Author: admin

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has extended a helping hand to over 300 victims of the recent flood disaster in Maiduguri and Jere, Borno State. Through the Blessed Royal Jewel Foundation (BROJ-F), the FIRS donated essential items worth millions of Naira to alleviate the suffering of the affected families. The donation took place on Sunday, December 22, 2024, at the FIRS state headquarters in Maiduguri. Items distributed included rice, toiletries, mosquito nets, provisions, and other essentials aimed at supporting the victims’ recovery. Benedicta Akpana, representing the office of the Technical Assistant to the FIRS Chairman, presented the items to beneficiaries. Speaking at the event, she conveyed the agency’s sympathy and solidarity with the victims. “On behalf of the Chairman of the FIRS, Dr. Zach Adedeji, I extend our heartfelt sympathy to the government and people of Borno State for the flood disaster,” Akpana said. “Although we initially planned to visit earlier, work commitments delayed our arrival. Having witnessed the devastation firsthand, we are deeply moved by the challenges these families face.” The flood disaster caused widespread damage, displacing families and destroying properties. Akpana highlighted the joint efforts of the state government and various organizations to provide relief and noted that FIRS felt compelled to contribute to these efforts. The gesture underscores the commitment of FIRS to not only fulfilling its mandate as a revenue-generating agency but also supporting communities in times of crisis. The beneficiaries expressed gratitude for the aid, which will help them navigate the aftermath of the disaster.

South Korean scientists have developed a cutting-edge wearable robot designed to help paraplegic individuals regain mobility and navigate their daily environments. The robot, named WalkON Suit F1, is a creation of the Exoskeleton Laboratory team at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST). Weighing just 50 kilograms (110 pounds), the suit is built from lightweight aluminium and titanium and is powered by 12 electronic motors that mimic human joint movements. The exoskeleton enables users to walk, climb stairs, and manoeuvre obstacles, opening new possibilities for those with severe mobility challenges. “Our goal is to develop a robot that seamlessly integrates into the lives of individuals with disabilities,” said the KAIST team. Inspired by the Iron Man suit, the WalkON Suit F1 combines advanced engineering with practical usability. To ensure balance and user safety, the exoskeleton is equipped with sensors that process 1,000 signals per second, predicting the user’s movements. Additionally, camera lenses on the robot act as “eyes,” analysing the environment, detecting obstacles, and assessing stair heights compensating for the sensory limitations of paraplegic users. The suit was demonstrated by Kim Seung-hwan, a paraplegic team member at KAIST, who showcased its potential by winning the gold medal in the exoskeleton category at the Cybathlon 2024. The event celebrated assistive robotics, featuring competitors with various disabilities navigating challenges across eight categories. The WalkON Suit F1 represents a significant milestone in assistive technology, offering renewed independence and mobility to individuals with physical disabilities.

Senegalese toymakers are witnessing a surge in demand as Christmas approaches, with local sellers aiming to capture a larger market share through high-quality toys that celebrate the country’s rich culture and values. In Senegal, a predominantly Muslim nation known for its interfaith harmony, the festive season is a shared celebration. In the capital city of Dakar, December comes alive with dazzling decorations and bustling holiday markets, drawing families in search of the perfect gifts. At a lively Christmas market, Awa Gaye, co-founder of the toy brand Yeewu, showcased her unique creations. Gaye started her business after the birth of her daughter when she noticed a lack of toys that resonated with her cultural identity. Yeewu’s dolls are a celebration of African heritage, featuring traditional hairstyles, vibrant clothing, and inscriptions in Wolof, a widely spoken local language. However, the concept is still unfamiliar to some Senegalese parents, who sometimes request white dolls or prefer French inscriptions. As more families embrace these culturally inspired toys, local brands like Yeewu are not just meeting the growing demand but also fostering a deeper appreciation for Senegal’s cultural identity during the festive season.

Tragedy struck in two Nigerian states on Saturday as stampedes during the distribution of rice and palliatives claimed at least 27 lives.   In Anambra State, 17 people lost their lives and several others were injured during the annual Christmas rice distribution by the Obijackson Foundation in Okija, Ihiala Local Government Area. According to eyewitness accounts, residents, including women and youths, began gathering as early as 5 a.m., anticipating the start of the distribution. However, the large crowd became uncontrollable once the process began, leading to a deadly stampede.   The victims were rushed to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Ihiala, where some of the injured are currently receiving treatment. A viral video from the scene showed bodies, including those of pregnant women, outside the hospital’s mortuary, further highlighting the scale of the tragedy.   In Abuja, another stampede occurred at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, where palliatives were being distributed to thousands of residents from Mpape, Gishiri Village, and neighboring areas. At least 10 people, including children, died in the incident, with several others injured.   Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic, with the crowd exceeding 3,000 people. The event was organized by the church to provide relief to struggling residents, but the overwhelming turnout turned the initiative into a devastating tragedy.   Both incidents have left communities in mourning and have raised concerns about crowd control measures during charitable distributions. Authorities are yet to release detailed statements on the incidents, but calls for better organization and safety protocols during such events have intensified.

Volkswagen (VW) has struck a pivotal agreement with the IG Metall trade union, averting potential plant closures in Germany while addressing significant restructuring needs. The deal, announced Friday, will avoid immediate compulsory redundancies but includes plans to reduce over 35,000 jobs in Germany by 2030 through voluntary measures such as early retirement. This move is part of VW’s effort to save €15 billion (£12.4 billion) in costs.   Germany’s largest carmaker had previously warned it might have to close up to three factories in the country to manage financial pressures, marking what would have been an unprecedented decision in its history. The company also sought a 10% pay reduction for employees during negotiations, which began in September.   Following intense discussions, IG Metall and VW reached an agreement that union leaders have celebrated as a balanced solution. “No site will be closed, no one will be laid off for operational reasons, and our company wage agreement will be secured for the long term,” said Daniela Cavallo, IG Metall’s works council chief. She praised the deal as “a rock-solid solution under the most difficult economic conditions.”   Key elements of the agreement include:   Suspension of a previously planned 5% wage increase in 2025 and 2026 to support the company’s transformation.   A reduction in annual apprenticeships offered in Germany from 1,400 to 600 starting in 2026.   Exploration of shifting some production to Mexico and considering alternative options for the Dresden and Osnabrück sites.   Despite these measures, VW will also scale down production capacity across its German plants. The decision comes amid declining demand for VW vehicles in China, historically one of its most profitable markets, and growing competition from Chinese carmakers in Europe.   During the negotiations, over 100,000 VW employees staged “warning strikes” to pressure management, reflecting the high stakes of the talks for the workforce.   While the agreement ensures no immediate plant closures, it signals a significant shift for Volkswagen as it navigates economic challenges and increasing competition in a rapidly evolving automotive industry.

Netflix has officially acquired the rights to broadcast live coverage of the 2027 and 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cups in the United States, marking a groundbreaking move for the streaming giant. This historic partnership, announced by FIFA on Friday, represents Netflix’s first foray into securing live rights for an entire sports competition. Gianni Infantino, FIFA’s president, expressed enthusiasm about the deal, highlighting Netflix’s dedication to advancing women’s football. “As a marquee brand and FIFA’s new long-term partner, Netflix has shown a very strong level of commitment to growing women’s football,” Infantino stated. The 2027 Women’s World Cup is set to take place in Brazil, while the host nation for the 2031 edition is yet to be determined. Speculation has arisen around England, the United States, and a joint bid involving other British federations as potential contenders to host the event. This partnership not only underscores the growing popularity of women’s football but also solidifies Netflix’s expanding role in live sports broadcasting, opening a new chapter for the platform and fans alike.

STEMi Makers of Africa has been awarded the 2024 Elsevier Mathematical Sciences Sponsorship Fund, a prestigious grant aimed at supporting initiatives that benefit the mathematical sciences community. The funding will be used to organize a Math Capacity Building Bootcamp for educators and adolescent girls in Kumasi and Winneba, Ghana. This initiative seeks to achieve several key objectives: Curriculum Enhancement: The program will provide math-adaptive curricula to 190 educators, aimed at improving the learning experiences of over 2,000 adolescent girls, aged 13 to 17. Empowering Educators: Educators will be trained as impact coaches to establish 70 math clubs, which will provide a platform for girls to engage in collaborative problem-solving and explore solutions to local community challenges. Mentorship and Development: The program will also focus on boosting the mathematical skills and interest of minority and out-of-school girls through mentorship and continued learning opportunities in STEMi Mathematics Clubs. The Elsevier Mathematical Sciences Sponsorship Fund is designed to support impactful projects that advance mathematics education and foster greater engagement within the mathematical sciences community. STEMi Makers of Africa’s successful application for this funding underscores its commitment to enhancing STEM education and empowering young learners, especially girls, in underserved regions. By leveraging this fund, STEMi Makers of Africa aims to create lasting educational opportunities that will cultivate the next generation of female STEM leaders in Ghana and beyond.

The Vice-Chancellor of Osun State University (UNIOSUN), Professor Clement Adebooye, has directed newly admitted students to apply for the Federal Government’s student loan facilitated by the National Education Loan Fund (NELFUND). This move aims to ease the financial burden on students amid the prevailing economic challenges in the country. Speaking at the institution’s 18th Matriculation ceremony held at the Olagunsoye Oyinlola Auditorium on the main campus in Osogbo, Professor Adebooye emphasized the importance of the loan scheme for students’ academic success. He assured the fresh students of timely completion of their academic programs and stressed the university’s commitment to supporting their educational journey. “I must also seize this opportunity to announce to you the opportunity for student loans provided by the Federal Government through NELFUND. As this is an intervention to cushion the effect of economic hardship on students, the management of this institution has decided that every new student must apply and access it to further make student life easy for you,” he stated. The Vice-Chancellor further highlighted the competitive nature of admissions for the 2024 academic session. According to him, over 30,000 candidates applied for admission, but only 11,000 were offered spots across various academic programs, representing approximately one-third of the applicants. This achievement, he said, is a testament to the students’ potential and capability to thrive in any Nigerian university. However, he urged the new students to remain focused and committed to their academic pursuits, noting that gaining admission is only the beginning of their educational journey. “It will interest you all to note that well over 30,000 candidates applied for admission into the university this year. Of this lot, we are only able to admit 11,000 (approximately one-third) into the various academic programmes across colleges and campuses. Though this means you are among the very lucky few admitted, it also shows you have all it takes to be undergraduates in any Nigerian university,” he remarked. He advised the students to brace themselves for the rigors of university life, which include lectures, assignments, tests, examinations, and character development. “Not everyone that starts a race usually completes it,” he noted, underscoring the need for hard work and perseverance. The directive to apply for the NELFUND loan underscores the university’s proactive approach to supporting students amid Nigeria’s challenging economic conditions. It also reflects a broader effort to ensure that financial constraints do not hinder academic progress for the newly admitted students.

In a major victory for Nigerian telecom consumers, the Court of Appeal in Abuja has ordered MTN Nigeria Communications Limited to pay N15 million in damages to a subscriber, Mr. Ezugwu Anene, for unlawfully deducting his airtime through unsolicited services. The three-member panel of Justices delivered a unanimous verdict, branding MTN’s practice of auto-renewing services that customers did not subscribe to as fraudulent. The court declared that these deductions from customers’ airtime balances were illegal and unjust. The Justices also ruled that MTN’s practice of sending unsolicited text messages breached subscribers’ right to privacy, a right guaranteed under Section 37 of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution (as amended). Additionally, the court found that MTN’s actions violated Regulation 28 of the Consumer Code of Practice Regulations. The ruling followed an appeal (marked CA/ABJ/CV/137/2022) filed by Mr. Anene, who sought justice after experiencing repeated deductions from his airtime without his consent. Consumer rights advocates have welcomed the judgment, describing it as a groundbreaking step towards holding telecom operators accountable for their treatment of subscribers. Complaints about unsolicited services and unauthorized deductions have been widespread in the telecommunications industry. The judgment sends a strong message to telecom operators, emphasizing the need to respect consumer rights and uphold privacy standards. As of this report, MTN Nigeria has not issued an official response to the ruling. Legal experts suggest the company may consider appealing the decision at the Supreme Court.

The Executive Director of Seed Care and Support Foundation, Mrs. Olanrewaju Oniyitan, has urged the Nigerian government to declare a state of emergency in the education sector, citing the alarming number of out-of-school children (OSC) across the country. Speaking to the press about her foundation’s plans to ensure that every Nigerian has access to education, Mrs. Oniyitan emphasized the critical role of both public and private schools in addressing this crisis. “One thing we need to acknowledge is that the government cannot do this alone,” Mrs. Oniyitan said. “In Lagos State, where we operate, there are about 1,700 public schools, but over 20,000 private schools, many of which—around 60%—are low-fee private schools. These schools serve children from low-income communities, often in areas where no public schools exist.” She stressed that for Nigeria to achieve education for all, particularly the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4), collaboration with the affordable non-state sector such as these low-fee private schools is essential. Mrs. Folashade Adefisayo, the immediate past Education Commissioner for Lagos State, also weighed in on the issue. She advised parents in underserved communities, where government schools are unavailable, to consider enrolling their children in low-fee private schools. While acknowledging the high costs of some privately-owned schools in Nigeria, Mrs. Adefisayo explained that these schools often struggle to cover operating expenses and maintain quality services. She called on those in leadership positions within the education sector to step outside their offices and see firsthand the challenges faced by communities in accessing education. As the number of out-of-school children continues to rise, the need for immediate and comprehensive action from both government and private sectors has never been more urgent