Month: April 2025

Senator Victor Umeh Empowers 520 Constituents with Modern Agricultural Inputs to Boost Food Security

Emporium Reporters

By James Isaac, Abuja   In a major stride toward agricultural development and poverty reduction, Senator (Dr.) Victor C. Umeh, representing Anambra Central Senatorial District, has trained and empowered 520 constituents with modern agricultural inputs and equipment.   The empowerment initiative, which took place in the senatorial district, is part of the senator’s broader plan to promote food security and self-sufficiency through sustainable agricultural practices. Senator Umeh, who also chairs the Senate Committee on National Population and National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), was accompanied by former Labour Party presidential candidate,…

NUJ FCT seeks Wike’s intervention on key infrastructure at Council Secretariat, raises alarm over soaring living costs

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council has appealed to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr. Nyesom Wike, to intervene in addressing critical infrastructure issues at its Council Secretariat located in Utako, Abuja.   The appeal formed part of the resolutions reached during the second Congress of the NUJ FCT Council, held on Saturday, April 12, 2025. Members decried the condition of the facility currently used for congresses and meetings, described it as unbefitting for a professional journalists’ body operating from the nation’s capital.…

Nigeria and the part of our past (2) By abiodun KOMOLAFE

Emporium Reporters

Nigeria’s current challenges are products of a complex interplay of historical, economic and social factors, including a flawed foundation, poor governance and successive elites’ inability to improve the country’s infrastructure and institutions. This foundational weakness has hindered national progress, resulting in unimpressive development indices. Those in power seem content with the status quo, benefiting from it recklessly, while Nigeria’s governance appears to cater only to about 3% of its population, leaving the vast majority to fend for themselves or simply “go and die”. To understand the roots of these challenges,…

Ekiti Govt engages Muslim Leaders amid Mosque Demolition Controversy

Emporium Reporters

In a move to douse rising tension and reaffirm its commitment to religious harmony, the Ekiti State Government has commenced stakeholder engagement with leaders of the Muslim community following the controversy over the alleged demolition of a mosque in Aramoko Ekiti. The mosque site, currently being redeveloped into an ultra-modern market, had drawn public attention, prompting the government to interface directly with affected religious leaders and community members. Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Chief Monisade Afuye, on Thursday led a delegation to a crucial meeting involving top government officials, traditional…

SDGs: Revolutionizing Women Empowerment, Entrepreneurial Development Nationwide. By Abubakar Yusuf.

Abubakar Yusuf

The Sustainable Development Goals SDGs in Nigeria has extended its supports to the federal government empowerment program and Renewed Hope Initiative RHI of Nigerian first lady , Senator Remi Tinubu. Under the leadership of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs SSAP -SDGs, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, the SDGs has commenced distribution to women through partnership with Renewed Hope Initiative RHI of many empowerment items across the six geopolitical zones beginning from the North Central and across the 36 states of the federation including the FCT.   This is…

2027: Atiku, El-Rufai, Tambuwal visit Buhari in Kaduna, stir political speculation

Emporium Reporters

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on Friday led a team of opposition figures, including former governors Aminu Tambuwal and Nasir El-Rufai, to visit former President Muhammadu Buhari at his residence in Kaduna.   The visit, coming shortly after the Sallah celebrations, was shared in a video posted by Atiku on social media. In his post, the 2023 PDP presidential candidate described the meeting as light-hearted, noting that Buhari entertained the delegation with his trademark humor.   “As the Waziri Adamawa, I was obligated to be in Adamawa during the Sallah…

NNPCL GCEO reaffirms commitment to Energy transition, announces 72% completion of AKK Gas Pipeline

Emporium Reporters

The Group Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mr. Bayo Ojulari, has reiterated the company’s unwavering commitment to Nigeria’s energy transition agenda, revealed that the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline Project has reached 72% completion as of the first quarter of 2025.   Ojulari disclosed this during the 2025 edition of the Oloibiri Lecture Series and Energy Forum (OLEF), hosted by the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Nigeria Council in Abuja on Thursday. Represented by NNPCL’s Executive Vice President, Upstream, Udy Ntia, the GCEO said the company…

Gov Okpebholo pledges improved welfare for Edo workers, receives NLC, CBN Officials

Emporium Reporters

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the welfare of civil servants in the state, vowed to improve their working conditions and ensure they are well taken care of.   The Governor made this known on Friday while receiving the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Edo State Chapter, at the Government House in Benin City. The delegation was led by the Acting State Chairman, Comrade Bernard Egwekhide.   The NLC executives visited to congratulate Governor Okpebholo on his recent victory at the Governorship…

NASRDA Empowers 32 Participants in Space-Based Agriculture Training

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) has successfully concluded a five-day intensive training program on Agricultural Monitoring from Space, aimed at equipping stakeholders with the technical know-how to harness space technology for sustainable agricultural development. Addressing participants at the closing ceremony, the Director-General of NASRDA, Dr. Matthew Olumide Adepoju, encouraged the 32 trainees to apply, share, and adapt the knowledge gained to address Nigeria’s agricultural challenges.   “We expect you to apply the knowledge you’ve acquired, share it with your colleagues and communities, and domesticate it to address…

NITDA opens Public Consultation on Draft Technical Standards for Digital Public Infrastructure

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has released the draft Technical Standards for Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and has called on stakeholders, including the general public, to provide feedback and contributions towards finalizing the document. This initiative, according to NITDA, represents a significant step in Nigeria’s digital transformation journey, aimed at creating a secure, inclusive, and interoperable digital ecosystem. The standards, once adopted, are expected to guide the development and deployment of DPI components across the country, enhancing public service delivery, economic growth, and citizen empowerment. The draft document…