Year: 2026

Customs, American Business Council Strengthen Trade Ties, Tackle Business Bottlenecks

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the American Business Council (ABC) have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening trade relations and addressing challenges affecting business operations through sustained public-private sector collaboration. The resolution was reached during a quarterly engagement held on June 16, 2026, at the Nigeria Customs Service Headquarters in Abuja, where both parties discussed strategies to enhance trade facilitation, strengthen security, and promote stronger economic ties between Nigeria and the United States. Speaking at the meeting, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, underscored the importance of regular stakeholder consultations,…

Remi Tinubu Commissions NITDA ICT Centre in Benue, Unveils N100m Grant for Women Traders

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Nigeria’s drive for digital inclusion received a significant boost as the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, commissioned the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) Community ICT Centre in Ihugh, Vandeikya Local Government Area of Benue State. Speaking at the inauguration, the First Lady described the facility as a strategic investment in human capital development and digital empowerment, designed to equip citizens with the skills and opportunities needed to thrive in an increasingly technology-driven world. She commended NITDA’s partnership with the Renewed Hope Initiative in expanding access to digital infrastructure, noting that…

Oyo APC G5 Gains Momentum as Three More Governorship Aspirants Set to Join Coalition

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Group 5 (G5) coalition within the Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is set to expand further, with three additional governorship aspirants preparing to formally align with the bloc ahead of the party’s 2027 governorship contest. The development emerged from a strategic meeting of the group’s Think-Tank (GT) held in Ibadan on Tuesday, where members reviewed the state of the party and charted a path towards strengthening internal cohesion and electoral competitiveness. Sources at the meeting disclosed that the decision by the incoming aspirants followed weeks…

Senate Committee Pledges Stronger Legislative Backing for NDLEA as Sen Ikpea Meets Marwa

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Drugs and Narcotics, Senator Joseph Igiagbe Ikpea, has assured the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) of the National Assembly’s full support in the fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking across the country. Senator Ikpea gave the assurance during a courtesy visit to the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), at the agency’s national headquarters in Abuja on Monday. The lawmaker, who represents Edo Central Senatorial District, said his visit was aimed at strengthening collaboration…

Nigerian Troops Deal Heavy Blow to Terrorists, Free 360 Captives

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) recorded significant victories against terrorism, kidnapping, crude oil theft and other criminal activities across the country, rescuing 360 abducted civilians and arresting scores of suspects during operations conducted between June 5 and June 11, 2026. The achievements were disclosed by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, during a briefing on ongoing military operations nationwide. According to the Defence Headquarters, one of the most remarkable successes was recorded in the North-East under Operation Hadin Kai, where troops launched a coordinated assault…

Implications of Judicial Politicization for Opposition Parties in Nigeria By Abba Dukawa

Emporium Reporters

The implications of judicial politicization for opposition parties in Nigeria refer to the consequences that arise when the judiciary is perceived to be influenced by political interests rather than acting independently and impartially. In Nigeria, debates about judicial independence frequently emerge in relation to election petitions, party leadership disputes, and constitutional cases involving major political parties.   The long-term strength of democracy depends heavily on public confidence that courts apply the law fairly and impartially to both ruling and opposition parties. However, political actors often interpret the same court decision…

Ekiti 2026: Akpabio Predicts APC Victory, Rallies Support for Oyebanji’s Re-election

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has expressed confidence that Biodun Oyebanji will secure a second term in office at Saturday’s governorship election in Ekiti State. Akpabio made the declaration on Tuesday during the grand finale of the governorship campaign of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital. The rally attracted top APC leaders, including Vice President Kashim Shettima, the party’s National Chairman, members of the National Working Committee, federal lawmakers and several APC governors. Speaking as Co-Chairman of the APC National Campaign Council for…

FG Commissions Expanded Abuja Premier Warehouse to Boost Health Supply Chain Nationwide

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Government has commissioned the expanded Abuja Premier Warehouse, a major health logistics facility designed to strengthen the storage and distribution of medicines, vaccines, and other essential health commodities across Nigeria. The facility, commissioned on Monday, complements the 22 Central Medical Warehouses across 21 states funded by the Global Fund to improve healthcare delivery and ensure commodity security nationwide. Representing the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, at the commissioning ceremony, Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Daju Kachollom, said the project marks a significant…

Islamic New Year: Speaker Abbas Urges Muslims to Embrace Love, Tolerance

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has called on Muslims across Nigeria to uphold the values of love, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence as they celebrate the commencement of the Islamic New Year 1448 After Hijra (AH). In a goodwill message marking the beginning of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar, Speaker Abbas urged the Muslim Ummah to renew their commitment to the worship of Allah and strengthen bonds of unity among themselves and with adherents of other faiths. The message, signed by his…

INEC Moves to Stop Enforcement of Court Ruling Deregistering ADC, Four Other Parties

Emporium Reporters

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has approached the Court of Appeal in Abuja seeking a stay of execution of a Federal High Court judgment that ordered the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and four other political parties. The affected political parties are the Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party, and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP). At Tuesday’s proceedings before a three-member panel of the appellate court, INEC’s legal team said the commission was surprised that the trial judge, Justice Peter Lifu, delivered the judgment despite…