Author: Ifetayo Adeniyi

Manny Ita  – President Bola Tinubu has approved a one-year extension of the federal government’s ban on the export of raw shea nuts, pushing the restriction to remain in force until February 2027 as part of efforts to stimulate domestic processing, create jobs and strengthen Nigeria’s agro-industrial value chain. The extension, officials said, is aimed at compelling exporters to channel raw shea produce into local factories rather than shipping unprocessed nuts abroad, where most of the value addition traditionally occurs. Nigeria is one of the world’s major producers of shea nuts, but stakeholders have long lamented that the country earns…

Nigerian Breweries Plc, Nigeria’s foremost brewing company, celebrated its outstanding trade partners at the 2025 Distributor Awards held recently at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos. Themed, “Unlocking Growth Together- aligned, Focused and Faster,” the ceremony brought together distributors, transportation partners, senior management, and key stakeholders to recognise exceptional contributions to the company’s strong business performance in 2025. Delivering the keynote address, the Managing Director of Nigerian Breweries Plc, Thibaut Boidin, emphasised that the awards reflect the company’s conviction that sustainable success is built on strong partnerships across the value chain. He said, “As one team and one family,…

Manny Ita  – President Bola Tinubu has formally appealed to the 10th Senate to initiate amendments to the 1999 Constitution to provide a clear legal framework for the establishment of State Police across the federation, stressing that the reform has become urgent in the face of “evolving security challenges” confronting the country. The President’s appeal was conveyed in a communication to the Senate leadership, where he underscored the need for structural changes in Nigeria’s policing architecture to effectively combat banditry, insurgency, kidnapping and other violent crimes that have persisted in several parts of the country. He argued that the current…

Elegbede Abiodun The Nigeria Customs Service has turned to the ancient authority of traditional rulers in Oyo and Osun states to help win the battle against smuggling and shore up the country’s battered revenue base. Deputy Comptroller of Customs Wale Adewole, who serves as Acting Customs Area Controller for the Oyo/Osun Area Command, made the rounds this week, calling on three of the region’s most prominent monarchs — the Ooni of Ife, the Ogunsua of Modakeke, and the Ataoja of Osogbo. The visits were more than ceremonial. Officials are betting that the moral weight these rulers carry within their communities…

Elegbede Abiodun United Nigeria Airlines has issued a safety instruction asking passengers to carry power banks only in hand luggage and forbidding their use or charging during flights. According to a notice posted on its official X account on Wednesday, the airline said the measure follows regulations by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) on lithium battery-powered devices. Following the new rules, passengers must keep power banks in their carry-on baggage, as they are not allowed in checked luggage. The airline also prohibited charging power banks or using them to charge phones or other electronic devices while onboard. Travellers were…

Manny Ita  – Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has acknowledged past extramarital affairs and apologized for his association with convicted financier Jeffrey Epstein after his name appeared in files released by the United States Department of Justice, according to remarks delivered during a town hall meeting with employees of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Addressing staff on February 24, Gates described his contact with Epstein as a serious error while maintaining that he had no involvement in any wrongdoing connected to the disgraced financier. “It was a huge mistake to spend time with Epstein,” he said during the session. “To…

Manny Ita  – A group identifying itself as Ebira witches has issued a September deadline to the Kogi State Government to address a set of unspecified grievances, warning of consequences if their demands are not met, in a development that has stirred widespread reactions across the state and beyond. The group’s message reportedly surfaced through local channels and community intermediaries, claiming that persistent neglect, insecurity, and socio-economic hardship in Ebira land had compelled them to take the unusual step of issuing a formal ultimatum. While the authenticity and representativeness of the group remain unclear, the announcement has generated concern among…

Manny Ita – The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced the implementation of new liquidity control measures aimed at curbing pressure on the naira and stabilising the foreign exchange market, as Governor Olayemi Cardoso cautioned that environmental threats pose significant financial risks to Africa’s economies. Speaking on Tuesday, Cardoso said the apex bank is deploying targeted monetary tools to manage excess liquidity in the financial system, which he noted has contributed to exchange rate volatility. He stated that the measures are part of broader efforts to restore investor confidence and ensure macroeconomic stability. “We are committed to deploying appropriate…

Manny Ita  – The ongoing rape investigation involving popular TikTok personality Mirabel has taken a new turn, with authorities confirming that she has been handed over to the Ogun State Ministry of Women Affairs for protective custody and welfare support as police continue their inquiry into the high-profile case. Officials said the transfer was carried out to ensure the safety, psychological support, and proper care of the young woman while investigators work to establish the full circumstances surrounding the alleged incident. The case has attracted widespread public attention and sparked intense debate across social media platforms. The Nigeria Police Force…

Manny Ita  – The Minister of State for Finance, Doris Uzoka-Anite, has stated that Nigeria must sustain an annual Gross Domestic Product growth rate of between 10 and 12 per cent over the next decade to attain the administration’s target of building a $1 trillion economy. Uzoka-Anite made the disclosure on Tuesday while addressing stakeholders at an economic policy forum, stressing that achieving the ambitious target would require coordinated fiscal reforms, increased private sector participation, and aggressive investment in productive sectors of the economy. She noted that the growth trajectory must significantly exceed current levels if the country is to…