Author: Ifetayo Adeniyi

Manny Ita  – Several state governments across Nigeria have introduced interim wage support measures to ease the impact of rising living costs on workers, pending the conclusion of negotiations on a new national minimum wage. In Lagos State, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has approved a ₦50,000 wage award for public sector employees. The move is aimed at providing immediate financial relief as inflation and economic pressures continue to strain household incomes. Officials say the wage award will serve as a temporary buffer while discussions between the Federal Government, labour unions, and other stakeholders continue over a revised minimum wage structure. Other…

Manny Ita  – Pras Michel, a founding member of Fugees, has turned himself in to start serving a 14-year sentence in a U.S. federal prison following his conviction on multiple criminal charges. The 53-year-old Grammy-winning artist reported to a low-security correctional facility in Arizona on Thursday, according to his spokesperson. In a statement, representative Erica Dumas described the moment as deeply difficult for Michel and his loved ones, while emphasizing that he is complying with the legal process. She also noted that his legal team is still challenging the outcome of the case. Michel was found guilty in April 2023…

Manny Ita  – Ten Nigerian nationals have been found guilty in the United States for their involvement in a large-scale international fraud and email hacking operation that defrauded more than 1,000 victims of approximately $215 million. The convictions were secured in a federal court in Ohio, presided over by Judge James Knepp II, after the defendants pleaded guilty to charges including wire fraud and money laundering. Among those convicted, five are naturalised U.S. citizens of Nigerian origin, while others are Nigerian nationals residing in the U.S. They were prosecuted alongside 15 American citizens as part of a broader criminal network…

Manny Ita  – A growing wave of cyberattacks is raising serious concerns about the security of digital platforms in Nigeria, with experts warning that many government websites have not undergone proper security testing before deployment. Cyber threats in the country have become more advanced, targeting sensitive data and financial systems across both public institutions and private organizations. A data breach typically involves unauthorized access to confidential information, and recent incidents suggest that such breaches are becoming more frequent and sophisticated. One of the most alarming cases involved the Corporate Affairs Commission, where about 25 million documents were reportedly compromised. This…

Manny Ita  – The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Lagos has urged the state government to raise the minimum wage to N225,000, citing the growing financial strain on workers caused by persistent inflation and rising living expenses. The demand was announced by the Lagos State NLC Chairperson, Funmi Sessi, during the 2026 International Workers’ Day celebration held at Mobolaji Johnson Arena. According to the union, the current minimum wage of N85,000 is no longer sufficient to meet basic needs, as inflation has significantly reduced workers’ purchasing power. Labour leaders stressed that many employees are struggling to afford essentials such as…

Manny Ita  – Zenith Bank Plc has kicked off 2026 with a strong financial performance, posting an unaudited pre-tax profit of N360.92 billion for the first quarter ended March 31, 2026, highlighting its resilience despite a challenging economic environment. According to its filing on the Nigerian Exchange, the bank’s profit before tax rose by 2.87% year-on-year from N350.82 billion recorded in Q1 2025. Profit after tax also increased slightly by 0.69% to N314.02 billion, reflecting steady earnings growth amid rising loan impairments and cost pressures. The bank’s gross revenue crossed the N1 trillion mark, reaching N1.01 trillion—a 6.14% increase compared…

Manny Ita  – United Bank for Africa (UBA) has reiterated its commitment to strengthening collaboration between traditional banks and fintech companies across Africa following its inaugural fintech conference focused on the future of partnerships in the sector. The event, themed around navigating regulatory milestones and shaping bank–fintech collaboration, brought together over 20 major players in the ecosystem. Participants included PalmPay, OPay, PayAza, Mastercard, Visa, the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System, and representatives from the Central Bank of Nigeria. Discussions centered on regulatory frameworks, innovation, cybersecurity, and the evolving payments landscape across the continent. Opening the conference, UBA’s Executive Director for Digital…

Manny Ita  – Iran has carried out the execution of a 21-year-old karate athlete, as the United Nations raises alarm over a sharp increase in executions and arrests linked to ongoing unrest and conflict in the country. The victim, Sassan Azadvar Joonqani, was executed early Thursday at Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan, according to reports from Iranian authorities. He had been arrested in January during nationwide protests and later convicted of “moharebeh,” an offence under Iranian law meaning “enmity against God,” as well as alleged cooperation with hostile elements. Authorities claimed Azadvar took part in violent acts during the protests, including…

Manny Ita  – Nigeria’s journalism platform, Premium Times is set to host its combined third and fourth annual staff awards this weekend, celebrating exceptional contributions by its reporters, editors, and other team members over the past two years. The ceremony, which covers the 2024 and 2025 editorial cycles, aims to recognise dedication, hard work, and excellence among staff who have helped sustain the organisation’s reputation as a frontrunner in investigative and public interest journalism in Nigeria. Activities will begin on Friday with an internal gathering at the organisation’s headquarters in Abuja, restricted to staff members. The highlight of the event…

Elegbede Abiodun Couple Lateef Adedimeji, Mo Bimpe Welcome Triplet Into The Family After Waiting For Five Years Of Union. Nollywood actor Lateef Adedimeji and his wife, Bimpe Oyebade, have welcomed a set of triplets, marking a joyful milestone five years after their marriage. The actor shared the exciting news on his Instagram page, explaining that his recent silence on social media was intentional. According to him, he had been focused on nurturing and safeguarding his family while preparing for a life-changing blessing. Lateef expressed overwhelming gratitude, revealing that life has given him more than he ever hoped for. He announced…