Day: December 16, 2024

DSP Barau reaffirms National Assembly’s Commitment to Oversight at Senator Ajimobi Roundtable

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, has reaffirmed the National Assembly’s unwavering commitment to legislative oversight, described it as the fundamental pillar of democratic governance. Speaking at the 7th Annual Senator Abiola Ajimobi Roundtable and the 75th posthumous birthday celebration of the late Oyo State governor, held at the University of Ibadan on Monday, Senator Jibrin emphasized that oversight ensures accountability, transparency, and checks and balances in government. The roundtable, organized by the Senator Abiola Ajimobi Foundation (SAAF) in partnership with the Institute for Peace and…

BREAKING: Tinubu approves renaming of UniAbuja to Yakubu Gowon University

Emporium Reporters

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the renaming of the University of Abuja (UniAbuja) to Yakubu Gowon University, in honor of Nigeria’s former military Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon. The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made the announcement on Wednesday following the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by the President at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. Idris stated that the decision will be forwarded to the National Assembly for approval, after which the renaming process will be finalized. “The University of Abuja will henceforth…

Customs arrests Passenger at MMIA for false currency declaration, hands over to EFCC

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Command, has arrested a passenger, Mr. Agudosi Christopher, for false currency declaration. The arrest, which took place on December 10, 2024, was conducted by the Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Unit under the leadership of the new Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller EJ Harrison, just four days into his tenure.   The suspect, scheduled to travel to the United Kingdom, was intercepted at the AML desk in Terminal 2. He initially declared carrying £7,000. However, during a thorough examination, additional undeclared sums…

“Compliance is a Competitive Advantage” — CGC, as Apapa Customs Command Hits N2.2 Trillion Revenue

Emporium Reporters

The Apapa Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has recorded a groundbreaking revenue collection of over N2.2 trillion in 2024, a feat celebrated during its end-of-year party and awards ceremony held on Friday, December 13, 2024.   The Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, commended the Command’s achievements under Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, fsi, and emphasized the critical role of compliance and collaboration in sustaining such success. Represented by Deputy Comptroller General Caroline Niagwan, DCG Tariff and Trade, the CGC described compliance as a strategic advantage in international…

Edo State Gov to Commence Construction of Upper Ekenwan Road Linking CCRN Prayer Ground

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Edo State Government has announced plans to commence the construction of the long stretch of road connecting the prayer ground of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal of Nigeria (CCRN) at Upper Ekenwan, Benin City.   The project fulfilled a campaign promise made by Governor Monday Okpebholo.   The Governor disclosed this during a courtesy visit to the Government House by CCRN members, led by their Coordinator, Mr. Otakhor Thaddeus Iredia. He expressed gratitude for the group’s recognition of his achievements within his first month in office.   Governor Okpebholo assured…

Defence Headquarters debunks claims of French Military Base in Nigeria

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Defence Headquarters has dismissed online reports alleging the arrival of French soldiers in Maiduguri to establish a military base in North-East Nigeria. In a statement released by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, the Armed Forces of Nigeria described the claims as “fake, totally false, and mischievous.”   The statement emphasized that the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, had previously debunked such speculations during media engagements.   “The general public is urged to disregard these reports and speculations still making rounds in some…

NUJ FCT Council advocates Ethical Journalism at VON Chapel New Executive Inauguration

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, has reiterated its commitment to ethical journalism and professional excellence during the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected executives of the Voice of Nigeria (VON) NUJ Chapel. The event, held on Monday, witnessed the reaffirmation of the council’s dedication to upholding integrity and objectivity in the media profession. Speaking on behalf of the NUJ FCT Council Chairman, Ms. Grace Ike, the Council Secretary, Comrade Jide Oyekunle, alongside the Vice Chairman, Mr. Yahaya Ndambabo, applauded the VON Chapel members for their unity and…

Monday Lines 1 ‘An Enemy of the People’ By Lasisi Olagunju

Emporium Reporters

“The water is poisoned! The whole of the water system is tainted and absolutely unusable for its purpose,” Thomas Stockmann, medical doctor, accomplished scientist, informs the people around him. He is employed to look after the health of the people and the public baths, the mainstay of his town’s economy. It is in the course of that job that he makes a scientific discovery that the baths are dangerously polluted, and that they spread typhoid. And he says so.   Dr. Thomas Stockmann is the protagonist in Henrik Ibsen’s 1882…

Monday Lines 2 Tinubu, Atiku and the Lion’s share By Lasisi Olagunju

Emporium Reporters

Adrian Louis is a witness to what popcorn does in a movie theatre. The American poet’s poems are apparently for Nigeria, a nation in eternal transition: “We gave them corn which, once popped/ into miniature buttered clouds/ gave us the opportunity to watch ourselves: / bloodthirsty, slow-thinking and grunting.”   We need lots of popcorn as we go into the new year. An Atiku Abubakar vs Bola Tinubu spar started last week over where the next president should come from and who the person should be. Tinubu’s man, George Akume,…

Tantita Award Night ; Pondi Commiserates with Staffers , Assures of More Secured Environment

Emporium Reporters

By Inuwa Lawal.     The Managing Director, Tantita Security Services, an outfit engaged by the government to fight against oil theft and pipeline vandalism High Chief Kestin Ebimorbowei Pondi has reiterated the commitment towards bringing a lasting solution to the unpatriotic act, stating that efforts will be redoubled in the subsequent years.   He praised President Tinubu, Ribadu, Host communities and Security agencies- Navy, Army, Airforce, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps ( NSCDC), Department of State Security Services (DSS) for their support in the fight against crude oil…