Month: May 2025

FIRS Chairman applauds Oyo State’s revenue growth, infrastructure drive at JTB meeting

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Dr. Zacch Adedeji, has commended Oyo State for its impressive achievements in revenue generation and infrastructure development. He made the remarks at the opening ceremony of the 157th meeting of the Joint Tax Board (JTB), held in Ibadan, Oyo State. Dr. Adedeji expressed profound appreciation to the Executive Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde, for hosting the strategic gathering and acknowledged the governor’s efforts in transforming the state’s socioeconomic landscape. He emphasized the importance of the Joint Tax Board…

Falode emerges Global President as Great Ife Alumni Elects New Officers

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Great Ife Alumni Association has elected a new set of global officers to steer the affairs of the association for the next two years, with Barrister Leye Bunmi Falode emerging as the Global President. Falode, alongside other officers, was elected during the 26th Biennial Convention of the association, which held at the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State. The three-day convention brought together delegates from various branches across Nigeria and from the diaspora. Other elected officers included Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Director of Media and Public Relations at the…

Aregbesola: Omoluabi or E’eyan-k’eyan? By Olawale Olaleye

Emporium Reporters

First was the inner struggle on whether or not to undertake this intervention. How to do this as honestly as possible without being seen as making a case for the current “owner of Nigeria” was a concern – a huge one – given one’s long-standing ideology and principles. But then, what has to be done has to be done. Immediately, the struggle was defeated with clear conviction and purpose, based on the Omoluabi ideology that is being confused for “cultural treason” in the current struggle for power, two related Yoruba…

NIMC DG, Engr Abisoye Coker-Odusote Clinches Outstanding Public Sector Performance Award

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Engr. (Dr.) Abisoye Coker-Odusote, has been honoured with the Outstanding Performance in Public Service Award at the African Iconic Women Recognition Awards 2025.   In a statement issued by the Head of Corporate Communications, Dr. Kayode Adegoke, the award was described as a testament to Dr. Coker-Odusote’s exceptional leadership and dedication to transforming Nigeria’s digital identity landscape. The organizers of the award also commended her innovative and transformational leadership style, which has positioned NIMC as a major…

NCC directs Telecom Operators to notify Consumers of major service outages, unveils monitoring portal

Lukman Laleye Babalola

In a bid to enhance transparency and improve consumer protection, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has issued a directive mandating all telecom service providers to notify consumers about major service outages on their networks.   The Commission, in a release signed by its Acting Head of Public Affairs, Mrs. Nnenna Ukoha, stated that the directive is aimed at promoting accountability, ensuring timely resolution of outages, and keeping consumers adequately informed.   According to the NCC, the new regulation titled “Directive on Reportage of Major Network Outages by Mobile Network Operators…

Senate Leader dismisses ‘Rubber Stamp’ claims, says NASS held 39 Meetings before passing Tax Bills

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, has strongly dismissed claims by opposition parties that the 10th National Assembly is a rubber-stamp institution, described such assertions as baseless and misleading.   In a statement issued on Sunday by the Directorate of Media and Public Affairs, Office of the Leader of the Senate, Bamidele stated that the legislature could not have been subservient to the executive, given its rigorous legislative processes and commitment to national interest.   Citing the passage of the Tax Reform Bills, 2024, Bamidele revealed that the National…

INEC’s Ward reforms in Warri justified — Delta Commissioner Aniagwu …. Urges Itsekiris to embrace Equity, Peace

Emporium Reporters

Delta State Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, has thrown his weight behind the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over its recent delineation of electoral wards in Warri Federal Constituency.   Speaking on Arise News’ “Morning Show” on Sunday, Aniagwu described the exercise as a long-overdue correction of historical injustice and imbalance, particularly against the Ijaw and Urhobo communities by their Itsekiri counterparts.   He emphasized that the protests trailing the development, particularly from the Itsekiri ethnic group, were unjustifiable, noting that Warri Federal Constituency…

IPI condemns expulsion of Channels TV Crew from Akwa Ibom Govt House, demands immediate recall

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria has condemned the expulsion of Channels Television journalists from the Akwa Ibom State Government House, describing the action as a direct assault on press freedom and democratic values.   The affected crew a correspondent and a cameraman were reportedly expelled following a broadcast on Channels TV, which featured a video clip of Governor Umo Eno allegedly confirmed plans to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).   In a statement jointly signed by IPI Legal Adviser and Chairman…

Reflections on the Children’s Celebration Week at Foursquare Gospel Church: A Focus on Spiritual Growth and Family Values

Emporium Reporters

By Afolabi Olajuwon.   This report highlights the climax of the Children’s Week celebrations held on May 25, 2025, at Foursquare Gospel Church in Wuse District Headquarters. The event was characterized by vibrant children’s choir performances and a transformative sermon delivered by Deborah Oresanya.   Her sermon, titled “Growing Like Jesus,” drew from Luke 2:52 and emphasized the multifaceted growth of Jesus as a paradigm for personal development within the Christian faith. This report provides an overview of the key aspects of the sermon and its implications for fostering spiritual…

NDLEA nabs 2 British Nationals with 51kg Loud at Lagos Airport …… Syndicate busted in Lekki as N6.5bn opioids seized in Lagos, Rivers ports

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested two British nationals, Mhizha Jordan Alexander Tatendra and Ayedipe Andrew Adejuwon, for attempting to smuggle into Nigeria 92 jumbo bags of Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, weighing 51.10 kilograms. The arrest took place at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos, following the arrival of Alexander on a Qatar Airways flight from Doha on Thursday, 15th May 2025. Acting on processed intelligence, NDLEA operatives allowed the courier to pass through airport checks under close surveillance until he reached the…