By Ayomide Otitoju The Sultanate Council of Sokoto has declared Friday, March 20, 2026, as the first day of Shawwal 1447AH, marking the celebration of Eid-el-Fitr across Nigeria following the non-sighting of the crescent moon. The announcement was made in a statement issued by the council’s Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs in collaboration with the…
By Atomide Otitoju Bank of Tanzania has made an equity investment in Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), becoming a sovereign shareholder and further strengthening the institution’s capital base and pan-African ownership structure. The investment underscores growing confidence among African sovereign institutions in AFC’s mandate to mobilise long-term capital for infrastructure and industrial development across the continent….
By Ayomide Otitoju NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said Wednesday that member states are deliberating on the “best way” to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments. “I have been in contact with many allies. We all agree, of course, that the strait has to open up again. And what I…
By Ayomide Otitoju President Bola Tinubu began his state visit to the United Kingdom on Wednesday with a ceremonial reception at Windsor Castle. Accompanied by his wife, Remi Tinubu, the president was honoured with a 42-gun salute by the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery. Earlier, Prince William and Princess Catherine welcomed the Nigerian leader and…
By Ayomide Otitoju Senegalese football fans have reacted with outrage after the Confederation of African Football stripped their country of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title, awarding it to Morocco. Supporters labelled the move a “disgrace for Africa” and called for an independent investigation. Gora Ndiaye, a Dakar resident and driver, told AFP…
By Ayomide Otitoju The Kaduna State Police Command has implemented heightened security measures across the state ahead of the upcoming Eid-el-Fitr celebrations, assuring residents of a safe and peaceful festive period. In a Wednesday statement, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, said tactical commanders, intelligence operatives, and other personnel have been stationed at…
By Ayomide Otitoju Smartphone For All has secured international recognition for its efforts to bridge Africa’s digital divide, winning the 2025 Pinnacle Awards in the Telecoms and Wireless category for Digital Inclusion & Accessibility Champion, as well as the 2026 Merit Award for addressing the digital divide. The Pinnacle Awards, a global platform recognising innovation…
By Ayomide Otitoju Nigeria’s annual food inflation rate increased to 12.2 per cent in February 2026, up from 8.89 per cent recorded in January, signaling renewed pressure on household food costs. In its latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) attributed the rise to increased prices of key staples, including…
By Ayomide Otitoju The Afreximbank Academy (AFRACAD) has announced the commencement of registration for its 2026 Certificate of Trade Finance in Africa (COTFIA), a flagship programme aimed at strengthening trade finance capacity across the continent. According to AFRACAD, registration for the programme—open to banking professionals and other practitioners in trade finance—will close on May 31,…
