Month: February 2024

JUST IN: Police rescue 14 abducted Abuja-bound passengers in Kogi

Emporium Reporters

The Nigerian Police Force has rescued 14 abducted Abuja-bound passengers in Kogi State.   The passengers in two buses belonging to GIG and ABC Transport companies were kidnapped last Friday at Inyenle, Ogugu in Olamaboro local government area of Kogi State while coming from the Eastern part of the country.   But on Thursday, the spokesperson of the Kogi State Police Command William Aya, said they have regained their freedom following a combined effort of the military, police, hunters, and vigilantes.   However, he did not give further details of…

Interconnect debt dispute between Glo and MTN resolved – NCC

Emporium Reporters

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has announced that the interconnect debt dispute between MTN Nigeria Communications Plc. (MTN) and Globacom Limited (Globacom) has been amicably resolved. In accordance with this resolution, the disconnection approval granted to MTN for the disconnection of Globacom has now been withdrawn. Following its initial Public Notice, the Commission with the aim of mitigating any potential disruptions to subscribers undertook further regulatory intervention, by mediating between the parties and facilitating the reconciliation process. The Commission in a statement signed by Director, Public Affairs,Reuben Muoka, further reiterated…

Speaker Abbas laments non-Compliance to Safety Standards

Emporium Reporters

The Speaker, House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas has raised concerns over disregard and non-compliance to safety standards and regulations by some public and private institutions across the country.   The Speaker expressed the concerns on Thursday in Abuja, while delivering his address at the inauguration of 10th House Committee on Safety Standards and Regulations and formal launch of its Strategic Document.   Represented by the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, the Speaker noted that the right of citizens to a safe and decent place of work,…

PISE-P, NIGCOMSAT unveil digital hub for young entrepreneurs in S’ East … as Deputy Speaker, Kalu lauds Tinubu, S/East Governors’ efforts toward peace, security

Emporium Reporters

As part of its key programs for the region, the Peace In South East Project (PISE-P) on Thursday, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT), where a model was unveiled for Community Enterprise Digital Hub, to be established across the five states of the South East region.   Recall that, the PISE-P, an initiative of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu was recently launched in the South East region to champion peace and other non-kinetic means of…

Speaker Abbas raises Nigerians’ hope amidst Hardship, insecurity …… Lists measures towards addressing the challenges

Emporium Reporters

The Speaker, House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen has acknowledged the concerns of Nigerians on the current state of the economy, security and other issues, assured them of doubled efforts towards addressing the issues. At a world press conference at his office in Abuja on Thursday, the first of its kind since he assumed speakership of the House on June 13, 2023, Speaker Abbas noted that the conference was dedicated to “addressing some of the most pressing national issues we face.” He said: “As the Speaker of the largest…

BREAKING: Speaker Abbas swears in 12 new House of Reps members

Emporium Reporters

The Speaker,House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas has sworn in twelve new members representing various Federal Constituencies on   The exercise which occurred on Thursday, February 8, 2024, at the plenary, followed their victories in last Saturday’s parliamentary re-run elections.   Although a total of 15 candidates were victorious at the polls, 12 winners were on the floor of the House for their swearing-in at a session presided over by the Speaker of the House, Mr Abbas Tajudeen.   Of the 15, seven are of the All Progressives Congress, five from…

DEMOCRACY BACKSLIDE AND THE FUTURE OF ECOWAS POST EXIT OF THREE NATIONS By Law Mefor

Emporium Reporters

This Tuesday, in Abuja, the Save Democracy Group – West Africa (SDG-WA) and the Abuja School of Social and Political Thought (TAS) held a policy dialogue. They expressed alarm about the shortcomings of democracy, especially in West Africa, the sub-continent where the majority of Black people live, as seen by the military’s increasing reentry into governance. The departure of three founding members of ECOWAS served as the impetus for the shared policy dialogue under reference.   The partnering NGOs said that they will establish a West African Democracy Observatory (WADO)…

BREAKING: APC chieftain,Cairo Ojougboh dies while watching AFCON

Emporium Reporters

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Delta State, Dr Cairo Ojougboh is dead.   The former House of Representatives member NewsBand gathered, died on Wednesday night while watching the AFCON 2023 semi-final match between Nigeria and South Africa. A source speaking on the unfortunate development said, “As soon as a penalty kick was awarded against Nigeria during the AFCON match with South Africa on Wednesday’s semi-final clash in Bouake, Ivory Coast, he slumped”. Meanwhile, the family of late Dr Cairo Ojougboh is yet to issue a statement in…

Cross River Govt off sets N440m WAEC fees for 16,301 indigenes

Emporium Reporters

The Cross River State Executive Council has approved the payment of WAEC fees for 16,301 indigenes of public schools in the state. The State Government will be offsetting the payment with N440, 127, 000 (Four Hundred and Forty Million, One Hundred and Twenty-seven Thousand Naira) being for students writing the Senior Secondary School Certificate. The State Governor, Bassey Otu said the present economic situation characterized by high cost of living required some palliative measures in the education sector to ameliorate the hardship of parents in meeting the educational responsibilities of…

Gov Otu sets performance parameters for cabinet members

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Cross River State Governor,Bassey Otu has tasked members of the State Executive Council (SEC) to brace up for optimal performance to justify their appointments.   The Governor gave the charge at the first Executive Council Meeting for 2024 held at the Council of Chiefs Chamber, Calabar on Wednesday, February 7, 2024.   “With the successful ending of 2023, and our entrance into 2024, it behoves on us all to sit up to our responsibilities and increase the happiness of those whose destinies have been placed on us to govern,” the…