Author: Ifetayo Adeniyi

Manny Ita  – The Nigerian academic community is in mourning following the death of eminent literary scholar and cultural critic, Prof. Biodun Jeyifo, who passed away at the age of 80. News of his passing was confirmed by close associates and family sources, triggering tributes from universities, colleagues, former students, and cultural institutions across Nigeria and abroad. Prof. Jeyifo was widely regarded as one of Africa’s foremost scholars of literature and cultural studies, with decades of distinguished service in teaching, research, and intellectual discourse. A respected authority on African literature, particularly the works of Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka, Jeyifo’s…

Manny Ita  – The Lagos State Government, in collaboration with the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), has launched an expansive “Zero Stigma Campaign” aimed at criminalizing discrimination against people living with HIV and accelerating efforts toward ending the public health threat by 2030. The initiative was formally unveiled at a high-level stakeholders’ forum in Ikeja, where government officials, health experts, civil society groups, and development partners gathered to reaffirm their commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of affected persons. Speaking at the launch, the Lagos State Commissioner for Health described stigma and discrimination as “one of…

Manny Ita  – Five Republican members of the United States House of Representatives have introduced legislation that would impose targeted sanctions, including visa bans and asset freezes, on former Kano State Governor and New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) leader Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and leadership of prominent pastoralist groups, citing alleged religious persecution and mass atrocities in Nigeria. The measure, titled the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026 (H.R. 7457), was filed by Representatives Riley Moore and Chris Smith, with co-sponsorship from Brian Mast, Mario Diaz-Balart and Bill Huizenga. Under the proposed bill, the U.S. Secretary of State would…

Manny Ita  – Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has clarified that his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election was purely political and not rooted in any personal relationship, dismissing widespread speculation of a close personal alliance between the two leaders. Speaking amid renewed discussions about internal dynamics within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), El-Rufai stated that his backing of Tinubu was guided strictly by political calculations and party considerations. “My support for President Tinubu in 2023 was strictly political,” he said. “It was not based on personal friendship or any close personal relationship…

Manny Ita  – The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has clarified that the ban on the production, importation, and distribution of alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and small PET bottles remains in effect, dismissing widespread rumors of a government suspension. The agency said the regulatory measure continues to stand, citing ongoing public health concerns and the need to curb harmful consumption patterns. In a statement issued in Abuja, NAFDAC reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing the restriction, noting that the policy was introduced to address rising cases of alcohol abuse, particularly among young people. “There has…

Manny Ita  – The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy has warned that the current N10.5 billion budgetary allocation to the ministry is insufficient to modernize the nation’s ports and may hinder the achievement of key maritime targets set for 2026. The minister raised the concern during a budget performance review session in Abuja, where he emphasized the urgent need for expanded funding to address aging infrastructure and operational bottlenecks across major seaports. Describing the allocation as “grossly inadequate for the scale of transformation required,” the minister stated that comprehensive port modernization involves heavy capital investment in equipment upgrades, channel…

Manny Ita  – The Federal Government has announced the introduction of tax-free allowances for university teachers across federal tertiary institutions, in a move aimed at strengthening the country’s higher education sector and enhancing academic productivity. The decision was disclosed in Abuja by senior officials of the Ministry of Education, who described the measure as part of broader reforms to improve teaching standards and research output in Nigerian universities. According to the government, the newly approved tax exemptions will apply to selected academic allowances, including those tied to research activities, postgraduate supervision, and other scholarly responsibilities. An official familiar with the…

Manny Ita  – The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, has issued a stern warning that any individuals or groups contemplating unconstitutional actions against the government will face decisive consequences, reaffirming the Nigerian Air Force’s commitment to democratic governance and national stability. The warning was delivered during a high-level engagement with senior officers and personnel at an operational command headquarters on Wednesday. Addressing the gathering, Air Marshal Aneke stressed that the Armed Forces remain firmly subordinate to civil authority and will not tolerate any attempt to undermine the nation’s constitutional order. “Let it be clear that the Nigerian…

Manny Ita  – The Government of Ghana has recalled its High Commissioner to Nigeria, Baba Ahmed, following allegations of his involvement in electoral malpractice during recent parliamentary primaries, according to officials familiar with the development. The decision, described by sources within Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs as a “precautionary administrative measure,” was communicated late Tuesday, prompting the envoy’s immediate departure from Abuja. In a brief statement issued in Accra, the Ministry said the recall was intended to allow for a “full and impartial review of the allegations that have emerged in connection with the recent parliamentary primaries.” The statement added,…

Ogun, at Remo Secondary School, Unveils Plan for ₦1bn AI-Driven Digital Classroom By Elegbede Abiodun The governor disclosed that the state government had upgraded the school’s science laboratories. The Ogun State Government has announced plans to deliver a 900-capacity, Artificial Intelligence-enabled digital learning complex at Remo Secondary School, Sagamu, in a move aimed at strengthening technology-based education across the state. Governor Dapo Abiodun disclosed activities marking the institution’s 80th anniversary, noting that the proposed facility represents a deliberate investment in modern learning infrastructure designed to prepare students for a rapidly evolving, knowledge-driven global economy. He explained that the digital…