Author: Ifetayo Adeniyi

NPA MD, Abubakar Dantsoho Nigeria’s maritime sector recorded a historic surge in activity in 2025, driven by increased cargo throughput, rising container traffic, and a growing export footprint, according to the 2025 Operational Performance Report released by the Nigerian Ports Authority. The report stated that total cargo throughput rose by 24.8 per cent, increasing from approximately 103.6 million metric tonnes in 2024 to over 129.3 million metric tonnes in 2025. The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, described the growth as one of the most significant annual increases in Nigeria’s maritime history, noting that the milestone…

AIRS chairman Dr Ezeilo (middle) collecting the award in his office Elegbede Abiodun Anambra State has gained international recognition as it emerged winner of the ‘Top Fan Vote’ category at the inaugural Google Maps Platform Awards 2025, for its ground-breaking project on the digitisation of property tax systems. The award recognises the state’s innovative deployment of Google Maps and Earth Engine technologies to strengthen property enumeration, mapping accuracy, and internally-generated revenue administration through geospatial governance solutions. Collecting the award on behalf of the Anambra State Government at his office, on Tuesday, following its delivery from Google Headquarters in Silicon Valley,…

Manny Ita  – A public affairs analyst, Otubanjo, has warned that Nigeria could be vulnerable to military action by the United States under President Donald Trump if diplomatic and strategic engagements between both countries deteriorate. Speaking during a televised interview on Tuesday, Otubanjo said recent global developments show that Washington would not hesitate to deploy military force where it considers its interests threatened, drawing parallels with U.S. action against Iran. He argued that Nigeria must take its foreign policy positioning seriously and avoid actions that could put it at odds with major global powers. “If care is not taken, Nigeria…

Manny Ita  – The House of Representatives has commenced a series of oversight sessions with key revenue-generating agencies of the federal government, scrutinising their performance and the implementation of fiscal policies considered critical to national income. On Tuesday, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) appeared before the House Committee on Finance to defend their revenue records and address discrepancies in projections and data management. The committee, chaired by James Faleke (APC, Lagos), said the exercise is part of efforts to strengthen accountability, enhance internal controls, and ensure that…

Manny Ita  – Residents of Oshodi in Lagos have raised the alarm over a recent spike in hoodlum attacks and increased “area boy” activity across several communities in the district, saying the development has heightened fear and disrupted commercial and social activities in the area. Community members reported that neighbourhoods including Owoseni, Inasa, Eyin-Ogun, Orile-Oshodi, Branco, Aiyetoro Compound and Ilesanmi have witnessed repeated incidents of harassment, extortion, assault and vandalism allegedly carried out by groups of young men operating openly in the area. Speaking at a news conference, a community leader described the situation as “very disturbing,” noting that dozens…

Manny Ita  – A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has discharged and acquitted Tuoyo Omatsuli, a former Executive Director of Projects at the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), alongside Francis Momoh and two corporate entities, of a 46-count charge bordering on alleged ₦3.6 billion money laundering brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Delivering judgment, the trial judge held that the prosecution failed to establish the essential elements of the offences of proceeds of unlawful activity and money laundering against the defendants. The court ruled that “the prosecution failed to establish the offence of proceeds…

Manny Ita  – The United States Embassy in Abuja has cancelled all visa appointments for the day and advised U.S. citizens in Nigeria to stay indoors as a security precaution amid heightened global tensions linked to the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran. The move follows security concerns over possible protests in the Federal Capital Territory tied to the escalating hostilities between Washington and Tehran. In its notice, the embassy stated that routine visa interviews and consular services scheduled for today would not take place and urged American citizens to avoid non-essential travel and large gatherings. “Following the…

Manny Ita  – Distillers and workers in the alcoholic beverage sector are scheduled to stage a protest at the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) office in Oshodi, Lagos, today beginning at 8:30 a.m., in opposition to the nationwide crackdown on sachet alcohol and small polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles. The planned demonstration follows enforcement actions by NAFDAC restricting the production, distribution and sale of alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and small PET bottles, a move the agency says is aimed at curbing alcohol abuse, particularly among youths. Industry representatives said the protest would bring together distillers,…

Manny Ita  – Health experts on Tuesday called on the Federal Government to integrate obesity prevention and routine weight monitoring into services offered at Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) across the country, as stakeholders marked World Obesity Day. The appeal comes amid growing concerns over rising cases of overweight and obesity among adults and children, which experts say are contributing to an increase in non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disorders. Speaking to journalists in Lagos to commemorate the day, a public health physician, Dr. Amina Yusuf, said obesity should be treated as a national public health priority. “Obesity…

FMDQ’s building In a landmark demonstration of its steadfast commitment to advancing Nigeria’s debt capital markets, promoting sustainable finance and enabling transformative economic development, FMDQ Securities Exchange Limited has approved the listing of Lagos State government’s N14.82 billion five-year bonds. The Series 3 fixed-rate green five-year bond is 16 per cent coupon rate. There is also N230 billion 10-year 16.25 per cent Series 4 fixed rate bond issued under its N1 trillion debt and hybrid instrument programme. This historic dual-series approval by the Exchange’s Board Listings and Markets Committee is one of the most significant sub-national debt capital market transactions…