Month: April 2025

IGP orders Tactical deployment to Plateau as killings escalate …DIG Operations visits Plateau, meets Governor Mutfwang

Lukman Laleye Babalola

In a swift response to the renewed wave of violence in Plateau State, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has ordered the immediate deployment of police tactical assets to communities affected by recent attacks.   The IGP’s directive followed a series of coordinated attacks that began on March 28, 2025, in Bokkos Local Government Area and surrounding communities, which have led to the loss of many lives and left scores injured.   According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi,…

NITDA strengthens global alliances to boost Nigeria’s digital economy

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has reaffirmed its commitment to forging strategic international partnerships aimed at accelerating innovation, enhancing digital infrastructure, and empowering Nigerian startups. This was the highlight of a recent high-level engagement held at NITDA’s Headquarters in Abuja. The Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, who participated virtually due to a scheduled follow-up meeting with Google in the United States on investments in national sovereign infrastructure, was represented at the meeting by Mr. Oladejo Olawumi, Director of the Information Technology Infrastructure Solutions Department. The engagement featured…

The Money We Forgot: How NCC Plans to Protect Your Unused Airtime By Lukman Laleye Babalola

Lukman Laleye Babalola

It started innocently maybe your SIM card goes bad. Maybe you switch to a new number, or maybe your phone got stolen and you never bothered retrieving the old line. For months, it sits there: unused, inactive, forgotten. But what happen to the airtime you recharged the money you never spent?   That question has nagged millions of Nigerian telecom subscribers for years. And finally, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has decided to ask it out loud and answer it, too.   On April 8, 2025, the NCC hosted a…

NCC engages stakeholders on unclaimed recharges, unveils draft guidelines for Consumer Protection

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on Tuesday hosted a virtual Stakeholder Engagement Forum to deliberate on the Draft Guidance for the management of unutilized and unclaimed subscriber recharges in the Nigerian telecom sector. The high-level forum brought together key industry stakeholders, telecom operators, legal experts, and consumer advocacy groups to address lingering concerns over forfeited airtime from inactive lines and to chart a regulatory path that ensures both consumer protection and operational efficiency. In a welcome address delivered on behalf of the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC)/CEO, Dr. Aminu Maida, by…

CAJ condemns arrest and forced conscription of Journalists in Burkina Faso, demands immediate release

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Congress of African Journalists (CAJ) has strongly condemned the arrest and forced conscription of three journalists by Burkinabe authorities, calling for their immediate and unconditional release.   The detained journalists Guezouma Sanogo, President of the Association of Burkinabe Journalists (AJB); his deputy, Boukari Ouoba; and Luc Pagbelguem, a reporter with private television station BF1 were arrested on March 24 by officers of the National Security Council’s intelligence unit. Sanogo and Ouoba were targeted shortly after speaking out against rising press freedom violations during the AJB Congress, while Pagbelguem was…

David Mark @ 77 harps on unity, peace of the nation

Abubakar Yusuf

Former President of the Senate , Senator David Mark has taken stock of his military career and political trajectory and submitted ” All glory and praise to Almighty God”. Senator Mark said at a church service to commemorate his 77th birthday in Abuja that he has dedicated the rest of his life to serve God and humanity “as a token of my appreciation”. This was contained in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to Senator David Mark , Paul Mumeh. He also spoke on the security challenges, political and…

Founder of Diamond Bank and Former MTN Nigeria Chairman, Pascal Dozie dies at 85

Emporium Reporters

Renowned Nigerian entrepreneur and banking pioneer, Pascal Gabriel Dozie, has passed away at the age of 85. A source close to the family confirmed that the respected founder of the defunct Diamond Bank Plc and former Chairman of MTN Nigeria died from an undisclosed ailment.   Dozie, widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s most accomplished businessmen and economic thinkers, left an indelible mark on the country’s financial and telecommunications landscape. His contributions spanned decades of innovation and leadership that helped shape Nigeria’s private sector.   Born on April 9, 1939,…

NiDCOM hails Dr. Krystal Chanchangi Foundation for promoting inclusivity through Para Soccer

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has lauded the Dr. Krystal Chanchangi Foundation for its commitment to promoting inclusivity and empowering persons with disabilities through sports.   The commendation was made during a special para soccer event hosted by the Foundation at the Basketball Court, Old Parade Ground, Abuja, where the Chairman/CEO of NiDCOM, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, was represented by Mr. Gabriel Odu of the Media, Public Relations, and Protocols Unit.   In her goodwill message, Hon. Dabiri-Erewa praised the Foundation for its consistent efforts in supporting vulnerable communities, particularly…

FG mulls 2025 budget review to cushion impact of U.S. tariff hike

Emporium Reporters

The Federal Government is considering adjustments to its N54.99 trillion 2025 national budget as a proactive response to the potential economic shocks stemming from a recent global tariff hike announced by the United States.   Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, revealed this on Monday at the Corporate Governance Forum organised by the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) held at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.   Edun explained that the adverse impact of the U.S. tariff regime on Nigeria could manifest through a drop in global…

Afenifere warns against Religious incitement in South-West, urges Security agencies to curb divisive rhetoric

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, has raised concerns over rising attempts to incite religious tension in the South-West, warning individuals and groups to desist from making inflammatory statements capable of undermining the region’s long-standing peace and harmony. The group also called on security and intelligence agencies, particularly the Force Intelligence Department of the Nigeria Police and the Department of State Services (DSS), to monitor and address unguarded utterances that may threaten peaceful coexistence in the region. In a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by its Ekiti State Chapter Chairman, Prince…