Month: January 2025

Witness Admits Errors in Testimony At Edo State Governorship Election Tribunal

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Edo State Governorship Election Tribunal resumed its sitting today with the petitioners calling their fourth witness, Destiny Enabulele, in case EPT/ED/GOV/02/2024, involving Ighodalo Asuerinme & Anor vs INEC and two other respondents. Enabulele, a 48-year-old development worker, admitted that his statement contained errors.   Enabulele, whose 2023 election to the Edo State House of Assembly (Ovia South-West constituency) was annulled by a tribunal over allegations of electoral malpractices and irregularities, acknowledged the mistakes in his testimony under cross-examination.   Despite the admission, the tribunal provisionally accepted the statement as…

Senate moves to boost NIMC’s 2025 Budget, summons Ministers over inadequate allocation

Emporium Reporters

By James Isaac   The Senate Committee on National Identity Management and Population, chaired by Senator Abdul Ningi, has called for an upward review of the 2025 budgetary allocation to the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC). This decision was reached during a budget defense session with NIMC officials on Tuesday, where the Committee expressed dissatisfaction with the insufficient funds allocated to the commission for 2024. Senator Ningi questioned the logic behind using an “envelope budget template” for a critical agency like NIMC, responsible for securing the data of over 200…

NAPTIP, NTA pledge stronger partnership to combat Human Trafficking, Violence

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) have agreed to enhance their collaboration to increase public awareness and tackle the pervasive issues of human trafficking and violence against persons.   This commitment was reaffirmed during a courtesy visit by NAPTIP’s Director General, Binta Adamu Bello, and her team to NTA’s Headquarters in Abuja.   They were received by the Director General of NTA, Salihu Abdulhamid Dembos, represented by the Executive Director News, Mr. Ayo Adewuyi.   During the visit, Binta…

House Minority Caucus decries Niger Tanker Explosion, calls Investigation, Safety Reforms

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The House of Representatives Minority Caucus has expressed profound grief over the tragic tanker explosion that claimed approximately 90 lives at Dikko Junction along the Abuja-Kaduna highway in Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State. The incident, which occurred last weekend, left many others injured and resulted in significant property damage. In a statement jointly signed by Minority Leader Rep. Kingsley Chinda, Minority Whip Rt. Hon. Dr. Ali Isa J.C., Deputy Minority Leader Rt. Hon. Aliyu Madaki, and Deputy Minority Whip Rt. Hon. George Ozodinobi, the Caucus lamented the loss…

NASRDA establishes Earthquake Monitoring Station at Modibbo Adama University

Emporium Reporters

The National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) has taken a significant step towards enhancing earthquake monitoring and volcano research in Nigeria. Today, January 21, 2025, a team from the Centre for Geodesy and Geodynamics (CGG) Toro, led by Dr. Joseph Danasebe Dodo, Director of CGG Toro, representing the Director General, Dr. Matthew Olumide Adepoju, visited Modibbo Adama University (MAU) Yola to establish an Integrated Earthquake Monitoring Station. The station, which is part of NASRDA’s Volcano Research Project, aimed to improve understanding of the Mandara Mountains, a volcanic range extending…

Sanwo-Olu Welcomes African Ancestry Delegation, says Lagos is Diaspora Home

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has extended a warm invitation to the Historic African Diaspora, encouraging them to see Lagos as their home. This assurance came during his reception of a 14-member African Ancestry delegation, emphasizing the importance of shared heritage in strengthening ties between Nigeria and the African Diaspora.   Governor Sanwo-Olu commended Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), for her dedication to engaging the Diaspora community. He also praised Dr. Gina Paige, the leader of the delegation, for her pioneering work in reconnecting…

Gov Bago approves Payment of Examination Fees for Health Technology Students in Niger State

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has approved the payment of examination fees for students in government-owned Schools of Health Technology across the state. This approval is aimed at supporting students who will be sitting for their national examinations this year.   The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Abubakar Usman, stated that this initiative demonstrated the Governor’s commitment to enhancing healthcare education and easing the financial burden on students and their families. The payment covered all eligible students preparing for their national examinations in various health technology programs.…

DISCLAIMER: Fraudulent Youth Empowerment And Farmers’ Grant Registration Portal

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The attention of the Niger State Government has been drawn to a fraudulent online portal circulating on various social media platforms, falsely claiming to offer registration for a Niger State Youth Empowerment and Farmers’ Grant Programme.   In a statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Abubakar Usman, the public is informed that the State Government has not launched any such registration portal. This fraudulent portal is the work of unscrupulous individuals seeking to defraud unsuspecting citizens.   The SSG strongly advises the public to disregard…

Dr. Kana Celebrates Festus Keyamo on His Birthday, Hails Him as a Quintessential Leader

Emporium Reporters

The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, has celebrated the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, on the occasion of his birthday.   In a heartfelt birthday message, Dr. Kana extolled Mr. Keyamo as a dynamic leader, a goal-getter, and an irrepressible patriot whose dedication to Nigeria’s development remains steadfast and inspiring. He described the minister as a dependable boss and a quintessential leader whose vision and work ethic continue to impact the aviation sector and beyond.…

Gov Okpebholo assigns Portfolios to Newly Sworn-In Commissioners

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has officially sworn in six new Commissioners, assigning them portfolios aimed at enhancing governance and service delivery in the state. The swearing-in ceremony took place on January 21, 2025, with key appointments made across various sectors.   The new Commissioners and their assigned ministries are:   1. Hon. Paul Nosayaba Ohonbamu – Ministry of Information and Communications 2. Hon. Dr. Washington Osa Osifo – Ministry of Water Resources and Energy 3. Dr. Emmanuel Paddy Iyamu – Ministry of Education 4. Sir (Dr.) Lucky Eseigbe…