Author: Ifetayo Adeniyi

Manny Ita – France will host a yearlong series of cultural exchange events across South Korea to commemorate the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, the French Embassy in Seoul announced Thursday. The programme, organised under the theme “creativity, opportunity and solidarity,” will feature about 100 cultural events spanning music, visual arts, literature, film, drama and performing arts. The activities are scheduled to take place in around 20 cities across the country. Speaking during a press conference at the embassy, French Ambassador to South Korea, Philippe Bertoux, said the programme would deepen cooperation and strengthen relations between…

L-R: District Head, Kyangakwai, Alhaji Suleiman Musa; Former Speaker, Kebbi State House of Assembly, Mr Isma’ila Abdulmumuni Kamba; District Head, Kamba (Sarkin Shikon Kamba), Mamuda Zarummai; Council Secretary, Dandi Local Government, Kebbi State, Alhaji Abdulkadir Muhammad; and Regional Bank Head, North-West Zone 2, Fidelity Bank Plc, Mr Muhammad Lawal-Ahijo; at the official commissioning of the new Fidelity Bank Plc branch in Kamba, Dandi Local Government Area, Kebbi State recently. Residents of Kamba in Dandi Local Government Area of Kebbi State have welcomed the opening of a new branch of Fidelity Bank Plc, describing it as a major milestone that will…

Manny Ita  – The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned the public about counterfeit HIV diagnostic test kits circulating in Nigeria and urged healthcare providers and distributors to exercise caution. The agency said investigations revealed that the counterfeit product differs significantly from the authentic version approved for use in the country. According to NAFDAC, the fake test kit is manufactured by Omega Diagnostics Ltd. and bears the address Omega House, Hillfoots Business Village, Alva, FK12 5DQ, Scotland, United Kingdom. “By contrast, the counterfeit version is manufactured by OMEGA DIAGNOSTICS LTD., Omega House Hillfoots Business…

Manny Ita  – The Federal Executive Council has approved the implementation of a GIS-enabled alphanumeric digital postcode system aimed at modernising Nigeria’s national addressing framework. The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, disclosed the development in a post shared on X on Tuesday, noting that the approval was granted under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as part of efforts to implement the ministry’s strategic blueprint for the country’s digital transformation. Mr Tijani explained that the new system will be developed in collaboration with the Nigerian Postal Service, working closely with the Postmaster General, Tola Odeyemi,…

Manny Ita  – The Federal Government of Nigeria has approved an amendment that will allow medical professionals to use medical fellowships as the equivalent of a PhD for academic promotion and career progression in universities. The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, disclosed the decision on Wednesday after a meeting of the Federal Executive Council presided over by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Mr Alausa said the council reviewed and approved amendments to the National Postgraduate Medical College Act to recognise medical fellowships as an equivalent qualification to a PhD for medical professionals working in academia. He added that the proposed changes…

Manny Ita  – Efforts by China to expand its media influence across Africa have yielded limited results, with audiences across the continent continuing to favor established international broadcasters over Chinese state outlets despite years of investment and expansion. In Nairobi, Kenya, Davis Moroko, who works at a print shop in the leafy suburb of Gigiri, says he regularly follows global news through platforms such as BBC and YouTube. However, he says he has little awareness of Chinese broadcasters operating in the region. “I never watch Chinese media at all,” he said. “I didn’t even know they had a studio here.”…

Manny Ita  – The Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions has urged the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to strengthen its oversight of Nigeria’s rapidly expanding fintech sector in order to curb increasing cases of financial fraud within the country’s banking system. The chairman of the committee, Adetokunbo Abiru, made the call on Wednesday during an investigative hearing into the operations of Ponzi schemes in Nigeria, with particular reference to the recent activities of Crypto Bullion Exchange (CBEX). The hearing was jointly organised by the Senate Committees on ICT and Cyber Security, Capital Market, and Anti-Corruption and…

Manny Ita  – Nigeria’s Federal Executive Council (FEC), chaired by President Bola Tinubu, has approved six major road projects across the country, including the planned demolition and reconstruction of the Carter Bridge in Lagos. The Minister of Works, David Umahi, disclosed this while briefing State House correspondents after the council meeting on Wednesday. According to him, the projects approved include the reconstruction of the 103-kilometre Ibadan–Ife–Ilesa dual carriageway, which has been re-awarded for ₦427 billion after minimal progress was recorded by the previous contractor. He also announced the review and redesign of the 132-kilometre Kano–Kongolam road linking Kano, Jigawa State…

Zenith Bank Plc will commemorate the 2026 International Women’s Day with a renewed call to purposeful action and leadership. As part of preparations to celebrate this significant occasion, the Bank is set to hold its annual International Women’s Day Seminar on Monday, March 9, 2026, at The Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos. Aligned with the global theme ‘Give to Gain” which underscores the principle that sustainable progress is achieved when individuals and institutions invest intentionally in women, Zenith Bank’s 2026 IWD seminar is themed “Take It, You Own It.” The theme reflects the Bank’s belief that while institutions must give…