Month: January 2025

Governor Okpebholo Holds Steady Advantage as Edo Election Tribunal Progresses By Fred Itua

Emporium Reporters

The ongoing Edo State Governorship Election Tribunal has no more or less become the epicenter of political discourse in the State and beyond, with analysts and citizens closely monitoring unfolding developments.   At the heart of the proceedings is Governor Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC), whose victory was declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in the September 21 election is being challenged by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Asue Akintunde Ighodalo.   Interestingly, despite the opposition’s claims, proceedings so far suggest that Governor Okpebholo’s…

Ministry of Agriculture, NIMC Launch NIN-Enabled Farmer Registry and G2P Card to Boost Agricultural Services

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS), in collaboration with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), has launched the National Identity Number (NIN)-enabled farmer registry and Government 2 People (G2P) card project. This initiative is designed to address challenges in identity verification and beneficiary authentication, enhancing the delivery of government services.   In a joint statement signed by Dr. Joel Oruche, Director of Information, FMAFS, and Dr. Kayode Adegoke, Head of Corporate Communications, NIMC, both institutions expressed their gratitude to the press for their continued support and outlined…

Four States Begin Independent Electricity Generation,Distribution in Nigeria

Emporium Reporters

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has confirmed that four state governments—Enugu, Ekiti, Ondo, and Imo—are set to independently manage electricity generation, transmission, and distribution within their jurisdictions. This development mark a significant step in Nigeria’s efforts to decentralize its power sector and improve electricity supply across the nation. The transition followed the provisions of the Electricity Act (EA) 2023, which empowers states to establish and regulate intrastate electricity markets. According to NERC, six additional states—Oyo, Edo, Kogi, Lagos, Ogun, and Niger—are in the process of acquiring similar regulatory autonomy.…

2025 Budget: IGP seeks enhanced funding, removal of Police from Envelope Budget System

Emporium Reporters

By James Isaac     In response to the growing security challenges facing Nigeria, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has called for the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to be removed from the restrictive envelope budgetary system. This appeal was made during his defence of the 2025 budget before the Joint Committees on Police Affairs and Police Institutions at the National Assembly Complex. IGP Egbetokun emphasized that the current budgetary system hampered the NPF’s ability to effectively address security concerns. He proposed a more flexible funding approach, which would…

Rowdy Session in National Assembly as IG Defends 2025 Budget Proposal

Emporium Reporters

A heated confrontation unfolded at the National Assembly on Thursday during the budget defence for the 2025 fiscal year, led by the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun. The tension arose over the allocation of funds for constructing five zonal police headquarters, prompting sharp inquiries from House of Representatives member Mark Esset of Akwa Ibom, who pointed out discrepancies in the provided documentation. Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi, representing Ebonyi North Senatorial District, joined the fray, criticizing the lack of detailed documentation and called for greater transparency and accountability. Despite his concerns,…

Nigerian Governors endorse Tax Reforms, reject VAT Increase

Emporium Reporters

In a significant move to bolster revenue generation, the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) has approved a series of tax reforms while opposing a proposed increase in the Value Added Tax (VAT) rate. The decision was reached after a crucial meeting with the Presidential Tax Reform Committee in Abuja.   The NGF Chairman, addressing journalists post-meeting, highlighted the governors’ unanimous rejection of the VAT hike, cited concerns over its potential adverse effects on consumers and businesses. Instead, the governors have consented to a revised VAT sharing formula, aimed at ensuring a…

Friday Sermon: America/California/Los Angeles Wildfires; A Great Message To The World! By Imam Murtadha Gusau

Emporium Reporters

In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful Praise belongs to Allah alone; peace and blessing on the last Prophet, his family and his Companions. Dear brothers and sisters! Allah the Most High says: “And we send not the signs except to warn, and to make people afraid (of destruction).” [Qur’an, 17: 59] Respected servants of Allah! The 2025 American/California/Los Angeles wildfires have been unprecedented in their scale and devastation, marking one of the most catastrophic natural disasters in U.S. history. These fires have ravaged over 40,000…

Nigerian Military records significant success in Counter-Terrorism Operations …. As Troops neutralise 156 Terrorists , Arrest 464

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigerian Armed Forces have recorded notable achievements in their ongoing efforts to combat terrorism and insurgency across the country. In a bi-weekly press briefing held at Defence Headquarters Abuja on December 16, 2024, Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, outlined the remarkable progress made by troops during recent operations.   He said Troops successfully neutralized 156 terrorists and apprehended 464 suspects, including 29 individuals involved in oil theft. In addition, 181 kidnapped hostages were rescued from captivity. A major victory was also recorded in the South-South…

The GDP of Sex, Drugs, Rituals ,By Olusegun Adeniyi

Emporium Reporters

Last weekend, The Nation newspapers published a gripping story of 47-year-old twin brothers who lured a young girl to their hideout in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, where they murdered and dismembered her body for ritual purposes. Now in the custody of the Ogun State Police Command, one of the twins is already singing. “We usually kill our victims and sell their body parts for money rituals, grill some and grind them into powder for consumption with alcohol or mix them with soap for a magic bath that would bring good…

NNPCL Tops Nigeria’s Tax Contributions with ₦10 Trillion Remittance in 2024

Emporium Reporters

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has set a new benchmark by remitting ₦10 trillion to the federation account in 2024, making it the highest taxpayer in the country.   This was disclosed by the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO), Malam Mele Kyari, during his presentation to the National Assembly’s joint committee on Finance, detailing the company’s revenue performance for 2024 and its projections for 2025.   Highlighting NNPCL’s commitment to transparency, Kyari noted that the company is the only one in Nigeria that publishes its complete account statements…