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PDP Governors Make New Move To Resolve Party’s Fracas  By Editor  State Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have waded into the crisis rocking the party with a call on the National Working Committee (NWC) to convoke a meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) to be held on March 18, 2025. Rising from a meeting of the Forum held at the Government House, Asaba, the Forum’s Chairman and Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, said, “The Forum noted with delight the ongoing efforts at resolving the crisis in the National Working Committee, NWC, on the position of the National Secretary, and has reaffirmed its support for the Court of Appeal judgment. “Consequently, the Forum advised the NWC to set up the machinery for the effective implementation of the court judgment. “The Forum, having examined all the notices required by law to be given to validly convoke NEC, advised NWC to reschedule NEC to the thirteenth (13th) of Marc...

FG Gives N30m To Relative Of Late  Akinkunmi, Nigerian Flag Designer By Editor  The Federal government has donated N30 million to the family of the late Taiwo Akinkunmi, the designer of the Nigerian flag. Akinkunmi died on August 30, 2023, at 87, after a brief illness. He was buried on September 6, 2024, a year after his demise, after his family waited endlessly for the state burial promised by the Federal government. Lanre Issa-Onilu, the director-general of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), and Olukemi Afolayan, the Oyo state director of the agency, on Thursday officially presented the N30 million cheque on behalf of the federal government to Akinkunmi’s family at his residence in Elebu, Ibadan. Issa-Onilu said the donation was to support Akinkunmi’s family and appreciate him for his contribution to the country. “The donation of N30 million to the family of renowned national flag designer was not to pay for the services of the late legend but to support his ...

Gov. Okpebholo Secures The Induction Of 128 Medical Graduates In AAU By Editor  As part of his commitment to students’ welfare, Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo has secured the induction for 128 medical graduates of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma.  The medical graduates have had their induction delayed since August 2024, after spending 10 years in medical school due to some lingering crisis.  Responding swiftly, the State Government, following a formal protest by the medical students, liaised with the relevant authorities to resolve the crisis and reposition the medical school for seamless induction.  Following this intervention, the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria has fixed the 13th of February, 2025, for these 128 medical graduates to be inducted into the medical profession  Edo State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Emmanuel Paddy Iyamu, speaking in Abuja during a visit to the medical council, thanked the Registrar, Dr. Fatima Ky...

NPFL25:  Bendel Insurance FC Secures 2-2 Draw With Rivers United By Editor  Bendel Insurance Football Club, Thursday began the second round of the 2025 Nigeria Premier Football League(NPFL) in a brilliant fashion as they were forced to a  2-2 draw by former league champions Rivers United in the match  day 21 game at the  Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium,Port Harcourt. The Benin Arsenals showed class and determination from the kickoff to the end as the  captain Meyinwa Oritseweyinmi shocked the hosts with a brilliant strike in the 6th minute of the game. Meyinwa was well positioned and received Michael Enaruna's intercepted cross from the left flank by Rivers Utd defender and cleverly slapped the ball against the roof of the post to give Insurance a deserved early lead. The coach Greg Ikhenoba managed Bendel Insurance remained confident and determined in absorbing the pressure from the home team until in the 34th minute when former Akwa Utd captain Fri...

Industrial Court Orders UBA To Pay N12.5m Damages For Breaching Employee’s Contract By Editor  The National  Court in Port Harcourt has deemed the 2014 termination of Mr. Patrick’s employment by United Bank for Africa (UBA) as wrongful and ordered the bank to pay compensation totalling N12.5 million in a landmark ruling, Apples Bite reports. Justice Zaynab Bashir found that UBA breached the employment contract by failing to provide proper notice or payment in lieu of notice at the time of termination. The court awarded Mr. Patrick N8.25 million for two-time recognition as a role model in the bank’s appraisal reports, N2.25 million for outstanding performance recognition, and N2 million in general damages. The case stemmed from Mr. Patrick’s employment as a Senior Banking Officer at UBA from August 2008 until his termination in January 2014. His legal team successfully argued that the termination ground of “service no longer required” violated UBA’s Disciplinary Pro...

Ex-NHIS Boss To Remain In EFCC Custody  By Editor  The Federal Capital Territory High Court, Kuje, has deferred the arraignment of former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme, Prof. Usman Yusuf, to Monday, February 3, 2025. Yusuf, who was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, was brought before Justice Chinyere E. Nwecheonwu on Thursday for his scheduled arraignment on allegations of fraud. However, the court adjourned the case to allow for amendment of charges. An EFCC statement on Thursday revealed this. During the brief session, defense counsel, Isah Dokto Haruna, who held brief for lead counsel O.I. Habeeb, SAN, sought bail for the defendant, but the judge declined the request due to the postponed arraignment. “In the absence of a formal arraignment, bail at this stage is premature,” Justice Nwecheonwu ruled, ordering that Yusuf remain in EFCC custody until his next court appearance. The ...

Ex-NHIS Boss To Be Remain In EFCC Custody  By Editor  The Federal Capital Territory High Court, Kuje, has deferred the arraignment of former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme, Prof. Usman Yusuf, to Monday, February 3, 2025. Yusuf, who was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, was brought before Justice Chinyere E. Nwecheonwu on Thursday for his scheduled arraignment on allegations of fraud. However, the court adjourned the case to allow for amendment of charges. An EFCC statement on Thursday revealed this. During the brief session, defense counsel, Isah Dokto Haruna, who held brief for lead counsel O.I. Habeeb, SAN, sought bail for the defendant, but the judge declined the request due to the postponed arraignment. “In the absence of a formal arraignment, bail at this stage is premature,” Justice Nwecheonwu ruled, ordering that Yusuf remain in EFCC custody until his next court appearance. T...

President Trump Calls For Deportation Of Pro-Hamas Students By Editor  President Donald Trump is calling the deportation of foreign students who took part in pro-Hamas protests on college campuses in the US. It would be recalled that a new executive order will target resident aliens including students with visas, who broke laws during demonstrations following the October 7, 2023 attacks in Israel. President Trump said he would instruct his Justice Department to ‘aggressively prosecute terroristic threats, arson, vandalism and violence against American Jews’. He added: ‘To all the resident aliens who joined in the pro-jihadist protests, we put you on notice… we will find you, and we will deport you. ‘I will also quickly cancel the student visas of all Hamas sympathisers on college campuses, which have been infested with radicalism like never before.’ It was the latest in a slew of orders that Trump has signed since becoming President as he looks to fulfill his campaign p...

JAMB Suspends Admission To Study Law In Select Varsities By Editor  The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) says it will not conduct admissions for the Law programme in some select universities following the suspension of the Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) programme by the Council of Legal Education (CLE) for the 2025/2026 academic session at the universities. The JAMB Spokesperson, Dr Fabian Benjamin, who stated this in a statement on Wednesday, listed the affected universities to include Kwara State University, Malete, Kwara State, Bingham University, Karu, Nasarawa State and Redeemers University, Ede, Osun State. Others are Western Delta University, Oghara, Delta State, Taraba State University, Jalingo, Taraba State, Arthur Jarvis University, Akpabuyo, Cross River State, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State and Nigerian Police Academy, Wudil, Kano State.

  NLC Announces New Date For Mass Protest Nationwide Against Telecom  Iduozee Efe Paul, Benin  As part of its mobilisation against the planned 50 percent telecom tariff hike, Nigerian workers under the aegis of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, have resolved to hold a nationwide anti-telecom tariff hike protest Tuesday, February 4. It was gathered that the nationwide protest was agreed on at the ongoing National Administrative Council, NAC of NLC, reports Vanguard. It is aimed at sounding a note of warning to the government that workers would resist the planned hike as it would worsen the poverty level across the country. Recall that NLC had, on January 22, rejected the 50 percent telecommunication tariffs hike approved by the Federal Government through the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC. According to NLC, the 50 percent tariffs hike approval, “at a time Nigerian workers and the masses are grappling with unprecedented economic hardship, is a clear ass...

Gov Okpebholo Suspends FEWMA Boss For Insubordination By Editor  Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has suspended the Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of Edo State Flood, Erosion and Watershed Management Agency (FEWMA), Mr. Ahmed Musa Momoh, over insubordination. In a press statement issued on behalf of Governor Okpebholo by his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, the suspended appointee has been ordered to handover all Government properties in his possession to the most senior public servant in the Agency.  "The Executive Governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo has approved the suspension of the Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of Edo State Flood, Erosion and Watershed Management Agency (FEWMA), Mr. Ahmed Musa Momoh, effective immediately. "Mr. Momoh has been instructed by His Excellency to handover all Government properties in his possession to the most senior public servant in the Agency and proceed on immedi...

Oba Of Benin Condemns Unauthorize Use Of Sacred Benin Royal Paraphernalia Iduozee Efe Paul, Benin  The Oba of Benin Palace in Benin City today placed curses on individuals, collaborators plotting to tarnish Benin monarchy and those peddling false narratives about Benin customs and tradition on social media. Speaking to journalists in Benin  shortly after some Palace Chiefs comprising traditional Physicians, Priests, Priestesses, and Ayelala devotees, performed the solemn ritual at the main entrance gate of the Benin Palace in Benin City, Edo State, Chief Norense  Ozigbo-Esere,  the Osuma  of Benin  leading other Palace Chiefs said the consequences of the breach and violation  of this age-long customs and tradition would be meant with serious consequences on those involved and their generations yet unborn. “It has come to the attention of the Benin Traditional Council that some individuals have formed the habit of indulging in the abuse, abe...

PASTOR AZEMHE GOES HOME FROM SCHOOL  By Austen Akhagbeme It was the late Nigerian writer and academic, Onuora Nzekwu and his British co-author, Michael Crowder, who gave Africa one of the most popular Children's Novel titled "Eze Goes To School" It was the story of an indigent student who struggled to go to school but later distinguished himself by his intelligence and hard work. While the popular Philanthropist and Politician, Pastor Azemhe Azena's early story in life may have a semblance of Eze Adi's, the protagonist of the Children's Novel described above, his determination to join the Law Faculty as a student at the Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma, in Edo state, five years ago and hard work, has successfully come to an inspiring ending this week Wednesday. Amidst pomp and pageantry, Pastor Azemhe Azena "signed out" from the faculty with a Bachelor's degree in his yawning intellectual bag,  surrounded by schoolmates, lecturers and s...

Gov.  Okpebholo Signs Two Vital Bill Into Law By Editor Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has signed two significant bills into law, marking a new phase in the State’s Judiciary and oil sector governance. The first bill raises the retirement age for magistrates in the State from 60 to 65 years.  This legislative move aims to enhance the efficiency and experience of the judiciary by allowing seasoned magistrates to serve longer, thereby improving the administration of justice in the State. In another development, the Governor has assented to a bill that increases the number of members of the State’s oil agency.  The expansion is expected to improve governance, representation, and operational efficiency within the agency, ensuring better management of the State’s oil resources and fostering economic growth. Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Governor reaffirmed his administration's commitment to strengthening institutions that drive justice and ec...

Stakeholders Advocate Against Consumption Of Chemical Foods In Edo  Iduozee Efe Paul, Benin  The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has called on Nigerians to be mindful of consuming chemical preservative in foodstuffs to avoid deadly diseases. Disclosing the information,  NOA State Director, Edo State Directorate, Barr. Osahon B. Woghiren, said the use of dangerous chemicals in food preservation posed significant health and safety risk to consumers. Barr. Osahon  Woghiren made the the statements in a town hall meeting with stakeholders on public enlightenment campaign against the use of dangerous chemicals in the preservation of foodstuffs in Benin city, Edo state. He said dangerous chemicals in food preservation is seen as unapproved preservatives, such as chemicals like formalin, boric acid and others. The NOA boss said, if you go to our various markets people who are selling different products are using dangerous chemicals in preserving foodstuffs, whi...

NSC Appoints Olympian, Yusuf Ali, Head of Elite Athletes Development, Podium Board By Kehinde Osagiede The National Sports Commission,(NSC), has appointed E'xinternational and former Edo State Sports Commission Chairman Olympian Yusuf Ali as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of its Elite Athletes Development and Podium Board. The appointment was contained In a statement signed by the Director General of the National Sports Commission, Hon, Bukola Olopade. The statement specified that the board has been saddled with the mandate of creating a sustainable system for Nigeria Elites and their welfare. According to the statement, Mr Bambo Akanni of the ‘Making of Champions’ will serve as a consultant and member of the Committee. The 13 member committee will also have Prof. Ken Anugweje as Adviser and Member. Other members of the board include Dr Emmanuel Igbinosa, Salihu Abubakar, Aku Aghazu, Tunde Adelakun and Prof. Sadiq Abdulahi. The Committee also has former Olympian Mary...

Obasa, His Mouth And Wild Pigeon  By Suyi Ayodele         Mudashiru Obasa was until January 13, 2025, the Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly. He was first elected to the House in 2007. He was re-elected in 2011, 2014, 2019 and 2023! If his mouth allowed him to complete his current term, he would have been a member of the Lagos legislative arm for 25 years. Like the proverbial squirrel whose palm kernel was cracked for him by a benevolent spirit, Obasa began his political career as a councillor in 1999 at his Agege Local Government Area of the state under the banner of Alliance for Democracy (AD). He has God to thank and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to worship for his rise to political stardom. But like the biblical Jeshurun, who in Deuteronomy 32: 15 is recorded thus: “ But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked; thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered with fatness; then he forsook God which made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of hi...

Tinubu Approves New Federal Poly In Abuja, Names It After Himself By Editor  President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a Federal Polytechnic in Gwarinpa, one of the largest estates in the nation’s capital. In a letter dated January 16, 2025 and addressed to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, said the federal government had approved the establishment of Bola Ahmed Tinubu Polytechnic, Gwarinpa to promote technological, vocational and entrepreneurial training in line with the national policy on education. The education minister, in the letter he personally signed, requested Wike to suggest the proposed locations for the temporary and permanent sites in Gwarinpa for the takeoff of the institution. Journalist reported that the new institution is also named after the President. The minister said the technical team from the Federal Ministry of Education and the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) would be visiting the sites and...

    Sen. Nwaoboshi Alleges Ned Nwoko Plans To Destroy Delta APC, Dissolve State Excos  By Editor  The immediate past senator representing Delta North Senatorial District and leader of the party in Anioma, Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, has described the planned defection of Senator Ned Nwoko to the All Progressives Congress (APC) as an attempt to destabilise the party in the state.   Nwaoboshi also accused the Delta North Senator of working with some power brokers in the presidency to immediately dissolve the state working committee and all ward executives of Delta APC before the expiration of their tenure.   He made the allegation in a statement titled “Ned Nwoko’s Attempts to Destabilize the Delta State APC” and made available to journalists on Tuesday in Asaba, Delta State capital.   Senator Ned Nwoko, who represented Delta North at the National Assembly on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), recently announced his plans to def...

World Bank Bans Two  Nigerian Firms From Operations ...Viva Atlantic Limited, Technology House Limited By Editor  The World Bank has announced a 30-month debarment affecting two Nigerian firms, Viva Atlantic Limited and Technology House Limited, as well as their Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Norman Didam, due to alleged corrupt activities. According to Naija News, this declaration prohibits Viva Atlantic Limited, Technology House Limited, and Didam from engaging in any projects or operations financed by the World Bank Group during this period. According to a statement from the Washington-based institution, the sanctions are a result of findings related to fraudulent, collusive, and corrupt practices associated with the National Social Safety Nets Project (NSSNP) in Nigeria. The NSSNP was designed to strengthen Nigeria’s social safety net systems by delivering targeted financial assistance to impoverished and vulnerable households. However, the Worl...

Gele-Gele Community Laments lack of Basic Amenities, Calls For Govt. Attention  Iduozee Efe Paul, Benin  Indigenes and residents in Gele-Gele Community in Ovia North East local government of Edo state have lamented lack of basic amenities in their locality, and therefore called for government attention. Speaking to newsmen about the bad conditions in the community, Chief Macurley Ayuwe Amaokosuwei-Gboluwei, said they don't have teachers both in their primary and secondary schools in the community. Chief Macurley Ayuwe Amaokosuwei-Gboluwei, asserted that Gele-Gele as an oil producing community in Edo state supposed not to lack any good thing and appealed to the state government to come to their aid. He said," when you pass our road, you will not be able to access it because of the bad conditions of the road. If it rains you cannot pass our road. We are going through suffering because of bad roads. " Don't forget that this is one of the oil producing communi...

U-19 Cricket W/Cup: Nigeria Stuns New Zealand To Claim Historic Win In Malaysia  By Editor  Nigeria’s Under 19 female team, the Junior Female Yellow Greens on Monday morning shocked the Crickets world  as they  defeated one of the tournament's favorite New Zealand by two runs at the ongoing 2025  U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup in Malaysia. The match which was delayed as a result of heavy rainfall  turned out to be Nigerian team’s best outing  as the match began over two hours after its scheduled time with reduced overs. Nigeria ended their first match of the tournament with Samoa in a stalemate on Saturday. New Zealand elected to field first, sending the Nigerian batters into the crease. Captain Lucky Piety, who was named player of the match, hit Nigeria’s first six at a Women’s World Cup in a steadied innings as the Junior Female Yellow Greens finished with 65 runs for the loss of six wickets in 13 overs. Sarah Bakhita’s team took the second innings slow ...

EDO NUJ CONDEMNS DSS ASSAULT ON JOURNALISTS, DEMANDS APOLOGY By Editor  The Nigeria Union of the (NUJ), Edo State Council condemn in strong terms, the unwarranted attack on journalists by officials of the Department of State Services (DSS) at the Edo State Election Petition Tribunal sitting on Monday January 20, 2025.  The attempt to bar journalists from performing their constitutional duties is a blatant assault on press freedom and the fundamental right of citizens to information and free speech. The actions of the DSS operatives are not only unacceptable, but also a clear indication of the growing hostility towards the media in Nigeria.  We therefore call on the Director-General of the DSS and the Edo State Director of the service to take immediate steps to caution their personnel and prevent future occurrences. We stand in solidarity with our colleagues who were harassed and intimidated by the DSS operatives. We demand an unconditional apology to NUJ and a...