General News
FG Declares National Emergency over Ebola

Nigeria’s war on Ebola moved a notch higher yesterday as President Goodluck Jonathan proclaimed a national emergency to control and contain the spread of the virus which has already claimed the life of a Nigerian.
One hundred and thirty-nine other Nigerians across the country are under surveillance.
A sum of N1.9billion is being released under a Special Intervention Plan to strengthen the anti-Ebola campaign.
Dr. Reuben Abati, special adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, told State House correspondents that the funds will be used for the establishment of additional isolation centres, case management, contact tracing, deployment of additional personnel, screening at borders and the procurement of required items and facilities.
The President had met stakeholders at the State House on the Ebola threat.
The Federal Ministry of Health is to “work in collaboration with the state ministries of health, the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other relevant agencies to ensure that all possible steps are taken to effectively contain the threat of the Ebola virus in line with international protocols and best practices.”
President Jonathan urged that the movement of corpses from one community to the other and from overseas into the country be stopped forthwith.
“Every death should be reported to the relevant authorities, and special precautions should be taken in handling corpses,” Abati said while religious and political groups, spiritual healing centres, families, associations and other bodies were asked to discourage gatherings and activities that may unwittingly promote close contact with infected persons or place others at risk for the meantime.
Similarly, President Jonathan pleaded with state governments and private day care, nursery, primary and secondary school owners to consider the option of “extending the current school holiday until such a time when a national reassessment of the level of the Ebola threat is conducted.”
Public enlightenment agencies, including privately-owned media organs, were told to “support government’s efforts and disseminate correct information in all Nigerian languages about preventive personal hygiene measures, the nature of the Ebola virus, modes of transmission and consequential steps to be taken in the event of infection.”
The public was advised to desist from spreading false information about Ebola which can lead to mass hysteria, panic and misdirection, including unverified suggestions about the prevention, treatment, cure and spread of the virus.
He also applauded the good work of health authorities at both state and federal levels who traced persons who had contact with late Patrick Sawyer, isolated other identified cases and embarked on massive public enlightenment.
Abati said: “As the effective implementation of the Federal Government’s Special Intervention Plan will require other stakeholders to take certain precautionary steps that are supportive of the government’s initiative, the President calls on members of the public to follow all directives by health authorities and report any suspected Ebola case to the nearest health facility for immediate medical attention.
“The President further directs the National Emergency Management Agency and similar agencies at the state level to strengthen their public enlightenment campaigns and to use their networks to distribute hand sanitisers and other protective items nationwide.
“He has also directed the aviation and health authorities to embark on immediate intensification of the screening of travellers at all the nation’s borders.
“Medical workers and other health professionals are expected to regard this declaration of a national emergency as a patriotic call to duty and service,” he stated.
At the stakeholders’ meeting were Vice President Namadi Sambo; Minister of State for Health Khaliru Alhassan; Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke; Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; Foreign Affairs Minister of State II Nurudeen Mohammed and Permanent Secretary of the Health Ministry.
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 one Africa, alongside the addition of Professor Olayinka David‑West and Dr. 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 One 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 Dr 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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