The United Kingdom has banned Health and Care Workers from bringing dependants to the country. This was made known by the UK Home Office via its verified X handle (formerly Twitter) on Monday. “From today, care workers entering the UK on Health and Care Worker visas can no longer bring dependants. “This is part of our plan to deliver the biggest ever cut in migration,” it wrote. Details later…

  The Oyo State Government on Monday banned the use of styrofoam for food services, storage, and other related purposes. The PUNCH reports that the state House of Assembly had, on Thursday, February 8, 2024, urged the state government to ban the use of styrofoam for food purposes in the state. It, therefore, inaugurated the Food Safety Compliance Enforcement Task Force to oversee the enforcement of food safety rules and regulations in the state. The state Commissioner for Health, Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, who made this announcement during the Food Safety Stakeholders Forum, and the inauguration of the task force, held at the conference room of the ministry, Secretariat, Agodi in Ibadan, the state capital, said the decision was part of government efforts to uphold food safety standards in the state. Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Akintunde Ayinde, Ajetunmobi said, “Prevention is better and cheaper than cure; hence the need for people to adhere strictly to food standards to save lives in the state. “The menace of food poisoning, indiscriminate use of chemical products for food production, processing, packaging, and other sharp practices being carried out by food business operators have become great public health concerns in the state. “The directorate of Food, Water, and Laboratory Services is saddled with the responsibility to regulate food business operations to ensure the presentation of wholesome edibles for public consumption in the state, planned to double her efforts to monitor/inspect food business premises in the state. “Consequently, the use of Styrofoam for food services, storage, and other related usage in the state is also banned.” She declared. The commissioner explained that the task force would be sensitising the actors along the food chain on the importance attached to the implementation of food safety standards by the government. Earlier, the director of food, water, and laboratory services in the ministry, Afusat Akande, highlighted the basic requirements that actors along the food chain must meet before they can be certified. Akande explained that the requirements included routine medical fitness certificates from designated state government hospitals, evidence of regular fumigation of production premises by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources recognized consultant, and water quality analysis by the Ministry of Health recognized consultant, among others. The permanent secretary, Ayinde, who is the leader of the task force, promised to work with the ministry to achieve its set objective. The task force comprises members from the state Food Safety Management Committee, the Nigeria Police Force, the Association of Table Water Producers, the Association of Canteen Workers, and a host of others. In January, the Lagos State Government kickstarted the ban on the use and distribution of Styrofoam and other single-use plastics across the state. This was announced by the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, in a statement.

  The Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has described the appointment of Mr Bola Oyetunji as the Auditor-General of the New South Wales, Australia as well- deserved and commendable. In a Congratulatory message, the NIDCOM boss said the news of Oyetunji as the newest Auditor-General in New South Wales, Australia, was heart-warming. According to Dabiri, the appointment is a confirmation of the resilience and competence of Nigerians living abroad thus making the country proud of them. Dabiri-Erewa used the opportunity to advice Oyetunji on the need to use his new position to inspire the younger generation, especially Nigerians, that anything is possible to achieve through honesty, integrity, passion and hardwork. While congratulating Oyetunji on his new assignment, she implored him to be a good ambassador of Nigeria in the discharge of his duties. Oyetunji, who whose appointment was announced on Sunday March 10, 2024, will be sworn-in in April when the current Auditor-General Margaret Crawford concludes her eight- year term.

  Muhammadu Buhari, former president of Nigeria, says President Bola Tinubu has done well given the prevailing circumstances. Tinubu has unfurled a slew of economic reforms since he took over the reins of leadership from Buhari on May 29, 2023. Some of the president’s policies — notably the removal of subsidy on petrol and the unification of the exchange rate windows — have led to galloping inflation and economic hardship. Protesters and organised labour have taken to streets across the country in recent weeks to rail against the worsening economic hardship and the naira’s depreciation. Speaking on Sunday when he received the comptroller-general and members of the management team of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in Daura, Katsina state, Buhari said governing Nigeria is a tough job for anyone. He asked Nigerians to endure the economic hardship in the country and support the policies and programmes of the current administration. “I thank you very much for coming. I very much appreciate it. I thought Tinubu has done very well,” Buhari said. “Nigeria is so complex. Really, there isn’t much anybody can do.” On his part, Bashir Adeniyi, comptroller-general of customs, commended the former president for “transforming the NCS” during his stint in office. Adeniyi said the service would continue to ensure that the country’s borders are secured in order to enhance Nigeria’s economy.

  The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities and the Non-Academic Staff Union, on Monday, declared a seven-day warning strike. The unions said the declaration was made to demand the payment of four months of withheld salaries of their members by the Federal Government after the 2022 nationwide strike. This followed the resolution of the joint action committee of the two unions after a meeting held in Akure on Saturday and Sunday. Details later…

  Nine persons have been injured following a gas explosion at Phoenix Metal Company in Ogijo, Sagamu Local Government Area of Ogun State. The spokesperson of the Ogun State Police Command Omotola Odutola confirmed the development. According to an eyewitness account, the blast explosion was attributed to a cylinder explosion that happened at the melting point area, affecting nine staff members who sustained non-life-threatening injuries. They were taken to a private hospital in Ikorodu, Lagos State,” she said “The explosion impacted nearby houses causing damage from the blast. Houses and window frames were reportedly cracked due to the vibrations from the blast. “Enraged community youths tried to attack the company but efforts by policemen and army detachment of 174 Battalion in Odogunyan Ikorodu were visibly on guard to intervene. “More Security reinforcements have been deployed to prevent further uproar or disturbances, from angry mobs who may want to take advantage of the distress. The situation is under control and close monitoring, there is no indication for panic, whereas further updates will be communicated to members of the public,” she added

  Bitcoin hit a fresh record above $71,000 on Monday as demand for the cryptocurrency picks up amid optimism that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates the year. The unit hit a peak of $71,432 in afternoon Asian business, according to Bloomberg data, meaning it has advanced almost 70 percent this year. AFP