Month: August 2024

House of Reps to Reconstitute Ad-hoc Oil and Gas Investigative Committee

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Leadership of the House of Representatives has resolved to dissolve the current ad-hoc Joint Downstream and Midstream Committee. The committee initially tasked with investigating the importation of adulterated petroleum products, the non-availability of crude oil for domestic refineries, and other critical energy security issues,will be succeeded by a newly constituted ad-hoc committee with the same mandate. “To ensure the efficacy and independence of this investigation, the new committee will consist of honourable members selected for their expertise, competence, and integrity. “The House remains committed to addressing these vital issues…

The protest, M̀gbekē and her cutlass By Festus Adedayo

Emporium Reporters

There is this anecdote in Igboland of M̀gbekē and her cutlass. By the way, M̀gbekē is a synonym for an unrefined and unsophisticated girl. Each time M̀gbekē’s farmer colleagues visited her in the farm, they saw haphazardly tilled land and a female farmer lazily fondling her farm implement. Whenever Mgbeke was asked the reason for her snailish work, she complained of an old and ineffectual cutlass. Knowing M̀gbekē as the female version of Nnoka, Okonkwo’s lazy father in Things Fall Apart, it was difficult to believe the implement was the…

Tinubu, beware the gathering dark clouds (1), by Hassan Gimba

Emporium Reporters

This was published on 10/05/2024, precisely five months ago. Was I clairvoyant? No, the signs were there for all to see. Did anybody give a hoot? Hmmmmn! Well, here is a repeat. I do not want to believe that in a country of nearly 250 million people, I am the only one who thinks there is a gathering of ominous dark clouds over our dear country beginning in the North. I cannot afford that foolish and lazy thought even if I wanted to dream so, because it is that type…

Connection Between Grace & Faith: A Descriptive Report on Sermon Delivered by Rev. Dr. Babatunde A. Idowu

Emporium Reporters

By Dr. Afolabi Olajuwon     Date: August 4, 2024 Location: Foursquare Gospel Church, Wuse District Headquarters, Abuja Minister: Rev. Dr. Babatunde A. Idowu, Senior Pastor and Wuse District Overseer. On this auspicious Sunday, the Foursquare Gospel Church in Wuse, Abuja, reverberated with the melodies of divine worship as the choir delivered a spirit-filled ministration. Following this uplifting experience, Rev. Dr. Babatunde A. Idowu approached the pulpit, exuding a profound sense of urgency and passion. He began his sermon with a resounding declaration: “Divine Assistance by Grace!” This proclamation set…

BROADCAST BY PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU, PRESIDENT ON THE NATIONWIDE PROTEST DATE: SUNDAY 4TH AUGUST 2024

Lukman Laleye Babalola

My fellow Nigerians,   1. I speak to you today with a heavy heart and a sense of responsibility, aware of the turmoil and violent protests unleashed in some of our states.   2. Notably among the protesters were young Nigerians who desired a better and more progressive country where their dreams, hopes, and personal aspirations would be fulfilled.   3. I am especially pained by the loss of lives in Borno, Jigawa, Kano, Kaduna and other states, the destruction of public facilities in some states, and the wanton looting…

BREAKING: Tinubu to address Nigerians Sunday by 7 am

Lukman Laleye Babalola

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will address the nation in a broadcast on Sunday, August 4, 2024, at 7:00 am.   Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday evening, August 3, 2024.   According to him, Television, radio, and other electronic media outlets are enjoined to plug into the network services of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) for the broadcast.   “The broadcast will be repeated on the network services of the NTA and…

Police arrest #EndBadGovernance protesters in Abuja

Emporium Reporters

The Police have arrested some of the protesters who converged on the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja as the #EndBadGovernance protest entered Day 3.   The police picked them up outside the stadium, which was approved for the protest.   Conveners of the protest had demanded to use Eagle Square for convergence but they were denied access.   Authorities of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) had obtained a court order which restricted the protesters to MKO Abiola National Stadium. However, on day three of the protest, the protesters had stayed…

The North may not be home again By Abdullahi O Haruna Haruspice

Emporium Reporters

The recent protest in northern Nigeria, which took a violent turn, should ultimately serve as a stark wake-up call not only for the government but also for the northern elites. The escalating crisis highlights the perilous task ahead, as a significant portion of the population has become directionless due to the collapse of our traditional value system.   The erosion of trust in leadership is alarming, as people no longer regard traditional and religious leaders as credible sources of guidance. Instead, the rampaging population has become self-proclaimed leaders, providing dangerous…

Hunger Protests: 1 killed, 3 injured in Abuja as protests continue in Lagos

Emporium Reporters

Abuja: Operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS) on Saturday killed a protester while three others were injured at MKO Abiola Stadium, Abuja after they fired gun shots into the air. The protesters had converged at the stadium under heavy security provided by a joint security taskforce after they were denied access to Eagle Square in compliance with a court order. Some minutes earlier, the protesters were tear gassed at the Berger roundabout in Wuse Zone 6 from where they marched to the stadium singing solidarity songs. Meanwhile, despite…

Endorsements and the power-brokers (2) By abiodun KOMOLAFE

Emporium Reporters

Obafemi Awolowo, Nnamdi Azikiwe and Ahmadu Bello endorsed candidates, leveraging their influence and reputation. Awolowo reportedly supported Joseph Fadahunsi (1960), Ayo Akinsanya (1960) and Adekunle Ajasin (1979). Azikiwe backed Michael Okpara (1960), C. C. Onyia (1963) and Chukwuemeka Ojukwu (1966) while Ahamadu Bello endorsed Tafawa Abubakar Balewa (1959), Kashim Ibrahim (1962) and Usman Faruk (1985). Their endorsements carried weight due to regional influence, party leadership, national stature and grassroots connections.   Awolowo’s vast network and loyal following could make or break candidates, boost credibility, mobilize support, shape party decisions and…