Day: December 2, 2025

A TRIBUTE TO PROFESSOR ABDULGAFAR SIYAN OYEWESO By Professor Tajudeen Akanji Abogunde

Emporium Reporters

Today, we bow our heads in deep sorrow as we bid farewell to an uncommon Nigerian— Professor Siyan Oyeweso—a distinguished historian, a visionary administrator, a global scholar of repute, and until his passing, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. Ina li Lah, wa Ina ilaehi rajiuna. We are bound in pains to accept what God has placed on us today, but this is a loss we will for long mourn in our hearts. Seven years ago, I wrote in admiration of his character, his service,…

Nigerian Navy opens maiden annual legal seminar to strengthen Maritime, Operational law frameworks

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Directorate of Legal Services, Naval Headquarters, has commenced its Maiden Annual Legal Seminar, a three-day capacity-building programme designed to deepen legal expertise and enhance the enforcement of maritime and labour laws in support of naval operations.   The event, which opened on Tuesday, 2 December 2025, at the Nigerian Army Legal Service Auditorium in Asokoro, Abuja, was declared open by the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abass, Admiralty Medal, who was represented by the Chief of Administration, Rear Admiral Jonathan Mamman.   In his remarks, Rear…

Akpabio says divine grace lifted him from obscurity to senate presidency

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has attributed his rise in Nigeria’s political landscape to divine grace, saying his journey from obscurity to becoming the nation’s number-three citizen is proof that God lifts whom He chooses.   Akpabio spoke at the blessing and official opening of the Regina Coeli Parish Rectory in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, an event attended by senior clergy, top political figures, and dignitaries. His remarks were contained in a statement issued by his media aide, Jackson Udom.   Reflecting on his political trajectory, the Senate President said God…

FCT Police smashes car-snatching syndicate, recovers 6 stolen vehicles, ₦15million cash

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has dismantled a notorious car-snatching and armed robbery syndicate operating across Abuja, arresting four suspects and recovered six stolen vehicles alongside over ₦15 million in cash proceeds. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, said the breakthrough followed days of coordinated intelligence gathering, digital forensic reconstruction, and sustained operations led by the Jabi, Gwagwalada, and Mabushi Divisions, complemented by the Command’s elite Scorpion Squad. Preliminary operations by the three divisions yielded three stolen vehicles, while a…

Senate Committee on Science and Technology reports major gains in 2025, highlights funding challenges

Lukman Laleye Babalola

As 2025 come to a close, the Senate Committee on Science and Technology has underscored its achievements over the year while drawing attention to funding constraints that have affected project implementation.   The committee’s chairman, Senator Iya Abbas revealed that the President’s approval of Nigeria’s first national satellite project represented a major milestone, expected to strengthen the country’s security, weather forecasting, and technological capabilities.   “The satellite will be a game-changer for national security and developmental planning,” he noted.   In addition, the National Board for Technology Incubation has successfully…

Senate Diaspora Committee sets agenda as Senator Bassey assumes leadership

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Senate Committee on Diaspora and NGOs has outlined key priorities for its legislative and oversight work as Senator Aniekan Bassey formally chaired his first committee meeting since his appointment. The session, held at the National Assembly, focused on strengthening Nigeria’s engagement with its citizens abroad and addressing longstanding concerns affecting the diaspora community.   Senator Bassey said the meeting was convened to familiarize himself with members and set a unified direction for the committee’s tasks. He noted that the committee is widely misunderstood, as many assumed its mandate revolved…

MURIC accuses Rev. Dachomo of “Superfluous Paranoia” over Christian genocide claim

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has strongly criticized remarks made by Reverend Ezekiel Dachomo of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN), who alleged on national television that the Muslim-Muslim leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima amounted to “Christian genocide.”   In a statement on Tuesday, MURIC’s Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, described the cleric’s comments as “hyperbolic, emotive, and extreme,” arguing that Dachomo’s position disregards democratic principles and the legal processes that validated the 2023 election results.   MURIC noted that Reverend Dachomo’s insistence…

FG reaffirms commitment to strengthen Nigeria–Hungary ties, enhance Digital Visa System

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Government has reiterated its determination to deepen diplomatic cooperation with Hungary and further modernise Nigeria’s digital visa processes to strengthen travel, trade, and security collaboration between both nations. The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, stated this on Tuesday during a courtesy visit by the Hungarian Ambassador to Nigeria, Lorand Endreffy, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja. The meeting was coming on the heels of the Minister’s recent official visit to Budapest, where both countries agreed to expand areas of bilateral engagement. Dr. Tunji-Ojo assured the Ambassador that…

Tinubu nominates Ex-CDS Christopher Musa as Defence Minister after Badaru’s resignation

Emporium Reporters

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated former Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (rtd.), as Nigeria’s new Minister of Defence, following the sudden resignation of Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar on Monday. The nomination was disclosed in a statement issued Tuesday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy. General Musa’s selection confirmed earlier reports that he had been tipped to replace Badaru, who resigned on health grounds. The retired military chief met with President Tinubu at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa on Monday evening …

Ibadan Community raises alarm as fatal accidents persist on Odejayi–Aromonlaran road, four killed in two years

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Aromonlaran Muslim Community in Ibadan has issued a distress call to the Oyo State Government over recurring fatal accidents along the Odejayi–Aromonlaran stretch of the Gate–Sawmill–Old Ife Road, which have claimed at least four lives in two years and left many others injured. The latest incident occurred on December 1, 2025, when Imam of the Aromonlaran Muslim Community, Sheikh Sobur Owolabi Opeyemi, was knocked down by a speeding motorcyclist while attempting to cross the road to his residence. The cleric, who was briefly unconscious, later regained stability—an outcome community…