Author: Ifetayo Adeniyi

Manny Ita- The Benue State Ministry of Health has officially declared an outbreak of Lassa fever following a sharp rise in infections that has claimed four lives and disproportionately affected frontline medical personnel. State Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Paul Ogwuche, confirmed during a press conference on February 3, 2026, that the state has recorded 56 suspected cases, with eight laboratory-confirmed. Among the fatalities are three laboratory-confirmed patients and one probable case, resulting in a case fatality rate of 37.5%. Highlighting the occupational hazards of the surge, Ogwuche noted that four of the confirmed cases are healthcare professionals,…

Manny Ita  – The Federal Government of Nigeria has recorded fiscal savings exceeding ₦6 trillion following the implementation of sweeping downstream oil sector reforms, according to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA). Speaking at the 2026 Nigerian International Energy Summit in Abuja, NMDPRA Chief Executive Saidu Mohammed attributed the gains to the full deregulation of the downstream market, the harmonization of the foreign exchange regime, and the adoption of naira-denominated transactions for crude and petroleum products. Mohammed stated that these measures have “sharply reduced the economic burden previously associated with fuel imports” and helped transition the nation…

Manny Ita- The Nigerian Senate finalized the passage of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2026 during a marathon legislative session on February 4, 2026, marking a significant update to the nation’s voting framework. Despite the inclusion of several modernization efforts, the session was defined by a contentious vote regarding Clause 60(3), where lawmakers officially rejected a proposal to make the real-time electronic transmission of results to the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal a statutory requirement. By opting to retain the language of the 2022 Act, the Senate has maintained that results shall be transferred “in a manner as prescribed by…

Manny Ita – As the global entertainment industry prepares for one of the most significant musical biographies in cinematic history, Lionsgate and Universal Pictures have finalized the rollout for Michael, the upcoming biopic starring the singer’s nephew, Jaafar Jackson. Slated for a worldwide theatrical release on April 24, 2026, the film marks the feature debut for Jaafar, whose performance has already garnered intense industry buzz for its uncanny resemblance to his late uncle. Directed by Antoine Fuqua and produced by Graham King of Bohemian Rhapsody fame, the production reportedly carries a $155 million budget and a sprawling 3.5-hour runtime that…

Manny Ita- A key prosecution witness in the trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele testified on Tuesday that the 2023 Naira redesign policy was explicitly approved by the late former President Muhammadu Buhari. Chinedu Eneanya, an investigator with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the seventh prosecution witness (PW7), told the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court that Emefiele sought and obtained written approval for the policy, albeit with a specific condition. ​Under cross-examination by defense counsel Olalekan Ojo, SAN, the witness read from a memorandum dated October 6, 2022, sent by Emefiele…

Manny Ita  – The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has officially transitioned to a 100% digital registry, marking a significant overhaul of Nigeria’s corporate regulatory framework. Registrar-General Hussaini Ishaq Magaji, SAN, announced the development on Wednesday during a visit to the Minister of Information and National Orientation, noting that the shift is part of the commission’s 35th-anniversary milestones. Central to this digital transition is a strategic partnership with Google aimed at deploying artificial intelligence to automate business name reservations and public support services. The new AI-powered system is designed to provide real-time availability checks and suggestions, significantly reducing the traditional processing…

Manny Ita – At least 35 people have been confirmed dead following a brutal attack by suspected terrorist groups in the Kaiama region of Kwara State. The incident, described by local authorities as one of the deadliest in recent months, involved coordinated raids on multiple communities, leaving homes destroyed and residents traumatized. Eyewitnesses said the attackers moved in during the night, targeting villagers and setting some houses ablaze. Security agencies have reportedly deployed additional forces to the area to contain the situation, though access to the affected communities remains challenging due to damaged roads and ongoing threats. The attack coincided…

Manny Ita- The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has announced plans to temporarily shut down the Lagos airport to allow for essential maintenance works, with the timeline for the full closure yet to be finalised. FAAN disclosed that the planned shutdown is aimed at addressing critical infrastructure needs at the airport in order to ensure safety, operational efficiency and compliance with international aviation standards. According to the authority, consultations are ongoing with relevant stakeholders, including airlines and regulatory agencies, to determine the most suitable period for the closure in order to minimise disruption to passengers and flight operations. A FAAN…

Manny Ita- The Federal Government has rewarded 12 teachers with a total of N350 million in recognition of their exceptional performance and commitment to teaching excellence across the country. The awards were presented as part of a national initiative aimed at promoting professionalism, innovation and dedication within the education sector, with the beneficiaries selected from different states following a rigorous evaluation process. Officials said the teachers were assessed on classroom impact, student outcomes, innovation in teaching methods and overall contribution to the development of education in their respective communities. Each recipient received a substantial cash prize as part of the…

Manny Ita – The Nigerian Nurses Forum has formally petitioned the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) following reports that a nurse was allegedly assaulted while carrying out an immunization exercise in Lagos State. The petition comes after a video and accompanying reports circulated widely on social media, showing an altercation involving a nurse identified as part of a public health immunization team. The incident was said to have occurred while the nurse was performing her official duties within a community in Lagos. In a statement issued by the Forum, the group condemned the alleged assault and described it as an attack…