TJAA to celebrate Ndubuisi Ugbede @70 with symposium - ITREALMS

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The Times Journalism Alumni Association (TJAA) has advanced plans to celebrate its former Director, Mr. Ndubuisi Ugbede, as he turns 70 in April, 2025, with a symposium, reports ITREALMS.

The symposium with the theme "TJAA Celebrating Ndubuisi Ugbede @70" ITREALMS gathered would take place on Thursday, April 10, 2025, at the NUJ Council Secretariat, (Ladi Lawal House) 9A Iyalla Street, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, at 10:00am prompt.

South Korea and Nigeria: A tale of two 'States of Emergency' by Ginger Ekeh- ITREALMS

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The past few months have seen dramatic political developments in South Korea and Nigeria, two nations grappling with internal crises that have tested the resilience of their democratic institutions. In South Korea, President Yoon Suk Yeol’s short-lived declaration of emergency martial law in December 2024 triggered a swift backlash, culminating in his impeachment by the National Assembly.

Meanwhile, in Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State on Tuesday, March 18, accompanied by the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, has raised questions about executive overreach and the safeguarding of democratic principles.

Tinubu names Olukayode Gregory, pioneer registrar of new Federal University - ITREALMS

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Dr. Obayomi Olukayode Gregory as the Pioneer Registrar of the newly established Federal University of Medicine and Medical Sciences in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

This appointment marks a significant milestone in the development of the university, which was established in 2023.

FirstBank: Cementing tech-driven SME dominance in Africa @Asian Banker Awards'25 - ITREALMS

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The First Bank of Nigeria Limited, a stalwart in the African financial landscape, has recently once again distinguished itself by clinching the prestigious "Best SME Bank in Nigeria" and "Best SME Bank in Africa" awards at the 2025 Asian Banker Global Excellence in Retail Finance Awards for the second consecutive year, reports ITREALMS.

These accolades, renowned for their rigorous evaluation and transparency, underscore FirstBank's unwavering commitment to empowering Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) through innovative, tech-enabled solutions.

USPF Secretary applauds ITU, UK-FCDO’s partnership on Nigerian rural connectivity - ITREALMS

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The Secretary of the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Mr. Yomi Arowosafe, has commended the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (UK FCDO), for their collaboration with Nigerian government to deepen rural connectivity for socio-economic development of the country.

Arowosafe gave the commendation at an Industry-Focused Stakeholders Engagement Session which was organised in Lagos over the weekend by the USPF in in collaboration with the UK FCDO and the ITU. The session built on USPF’s ongoing efforts to facilitate the achievement of wide network connectivity coverage in unserved and underserved communities across Nigeria.

Dangote suspends sales of petroleum products in Naira - ITREALMS

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The management of Dangote Petroleum Refinery has temporarily halted the sale of petroleum products in Naira, reports ITREALMS.

This decision, ITREALMS gathered, has become necessary to avoid a mismatch between "our sales proceeds and our crude oil purchase obligations, which are currently denominated in U.S. dollars."

Asian Banker Awards: FirstBank maintains dominance in SME banking across Africa by Tosin Ajayi

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Through a legacy of excellence and Innovation, First Bank of Nigeria Limited, the country’s oldest and most distinguished financial institution, has once again solidified its reputation as a leader in the banking industry. 

The Bank was recently crowned the Best SME Bank in Nigeria and the Best SME Bank in Africa at the 2025 Asian Bankers Awards for the second year running. The Asian Banker Global Excellence in Retail Finance Awards are renowned for their rigour, prestige and transparency, celebrating excellence across financial services, technology, risk management and transaction finance.

These prestigious recognitions reaffirm FirstBank’s unwavering commitment to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), a sector that serves as the backbone of Nigeria’s and Africa’s economy. For over a century, First Bank of Nigeria Limited has been instrumental in the nation’s financial evolution, pioneering innovative banking solutions and fostering economic growth.

Tinubu declares state of emergency in Rivers State, appoints sole administrator amidst escalating political crisis - ITREALMS

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In a dramatic turn of events, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, effective March 18, 2025, reports ITREALMS.

This decision, announced in a nationwide broadcast, comes amidst a prolonged and intensifying political crisis that has gripped the oil-rich state.

Palliatives: Dangote donates 80,000 bags of rice to Lagos residents - ITREALMS

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… Sanwo-Olu says Dangote prioritize Nigerians’ welfare above profit

The Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF) has flagged off the distribution of 80,000 10kg bags of rice to the vulnerable in Lagos state.

President of Dangote Group and Chairman of the foundation, Aliko Dangote, who was represented by an Executive Director, in the Group, Hajiya, Marya Dangote noted that the gesture is part of the over one million 10kg bags of rice that would be distributed to reach one million vulnerable people in the 774 local government areas of the country.

Attack on Journalist @PH: MRA condemns Church members, demands perpetrators prosecution - ITREALMS

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The Media Rights Agenda (MRA) today condemned the brutal assault on a Port Harcourt-based broadcast journalist, Mr. Precious Amadi, by members of Salvation Ministries Church in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and called on the Federal Government and law enforcement agencies to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident and ensure that all those responsible for the attack are identified, prosecuted, and punished.

Mr. Amadi was reportedly brutally beaten and left unconscious by members of Salvation Ministries after he posted a report on his Facebook timeline about a fire outbreak at the church premises located at 17 Birabi Street in Port Harcourt.

Dangote returns @Ogun State: Plans to build 6 Mta Itori cement plant, Olokola seaport - ITREALMS

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The Africa's foremost industrialist and President of the Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, has disclose his plan to build in Ogun State, a multi-billion-dollar Seaport, which will be the largest in Nigeria. He also said two new lines with a capacity of 6.0 million metric tons per annum, (Mta), for the cement plant is being constructed at Itori.

Addressing the Ogun State Executive Council led by the Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun during a courtesy visit, to the governor in his office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, Dangote said he has decided to return and invest in Ogun State because of the Prince Dapo Abiodun administration's vision and deliberate policies that focus on attracting investors, as well as the investor-friendly climate that exists in the state.

Allegation of fraud is false says FirstBank - ITREALMS

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The management of FirstBank has declared as unfounded and false, a media report making a round over an alleged fraud by a customer, Dr. Agbai Eke, reports ITREALMS.

An official press statement available to ITREALMS, the bank informed they have been made of a recent publication by Thisday Newspaper, Arise Television and a video circulating, regarding a court case filed by a customer, Dr. Agbai Eke, against FirstBank.

It's official! Darey.io, Xterns.ai launch in Nigeria, revolutionizes learning, opportunities - ITREALMS

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It is now true that Darey.io and Xterns.ai have been officially launched in Nigeria, reports ITREALMS.

Founding Chief Executive Officer (fCEO) Darey.io and Xterns.ai, Mr. Dare Olufunmilayo, told ITREALMS at the weekend during the formal launch, that Darey.io, is Africa’s first Contextual Learning Platform (CLP) and just like his story which began some 15 years ago as a fashion designer in Yaba, Lagos, “anyone can launch their tech career using our framework. That's why we are darey.io.”

Tribute to Rotimi Olaleye: How I escaped with wife, child but lost mechanic, car to Otedola Bridge tanker fire by Dotun Oladipo - ITREALMS

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I write this from a point of pain and gratitude. Pain because of the death of a hard working and honest man, Rotimi Olaleye, who is both a great father, as attested to by his children who he has been taking care of single handedly since his wife died about five years ago, and an honest and diligent auto mechanic, as confirmed by his clients, including yours truly. We met less than a week before his death, but he left an unforgettable impression on me, even in death.

Gratitude? I was less than 10 seconds away from where Mr. Olaleye was when the fire that took his life occurred with my wife and first child.

Final funeral rites for Lolo Esther Okoye, Ms Juliet Okoye comes up in April 2025 - ITREALMS

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The family of late Lolo Esther Ekemma Okoye (Arubaluezeama nee Agwuemeka), aged 93years and Miss Juliet Chiamaka Okoye, aged 31, has announced their final funeral rites, reports ITREALMS.

Elder George M. Okoye (Asiliasonyeukwu Isuaniocha) disclosed this on behalf of the family.