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Just In: Edo Assembly Speaker, Okiye Impeached

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The crisis rocking Edo State House of Assembly took new dimension on Monday as nine lawmakers out of the ten members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) impeached the speaker of the House of Assembly, Mr. Francis Abumere Okiye.

Okiye represents Esan North East state constituency in the house.

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Mr. Marcus Onobun member representing Esan West constituency was elected as the new speaker.

READ ALSO: Court Restrains INEC From Conducting By-election Into Edo Assembly Seats

The latest development came just about a month to the swearing in of Governor Obaseki (on November 12 this year) for another term of four years in office.

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The impeachment of Okiye followed a motion moved by Majority Leader of the House, Mr. Henry Okhuarobo representing Ikpoba Okha state constituency.

Okhuarobo’s motion was seconded by the member representing Akoko-Edo 1 constituency in the house of assembly, Prince Yekini Idaiye.

READ ALSO: Edo Assembly Crisis: Group Condemns Failed Attempt To Take Over House

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The member representing Igueben state constituency, Mr. Ephraim Aluebhosele had earlier moved a motion to nominate the new speaker after Okhuarobo raised the issue of a petition against Okiye and was seconded by the member representing Akoko-Edo 11 constituency, Mr Emmanuel Agbaje.

Deputy Speaker of the house, Mr. Roland Asoro presided over the plenary shortly after the impeachment process.

Members of the house unanimously adopted the impeachment motion through a voice vote.

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Trouble was said to have started shortly after the house resumed its plenary when Okiye asked the clerk, Alhaji Yahaya Omogbai to read the order of proceedings for the day to the hearing of members in order to begin the business of the day.

READ ALSO: Edo Assembly Impasse: PDP Wants By-election Conducted Into 14 Seats

Okhuarobo was said to have quickly drawn the attention of former Speaker Okiye to a petition against him and reeled out the impeachment motion.

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The lawmakers accused Okiye of alleged financial impropriety and booted him out in the process.

They had suspended Okiye for three months and set up a committee headed by Okhuarobo to probe him and submit the report to the house.

The new speaker, Mr. Marcus Onobun upon his election, thanked the members for his emergence.

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Accordingly, Onobun, moments after his election had quickly dissolved all the house standing committees and relieved all the appointees of the house of their various appointments.

Mr. Onobun also constituted a three man committee to look into financial records of the house under the leadership of the former speaker and also placed the former speaker under three months suspension to allow for a peaceful transition.

READ ALSO: Edo Assembly Crisis Goes Spiritual As Traditional Worshippers Release Curses

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Speaking to newsmen inside the state Government House, Okhuarobo said “the members have compelling reasons to do what they did and that the house needed to wait till now because of political reasons and now the process is over. Irrespective of APC or PDP, we are united in the quest to move the state forward.”

There was drama as efforts by the State Deputy Governor Comrade Philip Shaibu, Secretary to the state Government, SSG, Osarodion Ogie Esq. and immediate past Speaker and Political Adviser to the Governor on Politics (Ed North senatorial district) Mr. Kabiru Adjoto to wade into the matter yesterday failed as they lawmakers had concluded the impeachment move.

It was learnt that no one resisted the plot leading to the eventual removal of Okiye as speaker.

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Many of the aides to the former speaker and workers including police personnel attached to the state assembly were seen stranded amid confusion as at the time of this report.

Also efforts to reach the former speaker Okiye yesterday for comment over his removal failed.

READ ALSO: Edo 2020: Explain Edo Assembly Tussle To The World, APC Tells Obaseki

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Osun Monarchs Donate Air-conditioners, Computers To Support NUJ’s E-Library Project

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Traditional rulers in Osun state have put their weight behind the project of E-Library, embarked upon by the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, OSBC Chapel, with the donations of Air-conditioners Computer systems.

The announcements were made during an inspection tour of the E-Library, named after the Olowu of Kuta Kingdom, Oba Hameed Adekunle Oyelude Makama Tegbosun, at Ile-Awiye, Oke Baale, Osogbo; where Oba Makama announced the donation of four Air-conditioners, in continuation of his support as the Life Patron of the chapel.

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Chapel chairman, Comrade Lateef Agboola in rapt attention to instructions from Olowu of Kuta Kingdom, Oba Hameed Adekunle Oyelude Makama Tegbosun during the inspection tour.

In his royal message, the Eburu of Iba, in Ifelodun Local Government Area of the state, Oba (Prof) Adekunle Okunoye Adeogun also pledged the donation of Six units of Computers, as his own way of supporting the noble cause, in solidarity with his royal colleague.

READ ALSO: NUJ OSBC Chapel Holds Ancestors Day In Grand Style

Other monarchs on the entourage of the Olowu of Kuta, including Oba Ismaila Gbadamosi Fabunmi (Olaa of Ajagunlase); Oba, (Dr.) Kazeem Adio Orioye (Onigege of Igege) both in Olaoluwa Local Government Area of the state, Oba (Dr.) Alamu Moshood Oparonke (Onisara of Feesu Kingdom) in Iwo Local Government Area, Oba Musibau Adebayo Akinloye (Oori of Oloori) and Oba Femi Idowu (Olaota of Ilota) both in Ayedire Local Government, as well as Oba Adekunle Omolola (Oniraan of Iran) in Ayedire Local Government, and Oba Waliulah Azeez Alabi (Olu of Lahan) in Olaoluwa Local Government Area, all pledged to support the project in solidarity with Oba Tegbosun.

Other eminent personalities and groups on the entourage of the Olowu of Kuta included Chief Ogundeji Eleuibon; the Big Brothers Club of Osun; Responsible Ladies Group, Nigeria Youth Council leadership, Online Media Owners Association, YMLF Osun as well as the Olowu-in-Coincil, among others. They also pledged their support to complete the E-Library project.

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Olowu of Kuta Kingdom, Oba Hameed Adekunle Oyelude Makama Tegbosun in group photograph with Responsible Ladies Group.

In their separate remarks, the Board Chairman of OSBC, Engr. Mayowa Olosho, and the Director-General/Permanent Secretary of the media conglomerate, Mrs Jolaade Igbaroola, appreciated the royal fathers, eminent personalities and groups for deeming it fit to support the project, which many believe is first of its kind in the history of NUJ.

READ ALSO: Kuta Monarch Endorses 2024 NUJ OSBC Chapel’s Pen Week, Pledges To Attend Ancestors Day

Earlier, the chairman of NUJ, OSBC Chapel, Comrade Lateef Agboola, had explained that the vision of his predecessors to start the project many years ago, was to make the chapel a hub of information and reservoir of knowledge.

He added that, when completed, the E-Library will serve not only the members of the union, but also other people who might need necessary information to back up their research works.

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He, therefore, pledged the resolve of his administration to make the library functional before the end of July 2025.

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Burna Boy Turns 34, Reveals Plans To Start A Family

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Grammy-winning Nigerian singer, Burna Boy, celebrated his 34th birthday in style, and the festivities took an intimate turn when he shared his thoughts on starting a family.

According to the singer, he’s now considering having kids, citing his advancing age as a reason to settle down.

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Burna Boy revealed that a conversation with oil magnate Jowizaza sparked this newfound desire.

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“Na so Jowizaza follow me talk the last time, I come dey think about my life. Omo, I don dey old oh, I for begin born pikins,” he said in pidgin.

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This marks a shift from his previous stance on having children. Last year, Burna Boy stated that he wasn’t ready for kids, citing his busy schedule and inability to give them the attention they deserve. He had mentioned that he would consider having children when he’s settled or married.

As Burna Boy embarks on this new chapter, fans are eager to see what’s next for the ‘Tatata’ hitmaker. Will he find love and start a family soon? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain, Burna Boy’s life is about to get a whole lot more interesting.

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Cherryland, Unifield, Divine Pattern Schools Shine At ITV 2025 Quiz, Debate And Essay Competition

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Winners in the various categories.

By Joseph Ebi Kanjo, Benin 

Cherryland Royal School, Divine Pattern Schools, and Unifield International School, on Friday, 4th July, 2025 won the Independent Radio and Television 2025 Interschool Quiz, Debate and Essay Competition in their respective categories.

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The Essay Competition, with the topic: ‘There has Been a Growing Incidence of Gambling Amongst Youth in Your Country. Write an Article Suitable for Publication in a National Newspaper Stating Three Probable Causes, and Suggesting how this Problem can be Cured,’ was won by Oghogho Triumph of Divine Pattern Schools, while Eczema Praise of Cherryland Royal School emerged winner in the debate category with the topic: ‘The Youths of Today Are More Interested in the Pursuit of Pleasure than in Academic Work.’

The quiz, which was competed by primary pupils from various schools was won by Victory Ighotomare of
Unifield International High School.

Winners in the various categories in group photograph with the management of ITV/Radio

Earlier, in his opening remarks, Chairman of the occasion and Deputy Chief of Staff to Edo State Government (office of the deputy governor), Hon. Pius Alile, while recalling his primary school days, pledged scholarship to university level for winners in the various categories.

READ ALSO: ITV/Radio Pre-independence Anniversary Lecture: Nigerians Must Take Control Of Electoral Process – Don

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Alile urged the students and pupils to desist from social vices and face their studies, stressing that it’s through education that they can actualise their dreams in life.

In his short remarks, Managing Director, ITV/Radio, Engr. Elvis Obaseki, urged the students and pupils present at the event to face their studies, and above all be disciplined and well behaved.

He stressed that no matter how a student may be brilliant in life, such a student needs discipline to navigate through the journey of life, adding “no matter how intelligent you are, you must be well behaved and disciplined. This will take you far in life.”

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The MD, who told the students and pupils that they cannot all be winners at the same time, said being present at the event, they are expected to take one or two lessons back home from the event.

READ ALSO: ITV Lauded For Grassroot Reportage 

Engr. Obaseki, who said “it’s not too good that none of our public schools are here,” promised, “next year, we will make everything humanly possible to bring our public schools so that the competition will be more interesting and fierce.”

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Also speaking, Chairman, organising committee of the event, Dr. Sunny Duke, while expressing joy at the large turnout of schools in this year’s competition, thanked the management and staff of ITV/Radio for their support, and in particular the Esama of Benin Kingdom, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion for creating the platform (ITV/Radio) through which young ones can actualise their dreams.

He also thanked the chairman of the occasion, Hon. Alile for offering the winners in the various categories scholarship, stressing that it has been his prayer and wish.

Where I am today is because of the scholarship I won in JSS 2 back then. And today, that ambition and dream has been fulfilled with the scholarship for the winners of the quiz, debate and essay competition by Hon. Pius Alile, I’m overwhelmed,” Duke said.

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The event was spiced up with dance competition amongst students and pupils, and on the other hand amongst teachers, and other side attractions.

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