Author: Lukman Laleye Babalola

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

First Lady Oluremi Tinubu Unveils NYSC Digital Museum and Television Studio in Abuja

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Thursday, January 23, 2025, unveiled the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Digital Museum of Dynamic History and Television Studio at the NYSC Directorate Headquarters, Yakubu Gowon House, Maitama, Abuja. The landmark event celebrated the Scheme’s over 50-year legacy and its contributions to national unity, integration, and development. In her address, Senator Tinubu commended the NYSC for its innovative strides and vital role in nation-building. She described the museum as a dynamic archive preserving the Scheme’s legacy while…

Edo Governorship Tribunal: PDP Case Suffers Blow Over Invalid Documents, Witness Discrepancies

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) suffered a significant setback at the Edo State Governorship Election Tribunal sitting in Benin City on Thursday, as critical discrepancies in the evidence submitted by one of its witnesses, Mr. Igberase Mathias, were exposed during cross-examination.   Counsel to the 1st respondents discovered that documents presented by Mr. Igberase were not in existence at the time the case was filed, raising concerns over the credibility of the petitioner’s evidence. When questioned about the documents he endorsed, Mr. Igberase was unable to confirm their validity, prompting…

FCT High Court Jails Abuja Bishop 20 Years for Rape, as NAPTIP Rescues Nine Pregnant Girls in Baby Factory Raid

Lukman Laleye Babalola

A Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Gudu has sentenced Bishop Kenneth Duke, the founder of a popular church in Abuja, to 20 years imprisonment without an option of fine for raping a 12-year-old girl entrusted to his care. The judgment, delivered by Hon. Justice Adebiyi Osolo, came after Bishop Duke was charged by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) in case no. CR/702/2023. The 52-year-old convict, an indigene of Cross River State, faced a two-count charge of rape and intentional emotional and psychological…

NAPTIP DG hosts U.S. Embassy Delegation, strengthens Partnership against Human Trafficking

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Director General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Binta Adamu Bello, earlier today received a delegation from the American Citizens Services, U.S. Embassy, Abuja, led by their Chief, Tom Finken. The visit was aimed at familiarizing the delegation with NAPTIP’s operational strategies and emphasizing the need for information-sharing on trafficking in persons (TIP) cases involving American citizens. Mr. Finken reaffirmed the U.S. Mission’s commitment to partnering with NAPTIP in the fight against human trafficking in Nigeria. He lauded the agency’s efforts in combating…

CAC Registrar-General charges Media Practitioners to uphold Professionalism

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Registrar-General/CEO of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Hussaini Ishaq Magaji, has called on media practitioners to maintain high standards of professionalism and adhere strictly to ethical practices in their reportage. Magaji made this call while hosting the Group Chief Executive Officer of Media Trust Limited, Ahmed I. Shekarau, in his office. He emphasized the critical role of the media in delivering accurate and reliable information to the public, urging journalists to prioritize truth and professionalism. The Registrar-General also spoke on the Commission’s ongoing transition from a manual to an…

Edo Governor ,Okpebholo approves Recruitment of 500 Teachers to Boost Education

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has approved the recruitment of 500 new teachers as part of his administration’s commitment to improving the quality of education across the state. The announcement was made by the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Emmanuel Paddy Iyamu, on Tuesday in Benin City, shortly after his assumption of office at the Ministry of Education. Dr. Iyamu revealed that the recruitment, which will be carried out in phases, is aimed at addressing teacher shortages in public schools across the state’s three senatorial districts. He emphasized the administration’s…

MURIC denounces opposition to shari’ah panels in Yorubaland, calls for religious tolerance

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has accused extremist Christian groups and Yoruba nation agitators of spreading falsehoods about Shari’ah panels in the South-West. The group described the ongoing opposition to the panels as evidence of religious intolerance and discrimination against Muslims in the region.   In a press statement issued on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, by its Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, MURIC clarified that the panels were established to address family disputes among Muslims and not to enforce full Shari’ah law or target non-Muslims.   Akintola pointed to recent…

Witness Admits Errors in Testimony At Edo State Governorship Election Tribunal

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Edo State Governorship Election Tribunal resumed its sitting today with the petitioners calling their fourth witness, Destiny Enabulele, in case EPT/ED/GOV/02/2024, involving Ighodalo Asuerinme & Anor vs INEC and two other respondents. Enabulele, a 48-year-old development worker, admitted that his statement contained errors.   Enabulele, whose 2023 election to the Edo State House of Assembly (Ovia South-West constituency) was annulled by a tribunal over allegations of electoral malpractices and irregularities, acknowledged the mistakes in his testimony under cross-examination.   Despite the admission, the tribunal provisionally accepted the statement as…

NAPTIP, NTA pledge stronger partnership to combat Human Trafficking, Violence

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) have agreed to enhance their collaboration to increase public awareness and tackle the pervasive issues of human trafficking and violence against persons.   This commitment was reaffirmed during a courtesy visit by NAPTIP’s Director General, Binta Adamu Bello, and her team to NTA’s Headquarters in Abuja.   They were received by the Director General of NTA, Salihu Abdulhamid Dembos, represented by the Executive Director News, Mr. Ayo Adewuyi.   During the visit, Binta…

House Minority Caucus decries Niger Tanker Explosion, calls Investigation, Safety Reforms

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The House of Representatives Minority Caucus has expressed profound grief over the tragic tanker explosion that claimed approximately 90 lives at Dikko Junction along the Abuja-Kaduna highway in Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State. The incident, which occurred last weekend, left many others injured and resulted in significant property damage. In a statement jointly signed by Minority Leader Rep. Kingsley Chinda, Minority Whip Rt. Hon. Dr. Ali Isa J.C., Deputy Minority Leader Rt. Hon. Aliyu Madaki, and Deputy Minority Whip Rt. Hon. George Ozodinobi, the Caucus lamented the loss…