Year: 2024

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…

BOI: Group commends Olusi over Economy Policies delivery

Emporium Reporters

Civil Society Groups for Economic Recovery (CSGER), a coalition of over 76 civil society organizations, has commended the management of the Bank of Industry (BOI), led by Dr. Olasupo Olusi, for driving various sustainable economic initiatives for improved service delivery to Nigerians. . In a communique issued and signed in Abuja after it’s annual Board meeting and review of economic recovery initiatives of BOI, the National Coordinator, Comrade Matekai Lawrence, applauded Dr. Olusi’s approaches which he described as impactful and revolutionary. According to Matekai, the BOI has demonstrated high level…

OAU celebrates 48th Convocation, unveils New Strategic Vision for Growth

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, celebrated its 48th Convocation on Saturday, 14th December 2024, with notable dignitaries and key stakeholders in attendance. The event, themed “Great Ife: Pathways to a Greater Tomorrow,” featured the conferral of degrees to graduands, along with the announcement of several strategic initiatives aimed at positioning the institution for future growth. Professor Siyan Oyeweso, Chairman of the OAU Governing Council, delivered the opening address, highlighting the university’s significant achievements and future plans. He emphasized the university’s commitment to excellence through a 25-year strategic plan (2025-2050), which…

NITDA emphasizes Data Sovereignty at 2024 Digital Nigeria Innovation Challenge

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has reaffirmed the critical role of data sovereignty and security in building Nigeria’s digital economy. This was highlighted during the 2024 Digital Nigeria Innovation Challenge, where the agency underscored the importance of responsible data utilization in fostering a sustainable digital ecosystem.   Speaking at the event, NITDA’s Director General, Kashifu Inuwa CCIE, represented by the Director of Information Technology Infrastructure Solutions, Mr. Oladejo Olawumi, described data as the currency of the digital economy. He emphasized that prioritizing home-grown solutions and safeguarding Nigeria’s data…

Nigeria Customs wins Top Regional Security Award at Africa Security Watch Conference … CGC Adeniyi Highlights Innovations in Border Control, Trade Facilitation

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has been recognized as the ‘Best National Security Service in West, East, and Central Africa 2023/2024’ at the 18th Africa Security Watch Conference in Doha, Qatar. This prestigious accolade underscores the Service’s achievements in border security, trade facilitation, and the fight against transnational crimes. The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi represented by Chief Superintendent of Customs Abdullahi Maiwada, delivered a compelling keynote address titled “Protecting National Security Through Effective Border Control: The Nigeria Customs Example.” Adeniyi highlighted the NCS’s transformation under the Nigeria Customs…

UBEC: Working the Talk to Achieve Basic Education in Nigeria, BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF

Abubakar Yusuf

To achieve Basic and Junior Secondary Schools Education, a lot of efforts is needed routinely towards attaining laudable initiatives been put in place by the leadership of the agency, under Dr Hamid Bobboyi. Aside funding and Infrastructural development, manpower development has been a corollary towards ensuring the SDGs Goals 4 is realizable.   Moving gradually towards decades of action tagged by the United Nations sustainable development goals as 2020-2030 Agenda, that is geared towards the realization of all needed requirements by developing and underdeveloped countries towards attaining SDGs Goals, both…