Author: Mujeedat

Governor Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke congratulated Osun State’s Muslim community on completing Ramadan, praising their devotion and discipline during the holy month. In a statement by his spokesperson dated 19 March 2026, he described Eid-el-Fitr as more than fasting, a profound commitment to compassion, social justice, and service. Adeleke assured Muslims of his administration’s attentiveness to their aspirations, pledging protection of rights, support for institutions, and equitable inclusion in governance and development. “Osun under my leadership will remain a state of religious harmony where no group feels marginalised,” he emphasized, promising policies reflecting equity and respect for all faiths.…

Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) held a high-level bilateral meeting in London on 18 March 2026 to advance customs modernisation and trade facilitation under the Nigeria-UK Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership (ETIP). The discussions occurred on the sidelines of President Bola Tinubu’s state visit, led by NCS Comptroller-General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi and HMRC Head of International Customs Megan Shaw. Adeniyi highlighted customs’ role as frontline enablers of secure, transparent trade in key sectors like industrial goods, agriculture, energy, and consumer products between the nations. Both sides identified a significant data discrepancy, UK exports…

King Charles III welcomed President Tinubu and Mrs. Tinubu to Windsor Castle on 18 March 2026, celebrating Nigeria’s transformation into an economic powerhouse of 230 million people, half under 18 with unmatched energy and ambition. Recalling his 2018 Nigeria visit meeting traditional leaders like the Sultan of Sokoto and Ooni of Ife, the King praised Nigerians enriching UK life in business, sports, arts, NHS, and academia through his King’s Trust. He humorously recalled a recent “Jollof and Tea” party debate on the best jollof rice. The monarch highlighted mutual investments: Nigerian banks basing in London, firms listing on…

Guinea Insurance Plc (GIP) held a signing ceremony for its ₦5.8 billion Rights Issue on 16 March 2026, offering 5,295,200,000 ordinary shares of 50 kobo each at ₦1.10 per share, two new shares for every three held. Board Chairman Mr. Temitope Borishade called it a pivotal move for operational scaling, innovation, and shareholder value. “This repositions us for improved services to customers and brokers while boosting investment returns,” he said. Managing Director Mr. Ademola Abidogun stressed growth beyond regulatory compliance: The funds will enhance financial stability, underwriting capacity in key sectors, technology investments, and expansion into retail/SME markets for financial…

Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Dangote Fertiliser Limited donated school materials worth N241 million to 3,704 students in Ibeju-Lekki host communities, Lagos, during the 6th Dangote Scholarship Award Programme. The items, bags, uniforms, sandals, and sanitary materials, went to 1,348 primary pupils across five schools and 2,356 secondary students in four schools, boosting education access and learning conditions. Vice President, Oil and Gas, Edwin Devakumar called education a societal transformer. Launched in 2019 (paused 2020 for COVID), scholarships grew from 56 secondary students that year to 138 in 2021 (117 secondary, 19 tertiary), 460 in 2022, 469 in 2023, 473…

Civil society groups Network for Health Equity and Development (NHED), Centre for Communication and Social Impact (CCSI), and Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) marked World Consumer Rights Day. under the 2026 theme “Safe Products, Confident Consumers”, by urging federal and state governments to mandate salt reduction targets and front-of-pack labelling (FOPL) on processed foods. Nigeria faces a surging non-communicable diseases (NCDs) burden, with 29% of deaths tied to hypertension, heart disease, and kidney failure. Average salt intake hits 10g daily, double WHO’s 5g limit driven by hidden levels in noodles, snacks, bouillon, bread, and frozen foods. The…

Leadway Pensure PFA Limited, a top Nigerian pension administrator, projects that the Personal Pension Plan (PPP) will transform retirement planning for small business owners and informal workers, directly addressing old-age poverty in a nation where informal employment hit 92.7% in Q1 2024 per National Bureau of Statistics data up from 92.3% in Q3 2023. This initiative targets millions powering Nigeria’s micro-enterprise economy outside formal pensions. PenCom’s unaudited December 2025 figures show ₦27.451 trillion in pension assets and over 11 million RSA members, yet PPP participation reveals gaps: over 200,000 registered by Q3 2025, but only 7.6% funded that quarter.…

The EFCC Kano Zonal Directorate handed over ₦387,483,488 to Jigawa State Government on 17 March 2026, recovered from suspects Abdullahi Garba and Ayuba Sani implicated in public funds misappropriation. Acting Zonal Director ACE1 Friday S. Ebelo presented the bank draft to Director of Treasury Operations Muhammad Haruna at the Kano office ceremony. NFIU intelligence triggered EFCC’s probe, leading to arraignments. Garba pleaded guilty, earning a two-year sentence; Sani faces ongoing trial. Ebelo stressed EFCC’s justice mission: “We investigate crime proceeds recovery for all victims, individuals or institutions, ensuring development funds aren’t diverted personally.” Haruna praised EFCC’s thorough…

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja delivered a significant ruling on 18 March 2026, affirming the voluntariness of extra-judicial statements made by Ali Bello, nephew of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, and co-defendant Dauda Sulaiman during their Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) money laundering prosecution. The duo faces a 16-count amended charge alleging misappropriation and laundering of ₦10,270,556,800. The trial-within-trial determined admissibility of eight contested statements, which defendants claimed were obtained under duress and threats. Omotosho dismissed the objection, finding clear evidence that defendants’ counsel was present throughout. The lawyer endorsed…

Ethiopian Airlines will restart direct passenger service between Addis Ababa (ADD) and Atlanta (ATL) on May 21, 2026, restoring a key Africa-US link paused since February 2026. The route enhances connectivity for business travelers, African diaspora, and tourists via Ethiopian’s extensive African network and southeast US onward flights. Group CEO Mesfin Tasew highlighted Atlanta’s vibrant market: “This route serves growing demand from business travelers, diaspora members, and tourists accessing Africa conveniently.” As Africa’s largest network carrier, Ethiopian strengthens its transatlantic presence, with Atlanta, a major US economic/cultural hub hosting a large African community, gaining seamless Bole connections. Tickets…