Author: Ifetayo Adeniyi

Elegbede Abiodun NCC Pushes Green Telecoms Drive, Aims 50% Cost Cut In Nigeria’s Digital Infrastructure. The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has renewed its commitment to accelerating its Green Telecoms Initiative, aiming to transform Nigeria’s digital infrastructure through environmentally sustainable technologies aligned with global best practices. The Commission said the initiative could deliver up to a 50 per cent reduction in operating costs across the telecommunications sector, while also promoting eco-friendly and energy-efficient operations. Speaking at a recently concluded Green Conference, the EVC and Chief Executive Officer of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, emphasised that adopting green telecom solutions would enable…

Manny Ita  – German automaker Mercedes-Benz has unveiled its latest electric concept, the Mercedes-Benz VLE, signaling a strategic push into the premium multi-purpose vehicle segment with a model that blends limousine-level comfort with family and executive transport versatility. The company said the all-electric VLE represents “the next chapter for the grand limousine,” positioning the vehicle as a high-end mobility solution designed for both private and commercial use, including luxury shuttles and long-distance travel. According to details released by the automaker, the VLE will feature an 800-volt architecture powered by a 115 kWh battery, with preliminary estimates suggesting a driving range…

Manny Ita  – The Federal Government has set a firm March 31 deadline for the completion of all 2025 capital projects, in a decisive move aimed at ending the long-standing practice of budget rollovers that has contributed to widespread project abandonment across the country. Officials say the directive is part of a broader fiscal reform agenda designed to ensure that the 2026 budget cycle begins on a “clean slate” from April 1, marking a shift toward stricter discipline in public financial management. A senior government official familiar with the policy explained that the move seeks to address inefficiencies that have…

Manny Ita  – The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority has issued an Air Operator Certificate to Binani Air, an airline founded by Aishatu Binani Dahiru, in what stakeholders have described as a significant breakthrough for gender inclusion in Nigeria’s aviation industry. The certification, which authorizes the airline to commence commercial flight operations, follows the successful completion of the NCAA’s rigorous five-phase approval process, including technical evaluations, safety compliance checks, and operational readiness assessments. Confirming the development, NCAA officials stated that Binani Air met all regulatory requirements necessary for the issuance of the Air Operator Certificate, emphasizing that safety and operational standards…

Manny Ita – The Federal Government has announced the early commencement of planning for the 2026 “Detty December” festive season, in a bid to address structural challenges observed during previous editions and strengthen Nigeria’s position as a leading global holiday destination. Minister of Tourism, Hannatu Musawa, disclosed the development on Saturday, stating that preparations would begin this month to ensure a more coordinated and seamless experience for both local and international visitors. According to the Minister, the government is particularly focused on tackling persistent issues such as inadequate accommodation, inconsistent service standards, and price inflation, which drew criticism during the…

Manny Ita  – Nigeria’s security landscape has come under renewed strain following a string of violent incidents across the North-East and North-West, with the Nigerian military warning of a looming suicide bombing threat even as deadly attacks in Maiduguri, Katsina State and Taraba State have left scores of people dead and several others injured. The Nigerian Army issued an alert over what it described as credible intelligence indicating that terrorists may be planning to deploy multiple suicide bombers into Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State. The warning follows intensified military operations in the North-East, during which the Defence Headquarters said…

Manny Ita  – The Nigerian Education Loan Fund has announced a fresh extension of the application deadline for its student loan programme for the 2025/2026 academic session, in a move aimed at accommodating a broader pool of applicants across the country. In a statement released on Friday, the Fund said the decision followed continued feedback from prospective beneficiaries and stakeholders who requested additional time to complete their applications and resolve technical or documentation challenges. Managing Director of NELFUND, Akintunde Sawyerr, said the extension underscores the agency’s commitment to inclusivity and equal access to higher education financing. “We have listened carefully…

Manny Ita  – The Presidency has moved to quell growing public concern over Nigeria’s recently signed migration Memorandum of Understanding with the United Kingdom, firmly denying claims that the country would be compelled to accept foreign nationals under the agreement. In a statement issued on Saturday, presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga described the circulating reports as “misleading and entirely inaccurate,” stressing that the agreement strictly applies to Nigerian citizens who no longer have legal grounds to remain in the UK. “The Federal Government of Nigeria wishes to categorically state that the MoU does not in any way obligate Nigeria to receive…

Lady Diana Ereyitomi Eyo-Enoette,
Special Assistant on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Delta State Elegbede Abiodun Arrests have been made.
Now, convictions must follow. In a nation where gender equality is still a distant dream, we are now confronted with something far more sinister rape, sexual violence, and the normalization of abuse under the guise of culture. The events in Ozoro community, Delta State, are not “mistreatment.”
They are acts of sexual violence. Viral evidence and multiple reports confirm that young women were attacked, stripped, sexually assaulted, and in some cases reportedly raped during a local festival. Let us call this what it is:
Organized gender-based…

File photo: Dangote Refinery Petroleum marketers are planning for another round of price increases after the Dangote Petroleum Refinery announced a fresh hike in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol), citing escalating global geopolitical tensions. In a notice sent to marketers on Friday night and obtained by our correspondent, the refinery disclosed that its ex-depot (gantry) price had been raised from N1,175 per litre to N1,245 per litre, while the coastal price was also adjusted upward. “Please be informed that due to the current global geo-political situation which has further escalated, the PMS gantry & coastal price has been…