Author: Lukman Laleye Babalola

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

MURIC Demands Sack of INEC Chairman Over Osun REC Redeployment

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called for the removal of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, over what it described as “professional impropriety” in the redeployment of the Osun State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Barrister Mutiu Agboke. In a release signed by its Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, the group alleged that the transfer of Agboke and his replacement with Mrs. Toyin Babalola, a retired INEC director, raised serious concerns about transparency and due process within the electoral body. MURIC said the controversy…

Fiscal Year Determined by Law, Not Calendar — Budget Office DG Clarifies Delay in Budget Reports

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation, Tanimu Yakubu, has clarified that fiscal years are determined by legislative authorization rather than the conventional January-to-December calendar cycle, explained that this accounts for the delayed publication of recent Quarterly Budget Implementation Reports. In a statement issued on Thursday, Yakubu said the Budget Office acknowledged public concerns over the delay but stressed that Nigeria’s fiscal administration operates within constitutional and legal frameworks that may extend budget implementation beyond a standard calendar year. According to him, the recent delay followed the Repeal…

Nigeria Extradites Alleged Romance Scam Kingpin to U.S. Over $1.5m Fraud

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigeria Police Force has extradited a suspected cyber fraudster, Samuel Ugberease, popularly known as “Putsammy”, “Putput”, and “Sammy”, to the United States to face charges related to online romance scams, wire fraud, and other financial crimes. The extradition was carried out through the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB), Abuja, following the conclusion of legal proceedings and collaboration between Nigerian and United States law enforcement authorities. According to the police, Ugberease was extradited on Wednesday, May 14, 2026, after investigations linked him to a criminal syndicate accused of orchestrating romance…

Gov Adeleke installs Afilaka as Alatorin, Urges Peace in Atakunmosa

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has presented the Staff of Office and Instrument of Appointment to the newly installed Alatorin of Atorin-Ijesa, Oba Omololu Ibitoye Afilaka, charged residents of Atakunmosa East Local Government to sustain peace and preserve the town’s rich cultural heritage. Represented at the coronation ceremony by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Barrister Dosu Babatunde, the governor stressed that meaningful development can only thrive in an atmosphere of unity and harmony. Adeleke warned against actions capable of disrupting communal peace, urging indigenes and residents…

CGC Adeniyi Canvasses Human-Centred Digital Transformation at UNILORIN Conference

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi, has reaffirmed his commitment to responsible digital transformation and innovation-driven governance, called for a human-centred approach to the deployment of artificial intelligence and disruptive technologies. Adeniyi made the call while delivering the keynote address at the 4th Biennial International Conference organised by the Faculty of Communication and Information Sciences, University of Ilorin, in collaboration with the Faculty of Philology, RUDN University. The conference, themed “Disruptive Technology: Human and Artificial Intelligence in the Digital Economy,” was held on Wednesday at the University…

Nigeria Pushes for Inclusive Global Order at BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in India

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability as key pillars for global development at the ongoing 18th BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in New Delhi, India. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed this in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, noting that the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dunoma Umar Ahmed, is representing the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, at the meeting holding on May 14 and 15, 2026, at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. Delivering Nigeria’s national statement at the…

NCC Assures Nigerians of Improved Telecom Services Amid Quality Concerns

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigerian Communications Commission has assured Nigerians that ongoing industry-wide investments and regulatory interventions are beginning to improve the quality of telecommunications services across the country, despite persistent consumer complaints over poor network performance. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Commission’s Head of Public Affairs, Mrs. Nnenna Ukoha, acknowledged growing public frustration over dropped calls, slow internet speeds, unstable data services, and network disruptions affecting daily activities. Ukoha stated that telecommunications services have become critical to business, education, healthcare, and social connectivity, stressing that consumers deserve reliable services and…

Troops Rescue Six Abductees, Arrest Terror Suspects in Coordinated North East Operations

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), under Operation DESERT SANITY, have recorded fresh operational gains, including the rescue of abducted civilians, disruption of terrorist logistics, and the arrest of suspected collaborators across parts of Nigeria’s North East. In a precision operation following credible intelligence and an air interdiction around the Mandara Mountains, troops successfully rescued six abducted women and children at a suspected terrorist crossing point near Amuda on 12 May 2026. Mandara Mountains The victims—comprising Aisha Musa (18), Aisha Mohammed (17), Fatima Yahaya…

IMAN, NAFRC Deepen Partnership to Strengthen Training, Industrial Support and Post-Service Reforms

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Industrial and Medical Gases Nigeria has moved to deepen collaboration with the Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre as part of efforts to expand industrial support services and enhance vocational capacity building for military personnel transitioning to civilian life. This was disclosed during a courtesy visit by the Acting Managing Director of IMAN, Mr. Abayomi Oke, to the Commandant of NAFRC, Air Vice Marshal Nnaemeka Ignatius Ilo. Mr. Oke said the visit was aimed at familiarising himself with the Centre’s leadership and identifying new areas of partnership that would be mutually…

Youth Minister Seeks Stronger Partnership with Meta to Expand Digital Opportunities for Nigerian Youths

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Minister of Youth Development, Olawande Emmanuel Ayodele, on Wednesday received representatives of Meta Anglophone West Africa Office during a courtesy visit to the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, Abuja. The Meta delegation was led by Sade Dada, Head of Public Policy, Meta Anglophone West Africa Office ,who briefed the Minister on the organisation’s ongoing activities and interventions within Nigeria’s digital ecosystem, as well as opportunities for deeper collaboration with the Ministry in advancing youth empowerment through technology and innovation. Speaking during the meeting, the Minister reiterated the Federal Government’s…