News
Microsoft to shut down West Africa operation in Nigeria
Microsoft to shut down West Africa operation in Nigeria
In a major blow to Nigeria’s tech sector, reports suggest that Microsoft is considering shutting its African Development Centre based in Lagos.
This move, if confirmed, would mean that at least 200 staff would be out of a job.
It would also have profound implications for the country’s technological landscape, potentially impacting job opportunities and innovation in the sector.
According to industry insiders who spoke to The Guardian newspaper on Tuesday, May 7, Microsoft informed staff on Monday, May 6, of the closure plans.
Affected employees are slated to receive salary payments up until June and will continue to be covered by health insurance.
Sources suggest Nigeria’s challenging economic conditions likely played a role.
The closure appears to affect only the ADC’s West Africa operations in Nigeria, not its East Africa facility in Nairobi, Kenya.
Microsoft launched its $100 million African Development Centers initiative in 2019, establishing facilities in both Lagos and Nairobi.
The Nigeria centre employed over 120 engineers upon launch in 2022, growing to more than 200 total staff members.
Microsoft to shut down West Africa operation in Nigeria
News
Insecurity: Buratai Centre, South-West traditional leaders to brainstorm in Kaduna
Insecurity: Buratai Centre, South-West traditional leaders to brainstorm in Kaduna
By Muhammad Tijjani
The Tukur Buratai Research Centre and traditional leaders from the South-West will meet in Kaduna to proffer plausible solutions to the recurring security challenges in Nigeria.
Newsmen reports that this will be at a five-day retreat convened by the centre for the traditional leaders from the geopolitical zone.
This is contained in a statement issued by retired Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman-Kukasheka, issued on Sunday in Kaduna.
According to Usman-Kukasheka, the event will be held from May 20-25 at the Fifth Chukker Polo Resort, along Kaduna – Jos Road, Katabu.
He said the retreat has a theme: ‘Traditional Institutions and Contemporary Security Challenges in Nigeria.’
According to Usman-Kukaheka, the retreat is being organised in recognition of the indispensable role traditional rulers play in fostering harmonious relationships and ensuring security within the society.
He said, ”The seminar seeks to address the critical security challenges facing our nation and explore the significant contributions traditional institutions can make towards sustainable peace and stability.
”The event will feature insightful paper presentations by highly respected intellectuals, academicians, seasoned security experts, and senior retired military officers.
”Additionally, there will be a book presentation by an eminent scholar, further enriching the discourse on traditional leadership and security.’
”Global threats that require both national and international cooperation are increasing and deepening just as the international systems that enable the cooperation are under heightened strain.
”TBRC provides global partners and researchers with a clear pathway for addressing this new, more complex environment and to allow for the agility and creativity necessary to fulfil its mission in a fast-changing world.”
NAN also reports that the centre focuses on providing and propagating strategic peace as well as security information for the public.
It also trains serving or retired military personnel and interested civilians in the field of peace, security, diplomacy and development.
Insecurity: Buratai Centre, South-West traditional leaders to brainstorm in Kaduna
News
NiMet envisages 3-day sunshine, thunderstorms from Monday
NiMet envisages 3-day sunshine, thunderstorms from Monday
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted three days sunshine and thunderstorms from Monday to Wednesday across the country.
NiMet weather outlook released on Sunday in Abuja forecast sunny skies on Monday with patches of clouds over the northern region with chances of isolated thunderstorms over parts of Taraba state later in the day.
”Sunny skies with cloud patches are anticipated over the North Central region with prospects of thunderstorms over parts of Benue state during the afternoon and evening period.
”Cloudy skies are anticipated over the southern states with prospects of morning thunderstorms over parts of Cross River and Akwa Ibom states.
” In the afternoon to evening hours, isolated thunderstorms are anticipated over parts of Ondo, Ogun, Oyo, Imo, Abia, Edo, Ebonyi, Delta, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River and Bayelsa states,” it said.
NiMet anticipated sunny skies on Tuesday with patches of clouds over the northern region with prospects of isolated thunderstorms over parts of Adamawa, Kaduna and Taraba states later in the day.
It envisaged the North Central region to be predominantly cloudy with chances of isolated thunderstorms over parts of Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Plateau and Nasarawa states during the afternoon and evening hours.
“Cloudy atmosphere is expected during the morning hours over the southern states during the morning
hours.
“Later in the day, isolated thunderstorms are expected over parts of Ondo, Ekiti, Osun, Oyo, Imo, Abia, Enugu, Ebonyi, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Cross River, Bayelsa, Delta and Lagos states,” it said.
According to NiMet, sunny atmosphere with patches of clouds are anticipated over the northern region with prospects of isolated thunderstorms over parts of Taraba, Adamawa and Kaduna states during late hours on Wednesday.
It predicted the North Central region to be cloudy with intervals of sunshine during the morning hours with isolated thunderstorms over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Plateau, Niger, Kwara and Kogi later in the day.
The agency envisaged a cloudy atmosphere with prospects of isolated thunderstorms over parts of Akwa Ibom, Rivers and Cross River states during the morning period.
NiMet anticipated thunderstorms over Imo, Enugu, Anambra, Ekiti, Ondo, Ogun, Edo, Ebonyi, Delta, Lagos, Rivers, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states later in the day.
The agency urged the public to take adequate precaution as strong winds might precede the rains in areas where thunderstorms were likely to occur.
NiMet advised Airline operators to get updated weather reports and forecasts from NiMet for effective planning in their operations.
NiMet envisages 3-day sunshine, thunderstorms from Monday
Foreign
Iran’s cabinet holds new emergency session after President’s death – State media
Iran’s cabinet holds new emergency session after President’s death – State media
The Iranian cabinet has convened a second emergency meeting in less than 24 hours following the confirmation of the death of President Ebrahim Raisi.
Local media reported on Monday that the Iranian Vice-President Mohammad Mokhber had already chaired a meeting on Sunday evening after the helicopter went missing with nine people on board over Iran’s north-west.
The report stated that Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian also died in the helicopter crash.
Raisi and Amirabdollahian were travelling back from a meeting with the president of neighbouring Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, when their aircraft disappeared from radar on Sunday afternoon.
According to protocol, with Raisi’s death, Mokhber should assume power, pending approval from Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
New elections will then have to hold within 50 days.
Iran’s cabinet holds new emergency session after President’s death – State media
-
Education11 months ago
Mathematics Teacher Reportedly Stung By Bee While Preparing Students For Exam
-
Health3 weeks ago
Only 58,000 doctors renewed licence out of 130,000 registered doctors – MDCN
-
News1 year ago
3 escape death in Ore-Sagamu expressway accident
-
Politics4 weeks ago
APC IN A FIX AS GOVERNORSHIP ASPIRANTS REJECT THE ONDO STATE PRIMARY ELECTION RESULTS
-
Crime3 weeks ago
Police arrest cultists who killed rival in his daughter’s presence
-
National3 months ago
Residents gather to scoop engine oil as tanker falls in Ojuelegba
-
Sports3 weeks ago
Asaba to host Wheelchair Basketball Atlantic Conference League
-
Education4 weeks ago
UTME: JAMB to refund registration fees to deserving visually-impaired candidates