Author: Iduozee Efe Paul

Former Vice Chancellor, Lagos state University (LASU), Prof. Olanrewaju Fagbohun, has asserted that, according to data from the National Oil Spills Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), that more than 18,149 oil spill incidents occurred between 2006-2024, with far reaching impacts on both the people and the environment. Prof. Fagbohun made the statement in an event organised by the Environmental Defenders Network (EDEN) during the public unveiling of State of the Nigerian Environment Report-titled:” Voices from the Communities,” and the celebration of heroes of the environment in Benin city. The former LASU VC in his presentation added that, is a moment…

The University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) has opened the first drug testing centre in the South-South geopolitical zone, with a mandate to screen substance abuse and tackle its growing health and social consequences in the region. The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of UBTH, Prof. Idia Ize-Iyamu, disclosed this on Thursday at a stakeholders’ workshop on the screening of alcohol and substance abuse, which climaxed with the unveiling of the centre in Benin City, Edo State. Ize-Iyamu said the initiative marked a major step in the hospital’s collective efforts towards prevention, early intervention, safer communities and improved health outcomes, stressing…

A coalition of lawyers committed to environmental protection, human rights and public-interest litigation has inaugurated the Nigerian arm of the Defenders Legal Rapid Response Team, with a pledge to provide quick legal support to citizens facing reprisals for speaking out against abuses. The initiative, promoted by the Environmental Defenders Network in collaboration with Chima Williams and Associates Law Firm, with support from Clidef, brings together lawyers drawn from different areas of legal practice and currently has about 35 members across four of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. Addressing the participants at the inauguration in Benin City, the Executive Director of EDEN,…

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has threatened to go on strike in three Bayelsa State Government-owned universities over the non-implementation of the 2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). The affected institutions are the Niger Delta University, Bayelsa Medical University, and University of Africa. Speaking at a joint media briefing by the three ASUU branches under the Port Harcourt Zone, the lecturers expressed frustration over the government’s failure to implement the agreement. They said several letters sent to the Bayelsa State Government since February 2026 had received no response, warning that continued silence could trigger industrial action. The Zonal Coordinator…

The Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in collaboration with Directorate of State Security in Edo State have embarked on a peaceful sensitization protest against all form of social vices, such as kidnapping, cultism, armed robbers, terrorism and other criminal elements. The protesters who converged on the Museum premises at Ring road, came with flyers with the following inscriptions, “Edo is united against terrorism and other social vices, Say ‘No’ to Kidnapping,” marched through Edo State House of Assembly, went through Sapele road, to NBA axis, down to DSS office to register their grievances. The President Coalition of Civil Society, Comrade…

Edo State Government has demolished a building allegedly owned by a suspected kidnap kingpin in Obagie-N’Evbuosa Community, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area as part of its crackdown on kidnapping and other violent crimes. The demolition was carried out by the Principal Security Officer to Governor Monday Okpebholo, alongside security agencies and the Edo State Security Squad, codenamed Operation Flush Out Kidnappers and Cultists. The squad’s spokesperson, Noah Idemudia, said the building had been identified as a hideout where kidnapped victims were allegedly kept before being moved to other locations. “We are here to demolish this building identified as a den where…

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has approved a ₦1 million grant for each Edo indigene evacuated from South Africa following recent xenophobic attacks, as part of efforts to help them resettle and rebuild their lives. The governor announced the intervention on Monday while receiving the returnees at the Festival Hall of the Government House in Benin City. He said the financial support, which is expected to be paid within 24 hours, is intended to enable the returnees secure accommodation and avoid being stranded upon their arrival. According to Okpebholo, the state government will also provide soft loans to those willing…

Two suspected pipeline vandals have been arrested in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State. Their arrest followed a joint operation by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the Edo State Governor on Pipeline Surveillance and Security. The suspects were arrested at a cattle market in Idumabor, Ekpoma, following intelligence reports on the activities of individuals allegedly involved in the vandalism of NNPC oil pipelines and other critical national assets. The suspects, identified as Kadiri Isah, 55, and Mustapha Naphiyu, 27, had been under surveillance by the…

The National President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Engr. Ali Alimasuya Rabiu, has extolled the exemplary attributes and qualities of late Engr. (Chief) Geoffrey Osatohanmwan Aiwerioba for the great legacy he left behind. Rabiu made the statements at the 9th public lecture organized in honour of the late Engr. Aiwerioba in Benin City, with the theme, “Strengthening Infrastructure Delivery Through Engineering Governance in Edo State.” He asserted that engineers are committed to the vision of the project of their society. “It is a great building of interest and our commitment as engineers to the development of our country.…

Residents of Iyanomon Community in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area of Edo State, displaced by a prolonged communal clashes have appealed to the government to urgently intervene and restore and order in the area. The appeal was made during a peaceful protest, during which women and other residents called on the authorities to bring the warring parties together and find a lasting solution to the conflict. Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Mrs. Aiwekhoe Omon said although no deaths had been recorded in the latest outbreak of violence, residents were traumatized by persistent gunfire and explosions that rocked the community.…