Year: 2017

The NGO Bill and Resisting Threats to Democracy

Emporium Reporters

Since the return of democracy in 1999, whenever civil society has come out with expose about corruption, bad governance or repression, the response by a few people in the legislature is to propose a Bill to shut up civil society. It’s a futile exercise because the Nigerian human rights spirit is irrepressible and the Nigerian people deeply believe in democracy even if some of their leaders do not. Nigerian legislators travel a lot and in their trips to Ethiopia, Egypt and Russia, they found out that these countries have established…

Gareth Bale Rescues Madrid at FIFA Club World Cup

Emporium Reporters

Gareth Bale scored the winner for Real Madrid in the second semi-final of the FIFA Club World Cup in the United Emirates, as they slugged it out with home favourites Al-Jazira. The vital goal in the 81st minute, moments after replacing Karim Benzema propelled Madrid into the final billed for Saturday, giving them an opportunity to win the cup for the third time and match the tournament record of their Spanish rival, Barcelona. Madrid will face the Brazilian team Gremio, the Copa Libertadores champions, who beat Pachuka, the Mexican team,…

FG Generates N17bn from VAIDS

Emporium Reporters

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) says that the Federal Government has realised the sum of N17 billion from the Voluntary Asset and Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS) inaugurated in July. Mr Babatunde Flower, the FIRS Executive Chairman, said this in Lagos on Wednesday, at a media workshop on VAIDS. Flower said that the N17 billion was voluntarily paid by some companies through VAIDS, an amnesty programme inaugurated by the government for taxpayers to regularise their tax status relating to previous tax periods. According to him, the initiative is making progress…

Judiciary now Victim of Corruption , says former CJ

Emporium Reporters

Justice Ibrahim Auta, a former Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, says the judiciary, especially the judges have become victims of corruption allegation in the country. Auta made the assertion during the conferment of Award of Excellence on him by the Society Watch Media Ltd. (SWML), an NGO, on Wednesday in Abuja. He said that because judges were barred from speaking to the press, most of the corruption allegation leveled against them often appeared to be true. The former chief judge said that corruption perceptions about judges were becoming…

Joy Ezechikamnayo Becomes One Day Governor of Abia State

Emporium Reporters

An SS3 student and senior prefect of Intellectual Giants Christian Academy, Umuahia, Miss Joy Ezechikamnayo became first One Day Governor of Abia State, She was sworn in by Abia State Governor Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu on Monday in the state capital, Umuahia.     The new Governor, Her Excellency, Miss Joy Ezechikamnayo took over power in Abia State for 24 hours.     Joy Ezechikamnayo was joined by members of her executive council drawn from all the LGAs of Abia State.   Born 18th March 2003, Joy Ezechikamnayo, is the daughter…

Before You Call The Wedding Planner By Funke Egbemode

Emporium Reporters

Marriage is becoming a risky business by the hour. Instead of enlarging the family, it is reducing it. When your son or daughter marries, you expect grandchildren as dividends. Now, your initial investment gets liquidated in a pool of blood, without recourse to you. One infuriated sick and weak girl just grabs a kitchen knife and carves up your son in a flash, ripping out your heart and dreams of being surrounded by happiness in your old age. One silly boy in a moment of uncontrollable blinding fury stabs your…

GOVERNOR SANI-BELLO REITERATES COMMITMENT TO RURAL INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT … flags -off Rural roads Maintenance Program

Emporium Reporters
Gov Sani Bello

Niger State Governor,Alhaji Abubakar Sani-Bello has reiterated his administration commitment to infrastructural development in rural areas in other to improve social economic activities in the state. He expressed this at the flagging off of the Community-based Rural Roads Maintenance Scheme, held at Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi International Conference Center, Minna. Governor Abubakar Sani-Bello applauded the first phase of Rural Access Mobility Project (RAMP) in which 176 kilometres of rural roads were constructed adding that the project has continued to enhance the economic growth of rural communities in line with the…

NGO Bill Suffers Setback, Gets Zero Support At Hearing

Emporium Reporters

None of the persons who appeared before Nigerian lawmakers on Wednesday expressed support for the bill to regulate non-governmental organizations, NGOs. A public hearing on the bill was held at by the House of Representatives at the National Assembly complex in Abuja. At the hearing, all the attendees, including a Catholic cleric, Matthew Kukah, and a former lawmaker, Abdul Oroh, opposed the bill. The bill seeks to, among others, create an NGO Regulatory Commission to regulate NGO’S and civil society organizations, CSOs. The bill, sponsored by a lawmaker, has been…

2018 EMBLEM LAUNCH: GOV SANI-BELLO SOLICITES SUPPORT FOR ARMED FORCES …donates 10 million

Emporium Reporters

Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani-Bello has launched the 2018 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Emblem Appeal Week with a call on Nigerians to support the Armed Forces to enable them discharge their duty of ensuring security in the country.   While announcing a cash donation of N4Million and another N6Million for the redemption of last year’s pledge, Governor Sani-Bello expressed the need for the ex-servicemen and their families to be supported having sacrificed their lives for the continued existence of the country. The Governor noted that the Armed forces as…

Address Health Challenges facing women – Aisha Buhari urges stakeholders, privileged Nigerians

Emporium Reporters

Wife of the President, Mrs.Aisha Muhammadu Buhari has described maternal and child mortality as a serious health challenge, which requires support from all quarters before it can be tamed.Aisha Muhammadu Buhari made this known at the commissioning of a new Maternity Complex built and equipped by the Aisha Buhari Foundation on Tuesday in Daura, Katsina State.   She called on stakeholders and well-to-do Nigerians to put in their best to achieve this. “As I commission this building today, I do so with gratitude to Allah (SWT) and fervent prayers that…