Author: Ifetayo Adeniyi

Security agencies investigating the alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu have identified two individuals accused of funnelling N835 million through private companies to finance the conspiracy, according to reports. Former Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva is alleged to have contributed N785 million, the larger share of the funds. Investigators said the money was transferred through Purple Waves Limited, an Abuja-based construction firm. The company’s secretary, John Ebokpo, has been arrested and remains in detention. Mr Sylva, who also served as Minister of State for Petroleum Resources under former President Muhammadu Buhari, is described by investigators as the principal…

Manny Ita  – The Central Bank of Nigeria is expected to resume monetary easing on Tuesday with what could be its largest interest-rate cut since 2020, supported by a stronger naira, moderating inflation and rising foreign-exchange reserves that have improved the outlook for economic growth. All six economists surveyed by Bloomberg anticipate that Governor Olayemi Cardoso will announce a reduction in the benchmark rate after the Monetary Policy Committee meeting concludes later in Abuja. The current rate stands at 27 percent, after policymakers surprised markets by holding it steady in November. Analysts differ only on the size of the expected…

Manny Ita  – The General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 8 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Bemgha Koughna, narrowly escaped an ambush by suspected Lakurawa terrorists on Sunday near Mayama Hill in Kebbi State, military authorities have said. In a statement issued by the division’s acting spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Olaniyi Osoba, the attack occurred while the senior officer’s convoy was travelling to visit frontline troops deployed in the state. Major General Koughna also serves as commander of Sector 2 of Operation Fansan Yamma, a joint security task force operating in the North-west. According to the army, the convoy…

Manny  – Former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has announced a major humanitarian initiative to provide free healthcare services to at least 10,000 residents in the suburbs of Lagos State as part of activities commemorating his 89th birthday. In a statement released on Sunday by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, the former leader detailed that the “Lagos Medical Mission” will be executed under the auspices of the Olusegun Obasanjo Foundation (OOF) between February 27 and March 4, 2026. The outreach is specifically designed to reach underserved populations in the Ikorodu and Alimosho Local Government Areas, offering a range of…

Manny Ita  – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally congratulated the winners of the Saturday, February 21, 2026, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections, following a decisive performance by the All Progressives Congress (APC). In a statement issued through the State House on Monday, the President specifically highlighted the contributions of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, noting that his administrative efforts in the territory had “yielded political dividends” for the governing party. The APC secured chairmanship seats in five out of the six area councils—Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Abaji, Bwari, Kuje, and Kwali—while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) maintained…

Elegbede Abiodun … beyond skills acquisition but giving a wide range of business advisory services. Leading financial institution, Fidelity Bank Plc, has announced the launch of the second edition of its flagship women-empowerment initiative, the HerFidelity Apprenticeship Programme 2.0 (HAP 2.0). Designed to equip women with practical, income‑generating skills and structured pathways to entrepreneurship; HAP 2.0 will build on the success of its inaugural edition held in 2023. Speaking with journalists at a media chat to herald the launch of HAP 2.0, the Divisional Head, Product Development, Fidelity Bank Plc, Osita Ede, explained that the initiative has been enhanced to…

Elegbede Abiodun The Lagos State Government has given consent to a 13% increase in fares for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and standard Bus Reform Initiative (BRI) services, effective Monday, March 2, 2026 throughout the state. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu accepted the development after receiving a passionate appeal from regulated public transport operators, who highlighted the mounting challenges threatening the long-term viability of their operations in Nigeria’s current economic climate. In a statement by Head of Corporate Communication, LAMATA Kolawole Ojelabi, the revised fare structure will come into effect from Monday, March 2, 2026. “The adjustment is designed to help offset the…

File Copy: First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu Elegbede Abiodun The First Lady of Nigeria, Oluremi Tinubu, has applauded the registration of 14 million Nigerian children in the past two years, describing it as a major milestone in protecting the identity and rights of every child. She gave the commendation in a post via her X handle on Monday, after receiving the Country Representative of UNICEF in Nigeria, Ms. Wafaa Abdelatef, and her team, who briefed her on progress made in birth registration across the country last Friday. According to the First Lady, UNICEF announced during the meeting that…

Elegbede Abiodun After five years of its launch in Nigeria, Spotify says music streaming in the country has grown at an average rate of 163.5 per cent, underscoring the speed at which Nigeria has emerged as a global streaming force. In a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria on Monday in Lagos, the company reported triple-digit year-on-year growth in its early years and sustained momentum through 2025. The platform, which entered the Nigerian market in February 2021, described the journey as one marked by rapid cultural acceleration. Spotify said at the heart of that growth was Afrobeats,…

Sustainability has become a critical priority for businesses and governments across the world, driving growth, innovation, and positive change. As the world grapples with climate change, social inequality, and economic uncertainty, organisations are recognising the importance of adopting sustainable practices that balance Environmental, Social, and Governance considerations. In Nigeria, the sustainability agenda has become a mainstay, with companies like FirstBank leading the charge. As the leading financial institution in West Africa, FirstBank has made significant strides in promoting sustainability/ESG, with notable achievements in renewable energy, financial inclusion, and environmental conservation. The bank’s sustainability initiatives are anchored on three pillars: education,…