Author: Ifetayo Adeniyi

Wema Bank Secures Ratings Upgrade from Fitch and Global Credit Ratings Fitch Ratings has upgraded Wema Bank, Nigeria’s oldest indigenous bank, most innovative and pioneer of Africa’s first fully digital bank, ALAT’s National Long-Term Rating to ‘A-(nga)’ from its previous ‘BBB(nga)’. In a similar move, Global Credit Ratings (GCR) upgraded Wema Bank’s National Scale long and short-term issuer ratings to BBB+(NG)/A2(NG), from BBB(NG)/A3(NG). Additionally, Fitch Ratings revised the Bank’s ‘Outlook’ to Positive from Stable, while affirming the Long-Term Issuer Default Rating (IDR) at ‘B-‘. GCR also measures Wema Bank to have a Stable Outlook. This significant vote of confidence from…

2025 DEMOCRACY DAY: Tinubu’s address at joint National Assembly session ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU, GCFR AT THE JOINT SESSION OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY IN COMMEMORATION OF DEMOCRACY DAY, 2025 THURSDAY, 12TH JUNE 2025 Protocol: 1. With profound honour, I stand before this joint session of our National Assembly; a parliament that embodies the will of the Nigerian people. 2. Today, as I entered this grand edifice built from the sweat and toil of our democratic yearning, my heart stirred. It was a blend of accomplishment and resolve. 3. I felt a sense of collective accomplishment when I realised…

As Sanwo-Olu opens 400m road project, housing estate in Ibeju-Lekki Lagos State Governor, Sanwo-Olu As Sanwo-Olu opens 400m road project, housing estate in Ibeju-Lekki … lauds the council chairman for the initiatives. Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday, unveiled a series of infrastructural projects in Ibeju-Lekki, describing them as evidence of his administration’s commitment to grassroots development and inclusive governance. Among the projects were the newly paved 400-metre Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu Road, the groundbreaking of a new housing estate, the official opening of the newly constructed administrative block named “Bola Ahmed Tinubu House” and the completion of a modern…

CBN declares, BDC recapitalisation deadline will not be extended CBN declares, BDC recapitalisation deadline will not be extended The Central Bank of Nigeria has set aside claims in the media suggesting an extension of the deadline for the recapitalisation of Bureau De Change operators to December 31, 2025. In a statement on Wednesday, the CBN’s acting Director of the Corporate Communications Department, Mrs Hakama Sidi-Ali, dismissed the information as “false” and “misleading.” She reiterated that no such extension had been granted and that the official deadline remains set for June 3, 2025, as previously communicated. “The Central Bank of Nigeria…

FG to boost MSMEs, invests $50m in impact fund, creating job opportunities FG to boost MSMEs, invests $50m in impact fund, creating job opportunities The Federal Government, FG, has announced a $50 million investment in the Nigeria Wholesale Impact Investment Fund (WIIF), aimed at unlocking significant financing for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and generating jobs across priority sectors. The Federal Ministry of Finance stated this in a post on X, noting that the investment is to show the government’s commitment to fostering sustainable economic growth. According to the statement, the strategic initiative supports President Bola Tinubu’s vision of…

June 12 struggle: The Labour of Heroes past, present From left, Ken Narebor, an unknown Labour activist and late Chief Frank Ovie Kokori, strategizing during a tea break in one of the several meetings of the oil workers at the peak of the June 12, struggle. June 12 struggle: The Labour of Heroes past, present Today marks the 32nd anniversary of the June 12, 1993 Presidential election, won by the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola but annulled by General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida. In this article, one of the labour leaders on the frontline of the struggle for the de-annulment…

As NIHOTOUR begins Hospitality Compliance Audit in Lagos As NIHOTOUR begins Hospitality Compliance Audit in Lagos National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) has launched a comprehensive compliance exercise across Lagos State, targeting hotels, restaurants and other establishments within the hospitality, travel and tourism sectors. The initiative, which began on Tuesday, is aimed at enforcing the provisions of the NIHOTOUR Establishment Act 2022 by ensuring that all personnel and operators in the industry are properly certified and registered with the Institute. According to the director of legal services at NIHOTOUR, Mariam Inuwa, the exercise is grounded in the agency’s statutory…

Campaign billboards: Anambra places N50m permit fee for governorship Members of the Anambra State Signage and Advertisement Agency during the press briefing As the campaigns for the November 8, 2025, governorship election in Anambra State kick off on Wednesday, the Anambra State Signage and Advertisement Agency has pegged ₦50 million as a permit fee for each political party before being allowed to mount billboards and other outdoor campaigning activities. The Managing Director of the Agency, Tony Ujubuonu, disclosed this to journalists during a press briefing at its headquarters in Awka, on Wednesday. Ujubuonu said the briefing became necessary to inform…

New Zealand set to unveil 10-year visa for migrants parents New Zealand flag. Photo: BBC New Zealand set to unveil 10-year visa for migrants parents New Zealand has introduced a new visa called the Parent Boost Visa, which will allow parents of migrants to stay in the country for up to 10 years. The visa begins on September 29, 2025. New Zealand immigration department revealed this in a statement on its website on Monday. This is meant to help families stay together longer. Under this new plan, parents can stay for five years at first. After that, they can apply…

Trump announces new US-China trade deal, awaiting approval President Donald Trump Trump announces new US-China trade deal, awaiting approval United States President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that a new trade agreement between the United States and China has been finalised, pending final approval in a personal agreement between himself and Chinese President Xi Jinping. The announcement was made via Trump’s official account on the social media platform X, where he outlined key aspects of the deal and emphasized the strength of the current US-China relationship. According to Trump, the agreement includes a commitment from China to supply the United…