Month: May 2025

Tinubu suspends Abuja property seizures, issues 14-Day deadline for Ground Rent defaulters

Emporium Reporters

President Bola Tinubu has intervened in the ongoing property seizures by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), halted the enforcement actions and issued a 14-day grace period for property owners to settle outstanding ground rent liabilities. This move followed public outrage after FCTA officials began sealing off thousands of properties across Abuja on Monday, including buildings linked to government agencies and political parties such as the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). A statement by Chijioke Nwankwoeze, Director of Land Administration in the FCT, confirmed…

Nigerian Navy Remains Committed to National Security — CNS Ogalla … As Navy holds Interdenominational Church Service to mark 69th Anniversary

Lukman Laleye Babalola

As part of activities commemorating its 69th anniversary, the Nigerian Navy on Sunday, May 25, 2025, held an interdenominational church service at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church, Navy Town, Ojo, Lagos State. The event brought together senior officers, ratings, family members, and invited guests in a spirit of unity and thanksgiving. In his address during the service, the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, reaffirmed the Nigerian Navy’s unwavering commitment to addressing national security challenges. He emphasized the service’s ongoing drive for…

SIXTY-FIVE YEARS OF DARKNESS: HOW NIGERIA’S POWER SECTOR BECAME A GOLDMINE FOR THE GREEDY AND CORRUPT POLITICIANS. By Wole Arisekola

Emporium Reporters

Since gaining independence in 1960, Nigeria’s greatest infrastructural shame remains its epileptic power supply. Despite over six decades of promises, policies, and billions of dollars, Nigerians still sweat in darkness, cursed by a system rigged against the common man and sustained by corruption, sabotage, and incompetence. From the old Electricity Corporation of Nigeria (ECN) to NEPA and later PHCN, down to today’s privatised mess, it’s been a long road of recycled failures. The unending nightmare is powered not by lack of resources, but by the greed of a few who…

Nigeria Customs, Trade Ministry launch Nigeria–East/Southern Africa Air Cargo Corridor … Targets 50% Export Freight Reduction to boost AfCFTA Trade Integration

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI), has officially launched the Nigeria–East/Southern Africa Air Cargo Corridor, signaling a bold step in regional trade facilitation under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework. The landmark flag-off ceremony held on Sunday, May 25, 2025, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, brought together key stakeholders from government, aviation, and logistics sectors. The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, and the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, led the…

JUST IN: Saudi Arabia deports Sheikh Gumi, bars him from performing 2025 Hajj

Emporium Reporters

Prominent Kaduna-based Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has been deported from Saudi Arabia and prevented from performing the 2025 Hajj.   Sheikh Gumi, who revealed the development via a post on his Facebook page, said although he was granted a visa, Saudi authorities barred him from entering Medina upon arrival for reasons he believes are tied to his political views.   Gumi was part of a delegation of clerics sponsored by the Nigerian Hajj Commission (NAHCON) and had arrived Medina on Saturday night via Umza Air. However, Saudi immigration denied…

Speaker Abbas withdraws compulsory voting bill amid public backlash

Emporium Reporters

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, has officially withdrawn the controversial bill seeking to make voting compulsory for all eligible Nigerians.   The bill, which was co-sponsored by Abbas and Hon. Daniel Adama Ago, who represents Bassa/Jos North Federal Constituency of Plateau State, had faced widespread criticism from the public and civil society organizations.   In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Abdullahi Krishi, the Speaker said the proposed legislation was introduced with the best intentions to boost civic engagement…

House of Reps to hold Valedictory Session for Deceased Members of 10th Assembly

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The House of Representatives has announced it will hold a special valedictory session on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, to honour five late members of the 10th National Assembly who died while serving in office. The session, slated for 11:00 a.m. at the Green Chamber of the National Assembly Complex in Abuja, is listed in the week’s Notice Paper released by Rep. Francis Waive, Chairman of the House Committee on Rules and Business. According to a statement signed by the House Spokesman, Rep. Akin Rotimi Jr., the solemn sitting will feature…

Ibadan-Oyo war of supremacy over obas council By Lasisi Olagunju

Emporium Reporters

At the Alaafin’s Garden Hall in Oyo on 6 November, 1934, Alaafin Siyanbola Ladigbolu held a storming meeting with the Resident of Oyo Province, the Honourable Mr. H. L. Ward-Price. The Resident was the equivalent of today’s governor; the Province equated today’s state. That meeting was called to discuss the news filtering out that the white man was moving the capital of Oyo Province from Oyo town to Ibadan.   The meeting was held in a very tense atmosphere. The Lagos Daily News of 13 November, 1934 carried the proceedings…

It’s Africa Day , by Dr Omoniyi Ibietan

Emporium Reporters

Today is Africa Day, a day set aside to celebrate the “unity, peace and cultural diversity” of the continent where humanity began. To celebrate Africa is to celebrate humanity and the world. As Zeinab Badawi stated unequivocally in her new consequential book, AN AFRICAN HISTORY OF AFRICA: FROM THE DAWN OF HUMANITY TO INDEPENDENCE, “even if there is still debate about precisely where it happened within the continent, Africa is certainly where the human story began. We are an African animal, an African species who colonised the world at different…

Ogbomoso Restoration Movement Celebrates Prof. Oyekale Oyedeji with Valedictory Lecture at LAUTECH

Lukman Laleye Babalola

In recognition of academic excellence and dedicated service to science and education, the Ogbomoso Restoration Movement on Saturday held a valedictory lecture in honour of Professor Oyekale Oyedeji, a distinguished Professor of Mathematics and Physics from Ogbomoso. The event, which took place at The Hall, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, attracted dignitaries from within and outside the academic community. It marked yet another milestone in the organization’s efforts to promote excellence and celebrate outstanding contributions to community development. The keynote lecture, titled “Smart Future: Harnessing Science, Technology, and…