Day: March 15, 2025

NIGERIA UNION OF JOURNALIST (NUJ) @70 A Tribute to Courage: Upholding Justice and Protecting Press Freedom in Nigeria By Shua’ibu Usman Leman

Emporium Reporters

As we commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Nigeria Union of Journalists – NUJ from 15th March 1955 to 15th March 2025, it is imperative that we pause to acknowledge and honour our fallen colleagues, tragic victims of impunity. Every act of violence against journalists – be it intimidation, harassment, or murder – constitutes a fundamental assault on the very principles of democracy and freedom of expression that we hold dear. As the esteemed journalist and advocate for press freedom, Anna Politkovskaya, astutely observed, “Without journalism, there are no freedoms.”…

25 Years After : FG, IPAC Collaborates to Deepen Nigeria’s Democracy .

Emporium Reporters

The Nigerian Government has pledged support for a film documentary on Nigeria’s 25 years of unbroken democracy, as announced by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, during a meeting with the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Abuja on Friday.   The documentary, conceived by IPAC, will chronicle Nigeria’s democratic journey, celebrating achievements and reflecting on challenges.   Minister Idris commended IPAC for its role in fostering democracy, emphasising the importance of political parties working together to strengthen national unity.   IPAC’s National Chairman, Honourable Yusuf Dantalle, accentuated…

2027: A crossroads of choice By abiodun KOMOLAFE

Emporium Reporters

We are at midterm, which means that the next electoral cycle has already started. Unfortunately, governance will begin to slow down as politicking and jockeying for advantage become more pronounced, distracting from the real work of administration and the quest to achieve sustainable development.   The ruling party currently holds a significant advantage, facing an ill-defined and unfocused array of interest groups lacking cohesion. Unlike parliamentary systems, presidential systems don’t truly have an ‘opposition’ concept. Instead, they offer a focused alternative platform, presenting a distinct and more positive stance than…

NCS Seme Command Generates N743.7 Million in One Month, Hands Over 444 Parcels of Cannabis to NDLEA

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Seme Area Command has recorded remarkable achievements in revenue generation and anti-smuggling operations, raking in N743,728,652.16 in one month. The Command also intercepted large consignments of contraband, including 444 parcels of Cannabis Sativa, which were handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).   Speaking at a press briefing on Thursday, March 13, 2025, the Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller Dr. Ben Oramalugo, attributed these successes to enhanced intelligence sharing, inter-agency collaboration, and operational restructuring aimed at improving efficiency and vigilance.   Within…

Tinubu to Catholic Bishops: Economic Reforms Tough but Necessary for Nigeria’s Future

Lukman Laleye Babalola

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reassured Nigerians that his administration understands the economic hardships they face but emphasized that ongoing reforms are necessary to build a resilient nation and secure the future of younger generations.   Speaking at the State House in Abuja on Friday while receiving the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), President Tinubu defended his government’s policy decisions, including the removal of fuel subsidies and tax reforms, as essential steps to prevent the country from financial collapse.   “Yes, removing the fuel subsidy was hard, tough for…

USPF Secretary applauds ITU, UK-FCDO for Supporting Nigeria’s Rural Connectivity Efforts

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Secretary of the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Mr. Yomi Arowosafe, has commended the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (UK-FCDO) for their collaboration with the Nigerian government to enhance rural connectivity and drive socio-economic development.   Arowosafe gave the commendation at an Industry-Focused Stakeholders Engagement Session held in Lagos over the weekend. The event, organized by the USPF in collaboration with the UK-FCDO and ITU, aimed to advance efforts to expand network coverage in unserved…

Ekiti’s next leap! By abiodun KOMOLAFE

Emporium Reporters

One of the off-cycle elections next year will take place in Ekiti State, where Governor Biodun Oyebanji will face reelection. Oyebanji has several strengths to leverage when campaigning begins, particularly his efforts to redirect the state’s political economy in a positive direction, as widely acknowledged by conventional wisdom. Ekiti State has navigated the current economic transformation in very steady ways. The state’s poverty level is relatively manageable, rather than crippling. The governor’s strategic intervention in agriculture has built up buffers of price-modulating as well as supply-adjustment mechanisms. This approach has…

Malam Jibrin Baba Ndace: The Right Man Steering VON to Global Excellence ,By Lukman Laleye Babalola

Emporium Reporters

In today’s fast-paced media landscape, leadership in public broadcasting demands more than just routine administration it requires vision, strategic engagement, and the ability to shape narratives that project national identity on a global stage. In Malam Jibrin Baba Ndace, Nigeria has found a leader who embodies these qualities. A thoroughbred journalist, Security Analyst, and Public Affairs Strategist, Ndace’s career span decades in print, broadcast, and digital media. His sharp analytical skills, deep understanding of Nigeria’s geopolitical landscape, and ability to communicate complex issues with clarity have earned him respect across…

NNPCL woos global Investors at CERAWeek, highlights Nigeria’s Oil and Gas potential

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has urged global investors to explore the vast opportunities in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, citing robust regulatory reforms and investment-friendly policies that have transformed the country into an attractive investment hub. The Executive Vice President, Upstream, NNPC Ltd, Mr. Udy Ntia, made this call on Tuesday during a session at the 2025 CERAWeek by S&P Global in Houston, Texas, United States. Speaking on the theme “Spotlight: Attracting Investment for Oil and Gas,” Ntia emphasized that Nigeria is well-positioned as a stable…