Month: January 2026

BREAKING: Tinubu nominates 21 members for NMDPRA, NUPRC Boards

Emporium Reporters

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has written two separate letters to the Senate, seeking confirmation of 21 nominees to serve on the boards of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC). The disclosure was made on Monday by the President’s Senior Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga. In the first letter, President Tinubu nominated Senator Magnus Abe as Chairman of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission board. Abe, who represented Rivers South-East Senatorial District for two terms, previously…

MURIC warns Nigerians against seeking U.S. intervention, cites Venezuela as cautionary tale

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has cautioned Nigerians against calling for the intervention or protection of the United States in Nigeria’s internal affairs, warning that such actions could expose the country to foreign domination similar to what it alleged has occurred in Venezuela. In a press statement issued on Monday, 5 January 2026, and signed by its Founder and Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, the Islamic human rights organisation urged Nigerians to draw lessons from recent developments in Venezuela, which it described as a warning signal for resource-rich nations. According…

Deputy Speaker Kalu takes Tinubu’s unity message to Abia APC leaders, urges Igbo to invest votes strategically ….. Says support for South-West is shortest route to Igbo presidency

Emporium Reporters

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu,has reiterated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s call on leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to intensify engagement with party stakeholders, promote unity and cohesion, and deepen reconciliation across the country. Kalu, who represents Bende Federal Constituency, conveyed the President’s message during a series of courtesy visits to prominent APC leaders and elder statesmen across the three senatorial zones of Abia State—Abia North, Abia Central and Abia South as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen party structures and…

Saraki’s persona in Bolaji’s book By Lasisi Olagunju

Emporium Reporters

I begin with a telling scene. In 2001, former Sports Minister, Bolaji Abdullahi, then a young journalist, visited the strongman of Kwara politics, Dr. Olusola Saraki, at his Lagos home. From his vast library, the elder Saraki presented his guest with a book: ‘Life in the Jungle’ by Michael Heseltine. “Politics is truly a jungle,” the old politician told the young journalist.   That moment stayed with me as I read Bolaji’s latest book, ‘The Loyalist: A Memoir of Service and Sacrifice’, slated for presentation in Abuja on January 27.…

Black is White, Foul is Fair, Wrong is Right By Lasisi Olagunju

Emporium Reporters

A trending video shows Uganda’s president, Yoweri Museveni, interrogating his national football team after their recent loss to Nigeria. His question was simple but unsettling: Why did you all go to attack and leave the goalkeeper to do your work? Then came the clincher: In the army, we don’t do that. This is far more than a lesson in football; it is a theory of state failure. We run our country the same way Uganda’s team played that match. Museveni spoke of AOR (Area of Responsibility). A Nigerian (politician) would…

34 Artillery Brigade celebrates WASA 2025, hails Troops’ Professionalism , Unity

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Headquarters 34 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army on Friday, 3 January 2025, hosted the West African Social Activities (WASA) 2025 at the Obinze Barracks Parade Ground, Imo State, in a colourful ceremony that highlighted unity, cultural diversity, and professionalism within the Army. Speaking as the Special Guest of Honour, the Commander 511 Quick Response Group (QRG), Owerri, Air Commodore D.E. Bello, described the Nigerian Army as a strong unifying institution that continues to bring together people from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds in service to the nation. According…

Troops neutralise five terrorists, rescue hostages in Borno

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have neutralised five terrorists and rescued three abducted civilians during a coordinated military operation in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State. The operation, carried out in the early hours of Saturday, 4 January 2026, was conducted in collaboration with members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF). The troops engaged the terrorists at a known crossing point along the Sojiri axis, where the insurgents were reportedly attempting to move with their captives. According to military sources, the encounter led to the neutralisation of…

Tinubu orders security agencies to hunt down terrorists behind Kasuwan Daji attack

Lukman Laleye Babalola

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the military, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Department of State Services (DSS) to track down and apprehend the terrorists responsible for the deadly attack on Kasuwan Daji community in Niger State. According to a statement issued on Sunday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the directive was given to the Minister of Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Service Chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Director-General of the DSS, with clear instructions to ensure the perpetrators…

Rev. Idowu inspires congregation on Faith, Obedience, and Divine Dignity

Emporium Reporters

By Dr. Afolabi Olajuwon The first Sunday of the new year witnessed an atmosphere of deep reverence and spiritual intensity as worshippers gathered for a solemn yet uplifting service themed “Divine Honour and Dignity.” The service set the tone for 2026, drawing congregants into reflection on God’s faithfulness and the enduring rewards of a life anchored in obedience. Rev. Babatunde Idowu delivered a resonant message titled “Divinely Obtaining A Lasting Reputable Name,” captivating congregants who are passing through various life challenges. Anchored in the scriptural passages from Nehemiah 9:7-15 and…

Nigerian Army foils Bandits’ movements, arrests suspected logistics supplier in Kogi

Emporium Reporters

Troops of the 12 Brigade, Nigerian Army, on Saturday, 3 January 2026, scored another operational success following coordinated patrols and ambushes in Kabba Bunu and Yagba West Local Government Areas. Lieutenant Hassan Abdullahi, Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, 12 Brigade, said troops, acted on credible intelligence of bandits moving from Adankolo towards Agbadu Bunu in Kabba Bunu, swiftly deployed and laid an ambush at a suspected crossing point. The bandits ran into the ambush, resulting in the neutralization of two and the recovery of an AK-47 rifle.  …