Month: April 2025

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…

Senate, NAHCON strengthen partnership for seamless 2025 Hajj Operations

Emporium Reporters

By James Isaac, Abuja   In preparation for the 2025 Hajj exercise, the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs has pledged close collaboration with the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to ensure a smooth and hitch-free pilgrimage for Nigerian Muslims.   The commitment was made on Tuesday during a closed-door meeting held at the National Assembly complex in Abuja between members of the Committee and the leadership of NAHCON. The meeting, which lasted over three hours, was aimed at reviewing the Commission’s readiness and addressing all logistical and operational concerns…

NiDCOM Chairman Congratulates Newly Elected NANSD Executives, Reaffirms Support for Nigerian Students Abroad

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has congratulated the newly elected executives of the National Association of Nigerian Students in Diaspora (NANSD), commending their commitment to unity, progress, and leadership among Nigerian students overseas.   The congratulatory message followed the association’s successful general elections held on March 22, 2025, and the formal inauguration of the new executive council on April 12, 2025.   In a statement issued through the Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, the NiDCOM boss expressed satisfaction…

Tinubu Laying Solid Foundation for Nigeria’s Prosperity – Deputy Senate President Barau

Emporium Reporters

The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, has lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for laying a strong foundation for Nigeria’s long-term prosperity through his administration’s policy direction and development-focused initiatives.   In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ismail Mudashir, Senator Barau urged Nigerians to rally behind the President in his efforts to address the country’s long-standing socio-economic challenges.   “By May 29, it will be exactly two years since President Tinubu assumed office. Though we are not yet where we desire…