Category: News

Edo Govt reclaims Observer Printing Press, restores full control

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Edo State Government has officially regained full control of the Nigerian Observer printing press, which was previously ceded to consultants under the last administration.   The administration of former Governor Godwin Obaseki had shut down the state-owned newspaper, The Observer, on June 30, 2022, transferred its management to contractors, consultants, and political associates while redeployed its staff to the Ministry of Information and Communication. In a move to correct past decisions, Governor Monday Okpebholo has directed the reinstatement of the newspaper’s staff and has now reclaimed the printing press…

Neighbour arrested for Kidnapping 6-Year-Old Boy in Niger State ….. Police nab others for Defilement, Armed Robbery, Phone Snatching

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Niger State Police Command has arrested a 27-year-old man, Genesis Yaryok Sunday, for allegedly kidnapping a six-year-old boy in Sabon-Wuse, Tafa LGA and attempted to demand a ransom from the victim’s mother.   According to the police, the child was reported missing on January 29, 2025, at about 2:00 p.m. Fortunately, he was found the following day at Jere, Kagarko LGA, Kaduna State, and taken to the nearest police station before being handed over to Tafa Division in Niger State.   Investigations led to the arrest of the suspect,…

Gov Okpebholo, Idahosa hail President Tinubu on Benin-Sapele-Warri Road Repairs

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, and his Deputy, Dennis Idahosa, have lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the ongoing repairs of failed portions of the Benin-Sapele-Warri road. During an inspection tour of the project alongside the contractor, the governor expressed satisfaction with the progress of work on the more than 30-kilometer stretch, describing it as a significant boost to the socioeconomic activities of Edo and Delta States. “This is our president in action. Work is progressing rapidly, and Edo is developing like Lagos. We deeply appreciate President Tinubu’s commitment to…

NYSC DG Urges Corps Members to Embrace Hard Work, Shun Shortcuts to Success

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General YD Ahmed, has advised Corps Members to avoid shortcuts in their quest for success, emphasized that hard work, patience, and perseverance are essential for achieving their ambitions.   He gave this advice while addressing the 2024 Batch ‘C’ Stream Two Corps Members at the NYSC Plateau State Temporary Orientation Camp in Doi-Du, Jos, and the Bauchi State Orientation Camp in Wailo, Ganjuwa Local Government Area.   Brigadier General Ahmed encouraged the Corps Members to take full advantage of…

Budget Defence: Group urges Vice Chancellors to defend 2025 estimates, challenges bribery allegations

Lukman Laleye Babalola

A civil society organisation, the Save Humanity Advocacy Centre (SHAC), has called on Vice Chancellors of Nigerian universities to defend their 2025 budget estimates before the National Assembly, urged them to be transparent about any alleged financial demands from lawmakers.   This comes amid recent media reports alleging that National Assembly Committees on Tertiary Education demanded a minimum of N50 million from federal-owned universities to approve their budget proposals. However, the House of Representatives, through its spokesman, Hon. Akin Rotimi, dismissed the claims, maintained that all budget defence sessions have…

FG unveils 12-Year Basic Education Model, Scraps JSS and SSS

Emporium Reporters

The Federal Government has announced a significant overhaul of Nigeria’s education system, unveiled a new 12-year compulsory basic education model. This reform, which replaced the existing 6-3-3-4 system, will integrate secondary education into basic education, providing uninterrupted schooling for students up to the age of 16.   Dr. Tunji Alausa, Minister of Education, made the announcement at the 2025 National Council on Education (NCE) meeting in Abuja, attended by Education Commissioners from all 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and key stakeholders. The new structure eliminated the Junior Secondary…

NIDCOM Chairman celebrates Akinwumi Adesina@65

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), has extended her heartfelt congratulations to Adeshina Akinwumi as he marks his 65th birthday today.   In a message released by the Head of Media, Public Relations, and Protocols, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Hon. Dabiri-Erewa described Akinwumi as an exceptional visionary, a remarkable leader, and a distinguished economist whose impact continues to resonate across Africa and the globe. She praised his outstanding contributions to the development of the continent and wished him continued success and divine guidance as he advances Africa’s…

Tinubu Axes UNIAbuja, UNN VCs, Overhauls Leadership at Federal Universities

Lukman Laleye Babalola

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has made sweeping leadership changes at several federal universities, including the University of Abuja (now Yakubu Gowon University) and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN). The changes, which are effective immediately, aimed to revitalize governance and academic standards in Nigeria’s tertiary education sector.   At Yakubu Gowon University, President Tinubu dissolved the entire governing council and removed Professor Aisha Sani Maikudi from her position as Vice-Chancellor. In her place, Professor Lar Patricia Manko has been appointed as Acting Vice-Chancellor for a six-month term, with the stipulation…

Nigerian Navy seizes over 100,000 litres of stolen crude, dismantles over 30 Illegal refineries in January 2025

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigerian Navy has recorded significant successes in its ongoing fight against crude oil theft under Operation Delta Sanity II, seized over 100,000 litres of stolen crude oil, dismantled more than 30 illegal refinery sites, and arrested several suspects across the Niger Delta in January 2025.   According to a statement signed by the Director of Information, Commodore A. Adams-Aliu, these operations led to major disruptions in illegal oil activities in Rivers, Bayelsa, Ondo, Delta, and Akwa Ibom States.   Some of the key achievements included the seizure of a…

Former NYSC DG, 9 Others kidnapped in Katsina Bandit attack

Emporium Reporters

Armed bandits have abducted Brigadier General Maharazu Tsiga (Retd), a former Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), alongside nine other residents in Tsiga village, Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina State.   The attack occurred late Wednesday night at approximately 11:30 p.m. when the gunmen stormed the community, firing sporadically before invading the residence of the retired general. Reports indicate that the assailants shot three residents, including two sons of Tsiga’s neighbor, before whisking him and others away into a nearby forest.   A relative of Tsiga,…