Month: April 2025

EFCC arrests wanted Aisha Achimugu at Abuja Airport over alleged Money Laundering

Emporium Reporters

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested Nigerian businesswoman and socialite, Aisha Achimugu, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, shortly after her return from the United Kingdom. Achimugu, who had been declared wanted in March 2025 over allegations of criminal conspiracy and money laundering, was apprehended around 5am on Tuesday, April 29, 2025. Her arrest followed a Federal High Court directive ordering her to honour the EFCC’s invitation. Justice I.E. Ekwo, in a ruling delivered on Monday, April 28, had also mandated her appearance in court on…

VON DG advocates Cultural exchange at 4th China Media Group forum

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Director General and Chief Executive Officer of Voice of Nigeria (VON), Mallam Jibrin Baba Ndace, has called for stronger cultural exchange and collaboration among global media organizations, as he addressed participants at the 4th China Media Group (CMG) Forum held in Qufu, Shandong Province, China. Speaking at the prestigious international forum on April 25, 2025, Mallam Ndace emphasized the crucial role of media in bridging civilizations, fostering understanding, and promoting shared development goals. The forum, themed “Exchange, Mutual Learning, Technology Empowerment – The Power of Civilization in Transformation and…

Ahmed Ketso: A Study in Political Resilience Amid New Tensions in Niger State, By Yunusa Abugi.

Emporium Reporters

As tensions simmer between Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago and his deputy, Comrade Yakubu Garba, political observers are once again reminded of a name that defied the odds of deputy governance — Ahmed Mohamed Ketso.   Ketso, who served as Deputy Governor from 2015 to 2023, quietly left office without controversy, a feat rare among second-in-command politicians, particularly in Nigeria’s turbulent political landscape. In an era where deputy governors often fade into irrelevance, Ketso’s tenure offers important lessons for the current administration, and perhaps, a timely reflection amid growing…

Russian Presidential Envoy visits Nigeria’s Defence Chief, pledges stronger support for Counterterrorism Operations

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Representative of the President of the Russian Federation, Lieutenant General Andrei Averianov, on Monday, 28 April 2025, paid a courtesy visit to the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa, at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja. During the visit, Lt Gen Averianov described the engagement as a memorable day in the history of the Russian Federation, expressing appreciation to the CDS and the Nigerian military for their warm hospitality. He acknowledged that while it has been 80 years since Russia fought against Nazism, today’s global security landscape is…

Speaker Abbas advocates inclusive democracy, engages Social Media Influencers on National Development

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has emphasized that Nigeria’s democracy must be measured by the level of inclusiveness and participation of its citizens, particularly the youth population. Speaker Abbas made this assertion on Monday during an interactive session with a group of social media influencers at the National Assembly, Abuja. The engagement, tagged ‘Speaker’s New Media Exchange 2025’, was organized to foster dialogue between the Nigerian Parliament and the digital community. “Our democracy must be measured not merely by its procedures but by its…

FRC; Deploying Controls, Regulations to Achieve 2020-2030 SDGs, By Abubakar Yusuf

Abubakar Yusuf

In line with the decade of action , realizing SDGs 2020-2030 agenda, the mission and vision of government agencies, parastatals and departments must be in tandem with the present realities. Therefore, efforts by the Financial Reporting Council, FRC to implement the already reviewed annual fee due for over two years cannot be over emphasized. The challenges posed and identified by Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), as the umbrella body of companies operating in Nigeria may be normal and usual resistance to positive changes, posed by such bodies in the development,…

FIRS directs Commercial Banks to close unauthorised collection accounts

Emporium Reporters

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has directed all commercial banks in Nigeria to immediately identify and close any tax and levy collection accounts not authorised under its TaxPro Max system.   The directive was announced in a public notice signed by the FIRS Chairman, Zacch Adedeji, and shared by his Special Adviser on Media, Dare Adekanmbi.   According to the notice titled “Directive to Close Unauthorised FIRS Tax Collection Accounts,” all tax and levy collections on behalf of the FIRS must now be processed exclusively through assessments raised on…

Mike Adenuga: What is the meaning of success? By Lasisi Olagunju

Emporium Reporters

In the early days of Globacom, its chairman, Dr Mike Adenuga Jnr, hosted a team of editors from the Nigerian Tribune. One of them asked him why he was still working hard, making money, and working even harder despite the billions he already had. His answer was that “working hard has become a habit.” As I heard that, I remembered that American clergyman and popular columnist, Frank Crane (1861-1928), once said that “habits are safer than rules; you don’t have to watch them. And you don’t have to keep them…

Niger SSG commiserates with Prof. Kuta Yahaya over Mother’s death at 99

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Secretary to the Government of Niger State (SSG), Alhaji Abubakar Usman, has condoled with the former Secretary to the Niger State Government and Pro-Chancellor of Abdulkadir Kure University, Minna, Professor Mohammed Kuta Yahaya, over the death of his mother, Hajiya Fatima Yawo Yahaya.   Hajiya Fatima passed away at the age of 99 after a brief illness.   In a condolence message issued in Minna, Alhaji Usman described the late matriarch as a virtuous woman who lived a life of devotion, kindness, and selfless service to humanity. He noted…

Niger SSG receives National Institute for Security Studies Course 18 Participants on study tour

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Secretary to the Government of Niger State (SSG), Alhaji Abubakar Usman, has received participants of the Executive Intelligence Management Course 18 from the National Institute for Security Studies (NISS), Abuja, who are on a study tour of Niger State. The participants were hosted at Azzarah Lodge, Minna. In his welcome address, the SSG, represented by Dr. Mohammed Mohammed Makusidi, Permanent Secretary, General Services, SSG’s Office, expressed delight at hosting the distinguished participants. He noted that the study tour reflected the Institute’s commitment to practical, experiential learning and underscored the…