Author: Ifetayo Adeniyi

Manny Ita  – The Federal Government has officially launched a new ePharmacy platform aimed at regulating digital pharmaceutical services and improving the safety of online medication distribution across the country. The initiative is designed to help Nigerians verify the authenticity of drugs purchased through online pharmacies, in response to growing concerns over counterfeit medicines and unregulated digital drug markets. According to officials, the platform will serve as a central verification system that allows users to confirm whether registered pharmacies are licensed and whether specific medications meet approved safety standards before purchase or delivery. The system is also expected to strengthen…

Manny Ita  – The organisers of the annual NollywoodWeek have announced the first set of Nigerian film titles selected for the 2026 edition, highlighting a continued focus on international collaboration and cross-border storytelling. Among the early selections is The Child Will Carry You, a Nigeria–Kenya co-production, which stands out as one of the key examples of growing creative partnerships between West and East African filmmakers. Festival curators said the initial lineup reflects a deliberate push to showcase diverse narratives from Nigerian cinema while strengthening ties with other African film industries and international partners. The announcement marks the beginning of the…

Manny Ita  – Play Network has announced a partnership with MediaKing to deploy free public Wi-Fi services across major cities in Nigeria, beginning with pilot programmes in Lagos and Abuja. The initiative, according to both companies, is aimed at expanding digital access, improving internet connectivity in high-traffic public areas, and supporting small businesses, students, and commuters who rely on affordable internet services for daily activities. Under the pilot phase, selected locations in Lagos and Abuja will be equipped with Wi-Fi hotspots to assess user demand, network performance, and security compliance before a broader national rollout is considered. The companies stated…

Manny Ita  – At least 200 people are feared dead following a Nigerian military airstrike that reportedly struck a market in Yobe State, according to local officials and humanitarian sources. The incident occurred on Saturday night, with reports indicating that the strike hit a weekly market in Jilli, near the border area between Yobe and Borno State. The operation was said to be part of ongoing counterinsurgency efforts targeting Boko Haram fighters. Military authorities confirmed conducting an air operation in the Jilli axis but did not acknowledge that civilians were affected. However, Brigadier General Dahiru Abdulsalam, military adviser to the…

Manny Ita  – Zenith Bank Plc and Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc recorded a combined ₦283.7 billion in income from account maintenance and electronic banking charges in the 2025 financial year. The figures are contained in the audited financial statements filed by both institutions with the Nigerian Exchange for the year ended December 31, 2025. A breakdown shows that Zenith Bank earned ₦91.95 billion from account maintenance fees, representing a 26.1 per cent increase from ₦72.93 billion in 2024. Its electronic banking income rose to ₦89.13 billion, up 11.3 per cent year-on-year. GTCO reported ₦37.92 billion in account maintenance income,…

Manny Ita  – The Nigerian Navy has intercepted two vessels loaded with 939 metric tonnes of suspected stolen crude oil valued at over ₦4 billion. The operation was confirmed by the Commander of Joint Task Force South-South, Operation Delta Safe, Olugbenga Oladipo, during a briefing in Calabar. According to him, the vessels were apprehended around midnight on April 8 at a wellhead within the Calabar/Akwa Ibom joint operations area, following credible intelligence. He stated that the mission was carried out with the support of the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Chief of Defence Staff, alongside operational backing…

Manny Ita  – A 15-year-old suspected logistics courier working for the Islamic State West Africa Province has been apprehended by troops of Operation Hadin Kai in Ngamdu, Borno State, in what security sources describe as a significant breakthrough. The teenager was reportedly intercepted while attempting to acquire supplies for insurgents operating along the Ngamdu–Benisheik corridor. During preliminary questioning, he allegedly admitted to playing a role in recent attacks in both communities. Investigations revealed that the operations were coordinated from Jilli, an insurgent stronghold in Gubio Local Government Area. According to the suspect, fighters involved in the attacks moved out from…

Manny Ita  – A wave of horror has gripped an Ondo State community following reports that a man, suspected to be mentally unstable, allegedly attacked and killed three of his siblings in a violent outburst. The incident, which occurred over the weekend, has left residents in a state of shock and mourning as the motive behind the gruesome act remains unclear. ​According to local witnesses, the suspect—whose identity is being withheld by authorities pending a full psychological evaluation—reportedly used a lethal weapon to descend on his family members within their shared residence. Neighbors were alerted by frantic screams, but by…

Manny Ita  – ​The Eko Hotel Grand Ballroom was a hive of industrial and creative energy today as the Miss Nigeria Beauty and Fashion Fair officially drew to a close. While the event has historically been rooted in pageantry, this year’s edition marked a significant strategic pivot, focusing heavily on the economic structuralization of the Nigerian fashion and beauty sectors. ​Fashion as an Economic Driver A central highlight of the closing ceremony was the address by the Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Toke Benson-Awoyinka. She articulated the state government’s commitment to transforming the creative industry from a…

Manny Ita  – ​In a recent and highly publicized interview with Punch Newspapers and Naija FM, Nollywood actress and producer Yvonne Jegede has sparked a national conversation by declaring that “marriage is overrated” and asserting that the institution often fails to benefit women. Reflecting on her 20-year journey in the film industry and her own highly public divorce, the 42-year-old star offered a blunt assessment of the gender dynamics within Nigerian households. ​The Pressure of Expectations ​Jegede highlighted that while many couples date for over a decade, their unions often collapse shortly after the “marriage tag” is added. She attributed…