Day: April 14, 2026

NYSC Still Key to National Unity, Says Ex-DG Olawumi

Lukman Laleye Babalola

A former Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Major General Johnson Olawunmi (Rtd), has reaffirmed the Scheme’s enduring relevance to Nigeria’s national integration and development, more than five decades after its establishment. Olawunmi stated that the NYSC has consistently upheld the ideals behind its creation, meeting the country’s expectations despite various operational challenges over the years. He noted that the Scheme remains a vital platform for fostering unity and promoting socio-cultural cohesion across Nigeria. Highlighting its achievements, the former NYSC boss pointed to the Scheme’s contributions in community…

NYSC, Police Deepen Collaboration to Boost Corps Members’ Security Nationwide

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening collaboration aimed at enhancing the safety and security of corps members across the country. This renewed pledge was made when the Director-General of NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, paid a courtesy visit to the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, at the Force Headquarters in Abuja. During the visit, Nafiu congratulated the IGP on his appointment and commended him for the recent inauguration of a special tactical team, describing it as a proactive…

NITDA, NCAOOSCE Partner to Drive Digital Skills for Almajiri, Out-of-School Children

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Director General of National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, has hosted the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children’s Education (NCAOOSCE), Muhammad Sani Idris, and his delegation at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja. During the visit, Idris highlighted critical challenges facing the Almajiri system, including parental neglect, widespread street begging, vulnerability to exploitation, and the rising number of out-of-school children across Nigeria. He called for NITDA’s collaboration in addressing these issues through digital education and skills development. In response, Inuwa proposed the…

NITDA, NNPC Forge Strategic Alliance to Drive Innovation in Oil, Gas Sector

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, has strengthened efforts to accelerate digital transformation in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, hosting a delegation from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited’s Research, Technology and Innovation (RTI) Division in Abuja. The high-level engagement, held at NITDA headquarters, underscored growing collaboration between both institutions aimed at leveraging technology, research, and innovation to drive efficiency and sustainability in the energy sector. During the meeting, the NNPC-RTI team outlined its vision, mission, and strategic direction, highlighting seven…

FCT CP Sanusi Strengthens Security Ties with Sister Agencies in Abuja

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command, Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, has intensified efforts to bolster security coordination in Abuja through a series of high-level familiarization visits to key sister security agencies. During the visits held on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, the CP engaged with top military and intelligence officials, including the Commander, Army Headquarters Garrison, Maj. Gen. W.M. Dangana; the Commander, Naval Base Abuja, Commodore O.E. Oladipo; the Commander, 053 Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Camp, Air Commodore Imoke Emeng-Imoke; and the State Director of Security, FCT Command, U.N.…

MURIC Urges Tight Security as JAMB Exams Approach, Warns of Risks in Volatile States

Lukman Laleye Babalola

An Islamic human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has called on security agencies across Nigeria to ensure maximum protection for candidates and officials ahead of the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board. The appeal was made in a statement issued on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, by MURIC’s Executive Director, Ishaq Akintola, who stressed the need for heightened vigilance during the examination period scheduled from April 16 to April 25. MURIC specifically urged key security agencies—including the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian…

MURIC Applauds Court for Granting Bail to El-Rufai

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has commended the Federal High Court in Kaduna for granting bail to former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai. El-Rufai was granted bail on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, after spending several weeks in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Related Offences Commission (ICPC). Reacting to the development, MURIC’s Founder and Executive Director, Ishaq Akintola, described the court’s decision as “long overdue” but ultimately commendable. “It is long overdue, belated but we welcome Mallam El-Rufai with both arms. It is hoped that he will be…

Marwa Warns UniAbuja Graduates Against Drug Abuse, Says Substance Use Can Destroy Future Before It Begins

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), has cautioned Nigerian youths, especially tertiary institution students, against drug abuse, warned that the temporary “high” from substance use often leads to lifelong consequences. Marwa delivered the public lecture at the University of Abuja on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, as part of activities marking the institution’s 29th and 30th Combined Convocation Ceremony, with the theme: “High Today, Lost Tomorrow: The Real Cost of Drug Abuse on Campus.” He described substance abuse as a growing…

FROM INFERNOS TO DECORUM: SHEHU MOHAMMED’S MAGIC WAND ON RE-WRITING NIGERIA’S TANKER SAFETY STORY By Osondu Ohaeri

Emporium Reporters

The Safe-to-Load (STL) Programme, introduced by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in September 2015, marked a decisive turning point in Nigeria’s road safety management, particularly in the transportation of petroleum products. Prior to its introduction, the nation faced an alarming safety crisis. Records showed an average of 352 tanker-related killed or seriously injured (KSI) crashes annually, with 1,1.68 crashes recorded per billion litres of petroleum products transported.   Projections at the time painted an even grimmer picture, estimating up to 384 tanker crashes and over 17,000 fatalities within a…

FG Reaffirms Commitment to Security Collaboration, Innovation at AFRIDEX 2026 Preparations

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Government has restated its commitment to inter-agency collaboration, innovation, and national development as part of preparations for the African International Defence Exhibition (AFRIDEX) 2026. The Honourable Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, gave the assurance on Tuesday when he received a delegation led by Major General Umar Alkali on a courtesy visit in his office. Speaking during the engagement, the Minister described the AFRIDEX initiative as “a very special programme,” stressing that meaningful progress in Nigeria’s defence and security architecture can only be achieved through strong collaboration among institutions…