Author: Emporium Reporters

Coast Guard Bill: Stakeholders call for maritime protection, economic boost

Emporium Reporters

By James Isaac   The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Marine Transport, Senator Eshilokun Sanni Wasiu has submitted that, Nigerian Coast Guard Bill when passed into law will bolster the Nation’s economy, safeguard its coastal and maritime resources, curb oil theft, pipeline vandalism and prevent marine pollution.   He stated this during a public hearing organized by the Senate Committee on Marine Transport.   The bill seeks to establish a dedicated branch of the military to secure Nigeria’s maritime zones and support the Navy during wartime.   The Coast…

Osun 2026: Crossroads and consequences (1) By abiodun KOMOLAFE

Emporium Reporters

My experience as a Branch Internal Auditor in a now-consolidated commercial bank during the 2000s taught me the importance of accountability and oversight in institutions. In this role, I identified exceptions, assessed their impact, and recommended corrective actions. This skillset has since informed my understanding of the need for transparency and accountability in governance and political institutions.   Akinwumi Olojo, my former Line Boss and the bank’s Chief Internal Auditor, would often remind us that a governor paying salaries is merely fulfilling his contractual obligation to the electorate. “Thanking him…

President Tinubu’s policies are meant to better the lot of Nigerians – David Umahi

Emporium Reporters

By James Isaac, Abuja   The Minister of Works, David Umahi has posited that, those who are sceptical of the government policies are envious of the successes recorded by Bola Ahmed Tinubu, where others have failed.   He stated this when he appeared before the Senate Committee on Works investigating the contractors handling Federal Government road projects.   Umahi spoke with journalists covering the Senate after an investigative hearing with the Senate Committee on Works and contractors handling federal Government road projects.   Speaking specifically on the Lagos- Calabar coastal…

You go Civil, He goes Criminal, All Good By Simbo Olorunfemi

Emporium Reporters

Anger and frustration were boldly written on Senior Advocate Femi Falana’s face. His reputation left hanging in the balance on account of the questions raised by Very Dark Man riding on the claims that had been allegedly made by Bob Risky.   He sighed before making a profound statement to the effect that but for the fact that he had been advocating for the decriminalisation of defamation, he might have been forced to respond differently to Very Dark Man. In other words, he would have proceeded to filing a complaint…

Friday Sermon: It’s Unbefitting For An Islamic Scholar To Betray The Poor Masses! By Imam Murtadha Gusau

Emporium Reporters

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful   All thanks are due to Allah; The One Who sent His Messenger with guidance and the true religion to make it superior over all other fake religions, despite the polytheist’s hatred of it. I bear witness that there is no other deity but Allah. None is comparable to Him in His attributes, qualities or actions. He is Exalted and High above all that which the transgressors say. The seven heavens and the earth and all that is therein glorify Him.…

Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele refutes claims on Tax Reform Bills suspension, reaffirms commitment to further deliberations

Emporium Reporters

The Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, has clarified that the upper chamber of the National Assembly has not suspended or withdrawn deliberations on the Tax Reform Bills, 2024, countering recent media reports suggesting otherwise.   Speaking during Thursday’s plenary, Bamidele emphasized that the Senate remained committed to its constitutional duties and warned against attempts to misrepresent its proceedings or intimidate lawmakers.   “Nowhere in our votes and proceedings was it stated that we suspended further deliberation on the Tax Reform Bills, 2024. This is because we did not,” Bamidele asserted.…

Tinubu and the VAT Pandora Box ,By Olusegun Adeniyi

Emporium Reporters

The controversy surrounding the proposed adjustment to the formula for sharing the states’ portion of the Value Added Tax (VAT), especially the derivation component, in the tax reform bills submitted to the National Assembly by President Bola Tinubu is yet to abate. What I find interesting is that many readers are asking for my take on the issue. When I respond with ‘Tinubu, Wike and the Politics of VAT’ published on this page on 16 September 2021, everyone to whom I have forwarded the column replied that it is worth…

10 ways the tax bills will make states richer – Tope Ajayi

Emporium Reporters

Human beings naturally resist change. When comfortable where we are, we find it extremely difficult to embrace an uncharted path or seek greater glory. Those who are risk averse often don’t want to venture out to embrace unfamiliar territories no matter how tempting the possible reward may appear. We should not, however, be so imprisoned by the fear of the unknown not to explore new possibilities because we find our present circumstances satisfying enough.   Since the public debate around the Tax Reform Bills started, the strongest push back against…

K1 and Fuji: The Debate is Pointless! ,By Olaleye Olawale

Emporium Reporters

I’m not inclined to join the filthy debate on Fuji supremacy. The controversy has never come to a sensible close and may never do. Not even when ego has crept in, and every Fuji artist is now boasting some level of financial security. Good thing, actually!   But whichever way anyone chooses to interpret the unceasing muscle-flexing and the curious resolve to denigrate some elders in their industry, the place of K1 remains immutable and already established. We must acknowledge it because he earned it. It’s not a function of…

Dele Farotimi and the “Oppressor” in Every Nigerian! ,By Olaleye Olawale

Emporium Reporters

Everyone has been condemning the recent arrest of activist and lawyer, Dele Farotimi, with punches continuously landing on the police force being the enforcer of the arrest order.   Unfortunately, the sweeping pretence is noteworthy. No one has pointedly called out the man alleged to have used his influence, position, age, and perhaps money to bring this opprobrium on the police.   A few weeks ago, a certain federal lawmaker, who could not tell whether he was a senator or House of Representatives member, publicly assaulted a cab driver and…