Author: Ifetayo Adeniyi

Manny Ita  – Nigerian public-interest lawyer and poet Karimot Odebode has been named a recipient of the 29th Global Love of Lives Award, an international honor conferred by Taiwan’s Chou Ta-Kuan Cultural and Educational Foundation in recognition of individuals whose work demonstrates exceptional compassion and service to humanity. Odebode emerged as the overall winner from more than 3,700 nominees worldwide, with the foundation citing her sustained advocacy for gender equality and social justice in Nigeria. The foundation announced that the award acknowledges Odebode’s legal and literary efforts to advance the rights of women and girls, particularly survivors of sexual and…

In a significant move to address rampant terrorism, insurgency, and banditry, the Zamfara State Government has completed a thorough examination of Colombia’s strategic communication framework, particularly its non-kinetic approaches to conflict resolution. This initiative aims to adapt successful strategies from Colombia to the specific security challenges faced in Zamfara. A delegation, led by Governor Dauda Lawal, recently returned from an exchange program in Bogotá, Colombia, where they focused on the demobilization strategy employed during the conflict with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). The goal of this initiative is to harness lessons learned from Colombia’s experiences to restore economic…

Fiile Copy: First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu. The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has officially unveiled the ‘Flow with Confidence Sanitary Pad Initiative’, a landmark programme aimed at improving menstrual health and hygiene among schoolgirls across the country. While speaking during the launch on Tuesday in Umuahia, the Abia State capital, the First Lady said the core objective of the initiative is to empower schoolgirls through education on menstrual hygiene, intended to promote confidence and dignity. The First Lady, who was represented by the wife of the Abia State Governor, Mrs Priscilla Otti, stressed that no girl should…

File Copy: Chief Executive Officer of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has reached an offtake agreement with 12 major petroleum marketing companies to distribute between 60 million and 65 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) daily across the country, in a move expected to stabilise supply and deepen Nigeria’s fuel self-sufficiency. President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, said this in Lagos, noting that the structured framework would guarantee nationwide availability of petrol while exporting surplus volumes. According to a statement issued, Dangote said, “We have agreed an offtake framework to supply up to 65 million…

Manny Ita  – Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) has officially opened submissions for the 2026 edition of the Nigeria Prize for Literature, with this year’s competition dedicated to poetry. The company said Nigerian poets from across the world have until March 31, 2026, to submit their published collections for consideration. NLNG noted that the annual prize, regarded as one of Africa’s most prestigious literary honours, carries a cash award of $100,000 for the winner. The competition rotates among four genres—poetry, prose fiction, drama, and children’s literature—with poetry returning as the focus for the 2026 cycle. The Advisory Board for the prize…

Manny Ita  – An attack on the secretariat of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the private residence of former national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), John Odigie-Oyegun, has heightened tension in Benin City, Edo State. The incidents occurred amid reports of political unrest in parts of the city. Sources said unknown assailants vandalised sections of the ADC office and targeted the residence of Oyegun, causing property damage and forcing residents in the area to flee temporarily. Security operatives were later deployed to restore order, while investigations into the attacks commenced. Former presidential candidate Peter Obi was reportedly…

Manny Ita  – The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) is set to commence export of a new light, sweet crude oil grade known as Cawthorne in March as part of efforts to boost national revenue and strengthen Nigeria’s position in the global oil market. Officials said the new crude stream, produced from fields in the Niger Delta, is characterised by low sulphur content and high quality, making it attractive to international refiners seeking cleaner feedstock for fuel production. The development is expected to expand Nigeria’s crude portfolio and improve earnings amid fluctuating global oil prices. NNPC stated that…

CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso. Photo: CBN / X The Monetary Policy Committee of the Central Bank of Nigeria has reduced the benchmark interest rate to 26.5% per cent. This was the second time the MPC would be cutting rates under the current leadership of the apex bank. The CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, announced the decision on Tuesday at the end of the committee’s 304th meeting in Abuja. Cardoso said, “The Committee decided to reduce the monetary policy rate by 50 basis points to 26.5%.” The move followed a 50-basis-point cut implemented in September 2025 and a hold at the previous…

Manny Ita  – The Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy has identified Artificial Intelligence as a central pillar for accelerating Nigeria’s economic growth in 2026, stressing that emerging technologies will reshape the country’s creative and cultural industries. The Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, said the government is prioritising policies and programmes that integrate AI into film, music, publishing, fashion, gaming, and digital content production to enhance productivity and global competitiveness. She noted that technology-driven creativity would open new revenue streams, create jobs, and position Nigeria as a major exporter…

File photo: New acting Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu Nigeria’s president, Bola Tinubu has appointed Tunji Disu as Acting Inspector-General of Police, after the resignation of Kayode Egbetokun. Disu has acquired decades of experience and a strong operational background to the nation’s top police position. 1. Long‑Serving Career Police Officer Tunji Disu is a veteran of the Nigeria Police Force, having joined the service on May 18, 1992, with more than three decades of experience in policing and leadership. 2. Educational Background Disu is well‑educated, holding a Bachelor’s degree in English Education from Lagos State University and two master’s…