Author: Ifetayo Adeniyi

Manny Ita  – The official countdown to the 2026 edition of Lagos Gallery Week (LGW) began on Monday, with organisers confirming that more than 20 galleries across Lagos will simultaneously open their doors to the public from March 5 to March 8 in what has become one of Nigeria’s fastest-growing contemporary art showcases. The four-day event is expected to transform the city into a large-scale cultural circuit, connecting galleries and creative hubs stretching from Yaba’s emerging art district to the commercial and residential corridors of Lekki. Organisers described the initiative as a coordinated “art crawl” designed to encourage public engagement…

Manny Ita  – Concerned staff members of the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN) have petitioned the institute’s governing board over allegations of age falsification, unlawful salary collection and gross misconduct against the Director of Human Resources, Adenike Adesanya. In a petition dated February 25 and addressed to the governing board, the staff members said their action was taken “in the interest of transparency, accountability and prudent management of public resources.” The petitioners alleged that Mrs Adesanya has continued to receive full government salaries and emoluments since 2024 despite allegedly attaining the mandatory retirement age of 60. According to the…

Manny Ita  – Escalating tensions between the United States, Israel and Iran following coordinated military strikes on February 28 have begun influencing global financial markets, with analysts warning that the resulting oil price surge could significantly affect Nigeria’s equity market performance. The latest escalation triggered immediate reactions in global crude markets, even before military exchanges intensified, as investors priced in geopolitical risks linked to potential disruptions in energy supply routes. Brent crude, the European benchmark, climbed to about $73 per barrel ahead of the weekend close, marking its highest level in six months after gaining more than two per cent…

Manny Ita  – Russian President Vladimir Putin has condemned the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, describing the incident as “a murder committed in cynical violation of all norms of human morality and international law,” while extending condolences to the Iranian leadership and people. In a message addressed to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and published by the Kremlin press service on its official communication channels, Putin praised Khamenei’s role in strengthening bilateral ties between Moscow and Tehran. He stated that “in our country, Ayatollah Khamenei will be remembered as an outstanding statesman who made a huge personal contribution to…

Manny Ita  – Israel and Hezbollah exchanged cross-border fire amid rapidly escalating hostilities linked to the ongoing war involving Iran, as United States President Donald Trump warned that the conflict could extend for several weeks while pledging retaliation for the deaths of American service members. The Israeli military said it carried out strikes against Hezbollah positions across Lebanon after the Iran-backed group launched rockets and drones toward Israeli territory. In a statement, the military said that “in response to Hezbollah’s projectile fire toward the State of Israel,” Israeli forces had “begun striking targets of the Hezbollah terrorist organisation across Lebanon.”…

Manny Ita  – The 2026 edition of the Actor Awards, formerly known as the Screen Actors Guild Awards, was held on Sunday night, with major victories for the film Sinners and television comedy series The Studio, as Hollywood’s awards season enters its final stretch toward the upcoming Academy Awards scheduled for March 15. Sinners, which entered the ceremony with five nominations, secured two of the night’s most prestigious honours, including outstanding performance by a male actor in a leading role for Michael B. Jordan, who earned recognition for portraying twin characters in the critically acclaimed vampire-period hybrid film directed by…

Manny Ita  – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the renewal of the tenure of Abubakar Audi as the Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, reaffirming the federal government’s confidence in his leadership of the paramilitary institution. The approval, conveyed through official government channels, extends Audi’s stay in office following the expiration of his initial tenure, allowing him to continue overseeing the Corps’ nationwide operations, including the protection of critical national assets and infrastructure. Presidency sources indicated that the decision was informed by ongoing security priorities and the need for continuity in the management of internal security…

Manny Ita  – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has convened a crucial meeting of the Police Council scheduled for today amid heightened expectations over the confirmation of a new Inspector-General of Police, following growing indications that Assistant Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu may emerge as the next occupant of the nation’s top policing office. The meeting, which brings together members of the Nigeria Police Council, is expected to deliberate on the leadership succession within the Nigeria Police Force, including the possible confirmation of a successor to the current Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, whose tenure has remained a subject of public…

Elegbede Abiodun President Bola Tinubu and his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, have rejoiced with the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, on the occasion of his 84th birthday. They described Pastor Adeboye as one of Nigeria’s greatest gifts whose wisdom runs deeper than the ordinary. President and Mrs Tinubu, in a seven-paragraph birthday message to Pastor Adeboye stated, “Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), is one of our nation’s greatest gifts: a spiritual fortress, interceding for Nigeria and its people to God Almighty. “His humility…

File photo: FAAN Elegbede Abiodun As cashless payment begins, FAAN urges patience for delays at airports. The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has pleaded to motorists and airport users to be patient following traffic congestion at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on the first day of its nationwide Go Cashless programme. FAAN, in a post on its X handle on Sunday, said the gridlock resulted from many drivers attempting to register for the new Go-Cashless cards at the toll lanes despite prior notices and publicity encouraging early registration at its designated offices.…