News

Arrest Thugs Destroying Billboards, Aiyedatiwa Orders Police, Others

Published

2 years ago

March 2, 2024

The Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has ordered the security agencies to investigate and arrest those who allegedly destroyed the billboards of some state governorship aspirants and attacked members of the All Progressives Congress during the visit of President Bola Tinubu to the state.

The President had visited the family of late former Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, and the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Ogunoye in Owo as well as the national leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, in Akure, on Wednesday.

During Tinubu’s visit, both the Olusola Oke Campaign Organisation and the Wale Akinterinwa Campaign Organisation accused Aiyedatiwa’s supporters of destroying the posters and billboards.

Aiyedatiwa, in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Ebenezer Adeniyan, on Friday, denied the allegation and condemned violent activities.

He said, “As the governor has said repeatedly, any political campaign that disturbs the peace in the state is unacceptable and must be met with the decisive actions of law enforcement agencies.

“It is pertinent to make it clear that nobody associated with the governor or the government of Ondo State was involved in any of the reported activities ascribed to ‘political thugs’ during the President’s visit to Owo and Akure.

“The governor has therefore asked law enforcement agencies in the state to arrest and prosecute anyone found to be engaged in such violent activities. The governor urges politicians and their followers to ensure that their campaigns are issue-based, devoid of blackmail, spreading falsehood, inciting the public and intimidating opponents.”

The Administrative Secretary of the Oke Campaign Organisation, Mr Courage Oladele, on Friday, said, “What was supposed to be a rousing welcome and celebration of the visit of Mr President was turned into a theatre of violence and bloody attack on our supporters and other APC members who were waiting for the arrival of the President.

“We have thought that the dark days of thuggery and politics of violence are over and may the day never come when a supposed leader of men will re-enact the gory experience of the past.

“It is in the light of the above and the need to call the attention of Mr Governor to the shameful and undemocratic actions of these elements who wore vests and caps with his (Aiyedatiwa) photograph and name to attack my supporters.”

Similarly, a statement issued by the Director of Publicity of the Wale Akinterinwa Campaign Organisation, Mr Segun Ajiboye, said many of the APC members were injured by the suspected thugs after destroying the billboards of Akinterinwa.

“The thugs, who brazenly fired gunshots into the air to confuse, went on a destruction spree as they attacked property, while billboards of other gubernatorial aspirants were defaced, pulled down or out rightly destroyed.

“Party members perceived to be loyal to all gubernatorial aspirants save for Governor Lucky Ayedatiwa sustained varied and diverse degree injuries resulting from the attacks unleashed on them. T-shirts, faze caps and other insignia worn by members of the targeted aspirants were torn to shreds.”
PUNCH

News

JUST IN: NIWA Bans Unlicensed Boat Operations To Improve Waterway Safety

Published

3 minutes ago

September 9, 2025

Editor

The National Inland Waterways Authority has announced an immediate ban on all loading activities from unauthorised points across the country to curb boat accidents and improve safety on Nigeria’s inland waterways.

Speaking during a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, the Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority, Bola Oyebamiji, announced the new directives, saying, “NIWA has placed an immediate ban on loading activities from all unauthorised loading points across the country. No commercial passenger boat shall be allowed to load from any point other than those recognised and registered by NIWA.

“It is mandatory for all commercial boat operators to provide and enforce the use of lifejackets on the boats always. Every commercial passenger boat must properly display its Boat Name Letters and Load line.”

He also gave the directive that “all unlicensed boats and watercraft be removed from the waterways.”

Adding that, “All unlicensed boat drivers and operators are banned from operating any boats or watercraft on the waterways.”

Several deadly inland waterway accidents have occurred in the past six months. For example, in April, a boat carrying traders on the Niger River capsized near Sokun Village in Lapai LGA (Niger State) due to a sudden storm.

Local media reported that
“an unspecified number of traders” drowned when the overloaded boat went down in strong winds. No definitive casualty count was released for that accident, but it underscored the danger of river travel during seasonal squalls.”

“Another occurred in July, in Niger State. A passenger boat laden with rice, livestock, and about 40 people collided with a submerged log and capsized on the Shiroro River (near Zumba market in Shiroro LGA).”

Rescue teams later recovered 15 bodies and identified three more people still missing; 26 passengers wearing life jackets were rescued.

In Sokoto State, two deadly accidents occurred in mid-August 2025. A heavily loaded boat ferrying women, children, and motorcycles to the Goronyo market capsized.

The most recent accident occurred in September in Niger State. A wooden boat carrying mourners to a condolence visit capsized near Gausawa in Borgu LGA on the Kainji Reservoir’s Malale River. More than 27 people were reported to have been confirmed dead.

News

Edo Deputy Gov Orders Restoration Of Water Supply To Health Facility

Published

2 hours ago

September 9, 2025

Editor

Edo State deputy governor, Hon. Dennis Idahosa has ordered the immediate restoration of regular water supply to General Hospital, Iguobazuwa, Ovia South West local Government Area of the state.

The deputy governor’s order followed complaints of inadequate water supply to the health facility by patients and staff of the hospital during an on the spot assessment of the hospital by the Idahosa on Tuesday.

In a statement made available to newsmen by his Chief Press Secretary, Friday Aghedo, the deputy governor was said to have assured the people of the Governor Monday Okpebholo-led administration’ collaboration with critical stakeholders to boost health care in the state.

Idahosa, who noted that the revitalisation of the state’s health care sector was part of the SHINE agenda of the governor, expressed satisfaction with the level of work at the hospital.

The deputy governor, while reiterating the commitment of Okpebholo-led government to improving the livelihoods of the people, disclosed, “We came today on oversight, to see the current situation of the hospital, and, it is clear the hospital needs some transformation.

“This is the major hospital that services the entire region. The traffic is quite high. So, we were asked to come here today to inspect the hospital today by His Excellency, the Executive Governor.

“It is his mandate and in line with his campaign promises to ensure that all the thirty four hospitals across Edo State meet the highest standard.

“Based on that, we are here, and the assessment is good, and, we will do the needful to ensure that what is needed is put in place.”

Earlier at a stopover at the resident of the Odionwere of Iguobazuwa, Pa Edward Igbinovia, the deputy governor, has assured of the government readiness to transform the general hospital.

According to him, the hospital will be provided with a perimeter fence, renovation of the doctors quarters and provision of solar powered lighting to boost efficiency.

The Ag. Medical Director, Dr. Daniel Moses commended the government on the promises to transform the hospital

News

UNIBEN Releases Screening Results, Begins Admission Process

Published

2 hours ago

September 9, 2025

Editor

The University of Benin has released the results of its just-concluded Post-UTME and Direct Entry screening test, with scores now accessible on candidates’ UNIBEN portal pages.

The institution’s Public Relations Officer, Benedicta Ehanire, announced this on Tuesday via a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria on Benin.

Ehanire, however, urged candidates to disregard the “NOT ADMITTED” status currently appearing on their slips.

She clarified that the admission process had officially commenced and would run until Oct. 31, in line with the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board schedule.

According to her, all candidates who scored 50 per cent and above in the screening are eligible for consideration, subject to the recommended admission guidelines.

“Further details on the admission process will be released in due course,” she said.