Author: Friday Omosola

The heartbeat of African music has shifted to Lagos as 416 elite musicians from across the continent stormed the city for the highly anticipated 9th Edition of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA). Hosted by the Lagos State Government, the five-day continental extravaganza, which began on January 7 and runs through January 11, 2026, is set to solidify the state’s reputation as the “Creative Capital of Africa.” The festival is more than a red-carpet spectacle; it represents a deliberate effort to strengthen Africa’s creative economy. READ ALSO: Lagos offers 3-month rebate to replace faded number plates Its itinerary begins on Thursday…

The Lagos State Government has debunked viral reports suggesting a political falling-out between Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his Ogun State counterpart, Dapo Abiodun. In a clarifying statement on Thursday, the Lagos administration described the insinuations as completely false. The government stated that the bond between the two leaders is the “direct opposite” of the discord being portrayed by some online media platforms and blogs. READ ALSO: 2026: Sanwo-Olu pledges an extraordinary final full year, set to commission iconic projects The government emphasised that Sanwo-Olu and Abiodun enjoy a cordial, brotherly relationship characterised by frequent communication and regular strategic meetings. As leaders…

President Bola Tinubu has lauded the Nigerian capital market, corporate citizens, and domestic investors for a historic achievement as the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) crossed the N100 trillion market capitalisation threshold. In a statement by Bayo Onanuga, his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, on Thursday, the President described the milestone as the birth of a new economic reality and a clear indicator of the country’s economic rejuvenation. He urged Nigerians to seize the moment by deepening their local investments, promising that the rewards of his administration’s reforms will be even more evident in the coming year. READ ALSO: Peter Obi slams…

Bayelsa State has secured a major international victory in the health sector, emerging as the first runner-up in the South-South region for the Primary Health Care (PHC) Leadership Challenge. The prestigious award comes with a cash prize of $400,000, approximately ₦600 million, recognised for the state’s significant strides in improving grassroots healthcare delivery. The challenge is a high-stakes initiative organised by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and UNICEF, with primary funding from the Aliko Dangote Foundation and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. READ  ALSO: Shock in Bayelsa community as young man takes own life over relationship crisis The announcement…

The Federal Government (FG) has inaugurated a Joint Implementation Committee to spearhead the National Conference on Digital Literacy and Emerging Skills. The initiative, launched in Abuja, is a strategic partnership between the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) and the Clergywealth Multi-purpose Cooperative Society Limited (CWMSCL). It aims to empower 1 million Nigerians with globally recognised certifications and cutting-edge tech skills. READ ALSO: FG denies AI claims over Tinubu–Kagame photo Speaking on behalf of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, the Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, Ibrahim Kana, emphasised that this project…

The Lagos State Government has kicked off the countdown to the ninth edition of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), reaffirming the city’s position as the heartbeat of the continent’s creative economy. At a high-level press conference held on Wednesday at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre in Alausa, the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Toke Benson-Awoyinka, declared that Lagos is ready to welcome the world for a week-long celebration of African musical excellence. The festival runs from 7 to 11 January and features a packed programme that combines industry-focused engagements with world-class entertainment. READ ALSO: Lagos offers 3-month rebate to…

Governor Seyi Makinde has called for immediate calm across Oyo State following a deadly “cross-border” attack by bandits that claimed the lives of five personnel of the National Park Service (NPS). The attack occurred late Tuesday night, at the National Park Office located in Oloka Village, within the Oriire Local Government Area. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the governor described the incident as a “devastating loss” of officers who were killed while performing their lawful duties to protect the state’s natural resources. READ ALSO: Makinde reshuffles cabinet, appoints new SSG in Oyo state Preliminary investigations by security agencies suggest that…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has raised a red alert over an orchestrated “campaign of calumny” aimed at undermining its leadership and blackmailing the agency into a “timid mode.” In a statement on Wednesday, the Commission revealed that a “motley crowd of paid jobbers”—including disgruntled politicians, academics, and certain Nigerian fugitives in the diaspora—have been recruited to launch sponsored media attacks against its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede. The EFCC identified a pattern of “phantom allegations” claiming political bias in its investigations. READ ALSO: VIDEO: Zamfara budget commissioner abuses naira, EFCC yet to act According to the anti-graft agency, these elements…

Former presidential of Labour Party leader, Peter Obi, has labelled the recent cancellation of nearly ₦8 trillion in debts owed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) as the pinnacle of “financial recklessness.” In a statement posted on his X page on Wednesday, Obi questioned why the government would forgive such a staggering sum for a company that claims to be profitable, while millions of Nigerians are “taxed into poverty” to cover revenue shortfalls. The former governor of Anambra State drew a sharp contrast between the debt forgiveness and the ongoing Senate investigation into ₦210 trillion in unaccounted funds…

In a move to bolster security and ease the financial burden on vehicle owners, the Lagos State Government has officially approved a three-month rebate window for the replacement of faded and unreadable number plates. The directive, approved by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, was announced on Wednesday, by the Permanent Secretary of the Motor Vehicles Administration Agency (MVAA), Rasheed Muri-Okunola. The initiative is part of the state’s renewed focus on road safety and standardised vehicle identification. READ ALSO: Lagos APC unveils statewide e-membership registration exercise According to him, clear and legible number plates are not just an aesthetic requirement but a critical pillar…