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PHOTOS: Succour As Ebelo Foundation Takes Free Medical Care To Edo Communities

Published

2 weeks ago

April 6, 2026

It was a great relief for residents of Zide and Madagbayo communities in Ovia South-West Local Government Area of Edo State as a non-profit organisation — Aaron Ponuwei Ebelo Foundation — visited them with free medical care.

No fewer than 430 residents benefited from the free medical outreach which took place synonymously from April 4th to 5th, 2026, in the two communities.

The two-day outreach featured over 35 medical personnel who conducted various tests, including blood sugar level, HIV, Hepatitis B and C, blood pressure, weight checks, eye examinations, optical dispensing, and medical consultations. Appropriate medications were also provided to beneficiaries.

Pharmacists dispensing drugs to beneficiaries in Madagbayo community on Sunday.

Speaking at Zide community during the outreach, the founder of the foundation, Goodluck Ebelo, said the initiative was aimed at bringing free medical care to underserved communities, especially during festive periods.

“We do not have hospitals or healthcare centres in this area, so we felt that during festivals, especially Christmas and Easter, we could invite volunteer doctors and other medical practitioners to the village to address various health challenges affecting the people. This has been ongoing for the past three years,” he said.

Ebelo also outlined the foundation’s future plans, noting that it intends to refurbish, furnish, and equip abandoned government health facilities in the area, as well as engage qualified personnel to operate them.

Pharmacists dispensing drugs to beneficiaries in Zide community on Saturday.

On her part, the Project Director of the foundation, Dr. Hannah Ojo, said the initiative was inspired by the need to curb preventable deaths in the communities.

“This initiative was birthed as a result of people losing their lives to preventable causes. If there had been access to proper medical care, many of them would have survived,” she said.

“Although there are health centres in these communities, they are not functioning optimally. We felt we could help reduce the mortality rate by providing essential healthcare services. For those requiring surgical attention, we also connect them to hospitals where they can receive treatment.”

Founder of the foundation, Mr. Goodluck Ebelo (Extreme end); his friend, Mr Suyi Ayodele (left), and Mrs Efe Ebelo (right) during the free medical outreach in Zide community on Sunday.

Also speaking, an implementing partner, Dr. Ugonna Nwigwe, founder of Through The Eye Place, expressed satisfaction with the impact of previous outreaches.

“We have interacted with people we attended to in Gbelebu community to assess their health status. One beneficiary told me how helpful the eyeglasses we provided have been and expressed hope that we would return. It is very rewarding to put smiles on people’s faces in these communities,” he said.

The Team Lead in Zide community, Dr. Oyintare Abraham, noted that many residents lack awareness of certain health conditions.

Etuabotibi Kurumah’s blood pressure being checked on Saturday in Zide community.

“From our observations, it is clear that many people in the community are not well informed about some health conditions. Hypertension is prevalent, even among young people, yet many are unaware of their condition, and some cases are severe. Government at all levels needs to pay greater attention to rural communities,” he said.

Similarly, the Team Lead in Madagbayo community, Dr. Shalom Azenabor, said infectious diseases were common among residents.

“Generally, infectious diseases are prevalent, along with a number of hypertensive cases. If the local health centre can carry out basic tests, it will greatly benefit the community. We also observed some symptoms that could be related to Lassa fever, although this needs proper investigation by relevant authorities,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Zakariah Lala, Chairman of Zide community, expressed appreciation to the foundation.

“We have never experienced this kind of free medical care, even from the government,” he said.

He added that the foundation had previously intervened in the community by rehabilitating a dilapidated school and employing four teachers who are currently educating the children.

Another beneficiary, Gabriel Aigbekumo, also commended the initiative and called on other well-meaning Nigerians to emulate such efforts.

“Government at all levels should rise to their responsibilities. These are services that should ordinarily be provided by the government, yet a single individual is making a significant impact,” he said.

Benjamin Olowu, Youth Chairman of Madagbayo community, noted that unlike previous outreaches where residents were charged for services, the current initiative was completely free.

“I have been examined and given medication without paying anything. May God bless those behind this great initiative,” he said.

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UNIMAID, Federal Polytechnic Matriculate 82 Degree Students

Published

18 hours ago

April 21, 2026

Editor

University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) in affiliation with the Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi has matriculated 82 students into the degree programmes across five courses.

Speaking during the matriculation ceremony at the Federal Polytechnic Bauchi on Tuesday, Professor Muhammad Laminu Mele, the Vice chancellor, University of Maiduguri, charged the matriculated students to strictly adhere to the rules and regulations guiding the two institutions to enable them achieve the set objectives.

The VC, who was represented by Professor Muhammad Ahmad Waziri, Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic Services, warned that any student or group of students trying to breach the peace of the two institutions would face the full wrath of the law.

The Don further assured that the University and its affiliated institutions would continue to make easy access to higher quality education to the teeming population across the country.

In a remark, the Rector of the Polytechnic, Alhaji Sani Usman, said they were affiliated with the university to pursue academic excellence, describing the affiliation as a huge pillar in the education reforms.

The Rector, who was also represented by Dr. Dalhatu Saidu, the Deputy Rector of the Polymeric, commended the university of Maiduguri for not only improving the UNIMAID’s conducive learning environment but expanding the horizon to different higher institutions of learning across Nigeria.

He therefore advised the newly matriculated students to pursue knowledge, to interact freely with the Polytechnic staff, be vigilant and be a brother’s keeper, adding that this would help to achieve the desired objectives.

The affiliated courses included BSc Mass Communication, BSc Accountancy, BSc Public Administration, BSc Business Administration and BSc Banking and Finance respectively.

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Trouble Looms As Egbesu Group Drags FG To Court Over Resource Control, Others

Published

18 hours ago

April 21, 2026

Editor

Group known as Supreme Egbesu Assembly (SEA) has dragged the Federal Government and the National Assembly to a Federal High Court, Yenagoa, over failure to create additional 24 Local government councils in Bayelsa State as the need for Ijaw to control natural resources in its territory.

The Originating Summons marked: FHC/YNA/CS/63/2026 was filed on Tuesday April 21, 2026 by the plaintiffs including; Felix Tuodolo, Weri Digifa, Ebi Waribigha, Kabowei Akamade, Rosebella Jackson, Thomas Jacklloyd, Primrose Kpokposei, David Imole and Welman Warri at the Federal High Court Yenagoa.

Joined as defendants in the suit are the National Assembly, the Clerk of the National Assembly and the Attorney General of the Federation.

In the court documents, the Egbesu Assembly premised their action on the alleged failure of the federal government particularly the National Assembly to deliberate, approve and amend the relevant provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

This, according to them, is to allow for resource control as well as the creation of additional LGAs in the state to fulfil the requirements in line with the Constitution.

The group is therefore seeking, among others, the amendment of the constitution by the National Assembly to allow for the right to resource control.

The Supreme Egbesu Assembly described the suit action as a promise kept.

Mranwh, In a press statement announcing the institution of the lawsuit on Tuesday, the Egbesu Assembly recalled that, on 12th February 2026, it wrote to both the Federal Government and the National Assembly wherein its gave a 21-Day ultimatum for the duo to respond to the age-long demands for resource control and creation of additional LGAs or face a lawsuit.

The statement partly reads: “Recall that on 12th February 2026, we did inform you that we have written to the National Assembly and the federal government on the need for the creation of an additional 24 Local Government Areas in Bayelsa State as well as the control of our God-given natural resources in Ijaw territory.

“We promised that if the National Assembly and or federal government did not respond to these age-long demands, we were going to seek legal actions to address our demands.

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BREAKING: Tinubu Sacks Wale Edun, Dangiwa As Ministers

Published

19 hours ago

April 21, 2026

Editor

President Bola Tinubu has approved a minor reshuffle of the Federal Executive Council, removing the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, and the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, from their cabinet positions.

Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Yomi Odunuga, said the development was contained in a memo signed by the
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume.

According to the memo, Taiwo Oyedele has been appointed as the new Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy.

Also appointed is Dr. Muttaqha Darma as Minister-designate for Housing and Urban Development.

The memo directed the outgoing ministers to complete handover processes to their respective successors or supervising officials.

It stated that all handing over and taking over activities must be concluded on or before the close of business on Thursday, 23rd April, 2026.

Explaining the decision, Akume said the changes were aimed at improving coordination and strengthening delivery across key sectors of the economy under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

“These changes are aimed at strengthening cohesion, synergy in governance as well as achieving more impactful delivery on the economy to Nigerians, through the Renewed Hope Agenda,” Akume stated.

He added that President Tinubu acted in line with his constitutional powers as provided under Sections 147 and 148 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

The SGF also conveyed the President’s appreciation to the outgoing ministers for their service to the nation and wished them well in their future endeavours, noting that the process of cabinet reinvigoration would remain continuous.

The statement further noted that Taiwo Oyedele was appointed as Minister of State for Finance in March 2026, while Edun was among the ministers appointed on August 16, 2023.