Author: Lukman Laleye Babalola

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

NiDCOM applauds Ganiyat Adeduntan’s appointment as GW Women’s Basketball Head Coach

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has congratulated Coach Ganiyat Adeduntan on her historic appointment as the Head Coach of the George Washington Revolutionaries Women’s Basketball team in the United States.   Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of NiDCOM, described Adeduntan’s appointment as a major achievement for Nigeria and the African diaspora, commending her resilience, leadership, and excellence in the sport.   Speaking on the development, Dabiri-Erewa noted that Adeduntan’s success served as an inspiration to young Nigerian women aspiring to break barriers in sports and beyond.   “We are immensely…

956 Nigerians rescued from Libya Prisons in 3 months – NiDCOM …. Warns against irregular migration

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has confirmed the successful evacuation of 956 Nigerians from Libya within the first quarter of 2025. The repatriation was facilitated by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Nigeria in collaboration with the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI). A breakdown of the returnees included 683 females, 132 males, 87 children, and 54 infants. The evacuation took place in six batches between January and March 2025, with arrivals recorded as follows: January 28 – 152 returnees February 11 – 145 returnees…

EKSU to Confer Honorary Doctorates on Senate Leader, FIRS Chairman, Others

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado-Ekiti, has announced plans to confer honorary doctorate degrees on the Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele; Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Dr. Zach Adedeji; and Chairman of the Governing Board, Bank of Industry, Dr. Mansur Muhtar.   The university’s decision was conveyed in a letter signed by its Registrar, Mr. Ife Oluwole, stating that the honorees were selected in recognition of their contributions to national development. The conferment ceremony is scheduled to take place during EKSU’s convocation on March 29,…

NAPTIP raids hotel near Abuja Airport, rescues 7 Iraq-Bound trafficking victims — Arrests manager as agency cracks down on human trafficking syndicates

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Operatives of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) have rescued seven suspected victims of human trafficking following a raid on a popular hotel in Zamaru, near the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. The victims were reportedly being prepared for illegal migration to Baghdad, Iraq, for exploitation.   The operation, based on credible intelligence from concerned stakeholders, also led to the arrest of the hotel manager. Reports indicated that unusual movements of young girls and unfamiliar individuals around the hotel raised suspicions, prompted NAPTIP to investigate.…

NiDCOM lauds launch of Nigerian Immigration Welcome Centre in Ontario

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has commended Nigerian community leaders in Ontario, Canada, for establishing the Nigerian Immigration Welcome Centre, a first-of-its-kind initiative aimed at supporting Nigerian migrants.   Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of NiDCOM, praised the effort, emphasizing its significance in helping new and existing Nigerian immigrants settle smoothly in Canada. She encouraged other Nigerian communities worldwide to adopt similar initiatives to assist their compatriots abroad.   “The Commission will continue to support and collaborate with diaspora organizations that prioritize the welfare of Nigerians overseas,” Dabiri-Erewa stated.  …

NDLEA intercepts Indian Woman with 72 parcels of heroin in chocolate wraps at Kano Airport …. Recovers Tramadol concealed in Gas Cylinder, Cocaine, Skunk in Kano, Lagos raids

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a 42-year-old Indian woman, Ms. Neetu Neetu, at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano, with 72 parcels of heroin concealed in wafer wraps and disguised as chocolates. The intercepted consignment, weighing 11 kilograms, was discovered in her luggage during a thorough search at the airport’s arrival hall on Friday, 14th March 2025. Neetu had arrived on a Qatar Airways flight (QR1431) from Bangkok, Thailand, via Vietnam and Doha. In response to the arrest, NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer,…

Customs MMAC launches weekly fitness programme to enhance Officers’ well-being

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Murtala Muhammed Airport Command (MMAC), has introduced a weekly fitness programme aimed at improving the physical and mental well-being of officers, stakeholders, and personnel from sister agencies.   The initiative was officially launched at the Bashir Adewale Adeniyi Sports Arena in Ikeja on Thursday, March 20, 2025. Speaking at the event, the Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller Michael Awe, emphasized the importance of maintaining physical fitness for optimal performance.   “If you know the value of the facility we have provided, you won’t hesitate to…

Customs MMIA hands over $578,000 concealed cash, suspect to EFCC

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Command, has handed over a falsely declared sum of $578,000 and a suspect to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation and prosecution.   Speaking at the handover ceremony on Friday, March 21, 2025, the Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller Effiong Harrison, revealed that the suspect, Okorie Sylvanus Sunday, arrived in Lagos from South Africa on Wednesday, March 19, 2025.   According to Harrison, the suspect initially declared $279,000 at the Currency Declaration Desk. However, during a…

Nigeria Customs, Security Agencies Destroy Expired, Illicit Drugs in Lagos

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and other regulatory agencies, has intensified efforts to rid the country of expired and illicit drugs through a large-scale destruction exercise.   The exercise took place on Friday, March 22, 2025, at a dumpsite in Epe, Lagos, where Assistant Comptroller of Customs Oluwaseun Oguntuase, representing the NCS, highlighted the dangers of expired drugs and the crucial role of enforcement in seizing them.   “Many of these drugs are expired, and expired drugs must not…

CGC Adeniyi advocates Charity and Community Service at Ramadan Iftar

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, has urged officers and stakeholders of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to embrace charity, discipline, and community service as core values, particularly during the holy month of Ramadan.   Speaking on Wednesday, March 21, 2025, at the grand Iftar organised by Trade Modernisation Project (TMP) Limited at the NCS Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja, Adeniyi emphasized the importance of selflessness and social responsibility.   He noted that Ramadan offered an opportunity for reflection and empathy towards the less privileged, added that fasting foster a…