Author: Ifetayo Adeniyi

L-R: Mr Débo- K’mba BARANDAO, the Director General of Compagnie Energie Electrique du Togo (C.E.E.T), and Mrs Jennifer Adighije, the Managing Director/CEO, Niger Delta Power Holding Company, during the C.E.E.T’s management visit to NDPHC headquarters. CREDIT: NAN Elegbede Abiodun Togo has shown interest in raising electricity imports from Nigeria through the Niger Delta Power Holding Company to meet increasing domestic demand. The Managing Director of NDPHC, Jennifer Adighije, said this in a statement released on Sunday following talks with Togo’s national electricity utility. The visiting delegation from Compagnie Energie Electrique du Togo was led by its Director-General, Débo‑K’mba Barandao, with…

Manny Ita  – The All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) has issued a stern warning regarding a looming food crisis across the federation, citing the continuous surge in the pump price of petrol as a primary catalyst. In a statement addressing the current energy crisis, AFAN National President Mohammed Magaji emphasized that the hike, which has seen petrol prices fluctuate toward the ₦1,200 per litre mark in recent days, is making essential farming operations and the logistics of food distribution increasingly unsustainable for rural smallholders and daily wage earners. “The ongoing energy crisis in Nigeria will affect the cost of…

Manny Ita  – More than three million registered voters in the Republic of Congo are casting ballots today in a presidential election widely expected to extend the 42-year tenure of incumbent President Denis Sassou Nguesso. Polling stations across the oil-rich Central African nation opened at 7 a.m. local time and are scheduled to close at 6 p.m. Sassou Nguesso, 82, is seeking a fifth consecutive term under the banner of the Congolese Party of Labour (PCT), facing six other candidates. Analysts describe the opposition as fragmented, with several major parties boycotting the process over allegations of unfair electoral practices. “Everyone…

Manny Ita  – Growing public concern over Nigeria’s worsening cost-of-living crisis has intensified following reports that vulnerable market women in Lagos are grappling with multiple levies imposed by local street collectors, popularly known as agberos. Traders across several open markets in the commercial hub say the informal collections have compounded the economic pressure they already face due to rising food prices, transportation costs and general inflation. Many of the women, who rely on daily sales to sustain their households, say the frequent demands for payments are cutting deeply into their already shrinking profits. Some traders alleged that the collectors move…

Manny Ita  – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has disclosed that more than 60,300 Nigerians have been assisted to voluntarily return home since 2017 after becoming stranded along irregular migration routes across North Africa and parts of Europe. The agency said the assisted voluntary return programme forms part of its broader humanitarian intervention aimed at supporting migrants who face severe risks while attempting irregular journeys in search of economic opportunities abroad. Many of the returnees, according to the organisation, had encountered difficult living conditions, exploitation, and other dangers along migration corridors before opting to return to Nigeria. IOM officials…

Manny Ita  – The Federal Government has formally endorsed the 2026 edition of the Meet Africa Fashion Festival (MAFEST), pledging full institutional backing for the continental event as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s textile sector and showcase African creativity on the global stage. The government announced that the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy will coordinate the national preparations and engagements for the festival, working with industry stakeholders, designers, textile manufacturers and cultural institutions to ensure the event delivers economic and cultural value. Officials said the endorsement reflects a broader strategy by the Federal Government to…

Manny Ita  – In a symbolic prelude to the upcoming state visit of Nigeria’s president to the United Kingdom, King Charles III hosted members of the Nigerian diaspora at a special reception held at St James’s Palace on March 11 and 12. The reception brought together prominent Nigerians living in the United Kingdom, cultural figures and community leaders in what palace officials described as a celebration of the longstanding historical and cultural ties between Nigeria and Britain. Guests at the event were treated to elements of Nigerian culture, including traditional cuisine such as Jollof Rice and a musical performance by…

Manny Ita  – The National Museum Nigeria has renewed efforts to promote public awareness of Nigeria’s historical heritage, placing particular emphasis on the story of the ancient Dufuna Canoe and the historic Lugard Footbridge as part of a broader initiative aimed at stimulating both domestic and international interest in the country’s cultural legacy. Officials said the renewed campaign forms part of ongoing public education programmes designed to deepen understanding of Nigeria’s rich historical assets while encouraging greater visitation to museums and heritage sites across the country. According to museum authorities, the Dufuna Canoe—believed to be one of the oldest watercraft…

Manny Ita  – Media entrepreneur Gbemi Olateru-Olagbegi is set to launch a new YouTube talk show titled The Fashion Roundtable on March 19, 2026, in a move aimed at creating a platform for candid discussions about the Nigerian fashion industry. The programme, which will stream on YouTube, is designed to feature conversations with leading designers, models, stylists and other creative professionals shaping the country’s fashion landscape. According to the organisers, the show will focus on providing an unfiltered perspective on the industry, examining both its opportunities and persistent challenges. Speaking ahead of the launch, Olateru-Olagbegi explained that the idea behind…

Manny Ita  – The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has scheduled its national convention for April 14, 2026, as part of a nationwide restructuring process aimed at reorganising the party’s leadership and strengthening its political structures ahead of future electoral contests. Party officials confirmed that preparations for the convention are already underway, with consultations ongoing across state chapters to ensure broad participation by delegates and stakeholders from across the federation. According to party sources, the convention will serve as a platform for the election of new national officers and the ratification of reforms intended to reposition the party within Nigeria’s evolving…