Nigerian Naira weakens marginally to dollar

The Naira on Friday weakened marginally against the dollar at both the parallel market in Lagos and the investor’s window.

The Nigerian currency traded at N472.5 to the dollar at the parallel market, down by 0.5 points from N472 exchanged on Thursday.

The Pound Sterling and the Euro closed at N582 and N530, respectively.

The Naira closed at N389.50 to the dollar at the investor’s window, down by 1.50 points from N388 it traded on Thursday.

Market turnover at the investor’s window stood at 12.61 million dollars.

It, however, closed at N381 to the dollar at the official Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) window.

Arotile’s death: NAF hand over the three suspects to police

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), on Friday handed over to the Kaduna State Police Command, the three suspects allegedly involved in the accident that led to the death of Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile on July 14.

The suspects were handed over to CSP Edward Omosanyin by the Commander 453 NAF Base Service Group, Group Capt. Hadi Ahmed at the NAF Base Kaduna.

The News  Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the police are expected to conduct further investigation into the incident for possible prosecution.

“It will be recalled that on July 14, 2020, at about 16:30hrs, a KIA Sorento SUV with registration number AZ 478 MKA (Kaduna) driven by Mr Nehemiah Adejoh knocked down Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile when she was walking along Air Marshal Ibrahim Alfa Road in Nigerian Air Force Base Kaduna.

“She was later pronounced dead by the doctor on call at the 461 Nigerian Air Force Hospital Kaduna.

“Other occupants of the vehicle at the time of the accident were Mr Igbekele Folorunsho and Mr Festus Gbayegun,” Ahmed said.

He explained that the three suspectd persons were former schoolmates of Arotile at the NAF Secondary School Kaduna, who were in the Base to visit the wife of a serving senior officer.

The commander recalled that the NAF had on July 19, informed Nigerians that the the three suspects were detained at the No. 1 Air Provost Wing, 453 Base Services  Group Nigerian Air Force Base Kaduna.

“It was also stated that the case being civil in nature would be transferred to the Nigeria Police for further investigation and possible prosecution in line with extant laws.

“It is on this note that I officially hand over the three  persons and the vehicle to the Nigeria Police, Kaduna State Command for further necessary action,” Ahmed said.

He assured that the NAF would provide necessary cooperation to the police in the course of its investigation.

The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Mohammed Jalige, who spoke to newsmen after the handing over, said senior police officers had since visited the scene of the incident, and assured of transparent investigation.

Arotile, the first female combat helicopter pilot, was buried with full military honour at the National Military Cemetery on Thursday in Abuja.

Federal Government denies stopping #BBNaijia

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has denied ordering the suspension of ongoing Big Brother Naija.

A report on social media on Friday said Minister of Information and Cultural Orientation, Alhaji Lai Mohammed had directed NBC to stop BB Naija broadcast in the country.

But speaking on Saturday night, the NBC Acting Director General, Dr Armstrong Idachaba said it was not true that BB Naija had been suspended.

Dr Idachaba dissociated the NBC from the report and urged Nigerians to disregard it.

Big Brother Naija Season 5 premiered on July 19.

Winner of Season 5 BBNaija will get a cash prize worth N85million, the highest so far since the inception of the show.

In addition is a two-bedroom apartment, Champions League finale trip, one-year supply of Pepsi, branded chiller, a trip to Dublin, home appliances including TV, premium fridge and several other prizes.

The reality TV show is gradually taking shape with some housemates making  good impression of themselves so far.

Lagos schools resume August 4

South-West states may write WASSCE in September

In accordance with the decision of state governors in the South-West geopolitical zone to reopen schools, primary and secondary schools in Lagos State are set to reopen on August 3, this year.

However, only learners in primary six, junior secondary school 3, and senior secondary school 3 are to resume.

This, it was gathered, followed a meeting held on Thursday in Ikeja with some stakeholders in the sector by officials of the Lagos State Ministry of Education.

During the meeting, the Department of Quality Assurance in the ministry mandated all schools, whether public or private to fill an online assessment form, stating their preparedness to meet conditions stipulated for school reopening by the Federal Ministry of Education.

Each school will later be issued clearance for it to reopen.

Speaking on the development, the Lagos State President of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools, NAPPS, Chief Olawale Amusa, said his association had also set up a Quality Assurance Committee to go round schools and assess the readiness of members.

He expressed optimism that most of his members would meet the requirements for reopening schools.

Also, despite the discordant tunes that have greeted the conduct of this year’s WASSCE by the West African Examinations Council, WAEC, South-West states are working on the possibility of partaking in the exam come September.

The decision by the states to partake in the exam is hinged on the need to allow final year secondary school students to be apart of this year’s admission into tertiary Institutions.

Recall that only on Thursday, the Minister of State, Education, Mr. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, said if the Federal Government could not meet up with WAEC’s timeline of conducting WASSCE in September, Nigerian candidates could take the exam in November/ December this year.