Day: July 25, 2025

Customs issues 21-Day Ultimatum to Importers Over ₦379.6bn Temporary Admission Permit defaults

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has issued a 21-day grace period to importers who have defaulted on the conditions of their Temporary Admission Permits (TAP), warned of imminent enforcement actions for non-compliance.   Announcing this in a statement on Friday, Assistant Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada, the National Public Relations Officer, said the ultimatum effective from Monday, July 28, 2025 offered affected importers a final window to regularise their status by either applying for a valid extension, re-exporting the goods under Customs supervision, or converting the items to home use with the…

Nigeria endorses Egypt’s Khaled El-Enany for UNESCO Secretary General

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Nigeria has formally endorsed Egypt’s former Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Mr. Khaled El-Enany, as the African Union (AU) candidate for the position of Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The endorsement was announced by Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, on the sidelines of the Nigeria-Egypt Business Forum held in Abuja. Ambassador Tuggar described El-Enany as a globally respected cultural diplomat whose expertise in heritage preservation and international cooperation aligns with Nigeria’s foreign policy priorities and the broader aspirations of the…

Tinubu reaffirms commitment to Diaspora Engagement at 2025 National Diaspora Day …Unveils Home and Abroad Housing Platform

Lukman Laleye Babalola

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to strengthening engagement with Nigerians in the diaspora, recognizing their strategic role in national development. Unveiling of Diaspora Home & Abroad Housing Platform at National Diaspora Day celebration in Abuja by the Representative of President Bola Tinubu, Senator George Akume, Secretary To the Government of Federation. Speaking through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, who represented him as Special Guest of Honour, the President assured diaspora Nigerians of the government’s sustained efforts to create…

NIMC to roll out new General Multipurpose Identity Card by October 2025 – Dr Alvan Ikoku

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has announced plans to roll out a new General Multipurpose Identity Card by October 2025. This was disclosed by Dr. Alvan Ikoku, Director and Head of the Strategic and Program Office at NIMC, during the second day of a Two-Day Roundtable with Online Publishers in Abuja. Dr. Ikoku reaffirmed that the National Identification Number (NIN) remained the core digital identity token in Nigeria and has never been suspended. He explained that while other identity tokens exist, such as the earlier version of the General…

Great Ife Alumni Association celebrates Three OAU Scholars elected as Fellows of Nigerian Academy of Letters

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Great Ife Alumni Association has congratulated three distinguished alumni of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, on their election as Fellows of the Nigerian Academy of Letters (NAL), the foremost body for humanities scholarship in Nigeria.   In a statement signed by the Association’s Global Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Abdur-Rahman Balogun, the Global President, Barrister Bunmi Falode, described the honorees as “worthy ambassadors of Great Ife and accomplished academic giants.”   The newly elected NAL Fellows are: Professor Gbemisola Aderemi Adeoti – Regular Fellow Professor Akinwumi Ogundiran – Overseas Fellow Dr.…

Great Ife Alumni Association congratulates Dr. Fatou Bensouda on election as Chair of CABI Executive Council

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Great Ife Alumni Association has extended warm congratulations to Dr. Fatou Bensouda, a distinguished alumna of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), on her recent election as Chair of the Executive Council of the Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International (CABI).   In a statement signed by the Global Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Abdur-Rahman Balogun, the Global President of the association, Barrister Bunmi Falode, described Bensouda’s appointment as a “round peg in a round hole,” noting her outstanding international credentials.   CABI is an intergovernmental, not-for-profit organization dedicated to solving problems in…

Health Minister hails Prof. Ibrahim Abubakar’s appointment as UCL Vice-Provost(Health)

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, has congratulated Professor Ibrahim Abubakar on his appointment as the new Vice-Provost (Health) at University College London (UCL), described the development as a proud moment for Nigeria and a major boost to global health leadership. In a statement issued in Abuja on Friday, Professor Pate said Abubakar’s appointment reflected not only his outstanding personal achievements but also the increasing global recognition of Nigerian professionals in the health sector. “Professor Abubakar’s appointment reflects not only his personal excellence but…

FG launches Maiden National Self-Care Day, unveils policies to promote personal wellness

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Government has officially launched Nigeria’s maiden National Self-Care Day, urging Nigerians to take greater responsibility for their health and well-being through simple, everyday practices that support personal wellness and reduce pressure on the healthcare system. Speaking at a ministerial press briefing in Abuja, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, described self-care as a necessity in the country’s pursuit of Universal Health Coverage (UHC). He emphasized that health transformation cannot rely solely on clinics and hospitals but must also involve proactive choices by…

HallowMace Foundation calls for dialogue over Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s denied access to National Assembly ….. Urges respect for Rule of Law, Protection of Representation Rights

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The HallowMace Foundation Africa, a non-partisan civil society organisation advocating equity, governance, and justice, has called for constructive dialogue to address concerns arising from the recent denial of access to Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan at the National Assembly complex, despite a court ruling nullifying her suspension.   In a statement issued on Thursday and signed by its Executive Director, Sunny Anderson Osiebe, the Foundation urged relevant stakeholders including the Senate leadership and judicial authorities to engage in meaningful dialogue to resolve the impasse and safeguard the democratic principle of representation.  …

Atiku accuses Tinubu of meddling in opposition affairs, urges focus on governance

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The former Vice President Atiku Abubakar through his media office has accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of prioritizing attacks on opposition parties over addressing the country’s deepening economic and security crises.   In a statement signed by Mr. Paul Ibe and issued in Abuja on Wednesday, the media office criticized President Tinubu for remarks allegedly made during the 14th meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC), where he reportedly took a swipe at the African Democratic Congress (ADC), described as the opposition’s Coalition platform.   “Attacking the opposition has now…