Author: Ifetayo Adeniyi

Chess master Onakoya’s adopted son shines in US competition, wins scholarship Nigeria’s chess champion, Tunde Onakoya’s adopted son, Jamiu playing chess in the United State. Photo: Tunde Onakoya Chess master Onakoya’s adopted son shines in US competition, wins scholarship Nigeria’s chess champion, Tunde Onakoya, has shared an emotional story of two brothers he adopted after their mother died and how one of them has now become a chess champion in the United States. Onakoya, known for using chess to empower underprivileged children, said he met the boys, Jamiu and Ayomide, in 2018 when they were living in the slums of…

FG sets up UBE school improvement programme for teachers, children Education Minister, Dr. Tunji Alausa FG sets up UBE school improvement programme for teachers The Federal Government has unveiled the Universal Basic Education (UBE) School Based Management Committee-School Improvement Programme (SBMC-SIP) for Teacher Professional Development (TPD). Speaking at an event in Abuja on Monday, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, emphasized that the initiative would foster community partnership and engagement. Alausa stated that the programme aimed to address the issue of out-of-school children and expand access to education for school-age children, while also improving the teaching and learning environment.…

2030 Commonwealth Games: Nigeria shows interest in playing host 2030 Commonwealth Games: Nigeria shows interest in playing host Nigerian Olympic Committee said it has met the March 28, 2025, deadline for expression of interest to bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Nigeria can only begin a formal bid with the backing of the country’s government. Nigeria lost a bid to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games to Glasgow. A statement released by NOC spokesman Tony Nezianya said that Nigeria’s bid for the 2030 Games in the capital city of Abuja will present a unique opportunity to showcase its development, enhance its…

CBN steps in with $197.71m as oil prices drop Central Bank of Nigeria building CBN steps in with $197.71m as oil prices drop With weakened crude oil prices, declining by over 12% to approximately $65.50 per barrel, following sweeping trade tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump on several countries. Before the tariffs were announced, oil had traded above $70 per barrel. Following OPEC Secretariat calculations, the price of the OPEC basket of twelve crudes stood at $75.35 per barrel on Thursday, compared to $77.44 the previous day. Nigeria relies on crude oil exports for 90% of its foreign exchange. To…

US tariffs: Ecobank advises Nigeria, Africa to trade among themselves Ecobank advises Nigeria, Africa to trade among themselves The Chief Executive Officer of Ecobank Transnational Inc., Jeremy Awori, has urged African nations to deepen trade among themselves as a buffer against the potential economic impact of new tariffs imposed by United States President Donald Trump. Speaking in an interview with Bloomberg TV, Awori noted that the new tariffs may eventually replace the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA)—a trade programme that has supported export-led sectors such as textiles and apparel in nearly 30 African countries. He stressed that ramping up…

FG attracts $491m investments into CNG in a year –  Oluwagbemi Chief Executive Officer and Programme Director of the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative, Michael Oluwagbemi FG attracts $491m investments into CNG in a year –  Oluwagbemi * Conversion to bi-fuel vehicles has gone from seven to more than 200. The Programme Coordinator, Presidential CNG Initiative, Mr Michael Oluwagbemi, says over 491 million dollar investments have been attracted into AutoCNG, while more than 9,000 direct and 75,000 indirect jobs have been created in the last one year. Oluwagbemi stated this while addressing State House Correspondents on Monday. He said that…

FG promises well trained, motivated, equipped with modern technology Police Force President Bola Tinubu FG promises well trained, motivated, equipped with modern technology Police Force President Bola Tinubu on Monday reiterated the administration’s resolve to engender a Nigeria Police Force that is well-trained, well-motivated and well-equipped with modern tools and technology to effectively combat crime in Nigeria. He said it had become imperative to ensure the nation’s security forces are constantly “steps ahead of those who threaten the peace, welfare, and prosperity” of the nation. At the maiden edition of the National Police Day celebrations, which climaxed a week-long series…

FG distributes N2.035b to 1,147 school management committees over Nigeria Tinubu FG distributes N2.035b to 1,147 school management committees over Nigeria * Alausa pointed to pillars that will drive the education sector of Nigeria. The Federal Government has disbursed N2.035 billion to 1,147 school-based management committees across 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. This is as the government launched the Universal Basic Education (UBE) School-Based Management Committee-School Improvement Programme and the Teacher Professional Development (TPD) activities. It said these initiatives aim to improve the basic education sector, aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. Education Minister Dr. Tunji…

NDPC to boost data privacy protection NDPC to boost data privacy protection * Training will equip participants with the technical knowledge they need to apply the Nigeria Data Protection Act. The National Data Protection Commission (NDPC) on Monday reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening data privacy practices across Nigeria’s public and private sectors. Speaking at a regional capacity-building workshop in Katsina for ICT personnel from the north-western states, National Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the NDPC, Dr Vincent Olatunji, said the commission is stepping up enforcement of data protection regulations in line with national laws. Olatunji, represented by the Head…

FG Plans To Build Global Cultural Hub in Katsina FG Plans To Build Global Cultural Hub in Katsina * Global centre to be for innovations, training and capacity building for young Nigerians. The Federal Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Katsina State on the ‘Renewed Hope Cultural Project’ to enhance cultural and economic expansion in the state. The MoU will lead to the establishment of a global cultural hub in the state to preserve its cultural heritage, promote tourism and drive economic growth. The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, while signing the…