Day: September 5, 2025

NUJ FCT pledges support for disability inclusion as FG plans rehabilitation centres for Spinal Cord Injury Patients

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) has pledged stronger support for persons with disabilities, even as the Federal Government announced plans to establish Medical Rehabilitation Centres across Nigeria with a focus on neuro-rehabilitation for spinal cord injury patients.   Speaking at a symposium in Abuja to mark the 2025 World Spinal Cord Injury Day, Chairman of NUJ FCT Council, Comrade Grace Ike, expressed concern over the rising global statistics of spinal cord injuries, noted that more than 15 million people worldwide are living with the condition. She urged government and…

NAHCON announces minor shake-up, approves reforms to boost efficiency

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced a minor shake-up in its workforce, following resolutions reached at the 14th sitting of its Board held between 26th and 27th August 2025. In line with the Board’s directive, the Commission’s executive arm has effected the reposting of pool officers back to their respective Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) with immediate effect. Letters to this effect were issued to the affected officers on Thursday, 4th September 2025. According to the Commission, the decision was taken to eliminate redundancy and reposition NAHCON…

Akpabio felicitates muslims on Eid el Maulud, prays for Peace and Prosperity

Lukman Laleye Babalola

President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, GCON, has extended warm felicitations to Muslims in Nigeria and across the world on the celebration of Eid el Maulud, which marks the birth of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). In a message signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh, Akpabio urged Muslims to emulate the virtues of peace, love, harmony, and selfless service to humanity exemplified by the Holy Prophet. “On behalf of the Senate, my family, and constituents, I extend warm felicitations to our Muslim brothers and sisters…

The Giant Strides of Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu As DG NOA

Emporium Reporters

As a young man to the jingles of Professor Jerry Gana “if you are a President, President well, if you are Senator, Senator well, if you are a Carpenter, carpenter well” etc. It was a clarion call for commitment to nation building. It was from the Federal Ministry of Information. We had a National Orientation Agency headed by Professor Elochukwu Amucheazi. The impact of the National Orientation Agency was felt all over the country. Those were the days of MAMSER(Mass Mobilization for Self Reliance, Social Justice, and Economic Recovery). Then,…

The Life and Times of Rt. Hon. Agunwa Anaekwe: Former Speaker of House of Representatives Remembered

Emporium Reporters

By James Isaac, Abuja     The National Committee for the internment of the late Rt. Hon. Agunwa Anaekwe, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, has been unveiled, with Senator Osita Izunaso named as Chairman. Speaking during the unveiling held on Thursday, 4th September 2025, Senator Izunaso described Anaekwe as a man whose name is etched in Nigeria’s political and democratic history, noting that the programme is meant to honour his remarkable legacy. Born 69 years ago in Adazi, Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State, Anaekwe made history…

Reps’ Deputy Speaker Kalu, Finance Minister Edun broker truce as FG, Indigenous Contractors resolve payment dispute

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The lingering standoff between the Federal Government and indigenous contractors has been resolved following the intervention of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu. Contractors, who had staged a protest in Abuja over non-payment for months, agreed to suspend further demonstrations after a marathon meeting on Thursday.   The dialogue was convened by Kalu in his capacity as Chairman of the House Special Committee on Budget Implementation, a role he was recently assigned by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen. The expanded meeting, which…

Reps Deputy Spokesperson hails Abbas, Kalu for swift resolution of FG–Contractors dispute

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Hon. Philip Agbese, has commended the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, and his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, for their prompt intervention in resolving the lingering face-off between the Federal Government and indigenous contractors.   Earlier in the week, Speaker Abbas, through his Chief of Staff, Prof. Jakes Dan Azumi, inaugurated two special ad-hoc committees, one led by Deputy Speaker Kalu to address complaints of non-funding of constituency projects by the executive, and another chaired by former Deputy Speaker Idris…

Nigeria pushes for Gender-Inclusive economic diplomacy to drive Africa’s development

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has called for a shift from aid dependency to investment-driven growth anchored on gender inclusivity and youth empowerment as key to Africa’s sustainable development.   He made the call while delivering the keynote address at the Policy Innovation Centre’s High-Level Plenary of the 2025 Gender Summit, themed “From Aid to Investment: Leveraging Economic Diplomacy for Africa’s Inclusive Development.”   Ambassador Tuggar stressed that economic diplomacy must remove barriers for women, youth, and marginalized groups, while also fostering collaboration among governments, the…

Zulum: Taraba Green House a game-changer for food security

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has hailed the Taraba State Green House, popularly called the Cucumber Farm, described it as a revolutionary project with the potential to tackle hunger and boost food security in the North East and Nigeria at large.   Zulum made the remarks in Jalingo while commissioning the remodelled Green House Farm during the North East Governors’ Forum Summit, where the governors raised concerns over a looming food shortage in 2026.   In a statement, Emmanuel Bello, Special Adviser on Media and Digital Communications to Governor Agbu…

PTAD unveils revised Service Charter, pledges renewed commitment to Pensioners’ Welfare

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, launched its revised Service Charter themed “A Renewed Commitment to Service Excellence” at its headquarters in Abuja. The initiative reaffirms the Directorate’s dedication to transparency, accountability, and excellence in managing the Defined Benefit Pension Scheme (DBS). The event was attended by the Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, CFA, the Director-General of the National Pension Commission (PenCom), Ms. Omolola Oloworaran, as well as representatives of SERVICOM, the Public Complaints Commission (PCC), and pension unions.   Dr. Uzoka-Anite,…