Recapitalisation: NAICOM tightens noose on underwriters

  …says assets, others must be converted to cash   With four months left to the end of the first phase of recapitalisation, the National Insurance Commision (NAICOM) has further tightened its noose on insurance companies  with regard to meeting the minimum paid-up share capital in cash.   The first phase of the recapitalistion exercise is expected to end December 31, 2020 while the whole process ends September 2021.   In a circular issued yesterday, which is furtherance to earlier ones referenced /25/2019, dated May 20, 2019, July 23, 2019…

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COVID-19: Expert raises security concern over virtual meetings

Organisations leveraging various online platforms for virtual meeting as a result of the coronavirus pandemic face the risk of data compromise, a cybersecurity expert has warned. Process engineering analyst at Mi-C3 International, Mr. Adote Rock, who gave this warning during a webinar organised by the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA), said meetings over platforms such as Zoom could be recorded by anybody who is a participant and the information could be used against the organisation. “Zoom gives you the false impression that only you can authorise the recording of a…

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$111,500 fraud: EFCC arrests  undergraduates

  Operatives of the Port Harcourt zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested four students of the University of Port Harcourt for their alleged involvement in internet fraud.   The quartet, who allegedly defrauded 15 victims of $111,500 are Prince Hyacinth; Rex Emadifie Oghene, Odili Ifeayi and Uduak Samuel Williams.   They were picked up on Thursday, August 20, 2020 from their hideout at Chibiak Avenue, Elenpranwo, Ada George,  Port Harcourt.

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Allocation: FG, states, LGs share N676.407bn

  The three tiers of government comprising federal, states and local government councils shared the sum of N676.407 billion in the month of July.   The amount was revenue that accrued into the federation purse in July 2020.   The figure was confirmed at the end of the monthly Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting for August 2020 held through virtual conferencing and chaired by Dr Mahmud Isa-Dutse, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance.   According to a statement issued by Henshaw Ogubike, Director (Information, Press and Public Relations) in…

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NIPC: Oil, aviation firms file for tax holiday

Eight firms from power, oil and gas, ICT, and aviation sectors have filed fresh applications to the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) for tax holiday. The commission disclosed this in its Q2 Pioneer Incentive Status report just released. A pioneer status incentive grants companies making investments in qualifying industries and products a tax holiday of three years from the payment of company income tax. The three-year tax holiday has the possibility of an extension for one or two additional years to enable the industry concerned to make a reasonable level…

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Factions: Uneasy calm as pensioners maintain conflicting stance

  The registration of a new pension body, Federal Parastatals and Private Sector Pensioners’ Association of Nigeria (FEPPAN) in the first quarter of 2019 by Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige, is still generation friction among the retirees.   Recently, majority of the affected pensioners under the Sectoral Units and Parastatals urged the Federal Government to respect their decision to remain under the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP).   This was contained in a communique signed by the Chairman of all Sectoral Unions and Parastatals, Alex Abu, after…

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NBS scores Edo high on job creation

  The unemployment rate in Edo State dropped from 25.1 per cent in the 3rd quarter of 2018 to 19 per cent in the 2nd Quarter of 2020, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has said.   According to the “Labour Force Statistics: Unemployment and Underemployment Report,” released by the NBS last Friday, Edo State has the lowest unemployment figure in the South-South region.   Specifically, the report said: “The unemployment rate among states in the South-south is as follows: Akwa-Ibom 45.2 per cent; Bayelsa 27.8 per cent; Cross River…

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Group describes revelations from NDDC as nauseating

A Niger Delta-based civil society organisation- Niger Delta Movement for Peace & Justice, has noted with great concern and total displeasure the ongoing massive looting, corruption, abuse of office and impunity in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) perpetuated by interim management committee under the supervision of the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs. In a statement signed by the National Coordinator of the movement, Comrade Etifit Nkereuwem,  the group said the recent revelations of accusations, allegations and counter accusations and allegations by the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs and IMC against…

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MAN: COVID-19, others may push investors out of Nigeria

Following report by the board of Retail Supermarkets Nigeria Limited, a subsidiary of Shoprite International Limited to divert its retail businesses and exit Nigeria, the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has warned that the action could lead to some foreign firms leaving the shores of the country post-COVID-19. Acting Director-General of MAN, Ambrose Oruche, dropped this hint in a chat with New Telegraph in Lagos, saying that lots of businesses have recorded huge revenue losses, especially in the manufacturing sector. Oruche said that the COVID-19 crisis had changed the strategic…

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Vessels lift N113.6bn natural gas to Asia, Europe

  Despite weak demand and low prices, Nigeria has commenced export of  675, 691 metric tonnes of liquefied natural gas valued at N113.6billion ($252.37million) this month to various destinations. The gas,  which has started leaving Onne Port, is being ferried by 10 vessels as price hit $373.5 per tonnes in China. Although some cargoes have   taken longer time to reach their destinations, while others are still  idle at sea, data by the Nigerian Port Authority Shipping Position, however, revealed that LNG Bonny II left the Onne Port with 68,610 tonnes; Methane Princess, 61,309 tonnes;…

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