Month: February 2025

June 12 annulment was a Nigerian Coup, not an Igbo Coup – Senator Kalu

Emporium Reporters

By James Isaac, Abuja   Former Governor of Abia State and Senator representing Abia North, Orji Uzor Kalu, has stated that the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election was a “Nigerian coup” executed by the military, not an “Igbo coup” as widely speculated.   Kalu made this assertion while addressing journalists at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja on Tuesday, dismissed claims that Igbos were responsible for the controversial annulment. He insisted that the military, not any ethnic group, orchestrated the action that denied Chief MKO Abiola his…

Niger Govt makes ₦1 Million donation for Injured Immigration Officer’s Treatment

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Niger State Government has extended financial support to the family of Christiana Oladimeji, an immigration officer who was accidentally shot by a policeman during a mob incident in Minna on February 21, 2025.   The Commissioner of Police, Niger State Command, CP Shawulu Ebenezer Danmamman, represented by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Administration), DCP Aminu Garba, visited Oladimeji at the Specialist Hospital, Minna, where she is receiving treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).   During the visit, the police delegation presented a ₦1 million donation from the Niger…

Dabiri-Erewa hails Zuriel Oduwole’s Nomination for 2025 Nobel Peace Prize

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has congratulated 22-year-old Zuriel Oduwole on her nomination for the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize by three distinguished institutions.   In a statement issued by NIDCOM’s Director of Media, Public Relations, and Protocols, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Dabiri-Erewa described the nomination as well-deserved, citing Oduwole’s relentless advocacy for girls’ education across Africa and the Caribbean, as well as her peace mediation efforts in South America and the Middle East.   The NIDCOM boss expressed confidence that Oduwole stand a strong chance…

Akpabio vs. Akpoti-Uduaghan: Senate summons Brekete Radio Host, Ahmed Isah

Emporium Reporters

The Nigerian Senate has summoned Ahmed Isah, popularly known as the “Ordinary President” and host of Brekete Family, following a controversial broadcast involving Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate President Godswill Akpabio.   Isah revealed the summons during his live program on Monday, February 24, 2025, stating that he is expected to appear before the Senate by February 27.   The summons is linked to a recent episode of Brekete Family, where Isah facilitated a live conversation between Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate President Akpabio. While Akpoti-Uduaghan used the platform to air…

Akpabio calls for Transparent, Business-Friendly Tax System ….. Declares Open 2-Day Public Hearing on Tax reform bills

Lukman Laleye Babalola

President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, has emphasized the need for a “robust, transparent, and business-friendly tax administration” as he declared open the Two-Day Public Hearing on the Proposed Tax Reform Bills in Abuja.   Describing the reform process as a crucial step toward economic renewal, Akpabio warned that Nigeria risk stagnation if its tax system is not modernized. He stressed the importance of harmonizing revenue collection, enhancing compliance, and leveraging digital innovations to improve efficiency and fairness.   “The challenge before us transcends the simple act of…

Ooni hosts Kazakhstan Delegation in Abuja, backs Tinubu’s Economic Reforms

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi Ojaja II, on Sunday hosted a 30-man delegation from Kazakhstan, led by the country’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Alibek Kuantyrov, at the maiden Nigeria-Kazakhstan Business Council International Conference held at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja. The Ooni, who chairs the Nigeria-Kazakhstan Business Council, commended President Bola Tinubu for his bold economic reforms, noted that the hardship experienced by Nigerians is gradually easing. He highlighted that, for the first time in two decades, the gap between the parallel and official exchange rates has been…

Nigeria Customs cancels import declarations during 4% FOB implementation …… directs stakeholders to recapture entries

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced the cancellation of all import declarations made during the implementation of the now-suspended 4% Free-on-Board (FOB) charge on imports. Affected importers and customs agents have been directed to recapture their declarations to facilitate the clearance of their consignments.   The decision, contained in a statement issued by the National Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Assistant Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada, aimed to maintain clarity, ensure consistency in customs operations, and prevent disruptions in the clearance process.   “All stakeholders affected are urged to promptly…

FG sets up joint committee to curb fiber cuts during road construction

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Government has inaugurated a Joint Standing Committee on the Protection of Fiber Optic Cables to tackle the recurring issue of fiber cuts and damages caused by road construction and rehabilitation activities across Nigeria.   The initiative, spearheaded by the Federal Ministry of Works (FMoW) and the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy (FMoCIDE), aimed to minimize disruptions to telecommunications services and enhance coordination between relevant stakeholders.   The committee was inaugurated on Tuesday, February 18, at the Boardroom of the Federal Ministry of Works by the Permanent…

Nuhu Ribadu in the eyes of a youth leader By Hamzat Lawal

Emporium Reporters

Mallam Nuhu Ribadu became a household name in Nigeria during the administration of former president Olusegun Obasanjo. He was a prominent face in the small team of reformers put together by Obasanjo to set Nigeria on the path of democratic progress and economic prosperity in the dawning years of this Fourth Republic. I guess I was too young to care about politics and politicians at that time, so I do not have any memory or personal impression of the man Ribadu during that period. The first time Ribadu had a…

Wike’s Roads In FCT, By Abubakar Yusuf

Emporium Reporters

The history of abandoned nation’s city centre roads by the previous administration’s was brought to a halt, soon after the assumption of office of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and appointment of Hon Minister, Nyesom Wike as the handler of the FCT in May , 2023.   Not long after his announcement and swearing as Minister of FCT, Wike visibly disturbed with the state of decayed infrastructure in the Federal Capital Territory FCT, particularly the state of roads across all Areas, sessions, districts, Zones and locations swung into action by embarking…