Day: December 19, 2025

NHRC mourns AIT Veteran TV Producer, Shola Ayebola

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has expressed deep sorrow over the death of Shola Ayebola, a veteran television producer with Africa Independent Television (AIT), described his passing as a monumental loss to journalism and the human rights community in Nigeria. In a condolence message issued by its Management and Staff, the Commission said it received the news of Ayebola’s death with shock and sadness, noting that he was not only an exceptional journalist but also a committed human rights advocate and dependable partner in the promotion and protection of…

2027: Kano former federal lawmakers back Tinubu’s second term, endorse Barau for Kano Governorship

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Former federal lawmakers from Kano State have formally endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in office and the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, as their preferred candidate for the Kano State governorship ahead of the 2027 general elections.   The endorsement was announced on Friday during a courtesy visit by members of the Forum of Former Federal Lawmakers from Kano State to Senator Barau in Abuja. The forum comprises legislators who served during the Second, Third and Fourth Republics.   Speaking on behalf…

Tinubu presents ₦58.18trn 2026 Budget to NASS, projects Economic Stability ,shared Prosperity

Lukman Laleye Babalola

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday presented the 2026 Appropriation Bill to a joint session of the National Assembly, proposing a ₦58.18 trillion budget aimed at consolidating economic reforms, strengthening resilience, and delivering shared prosperity for Nigerians. The budget, themed “Budget of Consolidation, Renewed Resilience and Shared Prosperity,” reflected the administration’s commitment to stabilising the economy, improving living standards, and translating recent reforms into tangible benefits for households and businesses. In his address, President Tinubu said Nigeria’s economy is showing signs of recovery, citing a 3.98 per cent growth in…

Nigeria Customs commissions renovated Senior Officers’ Mess in Kaduna

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has commissioned a fully renovated Senior Officers’ Mess at the Kabala Doki Customs Barracks, Kaduna, in a move aimed at enhancing officers’ welfare, morale, and operational efficiency within the Kaduna Area Command.   The commissioning ceremony, held on Wednesday, 17 December 2025, was led by the Customs Area Controller, Kaduna Area Command, Comptroller Sa’ad Hassan. The facility was formally inaugurated by the Zonal Coordinator, Zone B, Assistant Comptroller General of Customs, Nsika Umoh, who represented the Comptroller-General of Customs at the event.   According to…

FCT Police arrests 160 suspects, rescues 32 victims in three months

Emporium Reporters

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has recorded major operational successes between October and December 2025, arrested 160 suspects, rescued 32 victims and recovered arms, ammunition, vehicles, cash and other criminal exhibits. The Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Miller G. Dantawaye, disclosed this today during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters in Abuja, where he presented the Command’s scorecard since assuming office in October. CP Dantawaye noted that the strategic status of the FCT as Nigeria’s political and diplomatic centre attracts people from diverse backgrounds, including criminal…

Biosafety Without Scientists: The Deafening Silence of Nigeria’s Scientific Community is Shameful By Frank Tietie

Emporium Reporters

The credibility and sincerity of Nigerian scientists, both as individuals and as organised professional bodies, are presently on trial. Sadly, their collective silence in the face of a clear statutory breach has exposed an uncomfortable truth that when it truly matters, Nigeria’s scientific community, particularly those in the biological sciences, appears either unwilling or unable to stand up for the integrity of its own profession.   At the heart of this crisis is the appointment of Mr. Bello Bawa Bwari, a lawyer, as the Director-General of the National Biosafety Management…

Friday Sermon: The Rights Of A Muslim Over His Muslim Brother! By Imam Murtadha Gusau

Emporium Reporters

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful   Praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds, may the blessings and peace be upon our beloved master Prophet Muhammad, the last of Prophets, on his family, and all his companions. To Proceed:   Dear brothers and sisters! In the rich tapestry of Islamic teachings, the concept of brotherhood holds a profound and cherished place. Brotherhood in Islam transcends mere familial ties; it encompasses the spiritual bond that unites Muslims worldwide. In this sermon, I will delve…

Senate holds public hearing on Terrorism Amendment, Legal Practitioners Bills

Emporium Reporters

By James Isaac, Abuja     In a bid to strengthen Nigeria’s legal framework against terrorism and improve standards in legal practice, the Senate Committees on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters; National Security and Intelligence; and Interior on Thursday, December 18, 2025, held a public hearing on two key legislative proposals.   The bills considered were the Legal Practitioners Act (Repeal and Enactment) Bill, 2025 and the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025. In his welcome address, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights…

Senate faults NUPRC over lapses in enforcing Oil firms’ host community obligations

Emporium Reporters

By James Isaac, Abuja     The Senate Committee on Host Communities has expressed strong displeasure with the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) over what it described as weak enforcement of oil companies’ responsibilities to their host communities in the Niger Delta. Chairman of the Committee, Senator Agada (Bayelsa), made the remarks while speaking to journalists after an interactive session with the management of the NUPRC. He lamented that decades of oil exploration and exploitation have left many host communities environmentally degraded and economically worse off. According to the…