Day: January 2, 2026

New Year, New Threats: Why Online Safety Must Be a Priority in 2026 – Rotimi Onadipe

Lukman Laleye Babalola

As the digital world continues to evolve, so do the tactics of online scammers. With the rise of artificial intelligence, deepfake videos, and voice-cloning technologies, distinguishing between what is real and what is fake online has become increasingly difficult. This reality, according to online safety advocate Rotimi Onadipe, makes internet safety education more important than ever in 2026.   Onadipe, the founder of Stay Safe Online Academy Ltd and publisher of an internet safety magazine, shared this message during the 155th edition of his global internet safety broadcast, held on…

Nigeria Congratulates Haiti on 221st Independence Anniversary

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Government of Nigeria has congratulated the Republic of Haiti on the celebration of its 221st Independence Anniversary, describing the milestone as a powerful symbol of freedom, dignity and self-determination. In a press release issued by the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, extended warm congratulations to his Haitian counterpart, His Excellency Jean-Victor Harvel Jean-Baptiste, as well as to the Government and people of Haiti. Ambassador Tuggar noted that Haiti holds a unique and enduring place…

Nigeria felicitates Sudan on 70th Independence Anniversary

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Government of Nigeria has congratulated the Republic of Sudan on the occasion of its 70th Independence Anniversary, reaffirming the longstanding bonds of friendship and cooperation between both countries. In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja, the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, conveyed warm congratulations to his Sudanese counterpart, His Excellency Mohieldin Salem Ahmed Ibrahim, on behalf of the Government and people of Nigeria. Ambassador Tuggar noted that Sudan’s independence represented a significant milestone in the country’s history, reflecting the…

Nigeria commiserates with Switzerland over deadly new year’s day Ski Resort fire

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Government of Nigeria has expressed deep sorrow over a tragic fire incident at a ski resort in Switzerland that claimed dozens of lives and left several others injured on New Year’s Day. The incident, according to reports, occurred in the early hours of January 1 at Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, one of Switzerland’s most exclusive ski destinations.   In a statement signed by the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, conveyed heartfelt condolences to…

MURIC writes Peter Obi over ADC defection, seeks clarity on fate of Muslims

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has written an open letter to former Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, following his recent defection to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), seeking assurances on the treatment and welfare of Nigerian Muslims under a possible Obi-led administration.   In a press release dated 2 January 2026, MURIC in the letter authored by its Founder and Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, as part of what the group described as an effort to open a “dialogue window” with Obi ahead of the 2027 general elections.…

Akpabio drops all defamation suits after Priest’s new year message

Emporium Reporters

Nigeria’s Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his legal team to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits filed in his name, saying he was deeply moved by a sermon delivered during a New Year Mass. Akpabio made the disclosure on Thursday while speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. He revealed that he had instituted nearly nine defamation cases against individuals he accused of lying and making damaging allegations against him. According to him, the message delivered by the priest during the service prompted a moment…

Friday Sermon: On The Planned Genocide Against The Igbo Muslims In Nigeria! By Imam Murtadha Gusau

Emporium Reporters

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful   Praise be to Allah, who has honoured the Muslim believers with servitude to Him alone and submission to Him, and has bound their hearts with the bond of allegiance to Him, and has made it obligatory upon them to show mercy to each other and to support one another for His sake. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah alone, with no partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger, who…

CNS pays courtesy visit to Borno Governor, lauds support for anti-terror operations

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas (Admiralty Medal), on Thursday, 1 January 2026, paid a courtesy visit to the Executive Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, at the Government House in Maiduguri. During the visit, Vice Admiral Abbas expressed appreciation to the Governor for the warm reception, explained that his presence in the state was to assess the operational readiness of Nigerian Navy personnel deployed within the Operation HADIN KAI Theatre of Operations and at the Naval Base Lake Chad (NBLC), Baga. He…

CNS spends new year day with Troops in North-East, boosts frontline morale

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas (Admiralty Medal), on Thursday, January 1, 2026, spent the New Year Day with Armed Forces personnel deployed in the North-East, during an operational tour of the Headquarters Joint Task Force, Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), Maiduguri, and the Naval Base Lake Chad (NBLC), Baga, in Borno State. On arrival at the Headquarters OPHK in Maiduguri, the CNS was received by the Theatre Commander, Major General A.E. Abubakar, who briefed him on recent operational gains, prevailing challenges, and future plans of…