Author: Ifetayo Adeniyi

The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) has signalled plans to significantly scale up its support to Nigeria over the next five years, marking a major shift towards a private sector-driven development model aimed at accelerating economic transformation. Director general of Country Programs at IsDB, Anasse Aissami, speaking at the IsDB Group Day in Nigeria on Monday, said the bank is repositioning its strategy to deliver a more robust and integrated financing framework that goes beyond traditional project funding. He disclosed that the bank’s planned interventions in the country over the next five years are expected to surpass what has been delivered…

In a powerful demonstration of its dedication to deepening educational advancement and human capital development in Nigeria, Polaris Bank, has made significant funds available towards the full renovation of the Faculty of Economics and Management Sciences Building at the prestigious University of Ibadan. This landmark intervention revives a historic structure originally gifted to the University in 1985 by one of Polaris Bank’s legacy institution, the defunct International Bank for West Africa (IBWA). For over four decades, the building has stood as a beacon of academic excellence, shaping generations of Nigerian professionals in critical disciplines.The facility previously served as the home…

Elegbede Abiodun Leaders and members of the National Assembly also called in to celebrate President Tinubu. The Chief of Staff to the President, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, was on hand to receive the visitors. President Tinubu marked his 74th birthday in a low-key manner, in line with what he described as the prevailing mood of the nation and his longstanding personal tradition. In a special birthday message to Nigerians, the President said he deliberately chose a subdued celebration, consistent with previous years, as a mark of sensitivity to national circumstances. “Consistent with my tradition of marking my birthday in line with…

Aliko Dangote, president and chief executive officer of Dangote Group.  As part of its commitment to environmental sustainability, the Transport Unit of Dangote Cement Plc, Obajana, has embarked on a large-scale tree-planting exercise and distribution of seedlings in commemoration of the 2026 International Day of Forests. In a statement, the company disclosed that 13 schools were also provided with seedlings, even as it planted hundreds of trees. Speaking at the event, Divisional Director Transport (DDT), Col. Hemant Rana (rtd), observed: “Forests play a vital role in regulating our climate, supporting biodiversity, and providing essential resources for humans.” Represented by the…

US President Donald Trump has said on Sunday that the US-Israel war had achieved regime change in Iran, even as he assured that he would “make a deal” with the Iranians. “I think we’ll make a deal with them, pretty sure… but we’ve had regime change,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One, citing the number of Iranian leaders killed in the month-long war. “We’re dealing with different people than anybody’s dealt with before. It’s a whole different group of people. So I would consider that regime change,” Trump said. Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of former supreme leader Ali Khamenei,…

File photo: The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa. • FG expects the application to rise for the SVCG in the next cohort. The Federal Government on Sunday disbursed N2.25bn to 45 students across the nation’s tertiary institutions. The beneficiaries are among 65 student innovators shortlisted for the Student Venture Capital Grant initiative of the government. Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, accompanied by the Minister of State for Education, Prof Suwaiba Ahmad, presented the cheques to the select 45 at the event held at the UNDP Innovation Hub, Ikoyi, Lagos. The SVCG is an initiative of the Federal Government aimed…

Nigerian Ports Authority The Nigerian Ports Authority, on Sunday, has revealed its comprehensive arrangement to strengthen Nigeria’s non-oil exports, anchored in infrastructure renewal, export process simplification, and the full automation of port operations. It stated that the authority’s Managing Director of NPA, Abubakar Dantsoho, while speaking at the 37th Enugu International Trade Fair, held recently in Enugu State, said the NPA is repositioning the nation’s port system to connect local producers, especially small and medium-scale enterprises, to global markets. Dantsoho highlighted the strategic importance of Enugu as a commercial gateway to the South-East, noting that its location presents vast opportunities…

Tems Music sensation Tems has emerged the most listened-to African artist on Spotify, with over 40.1 million monthly listeners. The Grammy-winning singer-songwriter’s unique sound has made her outpace her peers in global listenership, taking her to top of Africa’s streaming chart. Tems’ collaborations with international stars like Drake and Future, as well as her work on Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, have fueled her global success. Her Grammy Award for Future’s “Wait for U” and multiple award nominations solidify her position as a leading African artist.

Confederation of African Football. Photo: CAF Elegbede Abiodun CAF has increased team participation in AFCON to 28. The Confederation of African Football president Patrice Motsepe announced on Sunday that the governing body will increase the Africa Cup of Nations to 28 teams from 24. Speaking at a press conference after an executive committee meeting, Motsepe said the expansion reflected his organisation’s “commitment to world-class football with the best African players from all over the world returning to compete on the continent.” He did not, however, provide details on how the tournament format would accommodate the four additional teams or when…

Itsekiri youths, under the auspices of Itsekiri Youths for Good Governance (IYGG), have called on former two-time President of the National Association of Itsekiri Graduates (NAIG), Prince Edema Collins Oritsetimeyin, to contest the Delta South Senatorial Seat in the 2027 polls. The call was contained in a statement signed by the Delta South Coordinator and Secretary of IYGG, Sam Oki Metsh, and George Omatsuli, respectively. The statement reads in part: “The call was made after a strategic meeting of the group’s leadership. Prince Edema is a transformational leader whose track record in both the private sector and community service makes him…