Author: Lukman Laleye Babalola

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

Customs Launches Special Operations to Curb Vegetable Oil Smuggling, Boost Local Production

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigeria Customs Service has announced intensified measures to tackle the smuggling of vegetable oil into Nigeria, unveiling plans for intelligence-driven special operations aimed at protecting local industries, safeguarding jobs, and strengthening the agricultural value chain. The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed this on Friday, June 5, 2026, during a stakeholder engagement with players in the vegetable oil sector at the Customs Headquarters in Abuja. Adeniyi said the Service remains committed to combating smuggling through enhanced intelligence gathering, strategic enforcement, and stronger collaboration with private sector operators. He stressed…

FG Pushes AI-Driven Agricultural Revolution to Tackle Food Insecurity in Africa

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Government has called for bold investments in artificial intelligence, scientific innovation, and agricultural research as key drivers for transforming agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa and strengthening global food security. The Executive Secretary of the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), Abubakar Adamu Dabban, made the call at the 24th Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) System Council Meeting held in Antalya, Türkiye. Dabban noted that Africa holds over 60 per cent of the world’s uncultivated arable land, alongside vast biodiversity and a youthful population, yet continues to face…

TMV Backs FG’s Security Measures, Expresses Confidence in Rescue of Oyo Kidnap Victims

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Tinubu Media Volunteers (TMV) has expressed confidence in the safe return of students and teachers abducted by terrorists in two communities in Oyo State, while commending President Bola Tinubu’s directive for the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards as part of efforts to strengthen security in the affected areas. In a statement signed by its Chairman, Chukwudi Enekwechi, and Secretary, Segun Ogedengbe, the group praised the Federal Government’s swift response to the incident, including the recent visit of a high-powered delegation led by the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila,…

IMPI urges National Assembly to Fast-Track State Police Through Doctrine of Necessity

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Independent Media and Policy Initiative (IMPI) has called on the National Assembly to invoke the doctrine of necessity to accelerate the establishment of state police as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s internal security architecture. In a policy statement signed by its Chairman, Dr. Omoniyi Akinsiju, the policy think tank expressed concern over what it described as delays in implementing a decentralised policing system, arguing that the country’s security challenges require urgent reforms. According to IMPI, the police force should serve as the foundation of Nigeria’s internal security framework,…

Tinubu’s Anti-Terror War Not Failing Despite Challenges – IMPI Insists

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Independent Media and Policy Initiative (IMPI) has said that despite recent security challenges and the resurgence of kidnappings in some parts of the country, the administration of President Bola Tinubu has recorded significant successes in the fight against terrorism and banditry. In a policy statement signed by its Chairman, Dr. Omoniyi Akinsiju, the policy think tank argued that the Federal Government’s counter-terrorism efforts have yielded notable tactical victories, including the neutralisation of more than 8,000 terrorists and bandits since 2023. According to IMPI, military and police offensives have also…

Benue Under Siege, Senator Moro Tells Senate, Demands Release of Detained Community Defender

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Senator Abba Moro on Wednesday raised alarm over what he described as worsening attacks by suspected armed herders across communities in Benue South Senatorial District, informed the Senate that residents are living under siege and abandoned to their fate. Raising a matter of urgent public concern under Order 42 on the floor of the Senate, Moro cited the recent killing of a public health worker, Ojama Emie, who was reportedly ambushed, murdered and beheaded by suspected armed herders at Ugbobi Road Junction in Ikobi, Apa Local Government Area of Benue…

House Clarifies Minority Leadership Rules, Bars First-Term Lawmakers from Principal Offices

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The House of Representatives has moved to end controversy surrounding eligibility for principal offices by formally defining “cognate legislative experience” as the completion of at least one full four-year term in the National Assembly, effectively ruling out first-term lawmakers from occupying key leadership positions, including those in the minority caucus. The resolution was adopted on Wednesday following the unanimous passage of a motion sponsored by the member representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency of Lagos State, Hon. Babajimi Benson, titled “Need for a Precise Definition of Order Seven, Rule 15 of the…

FG to Receive 268 Nigerians Evacuated from South Africa Amid Xenophobic Attacks

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Government will on Thursday receive the first batch of 268 Nigerians being evacuated from South Africa following ongoing xenophobic attacks in parts of the country. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed on Wednesday that the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, will personally receive the returnees at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on behalf of the Federal Government. According to a statement signed by the Ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, the evacuation flight, operated by Air Peace Airlines, is expected to arrive at about…

Niger Police Debunk Alleged Attacks on Schools, Launch Probe Into False Report

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Niger State Police Command has dismissed as false reports alleging that hoodlums attacked schools in Bosso, Kpakungu, Sabon-Wuse and Lambata areas of the state. In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, the Command said it had conducted verification visits to all the schools mentioned in the reports and found that no such attacks occurred. The police described the circulating claims as misleading and capable of causing unnecessary panic among residents, parents, students and school authorities. “The Command hereby states categorically that,…

Belfast Unrest: NIDCOM Moves to Protect Nigerians, Appeals for Peace

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has said it is closely monitoring the recent unrest in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and is taking steps to safeguard the welfare of Nigerians in the area while urging calm and peaceful coexistence among all residents. NIDCOM Chairman/CEO, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, said the Commission was concerned about reports of disturbances affecting parts of the Belfast community and emphasized the need for dialogue, restraint and mutual respect. In a statement issued by the Commission’s Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, the Commission expressed sympathy…