Author: Emporium Reporters

Northwest Challenges and Tasks Before NWDC By Abba Dukawa

Emporium Reporters

“The Northwest region of Nigeria, spanning seven states (Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara) across approximately 216,065 square kilometers, faces significant challenges.   Once a bastion of peace and commerce, the area has been severely impacted by insecurity, affecting five out of its seven states. This shift has transformed the region from a thriving hub of trade and agriculture to one grappling with safety concerns.   Despite its vast untapped mineral resources the region remains impoverished. Approximately 80% of the population relies on farming, pastoralism, or small-scale entrepreneurship.…

The rotten apples at Louis Edet House By Festus Adedayo

Emporium Reporters

Sometime in the early 2000s, at the cusp of Tafa Balogun’s glory as the Inspector General of Police, an oil magnate from a Southwest riverine area was arrested. He was travelling into the state capital from his riverine part of the country. It was at nocturne. The oil magnate, who moved like an Oba, was in a convoy of cars. Inside the car was a falange of private security persons. They were armed to the teeth with sophisticated weapons. It was obvious that this Oba-like man was into oil bunkering…

A word for Governor Oyebanji By abiodun KOMOLAFE

Emporium Reporters

With the 2026 Ekiti State governorship election date set, the stage is now ready. The key issue is that incumbent Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, aka BAO, of the All Progressives Congress (APC) appears poised to win unopposed. It is much like a candidate in a parliamentary system who is “returned unopposed” due to a lack of challengers.   Currently, Ekiti State lacks a discernible opposition, which is unfortunate, given its longstanding and much-admired focus on human capital development. It would be an astonishing feat if any discernible opposition could coalesce…

The Little Prince of Poetry: Muhammadu Buhari’s Enchanting Ascent, By Abdullahi O Haruna Haruspice

Emporium Reporters

In a world too often dimmed by cynicism and noise, a radiant spark emerged on a recent evening in Abuja—the spark of a young boy whose name already evokes attention: Muhammadu Buhari. Born in 2015, the same year former President Muhammadu Buhari ascended Nigeria’s highest office, this remarkable child was not only named after the statesman but has, in many ways, adopted his persona—stoic, deliberate, yet deeply captivating. At just nine years old, he speaks not just in words but in verse—each syllable heavy with meaning, each performance filled with…

Friday Sermon: How Islam Honoured Women! By Imam Murtadha Gusau

Emporium Reporters

In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy   Praise be to Gracious Allah, who honoured us by sending Prophet Muhammad Ibn Abdullah (Peace be upon him) as a teacher, educator, leader and guide. As Allah Almighty said in the Qur’an:   “Certainly did Allah confer [great] favour upon the believers when He sent among them a Messenger from themselves, reciting to them His verses and purifying them and teaching them the Book [i.e., the Qur’an] and wisdom, although they had been before in manifest error.”…

Akpabio: We’re in the Senate to Serve, Not for Personal Gain

Emporium Reporters

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has declared that lawmakers are not in the National Assembly to pursue personal financial benefits but to make meaningful sacrifices that will shape the future of Nigeria.   Speaking during plenary on Tuesday, while contributing to the debate on the general principles of a bill seeking to amend the Electricity Act, 2023, Akpabio emphasized the importance of electricity to the nation’s development. He noted that industrial growth cannot be achieved without a stable and functional power sector. “People think we are here in the Senate to…

DR. MATTHEW OLUMIDE ADEPOJU: ONE YEAR OF SPACE LEADERSHIP THAT REDEFINED NIGERIA’S TECH FUTURE

Emporium Reporters

A Transformational Scorecard on His Senate Confirmation Anniversary Director General, National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) Appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, CFR – May 21, 2024 | Confirmed by Senate – July 9, 2024   NASRDA AT LIFT-OFF: ONE YEAR OF HISTORIC GAINS UNDER DR. ADEPOJU Exactly one year ago, on July 9, 2024, Dr. Matthew Olumide Adepoju was confirmed by the Nigerian Senate as Director General of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), following his appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, CFR, on May 21,…

Tantita Security Services employs 3,500 Urhobo Indigenes across 88 Communities, 16 Kingdoms — Coordinators Counter UPU President-General’s claims

Emporium Reporters

By Our Reporter   Coordinators of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL) from the Urhobo ethnic nationality have disowned a controversial advertorial credited to the President-General of the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU), Olorogun Ese Gam Owe, described it as fabricated, misleading, and an attempt to sow discord within the Niger Delta region.   The statement, purportedly issued by Olorogun Owe and published in Vanguard newspaper, had called for the termination of Tantita’s pipeline surveillance contract, citing alleged marginalisation of Urhobo people in the company’s operations.   However, in a counter-statement…

Oyebanji: Knowledge, development and human wellbeing By Abiodun Ololade

Emporium Reporters

Since assuming office as the Governor of Ekiti State on October 16, 2022, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, fondly referred to as BAO, has redefined governance by implementing impactful policies and programmes. From improved infrastructure to enhanced healthcare and economic opportunities, his administration has spearheaded tangible interventions that directly enhance the quality of life for all Ekiti residents.   Guided by a deep commitment to the rule of law, Oyebanji envisions a society that is egalitarian, crime-free, and conducive to human flourishing. This vision is rooted in the belief that individuals should…

From the North, ‘a storm is coming’ By Lasisi Olagunju

Emporium Reporters

Decades ago, my late mother pointed at a house to me: “Someone in that house once snatched someone’s wife. In the evening, when it was time for husband and wife to sleep, a storm swept into the bedroom and carried off their sleeping mat. Then pandemonium followed…Ó di b’óòlo o yàá mi.”   She described that scene as one of a cyclone of vengeful rage. Wife snatcher fought back strongly, got his mat back, but had to let go of the woman he snatched. He had to.   There was…