Author: Ifetayo Adeniyi

FarmerMoni interest-free loans: 22,000 farmers to benefit – FG Elegbede Abiodun Federal Government, through the National Social Investment Programme Agency, says not less than 22,000 farmers will benefit from interest-free loans under its FarmerMoni Dry and Wet Season Programme. The National Programme Manager, Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme under NSIPA, Mr Hamza Baba, said this at the unveiling of the Renewed Hope GEEP 3.0. and the FarmerMoni Technical Working Group in Abuja on Wednesday. Hamza Baba, who described the loan as interest and collateral-free, said that the loans aimed to strengthen agricultural productivity and would be given to farmers…

FG requests private sector partnership to bridge broadband gap FILE: Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani. …recalls that telecommunications sector was under strain until the present administration’s intervention. The Federal Government on Wednesday called on private-sector players to partner with it to close Nigeria’s last-mile broadband gap, saying that massive public investment in digital infrastructure must now be matched by device affordability, service innovation, and targeted connectivity for critical institutions. The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, made the call while speaking with journalists on the sidelines of the Flagship Nigeria: Electrification +…

80 escape unhurt as Arik Air plane makes emergency landing in Benin Elegbede Abiodun Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance at the NSIB, Mrs Bimbo Oladeji, said the aircraft experienced an in-flight engine anomaly. An Arik Air Boeing 737-700 operating a Lagos–Port Harcourt flight made an emergency diversion to Benin Airport on Wednesday after the crew detected what the airline described as a loud bang in one of the aircraft’s engines. The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau later described the incident as involving “significant damage” to the affected engine. The airline’s spokesperson, Adebanjo Ola, said in a statement that…

Nigeria-Kuwait expand education partnership, deepen economic ties File: Nigeria-Kuwait flag / Shutterstock Nigeria and Kuwait have reaffirmed their commitment to stronger economic cooperation, with both countries highlighting education, infrastructure and human capital development as pillars of a growing bilateral partnership. The renewed push was underscored on Tuesday night in Abuja during the celebration of the 65th National Day and 35th Liberation Day of the State of Kuwait, which also highlighted Kuwait’s democratic traditions, moderate foreign policy and long-standing partnership with Nigeria. Speaking at the event, the Ambassador of the State of Kuwait, Salim Aimuzayen, highlighted Kuwait’s long record of supporting…

FCT council boss presents N30.6bn for 2026 appropriation Chairman of Bwari Local Government, John Gabaya, addressing reporters in Abuja. …targets completion of ongoing projects from 2025. The Chairman of Bwari Area Council, Federal Capital Territory, Mr John Gabaya, on Wednesday, presented a budget of N30.6 billion for 2026 to the council’s legislature for approval. Gabaya tagged it the budget of “Consolidating Developmental Gains and Strengthening Service Delivery for Sustainable Growth.” He said the budget comprised N22.9 billion for capital expenditure and N7.6 billion for recurrent expenditure. He said the budget’s primary focus was to complete ongoing projects from 2025, noting…

Adron Homes Treats 15 Top Performers to All-Expenses-Paid Qatar Getaway Adron Homes and Properties, Nigerian real estate firm has sent 15 high-performing employees on a fully-funded luxury vacation to Qatar, reinforcing its reputation for rewarding staff excellence. The trip, which includes premium shopping experiences and cultural activities, recognizes employees from multiple departments who have demonstrated exceptional dedication and contributed significantly to the company’s operational success and customer service standards. This latest initiative continues Adron Homes’ established tradition of international reward programs. The company has previously organized similar trips for deserving staff to destinations including the United States, United Kingdom,…

At Paris Film Awards, Nigeria’s ‘Tears For Enebi’ Bags Gold Award Elegbede Abiodun The film took over 12 years to bring to fruition, telling the deeply personal story of Enebi Anan. A powerful Nigerian short film, “Tears for Enebi,” addressing sexual violence, has captured global attention, securing five international awards and selection at nearly 20 film festivals worldwide since its debut. The 16-minute production exploring the harrowing experience of a beauty queen and poet who survived sexual assault recently added two more accolades to its growing collection. The Paris Film Awards honoured the film with a Gold Award for…

inDrive takes second  most downloaded ride-hailing app globally Elegbede Abiodun inDrive, a global mobility and urban services platform active in 48 countries, has been ranked the world’s second-most-downloaded ride-hailing app for the fourth consecutive year, according to market intelligence firm Sensor Tower. The report also showed that inDrive rose to fourth place globally in travel app downloads, up from fifth in 2023, reflecting growing user engagement as the company expands its services and transitions towards a super app model. Since its launch, the inDrive app, known for its peer-to-peer pricing model allowing drivers and riders to agree on fares,…

Banking hub in SSA: Nigeria rated second-largest investment Elegbede Abiodun File: Lagos, Nigeria Nigeria stands as one of the primary engines for financial services in the region, trailing only South Africa in total fee generation. In 2025, Nigeria maintained its status as a cornerstone of the West African financial landscape, ranking as the second-largest investment banking market in Sub-Saharan Africa. This was indicated in the Sub-Saharan Africa Investment Banking Review Full Year 2025 published by LSEG Data & Analytics, which showed that while Nigeria saw its overall fee revenue rise, the year was defined by a stark divergence between a…

BUA Foods announces Rabiu head of global procurement File: BUA Foods Plc’s Chief Officer, Global Procurement and Strategic Operations, Mr Khalifa Rabiu. BUA Foods Plc, a leading Nigerian food manufacturer, has appointed Isyaku Abdulsamad “Khalifa” Rabiu as Chief Officer, Global Procurement and Strategic Operations, effective 29 January 2026. Khalifa will assume responsibility for the company’s global procurement functions and strategic operational initiatives, which are aimed at improving efficiency, cost optimisation, supply chain resilience, and sustainable growth, the food giant said in a statement on Tuesday. He previously served as Director for Special Operations at BUA Group, where he led major…