Author: Ifetayo Adeniyi

Manny Ita  – Fresh negotiations have been held this week over the repatriation of another batch of Benin Bronzes from European museums, marking a continued effort by Nigerian authorities to secure the return of cultural artifacts removed during the colonial era. Officials familiar with the discussions said the talks focused on timelines, conservation standards, and the legal framework governing the transfer of ownership. In anticipation of the artifacts’ arrival, the National Museum in Lagos has begun preparations for a dedicated wing that will house the returning pieces. The new space is being designed to contextualize the bronzes within Nigeria’s broader…

Manny Ita  – Nollywood is undergoing a notable creative shift following confirmation from industry insiders that a major global streaming platform has approved a high-budget science fiction series set in a futuristic Lagos. The project, tentatively titled Eko Neon, represents a departure from the domestic dramas and comedies that have traditionally dominated the industry and signals a growing embrace of high-concept genre storytelling. The series is described as a supernatural thriller that blends Yoruba cosmology with advanced cybernetic technology. Set in a reimagined Lagos in the year 2050, the production envisions a neon-lit cityscape in which the Third Mainland Bridge…

Manny Ita  – The European Commission issued preliminary findings on Friday stating that TikTok’s platform design violates the European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA) by failing to protect users from addictive features. Regulators specifically cited “infinite scroll”—the mechanism that continuously feeds new content to users—as a primary concern, alleging that such features place users’ brains on “autopilot” and encourage compulsive behavior. The Commission further concluded that the social media platform appears unable to implement adequate safeguards to mitigate the psychological risks posed to its audience, particularly children and teenagers. ​Henna Virkkunen, European Commission Executive Vice-President for tech sovereignty, security, and…

Manny Ita  – Nigerian international Ademola Lookman marked his Atletico Madrid debut with a goal as Diego Simeone’s side dismantled Real Betis 5-0 on Thursday evening to secure a place in the Copa del Rey semi-finals. The 28-year-old, who joined the club from Atalanta in the final days of the January transfer window, appeared as a second-half substitute at the Metropolitano and quickly capitalized on his first appearance in Spanish football. ​Lookman’s contribution came during a dominant team performance where he successfully navigated the Betis defense to score the visitors’ third goal. After racing into the box, the winger evaded…

Manny Ita  – U.S. President Donald Trump publicly singled out Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for commendation during the 74th annual National Prayer Breakfast held on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at the Washington Hilton. Addressing a global audience of political leaders, diplomats, and clergy, Trump interrupted his keynote speech to recognize the First Lady, describing her as a “very respected woman” and a “respected figure” on the world stage. The U.S. President specifically drew attention to her dual role as a political leader and a Christian pastor in one of Nigeria’s largest denominations, the Redeemed Christian Church of God…

Manny Ita  – Financial analysts and tax consultants have issued a series of urgent recommendations for small business owners and individual taxpayers following the full implementation of the Nigeria Tax Act 2025 on January 1, 2026. While the legislative reforms—including the Nigeria Tax Administration Act—aim to simplify the fiscal system and broaden the tax base, widespread confusion persists regarding the new thresholds for “small company” status, which are now widely reported to be between ₦50 million and ₦100 million in annual turnover. Financial educator Kalu Aja has warned that while the reforms offer significant reliefs, including exemptions from Companies Income…

Manny Ita  – ​The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has come under intense fire from the Iron Rod and Steel Dealers Employers Union of Nigeria (IRSDEUN), which has accused the regulatory body of systemic failure and complicity in the proliferation of substandard building materials. In a sternly worded statement issued this week, the Union’s National President, Chief Gbenga Awoyale, alleged that some manufacturers are operating a “dual production” system, where high-quality iron rods are manufactured specifically for export to neighboring West African countries, while dangerous, “discounted” materials are flooded into the Nigerian domestic market. Awoyale characterized this practice as exposing…

2026 Gateway International Fair: Dangote Champions Its Vision 2030 By Elegbede Abiodun Aiming to be one of the top 100 businesses in the world. In line with its vision 2030 plan, the Pan-African Conglomerate, Dangote Industries Limited (DIL) will be leading other local and international exhibitors to the 15th 2026 gateway International Trade Fair themed “Promoting Business through Partnership.” DIL, which is partnering with the Ogun State Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mines and Agriculture (OGUNCCIMA) as a lead sponsor of the Fair said it was ready for meaningful business partnership with governments at all levels, their agencies and…

‘Money can’t buy happiness,’ ~ Elon Musk Tesla chief executive officer Elon Musk has raised a global conversation on wealth and wellbeing after declaring that money does not guarantee happiness. Musk made the comment on Thursday via X, formerly Twitter. “Whoever said ‘money can’t buy happiness’ really knew what they were talking about,” the billionaire wrote. The post quickly went viral, garnering more than 52.1 million views, about 57,000 reposts and over 363,000 likes, alongside thousands of comments at the time of filing this report. The statement drew mixed reactions, with users debating the true value of wealth. While…

NCC, NDPC agree on data privacy enforcement, sign MoU By Elegbede Abiodun … calls agreement a critical step toward stronger digital ecosystem. The Nigerian Communications Commission and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission have signed a memorandum of understanding to deepen cooperation on data privacy and protection enforcement in the telecommunications sector, as regulators intensify efforts to safeguard Nigerians’ personal information in a rapidly digitising economy. The MoU was signed on Thursday at the NCC headquarters in Abuja, with officials from both agencies describing the agreement as a critical step toward stronger, coordinated regulation of data controllers and processors operating…