Author: Ifetayo Adeniyi

Manny Ita  – Artists, music executives, cultural policymakers, and industry stakeholders from across Africa are converging in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, from February 14 to 16, 2026, for the 10th anniversary parley of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), marking a key milestone as preparations intensify for the 2026 awards season. Organizers said the three-day gathering is designed to review progress in the African music industry, strengthen continental collaboration, and outline plans for the forthcoming awards ceremony scheduled for later in the year. Participants are engaging in panel discussions, policy dialogues, and networking sessions aimed at expanding the global reach of…

Manny Ita  – Dozens of residents are feared killed following coordinated attacks by heavily armed bandits on several communities in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, in one of the deadliest incidents reported in the area in recent months. Local sources said the assailants stormed the affected villages at dawn, shooting indiscriminately, burning homes, and abducting an unspecified number of people, including women and children. Survivors described scenes of panic as residents fled into nearby forests and waterways to escape the attackers. “They came very early in the morning when people were still asleep. Anyone they saw, they shot,”…

Manny Ita  – The Federal Government of Nigeria has issued a strong warning to citizens over what it described as a growing trend of illegal recruitment of Nigerians to participate in armed conflicts abroad, cautioning that such actions violate both national and international laws. In a statement released through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, authorities said criminal networks and unauthorized agents are increasingly targeting vulnerable Nigerians with promises of lucrative pay, foreign residency benefits, or security jobs, only to deploy them into active war zones. The government stressed that participation in foreign wars without official authorization is unlawful and exposes…

Manny Ita  – The governments of Nigeria and Angola have signed a bilateral agreement granting visa-free entry to holders of diplomatic and official passports from both countries, in a move aimed at deepening diplomatic cooperation and strengthening bilateral relations. The agreement was concluded on the sidelines of the African Union summit, where leaders and senior officials gathered to discuss continental security, trade, and integration. Officials said the deal would facilitate easier travel for government representatives, diplomats, and other authorized public officials engaged in official duties between the two nations. According to a joint statement, the waiver allows eligible passport holders…

Manny Ita  – The United States Mission in Nigeria has announced that its offices at the U.S. Embassy Abuja and the U.S. Consulate General Lagos will be closed on Monday, February 16, in observance of the U.S. federal holiday, Presidents’ Day. In a public notice issued to citizens and visa applicants, the mission stated that all routine consular services, including visa interviews, passport processing, and notarial services, will be suspended for the day. “The U.S. Embassy in Abuja and Consulate General in Lagos will be closed on Monday, February 16, 2026, in observance of Presidents’ Day,” the statement said, adding…

Technology 2025: Lagos rated fastest on the globe Elegbede Abiodun The governor called the growth a fundamental shift in the global geography of innovation. Lagos State has been declared the world’s fastest-growing tech ecosystem in 2025, overtaking cities like Istanbul, Mumbai, and São Paulo, according to the newly released 2025 Dealroom Global Tech Ecosystem Index. The index evaluates 288 technology hubs spanning 69 countries worldwide. Lagos topped the report’s “Rising Stars” category, outperforming other emerging markets including Istanbul, Pune, Mumbai, and Belo Horizonte. The city continues to expand rapidly, adding approximately 2,000 new residents each day, with its metropolitan…

Kenya’s Ezra Kipchumba Kering Shines as Winner of Lagos City Marathon Kenya’s Ezra Kipchumba Kering has surfaced as winner of the 11th edition of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon on Saturday, 14 February. According to a statement by Access Bank, Kering “delivered a masterclass in focus and endurance,” though he was unable to break the fastest officially recorded marathon time of 2:00:35, set by “Kelvin Kiptum of Kenya at the 2023 Chicago Marathon. The race started at Orca Shopping Mall, Ahmadu Bello Way, Eko Atlantic City, and finished at Eko Atlantic, Victoria Island, Lagos, with a 6:30 a.m.…

Primate Ayodele Names Mosque After Tinubu’s Mother Elegbede Abiodun Says it is simply a house of worship for God and that it was a divine instruction given to him. The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has commissioned a mosque he built and named it after the mother of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Mrs. Abibatu Mogaji. The commissioning took place during his annual thanksgiving ceremony on Saturday, February 14, 2026, at Oke-Afa, Lagos State. The event was attended by several dignitaries from the religious, traditional, political, and entertainment sectors, among others. Among the dignitaries were the…

FIFA World Cup Qualifiers: Falconets Set To Face Malawi In Final Round, After Defeating Senegal 2-1 Elegbede Abiodun The Falconets’ first goal arrived in the 19th minute. Two-time FIFA World Cup silver medalists, Nigeria’s Falconets have reached the final round of the African qualification round for this year’s global tournament, following a 2-1 defeat of Senegal in Diamniadio on Saturday evening. Goals by Kindness Ifeanyi – who scored the only goal in the first leg in Abeokuta a week ago – and Precious Oscar earned Nigeria a 3-1 aggregate win, springing them to the final round of the series…

Manny Ita  – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Saturday declared that the successful staging of the Argungu International Fishing and Cultural Festival demonstrates a “return of stability” to Nigeria’s troubled Northwest, even as fresh reports of deadly bandit attacks in parts of Niger State cast a shadow over the security outlook in the broader region. Speaking at the historic festival in Argungu, the president praised security agencies and local communities for enabling the large gathering to proceed without major incident. He described the revival and smooth conduct of the event—once suspended for years due to insecurity—as symbolic of progress in…