Month: April 2025

FG, Edo Govt Set Up Committee to Probe Uromi Killings

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Government in collaboration with the Edo State Government has set up a fact-finding committee to investigate the recent killings of hunters in Uromi, Edo State.   Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, made this known on Thursday while receiving a high-powered delegation from Kano State led by the Deputy Governor, Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo, at the Government House in Benin City.   Governor Okpebholo said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is deeply concerned about the Uromi incident and is committed to ensuring the safety of all Nigerians.   “This…

NAPTIP DG receives Martins Vincent Otse (VDM) to discuss human trafficking concerns

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Director General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Binta Adamu Bello,on 10th April 2025, received Martins Vincent Otse, a.k.a. Verydarkman (VDM), a popular social media influencer renowned for his commitment to supporting vulnerable populations. Otse, accompanied by his lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, Esq., briefed the DG about his recent encounter with Nigerian girls working in deplorable conditions at a mining site in Côte d’Ivoire. Otse expressed grave concern over the exploitation and inhumane treatment the girls were subjected to by traffickers and called for…

NIMET warns of heavy rainfall in 2025, urges immediate action to prevent flooding in 6 States

Emporium Reporters

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) has issued a crucial warning for the 2025 rainy season, forecasting heavy rainfall and an increased risk of flooding in Lagos, Rivers, Delta, Bayelsa, Ebonyi, and Cross River states. The agency is urging state governments, local councils, and vulnerable communities in these areas to take immediate action in preparation.   NIMET stressed the importance of strengthening disaster preparedness plans, improving early warning systems, and participating in national programmes focused on disaster risk reduction. This proactive approach, according to NIMET, is essential to reducing the vulnerability…

North East Lawmakers decry exclusion from FG’s $530m Agro-Industrial Project,demand immediate inclusion

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Lawmakers under the aegis of the National Assembly North East Caucus have expressed deep concern over the exclusion of their region from the Federal Government’s Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) project, a $530 million initiative designed to revolutionise Nigeria’s agricultural sector.   At a press briefing held on Thursday, April 10, 2025, at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja, the Caucus comprisiing Senators and Members of the House of Representatives from Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba, and Yobe States called for the urgent inclusion of the North East in the programme,…

Finance Minister flags Off 4th WCO-WCA Donors’ Conference in Abuja …As CGC Adeniyi unveils Strategic Blueprint for Enhanced Regional Trade Efficiency

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, hosted the 4th World Customs Organization (WCO) Donors’ Conference for the West and Central Africa (WCA) Region, reaffirmed its commitment to driving regional customs reform and trade facilitation. The high-profile conference, held at the Muhammadu Buhari Conference Hall in Abuja, marked the first post-pandemic edition of the WCO-WCA donor engagement and attracted customs leaders, donor agencies, diplomatic representatives, and industry stakeholders dedicated to modernising customs systems and promoting regional economic integration. Declaring the conference open, the Honourable Minister of Finance…

No demolition of mosques in Aramoko Ekiti – Alara-in-Council replies MURIC … Says attempt to destabilise Ekiti has failed

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Alara-in-Council, the apex traditional authority in Aramoko Ekiti, Ekiti West Local Government Area, has debunked claims by the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) alleging the demolition of mosques to pave way for the construction of the New Oja Oba Market.   The market, situated in the Sabo area of the town, is a constituency project of the Senate Leader and Senator representing Ekiti Central, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele.   In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Sajowa of Aramoko Ekiti and Chairman, Alara Modern Market Reconstruction Committee, Chief Kola Oyebade,…

Customs intercepts ₦8.6bn Tramadol at Abuja Airport, hands over to NDLEA

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command, has intercepted a massive consignment of tramadol valued at over ₦8.6 billion at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. The seizure, made on Saturday, April 5, 2025, was officially unveiled during a press briefing held on Monday, April 7, at the Cargo Terminal of the airport. The Customs Area Controller, FCT Command, Comptroller Olumide Adebisi, led the inspection of the illicit pharmaceutical products, which were concealed and smuggled under false declarations.   Addressing journalists, Comptroller Adebisi decried the actions of…

Nigeria Customs mourns passing of former Deputy Comptroller-General Ibrahim Idris Suleiman

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced the death of one of its revered retired senior officers, Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs (rtd), Ibrahim Idris Suleiman, who died in Dubai on Sunday, April 7, 2025, after a brief illness. He was 66 years old.   In a statement issued on Monday, April 8, 2025, by the National Public Relations Officer, Assistant Comptroller of Customs Abdullahi Maiwada, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, expressed deep sorrow over the passing of the seasoned officer.   Born on October 20, 1958, in Mani…

FG embarks on technological overhaul of Media Agencies, partners global Broadcast giants

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Government has commenced a comprehensive technical upgrade of its media organizations through the acquisition of modern broadcast technologies and the replacement of outdated infrastructure, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has disclosed.   The Minister made this known during engagements with leading broadcast and information technology firms at the ongoing National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Show 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.   Speaking at the event, Idris noted that the investment is aimed at repositioning federal radio and television stations for more effective service delivery.…

MURIC slams Afenifere for defending Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele over Mosque demolition

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has strongly condemned the defense of Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele by Afenifere, Ekiti State chapter, following allegations that Bamidele knew about the demolition of Sabo Central Mosque in Aramoko, Ekiti State. Afenifere, led by Mr. Gabriel Alonge, released a statement on 8th April, 2025, accused MURIC of inciting unrest and calling for the Department of State Security (DSS) to monitor the group’s activities.   In a fiery response issued on 9th April, MURIC’s Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, dismissed Afenifere’s claims as baseless and accused…