Month: February 2025

Between the Senator and the Soldier, by Hassan Gimba

Emporium Reporters

As long as I remain the minister of defence, our soldiers will marry the prettiest women, live in the best houses, eat the best food, wear the best clothes and drive the best cars because when war comes, they will be the ones to die first. – Muhammadu Ribadu.   If I did not get the above quotation right, I would not be far off the correct one. I vividly recall reading the book Power of Powers, A Biography of the Late Alhaji Muhammadu Ribadu, in which the above quotation…

Curtailing Female Genital Mutilation FGM in Nigeria: Imaan’s Approach, BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF.

Emporium Reporters

The call for advocacies, accelerated action and concerted efforts towards ending the evil act called Female Genital Mutilation FGM in Nigerian and across the world adored this years program .   The 6th of February of every year is always set aside to address the need to eradicate, protect millions of women and girls from the harmful practices, that is prevalent in some parts of the country that had affected the health status of many women folk underlining the traditional beliefs.   The theme of this year’s program against Female…

FG unveils Skill Acquisition Centre in Lafia to boost Youth Empowerment.

Abubakar Yusuf

The Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (OSSAP-SDGs) has officially commissioned a state-of-the-art Skills Acquisition Centre and two classroom blocks in Lafia, Nasarawa State.   The initiative is one of numerous interventions by OSSAP-SDGs to enhance human capital development and drive socio-economic growth in Nigeria.   At this Skills Acquisition Centre, beneficiaries will receive training in a variety of vocational and entrepreneurial skills, including sewing, computer literacy, welding, building trades, photography, and vulcanizing.   These skills will empower individuals with the tools needed…

APC slams Tambuwal over defections, lists Tinubu’s Economic Achievements

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has fired back at former Sokoto State Governor and Senator representing Sokoto South, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, over his remarks suggesting that politicians defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC were motivated by “stomach infrastructure” rather than conscience.   In a strongly worded statement on Saturday, APC’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, described Tambuwal as a “notorious and vainglorious party defector” who lacked the moral standing to question others for switching parties. The statement accused Tambuwal of frequently changing political affiliations, moving…

Okpebholo’s 100 Days: PAIR Lauds Reforms, Calls for Continued Support

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Peoples Alliance for Indigenous Rights (PAIR) has praised Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo for his achievements in his first 100 days in office, describing his leadership as bold, result-driven, and people-oriented. Speaking on behalf of the group, PAIR’s National Coordinator, Adolor Asoro, highlighted the governor’s impressive strides across various sectors, noting that his administration has brought renewed hope to the people of Edo State. “Across the 18 local government areas, you can feel the pulse and excitement of the people, given the massive projects and impact of the governor’s…

How We Leverage AEO Trade Facilitation Initiatives to Reduce Clearance Time – CGC Adeniyi

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has officially launched the Authorised Economic Operators (AEO) programme, a strategic initiative aimed at enhancing trade facilitation and reducing clearance times for compliant businesses.   Speaking at the launch event on Friday, February 14, 2025, at the Lagos Continental Hotel, Victoria Island, the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, highlighted the significance of the initiative in fostering trust, security, and efficiency in trade operations.   “This partnership is built on mutual trust between Customs authorities and business entities, offering reciprocal benefits through official recognition of…

Nigeria Customs, NPA strengthen collaboration to enhance port efficiency

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening collaboration aimed at improving efficiency and competitiveness at the nation’s ports.   Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, made this known during a courtesy visit to the NPA on Thursday, February 13, 2025. He emphasized that the effectiveness of the ports directly impacts the performance of the Customs Service.   “If we get it right in our ports, we will get it right in the Service,” he stated, stressing the need for synergy…

Tinubu hails El-Rufai on 65th Birthday, commends his service to Nigeria

Emporium Reporters

By Idris Mustapha   President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai on his 65th birthday, praised his contributions to governance, democracy, and nation-building.   In his message, President Tinubu lauded El-Rufai’s role in the formation of the APC and his strategic contributions to the party’s victories in the 2015, 2019, and 2023 elections. He commended El-Rufai’s dedication to democratic ideals, governance reforms, and mentorship of younger leaders. The President wished him good health and strength to continue serving the nation.   El-Rufai, a founding member of the All…

CGC Adeniyi honoured as Iconic Maritime Personality of 2024, reaffirms commitment to trade facilitation

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, has been named the Iconic Maritime Personality of the Year 2024 by the Nigerian Maritime Journalists (NMJ). The prestigious award was presented to him on Thursday, February 13, 2025, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to Nigeria’s maritime sector.   Speaking at the event, CGC Adeniyi expressed gratitude for the honor and reaffirmed his commitment to sustaining the momentum of reforms initiated in 2024.   “Gradually, we are beginning to restore some sanity in policy formation and implementation, where we play a significant…

NITDA pledges to drive Nigeria’s Digital Growth Through Cloud, AI Innovation

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has reaffirmed its commitment to accelerating Nigeria’s digital transformation by leveraging cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), and regulatory innovations to strengthen the country’s position as a leading African digital hub. Speaking at the Africa Hyperscalers Digital Infrastructure Outlook 2025, NITDA’s Director General, Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, highlighted the agency’s strategic focus on balancing regulation with industry growth to support the Federal Government’s Presidential 8-Point Agenda. He explained that NITDA adopts a two-pronged regulatory approach—rule-based regulation for strict industry compliance and non-rule-based regulation that encourages…