Asia’s manufacturing sector experienced a slowdown in May as weak demand from China and the ongoing impact of U.S. tariffs—particularly on automobiles—continued to weigh on export-driven economies, according to new data released Monday. A survey conducted by S&P Global and obtained by Reuters showed that Japan and South Korea—two of the region’s largest economies—remained in…
By Ayomide Otitoju A South African court on Monday launched a long-awaited inquest into the 1985 killings of four anti-apartheid activists, a case that remains one of the darkest chapters of the apartheid era and continues to haunt the nation’s pursuit of justice. The so-called Cradock Four—teachers Fort Calata, Matthew Goniwe, Sicelo Mhlauli, and railway…
Russian and Ukrainian officials are set to meet on Monday in Istanbul to exchange proposals aimed at ending the war that has raged for over three years, marking Europe’s most devastating conflict since World War II. The high-stakes diplomatic effort comes a day after Ukraine claimed responsibility for one of its most successful attacks to…
By Ayomide Otitoju A delegation from Ogun State, led by Deputy Governor Noimot Salako-Oyedele, arrived in Kano on Monday to condole with the government and families of 22 athletes who died in a tragic road accident over the weekend. Salako-Oyedele, delivering a message on behalf of Governor Dapo Abiodun, announced that the Ogun State Government…
By Ayomide Otitoju The Federal Government has declared Friday, June 6 and Monday, June 9, 2025, as public holidays to mark this year’s Eid-ul-Adha celebration. The announcement was made by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on behalf of the Federal Government. He congratulated the Muslim Ummah in Nigeria and across the world, urging…
By Ayomide Otitoju Global credit rating agency Fitch Ratings has affirmed Fidelity Bank Plc’s Long-Term Issuer Default Rating (IDR) at ‘B’ and upgraded its National Long-Term Rating to ‘A+(nga)’ from ‘A(nga)’, reflecting the bank’s improved capital strength and robust profitability. The upgrade, announced on May 29, 2025, is driven by Fidelity Bank’s recent capital raise…
By Ayomide Otitoju In a landmark achievement for financial inclusion in Nigeria, FirstBank has announced the disbursement of N1 billion in a single day through its innovative Firstmonie Agent Credit Scheme. The digital lending initiative, launched in 2020, is designed to empower Firstmonie Point-of-Sale (POS) agents—many of whom operate in underserved and rural communities—by providing…
By Ayomide Otitoju The United States Supreme Court on Friday delivered a significant legal victory to former President Donald Trump’s administration, allowing it to move forward with revoking the legal status of more than 500,000 migrants previously protected under a humanitarian parole programme. In a 6-3 decision, the court granted an emergency appeal by the…
By Ayomide Otitoju As Muslims across Nigeria prepare to celebrate Eid al-Adha, known locally as Ileya, this year’s festivities are unfolding under the weight of economic hardship, with soaring prices of livestock and food items dampening the traditional spirit of sacrifice and generosity. Rooted in the Quranic account of Prophet Ibrahim’s (Abraham) willingness to sacrifice…
