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  • CBN’s Sidi-Ali Wins Banking Sector Outstanding Spokesperson Award

    Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) Hakama Sidi-Ali has won the Outstanding Spokesperson (Banking Sector) at the 2025 National Spokespersons Awards, the second in a row.

    Held at the Abuja Intercontinental Hotel, the ceremony was part of the 2025 National Spokespersons’ Summit grand-finale.

    Organised by the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) in collaboration with Image Merchants Promotion Limited (IMPR), the publisher of PRNigeria and Spokespersons Digest, the awards celebrate innovation and professionalism in public communication across public and private sectors.

    NIPR President Dr. Ike Neliaku and Hon. Rotimi Akintunde Jr., Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Media and Public Affairs, commended Sidi-Ali and other recipients for their exemplary standards in the field and encouraged them to maintain the qualities that garnered national recognition.

    Sidi-Ali was lauded for her proactive communication strategies in connecting the central bank and Nigerians since assuming office.

    Her significant role in countering misinformation regarding the introduction of N5,000 and N10,000 banknotes calmed public concern and maintained financial stability.

    Experts also acknowledged the CBN Director of Corporate Communications’ adept dissemination during Nigeria’s recent negotiations with the United States over the new tariffs, saying it underscores her proficiency in international economic diplomacy.

    The 2025 ceremony showcased a variety of individuals and institutions excelling in strategic communication and public affairs.

    It also underlined the critical role of credible voices in shaping public perception, fostering institutional trust, and enhancing democratic accountability.

    Mr. Olufemi Soneye of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) was named Distinguished Spokesperson (Oil and Gas).

    With over 20 categories covered, including health, marine, hospitality, power, insurance, and crisis management, the awards emphasized the growing importance of public relations and strategic communication as essential components of governance and corporate reputation.

    Segun McMedal, Chairman of the Planning Committee, praised winners and nominees for their vital roles in sustaining public trust and shaping national discourse. He urged all communicators to uphold the values of transparency, accountability, and professionalism.

    Dignitaries at the event included former Ministers of Information—Frank Nweke Jr., Lai Mohammed, Jerry Gana, Labaran Maku—and the incumbent Alhaji Mohammed Idris.

    The summit featured high-level discussions graced by ex-Ogun State Governor Chief Segun Osoba, Prof. Taiwo Oyedele and other eminent figures.

    In its fifth edition, the National Spokespersons Awards, previously known as the Spokespersons’ Communication Awards (SCA), continue to serve as a premier platform for recognizing impactful and professional public communication in Nigeria.

    CBN’s Sidi-Ali Wins Banking Sector Outstanding Spokesperson Award is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

    Source: The Whistler

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  • Volvo to cut up to 800 US jobs as Trump’s tariffs bite

    Volvo Group has announced plans to lay off up to 800 workers at three of its U.S. facilities over the next three months, citing ongoing market uncertainty and declining demand exacerbated by tariffs introduced under the administration of former President Donald Trump. The affected locations include the Mack Trucks plant in Macungie, Pennsylvania, as well as Volvo Group sites in Dublin, Virginia, and Hagerstown, Maryland.

     

    In a statement on Friday, April 18, Volvo Group North America confirmed that between 550 and 800 employees would be impacted. The company, a subsidiary of Sweden’s AB Volvo, employs nearly 20,000 people across North America.

     

    The layoffs come amid wider turmoil in the automotive and manufacturing sectors, as shifting U.S. trade policy and a series of tariffs continue to drive up production costs. Economists have pointed to the uncertainty surrounding Trump’s trade strategy as a factor undermining both business and consumer confidence, with concerns mounting over a potential economic slowdown or recession.

     

    According to Volvo, the company is grappling with a decline in heavy-duty truck orders, driven by instability in freight rates, anticipated regulatory changes, and the growing financial burden of tariffs. “We regret having to take this action, but we need to align production with reduced demand for our vehicles,” a company spokesperson stated in an email quoted by Reuters.

     

    Volvo’s announcement marks another blow to an industry already navigating a complex web of supply chain challenges and fluctuating market conditions, with other manufacturers also warning of potential cost hikes and disruptions tied to global trade disputes.

    Source: Linda Ikeji

  • NYT Strands Today: Hints, Answers & Spangram for April 20, 2025

    If you are finding it hard to spot theme words in today’s puzzle, then you are in serious need of the Strands hints below. Those bored with sensational games like Wordle and Connections are turning their attention to Strands for a challenging new experience. If you happen to be one of them and are struggling with NYT Strands, we can get you sorted. So, to help you out, we have added the Strands hints, answers, and Spangram on Sunday, April 20, 2025, below.

    What is NYT Strands?

    NYT Strands is a word game created by The New York Times as part of its growing “Games” library. The aim of this New York Times game is to connect letters in a six-by-eight grid to form a bunch of words that share the same theme.

    To get you started, the puzzle will give you a theme for today’s NYT Strands. You can use it to form multiple “theme” words which will be relevant to this theme, along with one “special” word called the Spangram. This is a word or phrase that spans the length of the grid, vertically, horizontally, or diagonally, giving you the key to crack the rest of the Strands theme words.

    The theme for today’s Strands can be relevant in many different ways. So, the puzzle keeps you on your toes every day with its intriguing set of theme words and Spangrams.

    NYT Strands Hints for Today’s Theme: “On the hunt”

    The theme for today’s Strands on April 20, 2025, is — On the hunt.

    If you can’t figure out answers for today’s puzzle, here’s a quick Strands hint — what comes to your mind when you think of cane-made containers and gifts?

    Here are hints for a couple of Strands theme words to make it easy for you to solve today’s puzzle on your own without having to scroll down to view the answers:

    • Hint #1: a popular marshmallow candy shaped like chicks.
    • Hint #2: an imaginary rabbit said to bring gifts to children during paschal.

    NYT Strands Spangram Hint: Is It Vertical or Horizontal?

    The Spangram for today’s Strands on April 20, 2025, is mostly HORIZONTAL. It starts with the letters “EA“.

    The hint for today’s Spangram for Strands — gifts, treats, or goodies given to children during the paschal holiday.

    Spoiler Warning:

    Scroll past this point AT YOUR OWN RISK. Hints and answers for today’s Strands below.

    Today’s NYT Strands Answers for April 20, 2025

    Today’s Strands Spangram Answer

    The Spangram answer for today’s Strands on April 20, 2025, is — EasterBasket

    All Theme Words in Today’s Strands

    Still looking for the theme words to get the answers for today’s NYT Strands? You can check them out below:

    • BOOK
    • TOYS
    • EGGS
    • BUNNY
    • PEEPS
    • CHOCOLATE
    • CANDY
    Image Credit: NYT Games (screenshot by Ajaay Srinivasan/ Beebom)

    The answers for today’s Strands were pretty straightforward. I started off with the first set of theme words – BOOK and TOYS. Once I spotted EASTER, solving the Spangram and the rest of theme words was an easy affair.

    What is NYT Strands Spangram and How Does It Work?

    Every NYT Strands puzzle consists of a unique word or phrase that’s called the Spangram. This word or set of words will run the length of two opposite sides of the grid. One thing to note here is that, a Spangram doesn’t necessarily have to originate or end at the edge of the grid.

    In its essence, the Spangram is kind of like a bigger hint that sums up today’s Strands theme in just a word or two. Since it spans across two sides of the puzzle, solving it early helps you figure out the rest of the theme words and vice versa.

    Tips and Tricks for Mastering NYT Strands Puzzles

    Solving an NYT Strands puzzle successfully isn’t that hard in itself, but in some cases, the approach might not be as straightforward as it looks. So, here are simple tips and tricks that we suggest you follow to crack the theme words and Spangram for Strands puzzles:

    • Always start at the corners: No two puzzles are the same. But the chances of the Spangram extending to a diagonal form are quite low. So, the best strategy is to find and decrypt relevant words that are at the corners of the grid.
    • Don’t be ashamed to get hints: Sometimes, a theme word could be all you need to solve the entire puzzle. If that requires getting a hint using non-theme words, then that’s the first thing you should do. After all, the point is to have fun and figure this out, like all of us.
    • Think both literally and figuratively: Not all themes may land you in the same sense of thought. Some puzzles may welcome more clever answers that may convey something totally different from their actual meaning.
    • Aim for the Spangram: The Spangram is what splits the Strands board in half. So, figuring it out will help you cross out other potential approaches for a theme. Deciphering even half of the Spangram can get you close to the rest of the answers.

    Still finding it difficult to master the art of NYT Strands? Follow our guide and learn how to play Strands, along with more helpful tips and tricks.

    What is the NYT strands theme for April 20, 2025?

    The theme for today’s NYT strands puzzle is – On the hunt.

    What are the NYT strands hints and answers for April 20, 2025?

    Today’s Strands puzzle is mostly HORIZONTAL, and the answers include different treats and goodies gifted to children during Easter. The Spangram answer for today’s Strands puzzle is — EasterBasket.

    What was yesterday’s NYT strands answer?

    The answer to yesterday’s NYT strands puzzle was – TakeThat and you can find the NYT Strands hints for April 19 here.

    Ajaay Srinivasan

    Ajaay’s love affair with technology started young, with the Nokia N-Gage piquing his interest. Since 2016, he’s channeled his passion for tech into crafting explainers and guides on iOS, macOS, Android, social media, privacy & cybersecurity, and AI. When it’s time to unplug, Ajaay enjoys playing EAFC, unwinding to music on a pair of open-backs, building his dream audiophile gear, or watching Arsenal struggle to keep a clean sheet.


    Source: Beebom

  • Nollywood actors died after rice meal in Imo

    Two Nollywood actors in Imo died on Friday after a rice meal in the state.

    The Spokesman for the Imo State Command, Henry Okoye, confirmed the incident in a statement on Saturday in Owerri.

    He said the command has commenced investigations to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident.

    The spokesman said: “Yes, the Command is aware of the unfortunate case of unnatural death. I can confirm that two people were pronounced dead, while two others were hospitalised.

    “As I speak with you, the Commissioner of Police for Imo State, Aboki Danjuma, has directed a pathologist to conduct tests on the two deceased persons to ascertain the cause of death.

    “The results will determine the next line of action in the matter.”

    Source: Ripples Nigeria

  • It Couldn’t be Clearer, Democrats are Pro-crime and Anti-American

    Democrats are vowing to pile into an El Salvadoran hotel to lobby for the return of MS-13’s allegedly wife-beating human trafficker, Kilmar Abrego Garcia.

    Democrat Sen. Christopher Van Hollen, Jr., a trailblazer, is already in El Salvador and has met with the recently deported illegal alien. The two traded loving glances while conversing over cocktails.

    Van Hollen appeared especially smitten, at one point placing his hand on Garcia’s while staring longingly into his eyes.

    It should be noted that Democrats could not be bothered to fly to Russia or Gaza and other such places on behalf of Americans held hostage.

    Nor could they be troubled even to travel to western North Carolina to in anyway assist, aid, or assuage the feelings of their fellow American citizens who had recently been devastated by a massive hurricane.

    Just as they couldn’t find the time to visit East Palestine, Ohio after a train derailment spewed toxic chemicals across land and water, devastating the area for years to come. (This is particularly odd, since we all know Democrats love Palestine.)

    As is the case with so many things with which Democrats get involved, this has become a repulsive, never-ending, clown show — a sort of kabuki theater for the mentally challenged and morally impaired.

    On a related note, Democrats are wigging out over Health and Human Services Secretary RFK, Jr.’s comments that we will soon know what causes autism, which he thinks is likely largely due to environmental factors like vaccines and contaminants in food and beverages rather than genetics.

    Democrats would be devastated if studies did happen to conclusively show that autism is more common in the highly vaccinated, and so are blasting RFK, Jr.’s comments and assertions.

    They would clearly prefer that autism continues apace rather than potentially find out that there are simple steps that could be taken to prevent it.

    So, Democrats are now effectively pro-autism as well as pro-crime, abortion, death, torture, rape, destruction, human trafficking, and wife-beating. And, in some cases, pro-assassination of their own nation’s president. This while simultaneously being anti-American and anti-Christian.

    Nice platform, guys! You must be very proud, indeed.

    Image: X screen shot

    Source: TLB

  • Wike To Open Up Abuja’s Satellite Towns With New Roads, Schools

    The minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to bridging the infrastructural gap between Abuja’s city centre and its surrounding rural communities.

    Wike made this known on Saturday during an inspection tour of ongoing road projects in Ketti and Takushara, two densely populated satellite communities within the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).

    The projects, which include the Kabusa/Ketti and Kabusa/Takushara roads, are expected to ease travel, boost local economies, and improve residents’ quality of life.

    The projects inspected include the 10.5-kilometer Kabusa/Ketti road, which connects Kabusa, Pyakasa, and Ketti Districts, and the 9.8-kilometer Kabusa/Takushara road linking Kabusa, Takushara, and Wasa Districts.

    Speaking after the inspection, Wike explained that the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s directive for inclusive development across the FCT.

    “Mr President has always emphasised that we should not only concentrate development in the city but extend it to the satellite towns,” the minister stated.

    He noted that the Ketti and Takushara roads, which will serve as vital arteries between the satellite towns and Abuja city, are expected to be completed and commissioned in May, as part of activities marking President Tinubu’s second year in office.

    Wike commended AMAC Chairman, Mr Christopher Maikalangu, for drawing attention to what he described as “two very important roads” for the growth and wellbeing of the communities.

    “If not for him, we wouldn’t have focused our attention on these areas. You can see how happy the residents of Ketti are,” Wike said.

    The minister highlighted the strategic value of good road networks in driving rural development, improving connectivity, and reducing urban congestion.

    “From here to the city is just about 10 minutes. That’s what road networks bring. It will open up the entire place,” he said.

    Wike explained that such projects would encourage migration from the city centre to the outskirts, and foster property development in satellite communities, and ultimately ease pressure on urban infrastructure.

    The minister disclosed plans to improve the quality of life for rural dwellers with the construction of new schools in Ketti and Takushara.

    “We promised the communities that we would build more schools; the file is still on my table. I have approved it and we are waiting for the passage of the 2025 FCT Statutory Budget by the National Assembly to commence construction,” Wike stated.

    He also emphasised that the FCT Administration’s focus would remain on providing infrastructure that benefits the broader public, rather than serving private estates.

    In his Easter message, Wike called on FCT residents to embrace forgiveness, love, and unity for national cohesion.

    “Nigerians should work together for the interest of all, and the FCT Administration will remain committed to fulfilling its promises,” he said.

    Wike To Open Up Abuja’s Satellite Towns With New Roads, Schools is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

    Source: The Whistler

  • Giants make first transaction, put Schmitt on IL, call up Villar

    The Giants made their first roster move Saturday, putting infielder Casey Schmitt on the 10-day injured list with a left oblique strain.

    Schmitt was announced as the starter Friday night, but was scratched in favor of LaMonte Wade Jr.

    “It happened right before the game, hitting in the cage, probably 25 minutes before the game,” Giants manager Bob Melvin said following a 2-0 loss to the Los Angeles Angels.

    Infielder David Villar was promoted from Triple-A Sacramento to take his place.

    It was the first transaction of the season for the Giants, which under president of baseball operations Buster Posey have attempted to bring more stability to the big league club both in terms of the lineup and sending players to the minors. It has paid off so far with a 13-7 record going into Saturday night’s game against the Angels.

    Last season by April 19, the Giants had made six roster moves.

    Schmitt has played primarily first base this season on days when LaMonte Wade Jr. is rested. HIs defense has been a pleasant surprise, but Schmitt was hitting just .174 (4-for-24) with no homers and two RBIs. Wade has been in a horrible slump since the season started and going in to Saturday night’s game against the Los Angeles Angels is hitting .096 (5-for-52) with a homer, seven RBIs, eight walks and an on base percentage of .213.

    Villar was hitting .368 in Sacramento wit a home run, seven RBIs, 13 walks, a .439 on base percentage in 15 games. After 23 games in the spring, Villar was designated for assignment before the start of the season and outrighted to Sacramento on March 29.

    Like Schmitt, Villar has position versatility, having played 44 career games at third base and 27 each at second base and first base.

    The other option at first base for the Giants Wilmer Flores, who has been exclusively a designated hitter so far and leads the National League with 23 RBIs to go along with six home runs and a .225 batting average.

    The Giants also transferred outfielder Jerar Encarnacion (wrist surgery) to the 60-day injured list.

    AP Photo

    Giants center fielder Jung Hoo Lee is putting up All-Star caliber numbers through 19 games.

    Webb’s `wasted’ gem

    Right-hander Logan Webb got his first loss of the season on a night where he struck out 12 batters and walked no one, giving up one earned run in six innings.

    “Feels like a wasted pitching effort,” Melvin told reporters. :He gives up one earned run, punches out 12, doesn’t walk anybody. That’s a really good performance.”

    According to Elias Sports, Webb became just the fourth Giants pitcher since the pitcher’s mound was moved to its current distance in 1893 to have 10 strikeouts and no walks. He joins Madison Bumgarner (12 times), Tim Lincecum (five times) and Juan Marichal (four times).

    “I look up to those guys,” Webb said. “Any time you’re on a list with those guys you’re doing something right.”

    Although seldom breaking 95 miles per hour in velocity, Webb generated 16 swings and misses with a sinker, change-up and sweeper. In 30 innings, Webb has 38 strikeouts and a 2.40 earned run average.

    He struck out Angels’ slugger Mike Trout three times.

    “Mike Trout likes the ball down and Logan’s a down pitcher, but there’s subtle movement both ways now,” Melvin said. “There’s big movement with the sweeper and he pitches in the zone up enough too. Another feather in his cap tonight.”

    While Webb admitted he’d trade efficiency for strikeouts — lamenting the amount of pitches he missed by a wide margin while ahead in the count — he was encouraged by the the movement on his change-up.

    “I’m super excited about the change-up,” Webb said. “It’s the most confident I’ve felt in a long time on that pitch, back to the end of 2023. I’ve got to keep trusting it, keep that confidence.”

    Source: Paradise Post

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