Day: August 9, 2025

Amnesty International slams NYSC over ‘Retaliatory’ Withholding of Rita Ushei’s Discharge Certificate

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Amnesty International Nigeria has accused the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) of retaliating against Rita Ushei, popularly known as Raye, by withholding her discharge certificate despite her completion of the mandatory one-year national service.   In a statement on its official Facebook page, the human rights organisation described the NYSC’s decision as “arbitrary and outrageous,” warned that it reflected a growing intolerance for dissent in Nigeria.   The group said the move may be linked to Ushei’s recent social media criticism of the widespread economic hardship brought about by President…

Dialogue, Action key to ending Nigeria’s conflicts – Dr. Femi Lanre-Oke

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Leadership development expert and Executive Director of Still Waters Foundation, Dr. Femi Lanre-Oke, has urged Nigerians to embrace sincere dialogue backed by concrete action as a lasting solution to recurring conflicts across the country. Speaking with journalists in Abuja on Saturday, Dr. Lanre-Oke said differences in cultural backgrounds, upbringing, perspectives, and interests make conflicts inevitable.   “We are wired differently. We see things differently. That clash of difference is what results in conflict,” he noted. “You cannot be always right. No matter how much you know, you cannot know all,…

Senate President Akpabio mourns former PDP Chairman Audu Ogbeh

Lukman Laleye Babalola

President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has mourned the passing of Chief Audu Ogbeh, former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development in President Muhammadu Buhari’s first term and ex-National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh, Akpabio described the late Second Republic Minister of Communications as a distinguished elder statesman who lived a life of service, integrity, and patriotism. “It is with great sadness that I received the news of the passing of Chief…

Marwa rallies Parents, Community Leaders against Drug Abuse, Cultism, Banditry

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), has called for united action by parents, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and community stakeholders to curb the growing menace of drug abuse, cultism, and banditry among Nigerian youths. Marwa made the call on Saturday, 9 August 2025, while delivering a keynote address at a seminar organised by the Ijebu Ode Council of Olorituns in Ogun State, themed “Dangers of Drug Abuse, Cultism and Banditry Among Youths.” He described the three social vices as interlinked,…

FG, Health Sector Unions strengthen reconciliation efforts for lasting industrial harmony

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Government has held a constructive engagement with leaders of all health sector unions and associations as part of ongoing reconciliation efforts aimed at sustaining industrial peace in the nation’s healthcare system. The meeting, chaired by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, reaffirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to the welfare of health workers, describing them as critical to the success of the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda for the health sector. “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appreciates all Nigeria’s health workers, whom he regards…

NIDCOM celebrates Gbubemi Kevin Akpornor’s Global Academic Excellence

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has congratulated Mr. Gbubemi Kevin Akpornor for his outstanding academic achievements, described him as an inspiration to young Nigerians worldwide.   In a statement signed by NIDCOM’s Head of Media and Public Relations, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, the Chairman/CEO, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, commended Akpornor’s accomplishment as a testament to the brilliance, resilience, and excellence of Nigerians excelling across the globe.   Akpornor, a graduate of Delta State University, recently obtained a Master’s degree in Renewable Energy Management from Cranfield University, United Kingdom. His academic pursuit was…

Oyebanji: The rally of Ekiti State By abiodun KOMOLAFE

Emporium Reporters

An interesting recent news item in the recent past was the massive crowd that greeted Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji (BAO) of Ekiti State’s declaration to run for a second term.   A key element of the event was the governor’s endorsement across the dividing lines by members of other political parties, tendencies and factions.   The key issue here is that, having shifted the perception of politics in the state and created what’s looking like a new base of hegemony, BAO has put himself in a pole position to sweep…

Still on Tinubu, Aregbesola and Oyetola By abiodun KOMOLAFE

Emporium Reporters

That I hesitated to write this piece is intentional. That I’ve decided to write it now is also deliberate. I’ll explain both reasons when the time is right. I have met Bola Ahmed Tinubu, now President of Nigeria, a few times, but one meeting that stands out was at Lagos City Hall, in 2010. It was during the ‘Oodua, Know Thyself’ programme organized by the Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG), where I served as the Administrative Secretary at the time. Our paths had also crossed earlier at Chief Bisi Akande’s 70th…