Author: Ifetayo Adeniyi

inDrive, a global mobility and urban services platform, has taken a bold step in advancing driver welfare by providing healthcare coverage for 500 drivers and their families through a partnership with Heala. This partnership signals a shift toward more accessible, technology-driven healthcare that meets people where they are. Beyond supporting the drivers directly, there is an inclusion of family coverage, which provides an added layer of reassurance, preventing the drivers from being preoccupied with concerns about how their loved ones would access care. Through Heala’s platform, drivers and their families can access medical support without the need to first visit…

Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, paid a working visit to Zamfara State on Monday, July 13, 2026, where she commended Governor Dauda Lawal for his administration’s focused economic and investment drive. During the courtesy visit at the Government House in Gusau, Dr Oduwole lauded the Governor’s strides in industrial development, noting that Zamfara is rapidly emerging as a viable destination for both local and international investors. “The Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment is committed to supporting states that demonstrate clear visions for economic diversification. Zamfara, under Governor Lawal’s leadership, is showing that it…

* Elfath previously officiated at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. FIFA has appointed American referee Ismail Elfath to officiate the highly anticipated 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final between England and Argentina. The governing body announced this in a post on its official X handle on Tuesday that Elfath will take charge of Match 102, scheduled for July 15 at Atlanta Stadium, with kick-off set for 3:00 p.m. EDT. FIFA stated that Elfath will be assisted by fellow Americans Corey Parker and Kyle Atkins, while Italian referee Maurizio Mariani has been named fourth official. The governing body added that another…

President Bola Tinubu The Federal Government has opened applications for the free registration of 250,000 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises under the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria-Corporate Affairs Commission formalisation programme. The initiative, approved by President Bola Tinubu, is designed to remove the cost of business registration for eligible nano, micro and small businesses, enabling more entrepreneurs to join Nigeria’s formal economy. Successful applicants will receive free Business Name registration through the Corporate Affairs Commission, with the Federal Government covering the statutory registration fees. The programme was announced by the Presidency during the 8th National MSME Awards…

… crude oil output now 1.56 million bpd. Riding on the back of stable production and lack of major pipeline infractions championed by Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) and other security agencies, Nigeria has exceeded its crude oil production quota set by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). The nation’s crude output climbed to its highest level in more than six years, according to new data released by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC). NUPRC said that total oil output, including condensates, reached 1.735 million bpd, the highest level in over six years and the fourth consecutive…

Nigeria, Zambia, Malawi and Egypt are in the same group, Group C. The Super Falcons have begun preparations for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) with captain Rasheedat Ajibade, veteran forward Asisat Oshoala and goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie among the first players to arrive at the team’s camp in Casablanca, Morocco. The defending champions officially opened their training camp on Monday as head coach Justine Madugu began assembling his squad ahead of the continental tournament scheduled to run from 26 July to 16 August 2026. Alongside Ajibade, Oshoala and Nnadozie, other early arrivals include defenders Glory Ogbonna, Oluwatosin Demehin,…

Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Muttaqha Rabe Darma * New policy will harmonise the roles of professionalism, ensuring strict adherence to building regulations. The federal government has begun moves to overhaul regulation of Nigeria’s built environment with a new policy framework aimed at ending the recurring incidents of building collapse, eliminating quackery and enforcing strict compliance with construction standards nationwide. Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Muttaqha Rabe Darma, said the proposed framework would establish a coordinated regulatory regime for the construction industry, improve public safety and enhance the sector’s contribution to the nation’s economy. Speaking on Monday in…

L-R World Bank Nigeria Office Senior Water Supply and Sanitation Specialist, Dr Awa Diagne, World Bank Country Director, Dr Mathew Verghis, First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, World Bank Early Years Program Lead, Dr Ritgak Tilley-Gyado, World Bank Education Specialist, Dr Mistura Rufai and External Relations officer, Mansir Nasir after the courtesy visit of the World bank Team to the First Lady at the State House Abuja on Monday 13th July, 2026 … says investments from pregnancy to age five yield strong annual returns by enhancing cognitive skills. Investing in early childhood development remains critical, not just to…

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have neutralised an Islamic State West Africa Province cameraman and recovered video materials indicating the presence of three foreign facilitators, including a Palestinian Arab identified as a trainer and a Moroccan Arab serving as a medical doctor for the terrorist group in Borno State. The Acting Military Information Officer, Joint Task Force North East, Operation Hadin Kai, Capt. Muhammed Goni, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday. According to him, the operational success was recorded on Saturday following a failed infiltration attempt by members of ISWAP terrorists into Cross Kauwa, Kukawa Local Government Area of…

Nigeria Shares Group with Poland, Puerto Rico, Korea DPR. Nigeria’s U17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, have been handed a challenging draw for the 2026 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup after being placed in Group B alongside Poland, Puerto Rico and two-time defending champions Korea DPR. The draw for the tournament, which will be staged in Morocco from October 17 to November 7, 2026, sets up what promises to be a difficult but exciting campaign for the Nigerian girls as they seek to improve on their previous performances at the global championship. Blueprint reports The Flamingos secured their place at…