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Oil prices were largely up on Thursday, as traders waited to see whether the oil-producing countries (OPEC) meeting in Vienna would extend production limits to reduce the global crude glut. By 11.56 a.m., brent crude was trading at 56.29 dollars a barrel. U.S. crude was 50.64 dollars. Ministers from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, Russia and other producers would meet in Vienna on Friday to consider extending an agreement to reduce output by about 1.8 million barrels per day (bpd). Many analysts expected them to extend the deal that currently lasted till March, but many also said prices at current levels could encourage some countries to boost production. Oil prices surged more than 15 per cent over the last three months as global oil supply tightened. That gain would make this the strongest third quarter for the market since 2004.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it will conduct verification for the recall of Sen. Dino Melaye, on Oct. 14. Melaye is representing Kogi West Senatorial District in the National Assembly. The commission disclosed this in its amended timetable and schedule of activities issued by its Secretary, Mrs Augusta Ogakwu, in Abuja on Monday. Ogakwu said the verification would take place in all polling units in Kogi West, while INEC notification for the exercise would be released on Oct. 3. She said that INEC had fixed Oct. 5 as the last day for the submission of applications by observers, and Oct. 9 for the publication of the list of accredited observers for the exercise. The secretary said that the commission would hold its stakeholders’ meeting at the Senatorial District headquarters and Local Government headquarters on Oct 10. The last day for the submission of names of polling agents for the verification by the member sought to be recalled and the

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has suspended its five-week old strike following a  meeting with the Federal Government’s delegation. Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, ASUU President announced this at a news conference after the  meeting with the Federal Government  on Monday in Abuja. He said the union  decided to conditionally suspend the strike  in view of the timeline of October 2017 for the implementation of the signed agreement. According to Ogunyemi, after an elaborate and extensive consultation process, the National Executive Council (NEC) of ASUU has agreed to conditionally suspend the ongoing action. “We are taking into cognisance the fact that major proposals from the government to address the contending issues in the strike action has a deadline of the end of October, 2017. “All members of ASUU are to resume work after their branch congresses on Tuesday, September 19, 2017. “ However, ASUU will not hesitate to review its position should government rene

The world’s oldest person Violet Brown has died in Jamaica at the age of 117 years and 189 days old. Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness has expressed his condolences in a Facebook post, calling her “an inspiring woman.” The woman known as “Aunt V” died Friday at a local hospital, where she had been treated for heart arrhythmia and dehydration. With her death, the Gerontology Research Group lists Nabi Tajima of Japan was the oldest surviving person. She was born on Aug. 4, 1900. Brown spent much of her life cutting sugar cane. She remained active in her church until recently and credited her longevity to hard work and her Christian faith. She had four sons and two daughters. Her eldest son died in April at age 97.

Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia has expressed gratitude to God for averting bloodbath in the state, following the withdrawal of troops deployed to Abia for a one-month military exercise code-named “Operation Python Dance.” Ikpeazu made the remark on Sunday when he visited the secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Abia council to commiserate with journalists over last Tuesday’s invasion of the secretariat by soldiers. The governor noted that the presence of the troops sparked tension across the state. He said “we are grateful to God for intervening in stopping what could have been the greatest bloodbath known in the history of mankind.” He also thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for reposing confidence in Southeast Governors’ Forum, “by giving us a second chance to talk to our people on the need for us to live as one united nation.” He added that the Igbos remained the most widely travelled people in Nigeria, living and conducting businesses in every nook and