Author: Ifetayo Adeniyi

Manny Ita  – Donald Trump said the United States would be willing to accept members of the Iran women’s national football team if Australia does not grant them asylum, as concerns grow about their safety if they return to Iran. The comments came after pressure mounted on Australian authorities to offer protection to the players following an incident during the AFC Women’s Asian Cup match held at Gold Coast Stadium on March 8. During the match against the Philippines women’s national football team, several members of the Iranian team reportedly did not sing the national anthem, drawing attention from authorities…

Elegbede Abiodun Governor Lawal reassures of his dedication to fostering unity among the state’s diverse communities.  In a significant political shift, Zamfara State Governor, His Excellency Dr. Dauda Lawal, has announced his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). This transition, which was formalized during a high-stakes meeting held at the Government House in Gusau, comes after weeks of intense deliberations and reflects the growing frustrations with the internal strife within the PDP. In an official statement released from the Government House, the Governor through the statement cited persistent “internal crises, leadership disagreements,…

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has increased the ex-depot price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, to ₦1,175 per litre, marking another adjustment in fuel prices within a short period of time, raising concerns over the rising cost of transportation and goods across Nigeria. The latest revision, communicated to petroleum marketers and depot operators on Monday, represents a ₦180 increase from the ₦995 per litre announced just days earlier, and is part of a series of price adjustments introduced by the refinery in recent days. Industry reports indicate that the refinery has now reviewed its pricing several times…

Manny Ita – American singer Chris Brown has spoken out about ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, criticizing world leaders and expressing frustration over what he described as a persistent failure to prioritize peace. In comments shared publicly, the artist said many ordinary people across the world do not support war and instead want stability and security for their families and communities. “People in POWER are so ALLERGIC TO PEACE,” Brown said, questioning why global leaders often fail to resolve disputes through dialogue. “Why can’t our leaders just sit down, talk like adults, and come to a decision for the…

Elegbede Abiodun • United Capital Infrastructure Fund is set to mobilise long-term capital for high-impact projects. United Capital Infrastructure Fund (UCIF), a SEC-licensed infrastructure debt fund operated by leading Pan-African financial services group United Capital Plc, has announced a strong financial performance for the year ended December 31, 2025, delivering a gross return of 24.62% and consistently outperforming comparable market instruments. The Fund recorded a total income of ₦3.06 billion in FY 2025, representing a 54.5% year-on-year increase, driven by the strong performance of its diversified infrastructure loan portfolio. This significant growth in fund performance underscores the growing role of…

The Nigerian senior women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, has reached Lyon, France, gearing up for the upcoming FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Qualifying Tournament. The reigning African champions got to the French city on Monday, ready to compete in the high-stakes qualification event scheduled from March 11 to March 15. Facing a rigorous round-robin format, the team is set to clash with Colombia, South Korea, the Philippines, and tournament hosts France. These matches are part of FIBA’s global qualification pathway, where nations vie for a coveted spot in the next Women’s World Cup. Having established dominance in African women’s basketball over…

FCMB FCMB Group said it has attained the required capital for international banking license as required by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), following the completion of its capital raising initiative through which it raised N242.8 billion. With the additional capital raised from the public offer as well as divestment from its pension business, the banking group said its capital base now exceeds the N500 billion minimum capital which banks with international license must have before March 31, 2026. According to the group chief executive of FCMB Group, Ladi Balogun, the 2025 Public Offer, had raised approximately N231.8 billion in…

Manny Ita  – Former Premier League striker Wayne Rooney has defended the playing style of Arsenal F.C. and urged manager Mikel Arteta to disregard what he described as unfair criticism directed at the club’s tactical approach. Arsenal, who currently sit seven points clear at the top of the Premier League table, remain in contention for multiple trophies this season after advancing to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup with a 2–1 victory over Mansfield Town F.C.. Despite their strong run of form, the North London club’s style of play has recently attracted criticism from several figures within football. Former West…

Manny Ita  – Rising volatility in global oil markets has sharply increased operational costs for the Dangote Refinery, with tanker freight rates surging amid fluctuations in crude oil prices. An executive of the refinery said global crude markets had experienced sharp swings within a short period, creating cost pressures across the petroleum supply chain. “Global oil markets are experiencing extreme volatility, with crude prices rising from the mid-$60 range to nearly $120 per barrel within a week,” said Devakumar Edwin. He said the refinery’s operations remain fully exposed to international commodity market dynamics, including fluctuations in crude oil prices, freight…

Manny Ita  – Nigerian Breweries Plc has called for stronger government and industry support to scale up local barley production in Nigeria, saying collaboration across the agricultural ecosystem is essential to reduce the country’s dependence on imported malted barley. The company made the call during its Maltina Barley Field Day held in Ringim, Jigawa State, where it showcased the results of its pilot barley cultivation programme aimed at developing a domestic supply chain for the brewing industry. Nigeria’s brewing sector currently imports about 200,000 tonnes of malted barley annually, a dependency that costs the country more than $150 million in…