Day: May 13, 2025

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)’S Journey To Hajj By Imam Murtadha Gusau

Emporium Reporters

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful All perfect praise be to Allah the Lord of the Worlds. May His peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his family and companions. Dear brothers and sisters! Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) was born around 570 CE in Makkah – the city where we now undertake Hajj. Upon receiving the first revelation and sharing the message of Allah Almighty, Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) faced ongoing persecution and was forced…

NUJ FCT Correspondents’ Chapel holds Seminar on Journalists’ Occupational Health and Welfare

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Correspondents Chapel, on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, held a one-day seminar on health and wellness with the theme “Occupational Health Awareness and Social Welfare” at the NUJ FCT Secretariat, Utako, Abuja. The seminar brought together experts and stakeholders in the fields of health, wellness, and media to deliberate on critical issues affecting journalists, including sudden death syndrome, occupational hazards, mental health, retirement preparedness, and the need for improved social welfare structures within the profession.   Delivering the keynote address, the Director-General of the…

Speaker Abbas mourns Turakin Dawakin Zazzau, Ramalan Yero

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of the Turakin Dawakin Zazzau, Alhaji Ramalan Yero, father of the former Governor of Kaduna State, Alhaji Muktar Ramalan Yero.   Alhaji Ramalan Yero died on Monday at the age of 85.   In a condolence message issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Abdullahi Krishi, Speaker Abbas described the deceased as a patriot, nationalist, and elder statesman whose legacy of service and community development will continue to inspire…

AMMC pledges support for NUJ FCT’s infrastructure, Journalists’ village project

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC) has pledged to support the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council, in enhancing infrastructure for journalists and advancing the proposed Journalists’ Village initiative.   AMMC Coordinator, Chief Felix Amechi Obuah, made this known on Tuesday while receiving the NUJ FCT Chairperson, Ms. Grace Ike, and her executive members during a courtesy visit to the Council’s corporate headquarters in Abuja.   Obuah lauded the crucial role of the media in promoting transparency, accountability, and public education, noting that AMMC remains open…

APC not coercing lawmakers – Bamidele …… Says Defections herald Government of National Unity

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, on Tuesday said the recent wave of defections by federal lawmakers to the All Progressives Congress (APC) reflected growing national consensus and signaled that the party is now running a government of national unity.   Bamidele made the assertion at the Senate Chamber of the National Assembly Complex in Abuja, during the formal defection of all federal lawmakers from Kebbi State to the APC.   Present at the event were the APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje; Kebbi State Governor, Alhaji Nasir Idris;…

EVALUATING NIGERIA’S REPAYMENT OF IMF COVID-19 LOAN By Adefolarin A. Olamilekan

Emporium Reporters

The IMF’s Resident Representative for Nigeria, Mr. Christian Ebeke, cleared the air on the repayment of the Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI) loan facility, which was disbursed in April 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic to Nigeria. Recall that during the pandemic, the global economy was almost shut down, resulting in a sharp fall in oil prices, a slowdown in economic activities, and a drastic drop in government revenues. It is pertinent to recall that in the wake of the COVID-19 in 2030, Nigeria requested emergency assistance of about US$3.4 billion —…

FIRS Chairman inaugurates Joint Technical Committee, seeks deeper synergy with RMAFC

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Dr. Zacch Adedeji, on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, hosted a delegation from the Internal Revenue Monitoring Committee (IRMC), a sub-committee of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), at the FIRS Headquarters in Abuja. Speaking during the meeting, Dr. Adedeji emphasized the critical importance of sustained collaboration between RMAFC and FIRS, noting that such synergy contributes significantly to strengthening Nigeria’s revenue generation framework and, by extension, the national economy.   “As revenue-generating institutions, our shared responsibility is to ensure…

Abuja Muslim Forum seeks improved welfare for 2025 Hajj Pilgrims

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Abuja Muslim Forum has called on the Nigerian government, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), and other relevant stakeholders to prioritize the welfare of Nigerian pilgrims for the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage.   In a statement signed by the Amir, Alh. Abdulrazaq Ajani, the forum expressed gratitude for the efforts already made by the government and NAHCON in preparing for the pilgrimage. However, it emphasized the need for further attention to the well-being of the pilgrims, urged that their comfort and safety be given the utmost priority.   The…

Research is the foundation for real change — NITDA DG ….. Calls for strategic partnerships in digital innovation

Lukman Laleye Babalola

In a renewed drive to harness innovation for national development and youth empowerment, the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, has emphasized the critical role of research in shaping effective policies and driving real transformation in Nigeria’s digital ecosystem. Inuwa made this known during a working visit by a delegation from Lancaster University, United Kingdom, led by Professor Kirk Semple, Director of International Research, to NITDA’s corporate headquarters in Abuja.   The meeting focused on deepening collaboration under the Research and Innovation Partnership…

Prof Emenyonu hails TY Buratai Literary Award to Cyprian Ekwensi as historic honour

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Renowned African literary scholar, Professor Ernest N. Emenyonu, has lauded the T.Y. Buratai Literary Initiative (TYBLI) for honouring legendary Nigerian author, Cyprian O.D. Ekwensi, with a posthumous award, described it as a “historic honour” and a “timely intervention” in Nigeria’s literary development. The award, conferred under the TYBLI Young Adult Literature category, was announced by the Initiative as part of its efforts to celebrate literary pioneers whose works have shaped the nation’s cultural and educational landscape. In a letter addressed to the Chairman of TYBLI and the Tukur & Tukur…