Month: February 2026

Apapa Customs, Nigerian Navy deepen operational collaboration for Maritime Security

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has strengthened its operational partnership with the Nigerian Navy as part of efforts to enhance maritime security, trade facilitation, and national revenue protection. The Customs Area Controller (CAC), Apapa Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, paid a courtesy visit on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, to the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Abubakar Abdullahi Mustapha, aimed at deepening inter-agency collaboration in line with the policy thrusts of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi. Speaking during the visit, Oshoba explained…

Friday Sermon: The Participation Of Islamic Scholars (Ulama’) In Politics! By Imam Murtadha Gusau

Emporium Reporters

In the name of Allah, Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy. All praise be to Allah, who bestowed His grace upon the Muslim believers by sending to them Muhammad (Peace be upon him), the truthful and trustworthy Prophet, endowed with great character. I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger. May Allah exalt and send peace to him, his family, and his companions in abundance. To proceed: Dear brothers and sisters! The political leadership…

Nigeria, Israel move to deepen strategic partnership on Security, Health, Technology

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Nigeria and Israel have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations, with renewed focus on cooperation in border security, healthcare, technology, and innovation. Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, restated the country’s position while receiving the Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Freeman, during a courtesy visit at Tafawa Balewa House in Abuja. The meeting explored a broad range of areas including defence and intelligence collaboration, economic cooperation, religious tourism, consular matters, and multilateral relations between both nations. Odumegwu-Ojukwu noted that Nigeria could benefit significantly from Israel’s expertise…

NITDA, Google deepen collaboration on Cloud adoption, AI Frameworks to address national challenges

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, has hosted Charles Murito, Google’s Director of Government Affairs and Public Policy for Sub-Saharan Africa, as part of ongoing engagements with international technology stakeholders aimed at advancing Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda. The high-level meeting focused on strengthening collaboration around cloud adoption and forward-looking Artificial Intelligence (AI) frameworks designed to address real-world national challenges. Discussions also examined progress on the National Sovereign Cloud Initiative (NSCI), a strategic programme being led by NITDA to enhance Nigeria’s digital infrastructure…

NITDA boosts Public Sector Reform with Digital Capacity Training, Equipment for Federal Character Commission

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has strengthened efforts to modernise Nigeria’s public service by concluding a specialised digital capacity-building programme for the Federal Character Commission (FCC), aimed at promoting data-driven governance and improved institutional efficiency. The initiative, which included the donation of 35 laptops, is designed to transition the Commission from manual operational processes to a technology-enabled oversight system capable of enhancing transparency and ensuring equitable representation across government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). Aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s priority of strengthening governance and driving inclusive economic…

FG urges Renewed Commitment to strengthen Nigeria’s Health System, highlights gains and gaps

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Government has called on stakeholders across the health sector to renew their commitment toward building a resilient and inclusive healthcare system capable of meeting the needs of all Nigerians. The Honourable Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Adekunle Salako, made the call while delivering his address at the APC Medical Council Health Roundtable Conference held on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at the State Banquet Hall in Abuja. Salako emphasized that achieving a resilient health system requires collective action, noting that collaboration among government institutions, development…

Gov Namadi takes Custody of Freed Teen Walida Ibrahim as DSS Continues Investigation

Emporium Reporters

Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State has taken custody of Walida Abdulhadi Ibrahim, a young girl who had been missing since 2023 and was recently released from the Department of State Services (DSS), pledged that justice will be pursued over the circumstances surrounding her disappearance. The governor received Walida from DSS authorities in Abuja alongside government officials, civil society organisations and media representatives. Her parents, however, were absent during the handover ceremony. Walida was reportedly abducted in 2023 by a woman identified as Mariam and allegedly subjected to exploitation before…

NEPZA, Borno partner to revive Banki Free Trade Zone

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the Borno State Government in reviving the dormant Banki Free Trade Zone as part of efforts to boost economic activities and attract investments to Nigeria’s North-East region. Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NEPZA, Dr. Olufemi Ogunyemi, made this known during a courtesy visit by Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, in Abuja. He stressed the urgent need to overhaul the zone, describing it as a strategic economic gateway linking Nigeria with countries in the Maghreb…

FCT Police Arrest Two Armed Robbery, Murder Suspects in Asokoro, Recover Stolen Vehicle

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigeria Police Force, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command, has arrested two suspected armed robbers linked to a deadly attack in the Asokoro area of Abuja, where a security guard was murdered and valuables stolen. The Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Miller G. Dantawaye, disclosed that the suspects were apprehended following an intelligence-led operation launched by operatives of the Command’s Scorpion Squad after a robbery incident reported in January 2026. According to the police, armed men had broken into a residence in Asokoro, killed a security guard on duty,…

NAHCON signs 2026 Hajj Airlift Pact, warns Airlines on Compliance, Timelines

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has signed the 2026 Hajj Airlift Agreement as part of preparations for the forthcoming pilgrimage, charged participating airlines to strictly adhere to operational standards, timelines, and safety requirements. Speaking at the signing ceremony, NAHCON Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Ismail Yusuf Abba, described the agreement as a major milestone in the Commission’s readiness for the 2026 Hajj exercise. He stressed that airlift operations remain a critical component of Hajj arrangements and must be executed with professionalism, precision, and strong commitment. Abba commended participating…