Author: Ifetayo Adeniyi

Grammy Awards 2026: Full list of winners Photo: Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times The 2026 Grammy Awards are underway, with top artistes across the world competing for honours in 95 categories at the ceremony organised by the Recording Academy. While only a handful of awards will be presented during the main ceremony, the majority of the categories are being decided at the pre-telecast premiere event, with winners emerging throughout the ceremony. Nigeria is represented at the 2026 Grammys, with Nigerian artistes earning nominations in various categories. Among those nominated are Burna Boy, Davido and Ayra Starr. Best New Artist WINNER:…

South Africa bid for WAFCON hosts replacing Morocco By Elegbede Abiodun South Africa have stepped forward seeking to host the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) following Morocco’s reported withdrawal from staging the tournament with just 60 days to the scheduled kick-off. The 2026 WAFCON is billed to run from March 17 to April 3, 2026, under a compressed timetable that follows the delayed 2024 edition, which was impacted by global scheduling challenges, including the Paris Olympics. The development was announced on Sunday night by South Africa’s Deputy Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Peace Mabe, who revealed…

FG, states received N2.45tn for infrastructure, security By Elegbede Abiodun • To strengthen infrastructure development and bolster security operations. The total amount disbursed to state governments and the Federal Capital Territory as financial support for infrastructure and security projects has increased to N2.45tn, official records from the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation have revealed. The amount disbursed between March 2024 and August 2025, which spanned over 17 months, was aimed at bolstering infrastructure development and strengthening security operations at the subnational level, as part of ongoing efforts to address widespread insecurity and bridge critical infrastructure gaps across…

Ogun at 50: How Gbenga Daniel Made the Gateway to Nigeria’s Industrial Future By Elegbede Abiodun Otunba Gbenga Daniel The Daniel years were not an administration; they were a revolution executed in concrete, steel, and unwavering political will. Fifty years is a lifetime in political memory, yet some legacies refuse to fade into the comfortable blur of history. As Ogun State prepares to mark her golden jubilee in February 2026, the occasion demands more than ceremonial celebration; it calls for an honest reckoning with the forces and figures that have shaped the state’s trajectory. Without mincing words, few administrations have…

Manny Ita Nigerian music heavyweights faced a disappointing night at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles as the country’s leading contemporary artists failed to secure a win across all nominated categories. Despite high expectations for a historic night, stars including Burna Boy, Davido, and Wizkid were edged out by international competitors, most notably South African singer Tyla, who solidified her dominance in the African music category. ​Burna Boy, who entered the night with significant momentum, saw his album No Sign of Weakness lose the Best Global Music Album title to Brazilian legends Caetano Veloso and Maria Bethânia…

Manny Ita ​Juventus have shifted their focus to the Champions League knockout play-offs with a distinct air of caution as they prepare to face Turkish champions Galatasaray and their star striker, Victor Osimhen. The tie, confirmed following the draw in Nyon, sets up a high-stakes reunion for Juventus head coach Luciano Spalletti, who managed Osimhen during their historic 2022-23 Scudetto-winning campaign at Napoli. Club director Giorgio Chiellini and Spalletti have both publicly acknowledged that while Galatasaray possesses a deep roster, the Nigerian international remains the primary threat to the Italian side’s European ambitions. ​Chiellini, speaking to Sky Sports, emphasized that…

Manny Ita The Governor of Taraba State, Dr. Agbu Kefas, has officially defected from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The formal announcement took place during a high-profile ceremony in Jalingo, where the Governor cited the need to align state interests with the federal center to ensure more rapid progress for his constituents. This move ends months of speculation regarding the Governor’s political future and marks a significant loss for the opposition in a state long considered a PDP stronghold. ​Reacting to the development from the State House, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu extended a…

Manny Ita The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has officially commenced the implementation of a new cargo charging regime today, February 2, 2026, marking the first significant upward review of these levies in over two decades. This move follows months of stakeholder consultations and is part of a broader federal strategy to modernize airport facilities and bridge the funding gap within the nation’s aviation sector. Industry experts note that the previous rates had become completely unsustainable given the current inflationary pressures and the high cost of maintaining international safety standards across Nigeria’s cargo terminals. ​While the government maintains…

Manny Ita The annual Venice Carnival officially began on Sunday with a series of celebrations centered on the upcoming Winter Olympics hosted in Italy. This year’s event is centered on the theme “Olympus – back to the origins of the games,” a direct tribute to the international sporting competition scheduled to begin later this week. Large crowds gathered at the historic Rialto Bridge and along the city’s iconic lagoons to witness the opening festivities of the nearly two-week celebration. ​The event, which bridges cultural tradition with contemporary sporting milestones, utilized Venice’s unique water-based geography for its inaugural displays. Organizers…

Manny Ita Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a Brazil-based Nigerian businessman, Uche Franklin Onyekwere, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos for attempting to smuggle 1.60 kilograms of cocaine. The arrest was confirmed in a statement issued on Sunday, February 1, 2026, by Femi Babafemi, the NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy. Mr. Onyekwere, 47, who reportedly operates a toy business in São Paulo, was intercepted on January 29 during the inward clearance of passengers arriving from Brazil via Johannesburg. ​Following a suspicious body scan, the suspect was subjected to a secondary…