Category: News

Information Minister advocates Accurate, Responsible Storytelling in Security Reporting

Emporium Reporters

The Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, has called on media practitioners, especially defence correspondents, to uphold the principles of accurate, balanced, and patriotic reporting in their coverage of security matters.   He made this call in a goodwill message delivered on his behalf by the Director General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Mallam Jibrin Baba Ndace, at the First Quarter Media Stakeholders Seminar 2025, held on Wednesday, 16th April, at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja.   The seminar, themed “Media as a Key Component of…

Barau Jibrin Foundation Shortlists 215 for 2025 Postgraduate Scholarships

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Barau I Jibrin Foundation (BIJF) has shortlisted 215 candidates from across the 44 local government areas of Kano State for its 2025/2026 Domestic Postgraduate Scholarship Programme.   This was disclosed in a statement issued on Friday by Alhaji Ismail Mudashir, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin.   The shortlisted candidates are scheduled to participate in a screening and interview exercise from April 20 to 21, 2025, at the School of Continuing Education, Bayero University Kano, located at G/Dutse,…

Gunmen Open Fire on NDLEA Operatives in Abuja Drug Raid …… Three Officers Hospitalized

Emporium Reporters

Three personnel of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have been hospitalized after sustaining gunshot wounds during a drug raid in the Jahi area of Abuja on Thursday night.   The officers came under attack by armed men shortly after conducting an intelligence-led operation at an uncompleted building near the NNPC junction in Jahi. During the raid, the NDLEA team recovered 74 bottles of codeine, 10 litres of codeine syrup, 48 grams of tramadol (225mg), 4.9 kilograms of skunk a strain of cannabis—and five android phones.   As the…

WAEC sanctions 574 Schools over Examination Malpractice, revokes licences

Emporium Reporters

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has revoked the licences of 574 secondary schools across Nigeria for engaging in various forms of examination malpractice.   Announcing the development on Thursday, the Head of the Nigeria National Office of WAEC, Dr. Amos Dangut, said the affected schools have been delisted and will not be allowed to conduct the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), scheduled to begin on Thursday, April 24, 2025.   Dr. Dangut disclosed that the list of the sanctioned schools has been forwarded to the Federal…

Okpebholo declares death penalty by hanging for Kidnappers in Edo State …. As Vigilante Members set to join State Civil Service

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has announced a tough stance against kidnapping in the state, declaring that anyone convicted of the crime will face the death penalty by hanging.   Governor Okpebholo made the declaration during an interactive session with stakeholders and members of the Arewa community in Esanland, held at Uromi Town Hall.   This announcement followed the recent passage of a bill by the Edo State House of Assembly (EDHA), which amends the Kidnapping Prohibition Amendment Law (and Related Matters) 2013. The new legislation prescribed capital punishment…

NiDCOM Rescues Three More Nigerian Girls from Human Traffickers in Ghana, nearly 200 repatriated

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has successfully rescued and facilitated the return of three more Nigerian girls trafficked to Ghana, as the total number of rescued victims nears 200.   The girls, aged between 17 and 19, hail from Bayelsa and Ebonyi States. They were lured to Ghana under the guise of securing jobs, only to be forced into sexual exploitation. The victims identified as Divine, Favour, and Bright were received on Thursday at the Lagos office of NiDCOM and later handed over to the National Agency for the…

Niger SSG felicitates Christians on Good Friday, Easter Monday Celebrations — Urges Unity, Prayers for Peace

Emporium Reporters

The Secretary to the Government of Niger State (SSG), Alhaji Abubakar Usman, has extended heartfelt felicitations to Christians in the state and across the country as they mark this year’s Good Friday and Easter Monday celebrations.   In a goodwill message issued on Friday, Alhaji Usman described the Easter period as a sacred moment that reflects the core values of the Christian faith sacrifice, love, forgiveness, and hope noted that these virtues are crucial to the collective progress and peaceful coexistence of the Nigerian people.   He emphasized the importance…

NUJ FCT hails NNPCL’s Femi Soneye on emergence as NIPR Spokesperson of the Year 2025

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council, has congratulated Mr. Femi Soneye, Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC Ltd, on his emergence as the Distinguished Spokesperson in the Oil and Gas Sector for 2025, an award conferred by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR). In a statement signed by the Secretary of Council, Jide Oyekunle, the NUJ FCT Council described the recognition as a testament to Soneye’s dedication, professionalism, and innovative communication strategies which have significantly enhanced the reputation of NNPC Ltd and the oil…

Niger Police arrests 30 illegal Miners, as Command intensifies crackdown on criminal activities

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Niger State Police Command has intensified its crackdown on illegal mining activities and other crimes across the state, with the arrest of thirty (30) suspected illegal miners in Minna and several others nabbed for firearm possession, motorcycle theft, and fraud.   This was made known in a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, on Thursday, 17th April 2025.   According to the statement, the illegal miners were arrested on 14th April, 2025 during a raid carried out by operatives of Chanchaga Division at an…

NAHCON flags off Vaccination for 2025 FCT Pilgrims, reaffirms commitment to Pilgrims’ Health and Safety

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Chairman/CEO of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Professor Abdullahi Sale, on Wednesday, 16th April 2025, led the official flag-off of the vaccination exercise for intending pilgrims from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), marking a key milestone in preparations for the 2025 Hajj. The event was held at the FCT Pilgrims Hajj Camp, Airport Road, Abuja. In his address, Professor Sale emphasized NAHCON’s steadfast commitment to the health and safety of pilgrims:   “This event marks a vital step in our journey toward a successful 2025 Hajj. Ensuring…