Author: Ifetayo Adeniyi

Elegbede Abiodun The Ladies in Hospitality and Tourism Awards Dinner stands as a testament to the power, resilience, and impact of women. In a remarkable celebration of women’s excellence and contributions to the hospitality and tourism industry, distinguished guests, industry leaders, and professionals gathered for the Ladies in Hospitality and Tourism Awards Dinner, an evening dedicated to honouring trailblazing women and inspiring the next generation. Convener of the awards, Florence Oyelade Adedayo-Tayo, popularly known as Lady FOAT and Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Philoxenia Global Hospitality Limited, delivered a heartfelt welcome address, setting the tone for an evening of recognition,…

MEMAN Elegbede Abiodun Says the dropping is often more gradual when prices begin to fall, largely due to existing inventory purchased at higher costs. The Major Energy Marketers Association of Nigeria has explained why petrol prices in Nigeria often rise rapidly but take longer to decline, attributing the trend to cost recovery pressures, stock positions and market volatility. Speaking during a MEMAN webinar on Tuesday, the association’s Chairman, Hubb Stokman, said the pattern is not unique to Nigeria but reflects how markets respond to sharp changes in global oil prices. He noted that when prices increase suddenly, marketers are compelled…

Elegbede Abiodun Stated that the handover process must be completed before the close of work on the same day, pending the formation of a new cabinet. Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has directed all political appointees in the state to hand over their duties with immediate effect, barely 24 hours after his inauguration for a second term. The directive was contained in a circular issued on Wednesday by the Office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and signed by the Permanent Secretary, Dr Nwabufor Nwankwo. According to the circular, all affected appointees are to transfer responsibilities to…

President Bola Tinubu and Britain’s King Charles III attend a State Banquet in St George’s Hall, at Windsor Castle, on March 18, 2026, on the first day of a two-day State Visit to the United Kingdom. (Photo by Yui Mok / POOL / AFP)  Elegbede Abiodun A SPEECH BY HIS MAJESTY THE KING Your Excellency, Mr President, and Distinguished First Lady, Ekabo. Se Daaa Daa Ni. (Greetings! I hope you are well.) My wife and I are delighted to welcome you to Windsor Castle here on this occasion. We are most grateful to you for travelling during this holy month…

SPEECH BY HIS EXCELLENCY, PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU, GCFR AT THE STATE BANQUET, WINDSOR CASTLE, Your Majesty, King Charles III, Queen Camilla, Prince William, the Prince of Wales and Duke of Cornwall, and Catherine, the Princess of Wales, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, It is a profound honour to stand before you today, representing the people of Nigeria as we reaffirm the enduring bonds of friendship, history, and shared purpose that have united our two nations for several centuries. Allow me first to express my sincere appreciation to Your Majesty and to Her Majesty, The Queen for the warmth and…

Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, giving a cheque to a beneficiary of a deceased police officer. Photo credit: NPF Elegbede Abiodun … the disbursement reflects “the determination of the IGP Olatunji Disu to prioritise the welfare of officers and their families.” The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has presented cheques totalling N2.4 billion to 1,075 beneficiaries and next-of-kin of deceased police officers under the Group Life Assurance and IGP Family Welfare Schemes. According to a statement on Wednesday signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, Anthony Placid, the presentation took place at the Force Headquarters, Abuja. The cheques, “amounting to…

Esmail Khatib photo Elegbede Abiodun The late intelligence minister was said to have operated against Iranian citizens during the Mahsa Amini protests 2022–2023. The Iranian state television has confirmed the killing on air Wednesday of the country’s Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib by the Israeli forces. Khatib’s killing follows Israel’s killing of top Iranian security official Ali Larijani and the head of the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard’s all-volunteer Basij force. Israel’s defense minister had earlier claimed that the Israeli military killed Khatib, but this appeared a mere speculation as no other authority confirmed the news. A few hours later, however, the Iranian…

FILE: A passenger train Elegbede Abiodun The Eid-el-Fitr celebrations will take place on Friday, March 20, 2026, which is also the first day of Shawwal 1447AH. The Nigerian Railway Corporation has announced additional train services across its major routes to ease the expected surge in passenger traffic during the Eid-el-Fitr celebrations. This was contained in a statement on Wednesday by the Chief Public Relations Officer of the NRC, Callistus Unyimadu, in which the corporation said the move is aimed at ensuring safe, reliable, and efficient rail transport throughout the festive period. Unyimadu said, “We recognise the importance of Sallah and…

Manny Ita  – ​Heavy fighting along Sudan’s border with Chad has killed at least 17 people and left scores of others seriously wounded, according to international medical observers. Doctors Without Borders, also known as Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), reported that health authorities received 123 wounded patients at a newly constructed hospital, noting that 66 of those individuals are in serious condition. ​The Sudanese army stated that the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) expanded their offensive into military zones in Tina, though officials claim government troops successfully repelled the assaults and forced a withdrawal. These clashes are part of a broader…

Manny Ita  – Oil prices jumped sharply as Iranian missile strikes damaged a major liquefied natural gas export facility in Qatar, stoking fears of a broader supply disruption. The strikes followed Tehran’s warnings to target energy infrastructure in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates after Israel bombed a natural gas processing facility in Iran. Brent crude May futures rose 4% to $111.80 as of 8:45 p.m. ET, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures for April gained more than 3% to $99.47. Iranian missile strikes inflicted “extensive damage” on Ras Laffan Industrial City, the world’s largest LNG export facility,…