Month: January 2026

AFRPN gears up for 8th Annual Conference on Democratic Governance in Africa

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Association of Foreign Relations Professionals of Nigeria (AFRPN) on Friday held a high-profile press briefing and stakeholder engagement in Abuja ahead of its 8th Annual Conference, scheduled for Thursday, 5 February 2026, at the Rotunda, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tafawa Balewa House. The briefing, hosted at the AFRPN Secretariat, brought together senior serving and retired diplomats, officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and representatives from print, broadcast, and online media to discuss the objectives and strategic significance of the upcoming conference. Addressing journalists, AFRPN Chairman and President, Ambassador…

Niger Govt lifts night movement ban on Motorcycles, Tricycles in Minna

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Niger State Government has approved the total lifting of restrictions on the movement of motorcycles and tricycles in Minna metropolis between 8:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., following significant improvements in the security situation in the state capital. The announcement was contained in a public service notice issued on Thursday by the Niger State Ministry of Information and Orientation and signed by Yunusa Saidu Ibrahim, Director of Information Services, on behalf of the Commissioner. According to the statement, the approval was granted by Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago after a comprehensive…

₦230trn Scandal: Group asks Tinubu to probe NNPCL Boss, seeks Senate arrest warrant

Emporium Reporters

An accountability and pro-democracy group, the Network for Good Governance and Accountability in Nigeria (NeGGAN), has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to order an immediate and independent probe into multiple allegations against the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Engr. Bayo Ojulari. The group also urged the Nigerian Senate to invoke relevant provisions of the 1999 Constitution and the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act, 2018, to issue a bench warrant for Ojulari’s arrest over his alleged refusal to honour repeated invitations by…

Nigerian military crushes Terror networks, rescues 284 in January

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) has intensified its nationwide offensive against terrorism and criminality, neutralising several terrorists and rescuing 284 kidnapped victims in January 2026. This was disclosed on Friday during the end-of-month press briefing at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja, by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja. He said troops across all theatres of operation recorded remarkable successes, arrested 452 suspected terrorists, kidnappers and other criminal elements, while 124 terrorists and their family members surrendered within the period. According to him, security forces also disrupted…

We are winning the war against insecurity— DHQ reassures Nigerians

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Defence Headquarters has assured Nigerians that the country is making steady progress in the fight against terrorism, banditry and other forms of criminality nationwide. Speaking at the end-of-month press briefing held on Friday, January 30, 2026, at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, said the Armed Forces of Nigeria remained committed to professionalism, transparency and accountability in the conduct of operations. He explained that the monthly engagement was designed to keep citizens informed of security developments while strengthening public confidence in…

Grand Chief Imam of Oyo pays courtesy visit to LAUTECH VC, harps on education, moral values

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Grand Chief Imam of Oyo Land, Sheikh Al-Imam Barrister Bilal Husayn Akinola Akeugberu, has paid a courtesy visit to the management of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, where he held a warm and productive meeting with the Vice Chancellor. The visit, which took place on January 29, 2026, in Oyo State, was described as mutual and cordial, providing an opportunity for meaningful engagement on issues of common interest, particularly the role of education, moral values, and spiritual guidance in building a progressive and harmonious society. During…

Preparation For 1447/2026 Ramadan And The Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him)’s Sermon On Its Coming! 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 Muhammad, the last of Prophets, on his family, and all his companions.   Dear brothers and sisters! As the beautiful, blessed month of Ramadan draws nearer, Muslims around the world are getting their Ramadan preparation in order. And at the moment – with so much happening in our Ummah, that brings great pain and sorrow to the heart, particularly…

FCT Police rescues suspected “One Chance” robbers from mob in Utako

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has rescued two suspected “one chance” robbers from an angry mob in Utako, Abuja, while cautioning residents against jungle justice. The incident occurred on January 29, 2026, at about 11:00 a.m., when operatives of the Utako Police Division responded to a distress call that members of the public had apprehended and were assaulting two suspected criminals. Confirming the development, the Police Public Relations Officer, FCT Command, SP Josephine Adeh, said officers arrived promptly at the scene and rescued the suspects, identified as Kefas…

Akpabio sets up special panel to fast-track Electoral Reforms ahead of 2027

Emporium Reporters

The Senate has constituted a seven-member ad hoc committee to harmonise lawmakers’ inputs on proposed amendments to the Electoral Act, as efforts intensify to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral framework ahead of the 2027 general elections. The decision followed a three-hour closed-door executive session held on Thursday, during which senators further examined the Electoral Act (Repeal and Enactment) Bill currently before the National Assembly. Announcing the development, Senate President Godswill Akpabio said the committee was mandated to synthesise, harmonise, and distil the views of senators on the bill and resolve outstanding concerns.…

NCC reports significant gains in network quality, highlights investment and 5G expansion in Q4 2025 review

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has released its Q4 2025 Network Performance Report, showcasing measurable improvements in network quality, increased coverage, and enhanced service delivery across urban and rural areas of the country. The release, accompanied by a media engagement session in Abuja, underscores the Commission’s commitment to transparent, data-driven regulation of Nigeria’s telecommunications sector. Delivering the opening remarks, Engr. Abraham Oshadami, Executive Commissioner for Technical Services at NCC, emphasized that transparency remains a guiding principle for the Commission. “Open access to information strengthens the industry, builds public trust, and…