Day: July 7, 2024

Court orders Buhari’s minister Sadiya Umar Farouk to account for N729bn payment to poor Nigerians

Emporium Reporters

The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, in a landmark judgment, has ordered Ms Sadia Umar-Farouk, former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disasters Management and Social Development to account for payments of N729bn to 24.3 million poor Nigerians for six months.   The court also ordered the former minister to provide the list and details of the beneficiaries who received the payments, the number of states covered, and the payments per state.   The judgment was delivered in June by Justice Deinde Isaac Dipeolu following a Freedom of Information suit number:…

As Wike plots to “fail” Ireti Kingibe – Ikechukwu Amaechi

Emporium Reporters

THE Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, is a cantankerous old fossil – irascible, quarrelsome and testy, no doubt. Whether as a local government chairman, chief of staff, minister or governor, he is bad-tempered, cranky and grouchy; a man not only at war with himself but perpetually with others. This is not the quality of a good leader even if the person is dubbed “Mr. Projects,” whether deserved or otherwise.   Leadership demands a healthy dose of humility. But as governor of Rivers State for eight years, Wike was at…

The Trump Test for American Democracy ,by Simon Kolawole

Emporium Reporters

I grew up being made to understand that everything about the United States of America was a model to the rest of the world. “In America” was a constant recourse in public discourse — whether we were talking about democracy, constitutionalism, federalism or public accountability. Anything American was the best for the world. It was one country where every detail of the life of a top public official, or an intending one, was examined by the media and the public. It was one country where if the president or governor…

DG seeks for more stakeholders’ support for NYSC

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Director General of National Youth Service Corps, Brigadier General YD Ahmed has appealed to stakeholders especially State Governors to upscale their statutory responsibilities to the Scheme.   He said this would enhance the efforts of NYSC in contributing to national unity, youth empowerment and socio-economic development of the country. The Director General disclosed this while speaking on the sidelines of his visit to NYSC Lagos State Orientation Camp in Iyana-Ipaja.   He also advised Corps Employers not to reject any Corps Member posted to their establishments for primary assignment,…

Police arrest suspected ritualist while attempting to kill 10-Year-Old Boy in Kwara

Emporium Reporters

The Kwara State Police Command has arrested a suspected ritualist during an attempt to kill a 10-year-old boy. The command said it received a distress call about the attempted culpable homicide and subsequently arrested the suspected ritualist. A statement by DSP Toun Ejire-Adeyemi, the spokesperson for the state police command on Sunday said, “According to information received from the police at C Division, on the 2nd of July 2024 at about 1800 hrs, a report was received from Onidoko Police Post indicating that at about 1730 hrs, an incident occurred…

Samoa Agreement: No clause on LGBT, $150b for Nigeria – Bagudu

Emporium Reporters

The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, yesterday said there was no clause on $150 billion for Nigeria in Samoa Agreement.   He said what Nigeria signed was the “Partnership Agreement between the European Union and its Members States and members of the Organization of the Caribbean and Pacific States”.   He denied that the agreement had anything to do with the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) rights.   He said Nigeria’s signing of the agreement was accompanied by a declaration clarifying its understanding of…

Remarks by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, held on Saturday, July 6, 2024, at the National Press Centre, Abuja

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has maintained an open arm relationship with the media. It is in line with the philosophy of the President as an avowed democrat who spent a lifetime fighting for the entrenchment of democracy and human rights.   This administration has remained very tolerant of media criticism and guaranteed citizens’ rights to freedom of expression. It is however disheartening that some elements are abusing this free environment guaranteed by the Government. We are alarmed by the level of reckless reporting and statements by…

God’s Word is guaranteed when spoken declares Rev. Babatunde Idowu

Emporium Reporters

By Dr. Afolabi Olajuwon     The Foursquare Gospel Church, Wuse District Headquarters, witnessed an extraordinary Sunday service on July 7, 2024, that left attendees deeply touched and spiritually rejuvenated. The service commenced with a vibrant and Spirit-filled choir ministration that prepared the hearts of the congregation for the prophetic message that was to follow.   Rev. Dr. Babatunde Idowu then mounted the pulpit, delivering a sermon titled “Divine Visitation Unto Positive Turnaround,” drawing from the Scripture texts Genesis 21:1-8 and Luke 7:11-16. His message was profound, reinforcement, and filled…

We’ve fully restored National grid after collapse – TCN

Emporium Reporters

The Transmission Company of Nigeria TCN on Sunday said the national power grid has been restored following Saturday’s embarrassing collapse.   Ndidi Mbah, the spokesperson of TCN described the collapse as partial, saying that “there was a partial disturbance of the grid at about 15.09Hrs yesterday, 6th July 2024.”   She said the incident “brings to three, the partial grid disturbances, with one total disturbance this year.”   The TCN image maker added that the grid collapse is suspected to have been caused by the unexpected tripping of three units…

Bandits kidnap Two Kaduna Journalists, Wives, Others

Emporium Reporters

Gunmen suspected to be bandits in large numbers on Saturday night invaded Dahjonu Community in Millennium City of Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State and abducted two journalists;The Nation’s Abdulgafar Alabelewe and Blueprint newspaper’s AbdulRaheem Abdu as well as their wives and children.   Alabelewe is also the current chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Kaduna State Council.   One of the victims’ family member, Taofeeq Olayemi, who confirmed the incident, said the bandits invaded the area around 10:30pm and shot indiscriminately before carrying…