Day: November 17, 2025

Ogbomoso Muslim Council warns Robitatul A’immah against interference in Chief Imamship

Emporium Reporters

The Ogbomoso Muslim Consensus Council (OMCC) has cautioned Robitatul A’immah and its spokesperson over recent comments relating to the Office of the Chief Imam of Ogbomosoland, described the remarks as inappropriate and an intrusion into the community’s religious affairs. In a statement issued on Sunday, the coalition which comprised Islamic scholars, elders, youth leaders, traditional stakeholders and prominent Ogbomoso indigenes at home and abroad said the warning became necessary to protect the integrity of Ogbomoso’s long-established Islamic leadership structure. The council reaffirmed that the Office of the Chief Imam of…

Akpabio mourns Dan Agbese, says Nigeria has lost a Journalism Titan

Lukman Laleye Babalola

President of the Senate, Godswill Obot Akpabio, has described the death of veteran journalist and Newswatch co-founder, Chief Dan Agbese, as a monumental loss to Nigeria’s media community and to all who uphold truth and integrity in journalism. In a condolence statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Rt. Hon. Eseme Eyiboh, Akpabio said the nation has lost “a media icon whose pen never wavered in defence of the public interest.” He noted that Agbese belonged to a generation of trailblazing journalists who defined an era and set…

Tuggar unveils Regional Partnership for Democracy, says initiative is Nigeria’s gift to Africa

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Yusuf Tuggar, has launched the Regional Partnership for Democracy (RPD) in Abuja, described it as a home-grown framework designed to strengthen and stabilise democratic governance across Africa. At the signing ceremony, Tuggar said the initiative marked a new chapter in Africa’s democratic journey and reflects President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to building democratic systems that are rooted in African values, shaped by local realities and informed by global best practices. He expressed Nigeria’s deep appreciation to the United Nations Office in Nigeria for its…

FG reaffirms citizen-centred health policy as 66th NCH Technical session opens in Calabar

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Government has restated its commitment to placing Nigerians at the heart of health policy and decision-making as the Technical Session of the 66th Regular Meeting of the National Council on Health (NCH) opened on Monday in Calabar, Cross River State. Declaring the session open, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachollom, mni, said the 2025 NCH theme “My Health, My Right: Accelerating Universal Health Coverage through Equity, Resilience and Innovation” reflected the administration’s resolve to deepen citizen engagement and advance Universal Health Coverage…

Oyo Kingdom unveils committee for Grand Chief Imam’s inauguration, turbaning ceremony

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Oyo Alaafin Palace has announced the constitution of the Imamate Inauguration and Turbaning Committee ahead of the installation of the Grand Chief Imam of Oyo Kingdom, scheduled for December 6, 2025.   In a statement issued on Monday, the committee was approved by the Grand Chief Imam, Sheikh Imam Billal Husayn Akinola Akeugberu, to coordinate preparations for what is expected to be a historic and culturally significant ceremony.   The committee is chaired by Imam Daud Igi Ogun, Khadeemul-l-Muslimeen of Oyo Kingdom. Other members included: Alhaji Chief Tajudeen Kamarise,…

MURIC urges Gov Makinde to intervene as protesters block Lagos–Ibadan Expressway

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called on Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, to urgently intervene in the blockade of the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway by protesters a situation that has left thousands of commuters stranded on Monday, 17 November 2025.   According to MURIC, the gridlock stretches from the Ibadan Tollgate to the Ogere Tollgate, covering nearly 60 kilometres and trapping travellers for hours.   In a statement issued by its Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, the organisation warned that the stranded commuters risk possible attacks from criminals as many…

Absurd wars, absurd lords By Lasisi Olagunju

Emporium Reporters

“Don’t fight Man,” said Lion to his Cub, but the Cub didn’t listen. The Cub went looking for Man.   He saw a Bull. “Are you Man?”   “No, I bear Man’s yoke.”   Next he saw a Horse. “Are you Man?”   “No, Man rides me.”   Then he saw someone splitting logs with wedges: a Man!   “Fight me, Man!” said the Cub.   “I will! But first, help me split this log.”   When the Cub put his paws in the crack, Man knocked out the wedge,…

Why my English speaks Yoruba By Lasisi Olagunju

Emporium Reporters

“You taught me language, and my profit on it / Is, I know how to curse” (William Shakespeare: ‘The Tempest’). The Nigerian government and the Nigerian Academy of Letters are fighting over which language to use in training our kids. In a recent decision, the government cancelled the language policy which said the first six years of a child’s schooling should be delivered in the language of their local environment. The government probably felt that English is the language of our masters, its owner, so, it cancelled the extant policy…