Headlines

The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, NIHSA, has urged states along the Benue River to increase their vigilance.

The call is coming following the ongoing plan by the management of the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon to open the dam for water to gush out.

In a statement made available to journalists on Tuesday by the NIHSA, signed by the Director General and the Chief Executive Officer, Umar Ibrahim Mohamed, he said the states likely to be affected by the flow of water from the dam are: Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Edo, Delta, Anambra, Bayelsa, Cross River, and Rivers.

The agency also called on governments at all levels to implement adequate preparedness measures to mitigate potential flooding that may result from rising river levels during this period.

The release of water, the statement said, will begin at a rate of 100 cubic meters per second (8.64 million cubic meters per day) and is expected to gradually increase to 1,000 cubic meters per second over the next seven days, depending on inflows from the upstream Garoua River, the primary feeder of the reservoir and a significant contributor to the Benue River.

The Cameroonian dam authorities assured NIHSA that the water releases will be regulated to avoid exceeding the capacity of the Benue River and triggering major flooding downstream in Nigeria

A devastating boat accident in Zamfara State has claimed four lives, marking the second tragic incident in the state within a week.

The accident occurred on Tuesday at Mashayar Garba Rogo in Bukkuyum town, Bukkuyum Local Government Area, where a boat carrying over 50 passengers overturned.

According to resident Muhammad Usman, the boat capsized, resulting in the drowning of four children. Two bodies have been recovered, while two others remain missing. Twelve survivors are currently receiving medical attention at Bukkuyum General Hospital.

Babangida Usman, one of the survivors, recounted that the boat was primarily carrying small children and a few adults attempting to cross the river to access their agricultural lands. He described how the boat began to behave erratically during the voyage, ultimately capsizing despite the captains’ efforts to regain control.

“We rescued 12 children and some adults, but sadly, four people died,” Babangida said. “We recovered two bodies, but the remaining two are still missing.”

Hon. Nasiru Muhammad, Sole Administrator of Bukkuyyum Local Government, attributed the incident to overloading, anxiety, and failure to adhere to boat safety guidelines.

“The government is providing care for the 12 rescued victims at Bukkuyum General Hospital,” Muhammad said. “Measures will be taken to prevent a recurrence of such incidents. Experts are currently searching the river for the two missing passengers.”

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has denied reports that former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello is in its custody.

According to EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale, Bello remains wanted due to allegations of N80.2 billion money laundering charges. A subsisting warrant for his arrest is still in effect.

The EFCC had previously declared Bello wanted, and his status remains unchanged. The commission’s latest statement aims to correct misleading media reports suggesting Bello was in their holding facility.

Bello’s alleged involvement in financial irregularities led to the EFCC’s investigation and subsequent warrant. The commission continues to seek his apprehension to face the charges against him.

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Elon Musk’s brain-chip startup, Neuralink, has secured the US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) prestigious “breakthrough device” designation for its groundbreaking implant, Blindsight.

This innovative device aims to restore vision in individuals with complete or partial blindness, including those with non-functional optic nerves.

Neuralink shared the exciting news on its X page, inviting interested individuals to join its Patient Registry and explore career opportunities. “We have received Breakthrough Device Designation from the FDA for Blindsight,” the company announced. “Join us in our quest to bring back sight to those who have lost it.”

The FDA’s breakthrough designation is reserved for medical devices that treat or diagnose life-threatening conditions, accelerating their development and review, according to Reuters.

This recognition underscores the potential of Blindsight to revolutionize treatment for severe blindness cases.

Elon Musk took to his X social media platform to elaborate on Blindsight’s capabilities. “The Blindsight device from Neuralink will enable even those who have lost both eyes and their optic nerve to see,” Musk wrote.

He emphasized that individuals born blind, with an intact visual cortex, can also gain sight through this technology.

Musk tempered expectations by noting that initial visual resolution will be low, comparable to “Atari graphics.”

However, he predicted that Blindsight’s potential will eventually surpass natural vision, enabling users to perceive infrared, ultraviolet, or even radar wavelengths, echoing the advanced vision of Star Trek’s Geordi La Forge.

Founded by Elon Musk in 2016, Neuralink is pioneering innovative brain-computer interfaces to transform treatments for neurological disorders.

The FDA’s breakthrough designation brings Neuralink closer to realizing its vision of improving lives through cutting-edge technology.

The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Ogun State Chapter, has commended Governor Dapo Abiodun for releasing N5.3 billion in gratuities owed to pensioners by previous administrations.

In a letter dated September 17, jointly signed by Chairman Waheed Oloyede and Secretary Bola Lawal, the union expressed deep appreciation for the governor’s commitment to addressing the financial entitlements of elderly retirees.

The NUP described the release of funds as a “much-needed relief” for pensioners who have long awaited payment of their gratuities. They also praised the state government’s consistent and prompt payment of monthly pensions, enabling pensioners to plan for essential medications and healthcare.

Additionally, the union acknowledged various palliative measures implemented by the Abiodun administration, providing relief for pensioners amid economic challenges.

However, the pensioners appealed for further adjustments to their pensions, specifically requesting a consequential increase for long-standing retirees, in line with the 2019 Federal Government Circular.

The NUP described current pensions as “paltry” and insufficient to cover basic healthcare costs. They urged Governor Abiodun to ensure pensioner representation alongside organized labor in forthcoming negotiations on a new national wage increase.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has confirmed that it will continue to enforce the cybercrime levy of 0.005% on all electronic transactions in the 2024-2025 fiscal year.

This levy, introduced under the Cybercrime Act of 2015, aims to enhance Nigeria’s cybersecurity infrastructure by allocating a small percentage of fees from electronic transactions to improve cybercrime prevention and prosecution.

The levy has been a subject of controversy, with stakeholders debating its impact on financial transactions and effectiveness in boosting cybersecurity.

Critics argue that it increases transaction costs and burdens consumers and businesses. Notably, business associations and financial institutions have expressed concerns about the levy’s timing, given the prevailing economic challenges.

Despite criticism, the CBN has emphasized the levy’s importance in strengthening Nigeria’s cyber defense capabilities, crucial in today’s era of rising digital threats and cybercrime.

To address concerns about transparency and accountability, the bank has committed to improving reporting on how the levy funds are spent.

Key Provisions of the Levy:

Levy Application: A 0.005% levy on all electronic transactions, including online payments and electronic fund transfers.

Implementation Process: Financial institutions will deduct the levy at the point of electronic transfer origination.

Remittance Procedure: Monthly remittances to the National Cybersecurity Fund account domiciled at the CBN.

Exemptions: 16 specific transactions, such as loan disbursements and repayments, salary payments, and intra-account transfers.

The CBN has issued guidelines for the levy’s implementation, which takes effect at the beginning of the fiscal year.