Day: April 7, 2025

Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan files N5.1bn defamation suit against Senator Nwaebonyi

Emporium Reporters

Suspended Senator Natasha Hadiza Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, has initiated a N5.1 billion defamation lawsuit against Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi. The suit, filed at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on April 7, 2025, follows allegations made by Senator Nwaebonyi during an interview on Channels TV’s Sunrise Daily on March 6, 2025.   Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Nwaebonyi of falsely branding her as a “gold digger,” “habitual liar,” and “habitual blackmailer,” statements she claimed are malicious, defamatory, and harmful to her reputation. In the lawsuit, the embattled senator…

NASRDA launches 5-Day Training on Agricultural Monitoring from Space to boost Nigeria’s Agricultural Productivity

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) has launched a 5-day training program on Agricultural Monitoring from Space, aiming to revolutionize Nigeria’s agricultural landscape through innovative space technology. The training, officially opened by the Director-General of NASRDA, Dr. Matthew Olumide Adepoju, emphasized the importance of capacity building in line with his 3-Point Agenda to drive research and development in Earth Observation applications.   Dr. Adepoju highlighted the agency’s commitment to positioning Nigeria as a leader in the African space sector, focusing on public-private partnerships and commercializing research outputs.  …

Gov Okpebholo begins payment of gratuities to retired Civil Servants after 12-Year delay

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has initiated the payment of outstanding gratuities owed to retired civil servants, a long-awaited move aimed at addressing a 12-year backlog. The first phase of payments, totaling N1 billion, has begun, fulfilling a crucial commitment made by the current administration.   Governor Okpebholo emphasized the significance of this payment in alleviating the financial hardship faced by pensioners who have been waiting for their entitlements since 2012. “For over a decade, many of our retirees have suffered due to the non-payment of their gratuities. This…

Edo Govt pledges to maximize Army recruitment quota, boost youth engagement

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has pledged his administration’s commitment to ensuring full utilization of the state’s recruitment quota in the Nigerian Army as part of broader efforts to enhance national security and youth empowerment. Governor Okpebholo, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Hon. Gani Audu, gave the assurance while receiving a delegation from the Chief of Army Staff, currently on a sensitization tour across Niger Delta states.   He stated that the state government would collaborate with the Brigade Commander to establish a sensitization team that…

NNPC Foundation offers 1,000 free Cataract surgeries across South-East Nigeria

Lukman Laleye Babalola

As part of its ongoing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, the NNPC Foundation Ltd/Gte., the CSR arm of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.), has commenced a free cataract extraction surgery program across the South-East geopolitical zone of Nigeria. The initiative, which targeted 1,000 beneficiaries, is aimed at restoring sight and preventing avoidable blindness, particularly among indigent Nigerians. The medical outreach followed the remarkable success of the South-West phase of the program, which saw over 1,002 successful surgeries, including among children born blind.   In the South-East, the…

Niger Police arrests suspects for motorcycle theft, recover stolen vehicle, curb miscreants in Minna

Lukman Laleye Babalola

In a renewed crackdown on criminal elements across Niger State, the State Police Command has made significant strides in crime fighting, resulting in the arrest of suspected motorcycle thieves, recovery of a stolen vehicle, apprehension of a suspected military offender, and the arrest of miscreants involved in thuggery.   These developments were contained in a crime bulletin released on Monday, April 7, 2025, by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun.   On April 3, 2025, at about 2:30pm, following a complaint, operatives of the Command’s Crack Squad arrested…

Edo APC asks INEC to fill vacant legislative seats

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, Jarret Tenebe, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to urgently conduct bye-elections to fill the two vacant legislative seats in the state.   In a statement issued from Benin City, Tenebe expressed his dissatisfaction with the prolonged delay in filling the vacant positions, stressed that the people of the affected constituencies have been without representation for over three months. He described the delay as a violation of democratic principles and electoral guidelines.   “The people of…

NiDCOM Boss,Dabiri-Erewa receives Honorary Doctorate from Smart Island University, Saudi Arabia

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), has been awarded an honorary doctorate degree by Smart Island University in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The recognition was in acknowledgment of her outstanding humanitarian services and groundbreaking efforts in diaspora development. The honorary degree was conferred by the University’s Registrar, Dr. Mohammed Dhaidan Al-Mutairi, who praised Dabiri-Erewa for her diligence, tireless work, and remarkable contributions to advancing diaspora relations. Dr. Al-Mutairi emphasized that the award celebrated her exemplary leadership in the field of diaspora and humanitarian affairs.…

House of Reps issues strong warning to Rivers Administrator Ibas over constitutional boundaries

Emporium Reporters

The House of Representatives has issued a fresh reminder to the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (retd.), emphasized that he lacked the constitutional authority to make laws or draft a budget for the state.   This warning comes after Ibas announced his plans to prepare a new budget for the oil-rich state following the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State in March. The state of emergency, declared by President Bola Tinubu, suspended the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, and the state legislature…

Tinubu reaffirms commitment to Police reforms, welfare at inaugural National Police Day

Lukman Laleye Babalola

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s unwavering support for the Nigeria Police Force during the maiden National Police Day celebration held on April 7, 2025.   Addressing officers, stakeholders, and dignitaries at the event, President Tinubu commended the courage, resilience, and sacrifices of police personnel in maintaining law and order across the country. He stated that the institutionalisation of April 7 as National Police Day was a deliberate move to honour the dedication and bravery of officers, especially those who lost…