Connect with us

News

Insecurity: Edo CP Gives Scorecard In Fight Against Kidnapping On Highways

Published

on

 

The Edo State Commissioner of Police, CP, Abutu Yaro, on Saturday said the Benin-Ekpoma Road has not recorded any kidnapping activities due to the availability of logistics provided by the state government to the command in combating crime.

Advertisement

He disclosed this in Benin during a meeting with members of the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), and other relevant stakeholders in the state.

CP Yaro also said that in the last 120 days, the only kidnapping activity that was witnessed in the state was carried out along the Benin-Lagos express near Ogbemudia Farm, adding that it was heavily repelled by men of the operatives of the command.

“I can confidently attest that in the past 90 days, the road between Benin and Ekpoma has never witnessed kidnapping.

Advertisement

” I can equally attest that in the last 120 days, we had only one kidnapping attempt in Benin-Lagos Expressway at Ogbemudia Farm and which the police reacted totally and effectively rescued the victim and gave the kidnappers a tough firing experience”, he said.

Yaro opined that the command has further taken delivery of 15 vehicles and other logistics that will make policing the state and making it safe for businesses and other social activities to thrive from the state government.

“I want to use this forum once more to commend the governor of Edo State for initiating this process and for bringing in new and robust security and engineering modern.

Advertisement

“As I speak, His Excellency, the governor has placed elaborate CCTV camera system that covers almost every strategic place in the state capital.

“As I speak too, His Excellency has reenforced the police command with additional special forces components from Abuja in order to enable the proportional capacity of the command to remain consistently ahead.

READ ALSO: Edo CP Vows To Rescue Abducted Victim Within Four Hours

Advertisement

“The governor has equally donated 15 new operational vehicles to the police command which are already be deployed to the divisions and as I speak in all the 58 police divisions in Edo state, we are operating with functional mobilities that is to say, we have functional vehicles and as I speak, the elements of lubricants, petroleum and diesel required to power this vehicles have been emplaced”, he said.

The Commissioner of Police, while commending the Edo Security Network (ESN) for working hand-in-hand with the police in reducing crime and criminality in the state, said, the outfit will be reorganised.

He assured that within the next 72 hours, the officers and men of the operatives (ESN) would be given adequate training at the Ogida Police Barracks to enable them do their jobs effectively and professionally.

Advertisement

He further said the resolution of the meeting is for all stakeholders to support the Edo State Police Command in actualising the mandate of securing Edo and make it to be more peaceful and urging us to fight violent crimes and criminality especially kidnapping and violent cultism.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Comments

News

Online Reports On Protest False, Intent To Tarnish Our Image – AAU Ekpoma

Published

on

The management of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, Edo State, has debunked recent online reports alleging a protest by students of the institution over exam delays, unpaid lecturers, and inaction by the university administration.

The institution described the claims as a “false narrative” allegedlybbeing peddled by “mischief makers” intent on undermining the university’s reputation for personal gains.

Advertisement

Speaking at a press briefing in Benin on Monday, Otunba Mike Aladenika,
Principal Assistant Registrar/Head of Information & Public Relations, AAU, Ekpoma, said what occurred at the main gate was not a protest, but rather a gathering of part-time students from the Directorate of Sciences and Humanities (DSH), who sought clarification on their academic programs.

What happened that day was not a protest, but a gathering of part-time students who wanted to know their academic positions, but the management promptly responded to their concerns, providing further information and assurances that satisfied the students.

READ ALSO: AAU Ekpoma Students Flee Campus, Classes Over Fear Of EFCC’s Arrest

Advertisement

“There was no protest that warranted tension in the university, contrary to the erroneous report,” he added.

Aladenika further noted that those behind the online publication were previously instrumental in bringing about the now-defunct Special Intervention Team (SIT) regime, stressing that they may be attempting to reignite tensions to destabilize the current administration.

Clearly, the intention is to tarnish our institution’s reputation,” he said.

Advertisement

The current administration, led by Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sunday Olowo Samuel, inherited a deeply troubled part-time programme beset with challenges, including un-cleared staff claims and delayed examinations.

“These issues were largely as a result of poor funding over the past eight years and restrictive policies imposed by the SIT.

READ ALSO: Okpebholo Reinstates AAU Staff Sacked By Ex-Governor Obaseki’s Govt

Advertisement

“Despite these obstacles, the administration has recorded substantial achievements in revitalizing the Directorate of Sciences and Humanities,” he added.

He disclosed that the 2022/2023 first semester lectures, delayed by 11 months, commenced in March 2024 and were concluded with examinations in January 2025, adding that the second semester followed from February 26 to May 2, 2025, paving the way for the commencement of a new academic session.

Aladenika maintained that the institution has implemented a new result release policy, highlighting interventions by the Edo State Government.

Advertisement

By implementing these changes, Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma demonstrates its commitment to improving academic processes and student experience.

“Beyond the faculties and departments sourcing alternative power supplies, the state government has announced plans to provide a 1.5-megawatt alternative power supply to support all sectors of our main campus.

READ ALSO: Alleged Financial Impropriety: Prof. Iyalomhe Exonerated, Reinstated As Provost College Of Medicine, AAU

Advertisement

“Additionally, the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) will be installing a solar plant, a testament to our university’s prominence in the South-South region.

“Notably, Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma is the sole beneficiary of this initiative in the region,” he said.

The Computer-Based Examinations (CBEs) for 100 Level students of the Directorate of Science and Humanities were processed and released within one week. All results for the 2023/2024 academic session are now available online,”

Advertisement

Aladenika, also said AAU, Ekpoma has entered into Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) with a Chinese University for knowledge transfer and partnership.

Furthermore, we’ve signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with a Chinese university, paving the way for technology transfer and exchange programs.

“This partnership will undoubtedly enhance our academic and research capabilities,” He concluded.

Advertisement

Continue Reading

News

Obi In Benin, Donates N15m To St Philomena School of Nursing Sciences

Published

on

says life without help to humanity, is not worth living

Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, on Monday, July 7, 2025, donated a sum of N15 million to St. Philomena School of Nursing Sciences, Benin, as support to the school’s ongoing project, saying “life without support or help to humanity, is not worth living.”

The former governor of Anambra State said For the future of the country, “we need to invest in you (students of nursing),” predicting that “by year 2030, the world will be short of nurses to work in the hospital,” due to the high demand.

Advertisement

Obi, who described health, education, and pulling people out of poverty as the most important investment in any nation, disclosed that due to the premium he placed on health particularly nursing, out of the 52 weeks in a year, he visits at least one health facility every week, stressing that this act of visit and donation is not politically motivated but what he had been doing even before he came into politics.

READ ALSO: 2027: Peter Obi Speaks On Running For President, Deal With Atiku

Obi said: “I’m here to support what you are doing. I’m here because, for the future of this country, we need to invest in you. Across Nigeria, I support over 50 school of nursing sciences. 52 two weeks of the year, every week I must visit a school of nursing sciences.

Advertisement

“My weekly visit to the schools is not because of politics, because people think it’s because of politics that I’m doing this, but no. I was doing this even before I came into politics.

“Life without support or help to humanity, is not worth living.

“Father didn’t ask me to come back; none of you called me to come back. I was the one who called Father last night that.

Advertisement

READ ALSO: Only A Formidable Coalition Can Salvage Nigeria, Says Peter Obi

“You might not know what you’re studying now. By the year 2030, the world will be short of nurses to work in the hospital. Because healthcare is the most important thing today.”

He continued: “Like I always say, school is the most important investment you can give to humanity: number one, education; number two, health. It is said that a healthy nation is a wealthy nation. So, we must invest in health.

Advertisement

“The most important measurable developments are health, education, and pulling people out of poverty — and I am focused on all the three.

“You can’t talk about health without talking about the human capital infrastructure within it. The most important infrastructure in health are the nurses because they are the closest to the patients,” Obi added.

READ ALSO: Coalition: Abure-led LP Gives Obi 48 Hours To Leave Party

Advertisement

When asked his presidential ambition and his alleged alignment with the newly formed coalition, Obi declined comment while he noted: “When I arrived the airport this morning, the journalist asked me why I’m Benin, and I said to them please I’m not in Benin for politics. I’m in Benin to talk about the future of Nigeria.

“We the politicians spend too much time talking about politics while leaving the Nigerian children and people to suffer. This is not what I’m here for.”

On his part, Rev. Fr. Jerome Idebe, while appreciating Obi for the kind gesture, noted that the donation will go a “long way in completing the project we started years ago.”

Advertisement

He assured the former Anambra State governor that the funds will be rightly channelled towards the betterment of the school and the students.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

News

What To Know About Rashidi Ladoja, The Next In To Become Olubadan

Published

on

The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, on Monday joined his ancestors, paving the way for the emergence of former Oyo State Governor, Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, as the next in line to the throne.

Contents
Background and Education
Early Political Involvement
Banking Career
Governorship of Oyo State
Political Crisis and Impeachment
Court Victory and Return to Office
EFCC Arrest
Subsequent Governorship Contests
Retreat from Politics
Acceptance of Ceremonial Beaded Crown

Advertisement

Tribune Online reports that the monarch, who ascended the throne in July 2024, died in the early hours of Monday, July 7, 2025, after spending only a year as Olubadan. His death came just two days after celebrating his 90th birthday.

To become Olubadan, a candidate must belong to one of the two high-ranking traditional chieftaincy lines — the Balogun (military) and Otun (civil) lines.

The late Oba Olakulehin belonged to the Balogun line and had waited 38 years after becoming Jagun Balogun before ascending the throne.

Advertisement

With his passing, the line of succession now shifts to the Otun line, where High Chief Rashidi Ladoja currently holds the highest position as Otun Olubadan. However, Ladoja’s ascension to the throne of Olubadan is subject to the approval of the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde.

READ ALSO: JUST IN: Olubadan, Oba Olakulehin, Is Dead

In this article, Nigerian Tribune compiled important things to know about the man expected to become the next Olubadan.

Advertisement

Background and Education

Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja was born on September 24, 1944, in the Gambari area of Ibadan. He attended Ibadan Boys High School from 1958 to 1963 and Olivet Baptist High School between 1964 and 1965. He later studied chemical engineering at the University of Liège, Belgium, between 1966 and 1972.

Early Political Involvement

Ladoja was elected to the Nigerian Senate in 1993 during the short-lived Nigerian Third Republic, representing the United Nigeria Congress Party under the Abacha political transition.

Banking Career

In 2000, he rose to the position of director at Standard Trust Bank Limited before fully returning to politics.

Advertisement

Governorship of Oyo State

He was elected governor of Oyo State in April 2003 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and assumed office on May 29, 2003. His emergence was backed by the late Alhaji Lamidi Adedibu, a major PDP power broker in the state.

READ ALSO: JUST IN: Ladoja Withdraws Suit Against Olubadan-in-Council

Political Crisis and Impeachment

By August 2004, a power struggle between Ladoja and Adedibu over government appointments plunged the administration into crisis. This eventually led to Ladoja’s impeachment by Oyo State legislators on January 12, 2006. His deputy, Adebayo Alao-Akala, was sworn in as governor.

Advertisement

Court Victory and Return to Office

On November 1, 2006, the Court of Appeal declared the impeachment null and void, pending Supreme Court confirmation. The apex court upheld the verdict on November 11, 2006, and Ladoja officially resumed office on December 12, 2006.

EFCC Arrest

On August 28, 2008, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrested Ladoja over allegations of non-remittance of N1.9 billion from the sale of government shares during his administration. He was briefly remanded in prison by the Federal High Court in Lagos on August 30, 2008, and granted bail of N100 million on September 5.

Subsequent Governorship Contests

Advertisement

He ran as the Accord Party candidate in the 2011 and 2015 Oyo State governorship elections but lost both times to Senator Abiola Ajimobi.

Retreat from Politics

Ladoja later joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and then the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) in 2018 before stepping away from partisan politics to focus on traditional duties.

Acceptance of Ceremonial Beaded Crown

On August 12, 2024, the late Olubadan, Oba Olakulehin, presented the ceremonial beaded crown to High Chief Ladoja — a crown he had previously rejected during the administration of former Governor Abiola Ajimobi.

Advertisement

(TRIBUNE)

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending