Month: July 2025

Jonathan, Marwa, Onyema, Others to receive DICAN honours at inaugural Diplomatic/Security Conference in Abuja

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Former President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, NDLEA Chairman Brigadier General Buba Marwa (rtd), and Air Peace Chairman Allen Onyema will be among notable Nigerians and institutions honoured at the inaugural Diplomatic/Security International Conference hosted by the Diplomatic Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DICAN). The high-level event, scheduled for Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in Abuja, will explore the link between diplomacy, security, and national development under the theme: “Nigeria’s 4Ds Foreign Policy Strategy Amidst Global Security Challenges, Strategic Misperceptions, and the Age of Disinformation: The Role of Diplomacy, Intelligence, and Media in Shaping…

Hadiza Umar, NITDA’s Director of Corporate Communications, named among Nigeria’s Top 50 PR Professionals in 2025 Power List

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has once again earned national acclaim, as its Director of Corporate Communications and Media Relations, Hajiya Hadiza Umar, has been listed among Nigeria’s top 50 Public Relations and communications professionals in the prestigious 2025 PR Power List. The recognition, jointly released on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, by GLG Communications in partnership with The Guardian newspaper, celebrates professionals redefining strategic communication across Nigeria and the diaspora. A Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Hajiya Hadiza Umar was honoured in the Rising…

CAC debunks claims on AI Portal challenges, reaffirms commitment to seamless service delivery

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has dismissed recent media reports alleging poor service delivery and technical inefficiencies on its newly deployed Artificial Intelligence-powered registration portal.   In a statement issued on Sunday, 20th July 2025, and signed by the Commission’s Management, the CAC described the report published by Premium Times on 19th July 2025 titled “Lawyers decry CAC’s AI portal, cite challenges” as misleading and filled with unfounded claims capable of distorting public perception.   The Commission clarified that contrary to the claims, it has made significant strides in enhancing…

Buhari. May our subsequent leaders die at home (1), by Hassan Gimba

Emporium Reporters

“The days of life pass away like clouds, so do good while you are alive.” – Imam Ali (AS)   Many people may expect me to write about the late President Muhammadu Buhari, a retired Nigerian Army Major General who was many things to many people and different things to different people.   Alive, to a multitude of people, he was a man who could do no wrong. Dead, his wrongs must be interred with him. He was often excused; it was always the fault of others for every misstep…

“No Other Name but Jesus”: A Deeper Dive into Rev. Babatunde Idowu’s Sermon

Emporium Reporters

By Dr. Afolabi Olajuwon     Setting the Spiritual Atmosphere: In a world often clamoring for attention and allegiance, the message of Rev. Dr. Babatunde Idowu, delivered at the Foursquare Gospel Church in Wuse, Abuja, rings with unwavering clarity: there is power, salvation, and victory in no other name but Jesus. Centered around the important scripture of Acts 4:12, his sermon, “Prevailing In The Name Of Jesus,” offered a compelling exploration of the authority and transformative potential held within the name of Jesus Christ for believers worldwide.   The service…

Customs, NAFDAC record ₦20.5bn illicit drug seizure in Onne , deepen Inter-Agency Collaboration

Lukman Laleye Babalola

In a major breakthrough that underscores the power of inter-agency cooperation, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), in partnership with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has intercepted 16 containers filled with illicit pharmaceutical products valued at over ₦20.5 billion at the Port Harcourt II Area Command, Onne, Rivers State.   The significant seizure comes just weeks after both agencies inaugurated a joint implementation committee following the signing of a 2024 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) designed to enhance regulatory synergy and intelligence sharing.   Addressing journalists…

NDLEA arrests notorious Drug Kingpin after 7 Years on the run, seizes 11.6kg Cocaine, Meth in Nationwide Crackdown … Raids Lagos hotel, intercepts Italy, Pakistan-bound drug consignments, destroys over 101,000kg skunk in Osun forest

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a notorious 60-year-old drug kingpin, Okpara Paul Chigozie, who had been on the run since 2019. His arrest mark a major milestone in the agency’s ongoing efforts to dismantle drug trafficking networks across the country.   Okpara was apprehended on Sunday, 13th July 2025, at his hideout located at 72 Michael Ojo Street, Isheri, Ojo area of Lagos State, following the interception of a drug consignment linked to him earlier that morning. At about 5:45am, NDLEA operatives, acting on credible intelligence,…

Customs intercepts ₦1.78bn worth of Contraband in Six weeks, vows tougher action against Smuggling …Nine suspects arrested, as CGC Adeniyi pledges enhanced border security

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has restated its commitment to combating smuggling and strengthening border security to safeguard Nigeria’s economy.   This assurance was given during a press briefing held on Friday, July 18, 2025, at the Nigeria Customs Training College, Ikeja, Lagos. The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, was represented by the National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Assistant Comptroller General Hussein Ejibunu.   ACG Ejibunu commended the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’ and Operation Whirlwind for their recent enforcement successes across the South-West region.   Between June…

Awujale’s burial and Aso Rock’s graveyard politics By Festus Adedayo

Emporium Reporters

“Why should I bother myself with what is done to my body when I die? Oyomesi (the council of seven high-ranking chiefs in the Oyo Empire) knows what to do with my body!” That was what immediate past Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi 111, told me in his palace, a few weeks before he journeyed to Ibara – where Oyo buries its kings. He was furious with Ogun State traditional rulers. His grouse was with the Obas and Chiefs Law of 2021. That law has aberrant stipulations that are…

FG, States, LGAs Share N1.818 Trillion as FAAC disburses June 2025 Allocation from N4.232 Trillion Revenue

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) has shared a total of N1.818 trillion among the Federal Government, State Governments, and Local Government Areas (LGAs) as allocation for the month of June 2025, drawn from a gross revenue of N4.232 trillion.   The monthly FAAC meeting, held in July 2025 and chaired by the Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, concluded with the disbursement of the allocation, which comprised Gross Statutory Revenue, Value Added Tax (VAT), Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL), Exchange Difference, and…