Category: Featured

The pains, anguish of Niger State communities displaced by bandits

Emporium Reporters

It was dusk and raining heavily in March 2019 in Madaka, a village in Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State, when familiar sounds of gunshots again seized the air. Dust and gun smoke rose over the village above the heavy downpour as everyone fled to the bush. Zulaiha Isah, 27, was pregnant but ran too, as hard as other villagers. Speaking with PREMIUM TIMES, Mrs Isah said she had lost two brothers and two in-laws in a previous raid by bandits on the village two weeks earlier. In that latest…

Post Covid19 and South African Economy By Kola Olapite

Emporium Reporters

It remains an obvious fact that virtually all the sectors of the economy have been adversely affected by coronavirus pandemic and it would take proactive measures and aggressive economic policies implementation to put the South African economy back to the track. Analyzing the whole effects of Covid-19 on South African Economy, undoubtedly, the effects of the Covid19 pandemic is gross, inimical to economic stability, growth and development. For the nation’s economy to stage a comeback on the path of recovery, the following economic policies should be aggressively put to use:…

Gov Sani Bello celebrates Ex-Military President, IBB At 79,says he is a Patriot ,Nationalist

Emporium Reporters

Niger State Governor and Chairman North Central Governors’ Forum, Abubakar Sani Bello has described former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida(Rtd) as a true patriot and nationalist who gave his all to ensure the unity and survival of Nigeria. This is as the former Head of state and Elder Statesman marks his 79th Birthday Anniversary on 17th August 2020. In a congratulatory message made available in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary(CPS), Mary Noel Berje to the former military president, the Governor said IBB’s doggedness and resolve in nation-building…

ISMAILA ISA FUNTUA: WE BEGAN AS ADVERSARIES By Femi Adesina

Emporium Reporters

For decades, I had known him as a politician, businessman, and media entrepreneur. His reputation was as impressive as his height. But my first close contact with Mallam Ismaila Isa Funtua was as an adversary in 2013. In fact, it is one of the ‘greatest comebacks in history’ that we eventually became quite close, and we began to exchange confidences. I also visited him at home many times.   How did it all begin? I had served as a member of the Standing Committee of the Nigerian Guild of Editors…

NAHCON: Managing Hajj Affairs Despite Covid-19 By Fatima Sanda Usara

Emporium Reporters

2020 will be remembered in history as the year covid-19 upturned global economic, social and customary routines. Though certain modes of religious worship were also affected by the corona pandemic, timing of religious events auspiciously remained constant. So was the case with 2020 Hajj, which nevertheless took place at the appointed time despite all odds. Apprehension from the lethality of the virus was discernable from the regimental manner in which the Hajj was conducted. The covid-19 upset had crushed many worshippers yearnings on Hajj, yet many had remained undaunted until…

Kwara’s incredible march to fame under AbdulRazaq, by Rafiu Ajakaye

Emporium Reporters

His first one year in office has rightly been adjudged one of the best among first-term governors of Nigeria. His heavy investments in healthcare, road network, provision of potable water, workers’ welfare, his incredibly simple but impactful approach to governance, and his relationship with the masses have earned him accolades from wide and far. But just when many have declared the 2023 race open just a year after the last general election, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Governor of Kwara State, is instead upping the game to the chagrin of his harshest critics…

EDWARD ONOJA @46: OF MYSTERY AND PROVIDENCE By Abdullahi O.Haruna

Emporium Reporters

From afar , he appears distant and tough , get close to him, you will find a meekly, effervescent and godly man. Two things Chief Edward Onoja won’t joke with; sickness and scholarship! He can empty his account to fund the hospital bill of a sick person caught in the jerky situation of want. I am a living testimony of how he has used his money and good heart to save people from the grip of death. My friend and brother Hon Ayofa Omonu was at the verge of death,…

Back on the beat, after defeating COVID-19 By Gboyega Akosile

Emporium Reporters

Thank God I am back at my duty post! I returned to work today, Wednesday, August 5, 2020 after several weeks away, battling the monstrous Coronavirus. It began with a feverish condition on Wednesday, July 1, 2020. I usually don’t joke with my health so I stopped at a pharmacy on my way home, got an anti malaria drug with some paracetamol and I used it as recommended. I must state here that I have never completed a full dose of any malaria treatment or drugs before getting back on…

Karu Mega Bus Terminal: How Engineer Sule is exploiting Abuja corridor to benefit all By Ali Abare

Emporium Reporters

Since the dawn of the Engineer Abdullahi Sule administration in Nasarawa State, deliberate steps are being taken to diversify the economy of the state, in the determination to wean Nasarawa from over reliance on federal allocation. One of such initiatives was the official flagging-off of the construction work on the 900-vehicle capacity Karu Mega Bus Terminal in December last year, which is estimated to cost N1.9bn. With the commencement of the project, Governor Sule took a bold step towards not only tackling the internal revenue issue of the state but…

TRIBUTE TO SENATOR AYO FASANMI,AN UNDILUTED PROGRESSIVE (1925-2020) BY GOV ADEGBOYEGA OYETOLA

Emporium Reporters

As Mother Earth receives one of its best donations to humanity today, I pay tribute to a dyed-in-the-wool progressive who lived his life for the betterment of humanity. Service is second nature to the late Pa Fasanmi. His training as a pharmacist prepared him for selfless service to humanity and he wasted no time in faithfully transferring it to the the larger business of politics. Pa Ayo Fasanmi conscientiously promoted, projected and lived for the principles and legacies of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo till he breathed his last. In…