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NCC proposes 12-month grace period for reclaiming unused airtime on deactivated lines

A 12-month grace period for subscribers to reclaim unused airtime on deactivated lines has been proposed by the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC. During a virtual stakeholder engagement forum held in Abuja on Tuesday, the proposal was made by the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of the NCC, Aminu Maida, who was represented by the Executive Commissioner for
NCC proposes 12-month grace period for reclaiming unused airtime on deactivated lines

A 12-month grace period for subscribers to reclaim unused airtime on deactivated lines has been proposed by the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC.

During a virtual stakeholder engagement forum held in Abuja on Tuesday, the proposal was made by the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of the NCC, Aminu Maida, who was represented by the Executive Commissioner for Stakeholder Management, Rimini Makama.

Maida explained that the initiative is part of efforts to balance consumer rights with operational realities in the telecommunications sector.

He stated that the telecommunications industry has played a significant role in driving economic growth, financial inclusion, and digital transformation in Nigeria, stressing that the prevalence of mobile services and the flexibility offered by prepaid plans have benefitted millions of Nigerians.

According to him, with the evolving landscape, it has become necessary to address emerging challenges that could undermine consumer rights, saying that the proposed framework seeks to address the issue of unclaimed recharges when accounts become inactive.

Maida noted, “The Quality-of-Service Business Rules 2024 stipulate that a prepaid line without a revenue-generating event for six months must be deactivated. If the inactivity continues for another six months, the line may be recycled.”

Maida explained that under the new framework, subscribers whose lines have been churned would have a one-year window to claim their unused airtime, provided they can verify ownership, adding that the initiative is geared towards balancing consumer protection with the practicalities of maintaining an efficient telecommunications industry.

He said that the debate remains whether operators should be required to refund unused airtime or whether the principle of ‘use it or lose it’ should prevail, pointing out that the goal is to establish a framework that protects consumers while ensuring the continued efficiency and competitiveness of the industry.

The Head of Legal and Regulatory Services at the NCC, Mrs. Chizua Whyte, while speaking, said the Draft Guidance on Unutilised and Unclaimed Subscribers’ Recharges is a critical step in fulfilling the commission’s mandate to develop regulatory instruments that foster a vibrant communications market.

NCC proposes 12-month grace period for reclaiming unused airtime on deactivated lines

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EU countries set to approve first retaliation against US tariffs

European Union countries will, on Wednesday, approve the bloc’s first countermeasures against U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs, joining China and Canada in retaliating and escalating a conflict that could become a global trade war. This will come on the day that Trump’s “reciprocal” tariffs on the EU and dozens of countries take effect, including massive
EU countries set to approve first retaliation against US tariffs

European Union countries will, on Wednesday, approve the bloc’s first countermeasures against U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs, joining China and Canada in retaliating and escalating a conflict that could become a global trade war.

This will come on the day that Trump’s “reciprocal” tariffs on the EU and dozens of countries take effect, including massive 104% duties on China, extending his tariff onslaught and spurring more widespread selling across financial markets.

DAILY POST reports that the 27-nation bloc faces 25% import tariffs on steel and aluminum and cars, as well as new broader tariffs of 20% on almost all other goods under Trump’s policy to hit countries he says impose high barriers to U.S. imports.

On Monday, the European Commission, which coordinates EU trade policy, proposed extra duties, mostly of 25%, on a range of U.S. imports in response specifically to the U.S. metals tariffs.

The imports were said to include motorcycles, poultry, fruit, wood, clothing, and dental floss.

They totaled about 21 billion euros ($23 billion) last year, meaning the EU’s retaliation will be against goods worth less than the 26 billion euros of EU metals exports hit by U.S. tariffs.

They are reportedly set to enter force in stages—on April 15, May 16, and December 1.

A committee of trade experts from the EU’s 27 countries will vote on Wednesday afternoon on the Commission’s proposal, which will only be blocked if a “qualified majority” of 15 EU members representing 65% of the EU population votes against.

Major wine exporters France and Italy had expressed concern after Trump threatened to hit EU wine and spirits with a 200% tariff if the EU went ahead with its planned 50% duty on bourbon.

Trump has already responded to Beijing’s counter-tariffs announced last week, nearly doubling duties on Chinese imports. China has vowed to “fight to the end.”

EU countries set to approve first retaliation against US tariffs

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Insecurity: It’s distraction – SGF Akume’s aide speaks on alleged plot to declare state of emergency in Benue

Terrence Kuanum, the Special Adviser on Public Affairs to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, on Wednesday dismissed the ploy to declare a state of emergency in Benue State. Kuanum said the narrative of a state of emergency in Benue was aimed at distracting the government from tackling the insecurity
Insecurity: It’s distraction – SGF Akume’s aide speaks on alleged plot to declare state of emergency in Benue

Terrence Kuanum, the Special Adviser on Public Affairs to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, on Wednesday dismissed the ploy to declare a state of emergency in Benue State.

Kuanum said the narrative of a state of emergency in Benue was aimed at distracting the government from tackling the insecurity challenges in the state.

He accused Governor Hyacinth Alia’s government of playing politics with the lives of the people of the state.

Featuring on Arise TV’s Morning Show, he accused Alia of failing to effectively tackle the issue of insecurity caused by armed herders attacking communities in the state.

He said: “It’s unfortunate that we have such a serious problem on our hands, and instead of the state government being on top of it to resolve the issue, they are busy playing politics with the lives of our people.”

“Nobody is interested in a state of emergency in Benue. If you recall, this is not the first time the state has gone through attacks.”

“The immediate past administration was on top of the situation. They opened the anti-grazing prohibition laws, and it was enforced by that government. By the time the government was leaving in 2023, there was no herder roaming the streets of Benue.”

“We expected this government to come and consolidate on those gains and move our people back to their ancestral homes. But when they came in, instead of consolidating on the gains of the immediate past administration, what they did was repeal the law that had brought peace to Benue people by scrapping the Livestock Guards. The trucks meant to carry cows apprehended have been converted to cargo trucks in Benue Links.”

“When you start seeing these killings coming up left, right, and center, you will recall that government officials were denying that there were no security challenges in Benue while people were killed daily.”

“Our people are killed on a daily basis. Is it the people of Abuja that want to bring a state of emergency?”

“Yesterday, people were killed in Benue; a day before yesterday, people were killed in Benue. We expected the government to have called all citizens of Benue together and looked for an objective way of resolving this crisis.”

“Benue State is not looking for a state of emergency; the narrative is a distraction not to address this issue.”

Insecurity: It’s distraction – SGF Akume’s aide speaks on alleged plot to declare state of emergency in Benue

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Itsekiris shut down oil facility in protest against INEC ward delineation

Following the ward delineation recommended for Warri Federal Constituency by the Independent National Electoral Commission, protesting Itsekiris have shut down a 28,000 crude barrels per day (bpd) facility in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State. On Tuesday, the protesters descended on the facility previously operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and recently
Itsekiris shut down oil facility in protest against INEC ward delineation

Following the ward delineation recommended for Warri Federal Constituency by the Independent National Electoral Commission, protesting Itsekiris have shut down a 28,000 crude barrels per day (bpd) facility in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State.

On Tuesday, the protesters descended on the facility previously operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and recently acquired by Renaissance Africa Energy Holdings, leading to the shutdown.

Though the protest was peaceful, protesters comprising men, women, and youths stormed the facility with placards bearing inscriptions showing their anger over the recommendation by INEC.

The protesters alleged ethnic cleansing by INEC and their collaborators in Delta and called for the cancellation of the delineation.

The aggrieved Deltans vowed to spread the protest to other critical facilities and infrastructure in Itsekiri land to stop oil production if nothing was done immediately.

The aggrieved Itsekiri people are demanding the withdrawal of the proposal made by INEC regarding ward delineation in Warri Federal Constituency, saying proper delineation, which would take cognisance of the historical and legitimate names of communities in Warri South, Warri South-West, and Warri North Local Government Areas, should be carried out by INEC.

It will be recalled that INEC had, last Friday, unveiled the proposed delineated wards and polling units in the Warri Federal Constituency, in line with the Supreme Court’s judgment that calls for fresh delineation.

The Itsekiri Nation, however, rejected the proposed ward delineation in Delta State by the Commission.

At a media briefing on Sunday, the Secretary of Itsekiri Leaders of Thought, Mr. Amorighoye Mene, dropped the hint of a court action against INEC.

He said, “We expected INEC to consider the voting strength of the various ethnic groups that comprise the area — the Itsekiri, Urhobo, Ijaw, and other mixed-demographic areas — when delineating the wards and polling units.

“At a stakeholders’ meeting on Friday, INEC unveiled the proposed delineated wards and polling units in the Warri Federal Constituency, in line with the Supreme Court’s judgment that calls for fresh delineation.

“We were not allowed to speak or react at the venue of the unveiling, but we have looked at the report given to us, and the entire Itsekiri Nation completely condemns and rejects the work done by INEC.”

Itsekiris shut down oil facility in protest against INEC ward delineation

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• April 9, 2025
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War: China responds to Zelensky’s claim of Chinese soldiers captured in Ukraine

China on Wednesday said it is working with Ukrainian authorities to verify the claim by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that two Chinese citizens were captured in the country. DAILY POST reports that Zelenskyy had on Tuesday disclosed that two Chinese soldiers fighting for the Russian army were recently captured in Ukraine. Zelenskyy also revealed that intelligence
War: China responds to Zelensky’s claim of Chinese soldiers captured in Ukraine

China on Wednesday said it is working with Ukrainian authorities to verify the claim by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that two Chinese citizens were captured in the country.

DAILY POST reports that Zelenskyy had on Tuesday disclosed that two Chinese soldiers fighting for the Russian army were recently captured in Ukraine.

Zelenskyy also revealed that intelligence suggested the number of Chinese soldiers in Russia’s army is “much higher” than the two captured fighters.

Responding, a spokesperson for China’s foreign ministry told reporters on Wednesday that “China is verifying the information with the Ukrainian side.”

According to a report by Newsweek, the spokesperson claimed that the Chinese government always advises its nationals to “stay away from areas of armed conflict, avoid any form of involvement in armed conflict, and in particular avoid participation in any party’s military operations.”

War: China responds to Zelensky’s claim of Chinese soldiers captured in Ukraine

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Trump freezes funding for Cornell, Northwestern over pro-Palestinian protests

The Donald Trump administration has frozen over $1 billion in federal funding for Cornell University. According to the White House, about $790 million has also been frozen for Northwestern University to enable investigations into alleged civil rights violations. This follows threats by Trump to block federal funding for schools over pro-Palestinian campus protests, as well
Trump freezes funding for Cornell, Northwestern over pro-Palestinian protests

The Donald Trump administration has frozen over $1 billion in federal funding for Cornell University.

According to the White House, about $790 million has also been frozen for Northwestern University to enable investigations into alleged civil rights violations.

This follows threats by Trump to block federal funding for schools over pro-Palestinian campus protests, as well as other issues such as diversity, equity and inclusion programs, and transgender policies.

The White House on Tuesday night confirmed the funding pauses and offered no further details on what they entail or which grants to the schools are being affected.

In a statement, Cornell revealed that it had received more than 75 stop-work orders earlier on Tuesday from the Department of Defense.

The orders were related to research “profoundly significant to American national defense, cybersecurity, and health.” However, Cornell also noted that it had not otherwise received any information confirming $1 billion in frozen grants.

Northwestern claimed it was aware of media reports about the funding freeze but had yet to receive any official notification from the government, insisting that it has cooperated in the investigation.

“Federal funds that Northwestern receives drive innovative and life-saving research, like the recent development by Northwestern researchers of the world’s smallest pacemaker, and research fueling the fight against Alzheimer’s disease.

“This type of research is now in jeopardy,” a Northwestern spokesperson told Reuters.

Trump freezes funding for Cornell, Northwestern over pro-Palestinian protests