Day: June 19, 2025

Friday Sermon: Iran-Israel War: We Rejoice At The Iran’s victory Against Israel By Imam Murtadha Gusau

Emporium Reporters

In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful All perfect praise be to Allah the Lord of the Worlds. May His peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) and upon all his family and companions. To proceed: Dear brothers and sisters! Today, the Islamic Ummah is witnessing a sharp escalation in hostilities, enmity, tensions, wars, attacks and destructions between Iran (The Shi’as) and Israel (The Jews). Many in the Ummah are confused on what stand to take. Some people supports Iran, therefore praying…

Tinubu applauds Gov Uba Sani’s Leadership, confers National Honour on Dangiwa Umar

Lukman Laleye Babalola

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commended Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State for his strides in peacebuilding, infrastructure development, and restoration of stability in the state. During his official visit to Kaduna on Thursday, President Tinubu commissioned key projects including the Institute of Vocational Training and Skills Development in Rigachikun, the 300-bed Bola Ahmed Tinubu Specialist Hospital in Millennium City, and 100 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses to boost urban transport. The President praised Governor Sani’s leadership, described him as “an agent of change, stability, love, unity, and progress,” while…

Senate Screens Nwuche, Usoro Akpabio, Others for South South Development Commission Leadership

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Senate on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, screened key nominees for the leadership of the newly established South South Development Commission (SSDC), with Rt. Hon. Chibudom Nwuche (Rivers State) nominated as Chairman and Usoro Offiong Akpabio (Akwa Ibom State) as Managing Director.   Also screened were nominees for Executive Director positions: Marcus Nie Eji (Projects – Rivers State) Aganaba Preye Steven (Social & Human Capital Development – Bayelsa State) Dr. Timi Alari Ayibatonye (Corporate Services – Delta State) Joseph Ugheoke (Commercial & Environmental Development – Edo State) Amb. Sony Abang…

FAAC disburses N1.659 Trillion to FG, States, LGs for May 2025

Emporium Reporters

The Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) has distributed a total of ₦1.659 trillion among the federal, state, and local governments as revenue for May 2025.   This was disclosed in a communiqué issued on Wednesday after the June FAAC meeting chaired by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, in Abuja.   The disbursed revenue was drawn from a gross total of ₦2.942 trillion, comprising statutory revenue, Value Added Tax (VAT), Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL), and exchange difference income.   According to the…

Gov Sanwo-Olu lauded as NiDCOM Boss visits ‘Door of Return’ Project Site in Badagry

Emporium Reporters

The Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has commended Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for his approval and commitment to the ongoing construction of the permanent “Door of Return” project site in Badagry. During her visit to the site on Wednesday, Dabiri-Erewa described the project as a landmark initiative with the potential to reconnect Nigeria with its African diaspora and promote cultural and heritage tourism on a global scale. According to her, the project is not only symbolic of the historical return of descendants of…

Rivers officials withholding financial records, Sole Administrator tells Senate …. Senate insists emergency rule not a substitute for democracy

Emporium Reporters

By James Isaac, Abuja   The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (rtd), has disclosed that some officials of the state government are concealing critical financial records, making it difficult to account fully for expenditures incurred in the first quarter of 2025. Ibas made the revelation on Thursday while defending the 2025 Rivers State Appropriation Bill before the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on Oversight of Emergency Rule in Rivers State at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.   He admitted that the N1.4 trillion budget “may not be…

2025 World Sickle Cell Day: Nigeria reaffirms commitment to Sickle Cell Care

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Nigeria has renewed its commitment to tackling the burden of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) as the country joins the global health community to commemorate the 2025 World Sickle Cell Day, observed under the theme “Transforming Care and Strengthening Communities.”   In a statement issued by Alaba Balogun, Deputy Director, Information & Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the government emphasized its ongoing efforts to reduce the prevalence and impact of the disease through enhanced awareness, early diagnosis, prevention, and improved care services.   Sickle Cell Disease remained…

Land Dispute Rocks FHA Estate in Guzape/Apo: Politicians, Govt Officials Allegedly Linked to 2024 C of O Controversy

Emporium Reporters

By Our Reporter   Tension is mounting around 12 Crescent in the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) Estate, Apo/Guzape District of Abuja, following alleged illegal land encroachments by developers believed to be fronting for high-profile political figures and government officials.   The disputed land, according to documents obtained by Emporium Reporters, was legally acquired by the FHA from the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) and subsequently allocated to beneficiaries as far back as 2022. The Authority had reportedly begun infrastructural development in the area when a private developer allegedly working on…

MURIC warns against replacing VP Shettima on APC’s 2027 Presidential Ticket

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has cautioned the All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu against any move to replace Vice President Kashim Shettima on the party’s 2027 presidential ticket, describing such a decision as ill-advised. Amid growing speculations surrounding the composition of the ruling party’s ticket for the next general election, MURIC emphasized the importance of continuity and political stability, especially considering the current dynamics within the party and the nation at large. The caution was contained in a statement issued on Thursday, June 19, 2025, by…

Senate uncovers ₦210 Trillion discrepancies in NNPCL Accounts, demands answers within 7 Days

Emporium Reporters

By James Isaac, Abuja     The Nigerian Senate has uncovered discrepancies amounting to a staggering ₦210 trillion in the audited accounts of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), prompting a demand for urgent explanations within seven days. The Senate Public Accounts Committee (SPAC), chaired by Senator Aliyu Wadada (SDP), made the discovery during a probe session on Wednesday at the National Assembly, as part of its constitutional oversight to ensure transparency and accountability in the use of public funds. Central to the inquiry was a contradiction in NNPCL’s…