Month: April 2025

MURIC condemns demolition of Two Mosques in Ekiti, faults Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele

Emporium Reporters

  The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has condemned the demolition of two mosques in Aramoko, Ekiti State, describing the action as a deliberate attack on Islam and a violation of the fundamental rights of Muslims in the area.   According to MURIC, while no official reason was given for the demolition of the first mosque, the second mosque, located in Sabo area of Aramoko, was pulled down to pave way for a market project reportedly initiated by the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, as part of his constituency project.  …

Lugard: 80 Years After By Lasisi Olagunju

Emporium Reporters

On 9 June, 1913, Lord Friedrick Lugard minuted on a document that Lagos “could never be made a healthy place.” It was his reaction to a proposed sewage scheme estimated to cost £186,000. He believed that that amount was too vast to expend on an unworthy Lagos. He was Governor of Southern Nigeria at that time.   On January 1, 1914, Lugard became Governor-General of the whole of Nigeria. Thomas S. Gale, who was very critical of his ways, notes that one of Lugard’s first acts “was to close the…

Omololu Olunloyo: An egret flies home By Lasisi Olagunju

Emporium Reporters

If he had lived one more week, he would have defeated himself. When he turned 87 three years ago, I told him we would celebrate his 90th very big in 2025. He replied that it wouldn’t be necessary because he would die at 89.   “Eighty-nine? Why 89? That’s an odd number.”   “But being first is being odd. Number one is an odd number.” He reminded me.   “Yes. And good luck lies in odd numbers.” I said that quotation and looked straight into his eyes. He smiled and…

Orelope-Adefulire Celebrates Dame Abimbola Fashola at 60, Hails Her Legacy of Service and Empowerment

Abubakar Yusuf

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SSAP-SDGs), Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, has extended warm felicitations to Dame Emmanuella Abimbola Fashola on the occasion of her 60th birthday, describing her as a woman of deep compassion, humility, and enduring impact whose life has been devoted to service and empowerment. In a statement released by her Special Assistant on Media, Publicity and Strategic Communications, Desmond Utomwen in Abuja, the former Deputy Governor of Lagos State celebrated the former First Lady of Lagos State for her transformative contributions to…

Technology a neutral tool for driving Nigeria’s socio-economic growth – NITDA DG

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa , has described technology as a neutral tool whose impact on society depends on how it is applied, urging stakeholders to leverage its potential for Nigeria’s socio-economic advancement.   Inuwa stated this while speaking at a virtual panel session titled “Culture and Innovation: The Changing Landscape and Technoculture,” organized by the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy in collaboration with the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) and UNESCO.   Represented by the Acting Director,…

Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Niger First Lady, Others Bag 2025 HIPMA Awards

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Prominent Nigerian women, including Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), were honoured at the 2025 Heroine Impact Prestigious Merit Awards (HIPMA), held in Abuja.   Dabiri-Erewa was recognised in the Hall of Fame of the Year category for her consistent contributions to national development and for championing the rights and welfare of Nigerians living abroad.   Receiving the award on her behalf, Miss Deborah Anaelechi of NiDCOM’s Media, Public Relations and Protocol Unit expressed gratitude to the organisers for acknowledging Dabiri-Erewa’s dedication and service.  …

Alhaji Ibrahim Idris CON and the Legacy of Selfless,Philanthropy and Community Service at 76. BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF

Emporium Reporters

Jakadan Sokoto and former extraordinary period and two time Kogi Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim CON clocked 76 years today on the surface of the earth , April 6th, 2025, maintaining his age long selfless, community service and philanthropy.   Idris who have crisscrossed the length and breath of the country started his early life from the South and eastern part of the country.   Therefore , his fluence in Ibo language and extraction is undaunted as he made many friends across the south east .   This was basically his early…

You’re an admirable public servant, Mark extols Dr Ukoha

Abubakar Yusuf

The former President of the Senate, Sen. David Mark has described the Permanent Secretary, Directorate of Legislative Budget and Planning, National Assembly, Dr. Obasi David Ukoha as an admirable civil servant with an excellent spirit. Mark, during the grand reception organized by Abiriba Communal Improvement Union (ACIU) Worldwide, in honour of Dr. Ukoha in Abuja over the weekend, said the new Permanent Secretary is someone with an excellent spirit, prayed that he excelled more in his new office. He added that, Ukoha is a committed civil servant, a humble person…

Profiling Natasha as Segilola, Sweetheart of 1001 men By Festus Adedayo

Emporium Reporters

Sorry, I digress. Gradually, the Nigerian presidency is putting finishing touches to its own sculpture of a village liar, Ìbídùn, it is busy carving. Or writing itself into the pathetic biblical story of an early Christian community in Jerusalem which witnessed a lying couple by the name, Ananias and Sapphira. Ìbídùn was the proverbial woman who, determined to make deception an art, walked close to a popular masquerader at the marketplace. Amidst the din of wild dances and celebration, Ìbídùn saluted the masquerader thus: “it has been quite a while!”…

NDLEA arrests India-Bound Brothers with 5kg Cocaine at Lagos Airport, seizes drugs nationwide in major operations

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has recorded major breakthroughs in its nationwide crackdown on drug trafficking, arresting two brothers John Abugu, 43, and Kenneth Abugu, 31 at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos, for attempting to smuggle 5 kilograms of cocaine to India.   The suspects were apprehended on Thursday, April 3, 2025, during a special operation based on credible intelligence. The illicit drug was ingeniously concealed within the walls of their suitcases. The duo claimed to be travelling for medical reasons.   On the same…