
Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc GTCO held a press briefing in Lagos to announce details for the ninth edition of the GTCO Food and Drink Festival. The festival, themed “Everything Food and Drink,” will take place from Friday, May 1 to Sunday, May 3, 2026, at the GTCentre in Victoria Island, Lagos. Over 6,000 applications were received from vendors, with more than 200 selected to receive free retail stalls. These vendors will showcase a variety of culinary offerings, from traditional to contemporary global cuisine. Organizers stated that space constraints from previous editions have been addressed in collaboration with the Lagos State Government, and security arrangements have been strengthened. The festival will include masterclasses, live culinary demonstrations, food and wine tastings, and a marketplace for small, medium, and established food businesses. Segun Agbaje, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the bank, described the festival as a cultural and economic enabler that promotes innovation, opportunity, and enterprise, bringing people together through food and drink.
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BreakingUS President Donald Trump and the First Lady were unharmed following a shooting incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington, D.C., on Saturday night. The United States Secret Service confirmed that a suspect has been taken into custody, with investigations ongoing in collaboration with local law enforcement. The shooting occurred near the main security screening area at the Washington Hilton, the event venue, where hundreds of journalists, politicians, and guests had gathered. Witnesses reported hearing gunshots shortly after 8:30 p.m., causing panic and leading to the swift evacuation of top officials, including Vice President J.D. Vance and cabinet members. President Trump praised security agencies for their quick and brave response, noting that the shooter had been apprehended. Organizers confirmed that the president would address the press and plans to possibly reschedule the event within 30 days. The White House Correspondents’ Dinner is an annual gathering celebrating press freedom in the United States. Authorities have not yet released full details about the suspect or possible casualties.

Nigeria experienced a 21 percent increase in newly arrived asylum-seekers, totaling 322 additional persons, during the first quarter of 2026. Concurrently, the backlog of refugees awaiting formal registration decreased by 3,613 within the same period. Data from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees UNHCR and the Federal Government, through the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, indicates that the total refugee and asylum-seeker population in Nigeria slightly reduced from 142,064 in December 2025 to 138,900 by March 2026. The primary driver of refugee flows into Nigeria remains the Anglophone crisis in Cameroon, with Cameroonians accounting for 86 percent of the total refugee population. Most of these refugees are concentrated along the border states, particularly Cross River, Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, and Akwa Ibom. The second-largest group originates from Niger Republic, though their numbers decreased during the quarter due to voluntary return movements. Other source countries include Syria, Sudan, and the Central African Republic. Women constitute 57 percent of the refugee population, children under 17 make up approximately 50 percent, and the elderly account for five percent. The Federal Government has granted Temporary Protection Status to 86,000 Cameroonian refugees through June 2027. A former Nigerian Ambassador to Singapore, Ogbole Amedu-Ode, emphasized Nigeria's international obligations to asylum-seekers while also
Must ReadThe Nigerian Presidency recently issued statements clarifying the departures of several ministers, including the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, and the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Musa Dangiwa, stating they resigned voluntarily and were not sacked. This clarification followed an initial memo from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation announcing a "minor cabinet reshuffle" and the President's approval for their departure. Public skepticism persists, however, as Nigerians often view such exits as dismissals, a perception rooted in a political culture where officials rarely resign voluntarily. The article notes that this is not the first time the Presidency has clarified exits, citing similar situations with the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and other former officials. The piece suggests that these 'soft landings' are designed to preserve the dignity of departing officials. In other news, President Tinubu received Letters of Credence from new ambassadors and high commissioners and expressed Nigeria's solidarity with Gulf states following recent attacks, while the First Lady, Mrs. Tinubu, met with the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, to discuss Nigeria's security crisis, emphasizing its complex socio-economic roots over religious interpretations.

Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle has confirmed that financial discussions are underway concerning his contract with the Nigeria Football Federation. Chelle stated that his representative is handling the negotiations, while he remains focused on his coaching duties and upcoming assignments. His current deal extends until January 2027. Chelle emphasized his commitment to team preparation and player assessment, especially after Nigeria secured a third-place finish at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. He plans to scout domestic talent in Nigeria Premier Football League games and evaluate uncapped Nigerian players abroad. Nigeria is preparing for the 2026 Unity Cup in London, where they will defend their 2025 title, starting their campaign against Zimbabwe on May 26. Additional international friendlies against Poland and Portugal are scheduled for June.