Author: Ifetayo Adeniyi

Manny Ita  – Rising energy costs and persistent inflationary pressures are fundamentally altering lifestyle patterns across Nigeria’s urban centers, forcing a major recalibration of household spending. Recent market surveys indicate that the hike in petrol prices—which reached as high as ₦1,350 per litre in parts of the Federal Capital Territory this March—has led to a sharp reduction in discretionary spending. Families are increasingly moving away from traditional luxury consumption in favor of what analysts describe as “authentic and intentional” living, prioritizing essential needs and sustainable financial habits over non-essential services. ​The psychological and social toll of these economic constraints has…

Manny Ita  – Home Ownership First Bank of Nigeria has partnered with the Ministry of Finance Incorporated Real Estate Investment Fund (MREIF) to introduce a mortgage product offering single-digit interest rates, a development announced on March 14, 2026, as part of broader efforts to address Nigeria’s persistent housing deficit and improve access to affordable home ownership. Under the arrangement, eligible applicants will be able to access mortgage financing at an interest rate of 9.75 percent, a significant reduction compared with prevailing commercial lending rates in Nigeria, which frequently exceed 30 percent. The mortgage facility is backed by a ₦1 trillion…

Manny Ita  – Real estate developer Minimalist & Co has unveiled a new residential development known as the M120 Apartments in Lekki, positioning the project as a modern lifestyle-focused housing option within the rapidly expanding real estate market of Lagos. The development, introduced during a formal launch event attended by industry stakeholders and investors, is designed to cater to a segment of the housing market seeking a combination of luxury, functionality and long-term investment value in one of Lagos’ most active property corridors. Developers said the M120 Apartments project was conceived to respond to growing demand for high-quality residential units…

Manny Ita  – Wema Bank has announced the admission of 10 Nigerian startups into the 2026 edition of its Hackaholics Accelerator Programme, marking an expansion of the bank’s flagship innovation initiative aimed at supporting emerging technology-driven businesses across the country. The selected startups emerged from the top finalists of the Hackaholics 6.0 competition and represent a range of sectors including agritech, healthcare, financial technology and digital services. Among the ventures admitted into the accelerator are Farmslate, Ploy, Stocmed and MamaAlert, all of which were identified during the competition as having strong potential for growth and scalability. The Hackaholics Accelerator Programme…

Manny Ita  – The United Arab Emirates has initiated an extensive public relations and legal campaign to preserve its reputation as a global safe haven following a massive aerial assault by Iran. Despite the country’s air defenses intercepting a vast majority of the over 1,800 missiles and drones fired at the territory, the scale of the onslaught has challenged the UAE’s long-standing branding as the world’s safest nation. In response, the government has utilized high-profile influencers and strict legal measures to counteract footage of strikes and reports of insecurity that threaten its tourism and service-based economy. ​Prominent Dubai-based figures have…

Manny Ita  – Manager of Arsenal F.C., Mikel Arteta has showered praise on teenage midfielder Max Dowman after the 16-year-old became the youngest scorer in the history of the Premier League during Arsenal’s 2–0 victory against Everton F.C. at the Emirates Stadium. The result strengthened Arsenal’s position at the top of the league table, moving the club 10 points clear as the title race enters a decisive phase of the season. Arteta described the moment as one of the most memorable he has experienced on the touchline, praising both the team’s persistence and the atmosphere inside the stadium after a…

Manny Ita  – Tinubu Approves Fresh Military Hardware to Strengthen Offensive Against InsurgentsPresident Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the procurement of additional advanced military hardware to reinforce ongoing operations against insurgent groups following a strategic security review with top defence officials on Sunday. The approval was granted after a high-level meeting with the Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa, and other service chiefs to assess the security situation across the country, particularly in the North-East and North-West where recent attacks on military formations have raised concerns within the defence establishment. Officials familiar with the deliberations said the meeting reviewed recent…

Manny Ita  – Allies of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and former Ayo Fayose secured strategic victories in several state congresses of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Sunday, signalling a significant shift in the internal balance of power within the opposition party. In Bayelsa State, a candidate backed by the Wike political camp emerged as the new state chairman following the party’s congress, consolidating the influence of the FCT minister in the South-South state where the PDP remains politically dominant. Party officials said the congress proceeded amid tight security and the participation of delegates drawn…

Manny Ita  – The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau has released its preliminary report into a serious engine-related incident involving an aircraft operated by Arik Air during a domestic flight earlier this year. According to the report, the incident occurred on February 11, 2026, when a Boeing 737-700 aircraft operating a scheduled passenger service from Lagos to Port Harcourt experienced a major engine event while in flight. The bureau stated that the flight crew declared an emergency after noticing abnormal engine indications and subsequently diverted the aircraft to Benin Airport as a precautionary measure. Authorities confirmed that the aircraft landed safely…

Manny Ita  – Members of the UK Parliament have called on the British government to raise concerns about the security crisis and human rights situation in Nigeria during the upcoming visit of President Bola Tinubu to the United Kingdom. The lawmakers, writing through the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Freedom of Religion or Belief, sent a letter to the UK Development Minister, Jenny Chapman, Baroness Chapman of Darlington, urging the government to ensure that the issues of religious persecution, violent attacks on communities and widespread kidnappings are raised during talks between Tinubu and Prime Minister Keir Starmer. President Tinubu is expected…