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TRIBUTE: The Dotun Oladipo I Knew - Rasheed Bolarinwa

The news of the passing of Dotun Oladipo hit me this morning with a profound sense of loss. Nigeria has lost a distinguished journalist, media entrepreneur, and advocate of ethical journalism. But beyond the public tributes and professional accolades, I have lost a friend, ally, confidant, and brother. My relationship with Dotun dates back to the late 1990s when we were colleagues at The Punch newspapers. Even then, he stood out as a journalist of uncommon conviction - calm, principled, and deeply committed to the ideals of responsible journalism. We shared similar beliefs about the role of the media in society: to inform truthfully, act responsibly, and serve the public interest. Our bond endured long after our paths diverged professionally. While I moved into corporate communications and banking, Dotun continued to distinguish himself in journalism, eventually founding The EagleOnline and rising to become President of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP). Our friendship...

Eastern Marine Command Intercepts 680 cartons of smuggled cosmetics, 112 pneumatic tyres

The Eastern Marine Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) had intercepted 680 cartons of smuggled cosmetics and 112 pneumatic tyres along the Oron Ibaka- Cameroon waterways, preventing potentially dangerous products from reaching the Nigerian market. According to a statement from the command, officers made the seizures during an intelligence-led operation in the Eastern waterways, as part of efforts to curb smuggling and enforce compliance with import regulations. Speaking on the development, the Acting Comptroller of Eastern Marine Command, Deputy Comptroller of Customs (DC) Esien Etim Essiet, said the operation aimed to protect lives and safeguard legitimate businesses from the consequences of illicit trade. He disclosed that the 112 pneumatic tyres were found to be unsafe, substandard and improperly stored, conditions which could expose motorists and other road users to tyre failure, blowouts and potentially fatal accidents. He added that the 680 cartons of cosmetics were inte...

Fidelity Bank to Unlock Growth Opportunities for Northern Businesses with Quarterly Business Forum in Kano

Leading financial institution, Fidelity Bank Plc, is set to host the next edition of its Quarterly Business Forum on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, in Kano, bringing together business owners, entrepreneurs, industry leaders and key stakeholders to explore opportunities for business growth and sustainability across Northern Nigeria. The Kano edition builds on the success of the Bank’s previous Quarterly Business Forum held in Port Harcourt, which provided business owners and entrepreneurs with practical insights, valuable industry connections, and opportunities for sustainable business growth. Themed “Positioning Northern Businesses for Growth,” the forum will spotlight the opportunities and trends shaping the business landscape in the region. Discussions will focus on practical strategies for strengthening business operations, enhancing financial management, improving access to finance, leveraging digital solutions, expanding market reach and building businesses that are positioned fo...

PBAT Receives DG NIMASA At the State House Reaffirms Commitment to Maritime Development

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR has received the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola, at the State House, Abuja, where issues bordering on the development of Nigeria’s maritime sector were discussed. During the meeting, Dr. Mobereola briefed the President on developments within NIMASA over the past two years, highlighting the progress recorded by the Agency as well as some of the challenges confronting the industry. During the briefing, according to a press statement issued by Head of Public Relations Unit of NIMASA, Osagie Edward, President Tinubu, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the continuous development of Nigeria’s maritime industry. He noted that the creation of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy was a deliberate step towards ensuring that the maritime sector contributes more significantly to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). While commending NIMASA for the progress recorded so fa...

NIMASA Strengthens Enforcement of Cabotage Compliance

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has announced enhanced enforcement of the statutory requirements for indigenous participation in Nigeria’s Cabotage trade and maritime activities. This disclosure was contained in a marine notice issued pursuant to the Agency’s statutory mandate of implementing applicable laws including the NIMASA Act 2007 and the Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabotage) Act 2003, in addition to the Cabotage regulations and implementing guidelines. Under the enhanced enforcement regime, all persons and entities requiring vessels for Cabotage operations are required to use vessels that meet applicable Nigerian ownership, registration, manning and construction requirements and are duly registered in the Special Register for Vessels and Ship Owning Companies Engaged in Cabotage. The Agency further requires all vessels, owners, operators, charterers, managers and other stakeholders engaged in Cabotage activities to maintain valid statutory certi...

Fidelity Bank Deepens Food Relief Efforts, Supports Over 1,000 Families in Kogi State

Leading financial institution, Fidelity Bank Plc, has continued its efforts to address food insecurity and support vulnerable households with the distribution of essential food items to more than 1,000 families in Kogi State through its Fidelity Food Bank Initiative. The outreach programme, held at the Youth Centre in Lokoja, reflects the bank's commitment to fostering positive social impact in communities across Nigeria. Since its launch in April 2023, the Fidelity Food Bank has reached hundreds of thousands of beneficiaries nationwide, providing critical support to families facing economic hardship while contributing to the attainment of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2 – Zero Hunger. Speaking at the distribution exercise, Regional Bank Head, North Central II, Fidelity Bank Plc, Mrs. Blessing Onwumere, described the initiative as one of the bank's most far-reaching Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) interventions. According to her, the programme was ...

Fidelity Bank Deepens Commitment to Food Security in Abeokuta

L-R: Team Lead, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Fidelity Bank Plc, Victoria Abuka; Fidelity Food Bank Partner, Rev. Fr. Michael Domingo; Cathedral Administrator, Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, Catholic Dioceses, Rev. Fr. Dominic Olagbaju; and Branch Leader, Fidelity Bank Plc, Sagamu, Titilola Odede, during the Fidelity Food Bank distribution excercise As part of its efforts to alleviate hunger and support livelihoods across Nigeria, leading financial institution, Fidelity Bank Plc, has donated more than 2,000 food packs to residents in Abeokuta, Ogun State, through its Fidelity Food Bank Initiative. The distribution exercise, held at St. Peter and Paul Catholic Cathedral, Itesi, Adatan, Abeokuta is part of the bank's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme focused on supporting vulnerable populations and expanding access to essential food supplies. Speaking at the event, the bank's Regional Bank Head, South West 1, Folaranmi Jemirin, disclosed that Fidelity ...

Apapa Customs Strengthens Government’s Revenue for National Development With ₦28 Billion in 24 Hours

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Area Command, has recorded another historic revenue milestone, generating Twenty-Eight Billion, One Hundredand Two Million, Nine Hundred and Fourteen Naira, Sixty-One Kobo (₦28,102,000,914.61k) only within 24 hours on Tuesday, 18 August 2026, the highest single-day revenue collection ever recorded by the Command. The feat surpasses the previous daily record of ₦20.1 billion, achieved in September 2025, shortly after the assumption of office of the present Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba. The new record comes barely weeks after the Command achieved an unprecedented ₦323 billion monthly revenue collection in July 2026, further demonstrating the sustained impact of reforms, improved compliance, enhanced trade facilitation, intelligence-driven interventions and the increasing efficiency of digital Customs processes. According to a statement from the Public Relations Officer of the command, Chief Superintendent of Customs...

Union Bank of Nigeria Attains PCI DSS v4.0.1 Certification

Union Bank of Nigeria on 11 August 2026, attained certification under the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) version 4.0.1, the foremost global standard governing the protection of payment card account data. PCI DSS sets a baseline of technical and operational requirements designed to safeguard environments in which payment card account data is stored, processed or transmitted. Certification confirms that a bank securely stores, processes and transmits its customers’ credit and debit card information, strengthening protection against payment card data breaches and financial fraud, while reinforcing public and customer confidence. The assessment covered a broad scope of the Bank’s operations, including network infrastructure, card issuance, ATM and POS transaction acquiring and payment processing, reconciliation, settlement, chargeback, dispute resolution and retail banking. Union Bank was assessed and certified in the Service Provider category. Certification...