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CRPP Attacks Gov Okpebholo's, Asks Him To Account For UK Trip ...Says Composition Of Delegation To Abroad Reflect Poor Planning Iduozee Efe Paul, Benin  ‎ ‎ ‎The Coalition of Registered Political Parties (CRPP) has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's recent admonition to state governors on prudent management of public resources should serve as a timely reminder to administrations enjoying increased federal allocations and improved internally generated revenue to prioritise the welfare of their citizens. The coalition in a press release signed by ‎Dr. Samson Isibor ‎National Chairman, ‎Hon. Nkama Waribe ‎National Secretary, CRPP said the President have spoken, and has vindicated CRPP for objecting to the over head fly over projects. ‎ ‎The organisation said the advice is particularly relevant to the Edo State Government at a time when thousands of residents continue to grapple with economic hardship, unemployment, poor infrastructure and declining purchasing power. ‎ ...

Edo Taskforce Arrests Two Suspected Illegal Revenue Collectors in Uwelu Spare Parts Market The Edo State Taskforce has arrested two suspected illegal revenue collectors at the Uwelu Spare Parts Market in Egor Local Government Area, following complaints from traders and customers over alleged extortion. The suspects were apprehended after business owners raised concerns about individuals allegedly collecting unauthorized levies from people carrying out legitimate business activities in the market. Addressing journalists after the operation, the Station Officer of the Edo State Taskforce, Johnbull Rufus, said the team acted swiftly on reports from the market. According to him, the suspects were allegedly issuing tickets and demanding payments despite the Edo State Government's directive banning illegal revenue collection and unauthorized ticketing across the state. "We received complaints from traders and customers at the Uwelu Market that some individuals were extor...

Cultism, Kidnapping And The Special Security Squad  Crime is complex and difficult most times to be resolved, criminals ready to carry out their nefarious and clandestine activities unchecked because the State lacks the capabilities to check their activities due to lack of technology. Several criminal elements go unchecked and their activities have gradually become a normal way of life as they allegedly make money from their evil acts, live large in the society, their activities has influenced the youths negatively as they emulate their lifestyle.  Nigerians especially the younger generation now gradually see crime and criminality as a way of life and the route out of poverty as criminals go most times unchallenged by the system, hence a rise in crime.  Kidnapping, banditotry, terrorism, robbery became the order of the day as successive administration fought to curtail criminal elements across the Country and the fight is yielding positive results as the scour...

Chief Officer NPFL Laments Losing Millions To Inadequate Club Data ...Urges Club Mgt To Empower Media Department. The Chief Operating Officer of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Chief Davidson Owumi, has lamented that the league and its clubs are losing millions of naira in sponsorship opportunities due to inadequate and unreliable data from participating clubs. Owumi made the remarks on wednesday while delivering his welcome address at the mandatory seminar/workshop organized  for media directors and marketing officers of the 20 NPFL clubs in  Enugu. He charged the concerned club representatives to up their game and as well challenged the management of the premier league clubs to prioritize funding for their media department to be more equipped for the huge task on their shoulders. Owumi stressed that clubs can no longer depend solely on government's intervention for funding, urging them to embrace modern marketing strategies and data-driven operations ...

 Okpebholo Greets Archbishop Margaret Idahosa At 83, Extols Decades Of Spiritual Service By Editor   Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo has congratulated  Archbishop Margaret Idahosa on the occasion of her 83rd birthday, and described her as a symbol of unwavering faith, selfless service and enduring spiritual leadership whose contributions have transformed lives and strengthened society. In a goodwill message,to the Matriarch of the Church of God Mission International,  Governor Monday Okpebholo said he joins the Benson Idahosa family, the Christian community, and well-wishers across Nigeria in celebrating the milestone. The governor praised Archbishop Idahosa's decades of commitment to the Christian faith, saying her ministry has inspired generations through steadfast leadership, compassion, and dedication to advancing the Gospel. He said the renowned cleric's influence extends beyond the pulpit, citing her sustenance of her husband's vis...

Four Suspected Cultists Arrested In An Early Morning Raid At Egbaen Community  The Edo State Special Security Squad  codenamed "Operation flush out Kidnappers and Cultists" have recorded yet another success as personnel of the squad and other sister security agencies raided a hideout at Egbaen Community in Ovia North East local government area of Edo State arresting four suspected Cultists. Principal Security Officer (PSO) Saturday Okoh leading other security agencies stormed the hideout at about 6am to apprehend the suspects and dangerous weapons were recovered from them linking them to cult related activities. The weapon found with the suspects includes four locally made pistols, cut to size gun, one baretal pistol and one matchet despite finding the evidence in their hideout they all denied ownership but confessed to be members of Aiye Confraternity. Speaking to journalists, the coordinator of the squad Noah Idemudia commended the public for the provisions of u...

TUESDAY FLAT OUT OPINION:Osoba’s Short Spoon Dinner With Obasanjo   By Suyi Ayodele (Published in the Nigerian Tribune on Tuesday, July 28, 2026) https://tribuneonlineng.com/osobas-short-spoon-dinner-with-obasanjo/ Two Yoruba ‘living ancestors’ are at each other’s throats at the moment. The two personages have made great and indelible marks in life. They are giants in their own ways, and both are supposed to be close relatives like the proverbial ìyekan Alábahun (close-knitted relatives of Tortoise). They hail from the same town and are both answerable to the same Oba. The underpinning axiom that established their common domain says: Ègbá méjì kìí ja ara won níyàn: bí ìkan bá ní bai sí, ìkejì  á ní báa wà (two Egba men don’t argue on any matter; if one asks ‘is it not so?’; the other will respond: ‘it is so’). So, what is the matter with the former governor of Ogun State, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, and his kinsman, the former military Head of State and two-term civ...

Okpebholo Charges Newly Trained Forest Guards To Protect Edo Forest Areas By Editor  Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has charged 497 newly trained forest guards to secure ungoverned forest areas and strengthen the state's security architecture. The governor gave the charge during the passing-out parade and induction ceremony for the recruits at the Police Training School, Ogida Barracks, Benin City. Represented by his Chief of Staff, Musa Yakubu, Okpebholo reaffirmed his administration's commitment to improving security and ensuring residents live in a peaceful and safe environment. Congratulating the recruits on completing the rigorous training programme, the governor urged them to uphold discipline, professionalism and integrity as they begin active duty across forest communities in the state. He described the Forest Guard initiative as a key part of his administration's security strategy to reclaim forests from criminal groups, curb illegal activities and...

Monday Lines 2 OPINION:For JAMB's Ishaq Oloyede By Lasisi Olagunju  (Published in the Nigerian Tribune on Monday, 27 July, 2026).  In 1528, the sixteenth-century Italian writer Baldassare Castiglione published his classic, The Book of the Courtier (Il Libro del Cortegiano). One of the memorable words in that work is sprezzatura—his description of the art of making difficult things appear effortless. Oga Ray Ekpu invoked that word last week to describe Professor Ishaq Oloyede's manner and his work. I thank the legendary Ekpu for sending me back to Castiglione. In writing about the same man, however, I would rather use a string of simpler words: grace. Quiet strength. Emotional resilience garnished with uncommon candour. Succeeding where others fail is a gift; standing upright where others stumble is grace painted in theological colours. Those are the words and phrases I choose for the man whose remarkable ten-year tenure as registrar and chief executive of JAMB now ...

Monday Lines 1 OPINION:Politicians Who Sell Their Own Toes By Lasisi Olagunju  (Published in the Nigerian Tribune on Monday, 27 July, 2026) Somewhere in present-day Osun State, about a hundred years ago, an oba ordered a manhunt for a troublesome strongman in his domain. The man, Kátákatà, was captured one night, killed and beheaded. His severed head was placed in a pot and brought to the oba. The palace erupted in celebration. At last, the nuisance was gone forever. But at the height of the rejoicing, another celebration broke out outside the palace. It was Kátákatà himself, arriving with his drummers. A stunned oba confronted him. “But they brought your head to me this morning. It is in that room.” “Kabiyesi,” Kátákatà replied, “that was not my head. It was your heir's head they brought.” How? The oba wondered as his visitor danced away. Before noon that same day, Àrèmo (the heir to the throne) was brought home dead. We heard the story many years ago from our fathers ...

 SOKAPU Sues Umahi Over Habila's  Death, Calls For Autopsy ...Seeking N20 Billion Damages By Editor  The Incorporated Trustees of the Southern Kaduna Peoples’ United Association (SOKAPU) has filed a lawsuit at the Federal High Court in Kaduna against the Minister of Works, David Umahi, over the death of Mary Habila, a nurse who was attached to the minister’s medical team. Mary Habila reportedly died on June 27 at the minister’s residence, an incident that has continued to generate public concern and renewed calls for a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death. Also named as respondents in the suit are Habila Tanko Wisdom, the deceased’s father, the Attorney-General of Ebonyi State and the Commissioner of Police in Ebonyi State. In the case before the court, SOKAPU is asking for an order directing that an autopsy be conducted on the late nurse to determine the exact cause of her death. The association is also seeking N20 billion in damage...

Gunmen Abduct Zamfara LGA Chairman, Wife, Kill 4 Security Operatives By Editor  Suspected bandits have abducted the Chairman and the wife of Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara State, Hon. Nura Umar Bungudu. According to DailyTrust, the assailants stormed the area, which is less than 20kilometers from the state capital, Gusau, and headed straight to the LGA chairman’s residence. Eyewitnesses say the gunmen overpowered security personnel guarding the residence, killing two police officers and two vigilantes before whisking away the chairman, his wife and children. More so, security operatives who responded to the attack were able to rescue four or five of the children during a pursuit. The Zamfara State Police Command has yet to comment on this development.

Mental Health Awareness Enhanced Economy Productivity, Community Participation-Dr.Okonkwo Iduozee Efe Paul, Benin   An expert in mental health, Dr. Okonkwo Bartholomew, has reiterated the critical role of mental health awareness in driving productivity and national development, warning that untreated psychological conditions continue to undermine workforce efficiency and economic growth. Dr. Okonkwo, a Senior Registrar at the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Benin City, made this assertion while delivering a keynote lecture titled “Knowing Your Mental Health Status: A Pre-requisite for a Robust and Productive Economy” at a one-day programme in Benin City, Edo State, said Mental health does not mean somebody that is mad. He stressed that, mental health is somebody that have emotional stressed and psychological trauma. The event was organized by the Federated Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo State Council, in collaboration with the Federal Neu...

Iyanomo Leadership Crisis: Edo Security Team Deployed To Restore Peace  By Editor  The Edo State Police Command has deployed a team of security men to Iyanomo Community in Ikpoba Okah local government area of Edo State to restore peace and order following the renewed leadership crisis in the Community. The leadership crisis over who becomes the Odionwere of Iyanomo Community broke out on the 13th of January 2026 leading to the destruction of properties worth millions of naira with residents deserting the area for fear of being killed. In its determination to restore peace and order in the State, the Edo State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) ASP Eno Ikoedem along with the deployed security team embarked on an operation show of force around the community to register their presence. Speaking to journalists on the operation, PPRO said following a series of reports on violent attack in Iyanomo Community, the Commissioner of Police Edo State CP Monday Agbonika dep...

Police  Apprehend Seven In Adamawa For Pipeline Vandalism  By Editor  The Nigeria Police Force has dismantled a suspected pipeline vandalism network in Adamawa State, arresting seven suspects and recovering 285 pieces of vandalised Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) pipelines in a major crackdown on economic sabotage. According to an official signed statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Iniedu, the operation was carried out by operatives of the Inspector-General of Police Special Task Force on Petroleum and Illegal Bunkering in collaboration with the IGP X-Squad. The statement said the operation followed credible intelligence received on July 9, 2026, which led operatives to intercept a J5 bus fully loaded with suspected vandalised NNPC pipelines along the Yola–Numan Road in Adamawa State. Police identified the occupants of the vehicle as Paul Joshua, the driver, and Paul Ishiyaku, who was travelling with him. According to the st...

Mental health : Federated Chapel, Neuropsychiatric Hospital  To Organise Awareness Campaign,  2026 Annual Lecture By Editor  The Federated Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo State Council, in collaboration with the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Uselu, Benin City, is set to hold its 2026 Annual Lecture and Mental Health Awareness Campaign. This year's programme is themed "Knowing Your Mental Health Status: A Prerequisite for a Robust and Productive Economy." The keynote lecture will be delivered by Dr. Okonkwo Bartholomew, Senior Registrar at the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Uselu, Benin City. Activities will commence on Thursday, July 23, 2026, with a mental health sensitisation and awareness campaign across Benin City, while the annual lecture, which is the highlight of the two-day programme, will take place on Friday, July 24, 2026, at the Edo State Council Secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), No. 1 Reservati...

  Court Hearing: Sowore Vows To Resist Tinubu Oppression    By Editor  The presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, AAC, for the 2027 general elections, Omoyele Sowore, of Wednesday, returned to the court for continuation of his defamation case with the Department of Security Service, (DSS). Sowore arrived in the early hours of Wednesday, declaring his readiness for the proceedings and resistance of intimidation. He asserted ,“We are back in court today to confront the Tinubu regime. “We refuse to bow to their intimidation while Nigerians endure hardship, hunger, and injustice. “We owe ourselves a duty to resist oppression and end this failed system.”

  Accord Party Fracas Brewing As Osun Stakeholders Fight Against Adeleke  By Editor  The  political crisis brewing within the Accord Party in Osun State deepened on Tuesday as the Accord Elders and Stakeholders, loyal to the party’s Presidential candidate, Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, constituted a seven member high powered committee to determine its next political direction following the expiration of its seven day ultimatum to  Governor Ademola Adeleke. The move marked  a vital no hiescalation in the face off between the governor and a powerful bloc within the party over what the stakeholders describe as Adeleke’s refusal to identify with the Accord Party’s 2027 Presidential Project. The stakeholders had earlier demanded that Governor Adeleke publicly endorse Dr. Hashim’s Presidential ambition and openly dissociate himself from support for the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), President Bola Tinubu, arguing that no g...

Edo Police Rescue  Abducted Cattle Dealer, 'Oga Peter' ...As CP Commends Security Agencies  Iduozee Efe Paul, Benin  The Edo State Police Command has rescued an abducted cattle dealer, Peter Balogun, popularly known as “Oga Peter,” after an intensive joint forest operation. Police say Balogun was kidnapped on July 7, 2026, along the Igarra–Auchi Expressway.  Following his abduction, Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, pledged a full rescue operation and deployed tactical teams to the area. Assistant Commissioner of Police Innocent Nkeamatara led the reinforcement team, including the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Violent Crime Response Unit, and Police Drone Unit. The Inspector-General of Police also deployed a Police helicopter from Abuja for aerial surveillance and support. However, the breakthrough came Wednesday, July 15, 2026, during clearance operations in Imoga Forest, according to a statement released by the police command  Police say sustained g...

TUESDAY FLAT OUT OPINION:Minister Umahi And The Woman From òkè òhún   By Suyi Ayodele (Published in the Nigerian Tribune on Tuesday, July 21, 2026) https://tribuneonlineng.com/minister-umahi-and-the-woman-from-oke-ohun/ A few years ago, a man was rushed to the family pharmacy. It was late at night. He had contracted the Yoruba’s response to promiscuity, Mágùn, known in the modern parlance as thunderbolt.   About four elderly men brought the ‘patient’ in a very bad shape. He was said to have started exhibiting the symptoms earlier in the day. But those around thought it was something else until one ‘wise’ elder ‘diagnosed’ Mágùn.   Yours sincerely was asked to administer the ‘prescribed’ dosage of the antidote. After about one hour, the ‘patient’ became stable. He was asked where he went to, and he mentioned the woman involved. You can as well guess: she happened to be the wife of a stranger who had come to the community to farm.   I whispered to one of th...