Author: Lukman Laleye Babalola

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

Afenifere warns against Religious incitement in South-West, urges Security agencies to curb divisive rhetoric

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, has raised concerns over rising attempts to incite religious tension in the South-West, warning individuals and groups to desist from making inflammatory statements capable of undermining the region’s long-standing peace and harmony. The group also called on security and intelligence agencies, particularly the Force Intelligence Department of the Nigeria Police and the Department of State Services (DSS), to monitor and address unguarded utterances that may threaten peaceful coexistence in the region. In a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by its Ekiti State Chapter Chairman, Prince…

NECA applauds Customs over Trade Reforms, seeks stronger collaboration … As CGC Adeniyi reiterates commitment to Private sector growth

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) has commended the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for its recent reforms aimed at improving trade facilitation and creating a more business-friendly environment. The commendation came on Thursday, April 4, 2025, during a courtesy visit by NECA’s leadership to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, at the NCS Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja. Speaking during the visit, NECA President, Dr Ifeanyi Okogwu, applauded the NCS for implementing policies such as the Advance Ruling system, the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme, and the Time Release Study,…

Nigeria steps into global spotlight as first West African host of GITEX Technology Expo

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Nigeria is set to make history as the first West African nation to host the globally acclaimed Gulf Information Technology Exhibition (GITEX), in a bold move that signals the country’s emergence as a rising force in digital innovation and technology leadership on the continent. Spearheaded by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) in partnership with KAOUN International, the prestigious event is scheduled to take place in Abuja and Lagos from September 1st to 4th, 2025. It is expected to draw over 1,000 startups, more than 100 investors, and over…

NASRDA launches 5-Day Training on Agricultural Monitoring from Space to boost Nigeria’s Agricultural Productivity

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) has launched a 5-day training program on Agricultural Monitoring from Space, aiming to revolutionize Nigeria’s agricultural landscape through innovative space technology. The training, officially opened by the Director-General of NASRDA, Dr. Matthew Olumide Adepoju, emphasized the importance of capacity building in line with his 3-Point Agenda to drive research and development in Earth Observation applications.   Dr. Adepoju highlighted the agency’s commitment to positioning Nigeria as a leader in the African space sector, focusing on public-private partnerships and commercializing research outputs.  …

Gov Okpebholo begins payment of gratuities to retired Civil Servants after 12-Year delay

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has initiated the payment of outstanding gratuities owed to retired civil servants, a long-awaited move aimed at addressing a 12-year backlog. The first phase of payments, totaling N1 billion, has begun, fulfilling a crucial commitment made by the current administration.   Governor Okpebholo emphasized the significance of this payment in alleviating the financial hardship faced by pensioners who have been waiting for their entitlements since 2012. “For over a decade, many of our retirees have suffered due to the non-payment of their gratuities. This…

Edo Govt pledges to maximize Army recruitment quota, boost youth engagement

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has pledged his administration’s commitment to ensuring full utilization of the state’s recruitment quota in the Nigerian Army as part of broader efforts to enhance national security and youth empowerment. Governor Okpebholo, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Hon. Gani Audu, gave the assurance while receiving a delegation from the Chief of Army Staff, currently on a sensitization tour across Niger Delta states.   He stated that the state government would collaborate with the Brigade Commander to establish a sensitization team that…

NNPC Foundation offers 1,000 free Cataract surgeries across South-East Nigeria

Lukman Laleye Babalola

As part of its ongoing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, the NNPC Foundation Ltd/Gte., the CSR arm of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.), has commenced a free cataract extraction surgery program across the South-East geopolitical zone of Nigeria. The initiative, which targeted 1,000 beneficiaries, is aimed at restoring sight and preventing avoidable blindness, particularly among indigent Nigerians. The medical outreach followed the remarkable success of the South-West phase of the program, which saw over 1,002 successful surgeries, including among children born blind.   In the South-East, the…

Niger Police arrests suspects for motorcycle theft, recover stolen vehicle, curb miscreants in Minna

Lukman Laleye Babalola

In a renewed crackdown on criminal elements across Niger State, the State Police Command has made significant strides in crime fighting, resulting in the arrest of suspected motorcycle thieves, recovery of a stolen vehicle, apprehension of a suspected military offender, and the arrest of miscreants involved in thuggery.   These developments were contained in a crime bulletin released on Monday, April 7, 2025, by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun.   On April 3, 2025, at about 2:30pm, following a complaint, operatives of the Command’s Crack Squad arrested…

Edo APC asks INEC to fill vacant legislative seats

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, Jarret Tenebe, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to urgently conduct bye-elections to fill the two vacant legislative seats in the state.   In a statement issued from Benin City, Tenebe expressed his dissatisfaction with the prolonged delay in filling the vacant positions, stressed that the people of the affected constituencies have been without representation for over three months. He described the delay as a violation of democratic principles and electoral guidelines.   “The people of…

NiDCOM Boss,Dabiri-Erewa receives Honorary Doctorate from Smart Island University, Saudi Arabia

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), has been awarded an honorary doctorate degree by Smart Island University in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The recognition was in acknowledgment of her outstanding humanitarian services and groundbreaking efforts in diaspora development. The honorary degree was conferred by the University’s Registrar, Dr. Mohammed Dhaidan Al-Mutairi, who praised Dabiri-Erewa for her diligence, tireless work, and remarkable contributions to advancing diaspora relations. Dr. Al-Mutairi emphasized that the award celebrated her exemplary leadership in the field of diaspora and humanitarian affairs.…