Metro

Jonathan Vists Benin Monarch, Says Only Quality Education Can Birth Good Leadership In Africa

Published

2 years ago

June 11, 2024

Former president of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan says quality education is needed among Africans for the continent to transform into society everyone desires.

He added that it is only young Africans are given quality education that they can attain a position of leadership and transform the continent.

Jonathan made these assertions in Benin Tuesday when he paid a courtesy visit to the Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, where he informed the First Class Monarch of an upcoming programme by his foundation (Goodluck Jonathan Foundation) billed for Thursday.

The programme, Democracy Dialogue, with the theme: Functional Education, Effective Political Leadership as a Panacea to Africa’s Growth and Development,’ is expected to have as a guest speaker, Prof. Olubayi Olubayi, a seasoned educationist, Chief Academic Officer at Maarifa Education, a Kenya based Pan-African company that owns private universities across Africa and former Vice Chancellor of the International University of East Africa (IUEA) in Uganda.

Others expected at the event are immediate past president of Kenya, Mr. Uhuru Kenyatta; former Liberian President, George Weah and the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar.

According to the former president, he was in the palace to inform the Oba of the upcoming event and to also seek for his blessings and protection during his stay in the kingdom.

He told the Oba that he is particularly concerned about democratic practice in Africa, hence he has been using his foundation to spread “the message of good governance and the issue of standard practice of election.”

Jonathan who said past programmes of the foundation focused mainly on democracy and democratic practice in Africa, said he decided to focus on education this year because there is no way education can be separated from good leadership.

He said: “That as a continent, we need to look at how we practice democracy; how we elect our leaders; and what the leaders should offer. As regards what should be offered to the citizens, we are emphasising on the issue of education because we believe that when you have educated citizens, that is when the citizens can now be in position to transform the society.

“So this year, we are focusing on the link between standard, quality and functional education and strong political leadership, and how that can transform our society.”

When asked to comment on Nigeria democracy as the nation prepares for Democracy Day, the former president said Nigeria has not gotten there democratically does not mean the nation is not advancing in its democracy.

Responding, Oba Benin, while thanking Jonathan and his entourage for the visit, said for Jonathan to have brought the programme to Benin is a personal recognition by the former president that Benin is the epic centre of Africa culture.

Related Topics:#Oba of Benin Goodluck Jonathan Jonathan

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Metro

Edo Police Arrest Two Suspected Cultists

Published

13 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

The Edo State Police Command on Wednesday said two suspected cultists were arrested in Ohonre community, off Adolor College Road, Benin.

This was disclosed in a statement by the command Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, and made available to newsmen electrically.

Ikoedem said the arrest was possible due to operatives response to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

The statement reads: “The Edo State Police Command has recorded another operational breakthrough following the swift disruption of a suspected cultists’ gathering in Ohonre Community, off Adolor College Road, Benin City.

“On 21st May, 2026, at about 19:00hrs, operatives attached to Ugbowo Division who were on surveillance patrol responded to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

“Acting promptly on the information, the police team mobilized to the location. On sighting the operatives, the suspects fled in an attempt to evade arrest. The operatives immediately gave them a hot chase, leading to the arrest of two suspects identified as Victor Peter ‘M’, 21 years and Iyemoma Ogbewe ‘M’, 35 years.

“A search conducted on the suspects led to the recovery of one cut-to-size gun believed to have been in their possession for unlawful purposes.

“Upon investigation, the suspects confessed to being members of the notorious Maphite cult group. Efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend other fleeing gang members.”

She said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, commended the swift response of the operatives and reiterated the Command’s resolve to deny criminal elements any opportunity within Edo State.

He further urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to the Police, assuring that all reports would receive prompt attention.

Metro

Troops Eliminate Two Terrorists, Foil Pipeline Attack

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

The Nigerian Army says troops have, in the last 24 hours, eliminated two terrorists, rescued four kidnapped victims and foiled pipeline attacks in a series of coordinated military operations across Taraba, Kogi and Rivers.

This is contained in operational updates issued to reporters on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to the reports, troops of 93 Battalion deployed at Akate in the Donga Local Government Area of Taraba engaged suspected terrorists in a forested area, killing two of them.

According to the report, items recovered from the scene include an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, magazines, mobile phones and other personal effects.

In Kogi, it said the troops of 21 Battalion, in collaboration with vigilantes, rescued four kidnapped passengers along the Anyigba–Itobe road in Ofu Local Government Area.

It added that the victims were reportedly abandoned by their captors while attempting to cross a seasonal stream due to sustained pressure from advancing troops.

According to the military, efforts are ongoing to rescue other victims still in captivity.

The report said that troops of 12 Brigade successfully repelled an ambush along Kabba–Okene road while withdrawing from an earlier operation, forcing the assailants to flee with gunshot wounds.

“Meanwhile, in Rivers, troops of 5 Battalion acting on credible intelligence, foiled an attempt by suspected vandals to detonate a crude oil pipeline in Ahoada West Local Government Area.

“The swift response of the troops disrupted the operation before it could be executed, with the suspects fleeing the scene,” it said.

Metro

Police Arrest Private Chef Over Alleged N150m Theft, Drugging Of Employer, Burglary

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

The Nigeria Police Force has arrested a chef, John Cosmos Govi, over his alleged involvement in a burglary operation at a residence in Abuja, where luxury items and valuables worth about N150 million were reportedly stolen.

The arrest was announced on Monday, May 25, 2026, by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Placid, who said the suspect was apprehended by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) after investigations into allegations of criminal conspiracy, housebreaking, theft, malicious damage and administering harmful substances.

According to police findings, Govi, who allegedly gained employment as a chef at the residence, was said to have studied the movement of occupants, internal routine and security setup before allegedly carrying out the operation on April 23, 2026.

Investigators said he reportedly worked with two accomplices identified as Peter and Moses, who are currently on the run.

Police alleged that food prepared in the house was laced with a suspected sedative substance to weaken the occupants and security personnel.

After they reportedly became unconscious, the suspects allegedly broke into the property, damaged CCTV installations and stole 20 luxury wristwatches valued at about N150 million, alongside other valuables.

Speaking on the development, DCP Anthony Placid said the suspect was intercepted around the Gwagwalada axis of the Federal Capital Territory while attempting to flee to Lagos. He added that an iPhone 17 Pro Max, believed to belong to the victim, and a suspected chemical substance were recovered.

“We remain committed to dismantling organised criminal networks and ensuring that all fleeing accomplices are brought to justice,” Placid said.

Police said efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects and conclude investigations into the case.