Author: Nationalmonitor

The race for silverware and European qualification continues across Europe this weekend, with decisive fixtures in the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A and Ligue 1. The standout attraction comes on Sunday night at 8:00 PM as Barcelona host Real Madrid in a potential title-clinching El Clásico. Fans can catch all the action live on SuperSport on DStv and GOtv. Premier League: Arsenal Push Forward as Top-Four Pressure BuildsThe Premier League title race remains tense heading into another crucial round of fixtures. Arsenal maintain a narrow advantage at the summit, while Man City continue their pursuit with little room left…

As part of efforts to promote SMEs and strengthen support for operators in the informal sector, Unity Bank has continued to empower small-scale traders and shop owners across Nigeria through its initiative called Shop Collateralised Facility, SHOCOF. SHOCOF is an innovative loan product, and Unity Bank has disbursed over N500 million to beneficiaries, significantly improving access to financing, and further driving financial inclusion. Originally introduced as a targeted intervention for traders in Southeast Nigeria, SHOCOF quickly gained traction and broad acceptance for its flexibility and tailored structure, prompting the Bank to expand the product nationwide. Under the initiative, eligible customers…

…Profit Rises to N321bn; FY Revenue Tops N3.4tn The Resilient Pivot: How FirstHoldCo Decoupled from the Past to Secure the Future​The story of FirstHoldCo Plc over the last fifteen months is one of calculated sacrifice followed by a swift, powerful resurgence. It is a narrative of a financial giant that chose to “reset” its foundation in 2025 to ensure its dominance in 2026. ​2025: The Year of the Great Reset​For FirstHoldCo, 2024 was a year of massive paper profits, but 2025 was the year of transparency. Under the leadership of Group Managing Director Wale Oyedeji, the Group made a strategic…

L-R: Deputy President, Valorem Inductees Class, Fidelity Bank Plc, Olamide Wilson; Team Lead, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Fidelity Bank Plc, Victoria Abuka; Director, JKS Special Needs Academy, Abuja, Nifemi Ajileye; Team Lead, Human Resources Business Partner, Abuja and North, Fidelity Bank Plc, Aishatu Sambo; and President, Valorem Inductees Class, Fidelity Bank Plc, Ekeh Adaora; at the Fidelity Helping Hands Programme (FHHP) CSR Outreach in Abuja recently. Leading financial institution, Fidelity Bank Plc, through the Fidelity Helping Hands Programme (FHHP), has funded critical support for the JKS Special Needs Academy in Abuja to ensure continued shelter and care for vulnerable children.…

Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has received the Award of Excellence from the National Social Safety Nets Coordinating Office (NASSCO) in recognition of his administration’s commitment to inclusive governance and social protection delivery. The award was presented during a stakeholder engagement event with local government chairmen, held at the Transcorp Congress Hall in Abuja. NASSCO, a federal agency operating under the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, is responsible for implementing social safety-net programmes designed to protect and empower vulnerable populations across Nigeria. In her remarks while presenting the award, the National Coordinator of NASSCO, Dr. Funmi…

Zenith Bank Plc has announced the appointment of Engr. Mustafa Bello as the Chairman of its Board of Directors. The appointment, which takes immediate effect, has been approved by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and ratified by shareholders at the Annual General Meeting held on May 5, 2026.Engr. Bello’s appointment represents a strategic step to ensure the continuity, stability, and sustained effectiveness of the Board, while reinforcing the high standards of corporate governance, regulatory compliance, and strategic oversight for which Zenith Bank is widely respected. He joined the Board of Zenith Bank Plc on 29 December 2017 and has…

Comrade Adewale Ojeleye, a seasoned journalist, is ramping up his grassroots mobilization efforts as he aims to represent the Ifako-Ijaiye 01 Constituency in the Lagos State House of Assembly (LAHA) under the All Progressives Congress (APC). Speaking during engagements with a diverse array of stakeholders, including community leaders, market men and women, artisans, youth groups, and religious organizations, among others, Ojeleye reiterated his commitment to purposeful representation and effective governance that truly listens to the people’s needs. He assures constituents that his representation in the Lagos State House of Assembly will focus on their best interests. Ojeleye, a grassroots mobilizer,is…

Ahead of the party primaries scheduled by the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2027 election, leaders in Eti-Osa, Lagos, have endorsed a lawmaker, Noheem Adams, as consensus the Lagos State House of Assembly. Adams, representing Eti-Osa Constituency 1, is the Majority Leader of the Lagos Assembly. In three different letters addressed to the APC Secretariat and leadership of the party in Lagos, the leaders and residents indicated their trust in the lawmaker’s ability to galvanise residents for success. They also affirmed what they described as his effective representation and loyalty to the party and people of his constituency. One…

In a decisive move to set the record straight, the Deputy Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Lateefat Bolanle Ajayi, has firmly distanced herself from the reported endorsement of a candidate for the Yewa South State Constituency seat.Speaking through a statement e-signed and released to the media on Sunday, May 3, 2026, Rt. Hon. Ajayi clarified that she was neither consulted nor invited to the alleged meeting where the decision was said to have been reached.The meeting, according to reports, purportedly took place at the Governor’s Lodge in GRA, Ilaro-Yewa, Ogun State.The Deputy Speaker also debunked…

Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal has declared that the effectiveness of any administration is directly dependent on the strength and unity of its political foundation. The Governor made the statement on Saturday while participating in the All Progressives Congress (APC) state congress held at the Trade Fair ground in Gusau. According to a press release from his spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, the event saw 745 delegates from 147 wards across the state’s 14 local government areas elect a new State Executive Committee via consensus. The process was overseen by a congress committee led by Kaduna State Deputy Governor, Dr. Hadiza…