Category: News

MURIC Condemns Withdrawal of Lagos BECE Timetable, Alleges Islamophobia

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has condemned the withdrawal of the Lagos State Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) timetable, describing the development as a result of alleged Islamophobia, dereliction of duty and poor planning. The group made its position known in a statement issued on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, by its Founder and Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola. MURIC had reacted after the released BECE timetable indicated that Islamic Religious Knowledge (IRK) was scheduled for Friday, July 3, from 12 noon to 2:10pm, a period the organisation said clashes with…

Tinubu Unveils 5 Million Ocean Jobs Plan, Vows To Harness Blue Economy

Lukman Laleye Babalola

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has unveiled Nigeria’s plan to create five million ocean-based jobs by 2035, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to harnessing the country’s Blue Economy potential for sustainable growth and national development. The President made the declaration on Wednesday at the high-level opening ceremony of the 11th edition of the Our Ocean Conference held in Mombasa County, Kenya. He was represented by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye. Tinubu said Nigeria views the ocean as a major driver of prosperity, food security, trade, energy, security…

Team Europe Visits NutriK Facility in Kano as Company Moves to Boost Local Nutrition Production

Lukman Laleye Babalola

A delegation from Team Europe led by the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, has visited NutriK’s production facility in Kano as the company intensifies efforts to expand local sourcing and strengthen Nigeria’s nutrition supply chain. The visit, which included ambassadors and representatives from European Union Member States and UNICEF, was part of a wider mission to assess initiatives supporting nutrition, healthcare, sustainable livelihoods and economic growth in northern Nigeria. NutriK, a French-Nigerian company and subsidiary of the French-based Nutriset Group, produces Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF), a…

Customs, American Business Council Strengthen Trade Ties, Tackle Business Bottlenecks

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the American Business Council (ABC) have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening trade relations and addressing challenges affecting business operations through sustained public-private sector collaboration. The resolution was reached during a quarterly engagement held on June 16, 2026, at the Nigeria Customs Service Headquarters in Abuja, where both parties discussed strategies to enhance trade facilitation, strengthen security, and promote stronger economic ties between Nigeria and the United States. Speaking at the meeting, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, underscored the importance of regular stakeholder consultations,…

Remi Tinubu Commissions NITDA ICT Centre in Benue, Unveils N100m Grant for Women Traders

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Nigeria’s drive for digital inclusion received a significant boost as the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, commissioned the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) Community ICT Centre in Ihugh, Vandeikya Local Government Area of Benue State. Speaking at the inauguration, the First Lady described the facility as a strategic investment in human capital development and digital empowerment, designed to equip citizens with the skills and opportunities needed to thrive in an increasingly technology-driven world. She commended NITDA’s partnership with the Renewed Hope Initiative in expanding access to digital infrastructure, noting that…

Senate Committee Pledges Stronger Legislative Backing for NDLEA as Sen Ikpea Meets Marwa

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Drugs and Narcotics, Senator Joseph Igiagbe Ikpea, has assured the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) of the National Assembly’s full support in the fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking across the country. Senator Ikpea gave the assurance during a courtesy visit to the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), at the agency’s national headquarters in Abuja on Monday. The lawmaker, who represents Edo Central Senatorial District, said his visit was aimed at strengthening collaboration…

FG Commissions Expanded Abuja Premier Warehouse to Boost Health Supply Chain Nationwide

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Government has commissioned the expanded Abuja Premier Warehouse, a major health logistics facility designed to strengthen the storage and distribution of medicines, vaccines, and other essential health commodities across Nigeria. The facility, commissioned on Monday, complements the 22 Central Medical Warehouses across 21 states funded by the Global Fund to improve healthcare delivery and ensure commodity security nationwide. Representing the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, at the commissioning ceremony, Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Daju Kachollom, said the project marks a significant…

Apapa Customs Seizes 1.8 Tonnes of ‘Canadian Loud’, Expired Drugs Worth ₦12.8bn

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Area Command, has recorded a major breakthrough in its ongoing crackdown on smuggling and other illicit activities with the seizure of 1.81 tonnes of Cannabis Sativa, popularly known as “Canadian Loud,” and expired pharmaceutical products valued at over ₦12.78 billion. The seizures were made through intelligence-led operations conducted by officers of the Command in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and other relevant security agencies. According to a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer of the Command, Chief Superintendent of…

NHRC Condemns Killing of Retired Major General in Captivity, Calls for Urgent State Police Reform

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has strongly condemned the abduction and killing of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar while in bandits’ captivity, describing the incident as a grave violation of the fundamental rights to life and personal security. In a statement issued by the Commission’s Executive Secretary, Chief Tony Ojukwu, the NHRC expressed deep sorrow over the death of the retired military officer despite reported efforts by the Katsina State Government and security agencies to secure his release. Ojukwu described the tragic incident as a disturbing reflection of Nigeria’s…

African Child Day: NHRC Raises Alarm Over Child Exploitation, Trafficking and Abuse

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called for urgent and concrete measures to protect Nigerian children from exploitation, trafficking, violence, child labour, and other forms of abuse. The Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Tony Ojukwu, made the call ahead of the commemoration of the 2026 International Day of the African Child, stressing that Nigeria’s future depends on children having access to quality education in a safe and supportive environment. Ojukwu urged governments, institutions, communities, and other stakeholders to move beyond promises and take practical steps to safeguard the rights,…