Day: February 10, 2025

100 Days in Office: Okpebholo to renovate 100 schools

Lukman Laleye Babalola

In a bid to make an immediate impact in the education sector, Edo State Governor, Sen. Monday Okpebholo, has commenced the renovation and reconstruction of 100 schools across the state to commemorate his first 100 days in office. The Chairman of the Edo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Mrs. Onomen Goodness Briggs, disclosed this while inspecting some of the ongoing projects. She urged communities, parents, and residents to help prevent vandalism of school facilities, noting that Governor Okpebholo has included perimeter fencing in the renovation plans to enhance security.…

FAYEMI @60: A Tribute

Emporium Reporters

I always believe that meeting someone and striking a friendship or a relationship with him/her is divine, but what they do with the friendship or relationship in terms of its quality or otherwise is entirely up to them. That has nothing to do with the Divine.   This is the prism with which I would rather see my friendship with Dr. John Kayode Fayemi. Prof. Bolaji Aluko was the string God wanted to use to tie the two of us together in the faraway United States. But I didn’t want…

FoTA rejects Gov Alia’s claim of restored peace in Gwer-West, cites fresh attacks

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Forum of Tyoshin Academics (FoTA) has refuted claims by the Governor of Benue State, Rev. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, that peace has been restored in Gwer-West and other affected local government areas.   In a press release issued on Sunday, FoTA insisted that the region remained under siege by armed Fulani herders, with recent attacks leading to loss of lives and destruction of property.   The statement, signed by FoTA National President Prof. Patrick Ukase and National Publicity Secretary Prof. John Ajai, described the governor’s remarks as misleading and…

JAMB opens UTME to exceptional candidates below 16 …. Introduces Trial Testing for underage students

Emporium Reporters

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has approved the participation of exceptionally brilliant candidates below the age of 16 in its Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). JAMB Registrar, Professor Is-haq Oloyede, disclosed this during an interview on Inside Sources, a Sunday news program on Channels TV. He emphasized that while the board is enforcing the 16-year minimum entry requirement into tertiary institutions, a special window has been created for underage students who demonstrate exceptional academic abilities. “We are saying 16 years is the minimum, but if you know you…

Supreme Court upholds Pro-Wike Lawmakers legitimacy, dismisses Fubara’s suit

Emporium Reporters

The Supreme Court has dismissed the suit filed by Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, seeking to remove 27 members of the State House of Assembly over their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).   Delivering judgment, Justice Uwani Abba-Aji dismissed the appeal and awarded a cost of N4 million against Governor Fubara—N2 million each to the Rivers State House of Assembly and its Speaker, Martin Amaewhule. The appeal was withdrawn by Fubara’s legal counsel, Yusuf Ali (SAN), and was not opposed by the…

Lagos Imam urges Muslims not to support Anti-Sharia candidates in 2027 Elections

Emporium Reporters

The Chief Imam of Lekki Central Mosque, Sheikh Dr. Ridwan Jamiu, has called on Muslims in the South-West to reject any governorship candidate who opposes the establishment of Sharia courts in their states.   During his Jumaat sermon on Friday, Sheikh Jamiu emphasized the importance of holding political candidates accountable for their stance on Sharia law. He urged Muslim voters to demand a commitment to the establishment of Sharia courts as a condition for their support in the 2027 elections.   “Elections are coming, and any governorship candidate seeking your…

Benue Group Raises Alarm Over Alleged Sale of State Assets, Calls for Legislative Intervention ….. Demands Investigation into Zenith Bank, Dangote Cement Shares

Lukman Laleye Babalola

A pro-transparency group, Benue Good Governance Crusaders, has called on the Benue State House of Assembly to stop Governor Hyacinth Alia from allegedly taking over the state’s shares in Dangote Cement and to investigate the sale of other government-owned assets.   The group, in a statement issued on Monday and signed by its President, Felix Atetan, and Secretary, Peter Ameh, alleged that the governor had already sold Benue’s shares in Zenith Bank Plc and other companies worth N12 billion. They claimed he is now attempting to take over the Benue…

Hitler Godwin Obaseki and the N19bn Radisson Hotel Scam By Fred Itua

Emporium Reporters

In the Christian Holy Book, we were told that when it was time for God to redeem man unto Himself and send the messiah, rather than drop him from the sky as a full grown man, He took the long process of passing through the normal human process. The reason as stated in Hebrews 2: 14 – 18 and Hebrews 5:1-3 is so that, the messiah can fully understand and comprehend the challenges peculiar to humans, and therefore, be more merciful and compassionate in dealing with them.   Compassionate and…

Hajia Saadatu Sani Honored as Garkuwan Matan Paiko, Launches ‘Mamakit Project’ to Empower Pregnant Women in Niger State

Emporium Reporters

In recognition of her unwavering support for rural women, Hajia Saadatu Sani, founder of Future Pathways Foundation, has been conferred with the prestigious traditional title of Garkuwan Matan Paiko by the Emir of Paiko. The title, reserved for outstanding women in the emirate, was bestowed upon her in appreciation of her humanitarian efforts and philanthropic outreach.   Described as a compassionate and selfless woman, Hajia Saadatu Sani has consistently dedicated her resources to improving the lives of the less privileged. To mark this special occasion, she extended her benevolence to…

Monday Lines: El-Rufai, Obasa and other godfather stories By Lasisi Olagunju

Emporium Reporters

It happened one sunny day in mid-May 2003. I was preparing to go to the office around noon when Tayo, the editor’s secretary, called me. “Mr Olagunju, don’t come to the office, Baba Adedibu is here looking for you. He came with his boys.” There were no two birds bearing ‘hawk’ in the skies of Ibadan at that time. Alhaji Lamidi Adedibu was the strongman of Ibadan politics. He earned that appellation in practical terms on the field of battle. Adedibu was death that thundered before killing; he was lightning…