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BIRTHDAY: Ex-NBA President, Akpata Celebrates, Thanks God, Narrates How He Survives Terminal Ailment

Published

2 years ago

October 8, 2023

Family members, friends from the legal profession and the media, political associates gathered yesterday, October 7th, 2023 to celebrate and rejoice with a former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Olumide Osaigbovo Akpata as he clocks 51.

The who-is-who birthday luncheon held at the ultramodern Rose Garden event centre, Benin City, also attracted the State Working Committee of the Labour Party (LP); top government functionaries from Edo State Government including the Deputy Governor of the state, Comrade Philip Shaibu; Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie, Esq.; Chief of Staff to Governor Godwin Obaseki, Osaigbovo Iyoha and commissioners.

Also in attendance was the celebrant’s political family, that is the Labour Party led by the Edo State Chairman, Comrade Kelly Ogbaloi and all members of the State Working Committee.

Akpata, who is aspiring to become governor of Edo State on the platform of the Labour Party in the forthcoming gubernatorial election, could not hide his feelings as he danced joyfully in appreciation to God for how far He (God) has helped him particularly for making him to survive a terminal ailment that would have sent him to the great beyond ten year ago.

The celebrant, while thanking family members, friends, political associates for joining him in celebrating the faithfulness of God Almighty, said: “We are here to celebrate and to thank God. You may have noticed that I have been dancing around the hall, I am dancing in thanksgiving to God because I turned 51 today.”

He added: “It is a miracle that I am still standing, and at every point I must give thanks to God. I am a cancer survival. I was diagnosed with a stage 3 cancer over ten years ago, but as you see me I have been cancer free for at least five years, by the grace of God.

“I have had multiple surgeries; but even before that, I was only 19 years old in my final year in the University of Benin when I lost my mother at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital. My mother did not make it to 49, anything could have happened to me.

“My journey would have been different, the lost of a mother at that critical stage can just turn things around, but God was there and He has been there for all these 31 years till today. She died when I was writing my final year examinations, yet I became a lawyer, I started my career, I set up a law firm in conjunction with my elder brother and ultimately I became president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).

“So, you understand why I am so excited; why I am so happy; why I am grateful to God, and that is why I gather friends and family to celebrate with me.”

Related Topics:Labour Party Olumide Akpata

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Edo Govt Bars Journalists From Covering Event In State House

Published

15 minutes ago

December 2, 2025

Editor

Journalists invited by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to cover the declaration of Edo as the official hosts of the 2026 NDDC Sports Festival were on Tuesday barred from covering the event inside the Government House in Benin City.

The journalists had sat at the venue of the event named Presidential Villa inside the Government House at around 11:00 a.m. for the official kick off of the event.

After waiting for over one hour in the Presidential Villa, information came that the venue for the event had been changed to the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) office, prompting both the journalists, NDDC officials and other dignitaries to move from the Presidential Villa to the SSG office.

Not too long had both the journalists and other dignitaries seated at the conference hall of the SSG that one of the protocols of the governor popularly known as Pikolo arrived at the hall and announced that the government was informed that only 27 persons were invited for the programme, hence anyone whose name was not in the government list would not be allowed into to the programme when it commences.

A few minutes after Pikolo made the announcement, Chairman of the Edo State chapter of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, Kehinde Osaigede stood up to announce that he had been sent a message that the venue had been changed to the initial venue (Presidential Villa).

Moving out of the SSG section of the Government House to the Presidential Villa, journalists came across the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Fred Itua, and when he saw them (journalists) he asked after exchanging pleasantries, “were you invited by the organisers? No, I will not allow you in, this is strictly for State House reporters. The governor is personally attending the programme, so it is strictly for the State House. Presidential Villa? No!”

Shortly after uttering the above words near the Deputy Governor’s section inside the Government House, Itua moved hurriedly to the Presidential Villa section and the gate was shot for screening of persons.

When journalists and others invited got to the gate of the Presidential Villa they were subjected to screening. While some dignitaries were screened in, some journalists and some staff members of the NDDC were shut out of the venue.

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Otuaro Felicitates Tompolo On Honorary Doctorate Award

Published

16 hours ago

December 2, 2025

Editor

Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr Dennis Otuaro has congratulated High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, on the conferment of an Honorary Doctorate of Laws (LLD) by the E.K. Clark University.

Otuaro described the recognition as well-deserved and befitting, noting that Tompolo has, over the years, demonstrated uncommon commitment to the peace, progress, and stability of the Niger Delta and Nigeria at large.

According to him, Tompolo’s role in sustaining peace in the region, particularly through his steadfast support for dialogue, community engagement, and nonviolent approaches to conflict resolution, has made a significant contribution to national security and economic stability.

He further noted that, beyond his contributions to peacebuilding, Tompolo has demonstrated extraordinary compassion, philanthropy, and devotion to humanitarian causes.

He added that his investments in youth empowerment stand as clear evidence of a man whose heart is truly with his people.

“Tompolo’s good heart, generosity, and love for humanity distinguish him as a leader of rare character,” Otuaro said.

The PAP Administrator commended E.K. Clark University for identifying and honouring a personality whose impact continues to resonate across the Niger Delta and beyond.

He urged other institutions to emulate such gestures that celebrate individuals advancing society through selfless service.

Dr Otuaro prayed for God’s continued guidance, long life, and strength for High Chief Ekpemupolo as he continues to serve the Niger Delta and Nigeria with dignity, wisdom, and compassion.