Author: Ifetayo Adeniyi

Manny Ita  – The Lagos State Government has concluded preparations for the 2026 edition of the Lagos Fanti Carnival, a major cultural event scheduled to take place on Easter Monday, April 6, at the iconic Tafawa Balewa Square. Officials say this year’s carnival will combine vibrant Afro-Brazilian cultural expressions with a forward-looking “Creative Economy Summit,” reflecting Lagos’ growing ambition to position itself as a hub for culture, tourism, and creative enterprise in Africa. The event is expected to attract a diverse audience, including tourists, cultural enthusiasts, investors, and industry stakeholders. The Lagos Fanti Carnival, rooted in the history of Afro-Brazilian…

Manny Ita  – Fidelity Bank Plc has announced the opening of applications for its 2026 Sales Academy, a strategic initiative aimed at strengthening its retail banking footprint and accelerating growth across key market segments. The programme comes on the heels of the bank’s recent recapitalization exercise, which has positioned it for more aggressive expansion within Nigeria’s competitive financial services sector. According to the bank, the Sales Academy is designed to recruit, train, and deploy a new generation of sales professionals equipped with modern banking skills, customer engagement techniques, and digital financial solutions expertise. Successful applicants will undergo intensive training covering…

Manny Ita  – The Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority has officially increased the domestic base price of natural gas to $2.18 per MMBtu, a move that took effect immediately and is expected to have wide-reaching implications for Nigeria’s energy and industrial sectors. The regulatory authority stated that the adjustment is part of ongoing efforts to align domestic gas pricing with market realities, encourage investment in the gas sector, and ensure long-term sustainability of supply. The new price benchmark applies to gas supplied to power generation companies as well as industrial users, including manufacturers that rely heavily on gas…

Manny Ita  – The Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) is celebrating its 75th anniversary, marking over seven decades of broadcasting service and national engagement. The milestone has drawn commendations from the Presidency, which praised the corporation for its enduring role in promoting national unity, public awareness, and cultural development. In a statement issued to commemorate the occasion, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu described FRCN as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s media landscape, highlighting its contributions to information dissemination and civic education since its establishment. He noted that the corporation has consistently served as a reliable platform for government communication while also…

Manny Ita  – The Vatican has announced the appointment of Matthew Hassan Kukah to a senior role within its central governing structure, marking another significant international recognition for the Nigerian cleric. The appointment, approved by Pope Francis, places Bishop Kukah as a member of the Council of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, one of the key departments of the Holy See. According to an official statement from the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, the appointment was conveyed in a formal letter signed by Pietro Parolin. By this elevation, Bishop Kukah joins a select group of cardinals, archbishops, and bishops…

CP Tijani Fatai. Credit: X | LagosPoliceNG • To promote professionalism, accountability, and clarity. The Lagos State Police Command has ordered the immediate withdrawal of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation and Special Offences Unit, popularly known as the Taskforce, from all traffic control and traffic contravention enforcement duties across the state. The directive, issued by the Commissioner of Police, Tijani Fatai, is part of ongoing efforts to tidy up Lagos’ often-chaotic traffic management structure and ensure that only the appropriate agencies handle road-related enforcement. In a statement on Tuesday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi, said the move…

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has unveiled a special Easter train schedule, increasing trips on key routes and introducing a free service to manage the expected surge in passenger traffic during the holiday period. In a statement on Tuesday, the corporation said the Lagos–Ibadan Train Service (LITS) would operate three trips to ease congestion, with departures from Mobolaji Johnson Station, Ebute Metta, at 7:45 a.m., 1:40 p.m., and 4:00 p.m, while trains from Obafemi Awolowo Station, Moniya, Ibadan, will depart at 8:00 a.m., 10:50 a.m., and 4:30 p.m. Beyond the Lagos–Ibadan corridor, the NRC announced a special narrow-gauge train service…

Manny Ita  – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally requested the National Assembly of Nigeria to approve an upward review of the 2026 Appropriation Bill, proposing an additional ₦9 trillion to the initial budget estimate. The request raises the total proposed spending plan from about ₦58.4 trillion to approximately ₦67.4 trillion. The proposal was communicated in a letter read during plenary by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, marking a significant fiscal adjustment just months after the original budget framework was presented. According to the presidency, the increase is largely aimed at addressing outstanding financial commitments and legacy capital projects carried over…

As President Bola Ahmed Tinubu commences his landmark state visit to the United Kingdom the first by a Nigerian leader in 37 years, the inclusion of Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal in the presidential entourage is not a fluke; rather, it signals a strategic opportunity for the northwest state to transform its economic fortunes. Beyond the ceremonial pageantry, this high-level diplomatic engagement holds concrete prospects for Zamfara, particularly in agriculture and solid minerals development, sectors where the state possesses a comparative advantage but has struggled to attract meaningful investment. With Governor Lawal working assiduously to generate more IGR for the…

The Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) has extended the deadline for filing of individual annual tax returns by two weeks, from April 1 to April 14, 2026. In a statement issued on Monday, the Executive Chairman of LIRS, Dr. Ayodele Subair, explained that the statutory deadline for filing of individual annual tax returns is March 31 every year. He noted that the extension is intended to provide individuals with additional time to complete and submit accurate tax returns. Dr. Subair stated that individuals must give priority to the timely filing of their annual income tax returns, noting that compliance…