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Enugu Police Arrest Man Who Allegedly Killed Mother, Grandma, Sister, Nephew For Money Ritual By Editor  The Enugu State Police Command has arrested a young man from Amaeze, Nsukka, for allegedly poisoning and killing his mother, grandmother, sister, and nephew in a chilling attempt to perform a money ritual known as "Okeite." The incident, which reportedly occurred in September 2024, has sent shockwaves across the region, exposing the horrors of ritualistic practices rooted in superstition. According to reports, the suspect was apprehended by a mob that paraded him through the community, forcing him to the graves of his victims to beg for forgiveness. He was later handed over to the police for further investigation. Reacting to the incident, the Advocacy for Alleged Witches (AfAW) issued a statement on Thursday, condemning the killings and calling on the Nigeria Police Force to bring all culprits to justice. Dr. Leo Igwe, Director of AfAW, emphasized the need to ...

Ardova Handball Premier League 2024 Phase 2 Begins In Lagos  ...As Tojemarine, Safety Babes Maintain Leads  By Kehinde Osagiede The Ardova Handball Premier League 2024 League commenced In Lagos state on Wednesday, November 27,,2024  with Tojemarine Handball Club and Safety Babes taking the leads as they won their matches on day 1 of the competition. As actions began in the Phase 2 of the Handball league in Lagos on Wednesday, the defending champion Safety Babes continued their over two years winning streak as they defeated Rivers Queens 36-27 to maintain their lead In the women's category, while Delta Queens, whose goalkeeper Emuore Emamuzo had an MVP performance with vital saves, defeated Bendel Dynamos 34-18. Despite an inspiring MVP performance by Goalkeeper Omaluwa Susan and a tension soaked end to end game, Defender Babes were surplus to requirement as they lost 36-34 to an exciting Rima Queens team while Seasider Babes and COAS Babes played out a massive...

Azemhe Felicitates With The Minister of Regional Development, Engr Momoh By Austen Akhagbeme Edo State renowned Televangelist, Philanthropist and Politician, Dr Azemhe Azena, sent heartfelt wishes to the Minister of Regional Development, Engr Abubakar Momoh, on the occasion of his birthday celebration yesterday the 27th of November, as he turned 65 years.  The NNPP Governorship Candidate in the September election in Edo State, in a message by his media team in Benin City on Thursday morning, extolled the virtues of Engr Momoh, describing him as a true son of North-Ibie and Edo State in general. "Considering your developmental strides and laudable infrastructural initiatives so far, especially within your immediate constituency, one cannot but be grateful to God for remembering us through your political appointment as an Honourable minister," he said.  Dr Azemhe Azena expressed confidence in the ability of the Honourable Minister to deliver the dividends of Democra...

Nigeria Senators Protest Over  Tax Bill ...As Lawmakers Kick Against The FIRS Chair’s Into Chamber  By Editor  The Senate today protested entry of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Chair, Zacch Adedeji and consultants to the Senate. This was after the Upper Chamber suspended its rules to admit Adedeji and the consultants to explain what the Tax Reform Bill entailed, reports Channels TV. More so, before they were admitted, a slight uproar ensued as some lawmakers kicked against the FIRS Chair’s entry to the chamber. Sen.Ningi and Ndume raised an objection over the senate’s decision to suspend the business of the day and entertain a separate matter, in spite of its validity. According to the visibly angry senator, “The order says our business will be based on what is on the order paper and it is not on the order paper, It’s not a matter that you will just come and tell us, Mr President you can have your way, but I’ll have my say, you can use the gavel bu...

2025 Budget: Delta Assembly Increases N936.1 Billion  To N979.2 Billion By Editor  Delta State House of Assembly, Tuesday passed the State Appropriation Bill, aka Delta State Budget, for the services of the state for 2025 financial year. The passed budget christened “Budget of Fiscal Consolidation”, saw an increase of the total amount from 936. 1 billion naira presented to House last week for legislative actions by the State Governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori to 979.2 billion naira. The breakdown of the amount showed the recurrent expenditure estimate amended from 348.717 billion naira to 348.767 billion naira, while capital expenditure was moved to 630.461 billion naira from 587.361 billion naira. The amendment according to the Chairman, Assembly Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Hon Maryln Okowa-Daramola, represents an increase of N50 million which is 0.014% over the proposed recurrent expenditure and an increase of 43.1 billion naira which is 7.34% over t...

NASS Probes Power Distribution Firms Over Outdated Meters By Editor  The House of Representatives has directed its Committee on Power to investigate electricity distribution companies (DisCos) over their failure to replace outdated meters and improve critical infrastructure. The probe also seeks to address the reliance on consumer contributions for maintenance and equipment replacement, a practice widely criticised by Nigerians. In a resolution passed on Wednesday, the House urged the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to enforce its directive mandating DisCos to replace obsolete meters at no cost to consumers within a specified timeframe. Meanwhile, lawmakers called on the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, to prioritise funding and provide incentives to upgrade infrastructure, such as transformers, to reduce load-shedding and enhance electricity service delivery nationwide. The resolutions followed a motion of urgent national importance raised by Repre...

The War Of Governors And Deputies  By Suyi Ayodele       On Friday, July 29, 1910, the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland was told by his messenger: “Aiyé ti bàjé (the world is spoiled). The oba responded curtly: “Mo j’Owá lónìí (‘I become Owa today’).” That is how British anthropologist, Professor J. D.Y. Peel, documented how the palace responded to the death of Ijesha war commander, Chief Ògèdèngbé Agbógungbórò. He was the king’s deputy, the Obaala of Ilesa. The Owá reportedly rebuked the messenger for announcing the death of his second in command as if it was a loss to the palace. Why would a king rejoice at the death of his subject? Or, more appropriately, why would the Owá intone that he truly became the king only at the death of his deputy? Ògèdèngbé Agbógungbórò was the Obaálá of Ijeshaland in the present Osun State. He was the king’s second-in-command. The reigning Owá of Ijeshaland then was Owá Atáyéro. Ògèdèngbé was a great warrior.  He was also a tem...

Book Launched: Former Uniben Don Harps On Sound Leadership In Nigeria  Iduozee Efe Paul, Benin  Former lecturer in Faculty of Agriculture, University of Benin, Prof. Dan Enobakhare, has posited that, the vitality of sound leadership, as the panacea for development, stated that no country can ever rise beyond the level of the leaders, no matter the abundance of its endowed resources. Prof. Enobakhare made the statements when reviewing the book title:" Dialogue with My Fellow Old Boys," written by HRH Ogiefo Festus Iduozee, JP, as part of the activities to marked the 80th Anniversary of Immaculate Conception Olds Boys Association (ICCOBA), Benin city, Edo state. According to the book reviewer, he said while emphasizing on a topic in the book titled:" Policy Reforms in a Globalized Economy: Which Way Nigeria, asserted that, Nigeria relished in the fast global economy, but failed to acknowledge the enormous sacrifices, determination that other countries have put ...

NPFL25: Deputy Gov Boosts Bendel Insurance Zeal Ahead Nasarawa Clash ... Redeems N1 5M Pledge  The Deputy Governor of Edo State Rt Hon Dennis Idahosa, Sunday has redeemed his N1. 5M (One Million and Five Hundred Naira) to Bendel Insurance FC team , following their 3-1 victory over Kwara Utd in Match Day 13 of the Nigeria Premier Football League .  Impressed by the performance of the Benin Arsenals in the 3-1 victory against the Harmony Boys at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin on Saturday evening, the Deputy Governor who watched his state owned team love from kick off to the end made a promise to gift them the said amount of money as a reward for hard work.  Hon Idahosa said he was watching Insurance FC for the first time since his election as the deputy governor of Edo State and was impressed with the team.  " I am impressed with the performance of our team. We will see how we can encourage the team to improve. We are going to do all that is necessar...

Stakeholders In Health Sector Strategize On How To Strengthen System  Iduozee Efe Paul, Benin  Edo State stakeholders meeting for social and behavioral change communication forum has been held with a call happatis members ,professionals in the forum to work assiduously ,and strengthen synergy with the various partners and donor Agencies in the health sector to achieve the desired results.     The meeting which was facilitated by the The Challenge Initiative TCI focused attention on key areas , especially attaining the over all objectives of the SBCC aimed at reviewing SBCC strategies and their impact on public health in Edo State. "Developing action plans for upcoming SBCC campaigns and adopt innovative approaches to behavioral change communication in our Local context remains core values"      Director of public health, Ministry of Health Edo State,Dr Stephenson Ojeifo represented by the state family reproductive health officer Mrs Adja Ab...

WAEC Blacklists 13 Schools, 14 Supervisors Over Malpractices By Editor  The Commissioner for Education, Hon. Wemi Jones has stated this in Lokoja in a meeting with some principals and supervisors who were indicted by West African Examination Council (WAEC) for alleged examination malpractices. According to the Commissioner, “Any principal, teachers and supervisors who aid and abet examination malpractices will henceforth be prosecuted in accordance with Kogi State Education Law and Other Matters Connected Therewith, 2020”. Jones emphasized that examination malpractices is a criminal offence and will be treated in accordance with the law. The Commissioner further disclosed that a committee headed by the Permanent Secretary has been set up to investigate personalities that were indicted by WAEC and that whoever that is found wanting will be prosecuted in the law court. “Kogi State Government has invested so much in education and will no longer tolerate the attitude of som...

Edo Gov. Dissolves AAU Governing Council, Other State-Owned Tertiary Institutions By Editor  …Disengages Management Staff Of Edo Specialist, Stella Obasanjo Hospitals By Editor  Edo State Executive Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo has approved the dissolution of the Ambrose Alli University (AAU) Governing Council and all state-owned tertiary institutions. In the same vein, Governor Okpebholo has also approved the disengagement of the Management Staff of Edo Specialist Hospital and Stella Obasanjo Hospital, Benin City with immediate effect. Both approvals were conveyed in a “Government Special Announcement” dated November 20, 2024 and signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Umar Musa Ikhilor, Esq. According to Ikholor, “It is hereby announced for the information of the General Public that the Governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo has approved the dissolution of the Governing Councils of all State owned Tertiary Institutions...

International Men's Day 2024: Azemhe Greets men worldwide By Austen Akhagbeme A BeninCity-based Philanthropist and the Governorship Candidate of the NNPP in the last Edo Election, Dr Azemhe Azena (JP), has sent greetings to men, especially the menfolk in Edo State, on the occasion of the celebration of the International Men's Day today, November 18th. In a message through his media team, the Televangelist called on men in Edo state to be resilient despite the economic conditions while demonstrating leadership on all fronts to move the state forward.  Dr Azemhe Azena called on the new government in Edo State to "remember the Men, especially those in rural areas who laboured daily to provide for their families despite the hard economic reality in our day" " The well-being and protection of Men in any society is crucial to the development of that society" he added. The International Day for Men is a day set aside every November 18th by the United Na...

Suicide Case: Edo Court Set To Issue  Bench Warrant Against Defendants   By Editor  A Federal High Court sitting in Benin City is set to issue a bench warrant against Jessica Iguodala Oghomwen and Akpes Omorodion, the first and second defendants in a case involving the alleged suicide of Mrs. Lilian Omokhuale, daughter of Omoruyi Oloton, Chief Executive Officer of Uyi Technical Limited. The incident occurred on October 7, 2022. Following a police investigation, several individuals were arrested and arraigned in the Federal High Court, Benin City. The case, marked FHC/B/5C/2004, has six defendants, including Chukwudi Mudiaga, Joy Noren, Vincent Uhunmwangho, and Blessing Jatto, listed as the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth defendants, respectively. During Tuesday’s proceedings, the first, second, and third defendants were absent, prompting strong criticism from the presiding judge, Hon. Justice B. O. Quadri. The judge described the delays as a "circus show"...

Edo Cult War: Concerned Edo Ladies Want End To Killing  Iduozee Efe Paul, Benin  A group, known as "Concerned Edo Ladies", has called on those involved in cult war that has resulted to the killings of several youths in the state to sheath their sword and embrace peace. The body in clad in black, with branded placards with the inscriptions "Stop killing people in the name of justice, say no to killings in Edo, stop killing our husbands, stop killing our brothers, stop killing our leaders, stop killing our youths" and others, said, the act has made them young widows. In a statement signed by the conveners of the group, Precious Omoghan Ikponmwen and Ojo Gloria Eki, made available to  Journalists at the premises of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo State council, said the killings are needless rather they should embrace a peaceful means of resolving their differences. They said the youths are the leaders of tomorrow hence they should see themselve...

Cultism In Edo:  Okpebholo Urges Security Agencies To End Menace  By Editor  Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, on Monday night, ordered heads of various security agencies in the State to make the Heartbeat unsafe for criminals elements. The Governor gave the charge while briefing newsmen at the end of an inaugural security meeting, held behind closed doors in Government House, Benin City, Edo State. Governor Okpebholo said his administration places a priority on security and revealed that his government is doing everything to ensure that the State is safe for every resident. He noted that the issue of cultism dominated the security discussion, and his administration will not fold its arms, while cult-related killings go on in the State. He urged security agencies to collaborate and ensure that they put a stop to the killings in the State, especially in Benin City.  "During my campaign, I placed security above all. It is a priority for my admin...

CAF Awards: Lookman, Nwabali Make Final Shortlist By Editor  Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman and goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali have both been named in the final five-man shortlist for the CAF player and keeper of the year awards but defender William Troost-Ekong missed out on the final list. Alertnews reports that three weeks after releasing the initial long list, CAF has officially unveiled the top five nominees in each of the men’s categories of the upcoming CAF Awards 2024, set to take place in Marrakech, Morocco by December 16. Atalanta Europa League hero, Lookman, leads the final shortlist for the men’s Player of The Year Award along with Ivory Coast’s Simon Adingra, Guinea striker Serhou Guirassy, Morocco defender Achraf Hakimi and South Africa goalkeeper Ronwen Williams. AFCON 2023 MVP, Troost-Ekong is a surprise omission from the final shortlist. Chippa United goalkeeper, Nwabali, who starred for Nigeria during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast ear...

General Lagbaja: Rise, Deities Of Vengeance  By Suyi Ayodele   November 19, 2024       “Generally, any of my children or wives can have access to my grave site to pray and or seek spiritual assistance.” This is the last paragraph of the Will of the late grandfather of human rights activism in Nigeria, Chief Gani Fawehinmi. The Will was dated December 19, 2008. The late lawyer, a devout Muslim in his lifetime, believed that the dead can commune with the living. Hence, in his Will, he granted permission for his children and wives to seek spiritual assistance at his grave side. Modern-day religionists would call him names. But the man called Gani would not bulge. The paragraph preceding the quoted one has a curse embedded in it. Hear Fawehinmi again: “I plead with all my children and wives not to resort to any form of court litigation over my Will. They should resolve amicably any dispute or controversy with themselves…. I have had enough of painful str...

Edo RMA Protests Inclusion lnto Edo State Task Force Against Human Trafficking Iduozee Efe Paul, Benin  A group known as “Returned Migrants Association” (RMA), Edo State, has called on the Executive Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo to include members of the association into the administration of the Edo State Task Force Against Human Trafficking/Edo State Migration Agency with the view of strengthening the agency and halting irregular migration in the state. The Association who protested across some streets in Benin City, stopped over at the secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo State with different inscriptions, such as “Give Back Our Shelter”, “Shelter Belong To The Returned Migrants”, “Return Migrants Shelter Have Been Taken”, etc. said the new government must do all in its power to investigate the agency noting that the purpose of setting it up has been defeated at the moment. Speaking on behalf of the Association, Mr. Jude O. Iku...

Oba Ewuare II Cautions Okpebholo To Operate  Govt. That Is All-Inclusive Iduozee Efe Paul, Benin  The Benin Monarch, Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, CFR, Oba of Benin has congratulated Senator Monday Okpebholo on his swearing-in as Governor of Edo State, with a caution to operate a government that is all-inclusive in order to enhance the welfare of the people of the State. Issuing the statements,  Secretary, Benin Traditional Council (BTC), Mr Frank Irabor on Monday in a statement, said Oba Ewuare II has no doubt that Okpebholo will bring his wealth of experience as a businessman and politician to bear in this position and fulfill his mandate to Edo people at home and diaspora. The first Class traditional ruler pray to God Almighty and his Royal Ancestors to grant him the wherewithal to pilot the affairs of the State higher heights. Part of the statement reads: “His Royal Majesty has no doubt that His Excellency’s vast wealth of experience as a ...