Author: Faith Babatunde

Four years after its South African owners exited, Shoprite is struggling to remain afloat in Nigeria. Stores in Ilorin and Ibadan are shut, while branches in Lagos and Abuja face empty shelves and thinning customer traffic. Once Nigeria’s retail giant with over 25 outlets, Shoprite reshaped urban shopping culture after its 2005 launch. But inflation, forex volatility, rising rents, and stiff competition have eroded its grip. Since local investors took over in 2020, recovery has been slow and uncertain. At Abuja’s Jabi Lake Mall, shortages have lasted for months, leaving staff worried about job cuts. Management has promised restocking after…

When it comes to nails, colour says it all. Some shades whisper corporate chic, others scream vacation vibes, while a few carry that timeless aura of quiet luxury. The quiet luxury trend, all about understated elegance over flashy labels, has taken over fashion and beauty and your nails can join the conversation. Here are five nail colours that perfectly capture that polished, sophisticated, and effortlessly chic aesthetic: 1. Deep Dark Purple A shade tied to royalty and mystery, dark purple nails strike the perfect balance between moody and elegant. They’re dramatic without being flashy, romantic without being too soft. Pair…

Cardi B is pregnant again her first child with NFL wide receiver Stefon Diggs. In a pre-taped interview with Gayle King on September 17, 2025, the rapper confirmed the rumors, saying she feels “strong, powerful,” and ready to balance motherhood with her career. The baby is due before her February 2026 tour. Already mom to Kulture, Wave, and Blossom from her marriage to Offset, Cardi will now blend families with Diggs, who has a daughter from a previous relationship. Their relationship has been in the spotlight since late 2024, when dating rumors began following Cardi’s split from Offset. Key moments…

In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, creators and hospitality businesses often face similar struggles, creators battle with monetization and brand partnerships, while hospitality businesses struggle to stand out in a crowded market. Bridging this gap is RegalRise, a hybrid agency that merges talent management with brand marketing solutions, empowering both creators and hospitality brands to thrive.We sat down with Adebayo, the founder of RegalRise, to learn more about the vision behind the brand, its unique approach, and the impact it’s making.Q: Please briefly introduce your business or organization and describe its activities.Adebayo: RegalRise is a hybrid agency combining talent management for…

The newly established Zephyrgold Foundation, humanitarian arm of Zephyrgold International Limited, has launched its first project by paying school charges for 100 students and donating educational materials. At the event in Abuja, a foundation representative, Akure, said Zephyrgold International has built infrastructure across 30 states for over 20 years, but the foundation created in May 2025 was set up to “build lives and communities.” Each of the 100 beneficiaries, 50 JSS2 and 50 JSS3 students, had their ₦5,200 charges fully covered, while hundreds of exercise books and biros were also distributed. Akure said the long-term goal is to replicate the…

The Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) has distributed improved crop seeds to farmers in Maja-kura, Nguru LGA, Yobe State, as part of a UNDP-supported climate change adaptation project. NCF Coordinator, Mr. Harry Junior, said the initiative includes plans for a community seed bank to preserve varieties such as soybean, cowpeas, sorghum, and millet for future seasons. Farmers will exchange crop residues after harvest for seedlings, with residues processed into animal feed to generate income. The project will also train youths in feed processing and engage women in packaging and sales, boosting household income and empowerment. Dr. Michael Nkereuwem of Federal University…

As food prices continue to soar, nutrition experts are urging Nigerians to embrace cheaper but nutritious protein alternatives to beef, chicken, and fish. Prof. Wasiu Afolabi, former President of the Nutrition Society of Nigeria, advised households to consider both conventional and unconventional sources of protein to prevent malnutrition. “Now, as for cooking, there are alternatives. These include beans, soybeans which can be processed and also some unconventional protein sources, such as edible insects,” Afolabi told Punch. He noted that Nigerians once consumed crickets, termites, toads, and frogs as part of their diets, though such practices are fading among younger generations.…

Nigerians in South Africa have raised alarm over renewed xenophobic harassment, with women reportedly forced to give birth on bare hospital floors after being denied access to public facilities. The disturbing trend has been linked to Operation Dudula, a vigilante-style group accused of blocking foreigners from receiving medical care. Reports also indicate patients have been discharged without treatment, heightening fears of another wave of xenophobic violence. Frank Onyekwelu, President of the Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa, described the denial of healthcare as “another form of xenophobic attack” against foreigners, while Smart Nwobi of the Nigerian Union said the group…

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become one of the most transformative technologies of the 21st century, revolutionizing industries and changing the way humans live and work. From simple voice assistants to advanced self-learning systems, AI exists in different forms, each serving unique purposes. To understand its impact, it’s important to explore the five main types of AI and the benefits they bring to society and businesses. 1. Reactive Machines Reactive machines are the most basic type of AI. They operate solely on present data, without storing past experiences or learning from them. A famous example is IBM’s Deep Blue, the chess-playing…

Former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has been transferred to the medical wing of Bangkok’s Klong Prem prison due to age-related and chronic health issues, a senior corrections department official confirmed on Monday. The move comes days after Thailand’s Supreme Court ordered the 76-year-old telecoms billionaire to serve a one-year sentence, ruling that he had improperly spent a previous jail term in a hospital suite instead of a prison cell. Thaksin, one of Thailand’s wealthiest and most divisive political figures, remains a central figure in the country’s political drama. His daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, was dismissed as prime minister last month…