Author: Ifetayo Adeniyi

Manny Ita- Catherine, Princess of Wales is preparing to undertake her first official international engagement since recovering from cancer, with a planned visit to Italy next week. According to Kensington Palace, the two-day solo trip will focus on her work with the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, an initiative she launched in 2021 to highlight how early childhood experiences shape long-term development. During the visit, the princess will travel to Reggio Emilia, a city internationally recognized for the Reggio Emilia Approach. This model emphasizes children as active participants in their learning and encourages education systems to adapt to different…

Manny Ita  – Pope Leo XIV has pushed back against accusations by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who claimed the pontiff was “endangering Catholics” by allegedly supporting Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Speaking outside his residence in Castel Gandolfo, the Pope dismissed the suggestion without naming Trump directly, reiterating the Catholic Church’s longstanding opposition to nuclear weapons. He emphasized that the Church’s mission remains rooted in promoting peace and preaching the Gospel, stressing that its stance against nuclear arms is clear and consistent. Trump had earlier alleged, without evidence, that the Pope was sympathetic to Iran obtaining nuclear weapons. The claim intensified…

Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Skyewise Group, Dr. Elvis Abuyere has expressed strong confidence in the business environment of Edo State, urging investors to take advantage of the vast untapped opportunities in the region.  Speaking during a press conference with journalists in Benin City, Abuyere said the state holds immense economic potential capable of rivaling more established commercial centres. According to him, Skyewise Group, a multi-billion naira conglomerate with interests in automobile, real estate, finance, logistics and youth empowerment, is approaching its 11th year anniversary with renewed commitment to expanding its footprint in Edo State. “By June, Skyewise Group…

FILE: Nigerian passport.  The Nigerian passport climbed six places on the Henley Passport Index since President Bola Tinubu assumed office in May 2023, rising from a global rank of 95 in January 2024 to 89 in the latest April 2026 edition. However, the actual number of countries Nigerian passport holders can visit without a visa has fallen by two destinations. This is as Ethiopia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Somalia, Mauritania and São Tomé and Príncipe, among others, have moved Nigeria to the “visa required” category in recent years. According to the April 2026 edition of the Henley Passport Index, Nigeria’s visa-free…

Polaris Bank has boosted its push to deepen Nigeria’s non-oil export base with its backing for the launch of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Export Support Call Centre, a move aimed at improving exporters’ access to information, markets and financing. The initiative, unveiled in collaboration with NACCIMA, is designed to provide real-time advisory and operational support to Nigerian exporters, particularly small and medium-scale players navigating the complexities of cross-border trade. It comes at a time when policymakers and financial institutions are intensifying efforts to diversify the economy away from oil and unlock foreign…

MTN, UBA, Others Seal Payments Alliance On Cardless Financial Access. United Bank for Africa (UBA), MTN’s MoMo Payment Service Bank (MoMo PSB) and RedTech Limited have formalised a strategic partnership to expand access to digital payments, targeting millions of Nigerians without debit cards or reliable Internet access. At the signing ceremony yesterday, Group Head, Digital Banking of UBA, Kayode Olubiyi, described the collaboration as a significant shift in the financial services ecosystem, driven by the combined strengths of banking, fintech and telecommunications. He said: “Today we are seeing something great happening in our industry, what I call the ecosystem power.…

Nestoil Limited yesterday rejected what it described as a coordinated campaign of blackmail allegedly driven by First Bank of Nigeria and its Chairman, following publications in The Guardian, The Nation, Leadership, Vanguard, Nairametrics, TheCable, and some other online platforms linking banks’ dividend suspension to a purported debt owed by the company. The indigenous energy firm said the reports were “misleading and a calculated distortion of facts,” insisting that a Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) regulatory directive was responsible for the halt in dividend payments. In a statement, Nestoil warned that unless the alleged blackmail and publication of falsehoods cease immediately,…

Nigeria Revenue Service NRS …designed to simplify tax processes, provide real-time visibility into transactions, and enhance the overall experience for taxpayers. Nigeria’s fiscal authorities have long grappled with the challenge of widening the tax net, improving compliance, and boosting government revenues in a complex and largely informal economy. But recent reforms by the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) suggest a decisive shift toward a more modern, technology-driven tax system. The latest milestone in that journey is the launch of Rev360, a next-generation tax administration platform that signals the agency’s transition to what it describes as “Tax Administration 3.0.” Beyond its technical…

File photo: Davido Afrobeats star, Davido Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has unveiled a 43-man youth committee to drive the re-election campaign of his uncle, Governor Ademola Adeleke, ahead of the August 15 Osun State governorship election. At a brief event held in Ede on Tuesday, Davido also announced he would be taking a two-month break from music to focus on the campaign. The committee, christened the Imole Youth Campaign Mobilisation Team, is chaired by Davido, with coordinators appointed across the three senatorial districts, nine federal constituencies, the 30 local government areas, and the Modakeke Area Office to lead grassroots…

Manny Ita  – Abia State Governor Alex Otti has approved the establishment of a study centre for the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) in Aba, while urging Nigerians to embrace digital and distance education as a necessary shift in modern learning. Speaking during a meeting with NOUN’s leadership, led by Vice Chancellor Prof. Uduma Orji Uduma, Otti noted that virtual learning has become inevitable in a world driven by technology and global connectivity. He emphasized that online platforms such as Zoom and Google Meet now define how people interact and learn, making distance education a practical solution for many.…