Day: November 15, 2025

Nigeria leads push for stronger Intra-African Trade as Customs CGC Adeniyi briefs State House Press ahead of maiden C-PACT Conference

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to driving deeper continental trade integration as the country host the maiden Customs Partnership for African Cooperation in Trade (C-PACT) Conference from 17–19 November 2025 in Abuja. Addressing State House correspondents under the “Meet the Press” platform on Friday, 14 November 2025, the Customs Chief said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent approval of an extension of his mandate came with clear performance benchmarks focused on trade facilitation, port decongestion and the modernisation of Nigeria’s cross-border processes.   Adeniyi noted…

Quit illicit drug trade now or brace for tougher times, Marwa warns Cartels …Appreciates President Tinubu for reappointment, vows to intensify drug war

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), has warned drug barons, traffickers, and their cartels to immediately abandon the illicit drug trade or face even harsher consequences during his second tenure. Marwa, who was reappointed on Friday, 14th November 2025, by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for another five-year term, issued the warning while addressing jubilant management and staff who gathered to welcome him back to the Agency’s National Headquarters in Abuja. He expressed gratitude to the President for recognising the…

JHR delegation meets NUJ FCT, explores partnerships to promote women’s voices, strengthen media safety

Lukman Laleye Babalola

A delegation from Journalists for Human Rights (JHR), a Canada-based international media development organisation, on Thursday met with the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, to discuss opportunities for collaboration and gain deeper insight into Nigeria’s media landscape.   The delegation included JHR Executive Director Bill Killorn, Director of Operations Amara Bangura, and Director of Africa Programme Mustapha Dumbuya.   Speaking at the meeting, Killorn explained that JHR operates across Sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa, the Middle East, Europe and Asia, with a mandate to support journalists…

NUJ FCT Council mourns former Chairman, Ndamadu Sule

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, has announced with deep sorrow the passing of its former Chairman, Comrade Ndamadu Sule, who died in the early hours of Friday, November 14, 2025, after a protracted illness. Comrade Sule, aged 74, was an erudite journalist and highly respected union leader who made notable contributions to the growth of journalism in the Federal Capital Territory and Nigeria at large. Widely admired for his dedication, integrity, and unwavering commitment to professional excellence, he carved a lasting niche for himself in the media…

NAHCON, Rawaf Mina sign 2026 Hajj agreement with licensed tour operators

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has formalised the 2026 Hajj contract agreement between Licensed Tour Operators and Rawaf Mina Company, marking a major step forward in preparations for next year’s pilgrimage. The agreement was signed by the Chairman/CEO of NAHCON, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, and the CEO of Rawaf Mina Company, Mr. Zuhair Abdel Hamid Sadayo, during a ceremony that reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to delivering high-quality services to Nigerian pilgrims. Speaking at the event, Professor Usman reminded the service provider of the expectations of Nigerian pilgrims, stressing…

MURIC hails Marwa’s reappointment, says performance justifies renewed mandate

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has congratulated the Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), General Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd), on his reappointment for another five-year term, described the renewal of his mandate as a clear endorsement of his outstanding performance and integrity.   In a statement issued on Saturday, the Executive Director of MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola, said the decision reflected the Federal Government’s confidence in Marwa’s proven commitment to national service and the remarkable transformation he has brought to the NDLEA.   According to the organisation,…

NSCDC backs Interior Ministry reforms, deepens shift toward performance-driven service delivery

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has reiterated its commitment to a more accountable and performance-driven public service as it participated in a capacity-building programme on the Performance Management System (PMS) organised for agencies under the Federal Ministry of Interior in Abuja. Declaring the training open, the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, said the initiative is a central component of the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, designed to entrench efficiency, innovation, and measurable results across the public service. He emphasised that government institutions must now demonstrate discipline…

Diaspora Investors spotlight scalable ventures as NDIS 2025 ends in Abuja

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Diaspora investors have signalled strong interest in scalable Nigerian ventures as the 8th Nigerian Diaspora Investment Summit (NDIS 2025) concluded in Abuja, following a series of high-powered pitching sessions that showcased innovative opportunities across real estate, health, agribusiness, energy, and the creative economy. Over the three-day summit, entrepreneurs presented solutions aimed at addressing Nigeria’s structural challenges, while sector experts provided guidance on investor-readiness, sustainability, and commercial viability.   In the real estate segment, Dr. Henry Ogunjobi described Nigeria as being at a critical turning point, where expertise and diaspora capital…

Ijebu-Jesa Grammar School at 70! (2) By abiodun KOMOLAFE

Emporium Reporters

According to Michael Afolayan, a US-based Professor of Education and Linguistics, what is happening in IJGS “is a systemic problem – the aphorism of the crooked top. Today, we have a pseudo-leadership that has no value for education. Imagine such a great school you just appraised here having only 10 permanent teachers! “Just imagine the IJGS in the days of Oba Joseph Ajayi Palmer, when every trained teacher wanted to come and serve there. I recall the late Mr. E. Adegbola, owner of Surulere Bookstore in Ile-Ife and Ijebu-Jesa, who…

OYIGG accuses Osun Governor Adeleke of boycotting PDP National Convention, claims he fled abroad

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Osun Youth Initiative for Good Governance (OYIGG) has alleged that Governor Ademola Adeleke deliberately skipped the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) national convention in Ibadan on November 15‑16, citing a court‑ordered suspension of the event.   According to a release signed by its Convener Dr. Adeyemi Akande, OYIGG Governor Adeleke, who is seeking re‑election, left Nigeria on Friday afternoon for an undisclosed destination abroad to avoid being “party to an illegal convention”. The group accused the governor of “boycotting” the convention amid a legal battle that has engulfed the PDP.   The Federal…