Category: News

NSCIA calls for Ramadan moon sighting, urges muslims to remain steadfast amid challenges

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has urged Muslims across the country to look out for the crescent moon signalling the commencement of Ramadan 1447 A.H. after sunset on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. In a statement signed by its Secretary-General, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, the Council congratulated the Muslim Ummah on the approaching fasting season and called for spiritual preparedness as believers anticipate the holy month. The Council disclosed that the moon sighting exercise would be coordinated by the National Moon Sighting Committee in consultation with the National Space…

Nigeria, Angola seal Visa waiver deal to boost diplomatic engagement

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Nigeria and Angola have signed a bilateral agreement waiving visa requirements for holders of diplomatic and official passports, a move aimed at strengthening government-to-government relations and enhancing regional cooperation across Africa. The agreement was formalised on Sunday on the sidelines of the 39th Ordinary Session of the African Union held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, signed the agreement on behalf of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, while Angola’s Minister of External Relations, Tete António, signed for the Republic of Angola. According to officials,…

Nigeria backs African Union reforms, strengthens UK ties at Addis Ababa Summit

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Nigeria has endorsed sweeping institutional reforms within the African Union (AU), reaffirmed its commitment to improved peace and security governance, stronger democratic institutions, and enhanced cooperation with global financial partners and the private sector. The country’s position was presented by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, during a closed session of the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. According to Nigeria’s delegation, the proposed reforms focus on strengthening continental peace and security architecture, deepening democratic…

FG warns Nigerians against illegal recruitment into foreign wars

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Government has raised alarm over the growing cases of Nigerian citizens being illegally recruited into foreign armed conflicts under deceptive arrangements, warning that such engagements endanger lives and may violate both national and international laws. In a press statement issued on Sunday by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the government expressed grave concern over reports indicating that Nigerians are being lured abroad with false promises of lucrative employment, security jobs, educational opportunities, and migration incentives, only to be deployed to active combat zones. According to the statement signed…

NOWA President commissions classrooms, upgrades music laboratory in Navy Town Ojo

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The President of the Naval Officers’ Wives Association (NOWA), Aisha Idi Abbas, has commissioned a block of four classrooms and a renovated music laboratory at Navy Town, Ojo, aimed at improving educational standards for children of naval personnel. The commissioning ceremony, held on Friday, February 13, 2026, formed part of welfare and education-focused interventions designed to enhance learning conditions within naval communities. The initiative is expected to provide a more conducive academic environment, particularly for students affected by frequent relocations associated with military postings. Mrs. Abbas said the project reflects…

236 Cocaine Pellets excreted as NDLEA busts Airport drug rings, foils prison-coordinated trafficking network

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have recorded major breakthroughs in ongoing nationwide anti-drug operations, arrested a China-based Nigerian businessman and two Angolan nationals who excreted a combined 236 wraps of cocaine after being intercepted at airports in Abuja and Kano. The arrests were disclosed on Sunday by NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, who detailed a series of coordinated operations that also uncovered drug consignments concealed in food items, children’s toys, and a synthetic cannabis production facility in Lagos. According to Babafemi, the China-based…

BIPOGA 2026 opens in Asaba as Police reaffirm commitment to fitness, operational readiness

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigeria Police Force has officially commenced the 15th edition of the Biennial Police Games (BIPOGA 2026) in Asaba, Delta State, reaffirmed its commitment to physical fitness, unity, professionalism, and operational readiness as key pillars of effective policing. The opening ceremony, held at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, attracted senior government officials, security chiefs, and sports stakeholders from across the country, marking the beginning of what organisers described as a celebration of discipline, teamwork, and institutional pride. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by the Minister of Defence, Christopher Gwabin Musa, attended…

Ojukwu elected to GANHRI Bureau, boosts Nigeria’s global human rights profile

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Tony Ojukwu, has been elected into the Bureau of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI), marking a significant milestone for Nigeria’s participation in global human rights governance. The development is widely regarded as a recognition of the NHRC’s increasing influence and contributions to the promotion and protection of human rights at both regional and international levels. Speaking on the achievement, Ojukwu described the election as a testament to Nigeria’s growing role in advancing human rights globally. He…

NAOWA President unveils reform agenda at maiden leadership meetings

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The President of the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA), Mrs Safiyyah Hassan Shaibu, has unveiled a comprehensive reform-driven agenda aimed at strengthening discipline, welfare delivery and financial prudence within the Association. Mrs Shaibu made this known while presiding over her maiden Executive and General Meetings held on Thursday, February 12 and Friday, February 13, 2026, at the AHQ Command Mess 1, Asokoro, Abuja. As the 25th President of NAOWA, she described the two-day engagement as a defining moment focused on purposeful leadership, institutional evaluation and strategic direction. According to…

Bingham University, Russian partner hold training on Ethical AI, Digital Pedagogy

Emporium Reporters

By David Ookwu Akoji   Bingham University has deepened its international academic collaboration through a partnership with the Centre for Continuing Professional Education, Faculty of Philology, Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), to organise a two-day professional short course on Ethical Artificial Intelligence and Digital Pedagogy. The training, held at the Faculty of Architecture Auditorium of Bingham University, attracted more than 120 participants, including academics, researchers, postgraduate students and media professionals from within and outside the university community. Organised under the themes “Implementing Ethical AI in Academic Research and…