Author: Ifetayo Adeniyi

Manny Ita The Federal Government has successfully expanded the annual enrollment quota for nursing students from 28,000 to 115,000, marking a significant milestone in the Tinubu administration’s efforts to salvage the nation’s healthcare system. This 400 percent increase is the centerpiece of a broader strategic reform aimed at curbing the chronic shortage of healthcare professionals exacerbated by the “japa” phenomenon—the large-scale emigration of skilled workers. By flooding the domestic pipeline with newly trained professionals, the government intends to stabilize the patient-to-nurse ratio and ensure that the departure of seasoned staff no longer results in the collapse of local clinical…

Manny Ita Health workers across Southwest Nigeria have adopted a transformative approach to pediatric care by integrating live culinary demonstrations into routine child immunization schedules. The initiative, designed to address the dual challenges of under-immunization and chronic malnutrition, transforms traditional clinics into interactive classrooms where parents learn to prepare nutrient-dense meals while awaiting their children’s vaccinations. By pairing life-saving serums with practical nutritional skills, the program has seen a significant surge in clinic attendance, with some facilities reporting that turnout has doubled or even tripled since the sessions began. ​The demonstrations focus on “palatable” health policy, utilizing low-cost, locally…

Access Bank appoints Ifeyinwa as new board chair Access Bank Plc has appointed Ifeyinwa Osime as Chairman of its Board, following the retirement of Paul Usoro on January 29, 2026, upon the completion of his regulatory tenure. The appointment was disclosed to the Nigerian Exchange Limited in a notice on Monday by the company secretary, Sunday Ekwochi. “Access Holdings Plc (‘the Company’) is pleased to announce that the Board of Directors (the Board’) of Access Bank Plc (‘the Bank’), its flagship subsidiary, has appointed Ifeyinwa Osime as Chairman of the Board, following the retirement of Paul Usoro, on January 29,…

Manny Ita ​Nigeria LNG (NLNG) Limited has announced a significant rebranding of its annual awards, marking a major expansion of its corporate social responsibility initiatives in the arts. Central to this “award evolution” is the official debut of the Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts in 2026, a new category designed to sit alongside the established prizes for Literature and Science. For its inaugural cycle, the prize will specifically target the film industry, with a focus on documentary filmmaking under the thematic umbrella of “Identity.” ​The introduction of the new prize reflects a strategic shift by the organizers to encompass…

Manny Ita The International Finance Corporation (IFC) has formally entered into a partnership with Terra Kulture, a prominent Nigerian arts and culture center, to facilitate the scaling of the nation’s creative economy. This strategic collaboration is designed to provide a comprehensive framework for the enhancement of cultural infrastructure and the implementation of robust skills development programs. According to the terms of the agreement, the initiative will focus specifically on empowering the “next generation of actors, playwrights, and visual artists” by providing them with the technical and professional resources necessary to compete on a global scale. ​Industry analysts suggest that…

Majority of Anambra residents observe sit-at-home on Monday By Elegbede Abiodun Ever busy Onitsha-Owerri Road, Upper Iweka and Onitsha-Awka-Enugu road on Monday. Credit: Ikenna Obianeri As commercial activities resumed on Monday at the Onitsha Main Market, the Indigenous People of Biafra’s Monday sit-at-home order still left parts of Anambra empty, with banks, schools, motor parks, and filling stations closed and roads deserted. The traders at the Onitsha Main Market resumed business activities after a one-week shutdown, following directives from Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo. The market has been inactive on Mondays since the Indigenous People of Biafra-directed sit-at-home order began…

Manny Ita The Caine Prize for African Writing has officially announced the appointment of veteran Nigerian journalist Bola Mosuro as the Chair of Judges for its 2026 edition. This appointment comes as the prestigious literary award enters its latest cycle, with organizers confirming that entries are currently open to writers across the continent and the diaspora. The selection of Mosuro, a distinguished figure in international broadcasting and arts journalism, is seen as a move to bring seasoned editorial perspective to the evaluation of African short fiction. ​According to the prize organizers, the submission window is scheduled to close at…

Manny Ita A significant shift toward sustainable luxury has emerged in the Nigerian fashion industry, characterized by a substantial increase in the use of raffia and straw embellishments following the most recent Lagos Fashion Week cycles. This movement, frequently categorized as “Eco-Couture,” marks a transition toward texture-heavy designs that prioritize indigenous materials and environmental consciousness. Industry leaders such as Hertunba and Pepper Row are currently at the forefront of this trend, integrating traditional weaving techniques into high-end, contemporary silhouettes to redefine the concept of luxury within the region. ​Observers of the recent runway presentations note that the surge in…

Oyo @50: Govt announces early office closure on Tuesday to celebrate FILE: Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde. The climax of events will be on February 3 with a gala and award night at the Banquet Hall of the Government House in Agodi, Ibadan. The Oyo State Government has approved the early closure of offices across all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to allow public officers to participate in the grand finale of activities marking the state’s 50th anniversary. The directive was conveyed in a statement on Monday, signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Musibau Adetunji Babatunde and posted…

Manny Ita ​A new interactive attraction, the Illusions Zone, has emerged as a significant draw for visitors along the Lekki–Epe Expressway, leveraging social media interest to establish itself as a local destination for perceptual art. Known informally among patrons as an “illusion museum,” the facility features a series of exhibits designed to manipulate depth and perspective through the use of mirrors and artistic installations. While similar concepts exist globally under international franchises in cities such as Johannesburg and Nairobi, this Lekki-based facility appears to be an independent local iteration of the immersive entertainment trend. ​Visitors to the site have…