Month: July 2026

MURIC Accuses Christian Leaders of Self-Interest Over Opposition to Bus-Preaching Bill

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has accused some Christian leaders in Nigeria of pursuing what it described as a selfish agenda by opposing the proposed amendment to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Act seeking to prohibit preaching and hawking in commercial vehicles. In a statement issued on Monday, Executive Director of MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola, expressed disappointment over the opposition of the Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN) and the Organisation of African Instituted Churches (OAIC) to the proposed legislation, arguing that the bill is intended to enhance road safety…

Hijab Judgment: MURIC Hails Oyo High Court Verdict as Victory for Religious Freedom

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Oyo State chapter of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has applauded the judgment of the Oyo State High Court, Iyaganku, Ibadan, affirming the constitutional right of female Muslim students to wear the Islamic hijab in all government-owned public schools across the state. In a statement issued on Monday by its General Secretary, Mallam Ibrahim Agunbiade, MURIC described the ruling by Hon. Justice Y. S. Adekunle in Suit No. I/47/2026: Sumaiya Ayanrinde & 4 Ors. v. Governor of Oyo State & 3 Ors. as a landmark decision and a victory…

NUJ FCT Hails Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya’s Emergence as First Female Elected President

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council has congratulated Mrs. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, on her historic election as the 33rd President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), describing her emergence as a landmark achievement for Nigeria’s legal profession and women in leadership. In a statement signed by the Chairman of the NUJ FCT Council, Comrade Grace Ike, the Council said Badejo-Okusanya’s election as the first woman democratically elected to lead the NBA demonstrates that competence, resilience, integrity and visionary leadership transcend gender. The Council noted that…

Police Rescue Kidnap Victim, Arrest Robbery, Kidnap, Cult, Rape Suspects Across States

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigeria Police Force has recorded major operational successes across the country, including the rescue of a kidnapped teenager, the arrest of suspected kidnappers, armed robbers, cultists and rape suspects, as well as the recovery of firearms and other dangerous weapons. The operations, carried out by operatives of the Force Intelligence Response Unit (VCRU) under the strategic leadership of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, were conducted in Katsina, Delta, Osun, Rivers, Ondo, Benue, Imo, Akwa Ibom, Taraba and Oyo states within the last 24 hours. In Katsina…

Bandit rats in our big budget By Lasisi Olagunju

Emporium Reporters

On 9 June, 2026, the Presidency announced that “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the establishment of a Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease Preparedness and Emerging Public Health Threats and ordered the immediate release of ₦10 billion as emergency intervention funding.” You remember that statement? Today is 20 July. Thank God there has been no Ebola outbreak. But where is the ₦10 billion? Spent? Unspent? Where is it?   A voice told me that the President and his Presidency are very straightforward in money matters. They will explain.…

Democracy’s sweet billions By Lasisi Olagunju

Emporium Reporters

At the dawn of this democracy, masked musician, Lagbaja, looked at the value of a million naira and asked in disbelief: “Ṣé mílíọ̀n pọ̀ tó yẹn ni?” (Is a million naira really that much?) Today, he would be speechless—perhaps even songless. Millions have become loose change; billions now circle like vultures over the carcass of a hippo washed ashore. Some two hundred years ago, a man in Oyo-Ile boasted that no load of cotton could ever be too heavy for him to carry. The elders smiled and told him he…

Niger APC Faces Defection Threat as Ex-Commissioners, Lawmakers Plot Exit, Seek Tinubu’s Intervention

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Fresh indications have emerged of a looming crisis within the Niger State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as influential stakeholders, including former commissioners, ex-political appointees, serving lawmakers and grassroots leaders, are reportedly finalising plans for a mass defection from the ruling party. The aggrieved stakeholders are also calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, to urgently intervene to prevent what they describe as the gradual disintegration of the party in the state. Multiple sources familiar with the development said consultations have…

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,…