Day: July 19, 2026

FG Launches Diaspora Health Programme to Tackle Brain Drain, Boost Healthcare Delivery

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Government has launched the Nigerians in Diaspora Advanced Health Programme (NiDAH-P) and its digital portal to harness the expertise of Nigerian health professionals abroad and strengthen healthcare delivery across the country. The programme, unveiled in Abuja by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in collaboration with the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) and other stakeholders, is designed to enable Nigerian doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals in the diaspora to contribute to healthcare delivery, medical education, research and specialist services through both physical and virtual…

Spain Edge 10-Man Argentina in Extra Time to Win Second FIFA World Cup Title

Emporium Reporters

Spain were crowned champions of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after defeating 10-man Argentina 1-0 in a dramatic final decided in extra time at the New York/New Jersey Stadium in the United States. Ferran Torres emerged the hero, scored the decisive goal in the second half of extra time to hand La Furia Roja their second World Cup title and deny Argentina the chance to become the first nation since 1962 to successfully defend the trophy. Argentina’s hopes suffered a major setback when Enzo Fernández was sent off deep into…

Shettima Reaffirms Nigeria’s Commitment to ECOWAS Integration, Condemns Afrophobic Attacks

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Vice President Kashim Shettima has reaffirmed Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to regional integration, democratic governance, peace, security and sustainable development across West Africa, while calling for stronger cooperation among member states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Shettima, who represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the 69th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government in Lungi, Sierra Leone, said Nigeria remained committed to implementing the ECOWAS Compact for the Future of Regional Integration, describing it as a strategic roadmap for building a resilient,…

NUJ FCT Demands Compensation for Xenophobia, Kidnap Victims, Condemns Alleged Task Force Harassment

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, has called on the Federal Government to provide adequate compensation for Nigerians affected by xenophobic attacks in South Africa as well as victims of kidnapping across the country. The demand formed part of resolutions contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the Council’s monthly Congress held at the NUJ FCT Council Secretariat, Utako, Abuja, on Saturday. The communiqué was signed by members of the Drafting Committee Olakunle Awoniyi, Princess Halima Jubril and Naomi Sharang as well as the Secretary of…

Northern Christian Women Back Bago’s Re-election, Reject Muslim-Muslim Ticket for 2027

Emporium Reporters

By Uthman Baba-Naseer, Minna       The Concern Northern Women Christian Forum (CNWCF) in Niger State has criticised Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago’s decision to retain a Muslim-Muslim governorship ticket for the 2027 general election, described it as a setback for religious inclusion and equitable representation. Addressing journalists in Minna over the weekend, the Chairperson of the forum in the state, Mrs Grace Zegi, said the governor’s reaffirmation of the same-faith ticket reflected political convenience rather than inclusiveness, despite repeated appeals from various groups for a more balanced approach. She…

Troops Foil ISWAP Attack on FGGC Monguno, Rescue 46 Students, Fatalities Recorded

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI, working alongside personnel of the Nigeria Police Mobile Force (MOPOL), have foiled an attempted mass abduction by suspected ISWAP terrorists at the Federal Government Girls College (FGGC), Monguno, Borno State. The attack occurred at about 1:30 a.m. on Sunday at the FGGC facility, which is currently being used by the Borno State Government as temporary hostel accommodation for students of the Federal Polytechnic, Monguno. According to a statement signed by the Acting Military Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, the terrorists allegedly…

Nigerian Navy Recovers 126,000 Litres of Stolen Petroleum Products, Destroys Reactivated Illegal Refineries in Rivers

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigerian Navy has sustained its offensive against crude oil theft in the Niger Delta, recovering more than 126,000 litres of stolen petroleum products and dismantling two reactivated illegal refining sites in Rivers State under Operation DELTA SENTINEL. According to a statement issued on Sunday by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the operation was carried out by personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) PATHFINDER in the Egbema axis of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State. The Navy recalled that on July 10, 2026, its personnel…

80-Year-Old Grandpa, Businesswoman, Chadian National, Couple Nabbed as NDLEA Seizes 1.63 Million Tramadol Pills

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intensified its crackdown on drug trafficking, arresting an 80-year-old grandfather, a businesswoman, a Chadian national and a couple in a series of coordinated operations that also led to the seizure of 1.63 million pills of tramadol destined for Kano. The agency said the massive haul was recorded as operatives sustained efforts to dismantle a transnational drug trafficking syndicate smuggling tramadol from Togo through the Benin Republic into Nigeria. According to the NDLEA, intelligence-led operations led to the interception of two long trailers…

Police Crack Terrorist Cell in Imo, Arrest Murder, Cultism, Infanticide Suspects Nationwide

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigeria Police Force has recorded major operational successes across the country in the last 24 hours, dismantling a suspected terrorist network in Imo State and arresting suspects linked to murder, cultism, infanticide, armed robbery, illegal possession of firearms, railway vandalism and other crimes. The Force said its operatives attached to the Violence Crime Response Unit (VCRU) raided a suspected terrorist hideout at Eziudo in Ezinihite Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State, where four armed suspects were arrested. According to the police, exhibits recovered during the operation included three…

Badejo-Okusanya Breaks Barrier, Becomes NBA’s Second Female President

Emporium Reporters

Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, has been elected President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), making history as only the second woman to lead the country’s foremost association of legal practitioners. Badejo-Okusanya emerged victorious in the 2026 NBA presidential election after polling 12,317 votes, representing 47.18 per cent of the 26,106 valid ballots cast in the electronic election conducted over a 24-hour period from Saturday to Sunday. She defeated two other candidates to secure the association’s highest office, with the results announced shortly after the close of voting…