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Tag: World

  • Shareholders Approve Cancellation Of 1.9 Billion Nigerian Breweries Shares

    Shareholders of Nigerian Breweries Plc have approved the cancellation of 1.9 billion unissued ordinary shares following the company’s recently concluded ₦599.1bn rights issue.

    The resolution was passed at the company’s 79th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Lagos, marking a significant milestone in the restructuring of its share capital.

    The cancelled shares, which were not taken up during the rights issue, were removed in compliance with Section 124 of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020 and Regulation 13 of the Companies Regulations 2021.

    With this action, the company’s issued share capital has been revised downward to ₦15.49bn, now divided into 30,983,026,920 ordinary shares of 50 kobo each.

    Prior to the cancellation, the company had created 22.61 billion additional ordinary shares, raising the total share capital to ₦16.44bn as part of the capital restructuring strategy for the ₦599.1bn rights issue approved by shareholders at the AGM held on April 26, 2024.

    In a resolution ratified at the 79th AGM, shareholders formally endorsed all actions taken by the Board of Directors under the authority granted at the previous AGM.

    This included the creation of the new shares and subsequent cancellation of the 1.9 billion units not subscribed to.

    The capital adjustment forms part of the company’s broader strategy to strengthen its balance sheet and support long-term financial sustainability.

    The management noted that the rights issue and related changes are crucial for reducing debt, improving liquidity, and positioning Nigerian Breweries for future growth amid a challenging macroeconomic environment.

    In addition to the capital restructuring, shareholders also approved amendments to Article 81 of the company’s Articles of Association, granting the Board of Directors greater flexibility in securing financing.

    Under the amended provision, directors may borrow funds up to two and a half times the paid-up share capital and reserves, excluding temporary bank loans, without further shareholder approval.

    The amendment, however, includes safeguards: any lender or third party dealing with the company is not required to confirm if the borrowing threshold is observed, although debts incurred beyond the limit would only be invalid if the lender had prior knowledge that the limit had been exceeded.

    Shareholders Approve Cancellation Of 1.9 Billion Nigerian Breweries Shares is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

    Source: The Whistler

  • Suspected fraudsters arrested for posing as police officers to defraud traders in Niger state

    The Niger State Police Command has arrested four suspected fraudsters who pose as police officers to swindle unsuspecting traders of their money and cattle at different markets. 

     

    The suspects identified as Aliyu Abbas, 35, of Funtua, Katsina; Jibrin Idris, 35, of Gwiwa, Jigawa; Musa Ya’u of Daura, Katsina; and Abubakar Yahaya, 45, were arrested on April 16, 2025. 

     

     

    Spokesperson of the command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, who confirmed the arrest in a statement, said the suspects were found to be in possession of a handcuff, N1.2 million, cut-to-size papers, liquid chemicals for counterfeiting notes, and two mobile phones. 

     

    “On 16th April, 2025 at about 3pm, acting on a credible intelligence that a syndicate of four men who specialized in defrauding unsuspecting members of the public in various markets around Niger State were sighted at Izom cattle market, planning to defraud a person after selling his cattle,” the statement read. 

     

    “Based on this, Police operatives of Maje Div mobilised to the scene and intercepted one black Mercedes Benz vehicle with Reg. No. KTU 747 HF with the following suspects; Aliyu Abbas 35yrs of Funtua, Katsina, Jibrin Idris 35yrs of Gwiwa, Jigawa, Musa Ya’u of Daura, Katsina and Abubakar Yahaya 45yrs of Daura, Katsina. 

     

    “On interrogation, the suspects confessed to being fraudsters and a sum of one million, two hundred thousand naira was recovered from them. Other exhibits include a bunch of cut to size papers, liquid chemicals claimed to be used for counterfeit notes, handcuff, and two phones.

     

    “Some victims identified the syndicate as fraudsters who had swindled them of their money and cattle at different markets. It was also said that at times, they do present themselves as policemen to their victims or counterfeit notes producer and other means of defrauding people. 

     

    “The suspects are under further investigation and will be charged to court after investigations.” 

    Source: Linda Ikeji

  • Gov Okpebholo suspends Edo monarch over incessant kidnappings in domain

    Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has suspended the traditional ruler of the Uwano Kingdom in Agenebode in Etsako East Local Government Area, Dr George Oshiapi Egabor, in response to the incessant kidnapping and killings in the domain.

    The suspension of the monarch which is indefinite and with immediate effect, was announced on Monday by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua.

    The statement which was made available to journalists in Benin, also stated that the secretary of the traditional ruler, Chief Peter Omiogbemhi, has since been arrested by the relevant authorities following a recent incident that led to the death of a chief in the palace of the traditional ruler, John Ikhamate.

    “Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has ordered the immediate suspension of Dr. George Oshiapi Egabor, the Okumagbe of Uwano Kingdom, Agenebode, Estako East Local Government Area of Edo State, over recent cases of incessant kidnapping and killings in his domain,” the statement said.

    “The Secretary to Egabor, Chief Peter Omiogbemhi, has since been arrested by the relevant authorities, following a recent incident that led to the death of a Palace Chief, Late John Ikhamate.

    “The suspension of the traditional ruler is indefinite,” it added.

    Source: Ripples Nigeria

  • Study Reveals Teens’ Concerns Over Social Media’s Mental Health Impact

    Of more than 1,000 US teens surveyed by the Pew Research Center last year, nearly half say they’ve cut back on their smartphone and social media use amid concerns about technology’s impact on teens’ mental health. (iStock)

    By Clare Duffy, CNN

    New York (CNN) — The impact of social media on young people’s mental health and well-being is a growing topic of concern among parents, educators, health care professionals and regulators. And now, nearly half of US teens say social media has a mostly negative effect on people their age — and almost the same proportion say they’re cutting back on social media use.

    That’s according to a Pew Research Center report published Tuesday that asked American teens and parents about their attitudes around social media and smartphones. It offers an updated glimpse into how teens view their own social media use, following a separate Pew study from December that found nearly half of US teens say they’re online almost constantly.

    The report comes as parents and regulators have called on social media companies to do more to keep young people safe — and prevent them from spending too much time — on their platforms.

    Last year, then-Surgeon General Vivek Murthy asked Congress to require a label on social media apps warning of risks to young people, similar to those on alcohol and tobacco. Australia also passed a world-first law banning teens under 16 from social media. And in March, Utah Governor Spencer Cox signed a landmark bill requiring app stores to verify users’ ages and share that data with app developers, in a bid to protect teens from accessing age-inappropriate content online.

    To conduct the study, Pew surveyed 1,391 US teens ages 13 to 17 and their parents during September and October of last year.

    Of the teen respondents, 48% said they think social media has a “mostly negative” effect on people their age, up from 32% when Pew asked the same questions in a different survey in 2022. Just 11% of teens today say they think social media is “mostly positive” for their peers.

    But just 14% of teens say social media has a mostly negative impact on themselves, although that figure has jumped from 9% in 2022.

    Still, teens are seemingly trying to rein in their own social media use; 45% say they spend too much time on social media, up from 36% in 2022. And 44% of teen respondents said they have cut back on time spent on social media and their smartphones.

    “The overuse of social media in our society seems to be the main cause of depression among those in my age group,” a teen boy quoted in the report wrote. “People seem to let themselves be affected by the opinions of people they don’t know, and it wreaks havoc upon people’s states of mind.”

    .The report suggests that the effects of social media vary somewhat by gender and race and ethnicity. Teen girls, for example, are slightly more likely than teen boys to say social media has hurt the amount of sleep they get, their productivity, their mental health and their confidence.

    Those findings are consistent with research from 2019 that has suggested the link between social media and depression may be stronger in teen girls than boys, and that social media may harm girls’ mental health by increasing their exposure to bullying and decreasing activities that have a positive impact on wellbeing, such as sleep.

    In 2021, internal documents from social media giant Meta, made public after a whistleblower disclosure, showed that the company’s research found that Instagram makes “body image issues worse for one in three teen girls.” Meta has since introduced new policies and practices aimed at improving teen safety, including updated AI tools announced Monday designed to catch teens lying about their age on the app.

    Girls (48%) are more likely to say they’ve cut back on social media use than boys (40%), according to Tuesday’s report.

    General mental wellbeing among teens is a broader concern; 89% of parents and 77% of teens reported being either “somewhat” or “extremely” worried about the issue.

    But parents are still more anxious about how social media is impacting their children than the teens themselves, the report suggests. Social media (44%) and technology generally (14%) ranked highest as the one thing parents believed negatively impacted teens’ mental health, whereas only 22% and 8% of teens, respectively, said the same.

    “Technology, which is making them more afraid to try things, makes them less creative and makes them less likely to figure out how to solve their own problems, whether relationally or physically,” a mother of a teen said in the survey.

    However, it’s not all bad.

    Nearly six in 10 teens said social media gives them “a place to show their creative side,” and even more said it helps them stay connected to what’s happening in their friends’ lives.

    The-CNN-Wire
    & © 2025 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.

    Source: Seattle Medium

  • OPINION: How Nigeria’s Worsening Security Impacts Economic Growth

    The recent upsurge in insecurity, which is now posing a threat to our national unity and cohesion, is making a mess of any assessment one could make on the growth of the Nigerian economy.

    Incessant killings as a result of banditry and terrorism are some of the most obvious causes of insecurity in Nigeria today, with religious and ethnic extremism and intolerance serving as their primary underpinnings.

    Doing an assessment of the number of lives lost and property destroyed is becoming a herculean task as days go by. And without doubt, the importance of security in ensuring sustainable long-term economic growth and development cannot be overemphasised. Like any other modern nation, Nigeria’s economic stability is closely tied to its national security.

    Lately, Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State cried out that Boko Haram has taken over three local governments in the state at a time when we all assumed the Boko Haram insurgency was coming to an end.

    The destruction of lives and property in the north-central region remains unresolved, and no one knows whether it is ethnic, religious, or herder farmers’ issues. Instructively, we all know the drivers of insecurity in Nigeria.

    Whether it is communal clashes, as happened in Osun lately over land boundaries, kidnapping for ransom payment, or rituals in the southwest and southeast, insecurity has continued to rage in our land. Meanwhile, government efforts to combat insecurity have been ongoing for over a decade and have produced mixed results.

    Today, insecurity has constrained the ability of many farmers to access their farmlands, while some are forced to pay bandits and terrorist groups to gain access to their farmlands for planting and harvesting. This translates to suboptimal agricultural output, scarcity, and higher food prices.

    This eventually impedes our ability to attain self-sufficiency in food production, which is fuelling increased food importation and piling on the pressure on the external reserves. In addition, the rising level of insecurity constitutes a major drag on investor confidence, which is negative for foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows.

    Nigeria recorded $699 million in FDI inflows in 2024, the lowest level since 2013.

    The widespread insecurity in the country has led to the disruption of agricultural activities, which are the largest employer of labour and the largest economic sector in the country (25.9% of GDP in 2021). The country’s level of insecurity and the implications for business activity cannot be overstated.

    Heightened uncertainty and instability hinder business operations, including production, marketing, and distribution. Agriculture also provides input for various manufacturing companies.

    Nigeria’s high food inflation rate, which stood at 23% in April 2025, is largely attributed to the increasing scourge of insecurity in the country’s northern region. Communal clashes and banditry, in addition to the farmer-herder disputes, have raged unabated throughout Nigeria’s North-Central zone, spreading to neighbouring states, including the South-West zone.

    In many cases, the country’s security situation has resulted in the suspension of commercial operations and expansion plans, thereby increasing unemployment and poverty levels. Lower-income earners are more vulnerable to reductions in purchasing power, job losses, and a lack of access to basic financial services that can help mitigate disruptions during periods of conflict.

    Security concerns in the country have also hampered access to raw materials in certain locations, thus disrupting production cycles and driving up costs. Many transportation and logistics providers are charging higher fees to specific regions, as security risks are being factored into the fares.

    According to the NBS, the average air fare charged for specified routes is up 28.26% in the last year, while the average charge for intercity bus journeys is up 35.65% within the same period. We are confronted with addressing Nigeria’s worsening security impact on the economy, which is key to stimulating investments that would support long-term economic growth and stimulate job creation.

    The central point of this piece, having interrogated these critical issues, is that we must proffer solutions. Let’s begin to look at a possible solution.

    First, it’s crucial to put Nigeria firmly on a path of sustainable growth; the economy is suffering, and we need to tackle insecurity to attract FDI, FPIs and others.

    Although there is a school of thought that believes the military and the police need major reforms and restructuring because the existing security structure has shown little progress in the fight against all the menaces impacting the economy in the form of insecurity. So, if reforming our security is the way to go about it, we should embrace it now.

    For instance, it has been proposed that state police or regional policing is the best approach to our insecure context. It has also been suggested that the state police be married with local vigilantes and hunters. These are bright ideas we need to work on.

    Top security experts in the country have also muted the idea of expanding the nation’s anti-terror capabilities, as well as improvements in reconnaissance and surveillance. This, they believe, would help in identifying and blocking funding channels for terrorists.

    The call for intelligence gathering, in addition to improving the relationship between the citizens and security agencies, is also critical in resolving the current quagmire. On the other hand, we cannot forget the human angle or what is referred to as the human face, in tackling insecurity. This includes tackling poverty and unemployment at their root causes.

    Moreover, it is also said that we must allow the private sector to contribute either in kind or cash. Although security experts are divided on this, as some argue that the private sector’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is enough in this regard.

    Lastly, we need to strengthen institutions and invest in infrastructure, with a clear priority for the judiciary and the rule of law.

    – Adefolarin A. Olamilekan is a Political Economist and Host of The Market Report Show, ADBN Television, Abuja

    OPINION: How Nigeria’s Worsening Security Impacts Economic Growth is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

    Source: The Whistler

  • Hisbah dismantles ‘Holy Site’ where pilgrims trooped to drink mud water following claims the ground bore Prophet’s footprint in Kano (video)

    The Kano State Hisbah Board has dismantled a makeshift pilgrimage site where pilgrims trooped to drink mud water following unverified claims that the location bore the footprint of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

    The site, located around the Dakata Industrial Area, was cleared for railway development recently. However, it attracted public attention after a muddy imprint was spotted on the ground, coupled with water seeping from the site. 

    Some Muslim faithful believed it was the Prophet’s footprint, and hundreds of people trooped to the site to drink, bathe, and collect the water, believing it possessed divine healing powers. 

    Reacting to the development, the Deputy Commander of the Kano moral police, Muhahideen Aminudeen, said the board swiftly intervened after receiving reports of the growing activities at the site. 

    He described the claims as fabricated and dangerous, especially given the absence of any religious or historical basis. 

    “Some mischief makers circulated this bogus story that the place is a holy site where the Prophet set foot,” he said. 

    “Unfortunately, many people who lack sound knowledge of Islam were misled. We deployed officers to the scene to educate the people and dismantle the site to prevent further harm.” 

    Aminudeen emphasised that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) never visited Africa during his lifetime, let alone Kano. 

    He urged the public to seek authentic Islamic knowledge to avoid falling prey to such deceptive claims. 

    “This kind of misinformation can lead people astray and even pose health risks,” he added. “We call on parents to ensure their children are properly educated in Islamic teachings.” 

    He also cautioned residents against consuming the water from the site, warning that it could be contaminated due to the area’s proximity to industrial activities. 

    The board said it was investigating the origin of the false claim.

     

    See video below.

     

     

     

    Source: Linda Ikeji

  • Nigerian Army Personnel Instead Of Engaging Terrorists Group, Extort Money From Farmers, Motorists — Kwara Communities Cry Out

     

    Residents of several border communities in the Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State have accused the Nigerian Army personnel deployed to the region of extortion, negligence, and failing to confront the growing threat of terrorism in the area.

     

    Multiple residents who spoke with SaharaReporters lamented that while armed groups continue to terrorise their villages, soldiers stationed there appear more interested in making money through illegal checkpoints than protecting lives.

     

    “They fired so many times, they appear to have presence in most of our communities now,” one community source told SaharaReporters, referring to the latest attack. “Communities like Nanoru, Tumbuyan, and Gwanara are no longer safe. My advice for my people is to remain vigilant henceforth.”

     

    In a shocking twist, locals are now calling for the withdrawal of military forces from their area, claiming the soldiers have become more of a liability than a line of defence.

     

    “We urge that the soldiers deployed to our communities for protection be returned to their barracks,” the source continued.

     

    “Let the government provide our local vigilante with sufficient firearms to empower them, because the soldiers are just here doing nothing.”

     

    A custom personnel who is also a resident of one of the affected communities told SaharaReporters that even though he wears the uniform, he is deeply disturbed by the conduct of the soldiers stationed in the area.

     

    “What is happening is that the soldiers deployed to our communities are not fulfilling their duties properly,” he said. “The group that attacked last night wore soldier uniforms, and there were soldiers at every checkpoint they passed. Some locals even reported seeing these groups dressed in military uniforms travelling back to Ilorin after the attack, mistakenly believing they were real soldiers.”

     

    He questioned how the supposed soldiers on duty could not identify impostors wearing their uniforms.

     

    “My concern is, how come the soldiers deployed could not recognise them?” he asked.

     

    The soldier also recounted his personal experience with extortion by his fellow troops.

     

    “If you visit Chikanda, you will notice that soldiers are present everywhere, stopping innocent farmers and extorting money from them. They will never go after these terrorists. They will not go to Koronji, the area they were deployed to secure.”

     

    “Every night, you will find them parked in the premises of a secondary school in Chikanda with their Hilux van, stopping individuals and asking them to open their car boots. That is not their job. They are doing this to extort people and make money for themselves. They are not fighting the terrorists; they were deployed to our communities to fight. It is like they are here to make money.”

     

    He revealed that he was also targeted for extortion, but pushed back.

     

    “I was stopped for the same reasons. They wanted to extort me too. I informed them that I am also a uniformed officer. I confronted them about their improper behaviour.”

     

    He said the situation would be better if the soldiers were removed entirely.

     

    “It is even better if these soldiers are not here, because without them, we would have been more vigilant as community people. But their presence is not helping us. They are only extorting us.”

     

    “The government should train our local vigilantes and give them sufficient firearms. They will perform better than these soldiers.”

     

    The military insider added that no soldiers are currently deployed to Koronji, a known hideout of the terrorist group operating in the area.

     

    “Currently, as I am speaking to you, in Koronji, the hideout of the terrorists, no soldiers are deployed there. They are only in the main town extorting money from farmers and motorists. Instead, it is only the local vigilantes providing protection.” 

    Source: Sahara Reporters

  • US tech company Mechanize to replace all human labor using artificial intelligence

    US tech company, Mechanize, a startup focused on developing virtual work environments, benchmarks, and training data, aims to replace all human labor using artificial intelligence.

    The venture’s initial goal, according to its founder Tamay Besiroglu, is to automate professional and administrative functions rather than manual duties, with a focus on the enormous $60 trillion global salary pool.

    Despite the fact that some economists predict augmentation rather than obsolescence, this ambitious ambition caused a great deal of pushback and reflects larger public anxiety about possible job displacement from automated intelligence.

    READ ALSO: Using AI, Google suspend 39m advert accounts over alleged fraud

     “Mechanize will build virtual work environments, benchmarks, and training data to enable the full automation of all work,” Besiroglu wrote in a post on X.

    In its X announcement, the corporation itself went one step farther and promised complete economic automation of its internal operations moving forward.

    “We will achieve this by creating simulated environments and evaluations that capture the full scope of what people do at their jobs,” Mechanize said. “This includes using a computer, completing long-horizon tasks that lack clear criteria for success, coordinating with others, and reprioritizing in the face of obstacles and interruptions.”

    Source: Ripples Nigeria

  • GOC 8 Division Rewards Spelling Bee Competitors With Scholarships

    The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 8 Division, Major General Ibikunle Ajose, has lauded the power of education and unity during a spelling bee competition held at Giginya Barracks, Sokoto, as part of the 25th priestly ordination silver jubilee celebration of Reverend Father Patrick Odira Orji of the Roman Catholic Church in the cantonment.

    To underscore the importance attached to education, the GOC granted all the competitors scholarships and hailed the competition as crucial to national development.

    The spelling bee was unique in its inclusive approach that brought together children from across the Barrack community, regardless of religion or ethnicity.

    Both Muslim and Christian families participated in the event, reflecting the spirit of unity and coexistence that the Nigerian Army promotes within its ranks and host communities.

    Speaking at the event, Ajose who is also the Commander Sector 2 Operation FANSAN YAMMA, praised the high standard of performance displayed by the children, describing it as a testament to the quality and potential within the barracks community.

    “The standard was very impressive, and I believe this is the way forward,” the GOC stated.

    “We must continue to tell our children that the sky’s the limit once they put their minds to it.

    “In the barracks, we are one family. Nigeria as a whole should embrace that spirit regardless of tribe, religion, or gender, we all work towards one goal: peace and unity.”

    In a further demonstration of his commitment to education and child development, the GOC personally sponsored the educational needs of the participant.

    This generous gesture included the payment of school fees, provision of school uniforms, school bags, sandals, wristwatches, personal clothing and cash prizes.

    The initiative not only encouraged academic excellence but also reinforced the military’s role in promoting social cohesion and nation-building beyond the battlefield.

    In his welcome address Rev Father PO Orji said the competition is not about winning but celebrating the joy of learning and the great fun ideas that literature holds.

    He acknowledged the participants commitment to excellence, stating that their courage and passion for learning is what makes the event meaningful.

    “Whether today brings victory or valuable lesson, remember that each word spelt today is a step towards growth”

    Orji expressed his gratitude to God for springing his life to witness this moment and the GOC for being for his support.

    The spelling bee ended with John Terse Orfega as first position, Jennifer Ashezi Sunday second position while Ajeh Gertrude and Fatima Muntaka emerged third position.

    GOC 8 Division Rewards Spelling Bee Competitors With Scholarships is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

    Source: The Whistler

  • Northern politicians have failed the region

    Kaduna State Governor,  Uba Sani, says northern politicians have failed the region and must apologise to the people. 

    He spoke in an interview with TRUST TV. 

    He added that the government of the day must allow criticism but it should be rooted in the interest of the people, not driven by a quest for power. 

    “Every democracy must allow criticism, but it must be constructive, and in the interest of the Nigerian people. That’s what we did as activists — not because we wanted power,” he said. 

    “But when you attack the government and you’ve been part of it… Anyone — like I said — who is from northern Nigeria and held a political office in the last 20 years, we all need to look at ourselves in the mirror and apologise to the people of northern Nigeria. We let them down.” 

    Sani admitted being part of the system and said northern Nigeria’s challenges stem from decades of underdevelopment and neglect. 

    “I’ll say it here today — all of us; I was a senator in this country, and the problems of northern Nigeria didn’t start two years ago,” he said. 

    “We’re talking about developments — or lack thereof — over the past 20 years; I can give you the data and statistics next time we meet. 

    “I chaired a committee on banking, so I know the poverty index of northern Nigeria. I know how many people, as we speak, are financially excluded.” 

    The governor said despite massive social intervention spending under former president Muhammadu Buhari, the region grew even worse due to systemic exclusion. 

    “Don’t forget, when Buhari was president — people forget this — he spent hundreds of billions on social interventions,” he said. 

    “But I’ll tell you why the north became poorer even after that. Because 70% of the population in northern Nigeria — especially the masses — were completely financially excluded. 

    “If you’re a former senator, a former member of the house of representatives, a former governor, a former minister, or even a former vice-president from northern Nigeria in the last 20 years — you’re part of the problem. All of us.” 

    The governor asked political leaders to avoid deceiving citizens with dishonest claims, while expressing respect for critics who speak truthfully and uphold genuine ethical principles. 

    “And that’s why I believe we must not deceive the people of northern Nigeria. We must not mislead them,” Sani said. 

    “That’s why I said earlier, I’ve no problem with people criticising the government — people like Dan Bello Galadanchi. 

    All those individuals, I can tell you, have the moral right to criticise this government. But those who were part of the rot and are now saying they’ve repented — please, I think that’s wrong.”

    Source: Linda Ikeji