. Edited by Frank Meke
*** Director General, lagos state Safety Commission, lanre Mojola, and his counter part in the Environmental Protection Agency, Dr Dolapo fasawe, have warned Hospitality and Entertainment company owners in lagos state, to enthrone the best safety measures and practices in order to prevent avoidable accidents during the yuletide celebrations. The duo warned that failure to adhere and obtain necessary permits for events which will attract large crowds, will be visited with closure of such centres and subsequent legal actions. Areas expected to be addressed by operators are, fire safety measures, first aid, invitation of certified health, safety and environment personnel to spot check, use of protective equipment when on duty, particularly when handling hazardous materials and chemicals, provision of multiple exists in crowded areas, signposts and signage to guide visitors, adequate security and engagement of licensed food handlers to prevent food poisoning.
** lagos state biggest entertainment and hospitality jam, Greater lagos fiesta kicks off today and in five divisions of lagos, Ikorodu, Epe, Badagry, lagos Mainland ( Agege and Alimosho) and Victoria Island. Chairman, local organising committee and special Adviser on Tourism, Arts and Culture to governor Babajide sanwo-0lu, Barrister Femi Martins says, the event, will upscale the countdown to the new year with special lighting effects never seen before.
*** Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority ( NCAA) has warned pilots and airline operators to be mindful of the harmattan season, and exercise absolute caution during the dry season. A travel advisory message, signed by the Director General of NCAA, Dr Musa Nuhu, noted that the seasonal climate prediction issued by the Nigerian meteorological Agency, informed the decision to caution airline owners and pilots to be wary of flying when visibility is very low and poor due to harmattan haze or fog.
** Signs that fuel scarcity may not abate soon enough emerged during the week as Nigerians celebrated Christmas at the fuel stations around the country. While private depot owners sells at 215k, NNPC, sold at 148k, with transportation operators, hiking fares in response to the development.
*** Self help repairs of local roads damaged by flooding, in Bayelsa state by the youths who subsequently tolled the roads , has pitched transportation operators against the youths. While private car owners gladly pay 100 naira to access such roads, transport operators, voiced their disagreement leading to quarrels, disgusted with the demands by the youths, who repaired and sand filled once flooded roads of otuasega and Edepie streach, which has facilitated movement of fish, palm wine, and local gin to city dwellers, thus helping rural economy entrepreneurs to thrive.
*** Domestic airfares has doubled over time, pecking at between 110k to 130k, depending on the route. On the spot report from creative Nigeria, revealed that airfare per single journey to Owerri, Enugu, Calabar, Uyo goes for between 110 and 130k. Though some airlines, charges between 90 to 95k, refunds on cancellation by the carriers are not obtainable on the spot, making cash strapped passengers to suffer untold hardship. Passengers with excess luggage, are made to pay through their nose, many advised to waybill, which is more expensive.
** Are tax professionals hope of the nation? Akin Akindele, pioneer chairman of the chattered institute of Taxation of Nigeria, Arepo, Ogun state District, says tax revenue is vital to national development, hence tax professionals matters. He disclosed that Federal Inland Revenue service contributed about 60 percent of revenue shared at FAAC in 2021, which increased in 2022, , which is indicative of the role and importance of tax professionals to nation building and growth.
** The need to study the impact of climate change and involve Insurance firms in farming activities, must drive the sustainability of agricultural business in the country. DR Manzo Maigari, DG, Nigeria Agribusiness group told farmers and agriculture experts, that time has come to find a way to boost farming during the dry season, to avoid the damages to crops experienced during the rrecent flooding across the country. He also noted the desirability to engage Insurance firms in farming business to help farmers hedge their losses in case or during natural disasters. Time for climate smart agriculture has come, Dr manzo submitted.
** China has finally put paid to its iron cast pandemic isolation, dropping all covid 19 ethics. Beginning from January 8th, 2023, China will require only negative covid 19 test to enter the country and also allow home isolation.
*** Japan reacted to Chinese huge covid pandemic by imposing mandatory testing on any traveller who has been to China.
*** ice storms is decimating United States, with 56 people dead across the country and with New York trending with 28 people dead. Many people were trapped in their cars, in one of the worst ice storms in the United States. Cities such as vermont, in the North East and mid west States of ohio, missiouri, and wisconsin are on red flag alert, while florida was so cold that iguanas fell out from trees. Canada was no better with four people reported dead in British Colunmbia.
*** wuhan , China, is not about covid pandemic but notably setting pace in offering of driverless taxis. Chinese tech giant, Baidu, known for running robot taxis, has introduced driverless taxis, which operates between 7am to 11 pm , powered through radar. Baidu intends to deploy robot taxis to about 100 Chinese cities by 2030.