Year: 2026

Was the Awolowo, Akintola crisis instigated by enemies? By Festus Adedayo

Emporium Reporters

William Shakespeare, in Othello, warned of the destructive power of envy and manipulation when he wrote: “O, beware, my lord, of jealousy; it is the green-eyed monster which doth mock the meat it feeds on.” Across history, enemies have often thrived by sowing discord among friends, destroying noble causes and wrecking enduring relationships. The tragic crisis between Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola remains one of the most painful examples in Yoruba political history.   A very deep political analyst told me on Friday that he believed both…

NDLEA Arrests Three Persons with Disability Over Drug Trafficking, Uncovers ₦5.8bn Lagos Drug Stash

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (National Drug Law Enforcement Agency) has arrested three persons with disability in separate drug trafficking operations across Anambra and Kwara States, while also uncovering a major drug warehouse in Lagos valued at ₦5.815 billion. One of the suspects, 60-year-old Romanus Nwabara, was arrested on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at Akpaka Forest, Onitsha in Anambra State with 250 grams of skunk packaged in retail sachets. In another operation in Ogbunike, also in Anambra State, operatives arrested 25-year-old Amos Kenneth on Thursday, May 7, 2026, with…

How I returned from the gate of the other world (2), by Hassan Gimba

Emporium Reporters

The Arbiter I had earlier spoken about intubation. It is a medical procedure involving the insertion of a flexible plastic tube into the trachea (windpipe) through the mouth or nose to maintain an open airway, deliver oxygen, or facilitate mechanical ventilation (life-support machine). It is used during emergencies, critical care, or anaesthesia to ensure gas exchange when a patient cannot breathe independently. Or, as in my case, where there is respiratory failure/distress: when a patient cannot breathe sufficiently on their own because of severe pneumonia or COPD.   Different people…

FG Targets Zero Exam Malpractice by 2027 as NECO Marks 25 Years, Deepens Digital Transformation

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Government has reiterated its resolve to eliminate examination malpractice in Nigeria by 2027 following the rollout of full Computer-Based Examinations (CBE) by the National Examinations Council (NECO), which has already recorded nearly a 90 percent reduction in examination fraud. The policy direction was highlighted during NECO’s Silver Jubilee celebration in Abuja, where stakeholders reviewed ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening transparency, credibility, accessibility, and global competitiveness in Nigeria’s examination system. In a statement issued by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, the Federal Ministry of Education…

Oyo 2027: Ololade Bakare Clears APC Screening, Declares Readiness for Governorship Race

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Oyo State gubernatorial aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ololade Usman Bakare, has successfully scaled through the party’s screening exercise in Abuja ahead of the 2027 general elections, expressing confidence in his chances of clinching the governorship ticket. Bakare appeared before the APC Screening Committee on Saturday alongside other aspirants seeking to emerge as the party’s candidate for the Oyo governorship election. Addressing journalists shortly after the exercise, the cyber security expert described the screening process as credible, transparent and encouraging, while reaffirming his commitment to…

Global Investors’ Presence at Tinubu’s France Meeting Shows Confidence in Nigeria’s Economy – TMSG

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Tinubu Media Support Group (TMSG) has said the calibre of global investors that attended President Bola Tinubu’s economic engagement in France reflects growing international confidence in Nigeria’s economy and reform agenda. In a statement signed by its Chairman, Emeka Nwankpa, and Secretary, Dapo Okubanjo, the group said the participation of leading global financial institutions at the meeting underscored the increasing credibility of Nigeria as an investment destination under the Tinubu administration. According to the group, the engagement came at a time when opposition figures were portraying the Nigerian economy…

TMV Credits Tinubu’s Economic Reforms for 38.68% Rise in Non-Oil Export Earnings

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Tinubu Media Volunteers (TMV) has attributed the 38.68 per cent increase in Nigeria’s non-oil export earnings in the first quarter of 2026 to the economic reforms introduced by the administration of President Bola Tinubu. In a statement signed by its Chairman, Chukwudi Enekwechi, and Secretary, Segun Ogedengbe, the group expressed optimism that the upward trend in export performance would be sustained in the coming months. According to the group, the diversification agenda of the Federal Government is beginning to yield tangible results, particularly in the non-oil sector. TMV noted…

TMSG Dismisses Atiku Camp’s Alarm Over Dip in Nigeria’s Foreign Reserves

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Tinubu Media Support Group (TMSG) has faulted recent comments attributed to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over the slight decline in Nigeria’s foreign reserves, insisting there is no cause for alarm. In a statement signed by its Chairman, Emeka Nwankpa, and Secretary, Dapo Okubanjo, the group accused Atiku’s camp of politicising economic issues in a bid to score cheap political points against the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. TMSG described the criticism of the reserve movement as “highly flawed” and “poorly thought out,” arguing that the Tinubu administration…

MasterCoach Hub Calls for Curriculum Reform, Sustainable Funding at Abuja Capacity Workshop

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Stakeholders in the education, faith-based and social development sectors have called for urgent curriculum reform, stronger institutional leadership and sustainable funding models to help organisations survive Nigeria’s current economic realities. The call was made during a one-day Comprehensive Capacity Training Workshop organised by MasterCoach Hub at the FCT Education Resource Centre in Abuja. In his welcome address, Convener and Training Consultant, Ustaz Yunus Salahudeen, said the workshop was designed to equip educational institutions, NGOs, children’s homes and faith-based organisations with practical tools for financial sustainability, strategic leadership and organisational growth.…

Medical Screening Will Be Continuous, Says CP Sanusi as FCT Police Begins Health Assessment for Personnel

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, has reaffirmed the commitment of the Federal Capital Territory Police Command to the health, wellbeing and operational readiness of officers with the inspection of an ongoing medical screening exercise for personnel at the Metro Area Command in Abuja. The inspection, conducted on Thursday, May 8, 2026, formed part of a broader health initiative introduced by the Command to monitor and improve the physical and mental wellbeing of officers serving within the Federal Capital Territory. According to the Command, the medical screening exercise commenced…