Author: Ifetayo Adeniyi

CBN allows BDCs’ participation in foreign exchange market Elegbede Abiodun • CBN also approved that weekly FX purchases by each BDC be capped at 150,000 dollars. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) approved the participation of licensed Bureau De Change (BDC) operators in the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM), a circular signed by the Director, Trade and Exchange Department of the apex bank, Dr Musa Nakorji indicated. According to the circular, the approval is part of efforts to improve foreign exchange liquidity in the retail segment of the market. The circular also indicated that the CBN had also approved…

Oyebanji’s Wife Offers Free JAMB e-PIN Scheme For 3,400 Ekiti Students Elegbede Abiodun * Giving support to Ekiti indigenes. The Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji, has charged 3,400 beneficiaries of the State’s free Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) e-PIN distribution to maximise the opportunity by being diligent and striving for excellence in their examinations. Dr. Oyebanji gave the charge in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday at the flag-off of the 2026 edition of the initiative, reaffirming the state government’s unwavering commitment to human capital development through education. She noted that the support provided by the government comes…

Manny Ita  – The West African arts community is in mourning following the death of legendary Ghanaian highlife musician and composer Ebo Taylor, who passed away at the age of 90. Widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in African music, Taylor’s death marks the end of an era that shaped the evolution of highlife and Afrobeat across the continent and beyond. Family sources confirmed that the veteran musician died peacefully, though details surrounding the circumstances of his passing were not immediately disclosed. Tributes have since poured in from musicians, cultural institutions and political leaders across Ghana, Nigeria…

Manny Ita  – Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has called for the urgent preservation and restoration of key Egba heritage sites as preparations intensify for the 2026 Lisabi Festival scheduled to hold next month in Abeokuta, Ogun State. Obasanjo made the appeal during a stakeholders’ meeting with traditional rulers, historians and cultural custodians, where he stressed that historic landmarks such as the iconic Iwe Irohin house must be protected from neglect and structural decay. He warned that allowing such monuments to deteriorate would amount to erasing vital chapters of Yoruba and Nigerian history. “Iwe Irohin is not just a building; it…

Manny Ita  – Nigerian music icon Innocent Idibia, popularly known as 2Baba, has weighed in on the growing debate comparing Afrobeats superstar Wizkid to the late Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, describing the comparisons as “unfair to both” artists and urging fans to appreciate their distinct eras and contributions. The award-winning singer made the remarks during a recent interview, where he addressed persistent arguments on social media placing Wizkid alongside Fela in terms of influence and legacy. According to 2Baba, while both figures are monumental in their own rights, drawing direct parallels overlooks the unique contexts that shaped their music and…

Manny Ita  – Afrobeats star Tems has made history after officially becoming the first African female artist to record seven entries on the Billboard Hot 100, a milestone that further underlines her growing influence on the global music scene. The latest achievement follows her continued presence on the chart through a mix of lead and collaborative records, reflecting a steady crossover appeal beyond the African market. Industry analysts note that Tems’ consistency on the Hot 100 places her in a rare category among African artists, male or female, to achieve sustained chart recognition in the United States. Reacting to the…

Manny Ita  – The Argungu International Fishing Festival officially commenced today, February 11, 2026, in Kebbi State, drawing thousands of fishermen, cultural performers, tourists, and dignitaries to one of Nigeria’s most iconic traditional events. The festival, widely recognised by UNESCO for its cultural significance, marks another celebration of a centuries-old tradition that blends competition, heritage, and communal identity. Participants from different parts of Nigeria and neighbouring countries converged on the banks of the Matan Fada River, armed with traditional fishing tools, as they compete for the largest catch in the festival’s flagship fishing contest. The event, which traces its origins…

Manny Ita  – There was relief for motorists and petroleum marketers on Tuesday as the Dangote Petroleum Refinery announced a reduction in the gantry price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from ₦799 to ₦774 per litre, a move aimed at easing cost pressures across the downstream petroleum sector. The price adjustment takes immediate effect and is expected to influence pump prices nationwide, depending on logistics and distribution costs. The refinery said the decision was part of ongoing efforts to stabilise the domestic fuel market and support marketers amid rising operational expenses. In a statement released by the company, it noted…

Manny Ita  – Nigeria Condemns Killing of Citizen in Durban, Urges Thorough ProbeThe Nigerian Consulate in South Africa has strongly condemned the killing of a Nigerian citizen in Durban, calling on South African law enforcement authorities to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation into the incident. The consulate described the killing as disturbing and unacceptable, stressing the need for justice and accountability. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Consulate General expressed deep concern over the circumstances surrounding the death, noting that it had formally taken up the matter with relevant South African authorities. The mission confirmed that it is…

Manny Ita  – The Lagos–Abeokuta Expressway has been partially closed from today following the commencement of a four-week rehabilitation exercise by the Federal Government, a development expected to significantly affect traffic flow along one of the busiest transport corridors linking Lagos and Ogun states. The affected stretch runs from the U-Turn Bus Stop to the Sango Tollgate, a section known for persistent congestion and deteriorating road conditions. Officials of the Federal Ministry of Works confirmed that the closure is part of ongoing efforts to restore critical federal highways and improve road safety for motorists and commuters. The ministry stated that…