Day: October 28, 2025

NITDA DG seeks deeper federal–state partnership to power inclusive digital growth

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, has called on state governors to forge stronger partnerships with the Federal Government to accelerate Nigeria’s digital transformation and inclusive growth. Speaking during a high-level visit to the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) Secretariat in Abuja, Inuwa stressed that the nation’s vision for digital prosperity can only be achieved through collective effort across all tiers of government.   “Our mandate isn’t just federal it’s truly national, which means it must embrace state and local governments,” Inuwa stated. “We…

Zamfara Lawmaker dumps PDP for APC, cites neglect by State Govt

Emporium Reporters

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Zamfara State has suffered yet another setback following the defection of a serving member of the State House of Assembly representing Maradun II Constituency, Hon. Maharazu Salisu, to the All Progressives Congress (APC).   Hon. Salisu formally announced his defection on Tuesday at the APC State Secretariat in Gusau, attributing his decision to mounting pressure from his constituents over what they described as the PDP-led government’s neglect and failure to deliver development projects in the area.   “My esteemed constituents, whom I represent at…

Gov Dauda Lawal seeks urgent meeting with Tinubu as political turmoil rocks Zamfara

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State is reportedly seeking an urgent meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu amid growing political tension following a wave of defections from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).   The latest defection came on Tuesday, when Hon. Maharazu Salisu, the PDP lawmaker representing Maradun II Constituency in the State House of Assembly, formally joined the APC. His exit added to the mounting pressure on Governor Lawal, coming barely a week after another PDP candidate allegedly backed by the governor with…

NUPRC@ 4: Niger Delta group hails Komolafe’s reforms, says host Communities now feel the impact

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Niger Delta Citizens Alliance (NDCA) has commended the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) for its transformative impact on host communities in the oil-producing region, as the Commission mark its fourth anniversary.   In a statement issued Tuesday in Port Harcourt by its President, Kingsley Charles, and Secretary-General, Ogbobetta Nelli, the group praised the leadership of Engr. Gbenga Komolafe for translating the promises of resource justice into tangible development through the transparent implementation of the Host Community Development Trusts (HCDTs).   “For decades, oil-producing communities were left with promises…

Halal Economic Strategy As Muslims And Non-Muslims Economy By Imam Murtadha Gusau

Emporium Reporters

In the Name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful   Praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds, may the blessings and peace be upon our beloved master Muhammad, the last of Prophets, on his family, and all his companions.   Fellow Nigerians! Know that, the Halal economy strategy has in recent years emerged as one of the most dynamic sub-sectors of the global economy with a powerful transformative force for socio-economic development. It has also become a leading component of economic growth, employment, trade, innovation and…

Grace Godwin’s Murder: FCT Police arrests two ‘One Chance’ suspects, launch manhunt for others

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Operatives of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command have arrested two notorious members of a “one chance” robbery syndicate allegedly responsible for the murder of 23-year-old Miss Grace Godwin in Abuja.   According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, the arrests followed a discreet investigation by the Scorpion Squad, acting on the directive of the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Miller G. Dantawaye.   The statement explained that on 12 July 2025, police received a distress call about an…

LG Elections: Gov Bago declares Thursday, Friday work-free days …. Urges Citizens to participate fully, assures of peaceful exercise

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Governor of Niger State, Farmer Mohammed Umaru Bago, has declared Thursday, 30th and Friday, 31st October 2025, as work-free days across the state to enable residents to fully participate in the forthcoming Local Government Elections scheduled for Saturday, 1st November 2025. This was contained in a statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Abubakar Usman, on Tuesday in Minna. According to the statement, the two-day work-free period is aimed at providing all eligible voters ample opportunity to travel to their respective polling units and exercise…

170 Foreign Nationals apply for Nigerian Citizenship …. Interior Minister insists on Integrity, Security screening in vetting process

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has revealed that a total of 170 foreign nationals have applied for Nigerian citizenship.   Dr. Tunji-Ojo disclosed this in Abuja during a recent meeting of the Advisory Committee on Nigerian Citizenship (ACNC), which he chairs.   He emphasized that Nigerian citizenship is a privilege and not a right, stressed that every application must undergo rigorous scrutiny to ensure that only individuals of proven integrity, sound character, and lawful conduct are considered.   “Anyone who holds the citizenship of our great country must…

Drug Parties are illegal, NDLEA warns Club Owners, Fun Seekers …As agency raids Lagos nightclub, seizes 384.886kg of ‘Loud’ and Other substances

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has issued a stern warning to nightclub operators and fun seekers across the country against the rising trend of organizing, hosting, or attending drug parties described the act as a grave criminal offence under Nigerian law.   The warning followed a major raid carried out by NDLEA operatives on a drug-themed party held at Proxy Night Club, located at 7 Akin Adesola Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, on the night of Saturday, 25th October, into the early hours of Sunday, 26th October 2025.  …

Bianca Ojukwu rallies SMEs, Stakeholders on regional trade at ECOWAS ETLS workshop in Enugu

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has called on Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) across Nigeria to take full advantage of regional trade opportunities offered by the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS), described it as a “strategic pillar of West Africa’s economic integration.” Ambassador Ojukwu made the call while delivering her opening remarks at the ETLS Sensitization Workshop held at the International Conference Centre, Enugu, on Tuesday. She commended the Executive Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, for the State’s warm hospitality and “forward-looking…