Day: March 3, 2026

COAS orders decisive Dominance, Tasks Special Forces to crush Terrorists

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has charged troops of the 4 Special Forces Command to intensify and sustain high-impact operations aimed at decisively defeating terrorists and insurgents across the country. The Army Chief gave the directive during his maiden operational visit to the 4 Special Forces Command on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, in Doma, Nasarawa State. Addressing troops of the 4 Special Forces Command and the Nigerian Army Special Forces School, Lieutenant General Shaibu stressed that the Nigerian Army Special Forces remain at the forefront…

FG Flags Off Presidential Food, Nutrition Support for 35,000 Vulnerable Persons in Adamawa

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction has commenced the distribution of Presidential Emergency Food and Nutrition Assistance to vulnerable households in Adamawa State, targeting thousands of families affected by insurgency, displacement, flooding and climate-related shocks. The intervention, flagged off in Yola on Tuesday, was led by the Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Bernard M. Doro, as part of efforts to transition emergency relief into structured social protection and sustainable poverty-exit pathways. Describing Adamawa as a state with complex humanitarian challenges, the minister said…

FG Suspends Christian Pilgrimage to Israel Over Escalating Iran–Israel Conflict

Emporium Reporters

The Federal Government has announced the immediate suspension of all Christian pilgrimages to Israel following the worsening security situation in the Middle East amid the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel. The decision was disclosed on Tuesday by the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Bishop Stephen Adegbite, during a press briefing in Lagos shortly after about 500 pilgrims returned to the country through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport from the 2025 Main Pilgrimage exercise. Adegbite explained that although the 2025 pilgrimage, which commenced on December 29,…

Benue APC re-elects Agada as Chairman amid parallel congress, NASS Caucus backs Tinubu’s 2027 bid

Lukman Laleye Babalola

There was jubilation in Makurdi on Tuesday as the original structure of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State re-elected Comrade Austin Agada as State Chairman for another four-year term. The state congress, held in the Benue capital and monitored by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) alongside security agencies, drew stakeholders from across the 23 local government areas of the state. Among those in attendance were one of the state’s two senators, nine of its eleven members in the House of Representatives, several members of the…

WMORTC Seeks Strategic Partnership with NAFRC to Deepen Research , Capacity Development

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The World Meteorological Organization Regional Training Centre (WMORTC) has intensified efforts to strengthen institutional collaboration with the Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC) following a courtesy visit to the Centre’s headquarters on Tuesday, March 3, 2026. The Director of WMORTC, Professor Peter Ojugo, was represented during the visit by the Head of Training School, Mr. Aremu A.O., who led the delegation to engage the Commandant of NAFRC, Air Vice Marshal Nnaemeka Ignatius Ilo. The visit, he explained, was aimed at fostering mutual cooperation in key areas such as research, professional…

Tinubu Approves New Space Centre, Staff Reforms as Shettima Chairs National Space Council

Lukman Laleye Babalola

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the development of a new space centre and key institutional reforms for Nigeria’s space sector, following a meeting of the National Space Council chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The approvals mark a significant milestone in the Federal Government’s efforts to reposition Nigeria’s space programme for greater technological advancement and economic impact. Foremost among the decisions is the approval for the development and operationalisation of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Space Centre for Transport and Propulsion in Epe, Lagos State.…

SDGs; The Workings of INFF, BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF

Emporium Reporters

The grand lunch of the Integrated National Financing Framework, INFF, in Nigeria was geared towards efforts at resolving all immediate and remote gaps of sustainable development in all areas, prior to 2020-2030 Agenda that is few years away as envisaged by the SDGs. With the lunch , no doubt, the teething issues of funding from public purse , private spirited entities, multinationals among many others has become a thing of the past four years down the line and the public sector. The related social , humanitarian and climatic situations powered…

NAFRC Inaugurates Course 17/2026, Tasks Officers on Strategic Entrepreneurship

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC) has formally inaugurated the Mid and Senior Level Officers’ Entrepreneurship and Management Course 17/2026, charged participants to embrace innovation, resilience and strategic thinking in preparation for productive post-service life. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Her Excellency, Dr. Mrs. Onari Duke, described the programme as a major milestone in the Centre’s training calendar, following the successful completion of a two-week foundational segment of the Mid-Level Course which focused on Agricultural Management and Entrepreneurship. She warmly welcomed the Commandant, Air Vice Marshal Nnaemeka Ilo, commending…

Tinubu Nominates Taiwo Oyedele as Minister of State for Finance, Redeploys Doris Anite-Uzoka

Emporium Reporters

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated renowned fiscal policy expert, Taiwo Oyedele, as Minister of State for Finance, subject to confirmation by the Senate. The nomination was conveyed in a letter addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and announced in a statement issued on Tuesday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. Oyedele replaced Doris Anite-Uzoka, who has been redeployed to the Ministry of Budget and National Planning as Minister of State her third ministerial assignment under the current administration. Until his nomination, Oyedele served as…

Renowned Ibadan Adire Matriarch, Sikira Adunni Aladire, Dies at 90

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The ancient city of Ibadan has been thrown into mourning following the passing of renowned Adire artisan and cultural icon, Grandma Sikira Adunni Aladire, who died at the age of 90. Family sources confirmed that the respected matriarch answered the call of her Creator in the early hours of Monday, March 2, 2026, at her residence, Ile Toki, located at No. N1/506 Balogun Ibikunle Street, Ayeye, Ibadan. She was laid to rest the same day in accordance with Islamic rites. Popularly known as “Sikira Aladire,” the nonagenarian earned widespread recognition…