News
keyamo unveils 2025 climate forecast, predicts early rains in South
By Francesca Hangeior
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has unveiled the 2025 Seasonal Climate Prediction from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, forecasting early rainfall in many southern states.
The minister made this announcement on Tuesday in Abuja during the official presentation of the 2025 SCP.
The document predicts that most parts of the country will experience significant rainfall at the beginning of 2025, with some rains likely arriving before the expected onset.
Keyamo said, “The onset of rain is predicted to be delayed over the northern and central states, including Plateau, as well as parts of Kaduna, Niger, Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba, Adamawa, and Kwara. Meanwhile, early onset is expected in the southern states of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Anambra, and sections of Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ondo, Lagos, Edo, Enugu, Imo, and Ebonyi. The rest of the country is predicted to have a normal onset.
“An earlier-than-average end to the rainy season is predicted in parts of Zamfara, Katsina, Kano, Kaduna, Jigawa, Plateau, Bauchi, Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Taraba, Niger, Kwara, Kogi, the FCT, Ekiti, and Ondo states.
However, a delayed end is expected in parts of Kaduna, Nasarawa, Benue, Lagos, Kwara, Taraba, Oyo, Ogun, Cross River, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Ebonyi, Anambra, and Enugu.”
The prediction also warns of a severe dry spell lasting over 15 days in Oyo State and up to 21 days in parts of northern Nigeria during the June-July-August season.
“The little dry season, known as the ‘August break,’ is expected to begin in late July and will be severe in parts of Lagos and Ogun states, with 27 to 40 days of little or no rainfall.
“In line with the United Nations’ Early Warnings for All Initiative, this prediction serves as an early warning tool for stakeholders, governments at all levels, and the general public to prepare for potential hazards associated with excessive or deficient rainfall, floods, extreme temperatures, and dry spells across the country,” the minister added.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Ibrahim Kana, highlighted the ministry’s commitment to making climate information accessible to all Nigerians.
“Today’s session is particularly special because it represents our dedication to public engagement, ensuring that the knowledge we generate benefits communities across all 36 states of the federation and the FCT,” he said.
He also noted that a summary of the SCP for policymakers, translations into Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, and Pidgin, and a comprehensive report on Nigeria’s 2024 climate demonstrate NiMet’s commitment to inclusivity and accessibility.
Also speaking at the event, the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of NiMet, Charles Anosike, stressed that the SCP is time-sensitive and requires immediate action from stakeholders.
“As with all weather and climate predictions, the Seasonal Climate Prediction is perishable and requires stakeholders to use the information promptly, implement necessary measures, and provide feedback for evaluation and improvement,” he noted.
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, the Nigeria Police Force has directed his men to resume the issuance of tinted glass permits across the country.
This development was announced in a statement released on Wednesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi.
According to the Force spokesperson, the move comes in response to rising concerns and complaints from the public over the harassment of vehicle owners by law enforcement agents for using factory-fitted tinted windows.
“The Nigeria Police Force, under the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, has reactivated the issuance of Tinted Glass Permits (TGP) nationwide through a secure and user-friendly digital platform.
“This initiative comes in response to widespread public complaints about the harassment of motorists over the use of tinted windows and reflects the need for a clear, transparent, and accountable process for regularising factory-fitted tinted glass on vehicles”, the statement partly read.
Highlighting the prevalence of modern vehicles designed with tinted windows for comfort and aesthetics, the police emphasised the importance of having a formal system to regulate usage.
“With modern automobiles increasingly manufactured with tinted windows, it has become essential to provide a standardised system that accommodates legitimate use while ensuring public safety.
“Tinted vehicles have often been exploited for criminal purposes, including kidnapping, armed robbery, ‘one-chance’ scams, and other forms of banditry”, Adejobi explained.
According to the statement, the abuse of tinted windows by criminals creates operational challenges for law enforcement and compromises national security.
In addition, he explained that law enforcement will begin active implementation after the grace period, and the police warn that officers who misuse the enforcement process will be sanctioned.
“Enforcement will commence at the end of this period. Officers found engaging in unprofessional conduct, such as extortion or harassment, in the course of enforcement will be decisively dealt with in accordance with extant disciplinary procedures”, he said.
By Gloria Ikibah
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced a revised documentation requirement for transactions conducted through the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) in Nigeria.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by the apex bank’s acting Director, Corporate Communications, Mrs. Hakama Sidi Ali
The CBN said the new initiative is part of its ongoing commitment to foster seamless intra-African trade, financial inclusion, and operational efficiency for Nigerians engaging in cross-border payments within Africa.
Launched by Afreximbank in partnership with the African Union and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) secretariat in January 2022, PAPSS serves as a centralized payment and settlement platform that enables instant, secure, and efficient cross-border transactions throughout Africa.
By facilitating payments in local currencies, PAPSS minimizes reliance on third-party currencies, reduces transaction costs, and supports the rapid expansion of trade under the AfCFTA.
In a recent circular referenced TED/FEM/PUB/FPC/001/006 issued on April 28, 2025, CBN outlined the key changes to the documentation requirements associated with PAPSS transactions.
The key changes it added take effect immediately and include simplified documentation for low-value transactions, which allows customers to now use basic KYC and AML documents provided to their authorized dealer banks for low-value transactions of up to $2,000 and $5,000 equivalent in naira for individuals and corporate bodies, respectively.
“For transactions above the thresholds, all documentation as stipulated in the CBN foreign exchange manual and related circulars remains mandatory,” the bank said.
Also, the CBN added that applicants are responsible for ensuring all regulatory documents are available to facilitate the clearance of goods, as required by relevant government agencies.
“Authorized dealer banks may now source foreign exchange for PAPSS settlements through the Nigerian foreign exchange market, without recourse to the CBN.
“All export proceeds repatriated via PAPSS shall be certified by the relevant processing banks.
“The Central Bank of Nigeria urges all banks to adopt PAPSS and commence originating transactions in line with this new policy.
“In addition, CBN encourages exporters, importers, and individuals to familiarize themselves with the new requirements and leverage PAPSS for cross-border transactions within Africa,” the statement said.
-
Metro12 hours agoGunmen storm University of Benin teaching hospital, kill doctor
-
Metro12 hours agoFCTA destroys 601 motorbikes over violations
-
News12 hours agoJust in: FG declares tomorrow public holiday
-
News4 hours agoAlleged money laundering: EFCC produces Aisha Achimugu in court
-
News24 hours agoDeputy Speaker Leads Defection of PDP Stalwart Chris Igwe, 13,000 Followers to APC In Abia
-
News5 hours agoJUST IN: Major General Paul Ufuoma Omu Rtd, dies at 84
-
News8 hours agoSAD! Professor’s son takes own life inside varsity staff quarters
-
News12 hours agoFull list: FG approves N110bn to rehabilitate medical schools 18 institutions