By Dr Ugo Enwerem Eyes are often called the mirrors of the soul, but they are much more than that. They are vital to how we engage with the world, influencing how we learn, work, and experience life. Yet, millions of people around the world, including many in Nigeria, are losing the ability to see clearly, with devastating consequences for their health, education, and economic prospects. As we approach World Sight Day 2024 on October 10, it’s time to renew our commitment to tackling visual impairment, with this year’s focus on children. The theme, “Love Your Eyes – Protect Your…
Author: Elvis Eromosele
Dangote oil refinery is poised to process up to 400,000 barrels of crude per day (bpd) over the next two months and will reach full capacity in the coming months. According to a cargo allocation list seen by Bloomberg, the 650,000 metric tons capacity plant near Lagos is set to receive approximately 24 million barrels of crude in October and November, signalling a shift towards utilising more domestic supply. Ronan Hodgson, a London-based analyst at FGE, told Bloomberg that the increased demand from Dangote could significantly tighten the West African crude market in the fourth quarter. Hodgson noted that this…
Barring any unforeseen, the number of people living with hearing loss in Africa is projected to hit 54 million by 2030, the World Health Organization (WHO) has revealed. According to a report published by the UN health agency on Monday, the number of people currently living with hearing loss in Africa stands at 40 million, with the issue costing the continent $27 million annually due to its significant impact on individuals and economies. The report highlights how hearing loss disproportionately affects poor and vulnerable populations across the continent, contributing to existing health service inequalities. According to WHO, untreated hearing loss…
The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has notified taxpayers that the new gazette withholding tax regime will begin to take effect from the 1st of January 2025. In a notice signed by the Executive Chairman of the FIRS, Zacch Adedeji, the service noted that the current withholding tax regime as provided in the Company Income Tax (CIT) regulation would continue to remain in force until December 25th 2024. It further encouraged citizens to comply with regulations concerning tax payments. According to the notice, “The Federal Inland Revenue Service (“the Service”) hereby notifies taxpayers, tax practitioners, and the general public as…
The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) a global health coalition, has disclosed that it has invested over $250 million in Lassa fever studies since 2017, to develop a vaccine for the disease. This investment was revealed by Gabrielle Breugelmans, Director of Epidemiology and Data Science at CEPI, during the inauguration of the Enable 1.5 cohort study in Abuja on Wednesday. Breugelmans highlighted CEPI’s comprehensive investment over the years. “This means investment in the vaccine trials, but also in the Enable research programme to really get critical data,” she stated, emphasizing the broad scope of their efforts to combat the…
Google has announced the opening of applications for the 2025 Building Opportunities for Leadership and Development (BOLD) Internship Program. This paid summer internship is for undergraduate college students pursuing non-technical career opportunities within the company. According to Scholarship Region, the BOLD Internship targets students in their second-to-last year of study and offers a 12-week program starting in May or June 2025. According to reports, “the BOLD Internship Program invites students from diverse backgrounds and nationalities to apply, focusing on inclusivity across ethnicity, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, and disability status.” Interns will be placed in teams based on their backgrounds…
Winich Farms, a Nigerian Agtech startup making the supply chain of farm produce seamless for all stakeholders, has secured $3 million in pre-series A funding to enhance its technology and optimize its operations. According to the startup, the round is a mix of $2.5 million equity and $590,000 debt. The equity funding of $2.5 million came from Acumen Resilient Agriculture Fund (a East and West Africa-focused impact venture capital fund ), Climate Resilient Africa Fund, Marula Square, Plug and Play, and Tekedia Capita. Lagos-based Sahel Capital supplied the $590,000 debt funding. Since launching in 2020, Winich Farms has built an…
Access Holdings has completed its merger with ARM Pensions Managers Limited, forming Access ARM Pensions Limited (AAPL). This strategic move positions AAPL as a leading player in Nigeria’s pension fund administration market, serving approximately 2 million customers and managing assets worth nearly N3 trillion. The announcement, made on October 2, 2024, was shared through the NGX disclosure page and signed by the Company Secretary, Sunday Ekwochi. The merger follows an earlier announcement by Access Holdings that Access Golf Nigeria Limited, a significant shareholder in Access Pensions Limited, had secured the necessary regulatory approvals to acquire a majority stake in ARM…
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has tasked telcos with industry-academia collaboration in an effort to bridge the skills gap and curb brain drain in the Nigerian telecom sector. Dr Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman of the commission, who made this call in Lagos as the keynote speaker at the Fifth Edition of the Telecom Sector Sustainability Forum (TSSF 5.0), also urged telecom companies to adopt flexible work policies, better remunerations and foster a culture of innovation to create an environment that attracts and retains talents. Speaking at the TSSF 5.0, organised by Business Remarks and themed “Mitigating the Effects of…
Leading brands including Nestle Nigeria, Checkers Custard, and Golden Penny Spaghetti have been recognized for their outstanding contributions to their respective industries at the prestigious Mediacom Awards 2024. Organised by MediaConsortium, the awards celebrate excellence in media, innovation, and brand impact across various sectors. Nestle Nigeria, one of Africa’s largest food and beverage companies, received the Transformational Impact Award for its remarkable contributions to the Nigerian economy and consumer market. Checkers Custard, a leader in the African custard market, claimed the Custard Brand of the Year title. Golden Penny Spaghetti was awarded Pasta Brand of the Year, further cementing its…