Author: Ifetayo Adeniyi

Manny Ita  – It was a colourful and vibrant gathering at City Café in the GRA area of Benin City as poets and writers assembled for a World Poetry Day celebration organised by the Benin Writers Society. The programme commenced with opening remarks by the Vice President (Administration), Blessing Osabouhien Aguebor, who welcomed guests in a lively and humorous tone and introduced the comperes for the event. The well-attended gathering, which drew literary enthusiasts from diverse backgrounds, was anchored by Success Ude and Monachi Agunwa, both described as emerging comperes within the city’s creative scene. In his opening address, the…

FILE: Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa. The minister said that efforts are ongoing to revive the school feeding programme to strengthen enrolment in public schools. The Federal Government has announced plans to scrap the Junior Secondary School Common Entrance Examination and introduce a Learner Identification Number to track pupils from primary school through their academic journey. The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, disclosed this during an interactive session with journalists in Lagos on Saturday. According to Tribune, the Minister explained that the proposed reforms are aimed at improving access to education and ensuring better tracking of pupils across the country.…

Adron Homes and Properties Limited has reaffirmed its commitment to preserving Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage and fostering community development through its sponsorship of the 39th edition of the Lisabi Festival, one of the most revered cultural celebrations of the Egba people. Held under the distinguished leadership of Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, the festival remains a symbolic institution that celebrates the unity, resilience, and historical legacy of Egbaland. It pays tribute to the legendary warrior Lisabi Agbongbo Akala, whose courage and leadership united the Egba people and secured their freedom. Through this strategic sponsorship, Adron Homes and Properties Limited continues to…

Papa Ajasco The response appears to be a strategic reaction to the legal limitations surrounding his former role. Veteran actor Abiodun Ayoyinka, widely known for his decades-long portrayal of the iconic character Papa Ajasco, has announced a rebranding of his public identity. In a video posted on his Instagram page on Saturday, the actor formally introduced his new stage name, Bondu Alaska. This move follows his recent claims of being broke and a public exchange between the actor and the founder of Wale Adenuga Productions, Wale Adenuga, over restrictions on the use of the “Papa Ajasco” brand. “Ladies and Gentlemen,…

The Zamfara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has finalized plans to receive Vice President Kashim Shettima for the formal defection and reception of Governor Dauda Lawal into the ruling party, scheduled to take place on Tuesday. State APC Chairman, Tukur Danfulani Maikatako, disclosed this during a high-level stakeholders’ meeting held in Gusau, the state capital. He noted that the Vice President would be joined by the party’s national leadership to mark what he described as a landmark political realignment in the state. Maikatako expressed the party’s excitement over Governor Lawal’s return, recalling that Zamfara had historically been…

Manny Ita  – A recent Global Terrorism Index report has identified two attacks in Nigeria’s Borno State in 2025 as among the deadliest worldwide. The assaults, which occurred in Darajamal and Kukawa, resulted in significant loss of life and underscore the persistent security challenges facing the region. The report details that these incidents rank alongside some of the most lethal attacks globally, highlighting the severity of the violence perpetrated by insurgent groups in northeastern Nigeria. Analysts note that the scale of these attacks has broader implications for regional stability and counterterrorism efforts. A security expert commented, “The inclusion of Darajamal…

Manny Ita  – Nigeria’s electricity industry is under heightened scrutiny as the nation contends with a dramatic shortfall in available generation capacity. Recent reports indicate that post-privatization, the country has lost approximately 11,200MW of its generation potential, leaving the current average output at only 4,300MW. Industry analysts warn that the significant drop in capacity, coupled with mounting debts in the sector now totaling ₦6.8 trillion, could precipitate widespread grid collapses if immediate corrective measures are not implemented. “The current state of generation is deeply concerning,” said an energy expert monitoring the sector. “Without urgent intervention, both households and industries will…

Manny Ita  – Members of the House of Representatives have sounded the alarm over what they describe as an opaque cost burden on domestic refiners, claiming that international middlemen in London and Dubai are extracting an additional $18 per barrel for access to Nigerian crude oil. Ikenga Ugochinyere, a lawmaker representing his constituency in the House, stated that this practice is directly contributing to rising fuel prices at local petrol stations. “Domestic refiners are being compelled to pay intermediaries abroad before they can access the crude produced in Nigeria,” Ugochinyere said. “This is an unnecessary cost that ultimately reflects in…

Manny Ita  – British-Nigerian author and historian Majemite Jaboro has disclosed that his three-month incarceration alongside Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti at Ikoyi Prison in Lagos in 1993 served as a defining moment for his career in writing and social activism. In a discussion surrounding the release of his new book, The Ikoyi Prison Narratives, Jaboro recounted the circumstances that led to his detention and the profound influence of sharing a cell with the musical icon. At the time, Jaboro, then about 20 years old, had recently been admitted to the University of Lagos to study history. Between January and April…

Manny Ita  – José Mourinho, the manager of Benfica, was visibly emotional just moments before kick-off in the Liga Portugal match against Vitória de Guimarães, breaking down in tears during a minute’s silence held in memory of Silvino Louro, the late Portuguese goalkeeper and long-time member of Mourinho’s coaching staff. Louro, who passed away at the age of 67 following a prolonged illness, had been a key figure in Mourinho’s teams over nearly two decades, including spells at Porto, Chelsea, Inter, Real Madrid, and Manchester United. The entire Estádio da Luz observed the tribute, with fans and players reflecting on…