Month: April 2025

Senate Backs $500 Million Chinese Investment in Solid Minerals, Pledges Legislative Support

Emporium Reporters

By James Isaac, Abuja   The Nigerian Senate has assured a visiting Chinese delegation of full legislative support as they plan to invest $500 million in Nigeria’s solid minerals sector, marking a significant step in the country’s economic diversification efforts. The Senate Committee on Solid Minerals Development, on Friday, hosted the delegation led by Mr. Chen Twan of Zong Hong Kotai Group, who disclosed that their company is set to commence mining operations in Zamfara, Kebbi, and Nasarawa States.   Senator Onawo Mohammed Ogoshi (Nasarawa South), standing in for the…

Ex-Oyo Governor Victor Omololu Olunloyo dies at 89, days to 90th Birthday

Emporium Reporters

Dr. Victor Omololu Olunloyo, a former Governor of Oyo State and a towering figure in Nigeria’s academic and political landscape, has passed on just nine days to his 90th birthday. NewsBreakNaija confirmed that the revered Engineer and Technocrat died after a life of immense contributions to national development. Dr. Olunloyo made history as the first Rector of both The Polytechnic, Ibadan and Kwara State Polytechnic, leaving indelible marks in the education sector. He was also the Balogun of Oyo and the Otun Bobasewa of Ife, titles reflecting his prominence in…

Afrimash unveils USSD code to curb sale of adulterated chicks, empowers poultry farmers

Lukman Laleye Babalola

In a bold step to combat the widespread issue of adulterated day-old chicks in Nigeria’s poultry industry, agritech firm Afrimash has launched a dedicated USSD code 349791# to help farmers verify the authenticity of chicks before purchase.   The initiative, developed in collaboration with global non-profit organization Acumen, is aimed at protecting poultry farmers especially those in rural areas from financial losses caused by substandard or fake chicks.   Speaking during the launch, Afrimash CEO Ayoade Oyedotun described the service as a breakthrough for smallholder farmers.   “Poultry farmers have…

MELE KYARI: THE PREDECESSOR’S SUCCESS SYNDROME (PSS)

Emporium Reporters

Will Mele Kyari, the former Group CEO of the NNPCL, become an unsung hero? Time will tell. One intriguing aspect of Nigeria is how citizens, in most cases, tend to believe that a previous administration was better than the current one, despite having criticized it at the time. President Bola Tinubu has been praised for assembling a board of experts for the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd (NNPCL). However, the President’s authority to remove and appoint members to the NNPCL board remains legally contentious, especially following the Federal High Court’s…

VON DG Jibrin Baba Ndace Joins Global Broadcasters at NAB Show 2025 in Las Vegas

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Director General of Voice of Nigeria (VON), Malam Jibrin Baba Ndace, is currently participating in the 2025 National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Conference and Workshop taking place in Las Vegas, United States.   The global broadcast event, which runs from April 5 to 9, is themed “The Technology, The Trend, The Future.” brought together key players in the media industry to explore cutting-edge trends including artificial intelligence, cloud visualisation, the creator economy, and sports streaming.   Mallam Ndace’s participation reflected VON’s commitment to deepening broadcast collaborations and forging strategic…

Soludo clinches APGA Governorship Ticket, picks Ibezim as running mate for 2025 Anambra Election

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Anambra State Governor ,Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, has been unanimously nominated as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) for the upcoming November 8, 2025, gubernatorial election in Anambra State. The affirmation took place during the party’s primary election held on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at Dr. Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka, where 3,168 delegates from 326 wards across the state endorsed Soludo through a “yes” or “no” vote. Out of 3,175 accredited delegates, 3,172 voted in favour of the incumbent governor, with only four invalid votes…

Speaker Abbas condemns Plateau attacks, describes killings as senseless and barbaric

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has strongly condemned the recent coordinated attacks on several communities in the Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State, describing the killings as senseless and barbaric.   The affected communities Ruwi, Manguna, Daffo, Josho, and Hurti—were reportedly attacked by armed assailants, leading to the death of many residents and injuries to several others, including women and children.   In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Abdullahi Krishi, and issued on Saturday, April 5,…

Akeem Owoade Crowned as 46th Alaafin of Oyo

Emporium Reporters

Oba Akeem Abimbola Owoade has been crowned the 46th Alaafin of Oyo. He succeeds the 45th Alaafin, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, who passed away on April 22, 2022, at the age of 83. The coronation event took place today (Saturday) at Oliveth Baptist High School in Oyo and was graced by dignitaries, including Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, who led the state delegation. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was represented at the coronation by the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu. Other dignitaries present included the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin;…

NHRC issues strong Advisory to Law Enforcement on Freedom of Expression Violations …. Calls for end to arbitrary arrests, misuse of Cybercrime Act

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a stern advisory to law enforcement agencies across the country, urged them to uphold the fundamental right to freedom of expression and desist from arbitrary arrests, intimidation, and harassment of citizens, especially journalists, activists, and human rights defenders. The advisory, signed by the NHRC’s Executive Secretary, Dr. Tony Ojukwu (SAN), was released in Abuja on Friday during the presentation of the Commission’s March Human Rights Complaints Dashboard. “In line with international human rights norms, law enforcement agencies must refrain from interfering with…

Transforming NIMASA: Mobereola’s first year By abiodun KOMOLAFE

Emporium Reporters

Dayo Mobereola’s first year as Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has been marked by transformative changes, strategic reforms and innovative partnerships.   Appointed in March 2024, Mobereola brought his reputation as a technocrat and PhD holder in transport economics to the Nigerian maritime industry. With a decade-long track record of leading the Lagos Metropolitan Transport Authority, a benchmark for urban transport planning and development, he took on the challenge at NIMASA to enhance maritime safety, promote shipping development, and position Nigeria’s blue economy for sustainable…