Month: July 2025

Akpabio’s Verbal Slip: NASS New Media Forum slams sensational headlines, urges responsible Journalism

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Assembly New Media Forum (NANMF), a body of accredited online journalists covering the National Assembly, has strongly condemned what it described as sensational and misleading reports that misrepresented a verbal slip made by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during Wednesday’s plenary.   Akpabio was quoted as saying, “Nigeria is proud of the way Tinubu was honored and buried” a statement he immediately corrected on the Senate floor.   In a statement signed by the Forum’s Chairman, Clement Nwabuko, NANMF expressed disappointment over what it called a deliberate effort by…

NiDCOM intervenes as Nigerians stranded in Central African Republic regain passports

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has responded swiftly to a distress call from a group of Nigerians stranded and allegedly maltreated in the Central African Republic (CAR), following the circulation of a viral video on social media.   In a statement signed by Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit, NiDCOM, the Commission stated that the affected Nigerians were deceived and abandoned by an unidentified agent after being lured into the country under false pretenses. They were reportedly made to work for 11 months without pay,…

Troops intensify offensive against Terrorists in North East, disrupt key logistics networks

Lukman Laleye Babalola

In a renewed push to dismantle terrorist networks and restore lasting peace in the North East, troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), in collaboration with the Air Component, Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), and local hunters, have intensified offensive and logistics disruption operations across Borno and Adamawa States. The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, disclosed this in a statement issued on 23 July 2025, highlighting significant achievements recorded between 15 and 22 July 2025. Among the key breakthroughs, troops of 114 Battalion on 15 July intercepted…

Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation unveils LEAD programme to groom Africa’s next generation of public sector leaders …. 50 Young Civil Servants to be trained annually in Governance, Reform, and Policy Innovation

Lukman Laleye Babalola

In a strategic move to transform public governance across Africa, the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation has launched the Leadership Enhancement and Development (LEAD) programme, a flagship initiative that will train 50 high-potential young African civil servants each year.   Unveiled on Thursday, the programme is the result of a strong partnership between the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation and four major institutions: the Africa CEO Forum, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), and the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank). The initiative is designed to foster excellence in public…

APC Elects Prof Nentawe Yilwatda as National Chairman

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has elected Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda as its new National Chairman. His emergence was ratified on Wednesday at the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the party held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.   Professor Yilwatda succeeded Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, who recently resigned from the position.   Until his election, Prof. Yilwatda served as the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development. A former governorship candidate of the APC in the 2023 Plateau State gubernatorial election, he…

Customs CG Adeniyi reiterates commitment to combating illicit financial flows

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has reiterated the Service’s critical role in curbing illicit financial flows (IFFs), emphasizing its commitment to securing Nigeria’s borders and strengthening financial transparency.   Speaking at the opening of the Nationall Conference on Combating Illicit Financial Flows on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, in Abuja, CG Adeniyi stated that Customs played a frontline role in monitoring cross-border movement of funds and negotiable instruments. He noted that enforcement of declaration protocols has been significantly improved.   “In the last six months,…

NDLEA, NARTO forge alliance to tackle drug trafficking via Road Transport

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) have pledged to work together to curb the use of commercial and haulage vehicles for the trafficking of illicit drugs across Nigeria. This renewed commitment was made on Thursday, 24th July 2025, when the National President of NARTO, Alhaji Yusuf Lawal Othman, led a delegation of the association’s leadership on a courtesy visit to the NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (Rtd), at the Agency’s national headquarters in Abuja.   Othman…

NAPTIP DG flags off 2025 World Day Against Human Trafficking, highlights Organised Crime link

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Director-General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Binta Adamu Bello, has flagged off activities to mark the 2025 World Day Against Human Trafficking with a renewed call for collective action to dismantle organized criminal networks responsible for human trafficking across Nigeria and beyond.   Addressing journalists and stakeholders at a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, Bello emphasized that human trafficking is not a random act of violence but a well-coordinated organized crime that exploits vulnerable populations, especially women, children, the elderly, and…

FG reaffirms commitment to Inclusive Education for All Nigerian Children …. As Education Ministry hosts Stakeholders workshop on National Policy Implementation

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Government has reiterated its unwavering commitment to ensuring that every Nigerian child, regardless of disability, gender, background, or circumstance, has equal access to quality education. The Honourable Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Sai’d Ahmed, made this known on Monday, July 22, 2025, at a stakeholders’ sensitization workshop on the National Policy on Inclusive Education, held in Abuja. The event, themed “Strengthening Inclusive Education for Equitable Learning in Nigeria,” was organised by the National Working Committee on Inclusive Education in collaboration with the Basic Education Department of…

NOA partners National Sports Commission to promote national unity, donates 5,000 copies of reintroduced Anthem

Lukman Laleye Babalola

In a renewed effort to deepen national consciousness and promote Nigeria’s core symbols and values, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) has donated 5,000 copies of the reintroduced national anthem, Nigerian flags, and a National Values Charter plaque to the National Sports Commission.   The Director General of NOA, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, represented by the Director of Special Duties and State Operations, Mr. David Akoji, said the gesture is aimed at addressing recurring instances where athletes struggle to correctly recite the national anthem at international events.   He described sports as…