Month: February 2025

Akpabio vs. Akpoti-Uduaghan: A Political Power Play or an Abuse of Authority? By Lukman Laleye Babalola

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigerian Senate witnessed an unusual drama last week when Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan confronted Senate President Godswill Akpabio over the sudden reassignment of her seat. What seemed like a simple procedural issue quickly escalated into a heated exchange that exposed deeper issues about power, gender, and leadership in the upper legislative chamber.   But beyond the incident itself lies a stunning irony: Akpabio, who reacted with force against Akpoti-Uduaghan, was once in her exact position. During the 8th Senate under Senate President Bukola Saraki, Akpabio himself resisted a seat reassignment…

Babangida’s journey and his service By Festus Adedayo

Emporium Reporters

Since Thursday when his autobiography, A Journey In Service, was launched, former military president, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, has taken center-stage of national attention. The autobiography reminds me of James Hadley Chase’s Make the Corpse Walk. It is the story of eccentric millionaire, Kester Weidmann, who in his weirdest best, believed money could buy everything, life and death inclusive. So, one day, Weidmann woke up with the crazy idea that his dead brother could be brought back to life. He then enlisted the services of a voodoo specialist to perform this…

Nigeria should avoid carrying ants in its pants, by Hassan Gimba

Emporium Reporters

Things are happening fast, and in an ever-changing world, keeping track of them is becoming increasingly difficult. This is not particular to Nigeria alone, as we have seen many global shifts that may ultimately spell peace for the beleaguered, even though others may have the potential to exacerbate fragile peace. Russia/Ukraine axis may see peace, but Gaza may enter another phase.   However, the revelation that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is a sponsor of many global terrorist activities, including Boko Haram, may help us solve that…

Gale of Defections: A Threat to Political Stability By Abba Dukawa

Emporium Reporters

  _When politics is no longer a mission but a profession, politicians become more self-serving than public servants” – Emmanuel Macron, the President of France._     Nigeria has had a history of defection of party members from one political party to another right from the colonial era. In 1951, the first celebrated cross-carpeting episode occurred in Nigeria; which consequently robbed the leader of the National Convention of Nigerians and Cameroons, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, the chance to lead the government’s business of Western Nigeria. This means that the phenomenon has…

NAHCON, Mashariq Al-Dhahabia adjust Contract to accommodate 52,544 Nigerian Pilgrims for 2025 Hajj

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has successfully amended its service allocation contract with Mashariq Al-Dhahabia to accommodate the 52,544 slots booked under the government quota for the 2025 Hajj.   The adjustment was finalized during a high-level meeting at Hajj House, Abuja, between NAHCON and the management team of Mashariq Al-Dhahabia, led by its Chairman, Mr. Muhammad Hassan, who is currently in Nigeria.   The Chairman of NAHCON, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, announced the development, emphasized that the amendment was made possible due to a clause in the…

Editorial: Akpabio Vs. Akpoti-Uduaghan : Does the Rearrangement of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Seat Worth It?

Emporium Reporters

We’ve watched and listened with keen interests the drama that unfolded at the Nigerian Senate, during the plenary on Thursday, February 20, 2025, between the senate president, Godswill Akpabio and his female colleague, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan over the purported rearrangement of seat where the later was relocated without her knowledge.   Akpoti-Uduaghan resumed duty on Thursday as usual and on making her way into the chamber for the business of the day found her nameplate missing from her usual seat.   And disturbed by the development, she raised her voice…

Hon Betara Celebrates Governor Bago at 51 …. Commends His Leadership and Developmental Strides

Emporium Reporters

The Chairman of the House of Representatives’ Committee on FCT, Hon. Muktar Aliyu Betara, has felicitated with Governor Mohammed Bago of Niger State on his 51st birthday, praising his visionary leadership and contributions to national development.   In a congratulatory message, Hon. Betara, who represents Biu/Bayo/Shani and Kwaya Kusar Federal Constituency of Borno State, lauded Governor Bago’s dedication to public service and his relentless advocacy for the people of Niger State. He also acknowledged the governor’s impact on legislative processes during his tenure as a member of the House of…

Niger SSG celebrates Governor Bago at 51, applauds his Transformative Leadership

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Secretary to the Government of Niger State (SSG), Alhaji Abubakar Usman, has congratulated Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago on his 51st birthday, commended his visionary leadership and commitment to the state’s transformation.   In a statement issued on Saturday, February 22, 2025, Usman lauded the governor’s strides in agriculture, rural development, and infrastructural growth, which have earned him the popular title of the Farmer Governor. He noted that under Bago’s leadership, Niger State has witnessed remarkable progress across key sectors, including education, healthcare, and road construction.   “The administration has…

Niger Police foils ritual plot, arrest three for attempting to buy Six-month foetus for N30m

Emporium Reporters

The Niger State Police Command has arrested three suspects who allegedly conspired to buy a six-month-old foetus for ritual purposes, offering the pregnant woman a staggering N30 million.   The suspects—Martha Andrew, James Luka, and Johnson John—all residents of Minna, were apprehended by operatives of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) on February 17, 2025.   According to police reports, the trio attempted to lure the pregnant woman, a resident of Rafin-Yashi, Minna, into terminating her pregnancy in exchange for the huge sum. However, instead of falling for their ploy,…

FG Making Bold Steps Towards Empowering Women in Nigeria – SSA SDGs.

Abubakar Yusuf

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, said the donation of items across the country initiative was a bold step towards empowering Nigerian women across the 36 states and the FCT.   Orelope-Adefulire stressed that the First Lady’s RHI program, has continued to serve as a beacon of empowerment and economic transformation, aligning seamlessly with our national development priorities and the SDGs.   “Today’s programme is not just about distributing empowerment items; it is about unlocking potential, fostering economic independence and creating opportunities for women…