News

Kingship Tussle: Egbema Leaders Of Thought Takes Swipe On Warri North Chairman

Published

3 years ago

November 9, 2022

…Accuses Him Of Bias, Compromise, Imposition Of Candidate

A Group known as Egbema Leaders of Thought (ELOT) has taken a swipe on Warri North Chairman, Hon. Smart Yomi Asekutu, on his alleged bias, compromise and imposition of one Napoleon Egin, as the new Agadagba of Egbema kingdom.

For this, ELOT added that the Chairman cannot be trusted to play any role in the selection process of a new Agadagba of the kingdom that can guarantee an outcome that will earn respect and loyalty of the Egbema people.

ELOT was reacting to the Chairman’s reaction to its earlier publication wherein it accused him the same act of bias but he (chairman) denied the allegation and consequently described it (allegation) as laughable.

A statement made available to INFO DAILY and signed by ELOT’s Chairman, Elder Edmund Tiemo and Secretary, Erepade Mawari, said contrary to the Chairman’s claim that a meeting of the entire Egbema produced the man in question as the new Agadagba of the kingdom, there was nothing of such, but the community/Ruling House concerned was only mandated to nominate 12 persons, adding that Mr. Egin, whom the Chairman is projecting, was screened out.

The statement reads in part: “In the first place, at no time was there a meeting of ‘‘the entire Egbema people assembled for a whole day to come up with one (Napoleon Egin) out of six names’’ purportedly submitted by Ogbudugbudu community as being falsely alleged by the chairman. We challenge him to prove us wrong.

“Following a resolution of the meeting at Ofunama, on September 24, 2022, the Ogbudugbudu Ruling House was mandated to produce a suitable candidate for consideration as Agadagba of Egbema kingdom.

“The Ogbudugbudu Ruling House accordingly convened a meeting of the entire community where twelve (12) prospective candidates, including Barr. Napoleon Egin, were screened.

“After a rigorous and well documented screening process, three of the twelve candidates were adjured to meet the minimum qualification of having a none-Egbema mother. Barr. Napoleon Egin and eight others were screened out by the Ogbudugbudu Ruling House based on the requirements of the gazette.

“The meeting in question was well attended by the Elders and young people, including the Ama-Okosuwei of Ogbudugbudu Community. The screening process was peaceful and transparent and its outcome was generally acceptable to the entire community.

“The Chairman’s reference to the existence of a second list is in fact turning the truth upside down and putting a spin on the process of choosing the Agadagba-Elect. He said that a second list was prepared as a result of the announcement of Saturday, 24 September, 2022, for Ogbudugbudu people to produce a candidate and that his findings showed that the Ama-Okosuwei of Ogbudugbudu community was not willing to sign that document but to allow peace to reign, he allowed the second list to be included. He says, ‘‘I was in that meeting” of Saturday, October 01, 2022.

“In fact there was no second list. The only authentic list was the one submitted by the Ogbudugbudu Community openly on Saturday, October 01, 2022.

“The so called first list being referred to by the WN – LGA Chairman was a fake list clandestinely smuggled in through the back door by the LGA chairman in connivance with his faction of the chiefs. That list was roundly condemned and rejected by the generality of the people present.

“The list was secretly and fraudulently prepared since August 24, 2022. In spite of the loud opposition to this list, the LGA chairman overruled and ordered that the fake list should be accepted, presumably because the list contained the name of his preferred candidate.”

It continued: “This was the main reason the LGA chairman came to attend the October 1 meeting with security gun boats to act as a ramrod for his mischief-making Chiefs to force down the fake list against the people of Egbema Kingdom.

“The meeting of September 24, 2022, rose with a unanimous decision calling on Ogbudugbudu Ruling House to produce a candidate within one week to be considered as the next Agadagba,” it added.

ELOT empathized that it has no preferred candidate neither in against of Mr. Egin being a native of the kingdom, adding: “ELOT has no preferred candidate and at no time during our meeting with the Chairman did we talk about any particular candidate.

“ELOT would want to make it explicitly clear that we do not have anything against the chairman of the WN-LGA or the traditional council of chiefs. We have nothing against Napoleon Egin as a person.

“He is an active member of ELOT who is supposed to uphold truth and justice, but instead, he has readily lend himself to be used as a tool for foisting evil and untruth.

“ELOT, as a body, is committed to ensure that justice and truth is upheld at all times in the Kingdom regardless of who is involved.

“Our position is that the WN-LGA Chairman, Mr. Smart Yomi Asekutu has soiled his hands in this matter. He is deeply entangled. Mr. Smart Yomi Asekutu should tread the path of honour and disentangle himself from this web and allow Egbema Kingdom to follow due process and install their own King,” it added.

Calls put across to the Chairman by INFO DAILY were not picked neither did he reply SMS sent to his cell phone.

News

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

Published

6 hours ago

July 5, 2025

Editor

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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.”

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.

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

News

Ex-gov Ohakim, IGP, Others Win Fundamental Rights Suit

Published

8 hours ago

July 4, 2025

Editor

In a judgment certified on 26th June 2025 and obtained by this reporter,

Hon. Justice Binta Mohammed of the High Court of the Federal Capital has dismissed a fundamental rights suit filed by one Lady Chinyere Lilian Amuchinwa on 4th May 2022 against six parties, including a former Governor of Imo State, Chief Ikedi Alaikum; and the Inspector-General of Police.

The judgment was certified on 26th June 2025 and obtained by newsmen

The suit stemmed from Lady Amechinwa’s claims that Dr Ikedi Ohakim and another party instigated the police to detain her at the Force Headquarters in Abuja in July 2021 over what was not stated in the suit.

Her claim is not unconnected with some unsubstantiated allegations she had earlier levelled against Ohakim , and for which the former Governor was exonerated.

The defendants, had in their replies, said the suit was devoid of cause of action and an abuse of the process of the court, “the suit having been filed after other similar suits were being pursued elsewhere by Lady Amuchinwa against Dr Ohakim.”

They cited the other suits as a fundamental rights suit in Imo High Court Owerri; an appeal at Owerri Division of court of appeal court; and charges filed at Federal High Court, Abuja, all of which the court noted were either dismissed or struck out against Lady Amuchinwa.

Delivering judgment on the suit Justice Mohammed held that: “From the unchallenged and uncontroverted evidence in this suit, it is established that the Applicant/Respondent, has commenced a multiplicity of action involving the same set of fact and the same persons therefore constituting an abuse of the judicial process. Therefore this issue is resolved in favour of the 1st 3rd and 4th Applicant/respondent as well as the 5th Respondents/Applicants.”

“In conclusion the preliminary objection of the 1st 3rd 4th and 5th Respondents/Applicant succeeded accordingly, the suit filed by the Applicant/Respondent for Enforcement of Fundamental Right on 4/5/22 is hereby dismissed.

“The Applicant has failed to establish a cause of action against the 6th Respondent as nothing remotely connects him to the suit of the Applicant, his name is accordingly struck out from the suit.

“There will be no need to consider and determine the Applicant suit the preliminary objections to the suit having succeeded and the suit dismissed”, the Court ordered.

News

Constitution Amendment: South-East Demands Rotational Presidency, Legislative Seats For Women

Published

9 hours ago

July 4, 2025

Editor

The people of the South-East have demanded a constitution that allows for the rotation of the presidency and grants full autonomy to Local Governments in the country.

They requested the South-East Zonal Public Hearing on Review of the 1999 Constitution, organised by the Senate on Friday in Enugu.

Speaking during the exercise, Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State noted that the concept of a rotational presidency was paramount to the Southeast.

The governor said the state believed that adopting a rotational presidency among the six geopolitical zones, this would provide every region, including the Southeast, a fair chance at the nation’s highest office.

\Mbah, represented by the Secretary to the Enugu State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, added that the idea would foster a greater sense of belonging and national unity.

Similarly, the governorship should rotate among senatorial zones, and legislative seats should be allocated among constituencies, ensuring broader representation and participation at all levels of governance.

“To further enhance inclusivity, particularly for women, we propose legislative seats. We advocate for one additional Senate seat per state for women and two additional House of Representatives seats per state.

“As a state, we advocate for three additional assembly seats per state for women.

“This measure will significantly boost gender parity and ensure active participation of women in governance and in decision-making processes,” Mbah said.

The governor also called for the institutionalisation of Local Government Councils as a truly autonomous form of government team.

According to him, the current practice where state governors meant for local governments and appoint caretaker committees instead of elected representatives and hinder grassroots development.

“We urge the committee to reinforce section1999 constitution to ensure the democratic existence of local governments, allowing them to directly access their funds from the national consolidated account,” Mbah said.

The governor equally called for legislative powers, enhancements, and fiscal reforms that would devolve more powers and resources to the states.

He stressed that the current concentration of power at the centre, a legacy of the military rule, had stifled the growth and development of sub-national entities.

“A true federal system requires that states are autonomous entities with sufficient powers and resources to positively impact the lives of their citizens,” he concluded.

On his part, Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State called for the creation of an additional state in the Southeast to bring them on par with other geopolitical zones of the country.

Nwifuru, represented by the Speaker, Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Mr Moses Odunwa, also called a for women’s inclusiveness and reserved political seats for women.

“If a particular seat has been designated for women, all the parties will feature women candidates to fill in the space,” he said.

The public hearing was attended by government officials, traditional rulers, NGOs, and civil society organisations.
(VANGUARD)