Author: Ifetayo Adeniyi

Manny Ita  – The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has declared Friday, February 20, 2026, a work-free day across Abuja to enable residents prepare for and participate in the forthcoming Area Council elections scheduled for Saturday. The announcement was made during a special broadcast on national television and radio on Thursday, with the minister stating that the measure received the approval of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The directive is intended to allow workers and voters to travel to their respective communities within the territory ahead of the polls. In addition to the public holiday, the FCT Administration…

Manny Ita  – The Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Gbenga Adebayo, says last year’s approval of a 50 per cent tariff increase prevented the country’s telecom industry from sliding into a crisis marked by possible service rationing. He said operators had reached a “stage where service rationing was becoming a real possibility,” but noted that the tariff adjustment helped stabilise the sector. Adebayo said the impact of the increase is already evident across the industry. “Today, we are seeing companies gradually return to profitability. Network stabilization has improved. Capital expenditure planning has resumed,” he…

Aliko Dangote Foundation Supports 3,704 Students Through Dangote Refinery, Fertiliser In Host Communities Elegbede Abiodun Pupils were elated to have received gifts which they openly displayed, showing their appreciations to Dangote Foundation. Aliko Dangote Foundation, in collaboration with Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Dangote Fertiliser Limited, has distributed school uniforms, bags, sandals and writing materials to primary school pupils in their host communities in Ibeju Lekki, Lagos State, as part of its education support programme. A total of 1,323 pupils, including children with special needs, benefited from the five-day distribution exercise under the first phase of the intervention. Beneficiary…

Manny Ita  – A Nigerian national, Afeez Adewale, has appeared before a United States federal court in Philadelphia following his extradition from Nigeria over allegations of involvement in a wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy connected to the death of a young American. Mr Adewale was handed over to U.S. authorities last Friday by Federal Bureau of Investigation operatives in Nigeria, who had held him in custody since his arrest in August 2023. According to a statement from the U.S. Department of Justice, he faces charges related to sexual extortion targeting minors in the United States. “Adewale is charged by…

Gov Sanwo-Olu Inaugurates Board of Lagos State Sports Trust Fund … demands use of influence to set up a robust institution in sports. The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday inaugurated the Board of Lagos State Sports Trust Fund and charged them to deploy resources for the growth and development of grassroots sports, school sports and other sporting activities in the various divisions of the State. The Board of the Lagos State Sports Trust Fund is chaired by the former Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development and the current President of the International Table Tennis Federation, Mr.…

Edo gov approves Mercy Johnson-Okojie as special adviser Nollywood actress, Mercy Johnson. Credit: Instagram| mercyjohnsonokojie Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has appointed Nollywood actress, Mercy Johnson-Okojie, as Special Adviser on Public Engagement and Advocacy. The appointment was announced in a statement issued on Thursday by the Secretary to the State Government, Musa Ikhilor. According to the statement, the governor approved Johnson-Okojie’s appointment as part of efforts to strengthen public engagement with government policies and programmes. The communique read, “This is to inform the general public that Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has approved the appointment of Mercy Johnson-Okojie…

Wema Bank Plans To Host 2026 International Women’s Day Event On March 4th Elegbede Abiodun • Wema Bank is providing a platform for women from all walks of life to network, share valuable insights, access viable opportunities. As International Women’s Day [IWD] draws near, Wema Bank, Nigeria’s oldest indigenous bank, most innovative and pioneer of Africa’s first fully digital bank, ALAT, has announced its 2026 IWD Grand Event, scheduled to hold on March 4th, 2026. Inspired by the global IWD 2026 theme “Give To Gain”, Wema Bank’s 2026 IWD event is centred on the topic “When Women Gain, We…

Ramadan: Adron Homes Felicitates Muslims, Preaches Hope And Unity Adron Homes & Properties Limited has congratulated Muslim faithful on the commencement of the holy month of Ramadan, urging Nigerians to embrace the virtues of sacrifice, discipline, and compassion that define the season. In a statement made available to journalists, the company described Ramadan as a period of deep reflection, spiritual renewal, and strengthened devotion to faith and humanity. According to the management, the holy month represents values that align with the organisation’s commitment to integrity, resilience, and community development. “Ramadan is a time that teaches patience, generosity, and selflessness.…

Manny Ita  – The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has officially confirmed the detention of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai for interrogation, marking a sharp escalation in the coordinated legal scrutiny of his eight-year administration. The development occurred late Wednesday, February 18, 2026, when El-Rufai was reportedly taken into custody by armed operatives shortly after being granted administrative bail by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). In a formal statement issued just before midnight, the ICPC’s Head of Media and Public Communications, John Odey, verified the former governor’s status, stating, “The Independent Corrupt Practices…

After certification, Customs revenue from AEO firms rises from 29.7% to N1.6tn The Nigeria Customs Service has announced that the Authorised Economic Operator programme recorded a revenue rise from N1.22tn before certification to N1.58tn after certification, reflecting a growth of N362.79bn, representing a 29.68 per cent increase. The service added that the figure was for the 51 AEO-certified entities as of 27 October 2025. The National Public Relations Officer of the service, Abdullahi Maiwada, disclosed this in a statement released on Thursday. Maiwada stressed that the programme also contributed 21.77 per cent to the service’s total revenue collection of…