Author: Lukman Laleye Babalola

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

Senate Committee seeks increased funding as Environment Ministry defends ₦65.96bn 2026 Budget

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Senate Committee on Environment has commenced the budget defence of the Federal Ministry of Environment as part of legislative scrutiny of the 2026 Appropriation Bill currently before the Nigerian Senate, with lawmakers called for enhanced funding to tackle growing environmental challenges across the country. Speaking during the session, Chairman of the Committee, Senator Olubiyi Fadeyi, underscored the critical role of environmental management in safeguarding national health, economic stability and security, stressing that sustainability remains central to Nigeria’s long-term development agenda. Fadeyi expressed concern over persistent underfunding of the Ministry…

AEO programme drives ₦362.79bn revenue growth as Customs hails compliance, suspends defaulting firm

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced a major revenue and trade facilitation milestone under its Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme, recording a revenue growth of ₦362.79 billion among certified companies. In a statement issued on Thursday by Dr. Abdullahi Maiwada,National Public Relations Officer, the Service disclosed that revenue generated by 51 AEO-certified entities rose from ₦1.222 trillion before certification to ₦1.585 trillion after certification as of October 27, 2025, representing a 29.68 per cent increase. The Programme also accounted for 21.77 per cent of the NCS’s total revenue collection…

Nigeria, Spain deepen strategic partnership as Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu hosts Spanish Ambassador

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Nigeria and Spain have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations following a high-level diplomatic engagement between the Honourable Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and Spain’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Félix Costales Artieda, in Abuja. The meeting, held on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, focused on advancing cooperation across key sectors including security, migration management, economic investment, legal collaboration, and cultural exchange, as both countries seek to deepen longstanding diplomatic ties. Welcoming the Spanish envoy and his delegation, Odumegwu-Ojukwu highlighted the historic relationship between Nigeria and Spain, noting that…

NPF-NCCC, Bank CEOs strengthen partnership to tackle Cybercrime in Nigeria

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) has reinforced its collaboration with Nigeria’s banking sector following a high-level meeting with members of the Body of Bank Chief Executive Officers in Nigeria aimed at deepening efforts to combat cybercrime and financial fraud nationwide. The strategic engagement, held at the Centre’s headquarters in Abuja, focused on enhancing cooperation between law enforcement and financial institutions to address the growing threat of cyber-enabled crimes targeting Nigeria’s financial system. Welcoming the delegation, the Director of the Centre, CP Ifeanyi Uche Henry, reaffirmed the commitment…

Police recover three AK-47 rifles, ammunition at Niger accident scene, robbery suspect arrested

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Niger State Police Command has recovered three AK-47 rifles, six magazines and 104 rounds of ammunition following a motorcycle accident along the Boyi-Sarki/Toll Gate axis, while also arresting a suspected robbery suspect in a separate operation. According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, the weapons were discovered on February 17, 2026, at about 9:50 p.m. after a patrol team attached to Gawu-Babangida Division received a distress call about a lone motorcycle accident involving two unidentified persons. The suspects, who were reportedly travelling…

UK, German Defence Attachés visit OPHK, reaffirm counter-insurgency support

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Defence Attachés of the United Kingdom and Germany to Nigeria have reaffirmed their countries’ commitment to supporting Nigeria’s fight against terrorism and insurgency following a strategic visit to the Headquarters Theatre Command of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) in Maiduguri. The UK Defence Attaché, Brigadier Tom Harper, and his German counterpart, Colonel Boris Bovecamp, made the pledge during their historic visit to the theatre on Wednesday, February 18, according to a statement issued by the Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI, Lieutenant Colonel Sani…

Transcorp Hilton Abuja conducts unannounced fire drill to boost safety preparedness

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Transcorp Hilton Abuja has conducted a first-quarter unannounced fire drill simulation as part of efforts to strengthen safety measures and enhance emergency preparedness within the facility. The exercise, held on February 19, 2026, was carried out in collaboration with the Federal Fire Service and forms part of the hotel’s structured safety programme aimed at ensuring rapid response capability and effective coordination with emergency authorities. Management of the hotel said the drill underscores its commitment to maintaining a safe environment for guests and staff while aligning operations with established safety standards…

Sierra Leone honours Nigeria’s CDS Oluyede with prestigious national award

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The President of Sierra Leone, Julius Maada Bio, has conferred one of the country’s highest national honours on Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, Olufemi Oluyede, in recognition of his contributions to peace and stability in the West African nation. General Oluyede was decorated with the Grand Commander of the Order of the Rokel during a colourful parade marking the 17th Armed Forces Day celebration of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces. The award acknowledges his role in promoting peace during his service in Sierra Leone under the Economic Community…

National Diaspora Day 2026 targets health system transformation

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Nigeria is set to leverage the expertise of its global medical workforce to strengthen healthcare delivery as activities for National Diaspora Day 2026 shift focus toward improving local health systems through coordinated diaspora engagement. The 2026 celebration, themed “Harnessing Global Diaspora Medical Expertise to Strengthen Local Health Systems for National Development,” will be implemented under the Diaspora Health Impact Initiative 2026 (DHII 2026), a nationwide programme designed to bring Nigerian doctors, nurses and other health professionals abroad back home for targeted medical interventions. Speaking at a press conference in Abuja,…

COAS calls for strong policies, dedicated funding to secure veterans’ welfare

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has emphasised that sustainable welfare for military veterans must be driven by deliberate policy frameworks, predictable funding structures and coordinated institutional mechanisms capable of delivering long-term impact. The Army Chief made this known on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, while receiving the Chairperson of the National Council of the Nigerian Legion, Grace Morenike Henry, during a courtesy visit at the Army Headquarters in Abuja. Shaibu stated that the strength of any professional military institution lies not only in operational effectiveness but…