Author: Lukman Laleye Babalola

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

Saudi Arabia Announces May 27 for Eid-el-Adha as Muslims Welcome Dhul Hijjah 1447

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Excitement has continued to spread among Muslims across the world following Saudi Arabia’s official announcement of the date for Eid-el-Adha 2026 after the sighting of the Dhul Hijjah crescent moon.   Saudi authorities confirmed on Sunday evening that the moon marking the beginning of Dhul Hijjah 1447 AH had been sighted, meaning the new Islamic month will commence on Monday, May 18, 2026. Consequently, the Day of Arafah will be observed on Tuesday, May 26, while Eid-el-Adha celebrations will hold on Wednesday, May 27, 2026.   The announcement sparked joy…

Ward Results Confirm Ihonvbere Won APC Reps Primary in Edo

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The House of Representatives Leader, Julius Omozuanvbo Ihonvbere, has emerged winner of the All Progressives Congress (APC) direct primary for the Owan East/Owan West Federal Constituency of Edo State ahead of the 2027 general elections. This followed the release of collated ward results from the primary election held on Saturday, May 16, which showed that Ihonvbere defeated other contenders in the race. Ihonvbere, who currently represents Owan East/Owan West Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives and serves as House Leader, was said to have polled a total of 4,729…

NDLEA Intercepts UK, Australia-Bound Cocaine, Opioids Hidden in Carton Walls; Destroys 65,000kg Skunk in Delta

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted consignments of cocaine and opioids concealed in carton walls and destined for the United Kingdom and Australia, while also destroying 65,000 kilograms of skunk during raids on forests in Delta State. NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, disclosed on Sunday that the seizures were made during operations conducted across several states by operatives of the agency. According to him, the cocaine and opioid consignments were intercepted at a Lagos courier company on Friday, May 15, during the examination of outbound shipments. He said…

Nigerian Navy Uncovers Suspected Militant Camp, Recovers Ammunition in Rivers–Bayelsa Creeks

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigerian Navy has uncovered a suspected staging camp linked to hostile activities in the Rivers–Bayelsa creek corridor, recovering ammunition and materials believed to be used for explosive-making during a security operation in the Niger Delta. According to a statement issued on Friday by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain AA Folorunsho, the operation was carried out by personnel of Nigerian Navy attached to NNS SOROH following heightened surveillance and patrols within the waterways. The Navy said the discovery was made in the Soku area after naval personnel observed…

NUJ FCT, Nizamiye Hospital Offer Free Medical Checks as 2026 Press Week Begins

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Journalists in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Saturday benefited from free medical consultations and health screenings as the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, partnered with Nizamiye Hospital to organise a medical outreach as part of activities marking the 2026 Press Week. The outreach, held in Abuja, focused on promoting the health and wellbeing of media practitioners, many of whom work under demanding and stressful conditions. Speaking during the exercise, Chairman of the NUJ FCT Council, Grace Ike, emphasised the importance of journalists prioritising their health while carrying…

Fallen Officers Demonstrated Exceptional Patriotism, Says IGP Disu as 17 Policemen Die in Yobe Terror Attack

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has confirmed the death of 17 police officers following a terrorist attack on the Nigerian Army Special Forces School in Buni Yadi, Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State. According to a statement issued on Friday by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Okon Placid, the officers were undergoing specialised operational training at the military institution when terrorists launched a coordinated attack on the facility in the early hours of May 8, 2026. The attack reportedly occurred at about 1:15 a.m., with the terrorists…

DHQ Clarifies Identity of Terrorist Commander Killed in Joint Nigeria-U.S. Operation

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has clarified concerns surrounding the identity of Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki, the terrorist commander recently neutralised during a joint counterterrorism operation conducted by the Armed Forces of Nigeria and the United States Africa Command on 16 May 2026. In a statement issued on Saturday by the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, the military explained that public confusion arose after some media reports referenced a similar operation in 2024 involving a terrorist commander bearing the same name. According to the DHQ, the recurrence of identical names,…

Customs CG Seeks Wider Consultation as Beer Industry Raises Concerns Over Proposed Tax Stamp Policy

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi, has called for inclusive stakeholder engagement and stricter data validation in the implementation of fiscal and regulatory reforms affecting key sectors of the economy. Adeniyi made the call on Monday during a meeting between the NCS leadership and the Beer Sectoral Group at the Service Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja. The engagement brought together senior executives from leading brewing companies across Nigeria to deliberate on tax administration, trade transparency and the proposed tax stamp policy currently being considered by the Federal…

Tinubu Championing Africa’s Economic Growth Through Nigeria’s Reforms — TDF

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Democratic Front (TDF) has praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for advocating global financial reforms aimed at accelerating economic growth and development across Africa. In a statement signed by its Chairman, Mallam Danjuma Muhammad, and Secretary, Chief Wale Adedayo, the group said the ongoing economic reforms in Nigeria have placed President Tinubu in a strong position to champion Africa’s economic transformation on the global stage. According to TDF, the President’s efforts in repositioning Nigeria’s economy from what it described as a “public-regulated environment” to a private sector-driven market economy are…

Tinubu’s $500m Research Fund Signals Shift to Knowledge Economy — TSF

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Tinubu Stakeholders Forum (TSF) has described the Federal Government’s approval of a $500 million annual investment in the National Research and Innovation Development Fund (NRIDF) as a major step toward transforming Nigeria into a knowledge-driven economy. In a statement issued by TSF Chairman Ahmad Sajoh and Secretary Danjuma Sada, the group said the initiative represents one of the most strategic investments in research, innovation, science, and technology in Nigeria’s recent history. According to the Forum, the establishment of the NRIDF demonstrates a deliberate effort by the administration of President…