Day: August 9, 2026

APC Uploads All 2027 Candidates Ahead of INEC Deadline — Yilwatda

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has completed the upload of all its candidates for the 2027 general elections on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) portal, ahead of the Commission’s original deadline. National Chairman of the party, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe, disclosed this at the weekend, describing the development as evidence of the APC’s organisational strength, discipline and preparedness for the 2027 elections. Yilwatda said the party successfully uploaded candidates for all elective positions, from the State Houses of Assembly to the presidency, within the stipulated timeframe. According to him,…

US-Israeli War on Iran: The New Sheriff in Town (3), by Hassan Gimba

Emporium Reporters

The Middle East will no longer be as it was before the imposed war of choice on Iran by the duo of America and Israel. The United States used to be the “monitor” of the region, with Israel as its darling “whip”.   The Middle East had been organised to function as the props of the Zionist state. It feeds it. It protects it. The Gulf countries were made to form a multi-layered defence on its behalf, shooting down missiles meant for it while allowing its attacks to pass through.…

SEC DG: Capital Market Can Fund Abuja’s Infrastructure Boom

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Dr. Emomotimi Agama, has said the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) can leverage Nigeria’s capital market to raise long-term funds for critical infrastructure and reduce its dependence on annual budgetary allocations.   Agama made this known while speaking at the Abuja Business & Investment Summit and Expo (ABIE 2026) in Abuja, where he outlined a range of financing options the FCT Administration could deploy to fund roads, rail, housing, water, transportation and other major infrastructure projects.   He identified infrastructure bonds, green…

SERAP Challenges Tinubu, Atiku, Obi, Sowore, 15 Others to Publish Assets, Reject Vote-Buying

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has challenged the 19 presidential candidates announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to publish details of their assets and liabilities ahead of the 2027 presidential election.   SERAP also urged the candidates to disclose the assets and liabilities of their spouses and, where applicable, unmarried children under 18, as well as the legitimate sources of their significant wealth.   In an open letter dated August 8, 2026 and signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation called on all the…

NNPC Foundation Trains NYSC Corps Members in Financial Literacy, Business Skills

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The NNPC Foundation, the social investment arm of NNPC Limited, has continued its financial empowerment initiative for young Nigerians with a Financial Literacy Programme for Batch B, Stream 2 members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). The programme is scheduled to hold on Sunday, August 9, 2026, at the NYSC Orientation Camp in Kubwa, Abuja. The initiative, which commenced in August 2023 in collaboration with the NYSC, is designed to equip corps members with practical knowledge of financial management, investment and entrepreneurship. Kudimata Nig. Limited serve as the consultant…

Customs Uncovers 399 Jojef Rifles in Tin Can Port Shipment, Recovers Rifle Parts

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has completed the coupling and detailed examination of a seized shipment at the Tin Can Island Port Command, uncovering 399 fully assembled Jojef firearms and a large quantity of additional rifle components.   The development, announced on Sunday, August 9, 2026, followed the disclosure by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, on Thursday that the Service had intercepted a container containing crates of concealed knocked-down components preliminarily identified as Jojef pump-action rifles.   The detailed examination and inventory of the shipment subsequently established that the…

AfCFTA Hails Customs Digital Reforms, Seeks Nigeria’s Innovation for Africa

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Wamkele Mene, has commended the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for its technology-driven reforms, calling for the adoption of the Service’s digital innovations across Africa. Mene made the commendation on Thursday, August 6, 2026, during a working visit to the Nigeria Customs Service Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja, where he described Nigeria’s emerging digital customs ecosystem as a practical African solution to longstanding challenges in trade facilitation, revenue collection and border management. The AfCFTA Secretary-General said many African countries still depend heavily…

NNPC’s Akwiwu Wins SPE Outstanding Leadership, Service Award

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Ugochi Akwiwu, Lead, Drilling and Completion Engineer at NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services (NUIMS), has received the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Outstanding Leadership and Service Award for her contribution to the organisation and the success of its flagship conference.   Akwiwu received the prestigious recognition at the SPE Nigeria Annual International Conference and Exhibition (NAICE) 2026 Dinner and Awards Night held recently in Lagos.   The award is reserved for past SPE Nigeria Council and NAICE Conference Chairs who have demonstrated exceptional service to the Council and contributed significantly…

Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled’: Rev. Idowu Urges Christians to Hold Fast to Faith Amid Life’s Uncertainties

Emporium Reporters

By Dr. Afolabi Olajuwon       Rev. Idowu draws on John 14, Exodus 3, John 10 and Hosea 13 to call believers to prayer, spiritual vigilance and confidence in God’s promise of abundant life.   Christians facing grief, uncertainty and unsettling circumstances have been urged to resist fear, deepen their faith in God and remain steadfast in prayer, with the assurance that adversity does not have the final word.   Rev. Babatunde Idowu, Senior Pastor and District Overseer of Foursquare Gospel Church, Wuse District Headquarters, Abuja, gave the charge…

Senate Backs CG Adeniyi’s Tech-Driven Customs Reforms, Hails Transformation

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Senate Committee on Customs and Excise has thrown its weight behind the ongoing reforms of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) under Comptroller-General Adewale Adeniyi, describing the Service’s technology-driven transformation as evidence of judicious investment in public resources. The commendation came on Thursday, August 6, 2026, during a two-day retreat between the NCS and the Senate Committee on Customs and Excise aimed at strengthening legislative oversight and reviewing the Nigeria Customs Service Act. As part of the programme, members of the committee toured the Customs House in Maitama, Abuja, where…