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

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.
READ ALSO: JUST IN: Chairman, Committee Of Vice-Chancellors, Prof. Edoumiekumo Is Dead
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.
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“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.”
News
Tinubu Approves Tenure Extension For Surveyor-General
President Bola Tinubu has approved a two-year tenure extension for the Surveyor-General of the Federation, Mr. AbuduGaniyu Adebomehin.
The move is aimed at consolidating ongoing reforms in Nigeria’s geospatial data systems and national land administration, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, revealed in a statement released on Wednesday.
The extension will take effect from January 5, 2026, and follows the recent transfer of the Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation to the Presidency.
The transfer places geospatial intelligence and national surveying operations directly under the executive arm.
READ ALSO:Brigadier-General, Other Officers Detained Over Alleged Coup Plot To Overthrow President Tinubu
Adebomehin’s two-year extension will see him serve until January 2028.
According to Onanuga, “The President expects Mr Adebomehin to consolidate the reforms within the next two years, focusing on national land management and administration, highways and abutting land infrastructure coordination, reclamation and erosion control programmes, and other related matters of strategic national importance.”
Adebomehin was appointed the Surveyor-General of the Federation by the late President Muhammadu Buhari, effective January 5, 2022.
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Okpebholo Announces Plan To Recruit 3,000 Teachers In Edo
Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has announced plans to employ 3,000 teachers in the state.
This was contained in a statement released by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, on Wednesday.
Okpebholo supervised the handing out of letters of employment to 5,000 teachers in the state last Wednesday.
The teachers, who for years were on contract with a monthly stipend of ₦65,000 during the administration of Godwin Obaseki, were formally handed appointment letters during a ceremony held at Government House.
The governor emphasised the significance of the occasion and the government’s commitment to valuing its educators.
READ ALSO:Okpebholo’s Eight-year Tenure Non-negotiable, Says Commissioner
In appreciation of the governor’s kind gesture, the Edo State Chapter of the Nigerian Union of Teachers were at the government house on Tuesday, where it conferred a Lifetime Achievement Award on the governor by Edo in recognition of his exceptional reforms and commitment to repositioning the state’s education sector.
The award was presented by NUT State Chairman, Bernard Ajobiewe, in the company of the Acting Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Edo State chapter, Comrade Bernard Egwahide.
In return, the governor announced plans to recruit an additional 3,000 teachers to strengthen teaching capacity and improve learning outcomes across public schools in the state.
Okpebholo expressed deep appreciation to Edo teachers for their diligence and patriotism in shaping the future of the State.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to education as the cornerstone of human development.
READ ALSO:Okpebholo Believes In Courage, Capacity Says Edo Poly Rector
“Teachers remain a top priority in our development agenda and the state has finalised plans to employ 3000 additional teachers.
“We are building and renovating schools across Edo, and as infrastructure improves, so must manpower. Our goal is to ensure that no school lacks qualified teachers and that every child receives quality education in a conducive learning environment,” the governor said.
Okpebholo emphasised that his administration had put an end to the era of overcrowded classrooms and combined classes that once defined Edo’s public schools, noting that the new education reforms have already restored public confidence in the system.
He also reiterated that his government would not engage in political witch-hunts, but would allow performance and public perception to judge the actions of the previous administration.
“If the last administration had performed well, the Edo people would have felt it. We are focused on rebuilding the system and restoring pride in our schools. My administration is committed to results, not rhetoric,” Okpebholo stated.
READ ALSO:World Habitat Day: Okpebholo Commends Building Control Agency For Developmental Milestones
The governor further assured continued collaboration with labour unions to sustain industrial harmony and drive collective progress.
He pledged to donate a bus to the NUT to facilitate its statewide operations and monitoring activities across Edo’s 18 local government areas.
“We will continue to maintain a strong working relationship with the NUT and all labour unions. The welfare of teachers remains the heart of our education reforms,” he added.
In his remarks, Ajobiewe commended the governor for regularising the employment of over 5,000 Edo-Star teachers, who had remained contract staff for more than three years under the previous administration.
“In less than a year, our story as teachers has changed from frustration to fulfilment. Governor Okpebholo has not only restored dignity to the teaching profession but has rekindled hope in public education. His actions demonstrate true leadership and empathy,” Ajobiewe said.
Similarly, Egwahide praised the governor’s people-oriented leadership and promised the union’s continued support for his administration.
“We are grateful to a governor who listens, acts, and delivers. The workers of Edo State will stand by you as you continue to transform our education sector and fulfil your promises,” he affirmed.
News
Davido Gets New Appointment
The Osun State Government has announced the appointment of Afrobeats star, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, as chairman of the Osun Sports Trust Fund.
The government said the move was aimed at raising funds to transform the state sports sector.
It also reaffirmed its commitment to completing the ongoing renovation and rehabilitation of the Osogbo Township Stadium, assuring that the upgraded facility will meet Olympic standards upon completion.
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As reported by the Guardian Nigeria, confirming the appointment, the state deputy governor, Kola Adewusi, who doubles as the Commissioner for Sports, said the state government under Governor Ademola Adeleke is determined to transform the stadium into a world-class sports arena that will not only host national events but also attract international competitions.
He said, “Ongoing renovation and rehabilitation of the Osogbo Township Stadium to meet Olympic standards — a project that will be completed in the shortest possible time.
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“I am pleased to inform you that plans are in advanced stages towards the establishment of the Osun State Sports Commission, which will serve as a central body for sports administration, development, and policy implementation. Introduction of a Sports Trust Fund to attract support from sports philanthropists within and outside the state, ensuring sustainable sports financing and development.
“Davido has been appointed to chair the Sports Trust Fund, and he did not hesitate in accepting the appointment. His intervention would attract funds that would impact Osun sports positively.”
Details later…
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