Year: 2019

What Everyone is Missing About the “Hate Speech” Bill By Farooq A. Kperogi, Ph.D.

Emporium Reporters

Both the proponents and opponents of the so-called Hate Speech Bill in the Nigerian Senate don’t seem to realize that the bill itself is fundamentally rooted in, and nurtured by, crass and deep-seated ignorance of the very meaning of “hate speech.” Hate speech doesn’t mean speech that hurts the sensibilities of government officials. Nor does it mean any speech that incites and insults individuals. It simply means speech that besmirches—and incites violence against— a community of vulnerable and marginalized people who are easy targets because of their invariable group attributes…

Killings in SA: We are glad that Justice has been done – Dabiri-Erewa

Emporium Reporters

Chairman/CEO Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) , Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa has expressed satisfaction over the justice meted out to the police officer that killed a Nigerian in South Africa. In a statement issued by the Head of Media and Public Relations Unit of the Commission, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, she said ” We are glad that justice has been done”. ” We had always stated that there has to be consequences for actions. We are glad that this case finally came to an end and South Africa has demonstrated the political will…

COA Media Calls for Nomination Voting for the 5th Plateau Man of The Awards

Emporium Reporters

The organizers of Plateau Man of the Year Awards ,COA Media has announced date for the nomination and voting for the 5th edition of the awards. Plateau Man of the Year Awards it is centrally boardered on appreciating diversity and critically analyzing issue of enduring significance. It is geared at recognizing and celebrating distinctive individuals and institutions that are contributing to the advancement of Plateau, and are making impact across the State and Nigeria. The Awards also serves as a platform to recognize and celebrate talents, icons, captain of industries,…

NDDC Budget: Senate to ignore Akpabio’s interim committee

Emporium Reporters

The Senate has mandated its committee on Niger Delta to work with the newly approved board when considering the 2019 and 2020 budget of the Niger Delta Development Commission and not the interim committee inaugurated by the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio. The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, gave the directive during plenary on Thursday. “Let me reiterate that you deal with the governing board that this Senate approved,” he said as he directed the committee to consider the request of President Muhammadu Buhari and report back in two…

Natasha Akpoti: Can she buck the trend? By Praise Olowe

Emporium Reporters

Natasha Akpoti warmed her way to the hearts of Nigerians in 2015 when she addressed the National Assembly to advocate for the revival of Ajaokuta Steel Mill in Kogi state. A candidate for the Kogi Central Senatorial election in February 2019, she was also the only female candidate in the Kogi state gubernatorial election where she emerged as one of top three contenders. Holding her fort in an election described by international and local observers as fraught with violence and irregularities, Akpoti, who contested under the platform of the Social…

EXCLUSIVE: Nigeria’s move to Extradite Adoke Hit by Legal Deadlock

Emporium Reporters

The Interpol is in a fix over Mohammed Bello Adoke, the former attorney-general of the federation (AGF), after detaining him for over two weeks without being able to extradite him to Nigeria, TheCable understands. Interpol arrested Adoke in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on November 12, 2019 based on a “Red Notice” sent by the Nigerian authorities after an Abuja court issued a warrant of arrest against the former minister. TheCable previously reported that there was confusion in Interpol after Adoke, who had gone to Dubai for a scheduled medical check-up, showed them…

FG Launches Campaign To Repatriate Looted,Smuggled Artifacts

Emporium Reporters

The Federal Government has launched the Campaign For The Return and Restitution of Nigeria’s Looted and Smuggled Artifacts from around the world. The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, launched the campaign at a press conference in Lagos on Thursday. “With this announcement, we are putting on notice all those who are holding on to Nigeria’s cultural property anywhere in the world that we are coming for them, using all legal and diplomatic instruments available. Gentlemen, we are under no illusion that this will be an easy task,…

Nigeria Exploring Culture, Tourism To Strengthen Relations With South Africa – Lai Mohammed

Emporium Reporters

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said Nigeria will continue to explore culture and tourism as veritable platforms to strengthen its ties with South Africa. The Minister stated this in Lagos on Thursday at a meeting with the South African Minister of Tourism,Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane. “We have always believed that culture and tourism are very effective platforms and avenues for cementing relationship between the two countries. “A few years back, we did actually put in motion the machinery for cultural exchanges between Nigeria and South Africa and…

We will Not Abandon You , FG Assures South African Returnees

Emporium Reporters

The Federal Government of Nigeria has assured South African returnees that it will not abandon them to their plights, as all efforts were on to continue the rehabilitation and empowerment programmes. Giving the reassurance in her office on Thursday, the Chairman/CEO of Nigerian in Diaspora Commission Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa told a South African widow returnee, Mrs. Yinka Iyoha, that the federal government will not abandon all Nigerians brought back to the country as a result of xenophobic attacks. The widow’s plight attracted attention from Multichoice Nigeria who graciously donated a…

I Am Committed To Press Freedom In Nigeria – Gov Sani-Bello

Emporium Reporters

Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger state has expressed full support for the freedom of the press and also said he was open to constructive criticisms which he described as pointers towards the right direction for the government to follow. Governor Sani Bello stated this when he received the National Executives of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), led by its National President, Chief Chris Isiguzo at Government House, Minna. Governor Sani Bello noted that genuine criticisms were meant to expose the lapses of government and other political office holders…