Month: January 2026

Senate President urges lawmakers to finish strong as 2026 plenary resumes

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The President of the Senate has charged members of the Tenth National Assembly to intensify their legislative efforts and remain focused on national development as the Senate resumed plenary for 2026 after the Christmas and New Year recess. Speaking at the first sitting of the year, the Senate President, in a welcome address titled “The Final Stretch: Finishing the Work, Honouring the Trust,” described the remaining period of the Assembly as a decisive phase that demands urgency, discipline, and reform-driven governance. He welcomed senators back from recess, noting that the…

WCO commends Nigeria’s Time Release Study, says it will boost faster and safer trade

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The World Customs Organisation (WCO) has praised Nigeria’s Time Release Study (TRS) as a critical reform tool capable of improving border efficiency, strengthening trade competitiveness and enhancing national security across Africa. The commendation was given by the WCO Secretary-General, Mr Ian Saunders, on Monday, January 26, 2026, during the presentation of the TRS Report at Tin Can Island Port, Lagos. Saunders described the study as a practical and evidence-based initiative that provided Nigeria with clear insights into its cargo clearance processes and areas required improvement. He noted that the TRS,…

IMPI projects 5.5% economic growth as Nigeria rides reform wave

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Independent Media and Policy Initiative (IMPI) has projected that Nigeria’s economy will expand by at least 5.5% in 2026, driven by new tax laws, macroeconomic stability, and growing private sector investments. In a policy statement signed by its Chairman, Dr. Omoniyi Akinsiju, IMPI described 2026 as a potential “boom year” for the country, attributing the optimism to the federal government’s steadfast implementation of economic reforms since 2023. “For us, understanding the background to the current developments and the philosophical underpinning of the economy, we submit that the year 2026…

Nigerian Navy hosts French African Command, reaffirms leadership in Gulf of Guinea Security

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigerian Navy on Tuesday, 27 January 2026, welcomed the Commander of the West and Central French African Command, Major General Pascal Ianni, along with Major General AG Laka, National Coordinator of the National Counter-Terrorism Centre, and members of their delegation, in a high-level courtesy visit to the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas (Admiralty Medal).The visit provided an opportunity to strengthen existing defence and maritime security cooperation between Nigeria and France, while exploring avenues for deeper collaboration in maritime domain awareness, capacity building, training, and…

NITDA, KOICA strengthen partnership to boost Youth, MSME innovation through Digital Academy

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has reinforced its commitment to youth and MSME empowerment through digital innovation by hosting international partners, including the KOICA Nigeria Office, Korean experts, and academic leaders, for a high-level engagement on strategic collaboration. Representing NITDA’s leadership, the Director of Stakeholder Management and Partnerships, Dr. Aristotle Onumo, welcomed the delegation and underscored the importance of the partnership in unlocking Nigeria’s innovation potential. He noted that Nigerian youth, who constitute nearly 40 per cent of the population, are actively engaged in the startup ecosystem despite…

Replacing Kashim Shettima Is a War Against Nigerian Muslims: An Urgent Message to the APC and Its Leadership By Imam Murtadha Gusau

Emporium Reporters

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate.   All praise is due to Allah, the Owner of all things. We thank Him, we seek His forgiveness, and we seek refuge in Allah from the evil of our souls and from our bad deeds. Whomsoever Allah guides, none can misguide, and whomsoever He misguides, none can guide. I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship in truth except Allah alone, without partner, and I bear witness that Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon…

COAS, Taraba Govt forge unbreakable alliance to intensify fight against terrorism

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has reaffirmed a strong and unbreakable partnership between the Nigerian Army and the Taraba State Government to strengthen ongoing operations against terrorism and other security threats. He made this declaration on Tuesday, 27 January 2026, while receiving the Executive Governor of Taraba State, His Excellency, Colonel Agbu Kefas (rtd), alongside federal lawmakers and members of the Executive Council of the International Institute for African Security and Governance during a courtesy visit to the Army Headquarters in Abuja. Lieutenant General Shaibu…

Operation Whirl Stroke Troops neutralise armed bandits, recover AK-47 in Benue

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Troops of the COAS Special Intervention Battalion IX under the Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE (OPWS) have neutralised two suspected armed bandits and recovered an AK-47 rifle during a snap ambush along the Naka–Ahume–Makurdi Road in Benue State. The operation, conducted on 26 January 2026, was based on credible intelligence on criminal activities in the area. Deployed at Naka on routine patrol, the troops tactically engaged three bandits. Two were neutralised, while the third escaped with gunshot wounds. Six rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition were recovered along with the…

Nigerian Army rescues 11 kidnap victims, foils terrorist escape after 92 days

Lukman Laleye Babalola

In a bold display of tactical precision, the Nigerian Army on 26 January 2026 rescued eleven (11) Nigerians who had been held captive for 92 days, successfully thwarted a terrorist attempt to move the victims along the Kaduna–Abuja Expressway. Troops from the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Doka, using high-definition long-range CCTV surveillance, detected the armed kidnappers attempting to transport the hostages through the Gidan Duna–Amale bush track under cover of darkness. A swift, coordinated response involving tactical vehicles and motorcycles forced the criminals to abandon the captives and flee into…

Captain Abiodun Folorunsho appointed new Director of Naval Information, takes over as Nigerian Navy Spokesperson

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigerian Navy has a new voice. Captain Abiodun Abidemi Folorunsho has officially assumed duty as the Director of Naval Information and Spokesperson for the Nigerian Navy, following the approval of the appointment by the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas. He succeeds Commodore Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, who served in the role for over two years and has now been redeployed as Commander of Nigerian Navy Ship BEECROFT. Born on 27 December 1979 in Benin City, Captain Folorunsho is an accomplished naval officer with an impressive academic and…