Hello and welcome! In today’s trending news stories;
1. Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, led by Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, is calling on Nigerians to support the Igbo community amidst attacks and threats in Lagos. Iwuanyanwu addressed a news conference in Abuja, expressing concern about a letter recommending the closure of markets in Lagos where Igbo traders are in the majority. He assured the Igbo community that the letter does not reflect the overall relationship between Igbo and Yoruba people. Iwuanyanwu urged Igbos to continue living and conducting business in Lagos and other Western States, emphasizing the need for unity and support against wrong profiling and threats.
2. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has issued a directive, effective April 2024, imposing a “Post No Debit” restriction on bank accounts without a Bank Verification Number (BVN) and National Identification Number (NIN). This restriction prevents withdrawals, transfers, or other debits from the accounts, effectively freezing the funds. The CBN’s circular emphasized the need for electronic revalidation of BVN or NIN attached to accounts/wallets by January 31, 2024. Non-compliance may result in sanctions, and a comprehensive audit of BVN and NIN will be conducted.
3. There has been a slowdown in Nigeria’s Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector, with a real-term expansion of 6.69% year-on-year in Q3 2023, the lowest in five years. Analysts attribute the slowdown to reduced capital expenditure by major telecom players, rising inflation, and weakened consumer spending. Despite contributing 15.97% to GDP in Q3, the ICT sector struggles to maintain previous growth momentum.
4. The Board of Immigration, Civil Defence, Fire, and Correctional Services has approved the promotion of 32,361 personnel across the four services. The promotions were disclosed by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, through the NSCDC Commandant General, Dr. Ahmed Audi. The promotions include personnel from the Nigerian Correctional Service, immigration officers, fire service personnel, and a significant number from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). The minister noted that this was the first time in the board’s history that a large number of officers were promoted and urged the beneficiaries to commit themselves to national service.
5. Benue State government has issued a warning about the importation of live rats into the state, raising concerns about the potential outbreak of Lassa fever. The State Epidemiologist, Dr. Terungwa Ngishe, expressed worry that traders are bringing rats from states like Kano, Kaduna, and Bauchi into Benue, taking advantage of the local preference for rats as a delicacy. Dr. Ngishe emphasized the risk of Lassa fever transmission due to an inability to identify virus-carrying rat species. The alert was conveyed during a sensitization engagement on Antimicrobial Resistance organized by the Benue State office of One Health.
6. Al Hilal fans did the unexpected in Riyadh derby on December 1 after Al Nassr, lost 0-3 to Al Hilal. Despite Ronaldo’s efforts, including a disallowed goal, the fans taunted him with Lionel Messi’s name, but he responded with a smile.
7. Derek Chauvin, the former police officer convicted in the killing of George Floyd, was stabbed more than 20 times in an Arizona prison by a fellow inmate, John Turscak. The attack occurred in the law library, and Turscak, facing charges of attempted murder, claimed the timing on Black Friday was meant to invoke the Black Lives Matter movement. Chauvin, sentenced to over two decades for Floyd’s murder, was found guilty of second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter in 2021.
