Day: November 21, 2024

The Trouble with Giving to Caesar ,By Azu Ishiekwene

Emporium Reporters

It’s a famous story in Christendom. Palestine, a vassal territory under the Roman Emperor Caesar, was obliged to pay tributes and taxes to Rome. A radical teacher in the territory, Jesus, taught things that the teachers of the law and local administrators in Palestine were uncomfortable with.   After setting traps for him but missing, they pitted him against Caesar by asking him a question that could have gotten him in trouble and possibly gotten rid of him for good.   “Is it lawful to pay taxes?” the Pharisees asked…

In the Eye of the Storm: NAHCON’s Commitment By Ahmed Muazu

Emporium Reporters

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), celebrated as a model for African Hajj operations, is now at the center of national scrutiny. Allegations of financial mismanagement against some of its past leadership has led to growing public distrust, placing the commission under an uncomfortable spotlight. The dismissal of Malam Jalal Arabi as Chairman/CEO of NAHCON marked a significant turning point in the commission’s history. For an organization that is 18 years old since it’s formation and tasked with coordinating the journey of 95,000 Nigerians to the hajj, navigating challenges…

No Altercation between Akpabio, Bamidele – Senate Leader Media Office

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Directorate of Media and Public Affairs,Office of the Senate Leader,Senator Opeyemi Bamidele has refuted reports currently being circulated on the X handle of one Jackson Ude,the media Office described the report as fake news, said Jackson Ude is a known serial blackmailer and cash-and-carry journalist. The post is about an alleged altercation and physical fight between Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele and President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio on Wednesday. The media Office said “For the record, it is a verifiable fact that Senator Bamidele has…

BREAKING: Armed Thugs attack FCT NUJ Secretariat,disrupt event, injure participants

Emporium Reporters

There was pandemonium on the premises of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCT Council Secretariat Utako Abuja on Thursday,as a group allegedly loyal to the embattled Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya popularly known as MC Oluomo attacked a group under the aegis of Bus Conductors Association of Nigeria (BCAN) an affiliate of National Union of Roads Transport Workers (NURTW) at the venue.   The group who had hired the main hall of the secretariat for their official inauguration got more than what they bargained for when a group of thugs wearing…

JUST IN: Senate grants Tinubu’s request to borrow fresh N1.77 trillion loan

Emporium Reporters

The Senate has approved President Bola Tinubu’s loan request of $2.2 billion (approximately N1.77 trillion) to partially finance the ₦9.7 trillion budget deficit for the 2024 fiscal year.   The approval followed the presentation of a report by the Chairman, the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts, Aliyu Wamakko, during plenary.   With the approval, Nigeria’s total debt has now hit an all-time high to the tune of N136 trillion.   President Tinubu had written to the National Assembly requesting the Senate and House of Representatives to approve a…

Time to fix Tinubu’s chaotic presidency,By Martins Oloja

Emporium Reporters

Now that the fear of the Supreme Court is gone for the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration, this seems to be the right time for the President to fix the chaos that has taken some steam out of the awesomeness that is usually inherent in presidential palace.   Doubtless, there have been too frequent dissonance and crisis of coherence in the office of the president. And this is not good for reputation management. It is too early for his reputation managers to be running around to control damage that can…

Simon Ekpa, 4 others arrested,sentenced to prison in Finland over alleged terrorism activities

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The self-acclaimed leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Simon Ekpa, has been arrested by law enforcement in Finland.   A local report in Finland said that Ekpa, the self-declared Prime Minister of Biafra Republic Government In-Exile, was remanded in custody by the district court of Päijät-Häme on suspicion of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent.   In a Thursday statement published on its website, the Central Criminal Police in Finland said it arrested five persons on suspicion of terrorist crimes.   The police said…

Stop deceiving Nigerians over Portharcourt Refinery – Niger Delta Group tells NNPCL GCEO,Kyari …… Says No Alternative to Local Refineries

Lukman Laleye Babalola

A Pro development group in the oil rich region of Nigeria, Niger Delta Development & Transformation Initiative (NDDTI), has posited that no amount of talks or actions could salvage the ailing energy sector in Nigeria, except the local refineries were put to operations.   In a press statement signed on Thursday by its Spokesperson, Barr. Lawrence Etienne, the group warned the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), particularly, the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO), Mele Kyari, to stop deceiving Nigerians over the Port Harcourt refinery.   The group said NNPCL…

Kickboxing meets Elegance,as London’s most anticipated event,Colosseum Tournament 45 begins Nov 30th

Lukman Laleye Babalola

London, UK – On 30th November 2024, combat sports and elegance will converge at the prestigious London Hilton Hotel on Park Lane for the spectacular COLOSSEUM TOURNAMENT 45. Presented by THE PYRAMID OF GODS, the black-tie event promised an extraordinary night of high-energy kickboxing action featuring elite fighters, alongside luxury fashion, fine watch presentations, and live music in one of London’s premier venues.   The High-Profile Kickboxing Event Combines Combat Sports with Luxury Fashion and Entertainment at the London Hilton   Hosting the event is renowned fashion designer Nina Naustdal,…

Gov Okpebholo attends first NEC meeting

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, on Thursday in Abuja, attended his first National Economic Council (NEC) meeting, presided over by Vice President Kashim Shettima. The meeting was held at the State House Council Chambers in Abuja, where key economic issues were discussed. The meeting, attended by various State Governors, some Deputy Governors represented their principals and members of President Bola Tinubu’s economic team, aimed to address pressing national economic challenges. Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State, being his first meeting, was asked by the Vice President to give the…