Author: Ifetayo Adeniyi

Somali football referee Omar Abdelkader Artan has been denied entry into the United States for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after the administration of US President Donald Trump labelled him a national security threat and alleged that he had associations with suspected terrorist organisations. The decision ended Artan’s hopes of becoming the first Somali official to officiate at a men’s FIFA World Cup despite holding a valid US visa and being named ‘Africa’s Referee of the Year in 2025’. Artan has since returned to Somalia, where he received a hero’s welcome after being turned away by US Customs and Border…

Tony Elumelu • Tony Elumelu is the Founder and Chairman of Heirs Holdings. The Board of Directors of Seplat Energy, today, announced that Tony Elumelu has been elected as the next Chairman of the company. He will succeed the current Chairman, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, effective January 2027, ushering in a new chapter of leadership as the company continues its growth and transformation journey. The board has also appointed Engr. Effiong Okon as Chief Executive Officer commencing 1 August 2026. The board changes were disclosed in a notice filed on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) and signed by the company…

Group Vice President, Oil & Gas, Dangote Industries Limited, Devakumar Edwin; Chairman, Stanbic IBTC Holdings, Sola David Borha; Chief Executive Officer, Standard Bank Group, Sim Tshabalala; Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals, David Bird; and Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Holdings, Chuma Nwokocha, during a strategic visit by Standard Bank Group executives to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Dangote Fertiliser complex in Ibeju Lekki, Lagos. Africa’s largest financial institution, Standard Bank Group, has reaffirmed its commitment to support the growth of Dangote Industries Limited, pledging backing for the planned listing of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery while expressing readiness…

Stanbic IBTC reaffirmed its commitment to nurturing the next generation of innovators and creative thinkers at its annual Blue Kids Day event. Held in partnership with the National Theatre, this year’s ToonTopia-themed edition, spotlighting Nigeria’s second Children’s Animation Festival, delivered a vibrant and immersive experience designed to spark creativity, inspire imagination, and promote learning among young minds. This was not just an event, it was a launchpad for discovery, expression, and boundless potential. Launched in 2022, Stanbic IBTC Blue Kids Day has grown into a dynamic platform dedicated to enriching young minds through impactful and memorable experiences, demonstrating the organization’s…

Mike Bamiloye, Kendrick Brothers Lead Conversations at AICFF 2026. The maiden edition of the Africa International Christian Film Festival (AICFF) 2026 has concluded successfully in Abuja, bringing together leading Christian filmmakers, storytellers, media professionals, and church leaders from across Africa and beyond for four days of learning, collaboration, and inspiration. Held from June 3 to June 6 at Silverbird Cinemas in Abuja’s Central Business District, the festival was themed “God’s Creative Army” and focused on equipping Christian creatives to influence culture through excellence-driven storytelling. The event attracted prominent figures in the global faith-based film industry, including the Kendrick Brothers, renowned…

US player Serena Williams serves while playing with Canada’s Victoria Mboko against US player Nicole Melichar-Martinez and New Zealand’s Erin Routliffe during their round of 16, doubles match at the HSBC WTA tennis Championships at Queen’s Club in west London on June 9, 2026. (Photo by Adrian Dennis / AFP) Serena Williams said she had “so much fun” as the American legend rolled back the years in her triumphant return to tennis in the Queen’s Club doubles on Tuesday. Four years after appearing to end her glittering career, Williams and Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko powered to a 7-6 (7/2), 6-2…

Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole. Photo: File • Nigeria needs to be strengthened by domesticating key AfCFTA protocols, particularly the Digital Trade Protocol. The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to accelerating Nigeria’s export-led growth agenda under the African Continental Free Trade Area, unveiling opportunities for businesses to access a $1bn AfCFTA Adjustment Fund Credit Facility designed to boost production, competitiveness and intra-African trade. The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, disclosed this on Tuesday during the second quarter 2026 meeting of the AfCFTA Central Coordination Committee held in Abuja. According to a statement issued…

President Bola Tinubu. Photo: State House …basically to support the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention. President Bola Tinubu has approved the release of N10bn as emergency funding to strengthen Nigeria’s preparedness against a possible Ebola outbreak, following renewed cases reported in parts of Africa. According to a statement signed by the president’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Tuesday, the intervention is aimed at reinforcing national health security systems and improving rapid response capacity. The statement added, “The fund will strengthen the operational preparedness of the National Centre for Disease Control and Prevention and support…

Super Eagles of Nigeria For Nigeria, the game represents one of their most significant tests since missing out on World Cup qualification. Portugal captain, Cristiano Ronaldo, is set to lead a star-studded Seleção das Quinas side against Nigeria’s Super Eagles in Leiria on Wednesday, in what will serve as their final warm-up match ahead of the FIFA World Cup. The encounter, scheduled at the Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa, is being treated as more than a routine friendly, with both teams using it as a serious tactical test ahead of major international commitments. Portugal coach Roberto Martínez has named a near…

TCN said it expanded the nation’s bulk wheeling capacity from about 7,000MW to 8,700MW over the past few years, adding 1,700MW of transmission capability through investments supported by the federal government and development partners. The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) said transmission is not the primary constraint in Nigeria’s electricity sector. The company stated that the national grid can transmit more power than has ever been generated and supplied to it. The managing director /CEO of TCN, Dr Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz, spoke at the four-day Parliamentary/Stakeholders’ Summit on Power Sector Reforms in Lagos on Tuesday. Abdulaziz, who was represented by…