News

Insecurity: Don Recommends Use Of Ethnic Militia

Published

2 years ago

July 6, 2023

Editor

Prof. Godwin Aondohemba Vaasen of Edo State University Uzairue has recommended the use of ethnic militia movement as states police in order to compliment the efforts of the Nigerian Police Force (NPF).

Prof. Vaasen made the recommendation while delivery an Inaugural Lecture of the Edo State University, Uzairue titled: ‘Transforming Ethnic Militia Movement to State Police: Towards Combating the Security Challenges in Contemporary Nigeria.’

The Professor of History and International Studies said the police are an indispensable part the society, adding that they have been doing their best to maintain peace and security in Nigeria.

He added that despite their efforts, they (police) are still limited by certain factors in the performance of their duties hence, the call for the use of ethnic militia movement to compliment their efforts.

“The positive attributes of these militia movement including their occasioned control of crime and their services as pressure groups for their communities is crucial for the attainment of peace if properly tackled, as their use as states police force will go a long way and as an antidote to the security challenges in Nigeria”.

Prof. Vaasen, a former lecturer at the Nigerian Police Academy however stated that due to the possibility of some state governments misusing the state police to perhaps intimidate their political opponents, legal backing should be sought before their establishment.

He stressed the need for those to be used as state police to be scrutinized with a viewing to flushing out the “bad eggs” among them.

He said the establishment of the state police will increase the numerical strength of the force, who, according to him, are inadequate.

According to him, some ethnic militia movement were formed as a result of the rising tide of violent crimes in the country and the seeming inability of the police to control the situation.

The professor further stated that the militia groups are very familiar with the terrain of their various environments and may effectively be able to dislodge kidnappers and other criminals who may not be familiar with the environment.

He, however, Prof. Vaasen recommended increased cooperation between members of the judiciary and the police in order to judiciously fight crime and take crime fighting to the grassroots level.

Earlier in his address, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Emmanuel Aluyor said the Inaugural Lecture hold a special place within academic community as they mark the beginning of a new era for both the lecturer and the university.

He said the university is dedicated to providing a conducive environment for learning, fostering intellectual growth and nurturing young minds.

“We aim to produce graduates who are not only academically accomplished but also equipped with the skills and knowledge to drive positive charge in society”.

While congratulating the lecturer for his well-thought out topic, he said it’s of utmost relevance to the current challenges the nation faces as it highlights the critical need to address security concerns and transform them into opportunities for progress.

The VC reiterated the university’s commitment to supporting and promoting research, adding that the university will continue to provide the necessary resources, infrastructure and encourage scholars to excel in their pursuit of knowledge.

News

Back To School: Lions Club Distributes Educational Materials In Edo Schools

Published

4 hours ago

October 4, 2025

Editor

The Benin Etete Unique and Edo Heritage Lions of the International Association of Lions Club on Friday jointly distributed educational materials to two schools in Benin City as part of the association corporate services to humanity.

The two clubs in District 404-A4 Lions Nigeria, jointly carried out the distribution of notebooks, maths sets, school bags and sandals, pens and other writing materials to excited pupils in Ivbioba Primary School and Oghede-Ivioba Primary School, Ugbighoko, Egor Local Government Area, and Evbiyenava Primary School, in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State.

Themed, Back to School Project, pupils were also engaged in Reading Action Program (RAP) and Spelling Bee Competition, after which winners were presented with special prizes.

In their remarks, Lions Darlington Uyi and Franca Nikoro, presidents of Benin Etete Unique and Edo Heritage Lions Clubs stated that the vision of the Lions International is to serve humanity.

They, therefore, tasked pupils on commitment to their studies in order to attain their fullest potentials in life.

“Emulate Lions in your visions for tomorrow. We have various professionals as members, and if you are committed to your studies, obedient to your parents and teachers, you will attain great heights,” Lion Uyi Darlinton Stated.

“Our vision is to serve, and we are here like we do every period to ensure Literacy is inculcated in pupils to enable them to attain their full potential. It is our earnest desire that you grow into well rounded personalities. Literacy is important in order to actualize that aspiration,” Franca Nikoro stated.

Earlier, in his address, Lion Sir Dede Henry Idemudia, Zone 6A Chairperson, tasked the pupils on good conduct, honour to parents and guardians and obedience to instructions of school authority.

News

NAFDAC Gives Nigerian Food Companies 18 Months To Cut Trans Fats

Published

5 hours ago

October 3, 2025

Editor

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has set an 18-month grace period, effectively giving food companies until early 2026 before facing full enforcement of regulations to eliminate industrially produced Trans-Fatty Acids (TFA).

The initiative, launched as a comprehensive strategy and roadmap for TFA regulation, moves Nigeria from simply having the policy to enforcing its world-class standard: a regulatory limit of no more than two grams of industrially produced trans fat per 100 grams of total fat or oil.

The Director-General of NAFDAC, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, emphasised that the roadmap moves the country beyond policy creation to aggressive enforcement and implementation.

This was contained in the NAFDAC DG’s keynote speech posted on the agency’s official X (formerly Twitter) on Friday.

Adeyeye stressed the moral imperative of the Agency’s mission.

“The removal of industrially produced trans fats from the food chain is not only a technical achievement, but a moral imperative.

“Eliminating industrially produced trans fats is possible, achievable, necessary, and urgent,” Adeyeye stated, calling for national collaboration.

The moratorium period is designed to allow manufacturers to exhaust existing stock with outdated labels and reformulate their products to comply with the legal limit.

NAFDAC’s action targets a dangerous dietary risk factor strongly linked to cardiovascular disease, stroke, and premature death globally.

Adeyeye emphasised the significance of the move beyond technical compliance, noting, “The removal of industrially produced trans fats from the food chain is not only a technical achievement, but a moral imperative.”

This aggressive step builds upon Nigeria’s existing reputation; the country was recognised by the World Health Organisation in 2023 for adopting best-practice TFA elimination policies.

The new roadmap is key to securing WHO validation of Nigeria’s full TFA elimination programme, establishing the nation as a regional leader in public health interventions.

News

Mohbad’s Father Urges Lagos AG To Prosecute Wife, Nurse, Others

Published

5 hours ago

October 3, 2025

Editor

Joseph Aloba, the father of late singer Mohbad, has urged the Lagos State government to initiate criminal proceedings against individuals named in the coroner’s inquest into his son’s death.

Mohbad passed away on September 12, 2023, following an injection administered by auxiliary nurse Feyisayo Ogedengbe.

Despite being buried the next day, public outcry and ongoing investigations led to the exhumation of his body on September 21, 2023, for an autopsy.

In a letter dated October 3 and addressed to the attorney general of Lagos State through his lawyers, Aloba demanded that criminal charges be filed against those indicted within 14 days.

“Specifically, we refer to persons indicted by the coroner’s verdict hereunder: Miss Ogedengbe Fisayo, indicted for unlawful medical practice and gross medical negligence; and Mrs. Omowunmi Aloba, indicted for negligence,” the letter reads.

“This includes Ibrahim Owodunni, a.k.a. Prime Boy, and others who either facilitated the invitation of the auxiliary nurse or refused to take him promptly to a recognised medical facility for treatment.”

Mohbad’s father said he was concerned that despite the coroner’s clear verdict, no prosecutorial steps had been taken against those indicted nearly three months after the judgment.

He asked the attorney general to exercise prosecutorial powers within the 14 days, or, in the alternative, grant him and his legal team a fiat to prosecute the matter on behalf of the state.

“Our Client, as a bereaved father desirous of ensuring that justice is done and seen to be done, is deeply concerned that notwithstanding the clear indictments contained in the Coroner’s Verdict, no prosecutorial steps have been taken against the aforementioned persons since the delivery of the Verdict on 11th July, 2025,” the letter reads.

“The judicial observations amount to clear indictments warranting the prosecution of the said individuals in order to give full effect to the Coroner’s findings and recommendations, and to ensure that justice is manifestly and adequately served in this matter.

“We request that you exercise your prosecutorial power on the above subject matter within 14 Days Next, in view of the high sensitivity of this matter and the public attention and outrage it has generated.”

In October 2023, Naira Marley and Sam Larry were arrested over allegations linking them to Mohbad’s death, but were released on bail after five weeks in detention.

By February 2025, a magistrate court cleared them of any involvement in the singer’s demise.