The stage is set for the 11th edition of Beauty of Africa International pageant which holds at Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos and red carpet kicks-off at 6pm.

THE Debt Management Office (DMO), yesterday, said the Federal Government plans to raise between 270 billion and 330 billion naira-denominated bonds in the fourth quarter of the year. The DMO, in its latest issuance calendar, said it would auction between N135 and N165 billion worth of bonds maturing in 2021 and the same amount of the debt maturing in 2027.

YENAGOA—FEAR, YENAGOA—FEAR,  yesterdaygripped residents of Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa State, following an outbreak of viral epidemic known as Monkey Pox in the state, with report that 10 persons are already infected.Authorities in the state were said to be tracking 49 persons alleged to have come in contact with the infected persons.

Nigeria, Egypt and Tunisia could all book their spots at next year’s World Cup in the penultimate round of African qualifiers at the weekend, but the other two slots will only be decided next month.

UNDER the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), the Attorney-General of the Federation, AGF, and states’ Attorneys-General are regarded as the number one law officers of the country and their respective states. Specifically, the holder of the office at either level of government is vested with certain powers which can be exercised by him/her or sometimes delegated. Under Section 174 and Section 211 of the Constitution, the AG has the power to initiate, take over or discontinue (by entering nolle prosequi) any criminal proceeding in the overriding public interest.

THE nation’s gross oil revenue in July increased by 42.7 percent to N362.42 billion against N254.02 billion recorded in June this year, the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, said.

BENIN—POPULAR Edo State-born musician and social critic, Osayomore Joseph, was Tuesday abducted by kidnappers in Benin, the state capital.

THERE were indications, yesterday, that the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, would be stepping up its anti-pollution oversight over the nation’s maritime ecosystem. To this end the Agency has requested International Oil Companies, IOCs, to submit their annual contingency plans with a view to ensuring that such plans were devoid of pollution hazards.

IN Nigeria’s 57 years as an independent country, while no woman has ever attained the position of president, vice-president or even been elected state governor – making the upper cadre of the nation’s executive arm appear the sole preserve of the male folk – quite a number of women have been opportuned to occupy the position of deputy governor in some states across the country.

THERE are strong indications that the Federal Government would soon intervene to resolve the personality conflict between the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, and the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Mr. Maikanti Baru.