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63rd Independence Anniversary: Obaseki Applauds Nigerians’ Resilience, Urges Prayers For Nation’s Unity

Published

2 years ago

September 30, 2023

Editor

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has commended the resilience and indefatigable spirit of Nigerians, who in the face of the current economic realities of the country, have continued to keep alive as they struggle to earn a living daily.

The governor, in a statement in celebration of Nigeria’s 63rd Independence anniversary, urged Nigerians to continue to pray and work in unity to overcome the country’s present economic challenges.

He said, “My dear good people of Edo State, I am delighted to celebrate the 63rd Independence anniversary of our dear country, Nigeria, with you. Today is a day of reflection; a moment to pause and ponder on our collective journey as a people and nation, celebrate our achievements, acknowledge our challenges, and reaffirm our commitment towards ensuring a more united, progressive and prosperous Nigeria.

“Ours is a story of courage, resilience, sacrifice, and the indomitable spirit of a people. Our founding fathers, driven by a vision of unity and shared prosperity, fought tirelessly to lay the foundation of our dear nation, liberating us from the shackles of colonialism and instituting our long march to nationhood and greatness.”

Obaseki further noted, “Despite the successes so far recorded in these past 63 years, we yet grapple with multiple challenges occasioned by economic, security, political and ethnic pressures. However, our enduring faith and belief in the unity and progress of our country have endured, keeping us together as one nation.

“I must commend the dogged and indefatigable spirit of our people, who in the face of many daunting difficulties continue to slug it out daily to earn a living, especially amid the current economic realities.

“As a government, we are not unaware of the dire economic difficulties that our people currently face, which has inflicted hardship and suffering on the people, especially the poor and vulnerable.”

According to Obaseki, his administration is implementing measures to caution the impact of the removal of subsidy, noting, “We are taking critical steps as a subnational, initiating and implementing nuanced policies and programmes to respond to the recent fuel subsidy removal policy by the Federal Government and as much as possible, cushion its impact on our people in Edo State.

“We have introduced free transport service for passengers on all routes operated by the state-owned Edo City Transport Service Limited (ECTS), among many support programmes that the Edo State Government have put in place to reduce the challenge, sufferings and exorbitant cost of living faced by Edo people as a result of the subsidy removal and economic headwinds.

“We are glad with the impact of this initiative which covers 13 intra-city routes and several intercity city routes daily, covering towns and villages within the State’s three senatorial districts. Over 307, 908 residents have benefited from the scheme in the first two weeks of the palliative programme, while over 1, 527, 000 residents are projected to benefit in the initial two months of the free transport initiative.”

He added, “We have launched 24-hour free Wi-Fi service in various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and other public places in the State to provide unlimited internet access to workers and other residents to enable them work effectively and efficiently from selected public spaces.

“This is in addition to other far-reaching reforms and initiatives to engender economic growth and improve the quality of life of our people, ensuring they are empowered to confront the challenges that lie ahead.”

He then charged, “As we celebrate our 63rd Independence today, I call on all Edo people and Nigerians to stand united, regardless of our political, tribal, ideological, and religious differences and work together towards building a more prosperous and progressive Edo State and Nigeria.

“We must also continue to pray for the unity, peace and progress of our dear nation. Together, we can overcome our present socio-economic challenges and place our country on the path of sustainable economic growth and development, ensuring that the labour of our heroes’ past is truly not in vain.”

News

JUST IN: Olubadan, Oba Olakulehin, Is Dead

Published

3 hours ago

July 7, 2025

Editor

The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, has passed away.

Olakulehin died at the age of 90.

According to The PUNCH, the monarch died in the early hours of Monday.

Olakulehin died during the ongoing 90th birthday and first anniversary coronation celebrations.

He succeeded the late Oba Lekan Balogun.

A source close to the Olubadan-In-Council confided in our correspondent in Ibadan, the state capital, that “we received the message that the paramount ruler passed away this morning. He has joined his forefathers. Though it has to be officially announced by the state government.”

Another palace source, who confirmed the news, said the Otun Olubadan, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, who is the next in line to become Olubadan, is currently out of the country and he is expected back.

“We are expecting a former Governor of the State and the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, who is currently out of the country, to come back home.

“He must have been briefed,” he said.

News

NBSAP Validation: HOMEF Commends FG, Says It’s A Welcome Step Towards Food Sovereignty, Biosafety

Published

7 hours ago

July 7, 2025

Editor

Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) has commended the Federal Government for endorsing the revised National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP).

Recall, in June 2025, Nigeria officially approved its National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, NBSAP, 2025-2030, aiming to stop and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030.

According to the Nigerian government’s statement, the NBSAP fully aligns
with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (K-M GBF), with a focus on halting and reversing biodiversity loss by 2030.

The revised National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, NBSAP, has been adopted as a comprehensive government policy with 23 national targets, each aligned with the corresponding global biodiversity targets and goals.

Reacting to the development in a statement made available to INFO DAILY by Kome Odhomor, Media/Communication Lead, HOMEF, the Executive Director of the organisation, Dr Nnimmo Bassey, stated that it is a vital step toward protecting Nigeria’s biodiversity and advancing environmental
justice.

“We are especially encouraged by NBSAP’s firm stance on the regulation of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), which aligns with ourBlong-standing advocacy for biosafety and food sovereignty. In a time when the indiscriminate adoption of genetically engineered crops is
increasingly being pushed by multinational interests, NBSAP rightly
cautions that unregulated GMO use could be catastrophic to our environment, health, and sustainable development,” he said.

Also, Joyce Brown, Director of Programmes and Lead on Hunger Politics, HOMEF, noted
that “the Strategy’s support for traditional plant breeding,
non-transgenic biotechnologies, and the fair sharing of benefits from biological resources reflects a welcome policy shift. It affirms the rights of smallholder farmers and communities to control their seeds and food system, putting the power back in the hands of people.”

They, therefore, “urged the government to back this with action by halting GMO approvals pending a biosafety audit, reviewing the National Biosafety Management Agency Act 2015 as amended in 2019, in line with the National Biosafety Framework, investing in agroecology, and supporting community seed systems.

“HOMEF remains committed to ensuring Nigeria’s biodiversity thrives, free from genetic pollution and corporate control.”

News

JAMB Releases Results Of Mop-up Examination

Published

16 hours ago

July 6, 2025

Editor

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has released the results of the mop-up Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) held on Saturday, June 28, 2025.
According to a statement issued on Sunday evening by JAMB’s spokesperson, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, results have been released for 11,161 candidates who sat for the exam out of the 96,838 candidates scheduled for the mop-up exercise.

The board, however, noted that some candidates who are unable to access their results failed to comply with the prescribed instructions.

“Candidates who are not able to access their results have been found not to have fully complied with the instruction to send ‘UTMERESULT’ (as one word text) to 55019 or 66019 using the same phone number (SIM) used during registration for the UTME,” the statement read.

JAMB urged all affected candidates to follow the correct procedure in order to access their results.