Month: May 2026

Street Children Crisis Threatens Nigeria’s Future – Onojetah

Emporium Reporters

By Prosper Okoye     A Nigerian literacy advocate has warned that the growing number of children roaming streets across the country is putting Nigeria’s future at risk, calling for urgent action from government, communities and parents. Sandra Onojetah, Director of LaVie Learns and convener of Book Hangout, said many children are being left without guidance, education and the right environment to develop properly. Speaking during the BOOK HANGOUT 2026 event in Abuja, she linked the rising presence of street and out-of-school children to failures in parenting, community responsibility and…

MURIC Fires Back, Denies Inviting Bandits to South-West

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has strongly denied allegations that it or other Yoruba Muslim groups are responsible for inviting bandits and Boko Haram terrorists into the South-West, describing the claim as a smear campaign orchestrated by individuals it referred to as “Muslim haters.” In a statement issued on Sunday, the Executive Director of MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola, dismissed as false and malicious a social media allegation that the group had radicalised Islamic clerics in the region and was facilitating the entry of terrorists into Yorubaland. Akintola argued that the…

Gov Kefas Mourns Veteran Journalist Ben Adaji, Describes Him as Hero of Democracy

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas, has expressed deep sorrow over the death of veteran journalist and media icon, Chief Ben Adaji, describing him as a hero of democracy and a shining example of journalistic excellence. Adaji, a renowned journalist and former Chairman of the Taraba State Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), died on Saturday at the age of 67. He reportedly passed away around 4 p.m. at his country home in Abo-Ojikpadala, Imane District, Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi State. In a condolence message issued…

Tinubu Approves 1,000 Forest Guards for Oyo, Deploys Special Rescue Team Over Ogbomoso School Abduction

Lukman Laleye Babalola

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards in Oyo State and directed the deployment of a specialized security unit to intensify efforts to rescue pupils and teachers abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of the state. The development was announced on Sunday during a visit by a high-powered Federal Government delegation to Esiele and Yawota communities, where gunmen abducted pupils and teachers from Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School on May 15, 2026. The delegation, led by…

Tinubu’s 3rd anniversary, Ogun deity and voodoo vote numbers By Festus Adedayo

Emporium Reporters

Seeing how empires die, strongmen collapse and kingdoms go up in ruins, Yoruba seek to showcase the brevity of life. In this, they attempt to demonstrate that all life’s attainments are perishable. In metaphors of the masquerade festival and the morning dew that perches on leaves by sidewalks leading to the farm (enini), they bring out the certainty of finality very succinctly. In two short allegories, they perfectly capture the fleeting, short-lived nature of political influence and authority. So, they say, the yearly masquerade festival will soon come to an…

OYO APC GOVERNORSHIP PRIMARIES: We Cannot Buy into Visual Manipulation

Lukman Laleye Babalola

We, the undersigned aspirants and committed members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Oyo State, address the public today with deep disappointment and a profound sense of injustice regarding the use of audio and visual contents to placate and manipulate the conscience of the people and democracy in our party. What should have been a celebration of our party’s democratic values turned into an exercise marked by deceits, manipulations, trial balloon, maneuvering and other irregularities that undermine fairness and public trust.   From the outset, the process of the…

How I returned from the Gate of the other World (Parts 1, 2, 3 & 4): Readers’ comments (I)

Emporium Reporters

Amazing experience, my brother, count yourself lucky to have been in Al Shifa hospital. What amazes me most is the fact that despite the gravity of your sickness, you were able to note the details of staff and what went around you. Even in sickness, you were still with that razor-sharp brain. Kois.   Fatsuma Dada Mohammed       You are a very strong man, Mr Hassan.   Shawkey Ibrahim (Nurse at Al Shifa Hospital, Makkah)       Quite touching. This has moved me to tears. Alhamdulillah that…

NDLEA Uncovers Illicit Drugs Hidden in Water Purifiers from Europe, Intercepts Military-Grade Ammunition in Kaduna

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has uncovered consignments of high-potency illicit drugs concealed in water purifier machines shipped from the Netherlands to Lagos, while also intercepting a cache of military-grade ammunition in Kaduna State as part of its ongoing nationwide crackdown on drug trafficking and related crimes. According to a statement issued on Sunday by the Director of Media and Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, Femi Babafemi, the illicit drug consignments, comprising three kilograms of ketamine and 199 grams of MDMA, commonly known as Ecstasy, were discovered carefully hidden…

My Duty As An Imam! By Imam Murtadha Gusau

Emporium Reporters

In the name of Allah, Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy   All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds. May the peace, blessings and salutations of Allah be upon our noble Messenger, Muhammad, and upon his family, his Companions and his true followers.   Dear brothers and sisters! I remember once walking into the Mosque five minutes before Zuhr, a normal habit of mine, and being stopped by one of the elders and jama’ah of the Mosque, who has a lot of love for me. He remarked,…

Nigeria Police Calls for Calm Over Reported Xenophobic Attacks in South Africa

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigeria Police Force has urged Nigerians to remain calm following reports of xenophobic attacks targeting Nigerians in South Africa, as well as concerns over possible reprisal attacks on South African nationals and interests within Nigeria. In a statement issued on 30 May 2026 by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Okon Placid, the Police noted that the situation was reviewed after a Joint Intelligence Board meeting held on 18 May 2026, chaired by the National Security Adviser. The meeting brought together key security and intelligence agencies to assess…