Day: May 6, 2025

NHRC intervenes in VDM’s arrest, launches investigation to safeguard his rights

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has waded into the ongoing controversy surrounding the arrest and detention of popular social media commentator, VeryDarkBlackMan (VDM), assured Nigerians that steps are being taken to ensure his fundamental human rights are protected. In a statement made available to journalists, the Commission disclosed that its Executive Secretary, Dr. Tony Ojukwu , has initiated engagements with relevant authorities and directed immediate inquiries into the matter in line with the Commission’s statutory mandate. The intervention was announced by Mr. Benedict Agu, Special Assistant to the Executive…

IOM Chief pledges stronger ties with NiDCOM to promote safer migration, Diaspora engagement

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The newly appointed Chief of Mission of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Nigeria, Dimanche Sharon, has reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to deepening collaboration with the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) to promote safe, orderly, and regular migration, as well as enhance diaspora engagement. Sharon gave this assurance during a courtesy visit to the Chairman/CEO of NiDCOM, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja on Monday. Commending NiDCOM’s initiatives, Sharon described Nigeria’s migration and diaspora management frameworks as models worthy of emulation across Africa. She emphasised the…

COPDEM, ADC mobilize Nigerians to reclaim democracy ahead of 2027 Elections …… Coalition warns of one-party rule, urges citizens to join ADC

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Coalition to Protect and Defend Our Democracy (COPDEM), in collaboration with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has raised serious concerns over what it described as a creeping erosion of Nigeria’s democratic foundations.   Speaking at a world press conference held on Monday, May 5, 2025, at the ADC Global Headquarters in Abuja, the National Chairman of COPDEM and Director-General of the ADC Directorate for Mobilisation, Civil Societies & Progressives Engagements, Rwang Pam Jnr, warned that Nigeria’s democracy was under siege.   Addressing members of the press, Mr. Pam said…

Defection wave hits National Assembly as Six Delta PDP Reps join APC, Two LP members move to PDP

Emporium Reporters

A fresh wave of defections has rocked Nigeria’s House of Representatives as six lawmakers from Delta State under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have officially crossed over to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The defectors included Hon. Nnamdi Ezechi, Jonathan Ukodiko, Nicholas Mutu, Thomas Ereyitomi, Julius Pondi, and Victor Nwokolo. Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, formally welcomed them into the APC fold during plenary on Tuesday, May 6, 2025. In their letters of resignation from the PDP, the lawmakers cited internal crises and the need to…

Edo Political Tsunami: Speaker, 17 LG Chairmen, Top PDP members defect to APC …. APC secures majority with 18 seats in Edo Assembly

Emporium Reporters

Edo State witnessed a major political shake-up on Tuesday as the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Blessing Agbebaku, defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), alongside 17 Local Government Chairmen, several councilors, and other notable PDP stakeholders. The Speaker cited the need to align with the developmental vision of Governor Monday Okpebholo as the driving force behind the mass defection. He was joined by prominent political figures including Hon. Sunny Ifada, Hon. Yekini Idiaye, former Deputy Speaker Hon. Roland…

NSCDC Mining Marshals – A Smart, Non-Kinetic Turn in Nigeria’s Fight Against Illegal Mining By Abdullahi O Haruna Haruspice

Emporium Reporters

In a nation richly endowed with natural resources, the irony of poverty amid plenty has become a familiar, if not tragic, narrative. For decades, illegal mining has drained Nigeria of its mineral wealth, degraded the environment, and funded criminal networks. Yet, after years of deploying heavily armed forces and watching the problem mutate rather than disappear, a new, non-kinetic approach has emerged—quietly effective, surprisingly strategic, and worthy of national support. Enter the NSCDC Mining Marshals. Deployed by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Mining Marshals are an…

Emerging Technologies driving Africa’s Trade Revolution – NITDA DG

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, has underscored the transformative role of emerging technologies in revolutionising trade and investment across Africa. Inuwa made this known in a keynote address delivered on his behalf by Engr. Salisu Kaka, Director, Digital Economy Development Department, during the Nigeria AfCFTA Hackathon 2025, held as part of the Science of Trade Conference in Lagos. He stated that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) stand as one of the world’s largest free trade zones, connecting over 1.4…

Saviour Enyiekere : Hitting the Ground Running at NASC, BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF

Abubakar Yusuf

History was made again today at the National Assembly Service Commission NASC as the newly appointed as Executive Chairman,Dr Saviour Enyiekere and his Commissioners, was sworn in by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential villa to signify the beginning of another five years journey for the new management of the Commission.   Dr Enyiekere who was appointed along with his 12 commissioners representing the six geopolitical zones on 20th, February, 2025, assumed duty on 5th, May, 2025 few months after their appointment after been taking oath office.   He…

Niger Police arrests 12 suspects for Robbery, Car Theft, Kidnapping, rescues 7 victims in Mashegu

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Niger State Police Command has recorded major successes in its recent operations against crime, leading to the arrest of twelve suspects for various criminal offences including armed robbery, car snatching, and kidnapping. Seven kidnapped victims were also rescued in a daring operation In a statement released by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP W.A. Abiodun, on May 6, 2025, the Command disclosed that three suspects were apprehended on May 4 at about 12:30 a.m. by operatives attached to Tafa Division. The suspects Umar Mukhtar, 25, and Shuaibu Ahmed, 30,…

HallowMace Foundation faults CSOs’ call for Akpabio’s resignation, says demand legally baseless

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The HallowMace Foundation Africa has described the recent calls by some Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) demanding the resignation of Senate President Godswill Akpabio as “misplaced and legally unfounded.” This followed the Court of Appeal judgment in Calabar, which upheld the conviction of Professor Peter Ogban, the Returning Officer in the 2019 Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial Election. Some groups have argued that the ruling undermines Akpabio’s political legitimacy. However, in a statement signed by its Executive Director, Sunny Anderson Osiebe, the Foundation emphasized that the judgment had no direct link to…