Just a day after placing all employees on leave, contract staff received an email notifying them of their termination, effective March 31. The move underscores the administration’s intent to restructure—or potentially dismantle—these longstanding institutions, which have played a critical role in shaping U.S. global influence.

Mass Layoffs Hit VOA Workforce

According to official reports, the agency employed 3,384 workers during the 2023 fiscal year and had requested a $950 million budget for the current fiscal year. However, the sudden termination of contract employees, who form a significant portion of VOA’s workforce—particularly in non-English language services—has left the organization in a state of uncertainty.

An internal email, verified by multiple employees, instructed contractors to “cease all work immediately” and barred them from accessing agency buildings or systems. The abrupt decision has raised concerns, especially for non-U.S. citizens whose employment at VOA is tied to their visas.

Full-Time Employees on Administrative Leave

Unlike contract workers, most full-time VOA staff remain on administrative leave and have not been immediately dismissed. However, they have been instructed not to perform any work, fueling speculation about the organization’s future direction.

Press Freedom Under Threat?

VOA, established during World War II, broadcasts in 49 languages and has long served as a critical source of news for audiences in countries with restricted media freedoms. The sudden layoffs have sparked criticism, with many viewing the move as part of a broader assault on press freedom.

Liam Scott, a VOA journalist covering press freedom and disinformation, confirmed his dismissal, effective March 31. He took to social media, stating, “I’ve covered press freedom for a long time, and I’ve never seen something like what’s happened in the U.S. over the past couple of months.”

Scott also argued that the move aligns with the Trump administration’s broader efforts to weaken government institutions and curtail media independence.

VOA Operations in Limbo

With its workforce significantly reduced, VOA has struggled to maintain programming. Some services have resorted to playing music in place of scheduled news broadcasts, highlighting the impact of the mass layoffs.

As the situation unfolds, questions remain about the future of U.S.-funded international media and its role in global news coverage.

The post Trump Begins Mass Layoffs At Voice Of America appeared first on Daily Dates Nigeria.

Special Adviser to the President, Ajuri Ngelale in a statement on Monday disclosed names of the appointees.

In compliance with Section 59 (2) of the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021,

(1) Chief Pius Akinyelure — Non-Executive Board Chairman

(2) Mallam Mele Kolo Kyari — Group Chief Executive Officer

(3) Alhaji Umar Isa Ajiya — Chief Financial Officer

(4) Mr. Ledum Mitee — Non-Executive Director

(5) Mr. Musa Tumsa — Non-Executive Director

(6) Mr. Ghali Muhammad — Non-Executive Director

(7) Prof. Mustapha Aliyu — Non-Executive Director

(8) Mr. David Ogbodo — Non-Executive Director

(9) Ms. Eunice Thomas — Non-Executive Director

Furthermore, President Tinubu approved the appointment of two Permanent Secretaries:

(10) Mr. Okokon Ekanem Udo — Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance

(11) Amb. Gabriel Aduda — Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources

President Tinubu anticipates the fullest measure of compliance with the performance-driven and results-oriented mandate of his Renewed Hope administration in the implementation of energy policy that will monetize all available oil and gas resources of today while paving the way for the total exploitation of new and cleaner energy sources of tomorrow by this distinguished team.

The post Tinubu Appoints NNPC Board appeared first on Daily Dates Nigeria.

Islamiyat is a HND holder who studied Science Laboratory Technology at the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Ogun State.

Ordinarily, it would be thought that Islamiyat must have to go through a masters, or pre-masters course before climbing the academic ladder, especially with the HND/Degree dichotomy in Nigeria.

But it is amazing that the scholarships are for PhD, straight from HND. Her story has gathered a lot of attention on LinkedIn where she shared it.

She wrote

“Considering the dichotomy between HND and BSc in Nigeria, I was scared and confused on what next to do after my undergraduate studies.

“I am so elated to inform you all that I will be starting my PhD program in Chemistry at the Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA this Fall, having received full scholarships from 7 universities in the United States of America with my Higher National Diploma in Science Laboratory Technology (Chemistry Major).”

The schools she got into are Florida State University, University of Massachusetts Armherst, University of Kansas, University of Kentucky, University of North Texas, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Marquette University.

Muslim News Nigeria

The post Nigerian Muslimah Bags 7 Fully Funded PhD Scholarships In 7 US Universities appeared first on Daily Dates Nigeria.

The company in a statement said: “After close review of recent Tweets from the @realDonaldTrump account and the context around them we have permanently suspended the account due to the risk of further incitement of violence.”

Twitter stated that Trump had on Friday afternoon made a tweet that violated the company’s policy against the glorification of violence.

“These two Tweets must be read in the context of broader events in the country and the ways in which the President’s statements can be mobilized by different audiences, including to incite violence, as well as in the context of the pattern of behavior from this account in recent weeks.”

The first tweet was said to be about Trump’s supporters, where he tweeted that “The 75,000,000 great American Patriots who voted for me, AMERICA FIRST, and MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN, will have a GIANT VOICE long into the future. They will not be disrespected or treated unfairly in any way, shape or form!!!”

The second indicated Trump did not plan to attend Joe Biden’s inauguration.

“To all of those who have asked, I will not be going to the Inauguration on January 20th,” he tweeted.

Twitter said the tweet concerning the inauguration could be viewed as a further statement that the election was not legitimate.

It also said that the tweet could be interpreted as Trump saying that the inauguration would be a “safe” target for violence because he would not be attending.

The post Twitter Permanently Bans Trump Over ‘Incitement Of Violence’ appeared first on Daily Dates Nigeria.

Joe Biden was projected winner of the 2020 election by American media after he garnered over 270 electoral votes.

Biden defeats the incumbent president, Donald Trump, who has continued to allege fraud in vote counting.

The post Just-In: Joe Biden Defeats Trump, Emerges 46th US President appeared first on Daily Dates Nigeria.

More than 500,000 people around the world have now contracted the new coronavirus, overwhelming healthcare systems even in wealthy nations and triggering an avalanche of government-ordered lockdowns that have disrupted life for billions.

In the United States, more than 83,000 people have tested positive for COVID-19, edging out Italy, which has reported the most deaths, and China, where the virus was first detected in December in the metropolis of Wuhan.

The US has recorded 1,178 deaths, while the global death toll stood at 23,293.

“We are waging war on this virus using every financial, scientific, medical, pharmaceutical and military resource, to halt its spread and protect our citizens,” US President Donald Trump said.

With about 40 percent of Americans under lockdown orders, Trump urged citizens to do their part by practicing social distancing: “Stay home. Just relax, stay home.”

The post COVID-19 : US Overtakes China And Italy, Records 83,000 Cases appeared first on Daily Dates Nigeria.