Author: Ifetayo Adeniyi

Manny Ita  – Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) has officially opened submissions for the 2026 edition of the Nigeria Prize for Literature, with this year’s competition dedicated to poetry. The company said Nigerian poets from across the world have until March 31, 2026, to submit their published collections for consideration. NLNG noted that the annual prize, regarded as one of Africa’s most prestigious literary honours, carries a cash award of $100,000 for the winner. The competition rotates among four genres—poetry, prose fiction, drama, and children’s literature—with poetry returning as the focus for the 2026 cycle. The Advisory Board for the prize…

Manny Ita  – An attack on the secretariat of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the private residence of former national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), John Odigie-Oyegun, has heightened tension in Benin City, Edo State. The incidents occurred amid reports of political unrest in parts of the city. Sources said unknown assailants vandalised sections of the ADC office and targeted the residence of Oyegun, causing property damage and forcing residents in the area to flee temporarily. Security operatives were later deployed to restore order, while investigations into the attacks commenced. Former presidential candidate Peter Obi was reportedly…

Manny Ita  – The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) is set to commence export of a new light, sweet crude oil grade known as Cawthorne in March as part of efforts to boost national revenue and strengthen Nigeria’s position in the global oil market. Officials said the new crude stream, produced from fields in the Niger Delta, is characterised by low sulphur content and high quality, making it attractive to international refiners seeking cleaner feedstock for fuel production. The development is expected to expand Nigeria’s crude portfolio and improve earnings amid fluctuating global oil prices. NNPC stated that…

CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso. Photo: CBN / X The Monetary Policy Committee of the Central Bank of Nigeria has reduced the benchmark interest rate to 26.5% per cent. This was the second time the MPC would be cutting rates under the current leadership of the apex bank. The CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, announced the decision on Tuesday at the end of the committee’s 304th meeting in Abuja. Cardoso said, “The Committee decided to reduce the monetary policy rate by 50 basis points to 26.5%.” The move followed a 50-basis-point cut implemented in September 2025 and a hold at the previous…

Manny Ita  – The Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy has identified Artificial Intelligence as a central pillar for accelerating Nigeria’s economic growth in 2026, stressing that emerging technologies will reshape the country’s creative and cultural industries. The Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, said the government is prioritising policies and programmes that integrate AI into film, music, publishing, fashion, gaming, and digital content production to enhance productivity and global competitiveness. She noted that technology-driven creativity would open new revenue streams, create jobs, and position Nigeria as a major exporter…

File photo: New acting Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu Nigeria’s president, Bola Tinubu has appointed Tunji Disu as Acting Inspector-General of Police, after the resignation of Kayode Egbetokun. Disu has acquired decades of experience and a strong operational background to the nation’s top police position. 1. Long‑Serving Career Police Officer Tunji Disu is a veteran of the Nigeria Police Force, having joined the service on May 18, 1992, with more than three decades of experience in policing and leadership. 2. Educational Background Disu is well‑educated, holding a Bachelor’s degree in English Education from Lagos State University and two master’s…

Manny Ita  – The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has seized substandard and falsified medicines valued at more than ₦3 billion during a series of enforcement operations across Lagos, intensifying its nationwide campaign against counterfeit pharmaceutical products. Officials of the agency said the raids targeted major drug distribution hubs, warehouses, and retail outlets suspected of dealing in fake, expired, or improperly stored medicines capable of endangering public health. According to NAFDAC, several truckloads of illicit pharmaceuticals were confiscated during the operations, while a number of suspects were arrested for further investigation and possible prosecution. The…

The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority has released the revised fare structure for Bus Rapid Transit and standard route services following the approval of a 13 per cent increase across services under the Bus Reform Initiative. The new fares, announced on Tuesday, will take effect from Monday, March 2, 2026. The Lagos State Government approved the fare adjustment after regulated public transport operators raised concerns over rising operational costs driven by economic pressures. In a statement issued by LAMATA’s Head of Corporate Communication, Kolawole Ojelabi, the agency said the review became necessary to ensure sustainability of transport operations across the…

Manny Ita  – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has cautioned opposition parties against relying on social media popularity as a pathway to electoral success, stating that elections are won through direct engagement with voters at the grassroots. He made the remarks while addressing political stakeholders on Tuesday, emphasizing the importance of on-the-ground mobilisation ahead of future polls. Tinubu said that political legitimacy cannot be built solely through online discourse, stressing that meaningful contact with citizens remains the foundation of democratic victory. “Elections are not conducted on social media,” the President said, urging political leaders to channel their energy into community outreach,…

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum | AFP Mexico’s President, Claudia Sheinbaum, on Tuesday gave “full guarantees” for the safety of football fans at World Cup games in the violence-plagued city of Guadalajara. Sheinbaum clarified that there was “no risk” to fans visiting the city in June for four matches, in remarks coming after a wave of violence sparked by the military’s killing of drug lord Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera. The leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, one of the most wanted men in Mexico and the United States, was killed in a military operation some 130 kilometres (80 miles) from…