Month: January 2025

Anti-Corruption Group accuses GTBank of Fraud, seeks Government intervention

Lukman Laleye Babalola

In a bold statement to the press, Richard Aro, Convener of the Zero Tolerance for Corruption Vanguard, has accused Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) of engaging in fraudulent practices, urged Nigerians to steer clear of the financial institution. The group also called for immediate government intervention to address the alleged malpractices.   Aro highlighted the severe impact of GTBank’s operations on rural communities, particularly on elderly citizens who depend on remittances for their daily needs. He claimed that many rural recipients either do not receive their funds or fail to get…

Dangerous Journalism (A review of Ismail Omipidan’s ‘Persona non Grata’ by LASISI OLAGUNJU in Abuja on Saturday, 18 January, 2025).

Emporium Reporters

Protocols   Strange things happen all over the world. In the Autumn of 1946, Muna Lee, a poet who worked with the United States Department of State, wrote a journal article that questions the integrity of book reviewers. The title of his piece is: “Can’t Book Reviewers Be Honest?” In that piece are two gross cases, one of them a confession. The first is the case of a reviewer who did the review of a whole book from the blurb – that is, from the book’s short description on the…

Edo Governorship Tribunal: Bulk Document Submission Does Not Guarantee Victory – Legal Experts Warn

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Edo State Governorship Election Tribunal was marked by a significant moment this week as one of the petitioners submitted a bulk of documents, which they claimed to be evidence supporting their case. However, what followed was an unexpected wave of jubilation from their supporters, who misunderstood the legal implications of this move.   Legal experts and seasoned observers were quick to caution that the submission of documents in bulk, often referred to as “dumping evidence,” is a common practice meant to expedite proceedings, but does not automatically translate into…

PDP’s political pressure mounts, as Tribunal resumes monday

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal will resume.today, with Governor Monday Okpebholo poised to reinforce his position in the ongoing legal contest. As the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) gear up for the resumption of hearings, their optimism over the tribunal’s acceptance of their documents may prove premature, legal experts warned.   The PDP has submitted key election documents, including Form EC8EL, Form EC8D, and CTCs of polling unit forms, as part of their petition. However, while these documents have been accepted for procedural purposes, they do not automatically guarantee…

FG Delegation visits Dikko Junction Explosion site, Offers condolences to Emir of Suleja, Affected families

Lukman Laleye Babalola

In response to the tragic tanker explosion at Dikko Junction, Gurara LGA, Niger State, which claimed over 80 lives, a Federal Government delegation led by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, and the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, visited the scene on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. During the visit, Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda delivered a heartfelt message, expressed the Federal Government’s condolences and support:   “It is with a heavy heart that I stand here today at Dikko Junction,…

World Scout Bureau Delegation Visits Nigeria, Confers Grand Patron Title on President Tinubu

Lukman Laleye Babalola

A high-powered delegation from the World Scout Bureau, led by Acting Secretary General, arrived in Nigeria today for a four-day visit aimed at strengthening ties with The Scout Association of Nigeria (TSAN) and advancing youth development initiatives across the country.   One of the key events during the visit is the conferral of the title Grand Patron of the Scout of Nigeria on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. This honor recognizes his leadership and the Federal Government’s efforts in promoting youth empowerment and development.   The delegation’s agenda included discussions with…

Dr Kuso, Engr Kantigi ,Others make landmark donations as ILLEC holds 8th Matriculation and 3rd Convocation in Minna

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Initial Languages Legacy and Culture (ILLEC) marked a momentous occasion on January 19, 2025, as it held its 8th matriculation and 3rd convocation ceremony at Kowa Schools in Minna. The event, which celebrated both academic achievements and the preservation of Nupe culture, was made even more memorable by significant donations from Dr. Abubakar A. Kuso and Engr. Salihu Kantigi.   Dr. Kuso, a distinguished philanthropist, announced his donation of a plot of land near the NECO headquarters in Gidan Mangoro, Minna, for the construction of a new permanent site…

NiDCOM Boss congratulates Commander Matuwo Olufokunbi as First Nigerian to Qualify as Nuclear Engineer in US Navy

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), has extended her heartfelt congratulations to Commander Matuwo Iseoluwani Olufokunbi on his historic achievement of becoming the first Nigerian-American to qualify as a Nuclear Engineer under the US Navy Nuclear Propulsion Programme.   Commander Olufokunbi is the third Nigerian to attain this prestigious qualification, following in the footsteps of Captain Kelechi Ndukwe and Captain Frank Okata, both pioneers in the field. His remarkable feat further elevated his qualifications, enabled him to command a US Navy warship.   In a…

Obaseki’s Afrinvest Accused of Plotting ₦100bn Bond Conversion, Shareholders Demand Probe

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Onitsha Zone Shareholders’ Association has raised alarm over an alleged plan by Afrinvest, a firm owned by former Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki, to sell a ₦100 billion bond and convert it into personal shares.   Led by Bishop Goodluck Akpore, the group made their concerns known during a protest visit to Governor Monday Okpebholo at the government house. They highlighted potential economic harm to the state and its communities, urging the governor to investigate and address the issue.   The association accused Obaseki of using Afrinvest to orchestrate…

“Breathe in, breathe out, Nigeria,” by Hassan Gimba

Emporium Reporters

Some time ago, I had an oblique conversation with Governor Mai Mala Buni about my health condition, and something related to the topic of this piece came out. Sometimes, I get amazed at how he recalls things we see as inconsequential or forgotten because of time and relates them to everyday life. Because of this and many others, I always believe the creator blessed him with so much wisdom that he could pass for a sage.   Thanks to present realities, I mostly stay at home throughout the week, going…