Year: 2026

NITDA deepens partnership with Cross River to drive Digital Innovation, Inclusive Development

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has intensified its engagement with Cross River State as part of efforts to accelerate digital innovation and promote inclusive socio-economic development across the state. The move was reinforced during a strategic meeting held in Calabar between NITDA’s Director of Stakeholder Management and Partnerships, Dr. Aristotle Onumo, and the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Anthony Owan Enoh. The engagement explored collaborative pathways aimed at transforming governance, empowering citizens, and expanding digital infrastructure in the state. Discussions centred on leveraging technology to modernise public…

FRSC Corps Marshal orders probe into Benin Toll gate attack, commends Army, Police response

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Shehu Mohammed, has commended the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Police Force for their swift intervention following a mob attack on the RS5.12 Benin Toll Gate Unit Command Office along the Benin–Lagos Expressway. The incident, which occurred on Thursday, February 19, 2026, followed a rescue operation at a crash scene around the Benin Toll Gate axis, where two trucks reportedly collided. The accident claimed the life of one truck driver and left several FRSC personnel critically injured. According to a…

Nigeria moves toward full membership of global Palm Oil Council

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Nigeria has taken steps toward becoming a full member of the Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries (CPOPC) following a high-level meeting between the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, and the Council’s Secretary-General, Izzana Salleh, in Abuja on Friday. The strategic engagement, held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters, Tafawa Balewa House, focused on Nigeria’s possible transition from observer status to full membership of the intergovernmental organisation, as the country seeks to strengthen its position in global agricultural diplomacy and commodity trade. Speaking during the meeting,…

CP Dantawaye redeploys DPOs ahead of FCT Area Council Elections

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has redeployed and reshuffled Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) across the territory as part of enhanced security measures ahead of the February 21, 2026 Area Council Elections. The Commissioner of Police, Miller G. Dantawaye, said the redeployment followed a directive from the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, aimed at strengthening operational efficiency and ensuring professionalism before, during, and after the elections. According to the Command, the strategic reshuffle form part of a comprehensive security arrangement designed to safeguard the electoral process and maintain law…

Troops arrest Boko Haram collaborators, Drone supplier, neutralise insurgents in North-East

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Troops of the Joint Task Force (North-East) Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have intensified counter-insurgency operations across Adamawa and Borno states, leading to the arrest of suspected Boko Haram collaborators and the neutralisation of insurgents during coordinated offensives. In a statement issued on Thursday by the Media Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, troops operating under Sector 4 and the 28 Task Force Brigade, in collaboration with local vigilantes and hunters, apprehended a 28-year-old suspected terrorist logistics supplier, Ismail Muhammed, in the Visik General Area of Hong…

World Social Justice Day: NHRC urges stronger social protection, rights safeguards

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called on governments and stakeholders across Nigeria to strengthen social protection measures and guarantee the protection of citizens’ rights as the country joins the global community to commemorate the 2026 World Day of Social Justice. The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Tony Ojukwu, made the call on Thursday while marking the annual observance held every February 20, stressing that social justice remains fundamental to national development and human rights advancement. Ojukwu noted that Nigeria cannot afford to neglect social justice, described it as…

FCT Police imposes movement restriction ahead of Area Council Elections

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has announced a restriction of movement across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) ahead of the Area Council Elections scheduled for Saturday, February 21, 2026, as part of measures to ensure a secure and orderly electoral process. The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, disclosed this in a statement on Friday, noting that the restriction will be enforced from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. across the territory on election day. According to Adeh, the Commissioner of Police, Miller G. Dantawaye, approved the directive to…

Friday Sermon: Protect Your Wealth From Calamity Through Zakah! By Imam Murtadha Gusau

Emporium Reporters

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful   All praise is due to Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate. He has legislated for His servants the upright religion and made it a means for the well-being of both worldly life and faith. I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah alone, with no partner, and I bear witness that Muḥammad is His servant and His Messenger. May Allah send abundant peace and blessings upon him. To proceed:   Dear brothers…

FG flags off Emergency Food Distribution in Katsina to tackle food insecurity

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Government has commenced the distribution of Presidential Emergency Food and Nutrition Items in Katsina State as part of ongoing humanitarian efforts to address food insecurity and support vulnerable populations across the country. The initiative, led by the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, was officially flagged off on Thursday at the People’s Square, New Government House, Katsina. Representing the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Bernard M. Doro, the Honourable Federal Commissioner of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI),…

Akpabio congratulates Anyim on 65th Birthday, praises his public service

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has felicitated with former Senate President Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, on the occasion of his 65th birthday. In a goodwill message signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh, Akpabio lauded Anyim’s commitment to public service, leadership, and his significant contributions to Nigeria’s democratic growth. According to Hon. Eyiboh, “Your Excellency, your commitment to excellence, service to country, and patriotism inspires many of us. We remain proud of your stewardship as the President of the 4th Senate, where…