Day: February 7, 2025

UK Home Office reaffirms partnership with NAPTIP, hands over upgraded Lagos Command Office and Detention Centre

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The United Kingdom Home Office International Operations has reiterated its commitment to strengthening its partnership with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) in the fight against human trafficking in Nigeria.   This assurance was given on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, during the official handover of the refurbished NAPTIP Lagos Command Office and Detention Centre, which was upgraded with support from the UK Home Office International Operations.   Speaking at the event, NAPTIP Director General, Binta Adamu Bello, described the UK as a key ally in…

First Lady Remi Tinubu pledges support for NAPTIP’s fight against Human Trafficking

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The fight against human trafficking in Nigeria received a major boost as the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, pledged to support the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) in its mission to protect Nigerians from exploitation. Senator Tinubu made the commitment while receiving the management of NAPTIP, led by its Director General, Binta Adamu Bello, during a courtesy visit to the State House, Abuja.   Commending NAPTIP for its achievements in advocacy, rescue, and prosecution of offenders, the First Lady emphasized the importance of public enlightenment…

CAC, NUPRC strengthen partnership on Beneficial Ownership Register, Host Community Registration

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) have agreed to strengthen collaboration on integrating the Beneficial Ownership Register, registering host community forums, and enhancing their working relationship.   This was disclosed during a familiarization visit by a delegation from NUPRC, led by the Commission Secretary and Legal Adviser, Mrs. Olayemi Anyanechi, to the CAC headquarters.   Speaking during the visit, Mrs. Anyanechi emphasized CAC’s crucial role in economic regulation, particularly in ensuring compliance with entity registrations. She noted that the partnership would facilitate mutual…

CDS reaffirms commitment to Joint Operations at JTF Commanders Conference

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Christopher Musa has reaffirmed the commitment of the Armed Forces to strengthening joint operations across all theatres, as the three-day Joint Task Force (JTF) Commanders Conference concluded in Abuja.   In his closing remarks, the CDS commended participants for their dedication and insightful contributions, emphasized that the conference had provided a platform to evaluate operational challenges, enhance inter-agency collaboration, and adopt new strategies to tackle evolving security threats.   He highlighted the importance of the conference theme, “Enhancing Jointness Across all Theatres of Operation,”…

Edo Govt reclaims Observer Printing Press, restores full control

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Edo State Government has officially regained full control of the Nigerian Observer printing press, which was previously ceded to consultants under the last administration.   The administration of former Governor Godwin Obaseki had shut down the state-owned newspaper, The Observer, on June 30, 2022, transferred its management to contractors, consultants, and political associates while redeployed its staff to the Ministry of Information and Communication. In a move to correct past decisions, Governor Monday Okpebholo has directed the reinstatement of the newspaper’s staff and has now reclaimed the printing press…

Neighbour arrested for Kidnapping 6-Year-Old Boy in Niger State ….. Police nab others for Defilement, Armed Robbery, Phone Snatching

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Niger State Police Command has arrested a 27-year-old man, Genesis Yaryok Sunday, for allegedly kidnapping a six-year-old boy in Sabon-Wuse, Tafa LGA and attempted to demand a ransom from the victim’s mother.   According to the police, the child was reported missing on January 29, 2025, at about 2:00 p.m. Fortunately, he was found the following day at Jere, Kagarko LGA, Kaduna State, and taken to the nearest police station before being handed over to Tafa Division in Niger State.   Investigations led to the arrest of the suspect,…

Gov Okpebholo, Idahosa hail President Tinubu on Benin-Sapele-Warri Road Repairs

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, and his Deputy, Dennis Idahosa, have lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the ongoing repairs of failed portions of the Benin-Sapele-Warri road. During an inspection tour of the project alongside the contractor, the governor expressed satisfaction with the progress of work on the more than 30-kilometer stretch, describing it as a significant boost to the socioeconomic activities of Edo and Delta States. “This is our president in action. Work is progressing rapidly, and Edo is developing like Lagos. We deeply appreciate President Tinubu’s commitment to…

NYSC DG Urges Corps Members to Embrace Hard Work, Shun Shortcuts to Success

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General YD Ahmed, has advised Corps Members to avoid shortcuts in their quest for success, emphasized that hard work, patience, and perseverance are essential for achieving their ambitions.   He gave this advice while addressing the 2024 Batch ‘C’ Stream Two Corps Members at the NYSC Plateau State Temporary Orientation Camp in Doi-Du, Jos, and the Bauchi State Orientation Camp in Wailo, Ganjuwa Local Government Area.   Brigadier General Ahmed encouraged the Corps Members to take full advantage of…

Between Kyari’s Fuel Importation Figures and the rest of us By Bala Kuta

Emporium Reporters

There seems to be more than meets the eye regarding what is happening in the country’s petroleum sector. Recently we have witnessed the drama between the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and Dangote Refinery. From the foregoing, all is not well and Nigerians are bearing the brunt of the unending imbroglio. Either way, Nigeria and Nigerians are the ultimate losers, unless we get our priorities right by clearly defining what we want and whether we want to make progress as a country.   I will start the piece in…

Budget Defence: Group urges Vice Chancellors to defend 2025 estimates, challenges bribery allegations

Lukman Laleye Babalola

A civil society organisation, the Save Humanity Advocacy Centre (SHAC), has called on Vice Chancellors of Nigerian universities to defend their 2025 budget estimates before the National Assembly, urged them to be transparent about any alleged financial demands from lawmakers.   This comes amid recent media reports alleging that National Assembly Committees on Tertiary Education demanded a minimum of N50 million from federal-owned universities to approve their budget proposals. However, the House of Representatives, through its spokesman, Hon. Akin Rotimi, dismissed the claims, maintained that all budget defence sessions have…