Day: August 8, 2026

Defence Minister Unveils ‘New Face of Alaba’, Hails Market as Africa’s Emerging Tech Hub

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd), has described the Alaba International Market in Lagos as a major centre of technology, innovation and economic enterprise with growing relevance across Africa.   Musa stated this at the Gala and Award Night marking the unveiling of the “New Face of Alaba” in Ikoyi, Lagos, where he commended the market’s transformation into one of Africa’s leading hubs for electronics and technology.   The Defence Minister said the newly commissioned modern commercial complexes represented more than physical development, describing them as a…

Navy Disrupts Oil Theft Network, Intercepts 41,000 Litres of Suspected Stolen Crude, Illegal AGO in Rivers

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigerian Navy has intensified its crackdown on crude oil theft and illegal bunkering under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, disrupting an emerging crude oil theft operation and intercepting a combined 41,000 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil and illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) in Rivers State. In the first operation, personnel of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Bonny, acting on credible intelligence, thwarted suspected attempts by criminal elements to establish illegal connections to oil infrastructure in the Bethel Community axis of Bonny Local Government Area. According to…

Niger Govt Declares War on Rape, GBV in Kontagora

Emporium Reporters

By Uthman Baba-Naseer, Minna     The Niger State Government has raised the alarm over the rising cases of rape, sexual molestation and other forms of gender-based violence (GBV) against women and girls in Kontagora Local Government Area of the state.   The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Hadiza Idris Kuta, raised the concern during a working visit to the palace of the Emir of Kontagora, Alhaji Muhammad Bara’u Mu’azu, where she sought the support of the traditional institution in tackling the disturbing trend.   Kuta, in…

AEMF 2026: Africa’s Economic Future Takes Centre Stage as CBN Hosts Global Policy Leaders

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The 7th Africa Emerging Markets Forum (AEMF 2026), hosted by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in Abuja, has brought together leading policymakers, economists, investors and global development experts to examine strategies for strengthening Africa’s economic resilience and accelerating sustainable growth. The two-day forum featured high-level discussions on monetary policy, regional economic integration, investment, artificial intelligence (AI), technology, urbanisation and the reforms needed to position African economies for long-term growth. A major highlight of the opening day was a fireside dialogue between CBN Governor, Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, and Director-General of…

NNPC Fires Back at Critics, Says Ojulari’s Era Records 6% Oil Output Growth

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) has pushed back against recent criticism of its leadership under Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Bayo Ojulari, over the recently concluded oil licensing round, saying the company has recorded steady growth in crude oil and gas production. In a statement issued on Saturday by its Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Andy Odeh, NNPC Ltd. said recent media commentary attributed to the Oil and Gas Professionals Forum (OGPF), questioning the performance of the company’s leadership, required clarification. The company stressed that the conduct of…

Customs Foils Arms Trafficking Plot, Seizes Parts of 140 Rifles, ₦373.8m Cannabis Cargo

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has foiled an attempt to smuggle components of more than 140 pump-action rifles into the country, while also intercepting cannabis-infused products worth ₦373.8 million at the Tincan Island Port in Lagos.   The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed the seizures on Thursday, August 6, 2026, during a briefing at the Tincan Island Port Command, saying the interceptions were the result of the Service’s intelligence-driven risk management and enforcement operations.   According to him, the container conveying the suspected rifle components arrived at the port…

Customs Holds Retreat for Senate Committee, Seeks Backing to Modernise Trade Laws, Deepen Digital Transformation

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has called for legislative reforms to Nigeria’s customs laws to align the country’s trade framework with evolving global practices and strengthen its ongoing digital transformation. The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, made the call at a capacity-building retreat organised for members of the Senate Committee on Customs, Excise and Tariffs on August 5, 2026. Adeniyi said the retreat was designed to deepen lawmakers’ understanding of modern customs operations and bridge information gaps that could affect effective legislative oversight of the Service. He explained that…

A Road Worth Commending By Babafemi Ojudu

Emporium Reporters

I am going to play a dangerous little game this morning. It will make the BATists happy—at least for a moment—the Obidients furious, and the cynics exclaim, “Ṣé bí we told you? All politicians are the same. He don dey look for job!” Gbogbo wọn ò gbádùn.   Well, let the game begin.   I am a member of the APC. I am, however, not of the Emilokan persuasion. I am not endorsing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term, just as I am not prepared to endorse any…

Osun election: Between hope and fear By abiodun KOMOLAFE

Emporium Reporters

Hope springs eternal, and with elections just days away to determine the next governor of Osun State, we should strive to keep the hope alive. The saber-rattling, threats and counter-threats should stop because everyone in the state is a bonafide stakeholder. Whatever the outcome of the election, it is meant to prepare for the future. For those who care to know, the future is important for, right now, Osun State – to be fair, like a lot of states – is socioeconomically wounded, and the task of finding its bearing…

Police Gun Down ‘Acid’, Recover AK-47 in Probe of Imo Monarch, Five Others’ Murder

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigeria Police Force has recorded a major breakthrough in the investigation into the murder of HRH Eze Barrister Paulinus Ekwueme, Ochia I of Ochia Kingdom, and five others in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State.   The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, disclosed in a statement issued on Saturday that operatives of the Special Tactics Squad of the Force Intelligence Department (STS-FID) had conducted a series of intelligence-led operations between August 2 and 6, 2026, targeting members of a criminal syndicate allegedly linked to the killings.…