Day: May 14, 2026

FG Unveils Drive to End Textile Import Dependence, Produces 10,000 Made-in-Nigeria T-Shirts

Emporium Reporters

The Federal Government has intensified efforts to revive Nigeria’s Cotton, Textile and Garment (CTG) industry with the successful production of 10,000 made-in-Nigeria T-shirts under a six-month pilot scheme aimed at reducing dependence on imported textiles. The initiative, implemented through the National Cotton, Textile and Garment Industrial Transformation Programme (NCTG-ITP), was unveiled during the Phase I Showcase and Stakeholder Working Session held on Wednesday in Abuja. Speaking at the event, the Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Owan Enoh, described the programme as a major step toward repositioning Nigeria’s textile…

NUJ FCT Begins 2026 Press Week with Medical Outreach, Health Walk, Public Lecture

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council, will commence its 2026 Press Week on Saturday, May 16, with a series of activities focused on responsible journalism, healthy living, and democratic accountability ahead of the 2027 general elections. The week-long programme, scheduled to run from May 16 to May 22, is themed: “2027 Election: Defending Nigeria’s Democracy in the Age of Disinformation.” The event is expected to bring together journalists, policymakers, civil society groups, media stakeholders, and government officials to discuss issues affecting Nigeria’s democratic process and…

MURIC Demands Sack of INEC Chairman Over Osun REC Redeployment

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called for the removal of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, over what it described as “professional impropriety” in the redeployment of the Osun State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Barrister Mutiu Agboke. In a release signed by its Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, the group alleged that the transfer of Agboke and his replacement with Mrs. Toyin Babalola, a retired INEC director, raised serious concerns about transparency and due process within the electoral body. MURIC said the controversy…

Fiscal Year Determined by Law, Not Calendar — Budget Office DG Clarifies Delay in Budget Reports

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation, Tanimu Yakubu, has clarified that fiscal years are determined by legislative authorization rather than the conventional January-to-December calendar cycle, explained that this accounts for the delayed publication of recent Quarterly Budget Implementation Reports. In a statement issued on Thursday, Yakubu said the Budget Office acknowledged public concerns over the delay but stressed that Nigeria’s fiscal administration operates within constitutional and legal frameworks that may extend budget implementation beyond a standard calendar year. According to him, the recent delay followed the Repeal…

Nigeria Extradites Alleged Romance Scam Kingpin to U.S. Over $1.5m Fraud

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigeria Police Force has extradited a suspected cyber fraudster, Samuel Ugberease, popularly known as “Putsammy”, “Putput”, and “Sammy”, to the United States to face charges related to online romance scams, wire fraud, and other financial crimes. The extradition was carried out through the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB), Abuja, following the conclusion of legal proceedings and collaboration between Nigerian and United States law enforcement authorities. According to the police, Ugberease was extradited on Wednesday, May 14, 2026, after investigations linked him to a criminal syndicate accused of orchestrating romance…

Gov Adeleke installs Afilaka as Alatorin, Urges Peace in Atakunmosa

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has presented the Staff of Office and Instrument of Appointment to the newly installed Alatorin of Atorin-Ijesa, Oba Omololu Ibitoye Afilaka, charged residents of Atakunmosa East Local Government to sustain peace and preserve the town’s rich cultural heritage. Represented at the coronation ceremony by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Barrister Dosu Babatunde, the governor stressed that meaningful development can only thrive in an atmosphere of unity and harmony. Adeleke warned against actions capable of disrupting communal peace, urging indigenes and residents…

CGC Adeniyi Canvasses Human-Centred Digital Transformation at UNILORIN Conference

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi, has reaffirmed his commitment to responsible digital transformation and innovation-driven governance, called for a human-centred approach to the deployment of artificial intelligence and disruptive technologies. Adeniyi made the call while delivering the keynote address at the 4th Biennial International Conference organised by the Faculty of Communication and Information Sciences, University of Ilorin, in collaboration with the Faculty of Philology, RUDN University. The conference, themed “Disruptive Technology: Human and Artificial Intelligence in the Digital Economy,” was held on Wednesday at the University…

2027: Makinde Declares Presidential Ambition, Calls for Stronger Democracy

Emporium Reporters

By Our Reporter     Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, on Thursday officially declared his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election under the platform of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in alliance with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Makinde made the declaration during a well-attended political rally jointly organised by the APM and PDP at the historic Mapo Hall in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. Addressing thousands of supporters and party faithful, the governor said his decision to join the presidential race was driven by the need to…

State-owned airlines: Our new ostrichism? By Omoniyi Ibietan, PhD

Emporium Reporters

Although, I am not so knowledgeable about aviation, I know it’s a capital intensive venture. So, I do not expect every state to own airport and airlines. Though states like Lagos can actually have an additional airport on the Island and it will be sustainable. Just like having a regional airline for the South East and South South geopolitical zones looks sustainable. The story of Overland Airways is telling about how airlines can create a regional niche. Another fantastic story I particularly revel is Ibom Air. May it grow in…

Nigeria Pushes for Inclusive Global Order at BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in India

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability as key pillars for global development at the ongoing 18th BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in New Delhi, India. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed this in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, noting that the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dunoma Umar Ahmed, is representing the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, at the meeting holding on May 14 and 15, 2026, at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. Delivering Nigeria’s national statement at the…