Month: April 2025

Nigeria’s Economic reforms winning global praise, targets 7% growth — Wale Edun

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, has announced that Nigeria is targeting 7% economic growth and large-scale job creation, as the country’s economic reforms continue to gain international recognition.   Speaking at the conclusion of the 2025 IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington, D.C., Edun said that despite the challenging global environment, Nigeria is firmly on the path of stability, reform, and sustainable growth.   “We are focused on creating sustainable jobs for young Nigerians, supported by investments in critical…

Monday Lines: A nation of defectors By Lasisi Olagunju

Emporium Reporters

“I am a defector, my dictionary defines the act of defecting as ‘abandoning a person or a cause, apostacy, revolt, backsliding.’ Not to put too fine an edge on it, I am a traitor…” (Joseph Frolik in ‘The Frolik Defection: The Memoirs of an Intelligence Agent’). If in 2003 Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu did what Ifeanyi Okowa and the Delta State governor did in April 2025, he would not be president in 2023. Tinubu is president because long ago, he knew the power of staying strong, holding on and rowing…

Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan unleashes blistering Satirical Apology to Senate President Akpabio

Lukman Laleye Babalola

In a bold and fiery display of political defiance, Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan has penned a scathing satirical letter addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, sarcastically apologizing for what she termed the “grievous crime” of maintaining dignity and self-respect in the nation’s highest legislative chamber.   The letter, laced with sharp wit and cutting irony, mocked the culture of entitlement and favoritism allegedly pervading the Senate leadership. Senator Uduaghan reflected, with deliberate theatrical regret, on her refusal to comply with what she described as the “ancient art of compliance of…

The Dirty Truth About Political Coalitions in Nigeria And Why I Refuse to Be Fooled! By Mogaji Wole Arisekola.

Emporium Reporters

I have said it countless times, and I’ll say it again: in Nigeria, the political party you belong to is nothing but a reflection of your selfish interests. Let’s not sugarcoat it — no politician, and I mean no politician, has your best interest at heart in this country. They are all working tirelessly, not for you, not for the people, but for themselves, their families, their mistresses, and their secret lovers. Politics in Nigeria has never been about the people; it has always been a personal business venture. Any…

Peter Obi slams early-morning JAMB exams schedule, says Nigeria endangering students’ lives

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party and former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, has criticized the scheduling of public examinations for teenagers as early as 6:30 AM, described it as reckless and dangerous. Obi made the remarks in a statement posted on his official social media handles on Sunday, expressed deep concern over the plight of candidates writing the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). He lamented that students, mostly aged between 15 and 17 years, were being forced to travel long distances across insecure and unfamiliar…

NDLEA uncovers N1.04b Drug Consignment in Lagos Hotel raid, arrests 3 suspects

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled a major drug distribution network operating from a newly opened hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos, recovering illicit drugs valued at over N1.04 billion.   During a raid conducted between Friday 25th and Saturday 26th April 2025, operatives stormed The Hook Hotel, also known as Caesar Hotel and Caesar Lounge, located at 16 Waziri Ibrahim Street, off Elsie Femi Pearse Street. After hours of combing the five-storey building, the officers recovered 589 bags of Canadian Loud a potent strain of cannabis with…

Gov Bago maintains crackdown on youth gangs identified by distinct hairstyles

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Niger State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to tackling insecurity, particularly the rising threat posed by youth groups distinguished by a unique hairstyle pattern, in Minna, the state capital.   In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Hon. Binta Mamman, the government clarified that Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago’s executive order remained in effect, specifically targeting individuals who wear dreadlocks in the front while the back of their heads is shaved.   Governor Bago had earlier directed security agencies to apprehend youths sporting this hairstyle and…

Ekiti: A path to economic emancipation By Damilola Adeniran

Emporium Reporters

Since the creation of Ekiti State on October 1, 1996, various administrations have been focused on achieving rapid socio-economic development. The quest for development was undoubtedly a fundamental factor driving the calls for the state’s creation. This is understandable, given the historical context: the old Ondo State was dominated by the Ondo clan, while Ekitis were marginalized from governance.   Governor Biodun Oyebanji assumed office at a time when order and efficiency in governance were crucial for Ekiti State. The state is often characterized as an “agrarian state,” reflecting its…

Between Danjuma, Namadi and the Gospel of Self-Defence, by Hassan Gimba

Emporium Reporters

In a tête-à-tête with journalists last week, the Governor of Jigawa State, Umar Namadi, openly disagreed with retired General Theophilus Danjuma, former Chief of Army Staff and former Minister of Defence, over his advice to us Nigerians, to defend ourselves against those who have been killing citizens like Christmas turkeys and abducting and negotiating ransom payments like buying and selling sacks of potatoes in Shendam market.   Namadi said, “He (Danjuma) is a very senior security person and should be respected. But if he says citizens should be allowed to…

Nigeria hosts Nyerere’s One-party ghost By Festus Adedayo

Emporium Reporters

It was almost impossible not to be infected by the joy writ large on the face of the One-party state Villa-fawning group this past week. It was akin to winning a tombola. The Mauritanian-Nigerian ex-spokesperson for the Arewa Elders Forum and until of recent, Special Adviser on Political Matters to the President, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, would not allow these elated countrymen the benefit of a hard-earned Saturnalia. Momentarily, he made sitting comfy on a stool a punishing exercise for the group. As he tendered his letter of resignation from government, fire…