Month: April 2025

David Mark: Author of Doctrine of Necessity @ 77 By Paul Mumeh

Emporium Reporters

David Alechenu Bonaventure Mark, a retired Army General and President of the 6th and 7th Senate (2007-2011 & 2011-2015), Federal Republic of Nigeria, is 77 (April 8, 2025). He is unarguably an accomplished soldier and a successful politician.   As a soldier, he rose to the commanding height of his chosen profession; a Brigadier-General and Director of Signals, Nigerian Army and as a politician, he rose to the position of President of the Senate, ranking as number three citizen in Nigeria.   There are very few men and women in…

NECA applauds Customs over Trade Reforms, seeks stronger collaboration … As CGC Adeniyi reiterates commitment to Private sector growth

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) has commended the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for its recent reforms aimed at improving trade facilitation and creating a more business-friendly environment. The commendation came on Thursday, April 4, 2025, during a courtesy visit by NECA’s leadership to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, at the NCS Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja. Speaking during the visit, NECA President, Dr Ifeanyi Okogwu, applauded the NCS for implementing policies such as the Advance Ruling system, the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme, and the Time Release Study,…

DHQ refutes misleading claims on General Tsiga’s release, praises military’s heroic rescue efforts

Emporium Reporters

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has strongly refuted a misleading article by Brigadier General Ismaila Abdullahi, which falsely claimed that military generals contributed money to secure the release of Brigadier General Mahrazu Tsiga (retired), the former Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), who was held captive for 56 days. In a statement released today, the DHQ clarified that the successful rescue of General Tsiga was the result of coordinated military operations led by troops from Operation Fasan Yamma, not financial contributions.   The statement highlighted the extensive efforts…

Nigeria steps into global spotlight as first West African host of GITEX Technology Expo

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Nigeria is set to make history as the first West African nation to host the globally acclaimed Gulf Information Technology Exhibition (GITEX), in a bold move that signals the country’s emergence as a rising force in digital innovation and technology leadership on the continent. Spearheaded by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) in partnership with KAOUN International, the prestigious event is scheduled to take place in Abuja and Lagos from September 1st to 4th, 2025. It is expected to draw over 1,000 startups, more than 100 investors, and over…

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…