Author: Prince Ade ADe

The Olota of Ota, Oba Abdulkabir Adeyemi Obalanlege, has urged Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, the head of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), to reconsider the ban on alcoholic sachets and small pet bottles below 200ml. He expressed concern about laying off workers during the current economic period, emphasizing that the advantages of the products outweighed the disadvantages. At his palace, where representatives and workers of the 25 affected beverage companies paid a visit, the monarch highlighted the products’ role in foreign exchange earnings. “I sympathize with you workers; this is not the right time for…

February 1st, 2024, stands as a watershed moment in Nigeria’s consumer landscape. On this day, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) announced a ban on alcoholic beverages sold in sachets and pet bottles. While purportedly aimed at curbing alcohol abuse, this regulatory move is emblematic of a broader discourse that vilifies sachets, labeling them as dispensable and undesirable packaging formats. However, against the backdrop of Nigeria’s economic challenges, sachets have emerged as an indispensable lifeline for both consumers and businesses, challenging the rationale behind the ban. In Nigeria, a country characterized by economic volatility and…

Amidst the nation’s grieving for Herbert Wigwe, Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings PLC, and philanthropist, who tragically lost his life in a helicopter crash with his wife and son, Isiokpo, his hometown in the Ikwerrre Local Government Area of Rivers State, has announced a seven-day mourning period in honor of their esteemed son. The declaration was formally made by the Nye-Nwe-Eli of Isiokpo, His Royal Majesty, Eze Blessing Ahiazunwo Wagor. The mourning period, commencing on Wednesday, involves the closure of all businesses on the first and last days, with half-day operations on the intervening days. The community residents…

Governors affiliated with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) reiterated their stance on state policing as a viable solution to the escalating security challenges in the country during a meeting on Monday. Expressing concern over the depreciating value of the naira and its repercussions, the opposition governors urged the Federal Government’s economic team to devise suitable measures to address the economic challenge. Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, the Chairman of the Forum, briefed journalists in Abuja after the meeting. He highlighted the country’s high cost of living and the diminishing value of the naira, drawing a parallel to Venezuela’s economic…

Former Crystal Palace standout Conor Gallagher delivered a striking performance against his former club, netting two goals as Chelsea staged a comeback to secure a 3-1 victory at Selhurst Park in the English Premier League on Monday, adding pressure on Palace manager Roy Hodgson. Despite the Blues dominating the initial stages, it was Crystal Palace who took the lead with Jefferson Lerma’s spectacular strike in the 30th minute. Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea faced resilience from Palace, who aimed to frustrate their opponents and secure a crucial win to widen the five-point gap from the relegation zone. Chelsea quickly equalized two minutes…

The coaching position for the Super Eagles of Nigeria currently remains vacant as the contract of Portuguese tactician, Jose Peseiro, concluded following the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire. Despite successfully meeting the goal of reaching the semifinals and progressing to the final, where his team narrowly lost 2-1 to the hosts, Peseiro’s status as the Super Eagles Coach is uncertain. While he has the option to extend his contract for two more years, there is currently no active agreement with the Nigeria Football Federation. Deliberations concerning Peseiro’s future are anticipated, and discussions are set to take place.…

Serie A clubs have opted to maintain the current structure of the Italian top division with 20 teams, following a shareholders’ meeting in Milan. Despite efforts by influential clubs such as Juventus, Inter Milan, AC Milan, and AS Roma to reduce the league size to 18 teams, only four votes supported the change, falling short of the required majority of 14. The proposed reduction aimed to decrease the number of games played, potentially enhancing the overall quality of football. However, the move faced criticism from directors of other teams, with Torino president Urbino Cairo expressing disagreement with the approach taken…

Emma Raducanu faced a challenging defeat at the hands of world number 30 Anhelina Kalinina in the first round of the Qatar Open in Doha, highlighting her ongoing struggles. The British player notably struggled in the initial set, committing 15 unforced errors compared to her Ukrainian opponent’s two. Despite a more competitive second set where Raducanu saved two match points, Kalinina ultimately secured the victory with a score of 6-0, 7-6 (8-6). Raducanu, a former US Open champion, is in the early phases of her comeback, having endured surgery on both hands and her left ankle, leading to a significant…

Nurses in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, are voicing their discontent with the recent verification certification guidelines released by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria. In a proactive move, the nurses took to the streets, marching to the headquarters of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives in Abuja. Their protest underscores their perception that the new guidelines infringe upon their rights and could impede their pursuit of better job opportunities. During the protest, the Registrar of the Council, Faruk Abubakar, addressed the nurses, providing reassurance that their concerns would be promptly addressed. The nurses’ grievances center…

Nigeria Labour Congress President, Joe Ajaero, is expressing concern about the persistent inflation in the country. He suggests that if this trend continues, organized labor might push for a substantial increase in the minimum wage, proposing a figure as high as 1 million naira for Nigerian workers. Ajaero attributes this demand to the escalating cost of living, particularly noting the impact of policies enacted since President Tinubu took office, including the removal of fuel subsidies. In an interview, Ajaero conveyed these sentiments, underlining the growing financial strain on workers. The dissatisfaction of organized labor goes beyond wage concerns. Last Thursday,…