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The Ultimate AI Phone Set to Launch in Nigeria

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Lagos, Nigeria – 23 July, 2024 – OPPO is poised to revolutionize the smartphone industry with its latest AI phone, the Reno12 F 5G. As anticipation builds, OPPO promises to redefine what consumers expect from their mobile devices, merging groundbreaking AI capabilities with exceptional design and performance.

The Reno12 F 5G is more than just a phone; it is a testament to OPPO’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of technology. Having already launched globally in June 2024, the device is now set to make its debut in Nigeria on August 1, 2024. This release solidifies OPPO’s position as the leader in the AI phone segment, offering users an unparalleled experience in creativity, productivity, and connectivity.  “We’ve crafted the Reno12 F 5G to be more than just a smartphone; it’s an intelligent companion that anticipates your needs and elevates your daily life,” said Folashade Omonijo, OPPO’s Marketing Manager. “We’ve blended advanced AI with striking design to offer users a seamless, intuitive experience that sets a new benchmark in the industry.”

The Reno12 F 5G’s AI capabilities are designed to enhance every aspect of the user experience. From intelligent photography features that capture moments with precision to productivity tools that streamline daily tasks, this smartphone is built to empower users in every way.

As OPPO continues to innovate, the company remains committed to delivering products that combine advanced technology with aesthetic appeal. The Reno12 F 5G is a testament to this commitment, featuring a sleek design that is both stylish and durable.

The official launch details and pricing for the OPPO Reno12 F 5G will be announced soon.

About OPPO:

OPPO is a leading global smart device brand committed to innovation and excellence. Since the launch of its first mobile phone in 2008, OPPO has been dedicated to creating devices that combine aesthetic satisfaction with cutting-edge technology. With a presence in over 60 countries and regions, OPPO continues to inspire and enhance the lives of millions of users worldwide. For more information and updates, please visit oppo.com/ng/

 

 

Prepare for impending flood, NOA tells Jigawa residents

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The National Orientation Agency has urged residents in Jigawa to be vigilant and heed safety measures to mitigate flooding.

The NOA Director in the state, Malam Ahmad Ibrahim, stated this in a statement by its spokesperson, Sara Ogodo, on Monday in Dutse.

It said the call was an imperative sequel to the National Flood Early Warning Systems, which indicated that the state is likely to experience downpours in the coming weeks.

Ibrahim was quoted as saying that human activities caused climate change, including perfect al floods that led to displacement, and loss of lives and properties across the country.

“The FEWS Centre of the Federal Ministry of Environment’s report on flood prediction indicates that heavy rainfall may lead to flood in Miga, Ringim, Hadejia and Dutse.

“There is also a report of potential failure of the Tiga Dam in Kano, as a result of which excessive rainfalls might affect many communities and towns in Jigawa state.

“People must therefore stay informed, especially on the need to be proactive, as this is the only way we can mitigate the impacts of this imminent disaster in our communities”, Ibrahim said in the statement.

Ibrahim reiterated commitment to public awareness to mobilise communities on how to mitigate the disaster.

NAN

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Death toll from Ethiopia landslide rises to 146

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The death toll from a landslide in southern Ethiopia has risen to at least 146, a local official said Tuesday, warning that the number could rise.

The landslide occurred around 10:00 am (0700 GMT) on Monday following heavy rains in a mountainous area of South Ethiopia regional state. The last toll given was 55.

“The number of dead from the sudden landslide that happened in Geze-Gofa district of Gofa zone has passed 146,” a statement from the Gofa zone Communications Affairs Department said, quoting local official Habtamu Fetena.

Habtamu said the bodies of 96 men and 50 women had been found, adding that the search was “continuing vigorously” and warning that the number of dead could increase.

Images shared on Facebook by the state-affiliated media outlet Fana Broadcasting Corporate on Monday showed hundreds of people near a devastating scene of tumbled red soil.

The photographs showed people using their bare hands to dig through the dirt in search of survivors.

Gofa zone is roughly 450 kilometres (270 miles) from the capital Addis Ababa, a drive of about 10 hours, and located north of the Maze National Park.

The South Ethiopia regional state has been battered by the short seasonal rains between April and early May that have caused flooding and mass displacement, according to the UN’s humanitarian response agency OCHA.

AFP

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Hardship: NLC, student unions kick against planned mass protest

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The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), student unions, and other civil society organisations have pulled out from the planned mass protest scheduled to hold on August 1, 2024.
The leadership of the unions’ Jigawa State chapters disclosed this while speaking at the town hall meetings held on Monday at the Banquet Hall, Government House Dutse.
The meeting aimed to discuss how to join hands with critical stakeholders to tackle economic challenges and advise people not to become agents of national destruction.
According to them, the state government is doing its best to alleviate the suffering of the common man; therefore, the planned mass protest has no basis in Jigawa State.
They explained that the state government has initiated various empowerment programmes that are touching the lives of the masses at the grassroots level, including FADAMA CARES.
According to them, “The project employs a scientific and unbiased mode of selecting beneficiaries irrespective of their social differences, and under the programme, thousands of poor and vulnerable people are directly benefiting.”
“Government is also employing youth, increasing scholarships for students, and ensuring the payment of salaries and other benefits.”
State Commissioner of Police, CP A.T. Abdullahi, noted that Jigawa is the most peaceful state in the nation, therefore, there is a need to maintain the tempo.
He explained that most protests are being hijacked by criminals who don’t want good for the country.
“The process will be taken over by undesirable elements, leading to a crisis,” the CP said.
He reiterated the command’s commitment to protecting the lives and properties of the citizens.
Hardship: NLC, student unions kick against planned mass protest

Akwa Ibom community demands chairmanship slot

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Stakeholders of the Nkari community in Ini Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State have cried out to the state government to intervene in the prolonged marginalization of the community which had denied them basic amenities and political opportunities in the state.

Briefing newsmen in Ikot-Ekpene Local Government, the International President, Nkari community, Elder Effiong Udoete, while making a case for the community to produce the next chairmanship of the local government, lamented that since 1999 to date the community has yet to produce either a Senator, House of Representatives or House of Assembly member, adding that even appointments such as Special Advisers have not come to them.

He said that the exclusion of the community from political opportunities had profoundly affected the community economically and politically.

“All of us are aware that since this dispensation politically- from 1999 to date, Nkari community has not produced any elected officer of the rank of a chairman of the council, House of Assembly, House of Representatives, or a Senator or all of that.

“We have not also enjoyed the fruits of democracy in the sense that we have not also been appointed by the government of the day to take charge of a remarkable position like the commissioner, chairman of board appointment, even SAs has ever come to us but we are interested in the appointments.

“That is why we are asking the government of Akwa Ibom State and everybody who should be concerned in our matter that in the face of equity and fair play, we should be given the opportunity of the chairmanship slot,” Odoete said.

Speaking, one of the stakeholders, Bassey Ekpo Esq, lamented that residents of the Nkari community are still living in the stone age.

“Just take a walk to Nkari, you will see that at my age, I am a little above 40, I don’t know what electricity looks like, whether it is black, white, green, or yellow. Not that it has been there before; it has never been there before.

“We don’t even have access road and portable water supply, I don’t know what these look like, we are still in those stone age, that is why we are urging the state governor, Umo Eno, to ensure that the right the people of Nkari is giving to the people of Nkari,” he said.

Nigerian military gets first female professional golfer

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Sergeant Cynthia Maurice of the Nigerian Airforce has made history by becoming the country’s first female professional golfer in the military.

The week-long Professional Examinations which were held from July 14 to July 20 took place at HSD Golf Club Bayelsa.

The examinations sanctioned by the Professional Golfers Association of Nigeria consisted of playing ability tests, written and oral.

The Assistant Resident Head Professional, TYB International Golf Resort and Country Club, Emmanuel Odoh, said that Maurice’s journey was a testament to her resilience, perseverance, and determination.

Odoh said that her achievement had indeed paved the way for other female golfers in the military and inspired young girls to pursue careers in sports.

He noted that it also highlights the progress made in promoting gender equality and diversity in the Nigerian military.

“Just four years ago, Cynthia took up golf, inspired by the professionals she saw on the course. She set her sights on becoming a pro herself, refusing to settle for amateur status.

“With unwavering dedication, she channelled her mind and body towards her goal, sacrificing tirelessly to hone her skills.

“From a 36-handicap beginner to a professional golfer, Cynthia’s transformation is a remarkable achievement. Her hard work, discipline, and courage have earned her the crown of bravery, resilience, and honour.

“Today, we celebrate Cynthia’s remarkable journey, her perseverance, and her refusal to accept anything less than excellence. Congratulations, Pro Cynthia Maurice,” he said.

(NAN)

Uganda mobilises police ahead of rally

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Police were out in force on the empty streets of the Ugandan capital Kampala on Tuesday ahead of a planned anti-corruption rally that has been banned by the authorities.

President Yoweri Museveni, who has ruled the East African country with an iron fist for almost four decades, had warned the demonstrators at the weekend they were “playing with fire”.

Three opposition lawmakers were remanded in custody late Monday, police said, after opposition leader Bobi Wine said his National Unity Platform (NUP) headquarters was “under siege” by police and army officers.

The call to action over corruption has been organised online, drawing inspiration from the mostly Gen-Z led anti-government protests in neighbouring Kenya that have roiled the country for a month.

“We are the youths and heart of our country and we are not letting down our country,” leading Ugandan protester Shamim Nambasa told AFP on Monday.

Posters shared online ahead of the rallies urged demonstrators to “march on parliament”.

But police spokesman Kituuma Rusoke said the authorities will “not allow a demonstration that will risk peace and security of the country”.

In the capital, AFP journalists said there were roadblocks on mostly quiet streets — especially near Kampala’s business district — heavily manned by officers in anti-riot gear with some wearing camouflage uniforms.

A heavy police presence also remained in place around the NUP headquarters, an AFP journalist said.

On Monday three lawmakers with the opposition group were detained by police on “various offences and remanded to prison,” according to the police spokesperson who did not give further details on the charges.

Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, had made calls on Monday to support the rallies.

“We want a country where we all belong not for the few in power,” he said.

A NUP spokesperson confirmed three legislators — named as Francis Zaake, Charles Tebandeke and Hassan Kirumira — along with seven others connected to the party, had been detained.

Tuesday’s march has been organised on social media by young Ugandans with the hashtag #StopCorruption.

Graft is a major issue in Uganda, with several major scandals involving public officials, and the country is ranked a lowly 141 out of 180 countries on Transparency International’s corruption index.

AFP.

Nigerian govt stands firm on sanctions for banks defaulting on windfall tax

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The Federal Government has reiterated its tough stance on financial institutions failing to comply with the windfall tax on foreign exchange profits made in 2023.
This comes as the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, and the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Zack Adediji, met with the National Assembly’s finance committees to discuss amendments to the Finance Bill, 2024, on Monday.
The windfall tax, introduced in 2023, is a one-time levy imposed on banks’ excess foreign exchange earnings generated due to a significant devaluation of the Naira. The government aims to utilize the collected revenue for public services.
The Senate had given an expeditious passage to President Bola Tinubu’s request to amend the Finance Act to impose a one-time windfall tax on banks’ foreign exchange profits in 2023.
Read Also: Ndume insists Tinubu is inaccessible, cites personal experience
Speaking at the meeting, Edun said, the “bank windfall” profit levy, though small still constituted an important contribution to government finances at a time when revenues had substantially increased despite minimising taxes.
In his explanation, the FIRS chairman explained that the windfall tax was not a new tax imposed on banks.
Adedeji said, “These are the gains that you have without any contribution from you, without any value addition. They result from the effect of an adverse activity on others. And who are these others? If you look at the report of all manufacturing entities in the last one and a half years, you will discover that a lot of registered companies recorded huge losses from exchange transactions.
“Anywhere in the world, your duty as the government is to redistribute the wealth to sustain the progress and prosperity of the nation.
“So the loss suffered by manufacturing, as a result of these foreign gains, which is being recorded in the bank is what the government seeks to redistribute. And that is why we have this levy.
“So we seek your permission and your understanding in balancing this economic inequality that was occasioned due to the circumstances that we find ourselves.”
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180 members of minority caucus adopt Obi Aguocha’s call for Nnamdi Kanu’s release

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One hundred and eighty members of the minority caucus of the 10th House of Representatives have adopted a motion by lawmaker, Obi Aguocha for the release of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.
Aguocha, who represents the Ikwuano, Umuahia North and Umuahia South Federal Constituency, revealed this on Monday during a meeting of the caucus.
He urged his colleagues to take a definitive position on the ongoing discourse surrounding Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and to explore a political solution to the pressing issue.
The adoption of the position by the influential caucus comes on the heels of Aguocha’s recent visit to former President Muhammadu Buhari, the successful mobilisation of 50 of his colleagues across all parties and the southeast caucus of the National Assembly.
In his address, Aguocha emphasized the importance of a united stance within the minority caucus, highlighting that the resolution of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s case was crucial for national peace, stability, and unity.
He called for immediate and strategic engagement with relevant stakeholders to advocate for a peaceful and political resolution to the matter, which has significant implications for the socio-political landscape of Nigeria.
In a statement from the address, ‘‘Aguocha underscored the potential benefits of addressing the situation through dialogue and reconciliation rather than a prolonged abuse of legal processes and confrontation.
He expressed the belief that a political solution could pave the way for enhanced national integration and the restoration of trust among various communities.
He said, “today, the opposition parties have taken a decisive stand on Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the planned protest, insecurity, the dilapidated infrastructure, and the economy.
‘‘This call to action serves as a reminder of the critical role that legislative bodies play in fostering peace and stability in the nation. We remain committed to championing initiatives that promote justice, equity, and harmonious coexistence across Nigeria’’.
The caucus which endorsed Aguocha’s call consists of all members from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, 115 seats, Labour Party, LP, 35 seats, New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, 19 seats, All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, 5 seats, Social Democratic Party, SDP, – 2 seats, Young Progressives Party, YPP – 2 seats, and the African Democratic Congress, ADC, – 2 seats.
180 members of minority caucus adopt Obi Aguocha’s call for Nnamdi Kanu’s release

Stock markets mixed after US rally ahead of inflation report

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Asian markets were mixed Tuesday as investors struggled to extend a surge on Wall Street, where the tech sector bounced back after last week’s losses, while attention turned to the upcoming release of key US inflation data.

In New York, all three main indexes rose, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq up more than one per cent each.

Asia followed suit Tuesday morning but some markets were unable to maintain their advances.

Tokyo finished flat and there were losses in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Mumbai, Bangkok and Jakarta, while Sydney, Seoul, Singapore, Wellington, Manila and Taipei rose.

London and Paris fell at the open while Frankfurt rose.

Joe Biden’s decision to drop out of the presidential election race and endorse Vice President Kamala Harris had little major impact on sentiment, analysts said, though there is much debate about who she chooses as her running mate.

However, analysts warned the road will likely be bumpy over the next few months.

Saira Malik at Nuveen said Biden’s decision to pull out of the presidential race “adds even more uncertainty around what has already been a tumultuous 2024 geopolitical landscape.

“Mr Biden announced he will endorse… Kamala Harris, but the exact path forward is uncertain.

“If this news gives former President Trump a bump in the polls, that could provide a further boost to areas of the market that have been pricing in increased prospects for a Republican sweep in November.

“One thing does seem certain: More twists and turns in the political roller coaster in the months ahead.”

Traders are also hoping for more policy announcements to kickstart the stuttering Chinese economy after last week’s closely watched Third Plenum of leaders unveiled few measures save a pledge to help local governments financially.

This week has seen a more upbeat start after a sell-off last week that came on the back of a tech retreat fuelled by profit-taking and reports the White House was planning a fresh crackdown on firms supplying chip tech to China.

But, optimism for another healthy earnings season, particularly among semiconductor makers, saw a bounce on Monday, with market darling Nvidia among the big winners along with Broadcom and Texas Instruments.

This week sees releases by Google parent Alphabet, Tesla and Spotify.

Tech firms have led the rally in markets this year, helping push all three main indexes in New York to multiple record highs, thanks to expectations the Federal Reserve will cut borrowing costs.

After last week was devoted to the US election and the assassination attempt on Donald Trump, the central bank’s monetary policy is back in focus ahead of Friday’s report on personal consumption expenditure, the Fed’s favoured gauge of inflation.

The figure has come down steadily in recent months, giving central bank officials room to begin cutting rates, with bets on a September move increasing.

In currency markets, the dollar weakened against the yen ahead of a policy meeting at the Bank of Japan next week that some say could see it hike interest rates again.

The greenback has softened of late against the Japanese unit, with OANDA’s Kelvin Wong citing two catalysts.

“Firstly, it has been the increased odds of a more dovish US Federal Reserve… to kickstart in the September (policy) meeting after a slew of soft key US economic data in terms of spending and inflationary trends.

“Secondly, in an earlier Bloomberg interview with… Donald Trump published on Tuesday, 16 July, Trump implied that he favoured a weaker US dollar against the Japanese yen and Chinese yuan yuan (due to US exports losing competitiveness).”

Seoul-listed Kakao tanked more than five percent on news that the billionaire founder of the internet conglomerate, Kim Beom-su, had been arrested Tuesday facing accusations of manipulating stock prices during the purchase of K-pop powerhouse SM Entertainment.

 

– Key figures around 0715 GMT –

Tokyo – Nikkei 225: FLAT at 39,594.39 (close)

Hong Kong – Hang Seng Index: DOWN 0.9 per cent at 17,476.49

Shanghai – Composite: DOWN 1.7 per cent at 2,915.37 (close)

London – FTSE 100: DOWN 0.3 per cent at 8,172.10

Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.0884 from $1.0890 on Monday

Pound/dollar: DOWN at $1.2919 from $1.2929

Dollar/yen: DOWN at 156.54 yen from 157.08 yen

Euro/pound: UP at 84.25 pence at 84.20 pence

West Texas Intermediate: FLAT at $78.38 per barrel

Brent North Sea Crude: UP 0.1 per cent at $82.47 per barrel

New York – Dow: UP 0.3 per cent at 40,415.44 (close)

AFP