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Nigeria Health Workers Threaten Strike ...Demand Payment Of Salary Arrears  By Editor   The Nigeria Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP) has urged the federal government to settle the outstanding seven months’ salary arrears arising from the 2024 pay rise for health workers.  This demand was outlined in a communiqué issued following the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of NUAHP and the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) held in Jos, Plateau State.  NUAHP represents a range of allied health professionals, including pharmacists, physiotherapists, medical laboratory scientists, imaging scientists, dental technologists, occupational therapists, health information management practitioners, dental therapists, dietitians, and others.  The NEC expressed deep concern over the delay in implementing the 25% and 35% adjustments to the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS), covering the period from June to December 2023.  “The ...

Dr. Azemhe  Salutes Catholics Worldwide On Election Of Pope Leo XIV By Editor  Edo State-based renowned Preacher and Politician, Dr Azemhe Azena, JP, has extended his warm greetings to the Catholic Church Community worldwide for the successful election of the Holy Pontiff, Pope Leo XIV, on Thursday, 8th May 2025. The NNPP Chieftain expresses confidence in the ability of the new Pope to lead the over 1.4 Billion Catholic Faithful in service to God while bringing peace to the world.  He asserted,"With his over two decades of robust experience in the inner-city mission fields of Peru and the entire South America, there's no doubt that his humility and love for humanity will bring peace to our world".  Dr Azemhe Azena prays for wisdom and good health for the new Pontiff as he embarks on his sacred responsibility. Former Cardinal Roberto Prevost emerged as the first American Pope in history on Thursday, after the 2-day conclave of 133 Cardinals to ...

Etsako Locality Rejects Monarch, Blames Imposition Of Danesi As Aidonogie Of South Ibie by Edo Govt HRH Inusa Umoru, Kelvin Danesi  Hendrix Oliomogbe  The Aidonogie of South Ibie, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State, His Royal Highness Inusa Umoru Inusa has rejected the recognition of Alhaji Kelvin Danesi as the substantive ruler of the community by the state government. In a petition to Governor Monday Okpebholo and titled "Re: The Validity of My Nomination, Presentation, Appointment and Recognition as Aidonogie of South Ibie",  he wrote that the presentation of Alhaji Danesi from the Danesi branch of the Okhokho Ruling House as the traditional ruler in 1997 was unpopular for the fact that his father was not an Aidonogie and he was also not the eldest surviving son of a former Aidonogie from Danesi branch as contained in Declaration of Customary Law Regulating Succession to Traditional Ruler Title B.S.L.N 136 of 1979. Following what he insisted as ...

Dr. Azemhe  Greets Catholics Worldwide On Election Of Pope Leo XIV By Editor  Edo State-based renowned Preacher and Politician, Dr Azemhe Azena, JP, has extended his warm greetings to the Catholic Church Community worldwide for the successful election of the Holy Pontiff, Pope Leo XIV, on Thursday, 8th May 2025. The NNPP Chieftain expresses confidence in the ability of the new Pope to lead the over 1.4 million Catholic Faithful in service to God while bringing peace to the world.  "With his over two decades of robust experience in the inner-city mission fields of Peru and the entire South America, there's no doubt that his humility and love for humanity will bring peace to our world", he said. Dr Azemhe Azena prays for wisdom and good health for the new Pontiff as he embarks on his sacred responsibility. Former Cardinal Roberto Prevost emerged as the first American Pope in history on Thursday, after the 2-day conclave of 133 Cardinals to replace th...

TUESDAY FLAT OUT Ganduje And China’s Execution Noose  By Suyi Ayodele (Published in the Nigerian Tribune on Tuesday, May 13, 2025) https://tribuneonlineng.com/ganduje-and-chinas-execution-noose/  "I have not knelt since China's liberation." Those were the last words she spoke before the executioner put a shot in the back of her head. She refused to kneel down at her execution. She died standing! Yan Jianhong was a Deputy Secretary of the Guizhou Provincial Planning Commission, People’s Republic of China. She was also a former member of the Standing Committee of the Guizhou Provincial Political Consultative Conference, and former Chairman, Guizhou International Trust and Investment Corporation. Her husband, Liu Zhengwei was Communist Party Secretary of Guizhou Province. She took undue advantage of those positions. She was executed on January 16, 1995, for corruption, her status did not count. She was not alone. On September 14, 2000, China executed Cheng Kejie....

Ganduje Lampoons PDP, Says Party Is Dead, Buried Politics By Editor  Abdullahi Ganduje, who is the national chairman of Nigeria’s ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), says that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is close to falling apart. He made this statement after a former governor, Sule Lamido, said that the APC would soon break up and that some of its members, including Ganduje, would return to the PDP. Ganduje strongly disagreed. He said those comments made by Lamido were not true and didn’t make sense. He also said he has no reason to leave the APC and go back to a party he believes is “failing.” He added, “In fact, we will soon welcome Sule Lamido into the APC because the PDP is almost gone.” According to Ganduje, too many problems inside the PDP will cause it to collapse before 2025 ends. He said the APC is getting stronger under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and that many important politicians are leaving their parties to join the APC. He believes...

  Egypt 2025: Nigeria Is First African Country To Qualify For 2025 FIFA U20 World Cup Finals   Two-time runners-up Nigeria have again booked their ticket to the FIFA U20 World Cup finals after edging out Cup holders Senegal from the CAF U20 Cup of Nations in Egypt on Monday. In the event, the Flying Eagles hearkened to the charge by NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi on Saturday, for the team to play with a different spirit and character.   A battling encounter at the Suez Canal Authority Stadium in Ismailia finished scoreless even after extra time, and the encounter had to be settled after penalty shootout in Egypt’s third city.   Goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt turned out to be the hero, punching over a vicious shot by the dangerous Ibrahima Dieng in the the 54th minute, and then saving two kicks in the shootout before Ousmane Konate blasted his kick against the sticks to hand victory to the Flying Eagles.   An intense opening stage in sunny Is...

Edo PDP Takes Responsibility For Defection Of Edo Policymakers To APC By Editor  Edo PDP chairman Tony Aziegbemi, reacts to Supreme Court judgment on the protracted litigations between factions in the party. Edo PDP chairman Tony Aziegbemi The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Edo State, has taken full responsibility for not being able to keep its lawmakers in the State House of Assembly, including the Speaker, Blessing Agbebaku, in its fold. The Caretaker committee Chairman of the party, Dr Tony Aziegbemi, stated this on Thursday in Benin, while reacting to the mass defection of the lawmakers elected on the platform of the party, to the All Progressives Congress (APC). It would be recalled that just yesterday, Agbebaku led four other PDP lawmakers in the State Assembly to dump PDP for the ruling APC. Aziegbemi, however disclosed that the leadership of the party in the State held over 20 meetings with the Speaker and the others lawmakers to disuade th...

US Open Cup  Osazee Urhoghide's FC Dallas Advance   To Round 16 After 3-1 Triumph Over AV Alta FC By Editor  Dutch born Nigerian Osazee Urhoghide's FC Dallas has advanced to the round of 16 in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup after 3-1 victory over AV Alta FC. L.Acosta opened scoring for FC Dallas in the 3rd minute of action but the early lead was cancelled by Late Ayala for AV Alta FC in the 16th minute of the thrilling encounter. Da Silva Ferreira restored FC Dallas' lead in the 43rd minute before half time whistle. On resumption of the second half,FC Dallas took control of the game with Osazee Urhoghide playing significant role in the heart of their defense, staving off opponents incursions until in the 71 minutes when B.Kamungo wrapped up the game with a fine finish to take the game beyond the reach of AV Alta FC. The MSL giants FC Dallas secured the 3-1 victory over AV Alta FC of USL League One at Toyota Stadium, with Osaze Urhoghide being instrumental i...

NPFL Set to Sanction Coaches Who Boycott Post-Match Media Interviews By Editor  In a decisive move to uphold professionalism and ensure adherence to operational protocols, the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has announced that it will begin imposing fines on coaches who fail to honour post-match media engagements. This directive comes as part of the league’s broader effort to promote transparency, enhance media coverage, and strengthen engagement with fans through consistent content delivery. To this effect, Match Commissioners across all NPFL match venues have been tasked with the responsibility of enforcing compliance with post-match procedures, which include mandatory interviews with journalists. The instruction was communicated by the NPFL Chairman, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye, through the league’s Matchday Situation Room—an interactive real-time platform that coordinates with Match Commissioners to ensure effective matchday operations. “It is now compulsory for M...

Edo To Mark World Red Cross Day ...Lists Plights Bedeviling Humanity  Iduozee Efe Paul, Benin  Edo State Branch Secretary of the Nigerian Red Cross Society, Mr. Wilson Ekhomogiazin, has lamented the problems faced by the people living in the society, as Nigeria marks World Red Cross Day. He made the lamentations in a press release issued to newsmen in Benin city, Edo state said everyday people are inundated with news of situations of violence, local conflicts, international armed conflicts, floods, climate crises, building collapses, herders/farmers clashes, landslides, mudslides and others. "The World Red Cross Day and Red Crescent Day is an annual celebration of the principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.  "World Red Cross Day is also known as Red Crescent Day. World Red Cross Day and Red Crescent Day is celebrated on 8 May every year.  "This date is the birth anniversary of Henry Dunant, who was born on 8 May 18...

Edo Deputy, Idahosa Receives Nat. Sports Festival Torch By Editor  The Edo State Government on Wednesday received the Torch of Unity for the 22nd National Sports Festival. The event is set to take place in Ogun from May 16th to 30th, 2025. Governor Monday Okpebholo who was represented by his deputy, Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa, received the torch from the team lead of the National Sports Commission delegation, Mbora Ikana, at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City. In a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the deputy governor, Friday Aghedo, stated while receiving the torch, Idahosa commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for transforming the country’s sports sector, uniting the people, and rekindling hopes amongst the Nigerian youths. Dennis Idahosa  expressed optimism on the outcome of the National Sports Festival, noting that with the magnitude of investment and commitment by the Senator Monday Okpebholo-led administration in revamping the s...

Bob Marley Day:Edo NUJ To Honour Late Balogun With Posthumous Award   By Editor  A pioneer General Manager of the then Bendel Broadcasting Service,  Late Mr Bankole Balogun is to be presented with a posthumous award by the Edo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists. The Award describes Late Mr. Bankole Balogun as a Broadcaster who contributed to the development of the Journalism profession through Bendel Broadcasting Service (BBS). His commitment to the Broadcast industry remain a great record in the history of the Profession. A joint statement signed by Comrade Festus Alenkhe and Comrade Andy Egbon, chairman and secretary respectively said Late Bankole Balogun dedicated his time and energy to researching and breaking news stories in the then BBS. His son, Barrister Oladele Bankole Balogun who is the Executive Chairman of the Edo State Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is expected to represent the Balogun family of Igarra to receive the posthumous awar...

TUESDAY FLAT OUT The Ibàs Of Rivers State By Suyi Ayodele (Published in the Nigerian Tribune on Tuesday, May 6, 2025) https://tribuneonlineng.com/the-ibas-of-rivers-state/ Yoruba name for fever is Ibà. There is also a town in Yorubaland called Ibà (the same pronunciation as fever), in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Osun State. And there are different types of Ibà. If my syntax is correct, especially in pluralisation of nouns, the plural of Ibà in Yoruba lexicography will be Ibàs. This, of course, is achieved by mere inflection. Yoruba medical taxonomy says there is Ibà apóntò (the fever that makes one urine to be yellowish - Malaria Fever). There is also Íbà pónjú (the fever that makes one eyeball to be yellowish - Yellow Fever). The third is the worst. It is called Ako Ibà (male fever) which causes one's urine and eyeballs to be yellowish and the skin to turn pale. Ako Ibà in modern medicine will be Typhoid fever. Ako Ibà is cerebral, and it kills faster than any ot...

World Bank Reveals Nigeria’s Rural Poverty Increased To 75.5%  By Editor  Following the recent information which says, 75.5% of Nigeria’s rural population now lives below the poverty line, according to the World Bank’s April 2025 Poverty and Equity Brief for Nigeria.  This alarming figure, derived from the National Bureau of Statistics’ latest surveys, underscores a worsening economic crisis marked by inequality, inflation, and structural challenges. While 41.3% of urban dwellers face poverty, the rural rate — nearly double — highlights a stark urban-rural divide in Africa’s most populous nation. The report paints a grim picture of rural Nigeria, where economic stagnation, insecurity, and reliance on low-productivity agriculture have deepened hardship.  In 2018/19, 30.9% of Nigerians lived below the international extreme poverty line of $2.15 per day, but the World Bank estimates that 54% of the population — approximately 129 million people — are now impo...

Crisis In Akure As Police Battle With Amotekun Operatives Over Theft Suspect By Editor  There was pandemonium on Sunday in Akure, capital of Ondo State, South-West Nigeria, following a confrontation between the police and operatives of the Ondo State Security Network Agency (Amotekun), over custody of a suspected motorcycle thief. The tension reportedly led to panic as residents of the Ijoka area affected scampered for safety, following sporadic shooting of gun and teargas canisters. According to a statement released by the Ondo State Police Command Spokesman, Ayanlade Olusola, officers from the Ijoka Divisional Headquarters responded to a report of theft at a church near Sunday Bus Stop. Upon arrival, they apprehended the suspect and recovered the stolen items. While executing their duties, Amotekun operatives arrived at the scene, accompanied by a group of commercial motorcyclists. The Amotekun personnel allegedly took the suspect and exhibits by force, injuring a pol...

Bandits Kill 10 Hunters In Bauchi Community By Editor  Wonder they say shall not cease as10 hunters were killed in an ambush by armed bandits in Mansur Forest, located in the Duguri/Gwana Districts of Alkaleri local government area of Bauchi State on Sunday. The hunters from Duguri and Gwana Districts were on a routine patrol along the Duguri–Mansur–Dajin Madam Forest corridor, a border zone between Bauchi and Plateau States, when they were ambushed by the bandits. Local sources from Duguri confirmed that four residents from Duguri and five others from Mansur lost their lives in the attack. The incident reportedly occurred on Sunday morning and the bandits also rustled an unspecified number of cattle and sheep from the area. It was further gathered that apart from the hunters killed, several of the bandits also died during the clash, including villagers from Sabuwar Sara village were also said to have been killed while attempting to flee the violence. The Bauchi State P...

World Press Freedom: Okpebholo Acknowledges The Courage  Of journalists  By Editor  On this important World Press Freedom Day, the Edo State Government, under the leadership of His Excellency, Governor Monday Okpebholo, joins the global community in recognizing and celebrating the vital role of a free and independent press in fostering democracy, accountability, and societal progress. The administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo firmly believes that a vibrant and unfettered media is a cornerstone of a healthy and informed society.  Journalists, as the watchdogs of truth and the voice of the voiceless, play a crucial role in holding those in power accountable on critical issues, and empowering citizens with the information they need to make informed decisions. Governor Monday Okpebholo acknowledges the courage and dedication of journalists in Edo State and across the globe, who often work under challenging circumstances to bring vital information to the...

Freedom Day: Edo NUJ Calls On Journalists To Support Edo Govt Iduozee Efe Paul, Benin  The leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists(NUJ) Edo State Council has urged its members “to exhibit a higher level of commitment to the ideals of professional ethics. A statement by the Council leadership endorsed by its Chairman, Dr. Festus Alenkhe and its Secretary, Comrade Andy Egbon in commemoration of the 2025 World Press Freedom Day(3rd May), said: “This annual observance offers a moment for reflection, renewal, and recommitment to the sacred duty of journalists in upholding truth, defending democracy, and advancing the rights and welfare of the people. “As we honour this day, we salute the bravery, resilience, and dedication of journalists in Edo State and across Nigeria who, despite numerous constraints, continue to inform, educate, entertain and serve the public with integrity.  “In an era defined by complex political and social challenges, our role as journalist...

Edo Police Apprehends 95 Suspects Over The Activities Of Cult Issue  Iduozee Efe Paul, Benin  The Edo State Police Command has made massive arrests, hurling into its cells 95 alleged members of different cult groups that had engaged in renewed violent clashes which had claimed several lives in the past two weeks in the state. A statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, (PPRO), SP Moses Yamu, said 64 of the suspects have been charged to court and remanded, while investigation continued on the remaining suspects. The raids carried out in Benin and its environs, according to Yamu, also led to the recovery of firearms. He said those arrested belonged to the Maphites, Eiye and Aye confraternities, who had engaged in a battle for supremacy. The statement read: “The Edo State Police Command has arrested 95 suspected cultists and recovered two locally made pistols, one single barrel shotgun and 24 live cartridges in sustained intelligence driven raids of their encl...