Author: Ifetayo Adeniyi

Nigeria’s cashew sector rakes in over $400m through exports – FACAN Nigeria’s cashew industry has raised over $400 million in export earnings, boosting the country’s non-oil revenue. Industry leaders, however, say the sector has the potential to deliver even greater value through increased production, processing, and domestic consumption. Sheriff Balogun, President of the Federation of Agricultural Commodity Associations of Nigeria, said this at the 4th Nigeria Cashew Day held in Abuja on Thursday, noting that official data showed steady growth in non-oil exports, driven largely by agricultural commodities such as cashew. Balogun said, “Based on official statistics, we see…

Tinubu, for Shell’s Bonga south west project, approves investment incentives L-R: Peter Costello, President Upstream, Shell Plc, Wael Sawan, Global Chief Executive Officer Shell Plc and President Bola Tinubu during a visit by the Shell Executives to the President at the State House, Abuja. Thursday, January 22, 2026 President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has given his approval to the gazetting of targeted, investment-linked incentives to support the proposed Bonga South West deep-offshore oil project by Shell and its partners. The President also directed the Special Adviser to the President on Energy, Mrs. Olu Verheijen, to facilitate the gazette of the incentives…

Here’s 2026 OSCAR nominations The organisers of the 98th Academy Awards announced the initial slate of nominations for the 2026 Oscars on Thursday, with actors Lewis Pullman and Danielle Brooks revealing the full list across all 24 categories. Leading the pack as early frontrunners are Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another, which secured 13 nominations, and Ryan Coogler’s Sinners, which broke Oscar history with a record-breaking 16 nominations, the most ever for a single film, surpassing the previous tie of 14 held by All About Eve, Titanic, and La La Land. The 98th Oscars ceremony is scheduled for…

Tinubu gives consent to posting of ambassador-designates to US, France, two other countries Nigerians President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has given approval for the posting of four ambassador-designates out of the 68 confirmed by the Senate last December. In a statement by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu confirmed the posting of Ambassador Ayodele Oke as the ambassador-designate to France and Colonel Lateef Are as the ambassador-designate to the United States of America. Also confirmed by the President is the posting of Ambassador Amin Dalhatu, former ambassador to South Korea, as the high commissioner-designate to the United Kingdom. Usman Isa…

Tongeji Island oil drilling to commence immediately ~ Gov Abiodun Caption: L-R:The Commandant,Nigerian Navy Secondary school Abeokuta, Captain, Oluwaseun Adesiyan, 46th flag Officer Commanding Western Naval;Rear Admiral Abdullah Abubakar Mustapha, Ogun State Governor; Prince Dapo Abiodun, Fleet Commander,Western Fleet;Commodore Solomon Olushola Ohunenese and the Commander, Intelligence Office;Captain Adah Ehanmo during a visit by the Western Naval Command in Abeokuta on Thursday. • Naval officers visit to strengthen synergy between the Nigerian Navy and the Ogun State Government. • Tinubu approved the immediate take-off of the Olokola Deep Seaport project. • Oil drilling at Tongeji Island would increase economic empowerment among…

Rivers Chief Judge Refrains From Setting Up Panel Against Governor Fubara, Deputy Referencing legal precedents in a similar case in 2007. The Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Chibuzor Simeon Amadi, has declined to constitute a seven-member panel to investigate allegations of gross misconduct against Governor Sim Fubara and his Deputy, Ngozi Ordu. In a letter dated 20th January 2026, addressed to the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martins Amaewhule, Justice Amadi cited two court orders barring him from receiving, forwarding, or considering any requests to form such a panel. The orders were served on his…

Manny Ita The World Economic Forum in Davos became the stage for a radical restructuring of international diplomacy on Thursday as President Trump officially unveiled the charter for his Board of Peace. What was initially introduced last year as a temporary mechanism to oversee the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip has now been formalized as a permanent, standalone international organization. Addressing a ceremony in Davos, President Trump declared it a “very exciting day” and claimed that the body would eventually “get a lot of work done that the United Nations should have done,” even suggesting the board “might” replace the…

Manny Ita The war in Ukraine entered its 1,428th day on Thursday against a backdrop of frantic high-level diplomacy at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where U.S. officials signaled that a ceasefire agreement may be within reach. U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is scheduled to fly to Moscow this evening for a direct meeting with Vladimir Putin to address what he described as the final hurdle in a potential peace deal, telling reporters that the negotiations are now “down to one issue.” ​The diplomatic push has been amplified by President Trump, who used his platform in Davos to exert…

Rotary Club of Ikoyi Metro to commission over N100mln project in Lagos The Rotary Club of Ikoyi Metro will on Saturday, January 24, 2026, officially commission its flagship community project, the renovation and equipping of wards C1 and C2 at the General Hospital Odan, Lagos, valued at over N100 million. The project is led by Rotarian Engr Alexander Chukwu, PMP, FNSE, FNIEEE, the United President of the club for the 2025 to 2026 Rotary year, and represents one of the most significant healthcare interventions undertaken by the club in recent years. The intervention includes a comprehensive upgrade of the…

NSCDC Lagos Holds Stakeholders Forum on Infrastructure Protection, Urges Scrap Dealers to Self-Regulate The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Lagos State Command, Area D, brought together community stakeholders on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, in Badagry to address the protection of critical national assets and infrastructure across Otto-Awori, Ojo, Iba, Olohunda, and Badagry divisions. The engagement focused on safeguarding vital sectors including oil and gas, transportation, power, telecommunications, education, and healthcare—all central to the NSCDC’s statutory mandate and the nation’s socio-economic development. Commandant General Professor Ahmed Abubakar Audi continues to champion both operational and community-based strategies to combat…