Month: January 2023

Gov Sani Bello orders political appointees to attend Zonal campaign rally

Emporium Reporters

Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello has directed all political appointees to attend the All Progressives Congress (APC) Zone B flag-off Campaign Rally.   A statement issued by Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Ahmed Ibrahim Matane further explained that the flag-off of the Rally is slated to hold on Tuesday 24th January, 2023 at Suleja, Suleja Local Government Area of the State.   The SSG urged all the Political appointees to comply effectively with the directive.    

2023 ELECTIONS: DSS holds strategic workshop for State Directors, Heads of Institutions

Emporium Reporters

Between 18th and 21st January, 2023, the Department of State Services (DSS) at its National Headquarters, Abuja held a four day Strategic Workshop for its State Directors of Security and Heads of Institutions. The workshop was part of the Service’s preparedness for the general elections.   During the exercise, the Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmood Yakubu presented a keynote address on the preparation of the Commission towards the election. He assured the Service of the Commission’s determination to deliver free, fair and credible election. Also, the…

Illegally employed workers remain disengaged – Osun Govt

Emporium Reporters

The Osun state government has maintained that those illegally employed by former Governor Gboyega Oyetola are no longer in the employment of the state government and no amount of blackmail can change that reality. Reacting to the pocket of demonstration by members of the All Progressives Congress(APC) employed towards the tail end of the last government, the State Government in a statement by the Special Assistant, Community Communications to Governor Ademola Adeleke, Mr Tunde Busari, noted that Mr Oyetola deliberately padded the state payroll with APC members to create stage…

MURIC charges NBC,others to ban Portable’s ‘Kuku Do Ritual’

Emporium Reporters

An Islamic human rights organisation, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has condemned an album released by a Pop singer, Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as ‘Portable’ entitled ‘Kuku Do Ritual’.for having the potential to encourage ritual killing and misleading Nigerian youth.       MURIC gave this charge in a statement released on Monday, 23rd January, 2023 by its director, Professor Ishaq Akintola.   The statement reads :   “Popular pop singer, Habeeb Okikiola, has released a new album under the title ‘Kuku Do Ritual’ in which part of the lyrics…

Betty Akeredolu and her husband’s ‘side chic’, by Kazeem Akintunde

Emporium Reporters
Rotimi-Akeredolu

Since he came down with a health challenge, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has managed to keep the media and, by extension, Nigerians, out of his personal business. In fact, when the governor was flown out of the country in April last year to seek treatment in a German Hospital, the rumour mills went on overdrive as there was an unconfirmed report that Arakunrin was seriously sick and could probably be dead. However, a video soon surfaced online where the Governor was seen having breakfast with some of his…

Danbatta Bags Award for Exemplary Leadership in Public Service

Emporium Reporters

The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta was at the weekend in Lagos, decorated with an Award of Exemplary Leadership in Public Service.   The award was conferred on Danbatta at the 12th Anniversary Lecture and Award of Nigerian NewsDirect, one of the long-standing media players in the Nigerian Communications industry, at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos on Friday.   Danbatta, who was represented at the event by the Director, Public Affairs, Reuben Muoka, said it was…

Pacific Drilling Ltd not involved in Borehole Projects – Osun Govt

Emporium Reporters

The Osun state government in a statement signed by Oladele Bamiji (HOB), Senior Special Assistant (Media) to the Executive Governor Ademola Adeleke has denied a report making its rounds on media space that alleged that Pacific Drilling Limited was the contractor for the 332 borehole projects now ongoing across the state. The state government described it as a wicked lie that can only originated from an estranged individual who is being driven with hatred and bile.   The statement read in part; “The ongoing portable water provision programme is a…

Atiku, El-Rufai, Udenta and the vindication of ‘Esu Odara’ By Tunde Olusunle

Emporium Reporters

Scholars are divided over what the most appropriate description and perception of Esu in Yoruba cosmology should be. The more widely held notion about Esu, is to make it the lexical parallel of Satan or the devil, in the English language. Esu within this context, connotes evil and devilry in all its ramifications. He is the purveyor and conveyor of wickedness, mischief, anguish, grief, even negativity in totality. Esu in popular perception, is mean-spirited, malevolent, devious, vile. The list goes on. This dimension to the Esu persona, considered as a…

THE COMMUNIQUE OF THE MAIDEN NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL OF THE CONGRESS OF UNIVERSITY ACADEMICS (CONUA) ISSUED AT THE END OF THE MEETING HELD ON SATURDAY 21ST JANUARY 2023 AT THE OBAFEMI AWOLOWO UNIVERSITY, ILE-IFE, NIGERIA.

Emporium Reporters

The Congress of University Academics (CONUA) held her maiden National Executive Council (NEC) meeting from 20th – 22nd January 2023 at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. Members were accredited from 15 Federal and State Universities while 11 Universities sent in apologies, due to logistics.   At the opening ceremony was the representative of the Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. (Dr.) Chris Nwabueze Ngige in person of Mr. Clement Fatoki.   The meeting discussed the constitution of the Union and adopted it having satisfied the purpose of the Union,…

Five Common Errors about Nigeria (I) – Simon Kolawole

Emporium Reporters

Nigeria is a rich country. You have heard this a million times, haven’t you? What exactly do people mean by “Nigeria is rich”? They believe we have enough money to build all the roads in every nook and cranny of the federation, provide piped water to every house, build world-class hospitals in every village, and provide free primary, secondary and tertiary education — and still have plenty to spare for petrol and electricity subsidies and free healthcare for 200 million people. The biggest problem, they say, is corruption and waste.…