Author: Ifetayo Adeniyi

Manny Ita  – The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, has issued a stern warning to land grabbers operating within the Oyo Kingdom, declaring that offenders risk facing a 15-year jail term as part of renewed efforts to curb rising cases of violent land disputes. The monarch made this known amid growing concerns over the activities of land speculators and criminal groups accused of forcibly taking over properties, harassing landowners, and fueling communal tensions. He emphasized that such actions would no longer be tolerated under his reign, vowing to restore order and uphold traditional and legal land ownership structures. Oba…

Manny Ita  – The Nigerian Bar Association has issued a strong warning to legal practitioners and members of the judiciary, urging them to refrain from вмешling in the internal affairs of political parties, citing growing concerns over what it described as judicial overreach. In a statement released by the association, the NBA emphasized that political parties are governed by their own constitutions and internal mechanisms, which should be respected except in clear cases of constitutional violations or breaches of fundamental rights. The body cautioned that frequent court interventions in party disputes risk undermining democratic processes and weakening institutional boundaries. The…

Manny Ita  – Oando PLC has unveiled an ambitious plan to raise $750 million in fresh capital as part of a major expansion drive aimed at significantly boosting its oil production capacity. The announcement was made by the company’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Wale Tinubu, who disclosed that the funds will be deployed toward an aggressive 100-well drilling programme. According to the company, the capital raise—expected to be sourced through a mix of debt and equity instruments—will support upstream investment activities, particularly in its recently acquired and existing assets. The drilling campaign is projected to substantially scale up production levels,…

Manny Ita  – Nigeria’s Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, has unveiled a new travel-market platform aimed at repositioning the country’s tourism sector as a key contributor to national economic growth. The initiative is designed to connect local tourism operators, service providers, and creative industry stakeholders with international markets, providing them with greater visibility and access to global opportunities. By leveraging digital tools and strategic partnerships, the platform seeks to bridge existing gaps between Nigeria’s tourism offerings and the global travel ecosystem. Speaking at the launch, the minister emphasized that Nigeria’s tourism potential remains largely untapped…

Manny Ita – The literary world is witnessing a surge of excitement this month as a wave of highly anticipated book releases from both Nigerian and international authors hits shelves, reflecting a rich blend of genres, themes, and storytelling styles. Leading the lineup is A Dance of Burning Blades, the latest fantasy offering by M. H. Ayinde. The novel, part of the Invoker Trilogy, is already drawing attention among fantasy enthusiasts for its immersive world-building and intricate character arcs, signaling a strong addition to the genre’s growing global diversity. Also generating buzz is One Leg on Earth by Pemi Aguda,…

Manny Ita  – Vice President Kashim Shettima has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with the United Nations on initiatives targeted at youth and women empowerment, particularly in the areas of financial inclusion and job creation. The Vice President made this known during a high-level meeting with a United Nations delegation, where both parties explored strategies to expand economic opportunities for Nigeria’s rapidly growing population. Central to the discussions was the government’s plan to harness what has been described as the country’s “demographic bulge” and convert it into a productive economic force. Shettima emphasized that youth development remains…

Manny Ita  – Governor Bassey Otu has been recognized as a “Tourism Champion” in acknowledgment of his administration’s renewed push to reposition Cross River State as a leading destination for leisure and cultural tourism in Nigeria. The recognition comes amid a sweeping plan by the state government to rehabilitate and modernize some of its most iconic tourist assets, including the Obudu Ranch Resort, Agbokim Waterfalls, and the Marina Resort. These sites, once major attractions drawing both local and international visitors, have faced years of infrastructural decline and reduced patronage. According to the governor, the revitalization project will involve comprehensive upgrades…

Manny Ita  – Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has intensified efforts to address food insecurity through the expansion of her Renewed Hope Food Outreach programme, a social intervention initiative aimed at supporting vulnerable households across the country. The programme, which is part of a broader welfare strategy under the Renewed Hope agenda, was carried out with representation from the wife of the Vice President, Nana Shettima. At the latest distribution exercise, 600 vulnerable families benefited from essential food supplies, reinforcing the administration’s commitment to cushioning the effects of economic hardship on low-income communities. Speaking during the outreach, the First Lady…

Fans will have access to the referee’s on-field perspective through body cameras enhanced by artificial intelligence. FIFA on Thursday presented its list of match officials for the June 11-July 19 World Cup, including 52 referees, six of whom are women. The expanded 48-team competition, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will run from 11 June to 19 July, featuring a record 104 matches across multiple venues. As part of preparations, FIFA unveiled its final list of match officials, comprising 52 referees, 88 assistant referees, and 30 video match officials drawn from all six confederations and 50 Member Associations.…

 Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Elegbede Abiodun The Central Bank of Nigeria has listed 10 key changes to Bank Verification Number (BVN) rules which will take effect from May 1, as part of efforts to curb fraud and tighten digital banking processes. The updated guidelines will affect how customers log in, switch devices, and manage their banking details. The new guidelines will affect how customers access mobile banking, switch devices, and manage their BVN details. The key changes are the following: 1. Mobile banking apps will be restricted to one device at a time. 2. Logging in on a new…