Author: Ifetayo Adeniyi

Manny Ita  – Nigeria’s Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, has unveiled a new travel-market platform aimed at repositioning the country’s tourism sector as a key contributor to national economic growth. The initiative is designed to connect local tourism operators, service providers, and creative industry stakeholders with international markets, providing them with greater visibility and access to global opportunities. By leveraging digital tools and strategic partnerships, the platform seeks to bridge existing gaps between Nigeria’s tourism offerings and the global travel ecosystem. Speaking at the launch, the minister emphasized that Nigeria’s tourism potential remains largely untapped…

Manny Ita – The literary world is witnessing a surge of excitement this month as a wave of highly anticipated book releases from both Nigerian and international authors hits shelves, reflecting a rich blend of genres, themes, and storytelling styles. Leading the lineup is A Dance of Burning Blades, the latest fantasy offering by M. H. Ayinde. The novel, part of the Invoker Trilogy, is already drawing attention among fantasy enthusiasts for its immersive world-building and intricate character arcs, signaling a strong addition to the genre’s growing global diversity. Also generating buzz is One Leg on Earth by Pemi Aguda,…

Manny Ita  – Vice President Kashim Shettima has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with the United Nations on initiatives targeted at youth and women empowerment, particularly in the areas of financial inclusion and job creation. The Vice President made this known during a high-level meeting with a United Nations delegation, where both parties explored strategies to expand economic opportunities for Nigeria’s rapidly growing population. Central to the discussions was the government’s plan to harness what has been described as the country’s “demographic bulge” and convert it into a productive economic force. Shettima emphasized that youth development remains…

Manny Ita  – Governor Bassey Otu has been recognized as a “Tourism Champion” in acknowledgment of his administration’s renewed push to reposition Cross River State as a leading destination for leisure and cultural tourism in Nigeria. The recognition comes amid a sweeping plan by the state government to rehabilitate and modernize some of its most iconic tourist assets, including the Obudu Ranch Resort, Agbokim Waterfalls, and the Marina Resort. These sites, once major attractions drawing both local and international visitors, have faced years of infrastructural decline and reduced patronage. According to the governor, the revitalization project will involve comprehensive upgrades…

Manny Ita  – Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has intensified efforts to address food insecurity through the expansion of her Renewed Hope Food Outreach programme, a social intervention initiative aimed at supporting vulnerable households across the country. The programme, which is part of a broader welfare strategy under the Renewed Hope agenda, was carried out with representation from the wife of the Vice President, Nana Shettima. At the latest distribution exercise, 600 vulnerable families benefited from essential food supplies, reinforcing the administration’s commitment to cushioning the effects of economic hardship on low-income communities. Speaking during the outreach, the First Lady…

Fans will have access to the referee’s on-field perspective through body cameras enhanced by artificial intelligence. FIFA on Thursday presented its list of match officials for the June 11-July 19 World Cup, including 52 referees, six of whom are women. The expanded 48-team competition, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will run from 11 June to 19 July, featuring a record 104 matches across multiple venues. As part of preparations, FIFA unveiled its final list of match officials, comprising 52 referees, 88 assistant referees, and 30 video match officials drawn from all six confederations and 50 Member Associations.…

 Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Elegbede Abiodun The Central Bank of Nigeria has listed 10 key changes to Bank Verification Number (BVN) rules which will take effect from May 1, as part of efforts to curb fraud and tighten digital banking processes. The updated guidelines will affect how customers log in, switch devices, and manage their banking details. The new guidelines will affect how customers access mobile banking, switch devices, and manage their BVN details. The key changes are the following: 1. Mobile banking apps will be restricted to one device at a time. 2. Logging in on a new…

As conversations around money become more complex in a fast-evolving digital world, the need to Building Financially Smart Future and equip young people with the right financial knowledge, has never been more urgent. From spending habits to saving culture, digital transactions, and entrepreneurial thinking, financial literacy is increasingly becoming a life skill, not just a nice-to-have. It is against this backdrop that Polaris Bank is participating in this year’s Global Money Week (GMW), a global financial awareness campaign which kicked off from Tuesday, April 7 through Thursday, April 30, 2026. Global Money Week is an annual initiative led by Child…

Manny Ita  – The third edition of the Bet9ja Foundation Fitness Festival 3.0 was successfully concluded in Warri last week, marking another milestone in the growing trend of large-scale fitness gatherings across Nigeria. The event drew a diverse crowd of fitness enthusiasts, influencers, and community members who participated in a range of high-energy workout sessions, including aerobics, dance fitness, strength training, and endurance challenges. Beyond exercise, the festival incorporated live Afrobeats performances, creating a vibrant atmosphere that merged physical wellness with entertainment. Organisers say the initiative is part of a broader effort by the Bet9ja Foundation to promote healthy lifestyles…

Manny Ita  – British financial technology firm Wise is reportedly on the verge of securing its first operational licence in Nigeria, a move expected to significantly enhance cross-border remittance services into and out of the country. According to industry sources, the company is in advanced stages of regulatory approval, positioning it to enter one of Africa’s largest and most dynamic remittance markets. Once approved, Wise will be able to offer its low-cost, transparent international money transfer services directly to Nigerian users and businesses. The anticipated entry of Wise is expected to increase competition in Nigeria’s fintech and payments space, particularly…