Author: Iduozee Efe Paul

A former military governor of the South-Eastern State – Akwa Ibom and Cross River States – Major General Paul Omu is dead. According to a statement by the family, Omu died at the age of 84 on Tuesday, April 29, 2025. The statement signed by Oghenekome Omu, said the late general, a native of Igbide community, Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State served Nigeria and his community in various capacities. “Major-General Paul Ufuoma Omu was a family man, patriot, statesman, soldier, and community leader whose life was marked by unwavering commitment to the service of Nigeria and his…

There is tension in Benin City, Edo State capital, as rival cult groups, Black Axe and Maphite Confraternities have resumed their battle of supremacy that has led to the killing of no fewer than 15 people so far. The ugly situation is coming barely three months after the Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpehbolo, signed the Secret Cult Prohibition Bill into law that prescribed 21-year jail term for cultists and their sponsors. It was gathered that the renewed cult war said to be between the two rival groups started on a Friday with the killing of a physiotherapist, simply…

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has stated his determination to ensure security and conducive learning environment for teachers and students in Edo state. Egbetokun stated this on Friday in Benin City at the launching of the Nigeria Police Force School Protection Squad, which he said was part of the ongoing commitment of the Force to safeguard educational institutions in the country. Speaking at a stakeholders’ forum, where he was represented by AIG in charge of Zone 5, Benin, Salman Garba-Dogo, Igbetokun said the School Protection Squad was specifically trained to work with school communities, and will serve as a…

Private school owners in Edo State have staged a peaceful protest in Benin City over what they described as an “alarming increase” in personal income taxes imposed by the state government. The school owners under the umbrella of the Coalition of Associations of Private Schools (CAPS), carrying placards and banners, converged at the premises of the Ministry of Education to register their grievances. The coalition includes Association of Private School Owners of Nigeria (APSON), Association of Formidable Education Development (AFED), National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) and Association of Model Islamic Model Schools. The protesters called on the…

A restless and Distressed father, Mr. Umoru Imokha Abdulahi, has appealed to kind hearted Nigerians and the Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, to help him offset the N330,000 medical bills of his wife and newborn baby that have been detained at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) for over a month. The appeal followed his inability to pay for the Cesarean Section (CS) used to deliver his wife of the baby. Abdulahi is an indigene of Agenebode in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State. According to him, his wife had CS on March 20, 2025, during…

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin, Prof. Edoba Omoregie, has said that the institution would soon begin the campaign to plant 10,000 trees to checkmate the impact of climate change. The Vice-Chancellor stated this when the leadership of Edo State council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) paid him a courtesy call. Prof. Omoregie said the tree planting was part of his five points’ agenda of what he planned to achieve for the institution. He said, “Since I came on Aboard, I have been emphasizing that the University of Benin must move forward. And the reason for…

The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State suffered another significant loss on Wednesday when the member representing Ikpoba-Okha constituency in the House of Assembly, Hon. Nicolas Asosere, defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The development brings to five the numbers of PDP lawmakers at the State Assembly that have joined the ruling party in Edo. APC now has 15 members in the 24-member legislature. Osasere is said to be the political godson of PDP deputy governorship candidate in the September 21, 2024 election in Edo, Hon. Osarodion Ogie. The lawmaker said he was joining the APC based…

Thirty-four students of the College of Medicine of the Ambrose Alli University, AAU, Ekpoma, Edo State, have been suspended by the authorities of the university for their involvement in various kinds of examination practices. This was contained in the university’s news bulletin dated April 14, 2025, and signed by F. O. Omoigui and Otunba Mike Ade Aladenika, Deputy the Registrar (Senate) and Principal Assistant Registrar (PAR) Information and Public Relations respectively. The bulletin said, “Management after due consideration of the reports submitted by the Mobile Disciplinary Committee (College of Medicine), has approved the penalties recommended for the offenses committed by…

Members of Akpakpava Youth Coalition have staged a protest in Benin City, Edo State to complain about the lack of electricity in some parts of the city for more than eight months now. The protesters, who marched through the streets to the House of Assembly and the Government House, demanded immediate action to rectify the situation. They said the affected areas, which included Akpakpava and Dawson Roads, have been without electricity for eight months following the theft of a transformer. They accused the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) of negligence, alleging they were asked to solicit funds for a new…

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has urged multinational companies operating in Edo State to provide impactful projects that meet the needs of host communities. During the launch of a report on human rights violations in the palm oil supply chain by the African Law Foundation (AFRILAW), NHRC representatives emphasized the need for companies to go beyond token CSR gestures and involve communities in decision-making. Researchers highlighted the displacement of farmers due to land acquisition and called for binding Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) laws. AFRILAW called on governments to protect oil palm host communities and ensure their rights are respected.…