Day: June 12, 2026

Nigeria Mourns as Veteran Actor and Scholar Prof. Kola Oyewo Passes On at 80

Emporium Reporters

Nigeria’s entertainment industry, academic community, and lovers of the performing arts are in mourning following the death of veteran actor, dramatist, and scholar, Professor Adekola “Kola” Oyewo, who passed away on Friday, June 12, 2026, at the age of 80. The sad news was announced by his son, Adetoyese Oyewo, in an emotional statement shared on Facebook, where he paid tribute to his father’s remarkable life and enduring legacy. “It is with a heavy heart that I share the passing of my beloved father,” Adetoyese wrote. He described the late…

DHQ Concludes 2026 CDS Democracy Day Volleyball Championship, Nigerian Navy Emerges Overall Champion

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has successfully concluded the 2026 Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Democracy Day Volleyball Championship, reaffirmed the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s (AFN) commitment to operational fitness, jointness, and esprit de corps among personnel. The championship, held at the Aguiyi Ironsi Indoor Sports Complex in Abuja as part of activities marking the 2026 Democracy Day celebrations, brought together male and female volleyball teams from the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, and Nigerian Air Force in a display of sportsmanship, discipline, and healthy competition. Speaking at the closing ceremony, the…

Nigerian Navy Arrests Three Over Oando–Ondewari Pipeline Vandalism in Bayelsa

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigerian Navy has arrested three suspected pipeline vandals linked to the breach of the Oando–Ondewari pipeline at Ogboinbiri Community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. According to a press statement issued by Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, Director of Naval Information, the arrests were carried out under Operation DELTA SENTINEL following an intelligence-led joint operation involving naval personnel and a private pipeline surveillance outfit. The operation was triggered after reports of a deliberate tampering of the pipeline corridor operated by Oando PLC. Subsequent inspections confirmed the vandalism,…

June 12 Heroes Secured Democracy, Nation Must Now Secure Prosperity – Tinubu

Lukman Laleye Babalola

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said Nigeria’s June 12 generation secured democracy, while the present administration must now focus on delivering economic prosperity for citizens. Speaking during his Democracy Day address, he said Nigeria has recorded 27 years of uninterrupted civilian rule since 1999, describing it as a milestone that must be protected and strengthened. Tinubu stressed that democracy must translate into tangible economic benefits, insisting that “democracy must be felt in the pocket” through jobs, improved livelihoods, and expanded opportunities. He highlighted ongoing reforms in fiscal management, infrastructure development,…

Democracy Day: Tinubu Honours 33 Nigerians, Vows No Mercy for Terrorists

Lukman Laleye Babalola

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has honoured 33 Nigerians for their contributions to the country’s pro-democracy struggle while reaffirming his administration’s hardline stance against terrorism and insecurity. In his 2026 Democracy Day address, Tinubu said the honourees drawn from journalism, activism, academia, civil society, and public service endured persecution, imprisonment, exile, and intimidation during the struggle for democratic governance in Nigeria. He said their sacrifices must be permanently recognised as part of the nation’s democratic history, adding that a formal honours list will be released in the coming days. Full List…

NITDA, DAWN Commission Sign MoU to Advance Digital Literacy, Innovation in Southwest

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission have formalised a strategic partnership aimed at accelerating digital literacy, innovation development, and economic growth across the six states of Southwest Nigeria. The collaboration was sealed through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Abuja, with both organisations pledging to strengthen digital skills development, support innovation ecosystems, and expand economic opportunities across the region. Speaking at the ceremony, the Director General of National Information Technology Development Agency, Kashifu Inuwa, described the agreement…

Democracy Day: Support Tinubu’s Reforms, Protect Nigeria’s Democratic Gains, APC Chairman Urges Nigerians

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, has called on Nigerians to safeguard the country’s hard-earned democratic freedoms and support the ongoing reforms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu aimed at fostering national development. In a Democracy Day message commemorating June 12, Yilwatda described the date as a defining moment in Nigeria’s democratic history, symbolizing the sacrifices of patriots who fought for justice, electoral integrity, and the sovereignty of the people. He said Democracy Day serves as a reminder of Nigeria’s collective struggle for freedom and…

27 Years of Uninterrupted Democracy: How Far, So Far? The Legislature in Focus By HallowMace Foundation Africa

Emporium Reporters

As Nigeria marks 27 years of uninterrupted democratic governance, it is important to assess the role of one of the most critical pillars of democracy—the Legislature. Since the return to civil rule in 1999, the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly have remained central to lawmaking, representation, and oversight of the executive arm of government.   While democracy in Nigeria has faced numerous challenges, the legislature has evolved significantly over the past twenty-seven years, recording notable achievements while also grappling with institutional and systemic shortcomings.   The Legislature and…

House of Representatives Passes State Police Bill. HallowMace Africa Analysis:

Emporium Reporters

The decision by the Nigerian House of Representatives to overwhelmingly approve the State Police Bill marks one of the most significant constitutional and security reform developments in Nigeria’s democratic history. With 289 lawmakers voting in support and only one opposing the proposal, the outcome reflects a growing national consensus that the current centralized policing system is no longer sufficient to address Nigeria’s complex and evolving security challenges.   Nigeria currently operates a centralized policing system under the control of the Federal Government through the Nigeria Police Force (NPF). This arrangement…

INEC fixes June 16–25 Primaries for Restored Constituencies Ahead of 2027 Polls

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced June 16 to 25, 2026, as the period for political parties to conduct primaries in newly restored state constituencies across Benue, Delta, Jigawa and Kogi states ahead of the 2027 General Election. In a statement signed by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, the Commission said the decision followed court judgments directing the restoration of previously suppressed constituencies and was made in accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and…