General News
China Replaces NigcomSat 1 Soon
Federal government has said that it will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with China Great Wall Corporation Company (CGWCC) to replace the damaged Nigeria Communications Satellite 1 (NigComSat1) in March this year.
China Great Wall Corporation Company was the firm that constructed NigComSat-1 which was powered down on November 10, last year due to crisis with the solar panel whose battery powers began to deplete from 42 amps to 33 and finally hitting 18 amps, necessitating its shut down
Alhassan Bako Zaku, minister of Science and Technology disclosed this at the inspection of some projects in National Space research Development Agency (NASRDA) in Abuja. According to him, under the contractual agreement signed between the Chinese firm and the Federal Government, the replacement will be at no cost to the Nigerian government.
The minister also revealed that arrangement has been concluded to launch Nigeria sat 2 in July 2009. He said: “I am pleased to inform you that the Nigeria Sat 2 is on scheduled. The space craft is presently undergoing Thermo vacuum test at SSTL facilities in U.K. The Space craft would be ready for launch in July 2009”
Zaku while recalling that in 2006, Nigeria signed the contract for the design, building and launch of a mini satellite with Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL), Guildford Surrey UK which include the establishment of an X, S band ground station, in Abuja disclosed that the new ground station building and the installed 7.3 meters antenna would be commissioned in April 2009.
The minister stressed that the Nigeria Sat 2 would continue to receive attention from the government because of its critical role in national security particularly in the monitoring of existing oil installation and other infrastructure.
According to him the 2.5 m resolution of the Nigeria Sat-2 is designed to help upgrade the present state of most of our cities and other aspect of land reforms of the administration and more importantly its expected role in the development of agriculture in the country and other environmental issue.
Commending on the ongoing project of the Assembly and Integrating Test Centre (AIT) Bako Zaku stressed that when completed and equipped will provide all the required facilities for our scientists/engineers to carry out research towards the building of our satellite here in Nigeria.
“The facility will be capable of handling satellite of up to one tonne. Nigeria will be capable of building satellite for other countries in future most especially other African countries and also competing with other satellite manufacturers all over the world”.
Other projects inspected at the Space Agency include Geo-spatial data bank and Library building which is expected to provide a standard information management system designed to stimulate industrial development, commerce, foreign investment and diversified economy.
“It is a powerful planning tool that will significantly improve the quality, efficiency and technical depth of decision making in the allocation of resources, environmental management, land use, agriculture mineral resources, urban planning,” he said.
According to him, it would also reduced duplication of efforts among agencies, improving quality, ensure easy accessibility to geo-spatial data and reduce cost in the acquisition of geo-spatial information data
Seidu Mohammed, acting director general of NARSDA in his remarks said funding is one of the major challenges facing the agency, and therefore called for the minister’s intervention to ensure adequate funding of the agency to enable it play its role in the development of the nation’s economy.
He said the space application could be used among others to ensure lasting peace and security in the Niger Delta and tackle insurgence of militants attack and illegal bunkering in the area.
According to Mohammed the yet to be launched Nigeria communication Satellite 2 (NigComSat2) will boost the economy and address illegal fishing on the nation ocean as well as supporting food security in country.
General News
Conoil Bonanza Winners Emerge

Conoil Plc is spreading joy this Valentine season as the first group of winners in its Valentine Bonanza promotion have been announced and rewarded. Launched on February 14, the campaign continues to delight customers at participating retail outlets.

The initial raffle draw, conducted on February 21, saw fortunate customers receive ₦10,000 worth of free petrol each. The draw was carried out publicly, with media representatives present to ensure full transparency. With the promotion still ongoing, more customers have the opportunity to join in and potentially be among the next winners.
A Conoil Management spokesperson explained that the initiative is a way to show appreciation to loyal customers for their ongoing support. “Our customers have responded impressively to the bonanza, with strong participation recorded across our stations,” the spokesperson said.
The second and final phase of the promotion is now in motion. Customers who purchase at least 10 litres of petrol at any participating Conoil station remain eligible to win in the grand finale raffle.
The grand finale is set for February 28 at 12 noon. Motorists in Lagos and Ogun states are encouraged to visit Conoil outlets to collect their tickets and take part in the exciting conclusion of this Valentine celebration.
General News
PalmPay Couples Show How Love Is Funded Digitally

PalmPay users took to the #LoveWithPalmPay campaign to show how experiences are powered through seamless banking.

It’s the month of love and social media has been filled with couples showing affection with gifts. As digital payments become embedded in everyday life, the way relationships are planned, funded, and experienced is evolving.
Recent insights from SBM Intelligence 2025 ‘Love in the Air’ report show that despite economic pressures, most Nigerians still set aside dedicated budgets for Valentine’s Day, with the largest percentage planning to spend between N51,000 and N100,000, while less than 5% are willing to spend above N500,000.
This growing intentionality highlights the need for platforms that help people manage their money more effectively, offering features like free transfers and tools that make it easier to send, track, and preserve funds while still showing up for meaningful moments.
Through the #LoveWithPalmPay campaign, PalmPay set out to show how the platform is enabling users to plan, pay, and celebrate meaningful moments with greater ease.
During the Valentine’s season, PalmPay invited couples across Nigeria to share their stories through the #LoveWithPalmPay campaign, celebrating how digital banking supports their individual expressions of love.
The campaign saw strong participation, with many PalmPay couples submitting entries that showcased how they use the app to plan surprises, pay for outings, and stay connected through everyday transactions.
From these entries, four couples were selected, each showcasing how PalmPay has enabled fast and reliable transactions in key moments.
One video from @simply.omotoshan, one of the selected couples, captures the role of seamless payments in making their spontaneous moments possible.
She said in her entry video: “Our cutest money moment with PalmPay was when we planned our Valentine’s picnic and realized we had forgotten half of the things we needed; literally, half of everything. We rushed to the mall to get cakes, food, decorations, and all the essentials. When it was time to pay, we used PalmPay.
“The transaction was smooth, fast, and stress-free. In no time, we were done setting up our Valentine-themed picnic with everything perfectly ready. Honestly, all our experiences with PalmPay have been easy and satisfying, but this one is definitely our cutest money moment. Thank you, PalmPay.”
A testimonial from the fourth selected couple, Mohammed and his wife, reflects his excitement: “Hello PalmPay, thank you so much for selecting us as one of the winners of the #LoveWithPalmPay campaign. We truly appreciate this. My wife and I are very grateful. Thank you, PalmPay, for the love and support. We’re so happy and thankful for the N100,000 reward. We love you, PalmPay, and long live PalmPay. Thank you so much.”
Beyond the feel-good stories, the campaign reflects a broader shift: fintech is no longer just about transactions, it’s about enabling experiences. Reliable payments, fast transactions, and accessible financial tools reduce the friction that can disrupt important moments, allowing users to focus on connection rather than logistics.
From paying for dinner to managing other expenses, PalmPay continues to demonstrate how digital financial services support modern relationships, proving that in today’s economy, love is not only felt, it’s funded digitally.
General News
KPMG Strengthens Africa Leadership to Support Long‑term Growth Across the Continent

KPMG has appointed Tola Adeyemi as Chief Executive Officer for KPMG in Africa, alongside the addition of Professor Olayinka David‑West and George Njenga as independent members of the Africa Governance Council (AGC).

Effective from March 2026, the appointments reinforce the firm’s leadership expertise, underscore a long‑term commitment to Africa and highlight confidence in the continent’s growth potential.
“Africa is one of the most dynamic and promising regions in the global economy, and KPMG is committed to playing a meaningful role in its growth story,” said Tola Adeyemi, incoming CEO for KPMG in Africa.
He continued: “It is a privilege to step into this role at such a pivotal moment for both KPMG and the continent. I look forward to building on our strong, connected and high‑performing base to deepen collaboration and deliver consistent quality and impact across our markets.”
KPMG is recognised globally for its commitment to quality, integrity and professional excellence, supported by a strong global network of member firms. Trust remains the foundation of the audit and accounting profession, with high standards of governance, ethics and audit quality increasingly demanded across Africa’s public and private sectors.
KPMG One Africa’s approach brings the continent closer together with strong leadership to strengthen cross-border collaboration and offer shared expertise and consistency which is business‑critical to help clients navigate complex risks and unlock sustainable growth opportunities.
Commenting on the appointment, Professor Ben Marx, Chairman of the Africa Governance Council, said: “Tola Adeyemi is exceptionally well positioned to lead KPMG One Africa. In addition to his global perspective as a member of the KPMG Global Council, he brings significant influence and credibility as a respected business leader across the continent.”
The appointments of Professor David‑West and Mr Njenga to the Africa Governance Council, which provides board level governance, further strengthens independent oversight, bringing strong academic credentials alongside deep strategic and business expertise.
“These appointments reinforce KPMG’s commitment to strong governance, accountability and leadership depth,” Marx added. “They complement our established African leadership team, in‑country managing partners and regional senior partners, further enhancing our client‑centric approach across Africa.”
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