Author: Ifetayo Adeniyi

Manny Ita  – Troops of the Nigerian military in the early hours of Monday repelled an infiltration attempt by suspected fighters of Boko Haram in the Ajilari Cross area of Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, restoring calm to the community after a brief security scare. Security sources said the attempted incursion occurred before dawn when insurgents were reportedly sighted approaching the outskirts of the Ajilari Cross district. Troops stationed within the city quickly responded, engaging the suspects and forcing them to retreat after an exchange of gunfire. Military authorities said the swift response prevented the insurgents from breaching defensive…

Manny Ita  – Health authorities have raised concern over the continued spread of Lassa Fever in Nigeria after new data revealed that the country recorded 109 deaths linked to the disease within the first three months of 2026. The figures were disclosed by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), which said the fatalities were recorded across several states as part of the ongoing monitoring of the viral hemorrhagic illness. Officials warned that the trend underscores the need for increased public awareness and stronger preventive measures, particularly in communities where the disease is endemic. According to health officials,…

Manny Ita  – Operations on major ride-hailing platforms were disrupted on Monday as drivers working with Uber and Bolt commenced a planned three-day protest over what they describe as unsustainably low fares and increasing operational expenses, a development expected to affect ride availability in key urban centres including Lagos and Abuja. The protest, which began early in the day, involves drivers temporarily switching off their applications or refusing ride requests as a form of pressure on the ride-hailing companies to review fare structures and commission charges. Organisers say the action is intended to highlight the growing financial strain faced by…

File photo: Inflation rate Nigeria’s headline inflation rate eased marginally to 15.06 per cent in February 2026, according to the latest Consumer Price Index report released by the National Bureau of Statistics. The report stated, “In February 2026, the Headline inflation rate eased to 15.06 per cent, down from 15.10 per cent in January 2026,” indicating a slight moderation in the pace of price increases across the economy. Data from the report showed that the Consumer Price Index rose to 130.0 in February 2026 from 127.4 in January, reflecting a 2.6-point increase within the month. The CPI measures the average…

File photo: Minister of State for Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Taiwo Oyedele has been sworn in as Minister of State for Finance at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja. The swearing-in ceremony took place at the President’s office at approximately 2:30 pm on Monday. It has come five days after the Senate confirmed Oyedele’s nomination. Our correspondent had earlier observed Oyedele and his wife being cleared by Villa security at approximately 2:09 pm, with the new minister dressed in a navy blue suit while his wife wore white traditional attire. The Senate had on Wednesday, March…

Manny Ita  – The Nigerian Navy has destroyed a reactivated illegal refinery operating in the Okolomade community of Rivers State as part of its ongoing anti-crude oil theft operations under Operation Delta Sentinel. Naval authorities said the discovery was made during a routine patrol by personnel deployed to protect critical oil infrastructure and curb economic sabotage in the Niger Delta region. The illegal refining site, located in a creek within the community, was reportedly producing refined petroleum products from stolen crude oil before it was dismantled by naval operatives. According to the Navy, the facility had previously been destroyed but…

L – R: Partner and Leader, Tax and Regulatory Service, PwC, Mr. Chijioke Uwaegbute; Group Managing Director, Financial Derivatives Limited, Mr. Bismarck Rewane; Executive Director and Chief Operations and Information Officer, Fidelity Bank Plc, Mr Stanley Amuchie; Tech entrepreneur and venture capitalist, Mr. Ike Eze; and Arise TV Business News Anchor, Mr. Rotus Oddiri; at the Fidelity Diaspora Summit 2026 themed, “Navigating the New Tax Policy and Unlocking Investment Opportunities in Nigeria” recently. Tier-one lender, Fidelity Bank Plc, has reaffirmed its leadership in the diaspora banking sector with the successful hosting of the Fidelity Diaspora Summit 2026, a global virtual…

The Chairman of Polaris Bank, Dr. Kassim Gidado, has urged newly inducted banking professionals to uphold integrity, embrace continuous learning, and demonstrate ethical leadership as they navigate the rapidly evolving financial services landscape. Dr. Gidado, made the call while delivering his remarks as the Special Guest of Honour at the 2026 Stream 1 Chartered Banker Induction Ceremony organised by the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN). The ceremony which held in Lagos at the weekend, celebrated the induction of 2,037 professionals into the prestigious Chartered Banker and Microfinance Certified Banker cadre of the Institute, marking a significant milestone in…

Zenith Bank Plc has made public the opening of a new branch in Manchester, United Kingdom, marking another significant milestone in the bank’s international growth and its commitment to strengthening financial connections between Africa and global markets. The official opening ceremony, scheduled for Tuesday, 17 March 2026, is expected to attract government officials from Nigeria and the United Kingdom, regulators, investors, customers, and business leaders from both countries, underscoring the growing economic ties and investment opportunities between the two markets. The new Manchester branch will complement Zenith Bank’s existing operations in the United Kingdom and serve as a strategic hub…

Igbinedion Education Centre, Benin City, Edo Relative of one of the students involved in a viral bullying incident at Igbinedion Education Centre, Benin City, has issued a heartfelt apology for their son’s actions. In a statement released on Sunday and signed by Tim Asoro, the family expressed shock and embarrassment over the video, which showed two male students beating and kicking another student lying on the ground, while a third student recorded the incident. A thumbnail of the viral video…Photo Credit: Edo Police Command “Watching the video has been one of the most distressing and heartbreaking experiences of our lives…