Author: Ifetayo Adeniyi

LIRS pushes ahead deadline for filing of annual returns till February By Elegbede Abiodun The Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) has pushed forward the deadline for filing of employers’ annual tax returns by one week, from February 1 to February 7, 2026. In a statement issued on Friday, and signed by Head, Corporate Communications, LIRS Monsurat Amasa-Oyelude, on behalf of the Executive Chairman of LIRS, Dr. Ayodele Subair, explained that the statutory deadline for filing of employers’ annual tax returns is January 31, every year. He stated that the extension is intended to provide employers with additional time…

Fifth seed Rybakina defeats Sabalenka to win 2026 Australian Open final By Elegbede Abiodun Fifth seed Elena Rybakina beat world number one Aryna Sabalenka in a gripping three-set final to capture the Australian Open women’s singles crown. The 26-year-old Kazakh, born in Moscow, secured a hard-fought 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 victory at Rod Laver Arena, marking her second Grand Slam title and her first Australian Open triumph. Rybakina took control early, breaking Sabalenka in the opening game and closing the first set 6-4 in just 37 minutes. “Serving at 4-3, the 26-year-old Rybakina saved two break points: the first with…

Fifth seed Rybakina defeats Sabalenka to win 2026 Australian Open final By Elegbede Abiodun Fifth seed Elena Rybakina beat world number one Aryna Sabalenka in a gripping three-set final to capture the Australian Open women’s singles crown. The 26-year-old Kazakh, born in Moscow, secured a hard-fought 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 victory at Rod Laver Arena, marking her second Grand Slam title and her first Australian Open triumph. Rybakina took control early, breaking Sabalenka in the opening game and closing the first set 6-4 in just 37 minutes. “Serving at 4-3, the 26-year-old Rybakina saved two break points: the first with…

CAF to review regulations, improve VAR after AFCON 2025 final rows – Motsepe The President of the Confederation of African Football, Dr Patrice Motsepe, has reaffirmed CAF’s commitment to protecting the integrity, reputation and global competitiveness of African football. This is as he announces that a review of CAF regulations following incidents at the finals of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025. He disclosed this in a speech published on the CAF website on Friday. “I am absolutely determined and the CAF Executive Committee (“EXCO”), as well as the CAF Member Association Presidents, who represent 54 African…

Inaugural South-East Shooting Championship: Abia Dominates with Five Gold Medals Abia State won overall victory at the South-East Shooting Championship, topping the medal standings with five gold and one silver medal in the region’s first competitive shooting event. Enugu State finished second with six medals—one gold, four silver, and one bronze—while Imo State collected four medals (one silver, three bronze). Anambra State rounded out the competition with one bronze medal. The week-long championship in Umuahia featured seminars and competitions across Mixed Doubles Pistol, Mixed Doubles Rifle, and Para Pistol events, drawing shooters from throughout the South-East. Organizers positioned the tournament…

Manny Ita Former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton issued separate statements on Sunday condemning the recent federal law enforcement actions in Minnesota that resulted in the death of Alex Pretti. The Democratic former leaders framed the weekend’s events as a pivotal moment for the nation, with the Obamas calling Pretti’s death a “heartbreaking tragedy.” In their joint statement, Barack and Michelle Obama asserted that the incident “should also be a wake-up call to every American, regardless of party, that many of our core values as a nation are increasingly under assault.” They specifically criticized the “unprecedented tactics” of…

Manny Ita At least 25 civilians and 11 security personnel were killed in a series of insurgent attacks across Borno State on Thursday, January 29, 2026. The coordinated assaults targeted both a civilian construction site and a military installation, highlighting persistent security gaps despite recent government claims of military progress in the Northeast. In the deadliest incident, suspected Boko Haram militants stormed the town of Sabon Gari, opening fire on a group of laborers who had traveled from nearby communities for work. Relatives of the victims, including Hassan Usman and Auwal Isa, confirmed to reporters that at least 25…

Manny Ita ​Nigerian-British actress Wunmi Mosaku has shared details regarding the physical and emotional challenges she faced while filming the supernatural thriller Sinners shortly after the birth of her first child. Mosaku, 39, who welcomed a daughter in 2024, described the transition from full-time motherhood to a high-profile film set as a “huge shock.” In a recent interview with W Magazine, the Academy Award nominee discussed the biological toll of the transition. “I went from breastfeeding every meal to my baby to pumping. It was a huge shock,” Mosaku stated. “I didn’t realise I was getting a hit of…

Manny Ita The African Development Bank (AfDB) Board of Directors has approved a $3.9 million, two-year project aimed at assisting Nigeria and 12 other African nations in implementing energy compacts to expand electricity access by 2030. Announced in a statement on Friday, January 30, 2026, the initiative is part of the broader “Mission 300” program, a joint effort with the World Bank designed to provide electricity to 300 million people across the continent. This latest phase of the project, known as AESTAP Mission 300 Phase II, seeks to translate national policy commitments into tangible electricity connections for households, businesses,…

APC Announces Congress and Convention Date, Extends Membership Registration By Elegbede Abiodun The All Progressives Congress, APC, has pushed forward the deadline for its nationwide digital membership registration from January 31 to February 8, 2026, following requests from party members and stakeholders. Felix Morka, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, announced the extension on Thursday after the 183rd National Working Committee meeting. He emphasised that the decision came in response to appeals from enthusiastic members still working to complete their registration. The party has also set February 18, 2026, for Ward Congresses across the country, with its National Convention scheduled…