Author: Ifetayo Adeniyi

Manny Ita  – Health authorities in Nigeria have issued a heightened alert following a worsening outbreak of Lassa fever, with several deaths reported in Edo and Taraba states over the past week. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has confirmed the cases and urged the public to take precautionary measures, particularly during the ongoing Eid‑el‑Fitr festivities, when large gatherings increase the risk of disease spread. The NCDC stated, “Residents in affected states and beyond should ensure strict food hygiene, avoid consumption of improperly stored grains, and maintain cleanliness in homes and communal areas to reduce the risk of Lassa…

Manny Ita  – A Federal High Court sitting in Warri, Delta State, has delivered a landmark ruling affirming the constitutional right of Nigerian citizens to record police officers performing their duties in public, declaring that practices of anonymous policing — where officers do not wear visible identification — are unconstitutional and unlawful. The judgment, handed down on 18 March 2026, was the result of a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed against the Inspector‑General of Police, the Nigeria Police Force and other respondents, challenging the legality of stop‑and‑search operations conducted without clear identification. In his judgment, Justice Hyeladzira Nganjiwa held that…

Manny Ita  – The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has proposed a new regulation requiring telecom operators to give subscribers at least 14 days’ advance notice before deactivating or “churning” inactive SIM cards as part of broader efforts to combat identity‑linked fraud and strengthen consumer protection. The proposal is contained in a February 2026 consultation paper titled “Stakeholders Consultation Process for the Telecoms Identity Risks Management Platform,” which forms part of the Commission’s regulatory review under the Nigerian Communications Act. Under the proposed amendments to the Quality‑of‑Service Business Rules, mobile network operators would be required to notify affected subscribers of impending…

Manny Ita  – The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, officially declared Friday, March 20, 2026, as the first day of Shawwal 1447AH, marking the celebration of Eid‑el‑Fitr across Nigeria. The announcement followed the non-sighting of the crescent moon on Wednesday evening, confirming that Ramadan was completed as a 30-day fast. In a statement, the Sultan urged Muslims to observe the Eid prayers with humility, gratitude, and charity, noting the spiritual significance of the festival. He said, “Eid‑el‑Fitr is a time for thanksgiving to Allah for His mercy and guidance throughout Ramadan. It is also a time to strengthen bonds…

Manny Ita  – Security agencies across Nigeria have mobilised a massive deployment of personnel and specialised units nationwide to ensure safety at Eid prayer grounds, recreational centres, markets, motor parks and other vulnerable public spaces, following directives ahead of the Eid‑el‑Fitr celebration later this week. The mobilisation involves tens of thousands of officers from the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), with the corps alone saying it had positioned over 53,500 personnel across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, supported by tactical and intelligence squads to address potential threats during the festive…

By Manny Ita – Nigeria’s senior men’s national football team, the Super Eagles, has announced a 23‑man squad for the upcoming international friendly matches against Iran on 27 March and Jordan on 31 March 2026 in Antalya, Turkey. The selection was made by head coach Eric Chelle, who has entrusted several established stars with leadership roles while also introducing fresh talent to the senior setup. Scotland‑based defender Emmanuel Fernandez, Germany‑based forward Philip Otele, and KRC Genk winger Collins Yira Sor have earned their first senior call‑ups to the national team, reflecting the coach’s willingness to explore new options and broaden…

Manny Ita  – Nigerian troops have successfully repelled a major coordinated assault by insurgents linked to Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province in Mallam Fatori, a strategic border town in Borno State, in what military authorities describe as one of the most decisive recent engagements in the North-East counterinsurgency campaign. According to military sources, the attack, which occurred in the early hours, involved a large number of fighters who launched a coordinated ground assault on troop positions, attempting to overwhelm defensive lines and gain control of the town. The insurgents were said to have advanced from multiple directions,…

Manny Ita – Nigeria’s external sector is facing renewed scrutiny as fresh reports indicate that the country’s Balance of Payments (BOP) came under pressure in the closing months of 2025, largely driven by a decline in crude oil export value, despite ongoing economic reforms aimed at stabilizing the macroeconomic environment. Data emerging from recent financial assessments suggest that while policy adjustments have begun to restore investor confidence, the country’s heavy reliance on crude oil earnings continues to expose it to global price volatility and production fluctuations. Analysts note that the drop in oil export value was influenced by a combination…

Pastor Folu Adeboye Elegbede Abiodun “Whatever is not good for me is not good for my mother,” Adeboye said. Foluke Adeboye, wife of the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has shared a personal story about how her Christian faith led her to part ways with her prized gold jewelry. Speaking during an interview, Adeboye disclosed that she discarded her valuable jewelry by throwing them into a lagoon after she became born again, in line with the doctrines of the church at the time. According to her, although she once had a strong…

L–R: Hansatu Adegbite, National Consultant, Private Sector Partnerships, UN Women; Dr Oreoluwa Finnih-Awokoya, Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); Odunayo Sanya, Executive Director, MTN Foundation; Oluwatoyin Ahmed Edu, Executive Director, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Bank of Industry Limited; Princess Adesola Ogunleye, National President, Country Women Association of Nigeria (COWAN); and Mrs Ebun Ejirinde-Emelogu, Group Executive Director, Dixon & Ricks Consulting, during a panel session at the Y’ellopreneur 3.0 media parley held at the MTN Rooftop Plaza, Lagos, on Tuesday, March 17, 2026. Elegbede Abiodun This is to have a shift from viewing…