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Ex-BBN housemates, Nengi, Trikytee, appointed SSAs to Bayelsa governor

Two members of the recently concluded Big Brother Naija, Nengi and Trikytee, have been appointed Senior Special Assistants to the Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri.
Nengi, whose full name is, Rebecca Nengi Hampson, was appointed as Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Girl Child Development.
She emerged the second runner-up of the 2020 reality TV show, BBNaija lockdown edition.
Nengi’s colleague and Bayelsa-born Tarimotimi Sinclair aka Trikytee was also appointed a senior special assistant.
Governor Diri announced the appointments in Government House, Yenagoa, on Friday when the Bayelsa-born former BBN housemate (Nengi) visited.
The governor told Nengi that the state was proud of her performance and conduct at the just concluded TV reality show.
Trikytee tweeted, “I want to thank His Excellency the Executive Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, on my appointment as Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Bayelsa State…What an honour, I am grateful.”
Diri announced the appointments in Government House, Yenagoa, on Friday when the Bayelsa-born former housemate visited as part of her homecoming activities.
The governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, expressed satisfaction with Nengi’s conduct, brilliance and for identifying strongly with her state during the show, adding that the government and people of Bayelsa State were proud of her.
Diri said, “On behalf of the people and government of Bayelsa State, I want to say that we are proud of you.
“Let our girls know that there is so much they can achieve in various facets of life. Arising from your participation, we were told that if not for other factors, you are the de facto winner of the show. So you are welcome back home.
“We believe that now that you have been recognised nationally and internationally, you will be the face of Bayelsa and I hereby announce you as the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Bayelsa Girl Child Development. The same goes for your fellow ex-housemate, Tarimotimi Sinclair aka Trikytee. So, both of you are hereby appointed Senior Special Assistants to the Governor.”
Responding, Nengi said, “I want to commend you, Your Excellency. You are doing a good job and we are so lucky to have you as our governor. I’m equally here representing thousands of Bayelsa girls all over the world.
“There are so many concerns that I have but now that we would work together, I hope that we can do so much for the girl child. I also want to use this medium to give back to the society. So, I’m going to be reaching out to people affected by the flood through the First Lady.”
Nengi’s former housemates have taken to their social media accounts to congratulate her.
Laycon, winner of the BBN lockdown edition, said on his Twitter account, “My senior special assistant ma. My SSA. Yes ma; anything for you ma. Clear the road for the SSA. @nengiofficial.”
Another housemate, Ozo, said via his Twitter account, “Congrats to @nengiofficial on your appointment for the position as the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor, Face of Bayelsa State and ambassador for the girl child Bayelsa State. Many more blessings.”
The third runner-up of the show, Neo Mobor Akpofure, also tweeted, “Omo my girl oo.. Senior Special Assistant to the Governor and Face of Bayelsa State. Congrats my sister @nengiofficial.”
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Nigeria seeks fresh $300m W’Bank loan for health security

Nigeria seeks fresh $300m W’Bank loan for health security
The Federal Government has engaged the World Bank for a new $300 million loan aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s health security infrastructure.
According to World Bank documents, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) will implement the project, with the Federal Ministry of Finance acting as the borrower.
The initiative aims to enhance Nigeria’s capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to health emergencies.
The project is currently in the pipeline stage, with a disclosure date set for February 6, 2025.
The World Bank Board is expected to approve it on July 30, 2025, after necessary appraisals and assessments. Implementation will commence in the 2026 fiscal year.
The Nigeria Health Security Programme (HeSP) will focus on expanding molecular laboratory capacity, upgrading primary healthcare centres, establishing emergency operation centres and deploying mobile laboratories.
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Others are constructing warehouses for medical supplies, installing water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities and integrating solar energy systems to power health infrastructure.
The initiative is part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s public health infrastructure, following lessons from past outbreaks, including COVID-19.
This latest loan request comes as Nigeria continues to rely heavily on external financing. Under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, the Federal Government has secured $6.95 billion in World Bank loans over the past 18 months.
Data from the Debt Management Office shows that Nigeria owes the World Bank $17.32 billion, with the International Development Association (IDA) accounting for $16.84 billion.
In the first nine months of 2024, Nigeria spent $3.58 billion servicing its foreign debt, a 39.77% increase from $2.56 billion during the same period in 2023.
Nigeria seeks fresh $300m W’Bank loan for health security
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CBN to sanction banks limiting ATM withdrawal below N20,000

CBN to sanction banks limiting ATM withdrawal below N20,000
The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has threatened to sanction banks that limit Automated Teller Machines (ATM) withdrawal to less than N20,000 per transaction.
The apex bank disclosed this in a document addressing concerns over the reviewed fees on ATM withdrawal.
Recall that CBN on Tuesday increased ATM transaction withdrawal fees, saying, from March 1st, bank customers will pay N100 charge for every N20,000 withdrawal from the on-site ATM of other banks.
The CBN in a circular to banks and other financial institutions, the CBN said, “ATM Transaction Fees On-Us for customers withdrawing at the ATM of the customer’s financial institution in Nigeria with No charge.
“Not-On-Us for withdrawal from another institution’s ATM in Nigeria; On-site ATMs will attract a charge of N100 per N20,000 withdrawal.
“Off-site ATMs will attract a charge of N100 plus a surcharge of not more than N500 per N20,000 withdrawal.
“The surcharge, which is an income of the ATM deployer/acquirer, shall be disclosed at the point of withdrawal to the consumer.
“International Withdrawals (per transaction) whether debit/credit card: Cost Recovery – exact charge by international acquirer.
“Furthermore, the three free monthly withdrawals allowed for Remote-On-Us (other bank’s customers/Not-On-Us consumers) in Nigeria under Section 10.6.2 of the Guide shall no longer apply.”
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However, following widespread concerns over the limit on ATM cash withdrawal by banks, the apex and yesterday released a list Frequently Asked Question, FAQ, to clarify implementation of the new charge.
CBN to sanction banks limiting ATM withdrawal below N20,000
News
Google CEO meets Tinubu over AI skills expansion in Nigeria

Google CEO meets Tinubu over AI skills expansion in Nigeria
The CEO of Google, Sundar Pichai on Wednesday met with Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu in Paris, where both leaders discussed a partnership to expand Artificial Intelligence (AI) skills in Nigeria.
Pichai first shared a picture of the meeting with Tinubu on X, noting that the discussions centered on the immense potential of AI in Nigeria.
“It was great meeting with President Tinubu @officialABAT.
“We talked about the immense potential of AI in Nigeria, and how we can partner to expand AI skills, enable innovation, and support Nigeria’s growing tech ecosystem,” Pichai posted.
Commitment to AI in Nigeria
Responding to the post, the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, who was also at the meeting, described the discussions as “extremely productive”.
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According to him, the meeting demonstrated the Nigerian government’s commitment to AI and Google’s ongoing support towards developing AI skills and innovation in critical sectors in Nigeria.
Last year, Google announced two separate AI initiatives in Nigeria in partnership with the Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, both aimed at empowering Nigerians with AI skills.
In the first initiative, the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR), a N100 million AI Fund backed by Google to support Nigerian startups that are leveraging AI to develop innovative solutions.
The second initiative was a N2.8 billion support from Google to accelerate AI talent development across Nigeria.
According to the Ministry, the support, which was provided as a grant from Google.org to Data Science Nigeria, would bolster its ongoing AI-driven initiatives to upskill youth and under- and unemployed Nigerians, with a focus on AI skill development and education.
Google CEO meets Tinubu over AI skills expansion in Nigeria
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