Day: April 19, 2026

Dabiri-Erewa Mourns US-Based Nigerian Doctor Who Died on Abia Medical Mission

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has expressed deep sorrow over the death of Dr. Uzoma Nwaubani, a US-based Nigerian physician who passed away during a medical outreach in Abia State. In a statement issued by Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Dabiri-Erewa described the incident as a painful loss to the medical community, the Nigerian diaspora, and the country at large. She noted that the late Dr. Nwaubani was a dedicated member of the Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas, widely recognised for her passion for volunteer…

Oborevwori, Osunbor, Dafinone Others Set for Ediri Oyibo’s Journalism Book Launch

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Prominent political leaders, media executives and stakeholders in Nigeria’s journalism ecosystem are expected to attend the public presentation of Journalism NeXt: A Comprehensive Guide to Modern Journalism, authored by TheNewsGuru Editor, Ediri Oyibo. According to organisers, the book will be officially unveiled on April 30, 2026, at the Secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, FCT Council, Utako, Abuja. Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, is expected as Special Guest of Honour, while former Edo State Governor and ex-Senator, Oserheimen Osunbor, will chair the occasion. The book will be reviewed by…

Otti’s NASS Liaison Officer Defects to APC, Joins Deputy Speaker Kalu Ahead of 2027

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Assembly Liaison Officer to Abia State Governor Alex Otti, Chief Iheanyi Frank Chinasa, has defected from the Labour Party to the All Progressives Congress, in a development seen as a major political shift ahead of the 2027 general elections. Chinasa formally aligned with the APC during a meeting of critical party stakeholders convened in Owerri by Hope Uzodinma, where he was received by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Okezie Kalu. The defection is considered significant given Chinasa’s role as Governor Alex Otti’s liaison officer…

NHRC Charges FCT DPOs on Rights-Based Policing, Accountability

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Human Rights Commission has urged a major shift toward human rights-based policing in the Federal Capital Territory, as it convened a strategic town hall for Divisional Police Officers to strengthen accountability and professional conduct. The forum brought together senior officials from the Police Service Commission, the Nigeria Police Force and the NHRC to address frontline policing challenges amid growing calls for accountable security operations. Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Tony Ojukwu, represented by the Director of Civil and Political Rights, described DPOs as frontline commanders and a vital…

The Political Economy of Rural Insurgency: Land Tenure, Agrarian Dislocation, and the “Banditry” Crisis in Northern Nigeria By Tanimu Yakubu

Emporium Reporters

The prevailing security discourse in Northern Nigeria frequently employs the term “banditry” to describe a complex web of rural violence. This article argues that such terminology constitutes a significant category error, trivializing a crisis that is fundamentally a low-intensity, non-state civil conflict. By reframing this insecurity within the context of radical land and tenure reform, the author posits that the violence is a symptom of structural contradictions in the agrarian economy. Through an analysis of factor dislocation, land, labour, and capital, and the reordering of agrarian class relations, this paper…

Reforming Fiscal Governance in Africa’s Largest Economy: Insights from BOF Management Retreat

Emporium Reporters

In a strategic move to reform fiscal governance and enhance institutional efficacy, the Budget Office of the Federation (BOF) has accelerated a reform agenda centered on innovation, sustainability, and results-based budgeting. This initiative gained significant momentum following the conclusion of the 2025 Management Retreat in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. Hosted in collaboration with a leading independent think tank specializing in African public financial management (PFM) and development policy, the engagement emphasized Nigeria’s commitment to aligning its sovereign budgeting systems with global best practices.   Expert-Led Collaborative Governance: The retreat was…

JAMB Publishes Friday and Saturday UTME Results as Total Released Reaches 1.89 Million

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has published the results of candidates who sat for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination on Friday, April 17 and Saturday, April 18, with the total number of results released so far rising to 1,897,692. In a statement signed by JAMB spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, the board said 1,264,940 results from the two days are now available for candidates to check. According to the board, the newly released results are in addition to the 632,752 results earlier released for candidates who sat the examination on…

Nigeria Secures Major Diplomatic Win as IPU Adopts Kalu’s Global Peace Resolution

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has commended the Inter-Parliamentary Union for adopting Nigeria’s landmark resolution on the role of parliaments in restoring lasting peace globally. The resolution, presented by Kalu at the 152nd Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly in Istanbul, was approved after two days of intense debate, marking what has been described as a major diplomatic victory for Nigeria and a boost for African parliamentary influence in global peace and security discussions. Titled The Role of Parliaments in Establishing Robust Post-Conflict Management Mechanisms and Restoring a…

Nigeria Customs Celebrates First Female Pilot, Nafisat Balogun, for Earning UK Commercial Multi-Engine License

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has honoured Superintendent of Customs Nafisat Balogun following her outstanding achievement of obtaining a commercial multi-engine pilot license in the United Kingdom, marking a historic milestone in the service’s aviation operations. The celebration, organised by the Nigeria Customs Technical Hangar Service, brought together senior officers, management staff, and colleagues to recognise Balogun’s breakthrough, which also establishes her as the first female pilot in the history of the Nigeria Customs Service. Speaking at the event, the Managing Director of the Customs Technical Hangar Service, retired Comptroller…

Nigeria, South Africa Deepen Maritime Security Ties in Maiden Naval Staff Talks

Emporium Reporters

The Nigerian Navy and South African Navy have concluded their maiden Naval Staff Talks in Simon’s Town, Cape Town, marking a major step toward strengthening bilateral maritime cooperation and enhancing security across African waters. The week-long talks, held from April 12 to 18, 2026, brought together senior naval officials from both countries to develop a framework for closer collaboration in safeguarding shared maritime interests and addressing evolving security threats. The Nigerian delegation was led by the Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral AA Mustapha, while Rear Admiral S.…