Author: Lukman Laleye Babalola

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

JBPT Sector II foils Arms Smuggling attempt, seizes 6 Rifles, 1,125 Cartridges

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Joint Border Patrol Team (JBPT) Sector II, Southwest Zone, has thwarted an arms smuggling operation, confiscating six pump-action rifles and 1,125 live cartridges concealed in sacks of cassava flakes. Addressing journalists at the Customs Training College, Ikeja, Deputy Comptroller Mohammed Shuaibu revealed that the smuggled firearms were uncovered on December 3, 2024, following a suspicious incident along the Okerete-Odo bush path in Oyo State. “A patrol team observed a man abandoning a Toyota Camry saloon car and fleeing into the bush. Upon inspection, the vehicle contained six rifles with…

Aliyu Ilias honored as JCI Senator for Outstanding Service to Humanity

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Dr. Aliyu Ilias, a renowned Economist, Analyst and Customer Management Experience expert, has been conferred with the prestigious title of JCI Senator. This recognition, the highest level of membership in Junior Chamber International (JCI), acknowledged his exceptional contributions to humanity through JCI Aso, a leading chapter of JCI Nigeria under the global JCI network.   The conferment ceremony took place during the JCI Aso 2024 Investiture held in Abuja. Aliyu Ilias was awarded Senator Number 83543 in a grand event attended by prominent JCI leaders, including JCI Nigeria Executive Vice…

Edo Governor offers Employment to Daughter of Late NLC Chairman

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has extended a gesture of support to the family of the late Chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Edo State Chapter, Comrade Anthony Kaduna Eboigbodin, by offering automatic employment to his daughter.   Governor Okpebholo made this announcement during a condolence visit to the deceased’s family, where he was accompanied by the Acting NLC Chairman in Edo State, Comrade Bernard Joman Egwakhide, alongside other leaders of organized labor and civil society organizations. The Governor expressed his condolences and lamented the circumstances surrounding the…

NITDA partners Ministry of Education to Drive Digital Literacy across Nigeria’s Schools

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, has launched an ambitious initiative to embed digital literacy across all levels of Nigeria’s education system.   The partnership, unveiled during a courtesy visit to the Honorable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, by the Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, and his management team, seek to prepare Nigerian youth for a digital-driven future. As part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the initiative targeted 70% digital literacy in the short term and 95%…

Nigerian Doctor, Bolu Ogunyemi elected President of Canadian Medical Association

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Nigerian-born Dr. Bolu Ogunyemi, a clinical associate professor of medicine at Memorial University of Newfoundland, has been elected as the president-elect of the Canadian Medical Association (CMA).   Dr. Ogunyemi, a practicing dermatologist in St. John’s, Newfoundland, and a visiting specialist in Labrador City since 2018, secured victory in an election held between November 20 and December 4, 2024. He competed against Dr. Susan MacDonald, a prominent advocate for palliative care.   Following CMA’s approval, Dr. Ogunyemi will officially take up the role of president-elect and is slated to become…

Gov Okpebholo appoints Hon. Oladele Bankole-Balogun as Chairman of Edo State Revenue Board

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Edo State Governor , Senator Monday Okpebholo has approved the appointment of Hon. (Barr.) Oladele Bankole-Balogun as the Executive Chairman of the Edo State Board of Internal Revenue.   A seasoned professional and legal expert, Hon. Bankole-Balogun is expected to bring in decades of experience in law, corporate governance, and public service. Born in 1961 into the renowned Bankole Balogun family of Igarra, Akoko-Edo, he holds a Political Science degree from the University of Ibadan, an LLB from the University of London, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Law from the…

Tinubu reshuffles NWDC Board, appoints Emeka Atuma as SEDC Chairman

Lukman Laleye Babalola

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has revised the composition of the North West Development Commission (NWDC) Governing Board and nominated Hon. Emeka Atuma as the Chairman of the South East Development Commission (SEDC). The updated nominations have been forwarded to the Senate for confirmation.   The President’s adjustments include the replacement of Ambassador Haruna Ginsau with Alhaji Lawal Samai’la Abdullahi as the NWDC Board Chairman. Other replacements include Ja’afar Abubakar Sadeeq and Yahaya Aminu Abdulhadi, who take over from Senator Tijani Yahaya Kaura and Hon. Abdulkadir S. Usman.   Professor Abdullahi…

Tinubu appoints new Heads for NUC, NERDC, NEPAD, renews Fatima Shinkafi’s Tenure at SMDF

Lukman Laleye Babalola

In a significant reshuffling of leadership in key federal agencies, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of new chief executives for the National Universities Commission (NUC), the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), and the New Partnership for Africa Development (NEPAD).   The President also renewed the tenure of Fatima Umaru Shinkafi as the Executive Secretary of the Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF) and the Presidential Artisanal Gold Mining Initiative (PAGMI).   NUC: Professor Abdullahi Yusuf Ribadu was named the new Executive Secretary. Ribadu, an expert in…

Senate declares Power Sector Privatization a Failure, Orders Investigation

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigerian Senate has criticized the privatization of the power sector as a “total failure,” described the operators of Generation Companies (GenCos), the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), and Distribution Companies (DisCos) as unproductive. Lawmakers accused them of plunging the country deeper into darkness since the privatization policy was introduced in 2013.   During a heated plenary session, Senate President Godswill Akpabio expressed frustration over the lack of value added by power operators, highlighted instances where citizens and state governments were forced to provide transformers and pay for their installation…

Tinubu mourns Passing of Renowned Islamic Scholar Sheikh Muyideen Ajani Bello

Lukman Laleye Babalola

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of the esteemed Islamic scholar, Sheikh Muyideen Ajani Bello, who died at the age of 84. In a heartfelt message, the President shared his condolences with the Muslim Ummah and all those who mourn the loss of the revered cleric.   President Tinubu praised Sheikh Bello for his remarkable contributions to Islamic scholarship, highlighting his profound understanding of the Holy Quran and his exceptional ability to offer peace, comfort, and guidance to many. The President described Sheikh Bello as…