New figures released by the World Health Organization (WHO) while observing this year’s World Cancer Day on Friday, showed that with more than 8.8 million cancer deaths recorded every year around the world, 80, 000 of these deaths are Nigerians. According to the WHO statistics, more than 100, 000 Nigerians are diagnosed with cancer every year while about 80, 000 die from the disease. This...

Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari (photo), on Sunday asked for an extension to his medical leave in the UK, a statement from the office of the presidency revealed. “President Muhammadu Buhari has written to the National Assembly today, February 5, 2017, informing of his desire to extend his leave in order to complete and receive the results of a series of tests recommended by his...

As part of efforts to further boost the Federal Government’s agriculture effort, BUA Rice Ltd, a subsidiary of BUA Group of Companies, has signed a partnership agreement with Kano and Jigawa Rice Farmers Association to develop an efficient outgrowers scheme. According to the Group Executive Director, Strategy and Innovation, Kabiru Rabiu, BUA is committed to the government’s programme of...

In 2016, Nigeria generated 97% of its tourism revenues from domestic travel while foreign travel accounted for 3% only, Jumia Travel reveals in its latest hospitality report for 2017. According to the managing director, Jumia Travel Nigeria, Kushal Dutta, despite the security issues in the country, a lot of Nigerians still choose to travel within the country. “This is a good sign that we...

The Office of the government amnesty programme has announced that federal government will soon pay all the outstanding cash stipends owed to former militants in the Niger Delta region, under an amnesty programme signed in 2009. This is coming after militants threatened to resume attacks on oil facilities should the government fails to make the payment. “We advise all to remain calm as all...

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has announced that it has received 128 bids from companies interested in swapping processed fuel for 800,000 bpd of unrefined crude this year. According to Maikanti Baru (photo), the Group Managing Director of NNPC, in exchange for the crude oil, Nigeria will get fuel with a Sulphur content of 50 parts per million (PPM). Nigeria, in 2016,...

The Nigerian Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Audu Ogbeh (photo), has said that the Federal Government is dedicated to supporting all agricultural investments so as to boost food production in the country. According to him, the government will continue to assist the agricultural sector considering the prevailing economic situation in Nigeria. “The federal government is determined...

DR Congo’s minister of land affairs, Félix Kabange Numbi, while meeting with his staff reiterated his commitment to curb land conflicts in the country, reports l’Agence d’information d’Afrique centrale. “Each of us must contribute to reducing land conflicts which tarnish the reputation of our ministry. We must make sure to quench all these conflicts across the nation. It is possible if...

Forte Oil has raised N9 billion ($30 million) from the sale of five-year bonds, with an interest rate coupon of 17.5%, its advisers said on Wednesday. They added that the bonds, which were issued under a N50 billion debt programme, came at a par value of N1,000 each. The Nigerian oil company in March 2016 disclosed plans to raise capital to expand its operations in the country, either through a...

The Federal Government of Nigeria has secured a $1.5 billion counterpart loan from China to fund the Lagos-Ibadan rail project expected to commence by March this year. This was declared by the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, on Wednesday. According to him, the project which the federal government has already released a N72 billion counterpart funding for, would begin before the...