Month: January 2026

Troops foil coordinated terrorist attacks in Adamawa, Borno, neutralise cores in follow-up operations

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have foiled coordinated terrorist attacks in parts of Adamawa and Borno states, repelling the assailants and neutralised scores of fleeing terrorists during follow-up operations supported by air assets. The incidents occurred in the early hours of Friday, 16 January 2026. In Adamawa State, terrorists attempted to overrun a patrol base at Sabon Gari in Madagali Local Government Area under Sector 4 of OPHK. Alert troops swiftly engaged the attackers, with reinforcements arriving from Gulak and the Battalion Quick Reaction Force. The assault was repelled…

Interior, Defence ministries deepen collaboration to tackle evolving security threats

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to a stronger and more coordinated national security framework as the Ministries of Interior and Defence move to deepen inter-ministerial collaboration. This assurance was given on Friday in Abuja during a courtesy visit by the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd.), to the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo. Both ministers pledged to strengthen cooperation to address Nigeria’s evolving internal and external security challenges. Speaking during the meeting, Dr. Tunji-Ojo described Nigeria’s national security architecture as resting on a “tripod of…

Northern Group faults Yari’s appointment as Geregu Power Board Chairman, raises wealth and conflict concerns

Lukman Laleye Babalola

A northern-based socio-political group, Mai Kare Talakawa (MKT), has expressed strong opposition to the appointment of former Zamfara State Governor and serving Senator, Abdulaziz Yari, as Chairman of the Board of Geregu Power Plc, saying the development does not inspire confidence among ordinary people in the region. The group made its position known in a statement issued on Friday and signed by its spokesperson, Mallam Yusuf Mohammed, amid widespread reactions to Yari’s appointment following the resignation of billionaire businessman, Femi Otedola. According to MKT, it would rather defend the interests…

FG inaugurates committees to drive implementation of National Intellectual Property Policy

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Government has inaugurated the National Intellectual Property Policy and Strategy (NIPPS) Implementation Committees, marking a major step toward strengthening Nigeria’s intellectual property (IP) ecosystem and translating policy commitments into concrete economic outcomes. The inauguration, which took place in Abuja, signaled a transition from policy formulation to coordinated execution following the approval of the NIPPS by the Federal Executive Council. Speaking at the event, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, said the inauguration represents a decisive move from years of consultations and planning to focused…

Nigeria Police mourns death of retired DIG Gasali Dewale Lawal

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigeria Police Force has announced the death of Retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Chief Gasali Dewale Lawal, described his passing as the end of an era marked by exemplary leadership, professionalism, and unwavering service to national peace and security. In a statement issued on Thursday by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, the Police described the late DIG Lawal as a distinguished statesman and consummate police officer whose 33-year career left an indelible mark on policing in Nigeria. Born with a strong passion for learning and public…

Nigeria positions National Reputation as strategic asset at unveiling of 2025 perception index

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Government has underscored the growing importance of national reputation as a strategic asset in global affairs, diplomacy and economic competitiveness, as Nigeria presented its maiden Nigeria Reputation Perception Index Report 2025. The Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, stated this at the official presentation of the report, an initiative of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), held on Thursday, January 15, 2026, at the National Assembly Library Complex, Abuja. The Minister was represented by the Ministry’s Spokesperson, Mr. Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa. Delivering the Minister’s…

NCC, FCCPC assess competition levels in Nigeria’s Telecoms Voice, Data market

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), in collaboration with the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), has convened a stakeholders’ forum to examine the level of competition in the voice and data segments of Nigeria’s telecommunications industry. The forum, held on Tuesday, 13 January 2026, at the Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos State, brought together regulators, industry experts, and key private sector stakeholders to review market dynamics and promote fair competition in the telecoms sector. Speaking at the event, the NCC emphasised the importance of evidence-based regulation in ensuring a competitive…

World Bank’s 4.4% growth projection for Nigeria more realistic than previous forecasts – TMSG

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Tinubu Media Support Group (TMSG) has described the World Bank’s revised 4.4 per cent economic growth projection for Nigeria as more realistic than its previous forecasts, noting that earlier projections underestimated the capacity of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration to drive economic recovery and growth. In a statement jointly signed by its Chairman, Emeka Nwankpa, and Secretary, Dapo Okubanjo, the group said the World Bank’s upward review of Nigeria’s growth outlook for 2026 and 2027 amounts to a subtle but significant vote of confidence in the ongoing economic reforms…

VAT on Bank charges not new, Nigerians won’t pay extra — NRS clarifies

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) has dismissed widespread claims that Value Added Tax (VAT) has been newly introduced on banking services, assuring Nigerians that account holders will not bear any additional tax burden beyond existing charges. In a statement issued on Thursday, the NRS explained that VAT has always applied to banking service charges, including fees, commissions and electronic transfer costs, under Nigeria’s long-standing tax framework. The agency stressed that the Nigeria Tax Act, 2025 did not introduce any new VAT obligation on bank customers. The clarification, signed by Dare…

Friday Sermon: Rajab, Sha’aban And The Preparation For Ramadan! By Imam Murtadha Gusau

Emporium Reporters

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful   All praise is due to Allah, the Master of the Day of Judgment, who raised the rank of His servant and His Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) above all those who came before and after. I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah alone, with no partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and His Messenger. May Allah send abundant peace and blessings upon him. To Proceed:   Dear…