Author: Nationalmonitor

First Trustees Limited, a subsidiary of FirstHoldCo Plc., and a leading provider of fiduciary and trusteeship services in Nigeria, is encouraging individuals, professionals, entrepreneurs, and investors to view Estate Planning not as an end-of-life exercise, but as a strategic investment tool for protecting, preserving, and transferring wealth across generations. As more Nigerians focus on wealth creation through businesses, real estate investments, and other income-generating assets, experts are emphasizing that building wealth is only one part of the equation. Equally important is creating structures that ensure those assets remain protected, properly managed, and seamlessly transferred to succeeding generations in accordance with…

BY ABU-SATAR HAMED The recent criticism directed at His Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Kehinde Gbadewole Olugbenle, MFR, the Olu of Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, and his fellow traditional rulers over the rejection of a gift allegedly presented through Hon. Ladi Adebutu deserved a more balanced and objective assessment. Those who have condemned the actions of the monarchs should first ask themselves a simple question: Was the Olu of Ilaro expected to accept what many perceived as a “Trojan Horse” capable of undermining the collective aspiration of Ogun West at this crucial moment in its political history? For more than…

​The delicate balance of religion and politics in Nigeria has once again taken center stage as a fresh, heated debate erupts over the All Progressives Congress (APC) same-faith presidency. With political stakeholders across the country quietly laying the groundwork for the 2027 general elections, internal factions and external observers are deeply divided on whether President Bola Tinubu should retain a Muslim-Muslim ticket. The controversial strategy, which first paired Tinubu with Vice President Kashim Shettima, remains a highly sensitive flashpoint in a nation historically accustomed to ethno-religious balancing at the highest levels of governance. ​Proponents of the same-faith arrangement within the…

​World football governing body FIFA has issued an official update on the 2026 World Cup Golden Boot standings, confirming that France captain Kylian Mbappé has edged ahead of Argentina skipper Lionel Messi. Following the conclusion of a thrilling quarter-final stage, both global superstars find themselves deadlocked at the top of the scoring charts with eight goals each. Mbappé drew level in the goal-scoring metric after finding the back of the net in the 60th minute of France’s 2-0 victory over Morocco, setting up a blockbuster conclusion to the tournament’s individual prize. ​Despite the identical goal tallies, FIFA clarified that Mbappé…

​In a major breakthrough for national security, a coordinated joint task force has successfully rescued the 44 schoolchildren and teachers who were abducted from their classrooms in the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. The victims, who were violently seized on May 15, 2026, by suspected Ansaru terrorists, spent 56 traumatic days in captivity before being freed. The successful rescue has triggered spontaneous celebrations across Oyo State, bringing an end to nearly two months of agony and sleepless nights for the victims’ families. ​The high-stakes rescue mission was a meticulously planned, intelligence-driven operation that spanned more than a month.…

In a bold move to industrialise Zamfara State and unlock its vast mineral wealth, Governor Dr Dauda Lawal has officially commissioned a multi-billion-naira lithium mining and processing plant located in Boko village, within the Moriki Emirate of Kaura Namonda Local Government Area. The state-of-the-art facility, which represents an investment of over 200 million US dollars, marks a historic turning point in the state’s quest to move beyond raw mineral exportation and embrace full-scale local processing, value addition and industrial development. The commissioning ceremony drew a large gathering of traditional rulers, government officials, investors, community leaders and mining industry stakeholders who…

Infinix has officially announced Nigerian music sensation Qing Madias the face of its all-new HOT 70 Pro, marking the beginning of an exciting campaign that celebrates creativity, individuality and fearless self-expression.​ The partnership brings together one of Africa’s fastest-rising music stars and one of the world’s most youth-driven smartphone brands, united by a shared belief that young people should have the freedom to express who they are, push boundaries and shine unapologetically.​ Over the past two years, Qing Madi has become one of the defining voices of a new generation of African music. With hit records, millions of streams across…

The Executive Governor of Zamfara State, Dr Dauda Lawal P.hD has launched a landmark agricultural intervention programme in Zamfara State with the distribution of over 120 truckloads of fertilisers and essential farm inputs to smallholder farmers across the state as part of preparations for the 2026 wet-season farming cycle. The official flag-off ceremony was held yesterday Friday 11th of July at the Trade Fair Complex in Gusau, the state capital, drawing a large turnout of farmers, traditional rulers, agricultural extension workers and government officials who gathered to witness what the governor described as a turning point in the state’s quest…

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State, Senator Solomon Adeola a.k.a Yayi, has commended the traditional rulers in Yewaland, for rejecting a huge cash offer allegedly made by the governorship candidate of a faction of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon. Ladi Adebutu, during his consultative meeting with the Yewa Traditional Council at Ilaro. In a statement issued on Thursday, Senator Adeola described the reported action of the monarchs as a demonstration of integrity and a reaffirmation of Yewaland’s collective resolve this time around to support the aspiration of Ogun West Senatorial District to produce the…

We, Founding Leaders of the Otoge Movement, have watched with deep concern the recent attempts by a certain G15 group to appropriate the identity and legacy of the Otoge movement while simultaneously engaging in actions that we believe undermine the very principles upon which the movement was built. The Otoge movement was not created to serve the ambitions of politicians. It was a historic, people-driven movement championed by millions of Kwarans, home and abroad, who voted for accountable leadership, development, and better life outcomes. No individual, pressure group, or political bloc can lay exclusive claim to that collective struggle. It…