News

Group Cautions Against Ceding Of Edo Lands To Biafra

Published

8 months ago

December 1, 2024

Editor

A group on the platform of Great Benin Descendants (GBD), has cautioned against an attempt to cede any parts of the Benin lands to the Biafra, saying such a move will be resisted.

The group gave the warning during a stakeholders’ meeting with the theme: “Unity: A stimulus for our collective greatness” in Benin.

The group, in a 12-point communique read by its Coordinator General, Izoduwa Imasuen, said the Benin Kingdom, over the years, has been so magnanimous to strangers who came to settle in their land.

He said in recent times however, it seems that this act of kindness is being taken for cowardice as the settlers now claim ownership of the land.

Imasuen who listened to various complaints of marginalisation and intimidations against the various persons who have their ancestral roots from the Benin Kingdom at the meeting, came up with the following resolutions aimed at addressing the issues and foster unity among them.

The statement reads in part: “There is an urgent need for total unity and backup from the center (Benin kingdom) through our royal father to all Great Benin People.

“There is a need for Language Unification. All ethnic nationalities that migrated from great Benin are to henceforth imbibe the culture of naming their children great Benin names

“Houses of assembly of all great Benin descendants states to pass a law to ensure the Edo Language is thought in all schools and Edo Language added to school curricular.

“To plead with the Oba of Benin to accommodate the ethnic nationalities from Benin for a royal visit to his palace and to be their voices especially as regards marginalization from the Igbos.

“No part of Benin land no matter the propaganda and threat will be ceded to the imaginary Biafra.

“Great Benin people are one and equal people.

“That henceforth, it is resolved that Great Benin Kingdom and any other nationalities that traced their ancestry to Benin will work as one and speak in one voice as injury to one is an injury to all.

“That going forward, there will be entertainment and sporting activities in all kingdoms that traced their origin to Benin as a sign of solidarity and affinity. These activities will be mixed with our culture.

“Great Benin Descendants -GBD to liaise and work with all social cultural groups of our sister kingdoms and groups that have same vision with her.

“Continuous and unending alliance the center -Benin Kingdom to all other ethnic groups from great Benin including their festivals.

“Continuous sensitization from GBD on who we are as a people by regular meetings, press briefings and circulars to enable our people have consciousness of where they came from.

“Visitation to the palace to let our monarch know what is happening in Rivers state and other ethnic nationalities from the great Benin”.

Speaking also, the Rivers State coordinator of GBD, Mr. Kenneth Orgwu urged all those who could trace their ancestry to Benin to always learn to showcase the rich cultural heritage of the Benin wherever they are.

He said such can be done by attending a function and dressing in the way and manner the Benin people dress so as to help drive the message of oneness further.

News

17-year-old Nigerian Named World Best In English At 2025 TeenEagle Finals In London

Published

7 hours ago

August 5, 2025

Editor

…Outperforms over 20,000 participants from 69 countries

Nafisa Aminu, a 17-year-old student of Tulip International College, Yobe State, has emerged world’s best in English at the 2025 TeenEagle Global Finals.

The 17-year-old was named the World Best in English Language Skills at the 2025 TeenEagle Global Finals held in London, United Kingdom.

The TeenEagle competition is an internationally recognised contest that tests English proficiency, critical thinking, and communication skills, attracting students from both English-speaking and non-English-speaking nations.

Nafisa’s triumph was confirmed in a statement by the head of her family, Hassan Salifu, who attributed her success to “dedication, discipline, and the enabling support of the state government.”

Representing Nigeria, Nafisa outperformed over 20,000 participants from 69 countries, a historic feat that has thrust her into the global academic spotlight and brought honour to Nigeria.

News

FG Promotes 30 Senior NCoS Officers To Assistant Controller General

Published

7 hours ago

August 5, 2025

Editor

The Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board has approved the promotion of 30 senior officers of the Nigerian Correctional Service to the rank of Assistant Controller General of Corrections.

The announcement was made in a press statement signed by the NCoS spokesperson Umar Abubakar, on Tuesday.

“The Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board has approved the promotion of 30 Controllers of Corrections to the prestigious rank of Assistant Controller General of Corrections,” the statement read.

Abubakar noted that the promotions were made in line with CDCFIB’s commitment to “merit-based advancement, professional excellence, and the continuous strengthening of leadership within the Nigerian Correctional Service.”

“Among the newly promoted officers are twenty-seven general duty officers who have demonstrated exceptional dedication, leadership, and operational competence in various formations across the country.

“In addition, three professional officers have also been elevated in recognition of their outstanding service and specialized contributions in the areas of Medical Laboratory Science, Nursing, and Public Health,” the statement read.

According to the statement, the promotion exercise was said to align with the ongoing reforms in the Service, a key part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The statement credited the reform momentum to the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, whose efforts were described as “unwavering” and “unprecedented.”

Controller General of Corrections, Sylvester Nwakuche, congratulated the newly promoted officers, charging them to rise to the responsibilities of their new roles.

“I urge them to redouble their effort to service delivery, strategic leadership, and the core mandates of reformation, rehabilitation, and reintegration of inmates,” he said.

He further stressed that the promotions are not merely rewards for past service but “a call to higher responsibility in line with global best practices in correctional management.”

“The Service remains committed to building a motivated, disciplined, and professional workforce capable of meeting the complex demands of modern corrections and public safety,” Nwakuche added.

News

Adeleke Flies To US For Davido’s Wedding

Published

8 hours ago

August 5, 2025

Editor

Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has travelled to the United States to attend the wedding ceremony of his nephew and music star, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido.

Recall, Davido confirmed that he and his wife, Chioma Avril Rowland, will have their white wedding in Miami, Florida, in August 2025.

He made the announcement during an interview on The Breakfast Club, aired on Tuesday, April 8, 2025.

The governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, confirmed Adeleke’s trip in a statement issued on Tuesday, in response to concerns raised by the opposition All Progressives Congress over the governor’s whereabouts.

“Governor Adeleke left Nigeria for the United States via the family’s private jet a few days ago for the wedding of the global music icon, his beloved nephew, David Adeleke.

“His Excellency is extending an invitation to the opposition party to attend the event and share in the joy of the occasion with the Adeleke family.

“Those unable to attend may join virtually,” Rasheed stated.

He noted that Adeleke had not taken any official vacation since assuming office in November 2022 and said the current trip would be short.

“Additionally, from the November 2022 date, the governor has not gone on official vacation.

“For this current trip, the Governor has again chosen to make it a short one to continually attend to crucial state functions.

“Meanwhile, the Governor is in constant communication with his deputy, Prince Kola Adewusi, who is supervising activities of the government,” Rasheed added.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Osun APC had accused Adeleke of leaving the state without informing residents or formally transmitting power to his deputy. The party described the governor’s absence as “abnormal.”

In a statement signed by its spokesperson, Kola Olabisi, the party said, “The question being asked in hushed tones in some public places, inside commercial buses and by motorcycle riders and their passengers in the state, is where could be the whereabouts of their governor for this long.

“As the governor of all and sundry, we as a party need to know the whereabouts of the governor and who has been holding fort for him during his absence from the state since two weeks ago.

“Did the governor duly transmit power to his deputy who is constitutionally covered to temporarily step into the shoes of his principal in his absence?”