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JUST IN: INEC Presents Certificates Of Return To Okpebholo, Idahosa

Published

2 years ago

September 26, 2024

Editor

…we now have a governor who will respect people of Edo, says Oshiomhole

Edo State governor-elect, Senator Monday Okpebholo, and his deputy, Hon. Denis Idahosa on Thursday, September 26, received their certificates of return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The certificates were presented to them by the national commissioner in charge of Edo state Prof. Rhoda Gumus, who represented the chairman of the commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu

They were accompanied to the INEC headquarters by the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, National Secretary, Senator Bashiru Ajibola, Minister for Niger Delta Affairs, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, Senator Adams Oshiomhole and the Deputy Governor of Edo state, Phillip Shuaibu, Senator Matthew Uroghide, General Cecil Esekhaigbe (retd), Senator Francis Alimikhena, Hon. Ogbeide Ihama, Hon. Omosede Igbinedion, Blessing Agbonmhere among others.

Speaking with newsmen after receiving his certificate of return, Senator Okpebhlo dedicated his victory to the people of Edo state, saying by voting for him, they have sent him on an assignment, adding that he was ready to deliver on the mandate freely given to him by the people of the state.

APC national chairman and former Kano state governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje expressed appreciation to the people of Edo state for returning the APC to the state, adding that the incoming governor has a blueprint to develop the state.

He said: “Edo state was an APC state. Later on, the governor as a nomadic politician, cross-carpeted to PDP, but today, we fought for it and we have recovered our state for the APC.

“I am so happy because essentially, our governor-elect and experienced politician, a distinguished senator who has a blueprint for the development of Edo state and we assure you, you will see great changes”.

Former Edo state governor and Senator representing Edo North, Senator Adams Oshiomhole said the people are excited because they now have a governor who will not be fighting with the traditional institution over artefacts, or demolishing a hospital only to replace it with a museum.

Oshiomhole said: “For us, it is a new dawn. When a lion moves into your home and starts destroying your things, the power of democracy is that because the process is tenured, when it is time, the ordinary people will now have the potency to make a verdict about the tenure of Gov. Obaseki and the verdict is now.

“It is not my personal feelings that matters now because that should be obvious. But one thing that I am happy about is that the Edo people now have a new governor who will not disrespect them as a people. We now have a governor who will not send pregnant women to prison, to deliver and die in prison over N20,000 mobile court fines.

“We now have a governor who understands that for the child of a casava farmer to rise to become a Senator or an Engineer or a Doctor, he must employ teachers in all the science subjects and build schools that will appeal to the young minds.

“We now have a governor who, without a MoU, will go and build that road that has been in bad shape across the state, clean the drainages ahead of the rainy season. In Edo state, we now a governor will respect the traditional institution that is the head of our culture. We now have a governor who will not be fighting over artefacts, but will rather be fighting for what is good for the Edo people.

“We now have a governor who will not demolish a hospital and replace it with a museum. We now have a governor who understands the value of education and will not destroy libraries and replace them with a market.

“For me, this is what excites Edo people and once they are happy, having had the rare privilege to superintend over that state, I am happy that they have reclaimed their state from the Lions that claiming to be iron which has now been melted with the combined force of Edo North, Edo Central, and Edo south.”

In his remarks, Ganduje stated: “When you’re working to reclaim your state, enduring sleepless nights and navigating through tough terrain, the effort is worth it. Edo was originally an APC state, but the former governor switched allegiances like a nomadic politician.

“We fought hard and have now successfully regained control of the state. We are especially thrilled because the governor-elect is a seasoned politician and distinguished senator with a solid plan for Edo’s development. We assure you that significant positive changes are on the way.”

News

Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

6 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Lazio midfielder, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is a subject of interest from three Premier League clubs, according to Sky Sports.

Lazio reportedly rejected offers from Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth for the Nigeria international in January.

La Biancolesti are bracing for more interest in Dele-Bashiru ahead of the summer transfer window, according to Sky Sports.

The 24-year-old has two years left on his contract with the Serie A club.

The attacking midfielder joined the Rome-based club from Turkish Super Lig outfit Hatayspor in 2024.

He has been a regular feature for Lazio this season.

News

Xenophobic Attacks: Nigerian Students To Picket MTN, MultiChoice, Other Businesses

Published

6 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS South-West Zone D, has announced plans to picket South African companies in Nigeria following the ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.

DAILY POST reports that some Nigerians were recently killed in South Africa over the violent attacks.

A statement issued to newsmen by Comrade Adeyemo Josiah Kayode, Coordinator, NANS South-West, Zone D, said that the association is mobilizing to take decisive and lawful action by organizing peaceful picketing and mass advocacy against South African business interests operating in Nigeria.

“We categorically state that the continued targeting of Nigerians under any guise is unacceptable and must come to an immediate end.

“This will include major corporations such as MTN Group and MultiChoice Group. It is morally indefensible for businesses to thrive in an environment where the lives of Nigerians are protected, while Nigerians are subjected to fear and violence elsewhere.

“This contradiction will no longer be tolerated,” the statement said.

News

N5m, N10m Zero-interest Loans: SheVentures Opens Applications For Women Entrepreneurs

Published

8 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has opened a new round of applications for its SheVentures proposition, offering zero-interest loans of up to ₦10 million to women entrepreneurs to ease access to working capital and support business growth.

The facility provides loans ranging from ₦500,000 to ₦5 million under a general category, and ₦5 million to ₦10 million for sector-specific businesses, with funding capped at up to 50% of an applicant’s average monthly turnover.

At the centre of the offering is a 0% interest rate, with all charges embedded in a transparent structure.

Repayment is structured over four or six months, allowing businesses to match obligations with their cash flow cycles.

Yemisi Edun, Managing Director and Chief Executive of First City Monument Bank (FCMB), said the initiative reflects a deliberate approach to inclusive growth.

“Inclusive growth requires access to capital and the right conditions for businesses to deploy that capital effectively.

“Women-led enterprises are critical to economic activity, yet they face structural barriers.

This intervention aims to help close that gap by providing financing that supports job creation, business expansion, and long-term sustainability for women entrepreneurs.”

“Access to affordable finance remains a major constraint for women entrepreneurs,” said Nnenna Jacob-Ogogo, Group Head, SheVentures and Impact Segments at First City Monument Bank (FCMB).

“By removing the cost barrier and offering quick, flexible funding, this zero-interest loan is designed to safeguard existing jobs, enable businesses to invest in growth initiatives, and foster resilience in challenging economic conditions.”

Women-owned businesses account for a significant share of Nigeria’s small and medium-sized enterprises but continue to face high borrowing costs and limited access to credit.

Through these efforts, SheVentures tackles persistent financing gaps facing women-led businesses, combining targeted funding with broader support to empower women entrepreneurs, encourage business innovation, and enhance their ability to compete on a national scale.

Applications for the zero-interest loan are now open.Apply now.