Year: 2025

MURIC warns against crackdown on opposition ahead of 2027 Polls

Lukman Laleye Babalola

As Nigeria gear up for the 2027 general elections, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has cautioned the federal and state governments against actions capable of stifling opposition, warned that such practices could undermine democracy and fuel political unrest. The faith-based human rights organisation gave the warning in a press statement issued on Monday, December 29, 2025, by its Founder and Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola. MURIC stressed that Nigeria’s democracy remains fragile and requires tolerance, inclusiveness and strict adherence to the rule of law to survive and grow. According to…

Hajiya Sa’adatu Sani Musa honoured with Humanist Pride Award in Niger

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Hajiya Sa’adatu Sani Musa, Founder of the Future Pathways Foundation, has been honoured with the prestigious Humanist Pride Award by the Niger State Chapter of 13×13 in recognition of her outstanding commitment to human dignity, equality and social responsibility. The award, which celebrated ethical leadership and humanist values, is a testament to her compassion-driven service and sustained humanitarian impact across communities. The organisers noted that Hajiya Sa’adatu’s work reflected the true essence of humanism, grounded in compassion, integrity and respect for all persons, irrespective of status or circumstance. Through the…

The Patriots dismisses claims of altered Tax Reform Acts, backs National Assembly’s re-gazetting decision

Lukman Laleye Babalola

A coalition of civil society organisations operating under the banner of The Patriots has dismissed allegations that the Tax Reform Acts 2025 were altered after passage by the National Assembly, insisting that official legislative records remain unchanged and authoritative. In a press release issued on Sunday in Abuja, the group described the claims as misleading and unfounded, stressed that the Votes and Proceedings of the Senate and the House of Representatives of May 28, 2025 constitute the final and binding record of decisions taken by the National Assembly on the…

Ex-Convict, 3 others arrested as NDLEA foils UK-Bound Cocaine concealed in starch sachets

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a notorious ex-convict, Nwobodo Chidiebere Basil, alongside three cargo agents, over an attempt to export cocaine to the United Kingdom concealed in factory-sealed sachets of cold-water starch. The seizure was made at the export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos, where NDLEA operatives intercepted 75 parcels of cocaine weighing 1.50 kilograms. The suspects initially arrested on Saturday, December 20, 2025, were identified as Jubrin Firdausi Hassana, Kuku Daniel Oluwasegun and Igwe Chioma Jane. Further investigations uncovered 37-year-old…

Mr President, Let’s Call In The Chadians!, by Hassan Gimba

Emporium Reporters

This article was first published in December 2020. In light of recent U.S. airstrikes targeting terrorist groups linked to transnational extremist networks and the renewed focus on international counterterrorism efforts in Nigeria, I find this write-up highly relevant to current developments. God willing, next week we will continue the Trending Events Amidst Governor Buni’s Yobe Achievements series, which began last week. March 2020 was a sad one for Chad. There was an attack on its Bohoma army base by Boko Haram terrorists. They killed more than 92 Chadian soldiers in what army…

America and Gov Makinde’s precision strikes By Festus Adedayo

Emporium Reporters

In Nigeria, on Tuesday and Thursday last week, two precision airstrikes hit targets. As similar as the pains the airstrikes brought, they were also marked by dissimilarities. While one hit the country’s northwest target against ISIS terrorists on Thursday, Christmas day, earlier on Tuesday, the other hit the heart of state capture in Nigeria. But localities of the strikes were miles apart. The Donald Trump strikes were launched from maritime platforms domiciled in the Gulf of Guinea but the one that exposed the rump of one party rule in Nigeria…

Whatever Happened to Chicken Quality in Nigeria? by Frank Tietie

Emporium Reporters

There was a time in Nigeria when the thought of chicken, especially during Christmas, triggered a deep, almost emotional anticipation. The aroma, the firmness of the meat, and that satisfying resistance between the teeth all combined into what many of us fondly remember as the real chicken experience. Today, that memory feels increasingly distant.   This festive season, the quality of chicken meat available to Nigerian consumers has become a source of genuine public concern. Chicken, once a delicacy eagerly awaited at celebrations, now too often disappoints. Unless one is…

Nigeria backs Somalia’s unity, warns against any move to recognise breakaway Territories

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Government of Nigeria has reaffirmed its strong support for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and unity of the Federal Republic of Somalia, urging regional and international actors to respect the country’s constitutional order.   In a press release issued on Saturday by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, Nigeria said its position is anchored on the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of all member states of the United Nations and the African Union. Nigeria described the Government of Somalia as the…

Yuletide: Motorists hail FRSC free water campaign for enhancing highway safety

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Motorists across major highways have commended the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) for its Free Water Campaign, described the initiative as a timely and humane intervention that provided relief and improved safety for road users during the busy Yuletide travel season. The initiative, introduced by the Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed and implemented nationwide, involved FRSC operatives distributing bottled water to motorists and passengers along key corridors. The gesture is aimed at reducing fatigue, dehydration and stress often associated with long-distance festive travel.   Speaking on the campaign, the Corps Marshal…

Agbese: Why House Repealed, Re-enacted 2024, 2025 Appropriation Acts

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Hon. Philip Agbese, has explained that the decision by the House to repeal and re-enact the 2024 and 2025 Appropriation Acts was aimed at aligning Nigeria’s budgeting framework with global best practices, strengthening transparency and accountability, and addressing implementation challenges associated with running multiple budgets. Agbese made this known in an interview on Friday, noting that the move was part of broader fiscal reforms designed to ensure a more coherent, predictable, and efficient funding structure for government operations. According to him, the…