Kamala Harris Cancels Address as Campaign Awaits Final Vote Counts

Kamala Harris has decided to forgo an expected address at Howard University as her campaign continues to monitor vote counts in critical battleground states. Campaign co-chair Cedric Richmond informed supporters that Vice President Harris would not be speaking tonight, urging patience as final votes come in.

“We still have votes to count and states that haven’t been called yet,” Richmond told attendees. “We will fight overnight to ensure every vote is counted, and every voice is heard. You will hear from the vice president tomorrow.”

This announcement followed projections indicating a narrowing lead for former President Donald Trump, who has secured 248 Electoral College votes to Harris’s 213, with several states, including Georgia and North Carolina, projected in his favor. Trump is also leading by small margins in pivotal states like Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Arizona—states that could determine the election outcome.

To win, Harris’s campaign will need strong turnout from urban areas, particularly Milwaukee, Detroit, and Philadelphia. However, the final counts may extend for several days due to the tight margins and ongoing counts in states like Arizona, Nevada, and Pennsylvania.

FRSC to Acquire Helicopters and Drones for Patrol Amid Ember Months Preparations

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has announced its plans to acquire helicopters to strengthen patrol operations through a public-private partnership initiative. Deputy Corps Marshal for Policy, Research, and Statistics, Clement Oladele, revealed this development during a press conference held in Abuja. Originally a long-term objective, the project is now moving closer to implementation.

In addition to helicopters, the FRSC plans to deploy drones and air ambulances to further improve patrol and response capabilities. This move comes in response to alarming statistics: between January and September 2024, 7,011 road traffic accidents resulted in 3,767 fatalities and injuries for 22,373 individuals.

Citing the United Nations Decade of Road Safety 2021-2030, Oladele emphasized the FRSC’s commitment to reduce road traffic deaths by half by 2030. Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed highlighted that road traffic accidents are the seventh leading cause of death worldwide, posing a significant risk to Africa’s youth.

To combat this, the FRSC is intensifying public awareness campaigns on the dangers of driving under the influence, particularly targeting drivers in parks. Preparations are also underway to train corps officers for the demands of the busy ember months.

In related initiatives, the Ministry of Works is working to repair damaged roads ahead of the festive season, while FRSC officers receive updated training to manage holiday traffic.

Super Eagles Coach Augustine Eguavoen Travels to Belgium for Medical Checkup

Super Eagles interim coach, Augustine Eguavoen, has traveled to Belgium for a routine medical checkup. According to reports by SCORENigeria, Eguavoen plans to join the Super Eagles in Abidjan for their training camp immediately after completing his appointment.

The Super Eagles will face the Cheetahs of Benin Republic in a crucial Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 qualifying match, scheduled to take place at the Felix Houphouët-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan on November 14. The team will officially open its training camp in Abidjan on Monday in preparation for the match.

Following their match against Benin, Nigeria will host the Amavubi of Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on November 18. Nigeria currently leads Group D with 10 points, needing only one more point to secure a place in the AFCON 2025 tournament.

Amidst these critical matches, former Super Eagles star Nwankwo Kanu has urged the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to appoint Eguavoen as the permanent head coach. “If I were the NFF President, I’d have given him the job by now. What are they waiting for?” Kanu remarked, suggesting that Eguavoen’s appointment as head coach is long overdue.

Donald Trump Declared Winner of 2024 U.S. Presidential Election by Decision Desk HQ

In a historic political comeback, former U.S. President Donald Trump has been declared the winner of the 2024 presidential election by Decision Desk HQ (DDHQ). Trump, who secured critical wins in Pennsylvania and Alaska, reached the 270 electoral votes required to clinch the presidency, overcoming a contentious race against Vice President Kamala Harris.

Trump’s path to victory included flipping battleground states like Georgia and North Carolina, bolstered by strong turnout from Latino voters and increased rural support. He also made notable gains in the popular vote, a rare achievement for Republicans in recent decades. Running alongside Senator JD Vance (R-Ohio) as his vice-presidential candidate, Trump campaigned on issues of rising costs, border security, and global unrest, calling for a return to his policy agenda.

Despite a challenging campaign period, which included a criminal trial and even two assassination attempts, Trump’s platform resonated with many voters. His agenda includes sweeping immigration reforms, extended tax cuts, universal tariffs, and plans to restructure the Department of Education. Trump has also signaled his intent to focus on loyalty within his administration, positioning allies for key roles.

The outcome reflects a shift in the U.S. political landscape, particularly with Republicans now in control of the Senate. Trump’s re-election could further impact the judicial system, with a potential Supreme Court shift toward more conservative rulings. Although Harris emphasized abortion rights as a core issue, following the Supreme Court’s 2022 overturn of Roe v. Wade, Trump was able to maintain significant voter support.

Trump’s victory marks the first time since Grover Cleveland in 1892 that a former president has reclaimed the White House after an electoral defeat. With legal challenges still underway, including a federal indictment from his actions following the 2020 election, Trump’s return sets the stage for a consequential new term.

Republicans Regain Control of U.S. Senate in 2024 Elections

Republicans have reclaimed control of the U.S. Senate, as media outlets confirmed early on November 6, 2024. This victory ends a four-year period of Democratic dominance in the Senate and signals a potential shift in legislative priorities, particularly with the possibility of Donald Trump securing the presidency.

A key race in West Virginia saw Republican Governor Jim Justice win the Senate seat previously held by Joe Manchin, who often voted alongside Democrats. Meanwhile, in Ohio, GOP-backed businessman Bernie Moreno defeated Democratic incumbent Sherrod Brown, swinging another seat to the Republicans. Nebraska also held strong, with Senator Deb Fischer overcoming a surprising independent challenge. These wins reversed the 51-49 Democratic majority, with additional Republican victories anticipated in Montana, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania.

Texas Senator John Cornyn, a potential Republican leader in the Senate, stated, “I look forward to working with President Trump and our new conservative majority to make America great again by making the Senate work again.” If Republicans capture all remaining contested seats, they are projected to hold a commanding 55-seat majority in the 100-member chamber.

While Democrats attempted to regain ground by targeting key seats in Texas and Florida, they were ultimately unsuccessful, losing these critical races. However, the election also marked a milestone in Senate diversity. Angela Alsobrooks and Lisa Blunt Rochester made history as the first Black women elected concurrently to the Senate, representing Maryland and Delaware.

The high-stakes 2024 election cycle also saw historic spending, with over $10 billion poured into congressional races—double that spent on the presidential campaign, according to OpenSecrets. Additionally, Sarah McBride’s election as the first openly transgender person to the U.S. House of Representatives adds another groundbreaking moment, representing Delaware in Congress and furthering American political diversity.

Control of the House of Representatives remains undecided, with Democrats facing a narrow path to reclaim a majority by flipping just four seats.

Dollar to Naira Exchange Rate and MTN Nigeria’s Q3 Loss Amid Naira Devaluation – November 6, 2024

Today’s black market dollar-to-naira exchange rate for November 6, 2024, reveals continued currency fluctuations, with buyers acquiring dollars at ₦1725 and selling at ₦1735, according to Bureau De Change sources. Notably, these rates are unofficial and not endorsed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), which advises individuals to conduct forex transactions through banks. The CBN’s official dollar-to-naira rate remains at ₦1664 for buying and ₦1665 for selling.

In parallel with the volatile forex market, MTN Nigeria reported a significant financial impact due to naira devaluation. The telecom giant recorded a post-tax loss of ₦514.9 billion for the nine months ending September 30, 2024, contrasting with a profit of ₦4.1 billion in the previous quarter. The net foreign exchange loss played a major role, reducing the adjusted Profit After Tax (PAT) to ₦118.5 billion—a decline of 59.2%.

Despite the economic headwinds, MTN’s service revenue rose by 33.6%, totaling ₦2.4 trillion. However, the company faced a slight decline in subscribers, down 0.9% to 77 million, due to regulatory NIN-SIM linkage rules. Active data users rose by 5.1% to reach 45.3 million, while active mobile money wallets dropped by 21.8%, totaling 2.8 million, reflecting the challenging operating environment.

Protest: APC youth wing, Nigerians March in thousands against Kyari Over failure of NNPCL to fix local refineries

No fewer than 20,000 activists took to the three Arms Zone in Abuja on Tuesday to demand the resignation of Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), citing his alleged incompetent leadership. 


The protesters under the auspices of the APC Solidarity and Development Forum, comprising youths and civil society organizations, decried the skyrocketing fuel prices, endless fuel queues, and economic hardship plaguing the nation.


In an open letter to the Senate President   Godswill Akpabio and  Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, the conveners Comrade Kabir Matazu and Danielsi Momoh said the ongoing fuel scarcity has revealed a systemic failure in leadership and operational oversight within NNPCL. 


Despite assurances of resolving fuel scarcity, they lamented the situation remains dire, causing untold hardship to Nigerians.


They said this crisis not only undermines public confidence but also adversely affects the reputation of the presidency and its Renewed Hope agenda.


The protesters criticized Kyari’s management for failing to operationalize local refineries, despite the Federal Government’s $4 billion investment.


They noted that the failure to provide a clear roadmap for the revitalization and operationalization of these vital assets raises serious questions about the stewardship of resources entrusted to Kyari.


Other concerns include unresolved corruption cases within NNPCL. 


“Kyari’s continued leadership is detrimental to NNPCL and the Nigerian populace. It is time for new leadership that prioritizes accountability and efficiency,” the protesters said. 


“We demand a clear roadmap for the revitalization and operationalization of our local refineries to ensure self-sufficiency in petroleum products and reduce reliance on imports.


“The National Assembly must enact and enforce strict regulations to prevent the importation of substandard petroleum products, protecting the health and safety of Nigerians.


“We urge the President to appoint a qualified individual who possesses the integrity and expertise necessary to navigate the complexities of the oil sector and restore public confidence.


“We call for the immediate establishment of a committee to investigate the ongoing allegations of sleaze and fraud under Mr. Kyari’s leadership. Furthermore, we demand that he be held accountable for any misconduct and handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for prosecution.


“As the representatives of the people, the National Assembly must rise to the occasion and fast. Mele Kyari should be gotten rid of with dispatch. And NNPCL should be repositioned for optimal productivity, transparency and accountability. “

Dollar to Naira Black Market Exchange Rate Today, November 5, 2024

The latest black market Dollar to Naira exchange rate (Aboki fx) reveals the current rates for USD to NGN as of November 5, 2024. Here’s what you need to know about swapping your dollar for Naira in Nigeria’s parallel market.

Exchange Rates as of November 4, 2024:

  • Buying Rate: N1720
  • Selling Rate: N1730

Note: The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) does not endorse the black market and advises individuals needing Forex to use authorized banks.

Official CBN Rate Today:

  • Buying Rate: N1664
  • Selling Rate: N1665

Please be aware that these rates may vary depending on location and vendor.

Naira Scarcity Hits Kano State

Reports have emerged of a naira shortage affecting Kano State, Nigeria’s commercial hub. According to sources, Point of Sale (POS) operators are experiencing severe cash shortages, impacting daily transactions and business operations.

A Kano resident, Halliru Akilu, highlighted the challenges, saying, “Getting cash is now difficult. Many POS outlets are out of cash, and most transactions require cash rather than transfers, which affects work and commuting.”

Local businesses are calling on authorities to investigate and address the scarcity, which is affecting livelihoods across the state.

Lagos State Implements 15-Month Traffic Diversion at Mile 2 for Major Transport Terminal Construction

The Lagos State Government has announced a 15-month traffic diversion at Mile 2 to facilitate the construction of the Transport Interchange Terminal. The diversion, affecting Loop 1 on the Apapa-bound lane and Loop 4 on the Badagry-bound lane, will begin on November 11, 2024, and last until February 16, 2026.

Commissioner for Transportation Oluwaseun Osiyemi disclosed that the new terminal will integrate rail, bus, water, and non-motorised transport options. To minimize inconvenience, motorists are encouraged to use alternate routes, including Akinwande Road for travel between Apapa and Badagry, and the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) will assist with traffic flow.

Clear signage will mark diversion routes to guide motorists safely and efficiently through the area. Osiyemi advised all drivers to remain patient and cooperate with authorities to ensure a smooth experience during the construction period.

Federal Government Shifts Universities and Polytechnics from IPPIS to New Salary Platform

The Federal Government has officially removed Federal Tertiary Institutions (FTIs) from the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) and introduced the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS) as the new payroll system. According to Bawa Mokwa, the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF), the November payroll for university and polytechnic staff will be processed through GIFMIS.

Mokwa confirmed that institutions must now submit payrolls in Excel format for verification and validation. He reassured employees that no directive has been issued requiring a change in salary accounts and advised against any premature account changes. He also encouraged financial institutions to maintain effective account services for workers during the transition.