Day: April 17, 2026

Troops Sustain Offensive, Arrest Suspects, Rescue Kidnap Victims Across Multiple Fronts — Defence Headquarters

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Armed Forces of Nigeria have recorded significant operational gains across various theatres of operation between April 10 and 16, 2026, intensifying pressure on terrorist groups, kidnappers, and other criminal elements nationwide. According to the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, troops operating under various Joint Task Forces neutralised terrorists, arrested numerous suspects, rescued kidnapped victims, and intercepted arms, ammunition, and logistics supplies meant for criminal networks. In the North East, troops of Operation HADIN KAI sustained aggressive operations against Boko Haram, ISWAP, and JAS terrorists, leading…

MURIC Oyo Condoles MUSWEN, Muslim Community Over Passing of Alhaja Siyanbade

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Muslim Rights Concern, Oyo State Chapter, has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Alhaja Tawakalitu Abosede Siyanbade, describing her death as a painful loss to the Muslim Ummah in the state and beyond. In a condolence statement issued on Thursday and signed by the Chairman of MURIC Oyo State Chapter, Barr. Abduwaheed Lawal, the organisation extended heartfelt sympathies to the Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria, the Chairman of the MUSWEN Property Development Committee, Murisiku Abidemi Siyanbade, and the entire Muslim community over the loss. The group noted…

Northern Youth Organisation Honours Foreign Affairs Spokesperson for Leadership, Unity Advocacy

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Northern Youth Organisation of Nigeria (NYON) has honoured the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, with a prestigious award in recognition of his exceptional leadership, contributions to national development, youth empowerment, and advocacy for national unity. The award was presented during a courtesy visit by the leadership of the Northern Youth Organisation of Nigeria to the Ministry in Abuja on Friday. The organisation said the recognition followed a rigorous nomination process in which Ebienfa emerged among eminent Nigerians acknowledged for outstanding service to the nation.…

Public Sector Reform as Engine for Growth: A Case to Revive Sugar Sector in Nigeria

Emporium Reporters

The public sector is the machinery used by the state to execute plans, policies and programmes.   Quest to make things better establish certain institutions with a mandate to realize targeted objectives and essentially undertake some core activities.   The exercise is not peculiar to developing countries as the developed world grappled with it in the late 1970s and early 1980s.   In response to the demands of economic and environmental dynamics, nations strive to cope with or manage change.   In developing countries such as Nigeria with an urgent…

NITDA, CAC Activate Emergency Cybersecurity Measures Amid System Concerns

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Information Technology Development Agency and Corporate Affairs Commission have activated coordinated cybersecurity measures following concerns affecting aspects of CAC’s digital systems, while directing all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to immediately strengthen cyber defenses. According to a statement issued by Hadiza Umar, Director of Corporate Communications and Media Relations at NITDA, the response and assurance mechanisms were activated in line with the National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy (NCPS) 2021 to safeguard critical infrastructure and maintain service integrity. She said NITDA has directed all MDAs to review and reinforce…

NYSC DG Decorates Aide, Shuaibu Muhammad, as Lieutenant Colonel

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, has decorated his Military Assistant, Shuaibu Muhammad, with his new rank of Lieutenant Colonel at the NYSC National Directorate Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja. The decoration ceremony was jointly performed by the NYSC DG and the officer’s wife, Mrs. Hauwa Muhammad, in the presence of top management staff and dignitaries. Speaking during the event, General Nafiu described the newly promoted officer as diligent and dedicated, noting that he had consistently lived up to expectations in the discharge…

NDLEA Secures 974 Drug Convictions in Three Months, 11 Kingpins Get 254-Year Jail Term

Emporium Reporters

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has recorded a major breakthrough in its fight against drug trafficking, securing 974 convictions between January and March 2026, including 11 high-profile drug kingpins sentenced to a combined 254 years in prison. According to a statement issued on Friday by the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the convictions reflect an intensified crackdown on drug traffickers and their collaborators across the country. Of the total convictions, 899 were male offenders while 75 were female. A monthly breakdown shows 265 convictions in…

Tinubu Signs ₦68.32 Trillion 2026 Budget, Extends 2025 Spending Deadline

Lukman Laleye Babalola

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially signed the 2026 Appropriation Bill into law, approved a total expenditure of ₦68.32 trillion, while also extending the implementation period of the 2025 budget to June 30, 2026. The newly signed budget allocates ₦4.799 trillion for statutory transfers and ₦15.8 trillion for debt servicing. Recurrent (non-debt) expenditure is set at ₦15.4 trillion, while a substantial ₦32.2 trillion has been earmarked for capital projects under the Development Fund. With capital expenditure accounting for about 50 percent of the total budget, the fiscal plan reflects the…

IGP Disu, NIPSS DG Meet to Deepen Strategic Security Collaboration

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, on Thursday, April 16, 2026, hosted the Director-General of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Ayo Omotayo, at the Force Headquarters in Abuja to explore avenues for enhanced institutional collaboration. Omotayo was accompanied by retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Leye Oyebade, and policy expert Garba Malumfashi. Discussions at the meeting centered on strengthening partnerships between the Nigeria Police Force and NIPSS, particularly in key areas such as national security, strategic leadership, capacity development, and policy support. Speaking during the visit, Omotayo…

Kalu, EU Parliament VP Meet in Istanbul, Push Bold Africa–Europe Partnership Shift

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Nigeria’s Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has intensified calls for a stronger and more strategic partnership between Africa and Europe following a high-level meeting with European Parliament Vice President, Nicolae Ștefănuță. The meeting, held on the sidelines of the 152nd Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly in Istanbul, was convened at the request of the European Parliament delegation and focused on advancing cooperation between both regions. Kalu described the engagement as part of ongoing diplomatic efforts to deepen Africa–EU relations, building on a series of previous exchanges between…