Category: News

VATICAN CITY (NPA) — Pope Leo XIV has repealed salary reductions imposed on cardinals and other senior officials working in the Roman Curia during the COVID-19 pandemic, reversing an austerity measure introduced by his predecessor, Pope Francis, in 2021.

According to a decree published by the Vatican on Monday, September 14, 2026, Leo cancelled the salary reductions introduced by Francis as part of measures aimed at containing staff costs and addressing the Holy See’s financial challenges.

Francis had ordered a 10 per cent reduction in the salaries of cardinals, effective April 1, 2021. The same measures reduced the remuneration of other senior officials by 8 per cent, while clergy and religious working for the Holy See and Vatican City State faced a 3 per cent reduction.

The measures were introduced as the COVID-19 pandemic worsened the financial position of the Holy See and Vatican City State, with the Vatican seeking to balance expenditure and revenue while safeguarding existing jobs.

A Vatican cardinal’s monthly stipend is reported to be about €5,000 ($5,768), meaning the 2021 measure represented a 10 per cent reduction from the remuneration previously paid to cardinals.

Francis had described the salary reductions as part of efforts to ensure an economically sustainable future for the Vatican, citing the financial deficit and the impact of the COVID-19 health emergency on the Holy See’s sources of revenue.

In his new decree, Leo said the salary reductions could now be set aside, expressing confidence that the institutions of the Holy See and Vatican City State would continue to pursue economic sustainability through other means.

The decision marks a reversal of one of the cost-cutting measures introduced during Francis’ pontificate as the Vatican confronted significant financial pressures during the pandemic.

The Vatican has continued to pursue broader financial and administrative reforms under Leo, who became pope in May 2025.

NEW DELHI, India (Agency Report) — Vice-President Kashim Shettima has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the multilateral trading system, stressing the importance of international cooperation to sustainable economic development.

Shettima spoke on Saturday during a meeting with WTO Director-General, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, in New Delhi, on the sidelines of the ongoing BRICS Leaders’ Summit.

The Vice-President said no country could achieve sustainable prosperity by isolating itself from the global community, assuring that Nigeria would continue to support the WTO’s efforts to strengthen multilateralism and promote international cooperation.

“I believe the world is greater than one nation. We will continue to support the WTO in championing the cause of multilateralism,” Shettima said.

He stressed that countries were increasingly interconnected and needed one another to achieve sustainable economic development.

“We are essentially one human family and interconnected. You cannot divorce yourself from the global community,” he said.

Shettima highlights role of migration in development

Shettima also highlighted migration as an important driver of development, innovation and economic growth, noting that migrants had historically contributed to the development of countries and major cities around the world.

“Nations are built by immigrants. Even cities are built by people who came from outside, not just by the locals.

“That goes to show that we have so much to gain from global migration,” he said.

The Vice-President cited the Nigerian diaspora as an example of the contribution migrants could make through education, entrepreneurship and professional excellence.

According to him, Nigerians living abroad had continued to distinguish themselves in various fields while contributing positively to their host countries.

He cited a recent Pew Research Centre analysis of 2024 U.S. Census Bureau data on Nigerian-born Black immigrants in the United States.

“Sixty-seven per cent of Nigerian-born Black immigrants aged 25 and above in the United States held at least a bachelor’s degree.

“It is the highest proportion among the major Black immigrant groups examined,” Shettima said.

Shettima commends Okonjo-Iweala

Shettima commended Okonjo-Iweala for her leadership of the WTO and urged her to continue deploying her experience in advancing global development.

“You are doing a very wonderful job at the WTO, but you still have a lot to contribute to humanity,” he told her.

Okonjo-Iweala is the first woman and first African to serve as WTO Director-General. She began her second four-year term in September 2025 following her reappointment to lead the organisation.

Shettima to present Nigeria’s investment opportunities

Meanwhile, Shettima is scheduled to present Nigeria’s partnership and foreign investment opportunities to BRICS leaders on Sunday as part of the country’s engagement at the summit in New Delhi.

The summit is being held under the theme, “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.”

Shettima is expected to highlight President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and its focus on creating sustainable opportunities for Nigerians.

He will also outline reforms aimed at expanding infrastructure, strengthening economic resilience and promoting private-sector-led growth.

The Vice-President’s engagement is expected to showcase Nigeria’s investment potential and deepen economic cooperation with BRICS member states.

(NAN)

LAGOS, Nigeria (NPA) — The Lagos State Public Works Corporation (LSPWC), the government agency responsible for rehabilitating and maintaining roads across the state, has released its latest road work schedule for Wednesday, September 9, 2026.

The schedule details day and night shifts, as well as drainage maintenance activities, across several Local Government Areas in the state.

The notice is intended to keep residents of the affected areas informed and help them plan their movements as officials of the agency commence work at the various sites scheduled for the day and night shifts.

According to the road maintenance notification issued by the agency at noon on Wednesday, during the day shift, work is ongoing at Folorunsho Street, Shomolu; Omodara Street, Ikeja; Governor’s Road, Agege; Adeyemo Akapo Street, Ojodu; Ademola Ajasa Street, Ikosi-Isheri; and Tawaliyu Bello Aromire Street, Ikeja.

The night shift covers Apapa Road, Lagos Mainland; Sura and environs, Lagos Island; LASU-Iba Road inbound Isheri, Alimosho; Ajayi Road/Ayo Alabi Street, Ojodu; and Enitan/Kusimo Streets, Surulere.

For drainage maintenance, crews are deployed to Kola Peregrino Close, Eti-Osa; Old Ipaja by Sofunde, Orile-Agege; Capitol Road, Agege; and Agunlejika Street, Mushin.

The agency advised residents and motorists in the affected areas to take note of the work schedule and plan their movements accordingly.

Officials noted that the schedule may change due to unforeseen circumstances. The ongoing activities, however, form part of the Lagos State Government’s efforts to improve road infrastructure and strengthen drainage systems across the state.

ENUGU, Nigeria (NPA) — The Enugu State Structures for Signage and Advertisement Agency (ENSSAA) has reaffirmed its outright ban on the display and pasting of posters across the state, warning political parties, candidates, aspirants, campaign organisations and members of the public against violating the directive.

The agency issued the reminder on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, ahead of the Enugu State Local Government Elections scheduled for September 26 and the 2027 general elections, as political activities and campaigns are expected to intensify across the state.

In a public notice signed by its General Manager, Hon. Francis Aninwike, ENSSAA said the ban was pursuant to the Enugu State Structures for Signage and Advertisement Agency Law No. 12 of 2016, particularly Sections 4(1)(g), 33 and 34(4)(9), which provide the statutory basis for regulating outdoor advertising and the display of posters and other advertising materials.

“The ban on the display and pasting of posters remains in force across Enugu State,” the agency said.

ENSSAA stressed that the restriction applies to all types of posters, not only political or election-related materials.

It said the emphasis on campaign posters was due to the approaching elections, when public and private surfaces are more likely to be defaced by indiscriminate pasting of political materials.

The agency warned political parties, candidates, aspirants, campaign organisations and their supporters that posters bearing their names, photographs, logos, messages, slogans or other campaign materials were covered by the ban.

“No person, political party, candidate, aspirant, campaign organisation or supporter is permitted to paste, affix or display posters on buildings, walls, fences, bridges, electricity poles, road infrastructure, public facilities or any other public or private surface or space within Enugu State,” ENSSAA said.

The agency said indiscriminate pasting and display of posters defaced public and private property, degraded the environment and undermined the aesthetic appearance of the state’s cities, towns and communities.

ENSSAA also issued a warning to printers and printing establishments against producing or facilitating posters intended for unauthorised display or pasting.

“Where any such poster is traced to a printer, the printer may be subject to investigation and appropriate sanctions where its involvement in the violation is established in accordance with the law,” the notice stated.

The agency further reminded the public that anyone who violates the ban is liable to a fine of up to ₦50 million, in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

It warned that persons caught pasting or displaying posters in violation of the directive would face the full force of the law, including financial penalties and other prescribed sanctions.

ENSSAA advised political parties, candidates, aspirants and campaign organisations to use radio, television, print and digital/social media, as well as approved billboards, to reach voters and their target audiences.

The agency urged all stakeholders to cooperate in preserving the cleanliness, environmental quality and aesthetic integrity of Enugu State.

It reiterated that the ban would be enforced equally and without fear or favour, regardless of political affiliation or status.

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has declared a Force Majeure Event on the 330kV Kainji–Birnin Kebbi Transmission Line following the collapse of a transmission tower, resulting in a blackout for electricity consumers in the affected axis.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, TCN said the transmission line tripped at 10:44 p.m. on Monday, September 7, after which a trial reclosure was attempted at 11:07 p.m. but the line tripped again.

Following the second trip, linesmen from TCN’s Birnin Kebbi Sub-Region conducted a fault-finding patrol along the transmission corridor.

The team on Tuesday discovered that Tower T367 had collapsed.

TCN said preliminary findings indicated that the collapse was caused by heavy winds and rainstorms experienced in the area.

The incident has affected the transmission of bulk electricity through the 330kV Kainji–Birnin Kebbi transmission corridor.

“Consequently, and in view of the natural disaster that caused the damage, TCN hereby declares Force Majeure on the 330kV Kainji–Birnin Kebbi Transmission Line,” the company said.

TCN said it had commenced arrangements to mobilise the necessary personnel, equipment and other resources to the affected location to rehabilitate the collapsed tower and restore the transmission line to service as quickly as possible.

Meanwhile, the company said it had successfully maintained electricity transmission to Sokoto by enabling the Talata Mafara–Sokoto corridor to receive supply through an alternative transmission path from the Kaduna-Mando axis via the 132kV Zaria–Funtua–Gusau transmission line.

TCN apologised for the inconvenience caused to electricity consumers and other stakeholders affected by the incident, assuring the public that efforts were ongoing to restore normal bulk power transmission as soon as possible.