Day: February 27, 2026

CBN RATE CUT OF 26.5: VOICES, UPSETS AND PROSPECTS By Adefolarin A. Olamilekan

Emporium Reporters

Arguably, the latest 26.5% Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) interest rate decisions may have cut some analysts off guard in their projections, others predictions may have been cut short, even as other groups may see it has a long over expectation.   For instance, some analysts were of the view that this is the right time for the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) to cut down the MPR by 100 bps to 26.00 per cent.   Alter the Asymmetric Corridor from +50bps/-450bps to +200/-300bps around the MPR…

Troops overrun IPOB/ESN Stronghold in Anambra, destroy ‘Mother Valley’ Camp

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Troops of the Joint Task Force South East under Operation UDO KA (OPUK) have stormed and dismantled a major stronghold linked to suspected IPOB/ESN elements at Mother Valley in Nkwere area of Anambra State, following a coordinated ground assault carried out on February 26, 2026. The operation, executed by combined personnel of the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), reportedly marked a decisive push against criminal enclaves in the South-East region. According to military sources, the troops advanced for over three hours…

NAOWA President commissions modern educational facilities, reaffirms commitment to continuity

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The President of the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA), Mrs Safiyyah Hassan Shaibu, has reaffirmed her administration’s commitment to sustaining legacy projects with the commissioning of a state-of-the-art Computer-Based Test (CBT) Centre, an ultra-modern dining hall and a students’ preparatory hall at NAOWA College, Asokoro, Abuja. Speaking during the commissioning ceremony held on Wednesday, Mrs Shaibu described the event as a significant milestone reflecting purposeful leadership, institutional continuity and strategic investment in education for students drawn from both military and civilian communities. She noted that the newly inaugurated facilities…

NAN Staff Petition Oyo Agency Over Alleged Land Invasion in Ibadan

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Staff members of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) have raised alarm over the alleged invasion of their landed properties in Ibadan, petitioned the Oyo State Real Property Protection Agency to intervene and halt what they described as illegal encroachment by land speculators. In a petition dated Dec. 11, 2025, and written by their solicitor, Ademola Sodamade, the employees accused suspected land speculators of breach of peace, threats to life, and malicious damage to property located at Butubutu Village in Ona-Ara Local Government Area of Oyo State. The petition listed…

Nigerian Navy Graduates Pioneer Marines to Boost Special Operations, Maritime Security

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigerian Navy has graduated the pioneer set of its newly established Marine force, marking a significant milestone in Nigeria’s evolving security architecture and efforts to strengthen maritime and amphibious operations. Speaking at the graduation ceremony held on Friday, February 27, 2026, the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, described the event as a defining moment in the history of the Nigerian Navy, noting that the creation of the Nigerian Navy Marines forms part of a broader strategy to enhance special operations capability across maritime, riverine,…

Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation Opens Applications for Sixth Cohort of AIG Public Leaders Programme

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation has announced the opening of applications for the sixth cohort of its flagship AIG Public Leaders Programme (AIG PLP), a transformative executive education initiative aimed at strengthening public sector leadership across Africa. The six-month programme, delivered in partnership with the Blavatnik School of Government at the University of Oxford, is designed to equip high-potential public servants with the tools, networks, and strategic insight required to drive meaningful reforms within African public institutions. Applications are open to qualified public servants from all English-speaking African countries and will close…

Nigerian Military neutralises Scores of Terrorists, rescues Hundreds of Hostages in February Operations

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) has recorded significant operational successes nationwide in February 2026, neutralised scores of terrorists and criminal elements, rescued hundreds of kidnapped victims, and dismantled multiple criminal networks across various theatres of operation. This was disclosed during the monthly operational briefing by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, who spoke on behalf of the Chief of Defence Staff, Olufemi Oluyede, highlighting the military’s continued commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s territorial integrity and improving national security. According to Onoja, troops intensified coordinated land, air,…

NDLEA Seaport Operations Director visits Western Naval Command to strengthen Anti-Drug collaboration

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Director of Seaport Operations at the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), ACCGN Achie-Abia Ibinabo, has paid an official visit to the Headquarters of the Western Naval Command in Apapa, Lagos, to reinforce inter-agency collaboration against maritime drug trafficking and transnational crimes.     The visit, which took place on February 25, 2026, focused on strengthening operational synergy between the NDLEA and the Nigerian Navy in combating illicit drug activities along Nigeria’s maritime domain. During discussions with the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Abdullahi Abubakar Mustapha,…

INEC shifts 2027 Presidential Election to January 16, releases revised Poll Timetable

Emporium Reporters

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced a major adjustment to the timetable for the 2027 general elections, moving the presidential and National Assembly polls to January 16, 2027, in compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026. The revised schedule was disclosed in a statement issued on Thursday by the Commission’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Malam Mohammed Kudu Haruna, who explained that the changes became necessary following the introduction of a new legal framework governing electoral activities. According to the…

BREAKING: Adamawa Governor Fintiri defects from PDP to APC

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), ending weeks of speculation surrounding his political future. The governor announced his defection during a statewide broadcast on Friday, revealing that members of his cabinet and key stakeholders of the PDP in the state had moved with him to the APC. Fintiri said the decision followed extensive consultations with political allies and supporters, describing the move as one taken in the interest of Adamawa State and its people.…