Category: News

SERAP, Editors demand urgent reforms to Cybercrimes Act over crackdown on free speech

Emporium Reporters

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and the Nigerian Guild of Editors have called for immediate reforms to Nigeria’s Cybercrimes Act, citing its misuse to target journalists, bloggers, activists, and opposition voices.   In a joint statement issued on Sunday, Kolawole Oluwadare of SERAP and Dr. Iyobosa Uwugiaren of the Editors’ Guild urged President Bola Tinubu to halt the weaponization of the Act, release all individuals detained under its controversial provisions, and uphold constitutional guarantees of free expression.   The groups condemned the growing use of arbitrary arrests, strategic…

FG moves to avert power sector collapse as Tinubu plans meeting with GenCos over N4tn debt

Emporium Reporters

The Federal Government is taking urgent steps to prevent a collapse of Nigeria’s power sector, with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu set to meet with the leadership of power generating companies (GenCos) over a mounting debt of over N4 trillion.   The planned presidential intervention followed a high-level meeting in Abuja between the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, and the chairmen of GenCos, amid escalating concerns about the potential collapse of the national grid due to severe liquidity challenges.   In a statement released on Sunday by Bolaji Tunji, Special…

FIRS unveils Gender Desk, Women’s Network to drive inclusion and equity

Lukman Laleye Babalola

In a major move to institutionalize gender inclusivity, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) earlier this week officially launched the FIRS Gender Desk and the FIRS Women’s Network at a high-level event held in Abuja.   The Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, graced the occasion as the special guest and was warmly received by Dr. Dick Irri, Coordinating Director of the Medium and Government Taxpayers Group, who represented the Executive Chairman of FIRS, Dr. Zacch Adedeji. In his welcome address, Dr. Irri reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to…

Niger Govt mourns as former SSG, Daniel Clifford Shashere passes on

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Niger State Government has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of a former Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Daniel Clifford Shashere, describing his death as a monumental loss to the state and the nation. Reacting to the sad development, the current Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Abubakar Usman, in a condolence message, said Mr. Shashere was a visionary leader whose legacy of service and integrity remains etched in the state’s history. “On behalf of the Government and the people of Niger State, I extend our heartfelt…

CGC Adeniyi to deliver UNIFEMGA 2025 Reunion Lecture on Cross-Border Trade and Security

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Alhaji Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, is set to deliver the keynote lecture at the 2025 National Reunion Conference of the Obafemi Awolowo University Muslim Graduates’ Association (UNIFEMGA), scheduled to hold in Ile-Ife, Osun State.   The highly anticipated lecture, billed for Saturday, May 10, 2025, will take place at the iconic Oduduwa Hall, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU). Adeniyi, a distinguished alumnus of the university, will speak on the topic: “Cross Border Trade and Security Implications on the Nigerian Economy: Taking Advantage of Global…

NUJ honours Daily Independent Journalist, Jide Oyekunle with Torchbearer Award for Press Freedom

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has conferred the Torchbearer of Press Freedom Award 2025 on Comrade Jide Oyekunle, a journalist with Daily Independent and Secretary of the NUJ FCT Council, in recognition of his resilience and bravery in the face of threats and intimidation. Oyekunle emerged as one of the few journalists nominated for the prestigious award, reserved for media professionals who have endured harassment, threats, and arrests in the course of discharging their duties. He received the honour during the Press Freedom and Good Governance Awards 2025 held…

Nigeria Customs will establish Area Command at Snake Island Free Zone – CG Adeniyi assures

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi, has pledged the establishment of a dedicated Customs Area Command at the Snake Island Integrated Free Zone (SIIFZ) to boost operational efficiency and regulatory oversight.   Adeniyi made the commitment during an official visit to the facility on Wednesday, April 30, 2025. He lauded the level of investment at the zone and commended Nigerdock the maritime and logistics company operating the SIIFZ—for its impactful Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.   “We are just at the stage where we are…

Galaxy Backbone explores strategic collaboration with NCS, NCBN on digital infrastructure development

Lukman Laleye Babalola

In a move to deepen inter-agency collaboration and bolster Nigeria’s digital transformation drive, Galaxy Backbone Limited has initiated strategic talks with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and its communication arm, the Nigeria Customs Broadcasting Network (NCBN), during a courtesy visit to the NCS Headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, May 2, 2025. As part of ongoing efforts to strengthen institutional partnerships and support government agencies with reliable digital infrastructure, Galaxy Backbone Limited on Thursday, May 2, 2025, paid a courtesy visit to the Nigeria Customs Broadcasting Network (NCBN) at the Nigeria…

$3bn Refinery Fraud: EFCC uncovers N80bn in sacked MD’s Accounts, arrests Top NNPCL Officials

Emporium Reporters

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested the recently sacked managing directors and several top officials of Nigeria’s three major refineries—Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna—over alleged misappropriation of nearly $3 billion earmarked for their rehabilitation.   PUNCH reports that the EFCC is currently investigating the total sum of $2.96 billion allocated for the revamp of the facilities: $1.56 billion for the Port Harcourt Refinery, $740.6 million for Kaduna, and $656.9 million for Warri. Among those arrested are former managing directors Ibrahim Onoja (Port Harcourt Refining Company) and Efifia…

Jubilation in Port Harcourt as 500 Women receive SDGs/RHI Empowerment Support

Abubakar Yusuf

It was a moment of joy and celebration in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, as 500 women across the 23 Local Government Areas benefitted from a major empowerment programme jointly organised by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (OSSAP-SDGs) and the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), the humanitarian platform of the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.   The initiative, part of a nationwide programme, is in line with Nigeria’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 1 (No Poverty), Goal…