Author: Ifetayo Adeniyi

FG, SMEDAN present fund to finance over 6000 youth entrepreneurs FILE: The Minister of the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande Olawande assures of government’s readiness  to ensure that training programmes are translate into real economic opportunities. The Federal Government on Tuesday presented the GROW Fund to provide affordable financing for over 6,000 young entrepreneurs trained under the Inspire, Create, Start and Scale programme, in a move channelled to tackle the persistent funding gap confronting micro, small and medium enterprises in Nigeria. The initiative, powered by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria, was unveiled in Abuja.…

Lagos Fanti Carnival holds in April Lagos State Government has made open the Official Lagos Fanti Carnival, a celebration of Afro-Brazilian culture and the enduring legacy of the Fanti people. The event is slated for Monday, April 6, 2026, at Tafawa Balewa Square, from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. On Tuesday, the government described the carnival as “a homecoming — a bridge between past and future, tradition and modernity,” emphasising its role in strengthening ties between West Africa and the diaspora. “The Official Lagos Fanti Carnival is a grand celebration of Afro-Brazilian heritage, honouring the rich cultural legacy of the…

Education: Aliko Dangote Foundation Spends N1.5bn on Bayero University’s PG students Elegbede Abiodun Dangote Foundation promotes quality education, and broaden empowerment opportunities for individuals. Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF), chaired by Africa’s wealthiest man, Aliko Dangote, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) worth N1.5 billion with Bayero University Kano (BUK), for post-graduate students of the Dangote Business School located in the tertiary institution. The MoU, which was signed at the main auditorium of the Dangote Business School, Kano on Tuesday, provides a sum of ₦300 million annually over five years as scholarship awards to all eligible MBA, entrepreneurship, and…

Super Falcons, in friendly match, will meet Cameroon Elegbede Abiodun Nigeria’s Super Falcons are prepared to meet the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon in two friendly matches as part of preparations ahead of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations scheduled for Morocco. The two teams will clash in Yaoundé on February 28 and March 3. In a statement by Ademola Olajire, Head of NFF Communications, Mohammed Sanusi, the NFF General Secretary, noted that the federation was committed to making proper preparation for the team. “We have concluded everything that has to do with the two friendly matches, in conjunction…

After heated debate, Senate approves e-transmission of results, manual backup Elegbede Abiodun The Senate on Tuesday again concluded on electronic transmission of election results, with manual collation retained as a backup, following a tense plenary session in which 15 lawmakers opposed the retention of the controversial proviso in Clause 60 of the Electoral Act (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill, 2026. The agreed on this decision after a heated argument, with 55 senators voting to retain the manual backup clause, while Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (ADC/Abia South) and 14 others stood against it. The upper chamber had initially passed the bill but…

Servicom lauds NYSC for improved orientation camp services Elegbede Abiodun The Service Compact with All Nigerians has praised the National Youth Service Corps for what it described as notable improvements in service delivery, especially in the conduct of orientation camp activities, including feeding and other services rendered to corps members. According to a statement shared by the corps on Tuesday, the commendation at the opening ceremony of the 2025 Second Quarter Networking Meeting for Desk Officers held in Abuja. Delivering a keynote address, the SERVICOM National Coordinator, Nnenna Akajemeli, described the NYSC as “one of the Federal Government agencies…

Jim Ovia not connected to fake investment scheme — Zenith Bank Zenith Bank Plc has issued a stern warning against a circulating video and manipulated images falsely linking its Group Chairman, Jim Ovia, to a fraudulent investment scheme known as “Wealth Bridge.” The bank clarified the matter in a statement shared via its official X (formerly Twitter) account on Tuesday. According to the statement, the video, reportedly shared from a Facebook account named “Greece Island,” invites members of the public to invest in the so-called scheme, promising weekly returns of up to N2 million on an initial N380,000 investment.…

GTBank Introduces Quick Airtime Loan At 2.95% Elegbede Abiodun Guaranty Trust Bank Ltd (GTBank), the flagship banking franchise of GTCO Plc, Africa’s leading financial services group, today announced the inauguration of Quick Airtime Loan, an innovative digital solution that gives customers instant access to airtime when they run out of call credit and have limited funds in their bank accounts, ensuring customers can stay connected when it matters most. In today’s always-on world, running out of airtime is more than a minor inconvenience. It can mean missed opportunities, disrupted plans, and lost connections, often at the very moment when funds…

Saudi Arabia Sighted Ramadan Crescent Moon Saudi Arabia has officially declared that the holy month of Ramadan will begin on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, following the sighting of the crescent moon on Tuesday evening. The Kingdom’s Supreme Court confirmed the moon sighting, marking the beginning of the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, observed globally by Muslims through fasting, prayers, and acts of devotion. Neighbouring countries, including Qatar and Oman, have also declared that Ramadan will begin on Wednesday, February 18. Nigeria Muslims are expected to start fasting on Wednesday as well, pending the formal announcement by the…

Manny Ita  – The Rev. Jesse Jackson, a towering figure in the U.S. civil rights movement and longtime political activist, has died at the age of 84 following a prolonged illness, his family announced on Tuesday. In a statement, his family said he “died peacefully on Tuesday morning, surrounded by his family,” describing him as a leader whose “unwavering commitment to justice, equality, and human rights helped shape a global movement for freedom and dignity.” They added that he was “a tireless change agent” who elevated marginalized voices and left “an indelible mark on history.” Jackson had been hospitalized in…