Destkelamedia

   A wave of violent protests has engulfed Kenya's capital, Nairobi, as citizens express their outrage over newly introduced tax laws. Demonstrators breached the parliamentary complex, setting parts of the building on fire, and gunshots echoed through the city. At least one person has been reported dead, and dozens have been injured in the escalating violence. The unrest began as the Kenyan parliament passed a finance bill that proposes significant tax increases. The move has sparked widespread anger, leading to violent confrontations between protesters and police. BBC reporters on the ground have witnessed bodies on the streets and seen police using tear gas to disperse the crowds. Amid the chaos, some Members of Parliament are reportedly taking refuge in the building's basement, fearing for their safety. The protesters' actions have highlighted the deepening crisis in Kenya, as citizens grapple with the impact of the new tax measures on their daily lives. The demonstratio

  Essien Etop Andrew, the deputy comptroller of finance administration and technical service at the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), tragically passed away during an investigative hearing with the House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts. The incident occurred on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, around 1:00 pm While fielding questions from committee members, Andrew suddenly coughed and slumped. Immediate medical attention was provided, and he was rushed to the National Assembly Clinic. Despite the prompt efforts of first responders and medical personnel, he was unfortunately confirmed dead at the clinic. The House of Representatives released a statement through its spokesperson, Akin Rotimi, expressing deep sadness and regret over the incident. Out of respect for the family, Andrew's name was initially withheld. The statement emphasized the House's condolences to Andrew's family, friends, and colleagues, acknowledging his significant contributions to the Nigeria Customs S

Governor Aliyu of Sokoto State has urged Vice President Kashim Shettima to verify facts before making public statements on sensitive national issues. The governor's remarks came in response to Shettima's recent comments regarding the protection of the Sultan of Sokoto. Vice President Shettima had publicly expressed concerns about the need to safeguard the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, amid rumors of a possible plan to depose him. These comments sparked significant discussion and speculation. Through his spokesperson, Abubakar Bawa, Governor Aliyu clarified that there was no truth to the rumors about deposing the Sultan. He emphasized that Shettima should have reached out to him directly to verify the information before making any public statements. “The fact of the matter is that there was never any attempt to sack the Sultan. The Sultan enjoys all the powers he is entitled to, and the state government has never denied him any of his freedom or rights,” Governor A

   Shoprite Mall has announced that it will cease operations at one of its Abuja branches by June 30, 2024. The branch in question is located at Novare Central Mall in Wuse Zone 5. This information was contained in a circular signed by Chief Executive Officer Dr. Folakemi Fadahunsi on behalf of the retail supermarket, as obtained by our correspondent on Monday. An employee at the store, who requested anonymity, confirmed the news, stating, “Yes, it is true, we just heard it here too.”  Reasons Behind the Closure The decision to close the Wuse branch was made after a thorough evaluation of the store’s financial situation and the current business climate. The company stated that this move is aimed at ensuring the long-term growth of the organization. Vendors have been notified that their services will no longer be required at the store. The circular from Shoprite read: “We regret to inform you that as of June 30, 2024, Retail Supermarkets Nigeria Limited will be closing its Wuse Store lo

   Senator Isah Jibrin, Chairman of the Senate ad-hoc committee investigating the N30 trillion ways and means advances made by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to the Buhari administration, has clarified that the total amount is significantly higher than previously reported. Contrary to TheCable's earlier report quoting N7 trillion, Jibrin confirmed the figure stands at N30 trillion. In an interview with TheCable, Senator Jibrin explained that the committee is still in the process of gathering detailed information on the expenditure and beneficiaries of the advances. "The breakdown is for N30 trillion, not N7 trillion. This is what was presented to us by the CBN," Jibrin stated. The committee seeks to ensure transparency and accountability in understanding how these funds were allocated and utilized. The committee has faced delays in receiving necessary documentation from the auditor-general's office, which holds the records of tenors and repayment schedules. Jibrin

   On Monday, June 24, 2024, Hon. Darlington Orji, the Care-taker Committee Chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area, inaugurated the newly appointed caretaker committee members and other political appointees. The ceremony took place at the Customary Court in Elele, within the Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State. During the event, Chairman Orji emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and order while discharging their duties. He urged the newly inaugurated members to view their positions as a call to serve, contributing to the success of his administration and that of the State Government led by Sir Siminalayi Fubara. Chairman Orji expressed his gratitude to Governor Siminalayi Fubara for the opportunity to serve, promising that his team would not disappoint. The newly inaugurated committee members and political appointees are expected to bring positive changes and support the local administration's goals. The appointed CTC members and their respective roles are: -

The Naira experienced a significant depreciation yesterday, falling to N1,505 per dollar in the parallel market, down from N1,495 per dollar recorded last weekend. In the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market (NAFEM), the Naira also weakened, depreciating to N1,490.2 per dollar from N1,485.53 per dollar over the same period. Data from FMDQ revealed that the indicative exchange rate for NAFEM increased to N1,490.2 per dollar, representing a N4.67 depreciation for the Naira compared to last weekend. Additionally, the volume of dollars traded in the market saw a substantial decline, with turnover dropping by 21.4 percent to $152 million from the $193.5 million traded last Friday. This depreciation has widened the margin between the parallel market and NAFEM rates to N14.8 per dollar, up from N9.47 per dollar last weekend. Factors Influencing the Depreciation The Naira's recent depreciation in both the parallel market and NAFEM can be attributed to several key factors: 1. Declini