Author: Ifetayo Adeniyi

Manny Ita  – The Nigeria Customs Service has clarified that it does not determine the exchange rates used for cargo clearance, stating that the responsibility rests solely with the Central Bank of Nigeria. The agency said the clarification became necessary following public concerns and misconceptions over fluctuating import duty charges at the nation’s ports. In a statement issued by the service, officials explained that customs only applies the rates communicated by the apex bank for the valuation of imports and exports. “The Nigeria Customs Service does not fix exchange rates for cargo clearance; we implement the rates provided by the…

Manny Ita  – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called for the establishment of an Africa-owned credit rating agency to address what he described as the persistent mispricing of the continent’s risk by global financial markets. Writing in an opinion article published by the Financial Times, the Nigerian leader argued that existing international rating systems often undervalue African economies, resulting in higher borrowing costs and constrained access to capital. Tinubu stated that the continent requires an independent institution capable of providing assessments grounded in local realities rather than external perceptions. “Africa cannot continue to outsource the evaluation of its economic prospects…

Lagos to make use of drones for intelligence gathering The Lagos State Government has declared its  plan to deploy surveillance drones in partnership with security agencies as part of efforts to strengthen intelligence gathering and tackle insecurity across the state. The Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund, Ayodele Ogunsan, disclosed this in a press conference on Monday to mark the 100 days of his assumption of office, noting that the initiative would bolster aerial surveillance and enhance rapid response to emerging security threats. According to him, the Fund is set to sign…

INEC Meets Transport Unions on Logistics Ahead of FCT Area Council Elections INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN speaks with transport unions in Abuja, ahead of FCT Area Council Elections The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has held a strategic meeting with transport unions in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as part of its final readiness assessment for the forthcoming #FCTDecides2026 The engagement, which brought together the leadership of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and the National Association of Transport Owners (NATO), focused on ensuring seamless movement of personnel and election materials across the FCT on Election…

Aigboboh’s Appointment Will Boost Tinubu’s Re-Election Bid – Iseghohimen The Chief Executive Officer of Nicholas Auto Solutions South Africa, Mr. Dennis Annabel Iseghohimen, has congratulated Hon. Sylvester Aigboboh on his appointment as Edo State Coordinator of the National Hope Ambassador for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. In a statement on Monday, Iseghohimen described the appointment as a well-deserved recognition of Aigboboh’s dedication to progressive politics and grassroots mobilisation in Edo State. Aigboboh, who serves as Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress in Edo State, was recently named to coordinate the National Hope Ambassador initiative in the state in support…

Manny Ita  – Nigerian security forces have killed several terrorists while repelling coordinated attacks on Pulka and Mandaragirau communities in Borno State, with casualties reported among both troops and insurgents. The clashes occurred late Saturday when fighters suspected to be members of Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province launched assaults on military positions in the two locations. Troops of Operation Hadin Kai, a joint military operation against insurgency in the North-East, engaged the attackers in intense gun battles after the insurgents attempted to overrun defensive formations. Military sources said the soldiers successfully held their ground, forcing the…

Lagos To Return To Monthly Sanitation Exercise Lagos State Government announced on Sunday that the monthly sanitation exercise, previously observed in the state, may resume by March. The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed this on Sunday after an inspection exercise in the Lagos Island area of the state. Wahab told journalists that he strongly believed the exercise would return on or before March, noting that engagements were ongoing. The monthly environmental sanitation, previously held on the last Saturday of every month from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m., was suspended in November 2016, with the government…

Manny Ita  – Former U.S. President Barack Obama has issued a direct response to a controversial video released by Donald Trump, dismissing the content as inaccurate and politically motivated. The video, which circulated widely across social media platforms, reportedly criticized Obama’s record in office and questioned key policy decisions made during his administration. In a statement released through his office, Obama rejected the allegations and warned against what he described as attempts to distort history for political advantage. “We’ve seen this strategy before — rewrite the past, ignore the facts, and hope people are too distracted to notice,” he said.…

Manny Ita  – United States Freezes Assets of Eight Nigerians Over Alleged Terror, Cybercrime LinksThe United States government has frozen the assets of eight Nigerian nationals over alleged links to terrorism financing, extremist groups, and cybercrime activities. The action, announced through the United States Department of the Treasury, targets individuals accused of providing material support to groups including Boko Haram and Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, as well as participating in transnational financial crimes. In a statement, U.S. authorities said the sanctions block all property and interests in property belonging to the designated individuals that fall under American…

Manny Ita  – Lawmakers in the National Assembly are reportedly considering a proposal to move the 2027 presidential election from February 20 to January 16, 2027, in what officials describe as a potential adjustment to the country’s electoral timetable. The move, if approved, would require amendments to the electoral framework and coordination with the Independent National Electoral Commission, which is constitutionally mandated to conduct national elections. Parliamentary sources said the proposal is aimed at addressing logistical challenges, post-election timelines, and the transition process between outgoing and incoming administrations. Advocates of the shift argue that an earlier election date would allow…