News

Snapchat gains 11m users worldwide

Published

2 hours ago

October 30, 2024

By Francesca Hangeior

Snapchat’s global user base continues to grow, with 11 million new daily active users joining in the last three months, bringing the app’s total to 443 million, an increase of 9%.

However, its user count in the U.S. market has stagnated at 100 million annually.

Snap, Snapchat’s parent company, has struggled to convert its growing user base into profits.

Revenue for the third quarter rose by 15% year-over-year to $1.37 billion, slightly surpassing analyst expectations but the company still posted a loss of $153 million—a 58% improvement from a $368.3 million loss in the same period last year.

Snap’s revenue mainly comes from advertising on the Snapchat platform.

For the upcoming quarter, including the Christmas season, Snap forecasts revenue between $1.51 billion and $1.56 billion, aligning with analysts’ higher estimates.

Following the announcement of a $500 million share buyback, Snap’s stock rose by about 7% in after-hours trading.

News

Reps Tells Keyamo To Revoke Living Faith Church Airstrip License

Published

20 mins ago

October 30, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has directed the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace to withdraw already approved airstrip licences granted to Living Faith Church, private individuals and organizations, and stop further issuance of license to private individuals and organizations as a way to safeguard national security.

This was sequel to the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance on the “NEED TO STOP ISSUANCE OF AIRSTRIP LICENSE TO PRIVATE INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS IN THE COUNTRY, by Rep Sulaiman Abubakar Gumi on Wednesday at plenary.

Debating the motion, Rep. Gumi noted that the Federal Government through the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace, Festus Keyamo, confirmed the approval of an airstrip for Living Faith Church situated on Canaanland in Ota, Ogun State.

He also explained that on Sunday, 6th October, 2024, the Founder of Living Faith Church, also known as Winners Chapel, Bishop David Oyedepo during the Tehillah Night Special edition at Covenant University Chapel, Canaanland, Ota, Ogun State informed his congregation of the approval of an airstrip granted by the Federal Government to his Church.

He said: “Recall that in September 2014, a prominent religious leader was linked with a private jet used to convey $9.3m in cash to South Africa for purchase of arms. The private jet which was seized by the South African authorities has two Nigerians and an Israeli on board, (Sahara Reporters, 16th September, 2014);

“The country currently experience security challenges through illegal importation/proliferation of firearms and ammunition, importation of illicit/hard drugs, coupled with the inability of our security agencies to pinpoint the source of supply of weapons to insurgents, kidnappers and separatists that have massacred thousands of Nigerians across the Country;

“Granting airstrip to private individuals and organizations will aid illegal importation of firearms and hard drugs into the country, thus heightening insurgency, kidnapping, banditry and other vices that are seriously affecting the socio-economic development of the country”.

However when the Speaker of the House, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas put it to a voice vote, the “NAY” was loudest but the “AYES” was given as the Speaker said, “the Ayes have it” and hit the gavel.

The House then mandated its Committees on Aviation and Legislative Compliance to ensure compliance.

News

Senate begins screening of seven ministerial nominees

Published

2 hours ago

October 30, 2024

Naijablitznews

By Francesca Hangeior

The Senate has commenced the screening of the seven newly nominated ministers.

The nominees are Dr Nentawe Yilwatda as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Muhammadu Dingyadi as Minister of Labour and Employment, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu as Minister of State, Foreign Affairs, and Dr. Jumoke Oduwole as Minister of Industry, Trade and Development.

Others are: Idi Muktar Maiha as Minister of Livestock Development, Rt. Hon. Yusuf Ata as Minister of State, Housing, and Dr Suwaiba Said Ahmad as Minister of State, Education.

The Senate following a motion moved by the leader, Opeyemi Bamidele at 12:57 pm, on Wednesday suspended its rule to admit the Special Adviser to the President on Senate matters, Basheer Lado, to bring the nominees into the plenary.

The Senate President, GodsWill Akpabio, had on Thursday read the letter from President Bola Tinubu nominating the new ministers.

This development follows President Tinubu’s recent reshuffle of his cabinet, including the dismissal of five ministers: the Minister of Women Affairs, Uju-Ken Ohanenye; Minister of Tourism, Lola Ade-John; Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman; Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Abdullahi Muhammad Gwarzo; and Minister of Youth Development, Dr Jamila Bio Ibrahim.

News

Nigeria pushes for leading fish exporter status — Oyetola

Published

2 hours ago

October 30, 2024

Naijablitznews

By Francesca Hangeior

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has announced that Nigeria is positioning itself to become a major exporter of fish as part of its strategic blue economy push.

This was disclosed in a statement on Wednesday by the Head of Press for the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Muhammad Zakari.

At the 39th Annual National Conference and General Meeting of the Fisheries Society of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by Oyetola, stressed that Nigeria is moving towards becoming a major exporter of fish products while also working to achieve self-sufficiency.

“The establishment of this ministry marks the beginning of a new era for the fisheries and aquaculture sub-sector. In line with Mr President’s vision, the ministry is committed to achieving self-sufficiency in fish production and positioning Nigeria as a leading exporter of fish and fisheries products.”

The Minister noted that the theme of this year’s conference, “Unlocking the Investment Potential of Nigeria’s Blue Economy: Advancing the Fisheries and Aquaculture Sector for Sustainable Development,” aligns with the President’s goal of expanding the nation’s economic opportunities.

“The theme of this year’s conference is particularly significant, as it aligns with the President’s vision for sustainable economic diversification, reflected in the establishment of the Ministry of Marine and Blue
Economy. This focus has been reinforced by the recent transfer of the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture to this Ministry, which will now directly oversee all fisheries-related matters.”

Oyetola further stated, “The Ministry is implementing various initiatives to manage fisheries, enhance investment in fisheries and aquaculture, improve post-harvest infrastructure, promote innovation, leverage technology, and foster multi-stakeholder collaborations.”

The Minister highlighted the commitment to fully utilising Nigeria’s marine resources, noting the sub-sector’s potential to boost food production, create jobs, and drive economic development for Nigerians.

He added, “Fisheries and aquaculture are central to the broader vision for Nigeria’s Blue Economy sector. The Ministry’s strategic focus is to upscale fish production sustainably, tapping into the full spectrum of our marine resources.

“This sub-sector has the potential to unlock long-term resources, increase food production, provide job opportunities, and drive sustainable development across our coastal and inland waters. This, in turn, offers long-term prosperity and security for future generations.”

Oyetola mentioned that, since the department’s transfer to the ministry nine months ago, significant progress has been made across several areas, including boosting local feed production while reducing imports, engaging stakeholders to identify growth needs, enhancing public-private partnerships to attract investment, studying best practices from countries like Morocco, and collaborating with international organisations such as the FAO.