Month: August 2026

Osun Poll: Akpabio Assures Voters of Security, Urges Support for APC’s AMBO

Lukman Laleye Babalola

President of the Senate, Godswill Obot Akpabio, has assured the people of Osun State that adequate security arrangements have been put in place to ensure a peaceful and credible governorship election in the state on Saturday.   Akpabio, who represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship campaign rally in Osogbo, urged residents to come out in large numbers and exercise their constitutional right without fear or intimidation.   He assured voters that they were free to cast their ballots for candidates of their choice, while…

IBB : I Could Not Save Vatsa From Consequences of Coup Plot

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, has said there was little he could do to save his childhood friend and former military colleague, General Mamman Jiya Vatsa, after investigations established his involvement in an alleged plot to overthrow his administration in 1985. Babangida made the disclosure in a special programme hosted by Baddegi 901 FM as part of activities marking his 85th birthday, monitored in Minna. The former military leader said he initially found it difficult to believe reports linking Vatsa to the alleged coup plot because of their…

Deep Offshore Incentives: NNPCL Targets $50bn Investment, 3m bpd Output by 2030

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) has said the Federal Government’s new Deep Offshore Oil and Gas Projects Incentives (Tax Remission) Order, 2026, will accelerate investment in deepwater projects and support Nigeria’s ambition to raise crude oil production to three million barrels per day (MMbopd) by 2030.   The NNPC Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, described the new incentive regime as a landmark reform that would strengthen Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global deep offshore investment market.   The Order, signed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,…

FG, BOA Partner to Create Sustainable Livelihoods for Vulnerable Nigerians

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Government has entered into a strategic partnership with the Bank of Agriculture (BOA) to expand economic opportunities for vulnerable Nigerians through agricultural financing, productive assets and sustainable livelihood interventions.   The partnership was formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction and the Bank of Agriculture, providing a framework for both institutions to combine their resources and expertise to improve the livelihoods of vulnerable households across the country.   Speaking on the significance of the agreement, the Minister…

Nigeria Urges Diaspora to Shift From Remittances to Structured Investments

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Government has urged Nigerians in the diaspora to move beyond remittances and channel their resources, expertise and global connections into structured investments capable of driving Nigeria’s economic transformation.   The call was made at the maiden Nigeria-Canada Diaspora Economic Conference in Toronto, organised by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) under the theme, “Thrive Abroad, Invest at Home.”   The conference brought together the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; Governors Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State and Charles Soludo of Anambra State; Minister of Industry, Trade…

FCT Police, Army Garrison Strengthen Security Synergy

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command and the Army Headquarters Garrison have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening inter-agency cooperation to enhance security and protect residents of the nation’s capital.   The commitment was renewed on Thursday, August 13, 2026, when the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, received the Commander, Army Headquarters Garrison, Major General JR Lar, who led a delegation on a courtesy visit to the FCT Police Command Headquarters in Abuja.   The visit, according to the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh,was…

2027 Elections: NHRC Warns Against Hate Speech, Incitement, Divisive Rhetoric

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has warned Nigerians against hate speech, incitement, intimidation and divisive rhetoric ahead of the 2027 general elections, saying unchecked inflammatory language could undermine human rights, peaceful coexistence and democratic participation.   The Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, Chief Tony Ojukwu, gave the warning on Thursday at a press conference at the NHRC headquarters in Abuja. Ojukwu said the Commission was increasingly concerned about the use of hateful, intimidating, intolerant, denigrating, inflammatory and divisive rhetoric in public discourse and its potential consequences for…

NDLEA Honours Over 280 Personnel, Partners, Marwa Vows Relentless War on Drug Cartels

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has honoured over 280 personnel, commands, civil society organisations and media platforms for outstanding performance and contributions to the fight against illicit drug trafficking and substance abuse in Nigeria.   The recognition was made on Thursday at the 12th edition of the NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer’s Commands, Awards and Commendations ceremony held at the agency’s national headquarters on Marwa Street, Jahi District, Abuja.   Speaking at the ceremony, NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), said the event was not…

West Africa Fuel Market: NMDPRA Boss Demands Action, Regional Cooperation to Drive Price Hub

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The second edition of the West Africa Refined Fuel Market Conference has ended in Abuja with stakeholders called for stronger financing, regulatory convergence and enhanced regional cooperation to accelerate the development of an integrated West African petroleum price referencing market.   The two-day conference, organised by the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) in collaboration with S&P Global Commodity Insights and the West African Regulators Forum, brought together key government officials, regulators, industry leaders, investors and market experts.   Discussions at the conference centred on strengthening the regional…

NDPC, SEC Strengthen Collaboration on Data Protection, Investor Privacy

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Commissioner/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), Dr Vincent Olatunji, has led a delegation of the Commission on a courtesy visit to the Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Dr Emomotimi Agama, at the SEC Towers in Abuja. Olatunji commended Agama for the warm reception and his leadership in ensuring compliance with the provisions of the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023 (NDP Act).   He spoke on the evolution of data protection and privacy in Nigeria, stressing the need for Ministries, Departments and…