Author: Lukman Laleye Babalola

Lukman Laleye Babalola is a graduate of Journalism,a content creator and Editor with Emporium Reporters online

Gov Okpebholo flags off 4.7km Utteh Palace Road in Benin City

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has officially launched the construction of a 4.7km road linking Utteh Palace to other key areas in Benin City, fulfilling a significant campaign promise. The project, which was flagged off on Monday evening, is set to enhance connectivity between Ikpoba-Okha and Uhunmwonde Local Government Areas. The Governor expressed his dedication to the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, underlining the state’s commitment to infrastructural growth. Governor Okpebholo recalled his earlier visit to the community three months ago, where he promised to improve…

WSCIJ: Stakeholders Push for Improved Investigative Journalism as Okunna, Ransome-Kuti Honoured

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The 19th Wole Soyinka Award for Investigative Reporting, held on December 9, 2024, in Lagos, brought together media stakeholders who called for urgent improvements in investigative journalism to restore media credibility. The event, organized by the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ), celebrated the achievements of Chinyere Okunna, Beko Ransome-Kuti, and 15 outstanding journalists.   Motunrayo Alaka, WSCIJ Executive Director/CEO, decried the harassment of journalists and emphasized the need for investigative reporting to remain fearless and impactful. “We must not normalize the harassment of journalists in Nigeria,” Alaka said,…

Transparency Group accuses NNPCL of Concealing Refinery Export Deal Details

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Transparency Watch (NTW) has accused the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) of withholding critical details regarding its recent export of low sulfur straight run fuel oil (LSSR) from the Port Harcourt Refinery to Dubai-based Gulf Transport & Trading Limited (GTT).   In a statement issued on Monday in Abuja, the NTW Coordinator, Ademola Moses, expressed disappointment over NNPCL’s failure to provide full disclosure 72 hours after confirming the controversial transaction. He alleged that the lack of transparency suggested the corporation may have something to hide.   Moses…

APC members, Lawyers allegedly attacked by PDP Thugs at Edo Tribunal

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Benin City, Nigeria – Tensions escalated yesterday at the premises of the Edo State Governorship Election Tribunal as members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and their lawyers were reportedly attacked by individuals alleged to be hired thugs of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).   The APC has condemned the attack, describing it as a premeditated and violent act aimed at disrupting the tribunal proceedings. According to reports, several APC members and legal representatives suffered injuries after being assaulted with weapons such as battle axes and bottles.   Eyewitness accounts…

Gov Okpebholo launches Statewide Remodeling of Public Schools in Edo

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has embarked on an ambitious project to remodel public schools across the three Senatorial Districts of the state. The initiative aims to improve the infrastructure and learning conditions in schools, signaling the administration’s commitment to revitalizing the education sector.   The Governor unveiled this plan on Monday during the distribution of notebooks, textbooks, and instructional materials in Benin City. The materials, donated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, are being distributed across the state’s 18 Local Government Areas following the Governor’s directive.   Governor Okpebholo…

PDP Vice Chairman endorses Governor Okpebholo’s Early Achievements

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Benin City, Edo State – The National Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), South-South, Chief Dan Orbih, has lauded Governor Monday Okpebholo for his remarkable strides within his first month in office. Chief Orbih, speaking as the father of the day at the first anniversary celebration of an online TV platform, expressed confidence in the Governor’s leadership, emphasizing his commitment to delivering the dividends of democracy to the people of Edo State. “You have started well. Our prayer for you is to finish well,” Chief Orbih said. “For…

Agunbiade celebrates Dr Salimotu Oki on Doctoral Fellow Award

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Ibadan, Nigeria – A prominent member of the University College Hospital (UCH) Muslim Community and Ambassador for the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), Mallam Ibrahim Agunbiade, has congratulated Dr. Mrs. Salimotu Omotolani Oki on her recent conferment as a Doctoral Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Human Resource Management (CIHRM). In a heartfelt message, Agunbiade commended Dr. Oki, who serve as the Deputy Director of Administration and Head of Human Resources at UCH, for her exceptional leadership and dedication to human capacity development. He described the recognition as a fitting testament…

Affirmative Action for Women is a Necessary Corrective Measure – Speaker Abbas

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has stressed that affirmative action for women is not a privilege but a critical corrective measure to ensure gender balance and fairness in Nigerian governance.   Speaking at a session with State Houses of Assembly Speakers marking the conclusion of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV), Speaker Abbas emphasized the importance of integrating women’s and gender issues into Nigeria’s constitution, policies, and budgetary processes.   During the event at the National Assembly, Speaker Abbas highlighted the…

NiDCOM Congratulates Dr Bolu Ogunyemi on Historic Election as President of Canadian Medical Association

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has congratulated Dr. Bolu Ogunyemi, a Nigerian-born dermatologist based in St. John’s, Newfoundland, on his historic election as the President of the Canadian Medical Association (CMA).   In a statement issued by the Director of Media, Public Relations, and Protocols, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of NiDCOM, described Ogunyemi’s achievement as a groundbreaking milestone, noting that he is the first Black individual to assume the prestigious position in the CMA’s 158-year history.   Dabiri-Erewa lauded Ogunyemi’s dedication, resilience, and unwavering commitment to excellence,…

Ekpeye Advocacy Group accuses Gov Fubara of fact distortion over SP Bako’s murder, decries rising insecurity

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Ekpeye Advocacy Group in Ahoada, Rivers State, has accused Governor Siminalayi Fubara of deliberately distorting facts surrounding the gruesome murder of SP Bako Amgbashim and the involvement of prominent Ekpeye kings.   In a statement signed by Olimini Chinuzoke (Convener) and Nnamdi Ezebalike (Director of Publicity), the group criticized the Governor’s comments made during the commissioning of the remodeled Government Girls Secondary School in Ahoada on December 6, 2024.   The group described Fubara’s claims that the arrest and prosecution of Ekpeye monarchs, including Eze Ekpeye Logbo HRM Kelvin…