Author: Ifetayo Adeniyi

Manny Ita  – The Director-General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Joseph Osanipin, has revealed that Nigeria expended over ₦1 trillion on the importation of vehicle tyres in 2024 alone. Speaking at a sensitization workshop for the Nigeria Tyre and Battery Industry held in Abuja on Thursday, February 5, Osanipin described the expenditure as “unsustainable” for an economy prioritizing industrial growth and the conservation of foreign exchange. ​The NADDC head emphasized that the country possesses the necessary raw materials, market demand, and capacity to produce these essential components domestically. “According to our survey, Nigeria spent more than…

As medical aid, UNICEF donates boat ambulance to Ogun By Elegbede Abiodun In order to boost emergency healthcare delivery in hard-to-reach communities, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) on Thursday donated a boat ambulance to Ogun State, strengthening the state government’s response to medical emergencies in riverine and coastal areas. The unveiling took place at Makun-Omi in Ogun Waterside Local Government Area, with the Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Dr Tomi Coker, commending the initiative as a key intervention to improve access to healthcare in the state’s difficult terrain. “The challenges of water transportation and remote locations have long hindered…

Manny Ita  – Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing (IVM) is reaching the final stages of construction on a multi-billion naira factory dedicated to the production of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) trucks and buses. The facility, located in Umuezena, Nnewi, is positioned to become one of the largest dedicated CNG automotive plants in the world, with an installed capacity to produce 3,000 units annually across six different vehicle categories. ​The expansion comes as Nigerian transporters face significant economic pressure, with petrol prices fluctuating between ₦739 and ₦910 per litre this week. Innocent Chukwuma, the Executive Chairman of Innoson Group, emphasized that the investment…

Not less than 250,000 youths enlisted in federal skills programme – Alausa By Elegbede Abiodun File photo: The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa Says the enrolment signifies President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to adding skill acquisition to education. The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, has opened up that no fewer than 250,000 young Nigerians have been enrolled in the Federal government’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training programme across the country. The ministry at the launch of the programme set a one-million-enrolment target. Alausa spoke on Thursday at his induction as a member of the Epe Club held in the…

UBA reiterates commitment to Benin Republic’s economic growth By Elegbede Abiodun Group Managing Director/CEO, United Bank for Africa (UBA), Oliver Alawuba, has restated the bank’s commitment to deepening and facilitating Republic of Benin’s economic growth, through dedicated support for its transformative infrastructure and development projects. Alawuba reaffirmed this during a high-level strategic working visit to the country on the 28th of January 2026. The one-day engagement, which focused on strengthening ties with the government, key corporate clients, and the bank’s internal team, underscored UBA’s integrated approach to fostering economic growth. Alawuba, who spoke during the courtesy meeting with the…

Across Africa and its global diaspora, a new generation of physicians is shaping healthcare through lived experience, global training, and a commitment to service. Dr. Ogenetega Jeremiah Madedor’s journey from Nigeria to the United States reflects how early exposure to inequality can become a lifelong call to action. Rooted in community service and strengthened by rigorous medical training abroad, his path shows how African talent continues to influence patient-centered care far beyond borders. Growing up between Nigeria and the United States, Dr. Madedor witnessed firsthand what happens when quality healthcare is out of reach. Volunteer work at a Veterans Affairs…

Nigerian Film Showcase:  Nollywood In Hollywood Unveils Official Films For 2026 By Elegbede Abiodun … opening on Friday, March 6 at the historic Aero Theatre in Santa Monica. Nollywood in Hollywood has announced the official selection of three films for the seventh edition of its annual Nigerian film showcase, taking place March 6–7, 2026, in Los Angeles. The film selections were unveiled at a special preview screening of “My Father’s Shadow” in Los Angeles, co-presented by Nollywood in Hollywood at the Norris Theatre, University of Southern California. My Father’s Shadow made history as Nigeria’s first film selected in the…

Manny Ita  – Spontaneous street murals have appeared across parts of Ikeja and Surulere as artists kick off a pre-festival guerrilla art movement ahead of this year’s Lagos Street Art Festival. The unsanctioned works have surfaced on walls, bridges, and abandoned structures, drawing attention from residents and commuters in the affected areas. Organizers and participating artists say the murals are part of an intentional lead-up to the annual festival, designed to bring art directly into public spaces ahead of the main events. This year’s festival theme is “Resilience,” which reflects what artists describe as the prevailing national mood and the…

Manny Ita  – Fresh negotiations have been held this week over the repatriation of another batch of Benin Bronzes from European museums, marking a continued effort by Nigerian authorities to secure the return of cultural artifacts removed during the colonial era. Officials familiar with the discussions said the talks focused on timelines, conservation standards, and the legal framework governing the transfer of ownership. In anticipation of the artifacts’ arrival, the National Museum in Lagos has begun preparations for a dedicated wing that will house the returning pieces. The new space is being designed to contextualize the bronzes within Nigeria’s broader…

Manny Ita  – Nollywood is undergoing a notable creative shift following confirmation from industry insiders that a major global streaming platform has approved a high-budget science fiction series set in a futuristic Lagos. The project, tentatively titled Eko Neon, represents a departure from the domestic dramas and comedies that have traditionally dominated the industry and signals a growing embrace of high-concept genre storytelling. The series is described as a supernatural thriller that blends Yoruba cosmology with advanced cybernetic technology. Set in a reimagined Lagos in the year 2050, the production envisions a neon-lit cityscape in which the Third Mainland Bridge…