Author: Standard Focus

AbujaThe House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee investigating the $460 million Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) surveillance project in the Federal Capital Territory has ordered the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to suspend any further payments to ZTE Corporation until the company provides satisfactory explanations on the execution of the contract. The directive, issued on Tuesday, followed lawmakers’ dissatisfaction with what they... Read more

Former Senate President and National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, David Mark, on Tuesday raised alarm over what he described as growing threats to Nigeria’s democracy, declaring that the opposition would resist any attempt to undermine democratic institutions. Speaking at the party’s national convention in Abuja, Mark said Nigeria’s democratic space is shrinking and must be defended through unity... Read more

The House of Representatives has raised fresh concern over the worsening humanitarian toll of prolonged violence in Plateau State, disclosing that more than 18,000 homes have been destroyed and about 80,000 people displaced by years of repeated attacks. The disclosure was made on Tuesday during a high-level stakeholders’ conference held in Jos, convened to explore lasting solutions to the persistent... Read more

Global crude oil prices have climbed back above $100 per barrel following the breakdown of diplomatic talks between the United States and Iran, reviving fears of supply disruptions and renewed geopolitical tension in the energy market. The rebound comes after crude, which had eased to about $90 per barrel last week on optimism over a potential breakthrough, spiked again as... Read more