Day: February 16, 2026

NITDA trains Lawmakers’ Spouses on digital skills to boost inclusion, leadership

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), in collaboration with the House of Representatives Spouses Association (HORSA), has launched a two-day workshop aimed at empowering spouses of lawmakers with digital literacy and capacity-building skills. The workshop, themed “Empowering Women for Digital Future: Leadership, Wellbeing and Opportunity,” is designed to equip participants with essential digital competencies needed to thrive in today’s technology-driven economy, while also promoting online safety, mental wellbeing, and leadership development. Speaking at the opening ceremony, NITDA Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa, said the initiative reflected the agency’s commitment to advancing…

Beyond the Noise: Godswill Akpabio and the Architecture of Stability By Rt. Hon. Eseme Eyiboh, mnipr

Emporium Reporters

Nigerian politics is not for the faint-hearted. It is noisy, dramatic, and often unforgiving. In a space where rumours travel faster than facts and headlines are written before the full story is known, substance can easily be drowned out. Real governance — the slow, patient work of building consensus, following procedure, and making tough decisions — rarely makes for exciting news.   The tenure of Senate President Godswill Akpabio has unfolded in that same charged atmosphere. It has drawn criticism, sparked debate, and generated its share of controversy — some…

Three more suspects arraigned in South Africa over killing of Nigerian driver as solidarity protests erupt

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Three additional suspects have been arraigned before a court in Pretoria, South Africa, in connection with the killing of a 22-year-old Nigerian e-hailing driver, Isaac Satlet, as Nigerians and South Africans staged solidarity gatherings demanding justice. The suspects were arraigned on Monday at the Pretoria Central Magistrate Court following investigations into the incident that led to Satlet’s death. Those charged are Dikeledi Mphela, Gotseone Machidi and McClaren Mushwana, while a fourth suspect reportedly turned himself in voluntarily to authorities. The development came after the Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora…

DHQ confirms arrival of 100 US military trainers to strengthen Nigerian Armed Forces

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has confirmed the arrival of approximately 100 United States military personnel and their equipment at Bauchi Airfield, as part of a planned military cooperation initiative with Nigeria. According to a release signed by Major General Samaila Uba, Director of Defence Information, the deployment followed a formal request by the Federal Government of Nigeria to the US government for technical support, specialized training, and intelligence-sharing aimed at enhancing the operational capacity of the Nigerian Armed Forces. “The US personnel are technical specialists serving strictly in an advisory…

Nigeria Customs clarifies exchange rate application, reassures traders on valuation accuracy

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has clarified recent concerns over foreign exchange rates applied in Customs valuation, emphasized that all rates are sourced directly from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and automatically integrated into its digital clearance system, B’Odogwu. In a statement issued by the NCS National Public Relations Officer, Dr. Abdullahi Maiwada, the Service explained that it does not independently determine, alter, or apply margins to exchange rates. Instead, the B’Odogwu platform, which is the sole official system for Customs declarations, clearance, and valuation, receives real-time exchange rate…

SAF blasts Peter Obi for calling student loan scheme “wasteful,” urges reconsideration

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Social Advocacy Front (SAF) has expressed strong disappointment over former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi’s remarks dismissedthe Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) as a “wasteful” initiative. In a statement signed by SAF Chairman, Tahir Ibrahim Tahir, and Secretary, Shehu Attah, the group described Obi’s comments as “deeply concerning” and lacking empathy for students benefiting from the programme. “NELFUND was established to implement the Nigeria Student Loan Scheme, providing interest-free loans for tuition and living expenses to students in public universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education,” the statement read.…

TDF commends Tinubu for swift implementation of FG‑ASUU agreement

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Democratic Front (TDF) has praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the rapid execution of the recently renegotiated agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), described it as a major step toward stability in Nigeria’s public universities. In a statement signed by its Chairman, Mallam Danjuma Muhammad, and Secretary, Chief Wale Adedayo, the group lauded the federal government’s prompt payment of the 40% increase in the Consolidated Academic Allowance (CAA) for university lecturers. “We commend President Tinubu for the speedy implementation of key welfare components of the renegotiated…

ARCN to host Plant Breeders Conference, boosts Tinubu’s food sustainability drive

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Academic Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN) has pledged full support for the upcoming Plant Breeders Association of Nigeria (PBAN) Conference, an initiative aimed at advancing the nation’s food sustainability agenda under President Bola Ahmad Tinubu. The commitment was made by the Executive Secretary of ARCN during a meeting with a delegation from PBAN at the council’s headquarters on Monday. He emphasized the crucial role of plant breeding in agricultural research and called for its integration into the curricula of agricultural colleges, polytechnics, and institutes nationwide. “Teaching plant breeding at…

Senate approves ₦140bn for North Central Development Commission’s 2026 Budget

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Senate Committee on the North Central Development Commission has sanctioned a ₦140 billion budget allocation for the Commission for the 2026 fiscal year. Senator Titus Zam, Chairman of the Committee, made the announcement following the Commission’s budget defence session at the National Assembly on Monday. He explained that the funding is intended to fast-track development across the North Central region. According to Senator Zam, the approved allocation will support critical infrastructure projects, security interventions, agricultural development, and humanitarian programs aimed at addressing regional challenges. He emphasized the committee’s insistence…

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI seize ₦37 million, disrupt terrorist supply lines in North East

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have successfully sustained operations targeting terrorist logistics networks, recovering ₦37 million linked to terrorist financing and crippling their supply chains in the region. On 16 February 2026, Sector 1 troops, in collaboration with local vigilante forces, executed a night ambush along a known crossing route used by ISWAP elements moving from the Cameroon axis into Nigeria. The terrorists, caught off-guard by the concealed deployment, withdrew in disarray after coming under effective fire. Subsequent searches of the area led…