Day: April 16, 2025

Tinubu Administration committed to IDPs’ welfare, says Deputy Speaker Kalu at UN Forum — Assures Kampala Convention will soon be Domesticated

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has reaffirmed the commitment of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to improving the welfare of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) across Nigeria.   Speaking as a panelist during a high-level United Nations special online event to commemorate the 27th anniversary of the Guiding Principles on Internally Displaced Persons, Kalu said Nigeria is making concrete efforts toward the domestication of the Kampala Convention.   The Kampala Convention is a landmark African Union treaty that seeks to protect…

NCS deepens collaboration with Access Bank to enhance Trade Finance Integration

Lukman Laleye Babalola

In a bid to consolidate the gains of its newly deployed Unified Customs Management System (UCMS), codenamed B’odogwu, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intensified engagement with key financial stakeholders, including Access Bank, to strengthen trade finance integration and system-wide efficiency.   At a virtual meeting held on Monday, April 14, 2025, the NCS leadership, led by Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of ICT and Modernisation, Kikelomo Adeola, engaged top officials of Access Bank on aligning operational frameworks to support seamless financial transactions and digital trade facilitation.   Other…

NDLEA arrests notorious Drug Baron after 17 Years on the Run, Korean Intelligence seeks extradition

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Intelligence Service (NIS) of the Republic of Korea has applauded the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for the arrest of a 59-year-old drug kingpin, Ogbonnaya Kevin Jeff, who had evaded justice for 17 years while trafficking illicit drugs across international borders. Ogbonnaya, who previously served a one-year jail term in South Korea in 2007 and was deported to Nigeria in 2008, was arrested by NDLEA operatives on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, at his hideout located at No. 3, Ibukunoluwa Taiwo Close, off LASU Road, Lagos. He had…

Niger Police clarifies Mokwa kidnap case, debunks viral claims on suspect prosecution

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Niger State Police Command has debunked a trending video circulating on social media, in which a vigilante head from Mokwa alleged that five suspected kidnappers were arrested but only three were prosecuted. The Command clarified that the suspects in question were involved in two separate criminal cases and were duly charged to court.   In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, on Tuesday, April 16, 2025, the Command listed the suspects as Mohammed Dansajo, Mohammed Dangi of Kara Village, Abubakar Usman Abule of…

Easter Cantata: Rep Abejide, CP Adewale, NUJ urge unity, responsible leadership to foster Renewed Hope

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Stakeholders from the National Assembly, security agencies, and the media have called for unity, discipline, and responsible journalism as key drivers in advancing Nigeria’s Renewed Hope Agenda under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.   The call was made during the 2025 Easter Cantata Concert organized by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, with the theme: “Renewal and Hope: Harnessing the Transformative Power of Unity and Progress.”   The event brought together lawmakers, journalists, security personnel, and civil society leaders in a celebration marked by music, prayers, and messages of…

NITDA DG Kashifu Inuwa rallies African Leaders to embrace strategic, inclusive AI adoption

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa CCIE, has charged African leaders to take proactive steps in integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into governance, business, and development strategies, asserting that Africa must lead the Fourth Industrial Revolution through innovation and inclusion. Speaking at the Main Stage of GITEX Africa 2025 in Marrakech, Morocco, Inuwa delivered a compelling presentation on “Harnessing AI for Strategic Leadership” during a high-level panel session that attracted global policymakers, technology experts, and investors. Inuwa emphasised that AI should not merely be…

FAAC shares N1.578 Trillion among FG, States, LGAs for March despite dip in Oil Royalties, VAT

Emporium Reporters

    Despite a decline in oil royalties and Value Added Tax (VAT), the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) has shared a total of N1.578 trillion among the Federal Government, State Governments, and Local Government Councils for the month of March 2025.   The disbursement was confirmed in a communiqué issued after FAAC’s April meeting in Abuja, signed by Bawa Mokwa, Director of Press and Public Relations at the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF).   According to Mokwa, the total distributable revenue included: Statutory Revenue – N931.325…

FHA Denies Land Deal with New Festac Property Development Company Ltd in Festac Town.

Emporium Reporters

By Our Reporter.     The Management of Federal Housing Authority, FHA , has asked the general public particularly those in Festac Town, phase 11 District ,Lagos to disregard any land transactions between the New Festac Property Development Company Ltd, a concessionaire and any of its agents or representatives.   A statement tagged Federal Housing Authority, ‘Caveat Emptor’ released on Tuesday by the management of the Authority dismissed any land transactions or conciliation between Federal Housing Authority, FHA and New Festac Property Development Company Ltd.   The management stated that…

Information Minister Idris declares open 2nd Nigeria Spokespersons’ Summit, reaffirms commitment to Media Literacy, PR Reform

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, declared open the 2nd Nigeria Spokespersons’ Summit (NSS) in Abuja, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to media literacy, free speech, and the professionalization of public relations practice in Nigeria. Speaking at the summit organized by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), the Minister lauded the Institute for its consistency in advancing the standards of public communication and for curating a high-level gathering of thought leaders, media executives, veteran spokespersons, and policy influencers from across the…

FG declares April 18 & 21 Public Holidays for Easter Celebration

Emporium Reporters

The Federal Government has declared Friday, April 18, and Monday, April 21, 2025, as public holidays to commemorate Good Friday and Easter Monday.   This was announced on Tuesday by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in a statement signed by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Magdalene Ajani.   Dr. Tunji-Ojo congratulated Christians on the occasion and urged them to reflect on the virtues of sacrifice, love, and redemption symbolized by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.   He further called on Nigerians to use the Easter period…