Day: January 12, 2026

CDS assures Troops of improved welfare, unveils new support schemes at AFCRD 2026 social night

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, has assured officers and men of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) that concrete and far-reaching welfare reforms are underway, with strong backing from the highest level of government. General Oluyede gave the assurance while addressing personnel at the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day (AFCRD) Social Night, organised by the Defence Headquarters as part of activities to honour serving personnel and veterans, and to remember fallen heroes. The Defence Chief urged troops to remain resolute, hopeful and steadfast, noting…

MURIC slams Kebbi Govt over N10bn loan for 2026 Hajj sponsorship

Lukman Laleye Babalola

An Islamic human rights organisation, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has criticised the Kebbi State Government for approving a ₦10 billion loan to secure an additional 1,300 Hajj seats for the 2026 pilgrimage, described the move as a gross misplacement of priorities. In a press statement issued on Monday, January 12, 2026, and signed by its Founder and Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, MURIC faulted the decision of the state government under Governor Nasir Idris, urged it to focus more on critical sectors such as education, healthcare, infrastructure, poverty alleviation…

Dabiri-Erewa hosts female Biker, UK-based Boxer, reaffirms NiDCOM’s support for diaspora excellence

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has commended the resilience, patriotism and positive representation of Nigeria by a Nigerian female biker, Ms. Chinyenwa Judith Amadi, and a United Kingdom-based professional boxer, Mr. Odera Okwvosa. Dabiri-Erewa gave the commendation while receiving both Nigerians at the NiDCOM Lagos office, described their achievements as inspiring and reflective of the strength and determination of Nigerians at home and in the diaspora. She said their exploits have helped project a good image of the country globally. The…

Nigeria Customs commences new SOP for Courier firms operating under DDP regime

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has commenced the implementation of a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for courier companies operating under the Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) Incoterm, aimed at strengthening compliance, enhancing revenue assurance and aligning courier operations with global best practices.   Announcing the development in release, the National Public Relations Officer of the Service, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Abdullahi Maiwada,said the SOP provided a unified framework for the registration of courier companies, submission of manifests, declaration, valuation, clearance, delivery and compliance monitoring of DDP shipments nationwide. According to…

AFCRD 2026: CDS Oluyede honours fallen heroes, reaffirms Armed Forces’ resolve to defend Nigeria

Lukman Laleye Babalola

AFCRD 2026: CDS Oluyede honours fallen heroes, reaffirms Armed Forces’ resolve to defend Nigeria The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General O.O Oluyede, has paid glowing tribute to fallen Nigerian military personnel while reaffirming the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty and democracy. General Oluyede made this known in a goodwill message to mark the Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day (AFCRD) 2026, a solemn annual event dedicated to honouring the sacrifices of serving and fallen members of the Armed Forces. Describing the occasion as…

How to Stop One-Chance Kidnappings and Killings in Abuja: Deploying Cheap, Fast and Easy QR Technology Solutions By Frank Tietie

Emporium Reporters

The recent revelations by the Nigeria Police Force concerning the tragic death of a female lawyer, Chigbo Princess Nwamaka Mediatrix, should shock the conscience of every resident of the Federal Capital Territory. According to police investigations, she was killed by a three-man “one-chance” gang operating a Volkswagen Golf that posed as a taxi for what should have been a routine 25-minute trip from Abuja city centre to Kubwa. The suspects reportedly confessed that once she entered the vehicle, the tinted windows were wound up, threats were issued, and demands for…

Media Corruption and the Undue Focus on Rivers Politics by Frank Tietie

Emporium Reporters

The Nigerian media is facing a credibility crisis, one that is deepening by the day and threatening its historic role as the conscience of society. Nowhere is this more evident than in the excessive and often distorted coverage of the impeachment crisis in Rivers State. What should have been reported as a serious constitutional and political development has instead become a marketplace of narratives, where cash inducements, sponsored “media chats,” and paid-for sympathies are increasingly shaping what Nigerians read, hear, and watch. Ordinarily, the politics of Rivers State, no matter…

NAHCON AT 20: THE IMPERATIVE OF REPOSITIONING NIGERIA’S HAJJ AND UMRAH SECTOR

Emporium Reporters

Come October 12, 2026, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) will mark two decades of existence a milestone that calls for both celebration and critical reflection on the untapped potential of Nigeria’s Hajj and Umrah sector. The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria was established in 2006 by an Act of the National Assembly to oversee, regulate, and coordinate Hajj and Umrah activities in Nigeria. This followed decades of administrative chaos with the most reoccurring decimal being the inability of Nigeria to airlift its pilgrims many times. NAHCON officially began…

Retreat 2026; FHA promises more welfare packages for staffers.

Emporium Reporters

By Our Reporter     To consolidate on the gains of its positive reforms, Federal Housing Authority, FHA has started the year with a Staff Retreat , with the theme: “Consolidating On the Gains of Positive Reforms. ”   The retreat aimed at keeping the momentum of the recent positive reforms that is sweeping across the agency, which has placed the organization in the ranks of performing agencies was held at the Ikogosi Resort in Ekiti State.   In his opening address, the Managing Director and Chief Executive, MD/CEO, Hon…

Trump and the ruin of Kurunmi By Lasisi Olagunju

Emporium Reporters

To the north of Ibadan, on the way to Iseyin, is a village perpetually wearing mournful, forlorn looks. You must have some interest in Yoruba history to know that this community, at the height of its glory, was Ibadan’s arch-rival in might and riches. It is today called Orile Ijaiye but some 200 years ago, it was simply Ijaiye; it was also known as Ijaiye Kurunmi. Kurunmi was its leader who, in about 1830, with others, literally stole the town, complete with compounds, market and palace, from its original Egba…