Author: Ifetayo Adeniyi

* Stanbic IBTC’s electronic banking fees declined by 20.57 per cent to N865m * UBA’s electronic banking income slipped marginally by 1.91 per cent to N46.93bn. * Ecobank’s card management fees also declined slightly by 1.52 per cent to N35.53bn. Nigerian banks earned N224.69bn from electronic banking services and ATM/card-related charges in the first quarter of 2026, representing a 12.56 per cent increase from N199.61bn recorded in the corresponding period of 2025, an analysis of the unaudited financial statements of 11 listed lenders has shown. The increase came as banks continued to deepen digital banking adoption and electronic payment services,…

Donald Trump * Both Iran and Pakistan attest to peace agreement.  * The agreement to be signed on Friday. The United States and Iran yesterday finally agreed to end their 107-day war, with both sides declaring a permanent cessation of military operations and setting Friday for the formal signing of a peace accord brokered by Pakistan. As a result, the US President, Donald Trump, announced the immediate removal of the American naval blockade and authorised the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy corridor. The move is expected to ease disruptions to global oil supplies and calm…

Amad Diallo scores for Ivory Coast The Elephants never reached the World Cup knockout phase in their three previous matches. Ivory Coast has secured Africa’s first win at the 2026 FIFA World Cup currently going on in the U.S., Canada and Mexico by defeating Ecuador 1-0. The Ivorians, however, left it late as Manchester United winger, Amad Diallo, scored a 90th minute goal to secure Africa’s first win in the competition following South Africa’s 2-0 loss to co-host nation, Mexico on Thursday and Morocco’s 1-1 draw with Brazil on Sunday. Sunday’s Group E clash between Ivory Coast and Ecuador in…

Kola Oyewo was an iconic Nigerian actor, dramatist, filmmaker, and scholar who left an indelible mark on African theatre and cinema across a career spanning over six decades. He was born into a royal family on March 27, 1946, in Oba-Ile, Osun State, the legendary actor passed away at 80 on June 12, 2026. He successfully balanced a career in professional acting with a highly distinguished career in academia. See 10 essential facts about his life and legacy: 1. He grew up heavily exposed to Yoruba traditions while living in the palace with his uncle, who was the king of…

Following Historic World Cup Opener, Iran Arrive In US. Iran are set to arrive in Los Angeles on Sunday ahead of their opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, ending months of uncertainty surrounding their participation in the tournament amid escalating geopolitical tensions. The Islamic Republic’s involvement in the competition had been thrown into doubt following the outbreak of a wider Middle East conflict after aerial attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran. Despite the political backdrop, Team Melli are now preparing to begin their World Cup campaign after training in Mexico. Iran will face New Zealand…

African countries including Nigeria are set to take centre stage at Intermat 2027, one of the world’s leading construction and public works exhibitions, as global stakeholders intensify efforts to advance sustainable infrastructure development. Organisers of the exhibition, scheduled to hold in Paris, France, from April 21 to 24, 2027, said Africa, with a particular focus on Nigeria, will be a major feature of the event’s agenda. A key highlight will be the African Summit slated for April 22, 2027. The summit will bring together policymakers, investors, engineers, contractors and industry leaders to discuss opportunities for sustainable growth and infrastructure development…

The festival is scheduled to hold from June 17 to 19 at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos. A major initiative aimed at mobilising more than $500 billion in diaspora investment capital to drive Africa’s economic transformation is set to gain momentum as key stakeholders gather in Lagos for the Africa Entrepreneurs Festival (TAEF) 2026. The initiative is being championed by former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, California State Transportation Secretary Hon. Toks Omishakin, and Afretrade Incorporated, a California-based trade and investment platform. Organisers say the effort is designed…

File: Education minister, Tunji Alausa The Federal Government says it has successfully conducted the 2026 National Common Entrance Examination for admission into Federal and State Technical Colleges. During the exercise, the Federal Ministry of Education said it piloted a computer-based test, coordinated by the National Business and Technical Examinations Board. The ministry’s director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday. According to the statement, the examination was held nationwide and conducted smoothly across centres, including Federal Technical College, Orozo, and Government Secondary School, Garki, Abuja. Representing the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa,…

The air component of Joint Task Force Operation Hadin Kai has neutralised 27 terrorists in separate air interdiction missions targeting terrorist enclaves in the Southern and Northern Tumbus areas of Borno. An operational report of the Nigerian Air Force, made available to the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday, indicated that the strikes were conducted following Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions across the theatre. According to the report, air assets comprising Dragon and ISR platforms conducted an air interdiction mission at Dawoshe, a known terrorist enclave in the Southern Tumbus area, at about 12:40 am on June 10. The…

Zamfara State Governor, Dr Dauda Lawal has approved the appointment of three qualified citizens to head two key state government agencies and a major development project. Disclosing the approval, the Secretary to the Zamfara State Government, Malam Abubakar Mohammad Nakwada, said the appointments are aimed at strengthening the government’s ongoing reforms and service delivery initiatives in the areas of public health, agriculture, livestock development and community-based interventions.  Dr. Muhammad Habibu Yelwa is appointed as the new Executive Secretary of the Zamfara State Substance Abuse and Control Agency, while Dr. Usman Ismaila Gusau is named as the Executive Secretary of the…