consistently reported for off-the-app payment demands may face sanctions, including temporary bans and account suspensions. Bolt is committed to maintaining a secure and trustworthy platform for both riders and drivers. In recent tests, Bolt Kenya implemented a new rider verification feature to further bolster the safety measures. This step aims to ensure that riders and drivers can trust each…

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The Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority, LASRERA, has called for greater collaboration with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to check fraudulent malpractices in the real estate sector in the state. This call was made in Lagos by the Special Adviser on Housing, LASRERA, Ms. Barakat Odunuga-Bakare, while on a courtesy visit to the Lagos Zonal Commander of the EFCC, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE I Michael T. Wetkas. Odunuga-Bakare said the visit was meant to seek greater collaboration with the Commission, adding that “Our agency was created by the government to register, monitor and sanitize real…

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The Commissioner for Establishment and Training, Mr. Afolabi Ayantayo has expressed the determination of Governor Sanwo-Olu’s Administration to empower the state’s workforce with the right skills they need to excel in their respective roles and contribute meaningfully to the development of our dear state. He started this yesterday at the opening ceremony of a training programme organised for staff by the Ministry of Establishments and Training and Office of Sustainable Development Goals in partnership with UK-AID, Foreign Commonwealth Development Office and Tech4Dev, with the theme: ‘Digital Literacy’, held at the Public Service Staff Development Centre, Magodo. Ayantayo stated that the…

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It has been confirmed by Liverpool’s assistant manager that the club’s full back, Trent Alexander-Arnold, will be out for a few weeks after sustaining a knee injury. The playmaker is set to miss Liverpool’s Carabao Cup semi-final, first leg clash with Fulham due to a knee injury, assistant manager Pep Lijnders has confirmed. “Trent hyperextended his knee during the last game. So he has a little tear in the lateral ligament of his knee and he will need time to recover. He had a scan, and he will be out for a few weeks, so let’s see after that.” The…

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By Victor Ndoma-Egba December 27, 2023 dawned in a very grim manner. As I woke up I saw a news item on the scroll bar of Channels Television that Ghali Umar Na’Abba 8th Speaker of the House of Representatives had passed on at the age of 65. The son of a wealthy Kano aristocrat, he became Speaker by default after the removal of Salisu Buhari, a short lived Speaker after a forgery scandal. A man of steeled convictions he became Speaker at the defining moment of our democracy. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, a former military Head of State whom providence had…

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Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori has expressed appreciation to Local Government Council Chairmen in the state for their contributions to sustainable peace and development of the state.  Governor Oborevwori made the commendation when he received on Christmas and New Year visit, the State Chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, ALGON, led by Hon. Victor Ebonka at Government House, Asaba. The Governor said that his administration had in the last seven months kept his campaign promises to the people of the state, assuring that the year ahead would be better than the former. Governor Oborevwori said: “I am…

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By Ezekiel Paul  It’s been 6 days since gunmen launched their horrific attack against Plateau citizens, killing over 148 Bokkos and Barkin Ladi citizens, including defenseless women, children and the elderly. In the aftermath of such unspeakable brutality, I and the Nigerian people have shared in the grief of families, prayed for the return of loved ones, and rightly declared solidarity with the Plateau people. 1,290 houses, 82 vehicles and 187 motorcycles were burned in the 25 communities. It is obvious that evil is present in the universe. It projects its nagging, prehensile tentacles into every level of human existence.…

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It is a difficult task to have to pen a tribute and sing a dirge for a departing soul. It is a more difficult job in our African culture when one is compelled to do so for a younger person. Here am I having the difficult job of singing a dirge for Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, my beloved brother, confidant, political soulmate, and the Executive Governor of Ondo State.  It is an impossible task to fully capture in words Rotimi’s towering figure and his human essence. Rotimi was a man who moved our nation towards equity, fairness and justice in his…

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Have you ever broken a duck’s eggs intentionally? The duck does not come after you for doing that. Its siblings, known in the esoteric language as àpapò eleye (the combined forces of birds) do that on its behalf. I learnt the lesson that it takes the intervention of the Almighty to survive the war of àpapò eleye so young in life. They are a very unrelenting lot, who wage a war of attrition, and equally fatal. May my enemies not incur their wrath! The duck is a dull bird, so we think. It is slow in virtually everything it does;…

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Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Transportation, under the leadership of Honourable Minister Sa’idu Ahmed Alkali, has unveiled a transformative budget proposal for 2024. The announcement was made during a recent Senate and House of Representatives Joint Committee Meeting on Land Transport. The Ministry’s vision for the future of Nigeria’s transportation sector places significant emphasis on the expansion and modernization of railway infrastructure, with plans to connect nearly 6,000 kilometres of standard gauge railways and rehabilitate an existing 3,505 narrow gauge line. These ambitious plans aim to link Nigeria’s North and South, East and West regions, reaching key agricultural belts, oil and…

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Former English and Arsenal player Paul Merson feels Mohamed Salah, the Egypt and Liverpool forward doesn’t get the accolades he deserves.  Merson in his words compared Mohamed Salah to Wayne and has played down the chances of English players like Saka, Grealish and Phil Foden’s ability to reach his goals record despite these English lads getting talked about always. “Everyone tells me that Bukayo Saka is one of the best wingers in the world, but playing in exactly the same position as Salah, he gets nowhere near his figures. What Salah produces at the highest level is just mind-blowing. “We…

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Doctors Without Borders, also known as Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), has decided to withdraw its staff from Zurmi Hospital in Zamfara State due to worsening security conditions.  MSF’s Field Communication Officer, Adulkareem Yakubu, stated that armed confrontations in Zurmi town, particularly close to the hospital, pose significant risks to both the local population and medical missions. Since December 10, continuous heavy fighting has been reported in Zurmi town, leading to the displacement of thousands of people. Mr. Yakubu emphasized the urgent need for humanitarian support to assist those affected by the conflict. The escalating security challenges forced MSF to evacuate…

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