Day: June 30, 2025

NDLEA’s role crucial in AU’s 2026–2030 Drug Control Plan – AU Delegation

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The African Union (AU) Commission has acknowledged the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) as a critical player in Africa’s anti-drug efforts, declaring that the Agency’s input is indispensable to the formulation of the next continental action plan on drug control and crime prevention, covering 2026 to 2030.   This recognition was made during an assessment visit to the NDLEA National Headquarters in Abuja on Monday, 30th June 2025, by a three-member AU delegation. The team was led by Dr. Olubusayo Akinola, Head of Social Welfare, Drug Control and Crime…

2025 Nduka Obaigbena Essay Competition Set to Kick Off July 1

Lukman Laleye Babalola

  The preliminaries for the 2025 edition of the Nduka Obaigbena National Secondary Schools Essay Competition (NOSSEC) will hold from Tuesday, July 1st to Sunday, July 14th, 2025. The competition will culminate in a grand prize-giving ceremony at the prestigious Government College Ughelli, Delta State.   Organised by the Citizens Advocacy for Social and Economic Rights (CASER), the annual event is aimed at nurturing excellence in writing among Nigerian secondary school students. It places a strong emphasis on creative writing, critical thinking, rigorous research, and a commitment to truth pillars…

Edo APC, South-South Leaders endorse Tinubu for 2027, applaud Renewed Hope Agenda

Lukman Laleye Babalola

A coalition of top stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from Edo State and the wider South-South region gathered in Benin City over the weekend to declare unwavering support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and his second-term bid ahead of the 2027 presidential election.   The high-powered meeting, which drew governors, ministers, federal lawmakers, and party chieftains, served as a platform to reaffirm confidence in the President’s leadership and reform agenda, which they said is laying the foundation for sustainable development across the nation.   In…

MURIC slams FG over Hijrah Holiday snub, describes inaction as missed opportunity and paradox of Muslim-Muslim Ticket

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has faulted the Federal Government (FG) for failing to declare a public holiday for this year’s Hijrah Day, marking the Islamic New Year 1447, which fell on Thursday, June 26, 2025. The organization described the inaction as a missed golden opportunity and a failure to act in loco parentis as the central authority.   In a statement issued on Monday, June 30, 2025, and signed by its Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, MURIC expressed deep disappointment, noted that while several states across Nigeria both in…

How Governor Okpebholo’s Political Orchestra Is Re-writing the South South Script and Reshaping 2027 Optics By Fred Itua

Emporium Reporters

By any political standard, what played out at the inaugural Regional Meeting of the All Progressive Governors Forum in Benin City at the weekend, was not just a gathering of party chieftains; it was a powerful orchestration of political symbolism, deft leadership, and rising influence.   When Senator Monday Okpebholo, the Governor of Edo State, hosted the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF), he didn’t just roll out the red carpet, he rolled out a new narrative for Edo and positioned himself firmly on the national radar ahead of 2027.   In…

SENATOR GODSWILL AKPABIO AND PASTOR UMO ENO: The Triumph Of Inclusive Leadership In A New Akwa Ibom State By Hon Eseme Eyiboh

Emporium Reporters

Since his assumption of office as the President of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio has proven to be not just a legislative leader, but a bridge-builder with an unwavering commitment to inclusive governance and a consummate knack for transformational leadership. His leadership has been marked by deliberate, measured, and consultative style that fosters national unity, encourages bipartisan collaboration, and ensures stable democratic values. At a time when the nation grappled with difficult reforms such as the removal of fuel subsidies and Tax Reform Bills, Akpabio led the Senate with…

UNIFEMGA hails CG Bashir Adeniyi’s Election as Chairman of World Customs Organization

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Obafemi Awolowo University Muslim Graduates’ Association (UNIFEMGA) has congratulated the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, on his election as Chairperson of the World Customs Organization (WCO). Adeniyi, an alumnus of Obafemi Awolowo University, made history on Saturday, June 28, 2025, when he emerged as the first Nigerian Comptroller General to be elected Chairman of the WCO during the concluding session of the organization’s 145th/146th Council Meeting held in Brussels, Belgium. In a statement signed by its National President, Engr. Mohammed Buari, UNIFEMGA described Adeniyi’s…

Oyetola inaugurates NPA Board, tasks members on good Governance, Sectoral Reforms

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola,has inaugurated the newly reconstituted Governing Board of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), charged members to uphold professionalism, discipline, and reform-driven leadership in steering the maritime sector towards national economic transformation. The inauguration, held at the Ministry’s Conference Room in Abuja, is part of the Federal Government’s broader efforts to reposition the maritime industry as a key pillar of Nigeria’s economic diversification agenda. In his remarks, the Minister emphasised that the inauguration represents a significant milestone in the ongoing institutional reforms…

Senator Natasha arraigned for Cybercrime over alleged assassination claim against Akpabio, Yahaya Bello

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Suspended Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, was on Monday arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja on a six-count criminal charge bordering on alleged cybercrime offences against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello. The case, filed by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), accused Senator Natasha of making harmful and injurious statements during a public speech and a televised interview comments allegedly intended to damage reputations and incite public unrest. Natasha, who appeared in court alongside her husband, pleaded…

Dalori assumes Office as APC Acting National Chairman, pledges Unity and Support for Tinubu’s Agenda

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Hon. (Dr.) Ali Bukar Dalori has formally assumed office as the Acting National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), following the resignation of his predecessor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, CON.   The transition was officially announced during the first meeting of the APC National Working Committee (NWC) held in Abuja, where the party’s National Secretary, Senator Suraj Ajibola, presented Ganduje’s resignation letter and moved a motion for Dalori’s appointment in line with Article 14 of the APC Constitution.   “In accordance with our constitution, the Deputy National Chairman, Hon.…