Year: 2025

Senator Barau Launches Initiative to Create 558 Young Farmer Millionaires in North West

Emporium Reporters

By James Isaac, Abuja   The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator (Dr) Barau I. Jibrin, has unveiled an ambitious agricultural initiative aimed at empowering 558 young farmers across the North West geopolitical zone.   The program, tagged the Barau Initiative for Agricultural Revolution in the North West (BIARN), seeks to revitalize agriculture in Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Jigawa, Sokoto, and Zamfara states by providing financial support to selected young farmers.   Speaking at the National Assembly on Thursday through his Special Adviser on Policy and Monitoring, Professor Bashir Muhammad…

Former NYSC DG, 9 Others kidnapped in Katsina Bandit attack

Emporium Reporters

Armed bandits have abducted Brigadier General Maharazu Tsiga (Retd), a former Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), alongside nine other residents in Tsiga village, Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina State.   The attack occurred late Wednesday night at approximately 11:30 p.m. when the gunmen stormed the community, firing sporadically before invading the residence of the retired general. Reports indicate that the assailants shot three residents, including two sons of Tsiga’s neighbor, before whisking him and others away into a nearby forest.   A relative of Tsiga,…

GOV OKPEBHOLO’S UNSHAKEN DRIVE TO RECOVER EDO’S STOLEN ASSETS By Fred Itua

Emporium Reporters

On Wednesday, February 5th, 2025, could best be described as a day of gloom in Edo State, and indeed, our country, Nigeria! A black Wednesday as mind blogging, heart renting, and unbelievable revelations were brought to light   Gloomy enough to declare for a state wide mourning, with all residents dressed in sackcloths, covered in ashes as they mourned the depth of plundering, mind blogging looting, heartless shady deals, lack of transparency and institutionalization of corruption by Godwin Obaseki’s led administration.   While many have often taunted the immediate past…

Ribadu – El-Rufai: Before Today, There Was Yesterday, and There’ll Be Tomorrow By Abdullahi O Haruna Haruspice

Emporium Reporters

On November 26, 2011, Yasmin, the eldest daughter of Mallam Nasiru El-Rufai, passed away at the young age of 25 in her London apartment. Overwhelmed by sorrow and grief, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, despite his own constricted emotions, displayed remarkable strength and loyalty. He travelled to London to bring home the fragile remains of Yasmin, the beloved daughter of his friend. It was a deeply moving moment—an exhibition of pure and undiluted friendship. From that day, my admiration for both men grew immensely. Until Yasmin was finally laid to rest, Ribadu…

Gov Okpebholo suspends Attorney General and LG Commission Chairman over financial misconduct

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has suspended the Chairman of the Edo State Local Government Service Commission, Hon. Damian Lawani, and the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Hon. Samson Osagie, over alleged financial infractions.   The suspension, effective immediately, are intended to allow for a full investigation into the allegations. A statement issued by Umar Musa Ikhilor, Esq., Secretary to the State Government, confirmed that an Investigative Committee has been set up to look into the matter and make appropriate recommendations.   In his response to the suspension,…

Edo Govt seeks community support to safeguard Children’s well-being

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Edo State Government, through its Ministry of Education, has issued a call to parents, guardians, traditional rulers, neighbors, landlords, and civil organizations to actively support every child in their community, even beyond school hours. This appeal is aimed at ensuring that children feel valued and protected in their homes and surrounding environments.   Dr. Emmanuel Paddy Iyamu, the Commissioner for Education, stressed the importance of treating every child with the same care and attention one would give their own. He believes that this mindset will help significantly reduce instances…

Customs, NESREA reinforce collaboration to enhance Environmental Protection, Trade Efficiency

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, has reaffirmed the Nigeria Customs Service’s (NCS) commitment to bolstering its collaboration with the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) to foster environmental safety, trade efficiency, and regulatory compliance.   In a statement on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, during a courtesy visit by NESREA’s management team to the Customs Headquarters in Abuja, Adeniyi described inter-agency cooperation as essential to achieving Nigeria’s national economic and security goals.   “We recognise the importance of collaboration and partnership. Many of us have witnessed the…

NCS, UNODC Strengthen Ties to Combat Drug Trafficking, Organised Crime … As CGC Adeniyi Unveils Plans for WCO Regional Donor Conference

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has reaffirmed its commitment to tackling drug trafficking and transnational organised crime through a renewed collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). This was disclosed by the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, during a meeting with a UNODC delegation led by its Country Representative, Cheikh Toure, at the Customs Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja. CGC Adeniyi emphasized the vital role of the NCS in curbing drug-related crimes, which he described as a significant threat to…

NHRC calls for stronger Stakeholder collaboration to end Female Genital Mutilation in Nigeria

Lukman Laleye Babalola

As Nigeria joined the rest of the world to mark the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called for stronger collaborations among stakeholders to eradicate the harmful practice.   Speaking in Abuja, the Executive Secretary of NHRC, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, reiterated the Commission’s commitment to end FGM in the country, described it as a degrading and harmful practice that violates the rights of women and girls.   He noted that the 2024 theme, “Stepping Up the Pace: Strengthening Alliances…

SSG’s Office Hosts Reception in Honour of Niger State Head of Service

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Office of the Secretary to the Government of Niger State (SSG) has successfully hosted a grand reception in honor of the Head of Service (HOS), Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Idris. He was appointed to this prestigious position last year by the Farmer Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago. The reception celebrated the outstanding contributions and exemplary leadership of Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Idris, a seasoned administrator and former Permanent Secretary, General Services, in the SSG’s Office. Since his appointment, he has spearheaded transformative reforms in the state’s civil service, fostering efficiency, accountability, and…