Day: July 8, 2025

DR. MATTHEW OLUMIDE ADEPOJU: ONE YEAR OF SPACE LEADERSHIP THAT REDEFINED NIGERIA’S TECH FUTURE

Emporium Reporters

A Transformational Scorecard on His Senate Confirmation Anniversary Director General, National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) Appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, CFR – May 21, 2024 | Confirmed by Senate – July 9, 2024   NASRDA AT LIFT-OFF: ONE YEAR OF HISTORIC GAINS UNDER DR. ADEPOJU Exactly one year ago, on July 9, 2024, Dr. Matthew Olumide Adepoju was confirmed by the Nigerian Senate as Director General of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), following his appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, CFR, on May 21,…

Customs intercepts N654m undeclared foreign currency at Kano Airport, hands over Suspects to EFCC

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Kano/Jigawa Area Command, has intercepted undeclared foreign currencies worth over ₦653.9 million at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), marking a major breakthrough in efforts to curb illicit financial flows. The seizure, which included U.S. dollars, British pounds, and CFA francs, was announced during a press briefing on Monday, July 8, 2025, at the Customs House in Bompai, Kano. During the event, three suspects, including the principal suspect identified as Ahmed Salisu, a Ghanaian passport holder, were formally handed over to the Economic and…

FG reaffirms commitment to tackling severe NCDs at 2nd PEN-Plus Conference in Africa

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Government of Nigeria has reaffirmed its strong commitment to combating the rising burden of severe non-communicable diseases (NCDs) during the 2nd International Conference on PEN-Plus in Africa (ICPPA 2025), hosted in Abuja from July 8 to 10.   In his keynote address, the Honourable Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, emphasized the urgent need to tackle severe NCDs, including Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus, Sickle Cell Disease, and Rheumatic Heart Disease, through the PEN-Plus strategy. This initiative, supported by the World Health Organization…

Chevron, NUJ FCT train 70 Journalists on AI , as Grace Ike urges members to embrace innovation for Productivity

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Chevron Nigeria Limited, in collaboration with the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council, on Tuesday trained over 70 journalists on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance media efficiency, improve quality reportage, and curb misinformation.   The one-day workshop, themed “Harnessing Artificial Intelligence in Journalism”, was sponsored by the NNPCL–Chevron Nigeria Limited Joint Venture and held in Abuja. Delivering his remarks, General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs, Chevron Nigeria Limited, Mr. Olusoga Oduselu represented by Mr. Victor Anyaegbudike reiterated Chevron’s commitment to media development…

Senate denies delaying House Bills, reaffirms commitment to Legislative Cooperation … Says six Concurrence bills were considered last week

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Senate has refuted allegations by the House of Representatives accusing it of persistently stalling concurrence on legislative proposals transmitted from the green chamber.   Speaking during Tuesday’s plenary at the National Assembly, Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, maintained that the red chamber remained committed to national interest and inter-chamber cooperation, disclosing that six concurrence bills from the House were considered just last week.   The clarification followed a resolution by the House to suspend further consideration of bills originating from the Senate, citing…

Senate advances Bill for Federal University of Science, Deba, as Goje highlights national benefits

Lukman Laleye Babalola

By James Isaac, Abuja     The Nigerian Senate has passed for second reading a bill seeking the establishment of the Federal University of Science, Deba, in Gombe State. The bill, sponsored by Senator Mohammed Danjuma Goje, a former Governor of Gombe State, was debated during plenary on Tuesday.   Leading the debate, Senator Goje underscored the university’s strategic importance to the socio-economic development of Gombe State, the North East region, and Nigeria at large.   “The proposed University of Science will provide the knowledge and expertise needed to drive…

BRAVE-IT to host National Security Breakfast meeting on Inter-Agency Collaboration, Citizen Engagement

Lukman Laleye Babalola

In a concerted effort to strengthen Nigeria’s fight against violent extremism and terrorism, BRAVE-IT (Building Resilience Against Violent Extremism, Insurgency, and Terrorism) is set to host the 2025 edition of its National Security Breakfast Meeting on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at 3Js Hotel, Abuja.   Themed “Inter-Agency Collaborations and Citizens’ Cooperation in the Fight Against Kidnapping, Insurgency and Terrorism in Nigeria,” the event aim to bring together top-level security operatives, civil society stakeholders, development partners, and community actors to explore unified strategies in tackling Nigeria’s multifaceted security threats.   The…

NNPCL donates 35 CNG Buses to Presidential CNG Initiative … Reaffirms support for Cleaner, affordable Energy Solutions

Lukman Laleye Babalola

In a significant step towards promoting cleaner and more sustainable energy in Nigeria, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) has donated 35 hybrid Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered buses to the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (Pi-CNG). The handover ceremony, held at the NNPC Towers in Abuja, saw the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd., Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, restated the company’s commitment to the Federal Government’s gas-driven energy transition.   Engr. Ojulari noted that the donation aligned with NNPC Ltd.’s ongoing efforts to accelerate the adoption…

Abuja Muslim Forum seeks National Blueprint to tackle Almajiri, Baban-Bola menace as it marks 1447 Hijrah Anniversary

Lukman Laleye Babalola

By Our Reporter   The Abuja Muslim Forum (AMF) has called for the development of a comprehensive national blueprint to address the persistent social challenges posed by the Almajiri and Baban-bola systems in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and beyond.   This appeal was made by the Amir of the Forum, Alhaji Abdulrazaq Ajani, during the 1447 Hijrah Anniversary Public Lecture held on Sunday, July 6, 2025, at the Conference Hall of the Abuja National Mosque. In his welcome address, Alhaji Ajani expressed concern over the growing menace of Almajiri…

Nigerian Diplomat Zainab Joy Momodu dies in Guinea-Bissau after brief illness

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced the passing of Mrs. Zainab Joy Momodu, Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of the Embassy of Nigeria in Guinea-Bissau. She died on Monday, 7th July 2025, at the Military Hospital in Bissau after a brief illness. Mrs. Momodu was a distinguished career diplomat who joined the Nigerian Foreign Service in 2010 as a member of the 20th Regular Course of the Foreign Service Academy. Over the years, she served the nation with dedication, professionalism, and an unwavering commitment to Nigeria’s diplomatic mission. In a…