News

Power Outage Grounds Businesses, Official Engagements In Benin As Journalists Dash To Hotels To File Reports

Published

2 years ago

October 20, 2023

Editor

Activities in government offices, health facilities and other areas in Benin City, the Edo State capital, have been grounded for days as a result of non-availability of power supply.

Investigations revealed that the power outage was as a result of the non-supply of gas to the Ossiomo power company by its supplier, the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company Limited, a subsidiary of the NNPCL.

INFO DAILY reports that Ossiomo power company has been the sole supplier of electricity to government buildings; street lights; some private homes; courts; secretariat of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo State council; the Edo State Industrial Hub where several micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) operate, etc.

Speaking, some of the operators in the Industrial Hub lamented that have lost fortune because of of the power outage which entered its fourth day on Friday.

A dealer in frozen food at the Industrial hub told journalists that “I have lost so much running into millions of naira. We were forced to bury our frozen products that had become unfrozen and were rotting away because we depended on this Ossiomo light.”

Meanwhile, It was gathered that surgeries were stopped at the Edo State government-owned health facilities including the Edo State Specialist Hospital and others to avoid deaths. Activities in primary healthcare centres were grounded as well.

At the secretariat of the NUJ popularly known as Press Centre, there was was anxiety as the place was out of water supply which led to the leadership locking all bathrooms and toilets in the complex.

Journalists were stranded as many of them lamented that their phones and laptops were out of power, while some of them were sighted trooping to a nearby hotel to power their tools in order to file the reports.

Contacted, a staff of Ossiomo power company laid the blame at the feet of the gas supplier, the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company Limited, a subsidiary of the NNPCL, just as he questioned the competence of some of the personnel there.

He said: “We are not suspecting sabotage though, but the situation is that we have different oil mining licenses in this country supplying gas. Right now, the biggest one is OML 34 in Oben operated by Seplat, compare the performance of Seplat at Oben and the performance of NPDC at Ologbo, the gas is there, the oil is there, the resources are there, it is just the challenge of who is managing the resources, maintain and operating them.

“For example, we had a challenge in one of our substations and NPDC brought archaic materials that put everybody at risk, so we had to buy the equipment which is not our role. This has been going on for four days, and if you ask them, they won’t even tell you, but I know it has to do with competence.”

A visit to the NPDC headquarters, Benin, a senior personnel in the operations department said he cannot speak officially for the company.

He said: “I have been able to reach the engineer who is working to fix the problem and he assured the issue will be resolved before Sunday.”

News

Group Throws Weight Behind Benin Monarch’s Decision On Iyaloja

Published

13 hours ago

October 7, 2025

Editor

Group known as Edo Art and Cultural Heritage Institute (EACHI) has thrown its weight behind Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, on the royal father’s stance on the traditional leadership of markets in the Benin Kingdom.

A statement isdued by Okpioba Osaro Idemudia, on behalf of the group, said the “institute aligns with the Oba’s stance that the Iye-Eki is the only recognized traditional head of the markets, and we believe that this position should be respected and preserved in accordance with our cultural heritage.

“EACHI stands firm on the ground that the Iye-Eki holds a significant and revered position in the Benin Kingdom, serving as the main market traditional head. We believe that any attempts to impose external leadership structures that contradict our cultural norms and traditions would undermine the rich heritage of the Benin people.

“We are proud of our royal rather, for his unwavering commitment to upholding the cultural values and traditions of the Benin Kingdom.

“EACHI reassures the people of Edo State and the broader community that we will continue to support and promote the preservation of our rich cultural heritage.”

The group, while calling on Edo sons and daughters in home and in diaspora to “stand in unity to support our royal father Oba Ewuare II’s disapproval of IYALOJA,” commended
Edo market women for talking a bold stand against the imposition of IYALOJA

News

JUST IN: Tinubu’s Minister Resigns Amid Allegations

Published

14 hours ago

October 7, 2025

Editor

The Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Geoffrey Nnaji, has resigned from President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet amid controversies surrounding his academic records and allegations of certificate forgery.

Nnaji, who was appointed in August 2023, announced his resignation in a letter to the President on Tuesday, expressing appreciation for the opportunity to serve.

Confirming the development in a statement on Tuesday, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has accepted the resignation of Geoffrey Uche Nnaji, the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, following some allegations against him. President Tinubu appointed Nnaji in August 2023.

“He resigned today in a letter thanking the President for allowing him to serve Nigeria. Nnaji said he has been a target of blackmail by political opponents. President Tinubu thanked him for his service and wished him well in future endeavours.”

Nnaji’s resignation comes amid a lingering controversy over alleged certificate forgery and questions surrounding his academic qualifications from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

Nnaji and the Enugu State Government had traded words over allegations that he presented forged certificates.

The dispute intensified after the Federal High Court in Enugu rejected Nnaji’s bid to stop the University of Nigeria from releasing his academic records.

The court had ruled that the institution was within its rights to release the minister’s academic details in response to a freedom of information request, a decision that fuelled further public scrutiny.

Nnaji, however, maintained that he was being blackmailed by political opponents determined to tarnish his reputation.

News

UNIBEN Bans Students’ Sign-out Celebration

Published

15 hours ago

October 7, 2025

Editor

The University of Benin (UNIBEN) has prohibited all forms of sign-out celebrations by graduating students.

The ban is contained in a circular by the university’s Registrar, Mr Ademola Bobola, on Tuesday in Benin.

In the circular addressed to members of the university community, the management warned that violators risk severe disciplinary actions, including rustication, expulsion, or withdrawal of certificate.

Bobola said the decision was reached at a meeting on Monday, where it reaffirmed an earlier resolution of the university’s Senate banning such activities on campus.

“The management declared that no sign-out celebration of any kind, including signing on T-shirts and playing of music, will be tolerated,” he said.

He stated that the university would not condone any form of disorderly conduct or unauthorised gathering during or after examinations.

“Indiscriminate parading around the campuses in any brand of vehicle will not be permitted,” the circular warned.

According to him, unauthorised vehicles will not be allowed into the campuses all through the last week of the second semester examination.

“The management also prohibited large gatherings around faculties, schools, or institutes after examinations.

“Photographers will not be permitted to put up photo stands or galleries for the purpose of such celebration,” he said.

He said the management equally cautioned parents and guardians of final-year students against visiting campus premises during the final days of examinations.

“Parents and guardians of final-year students are advised to stay away from the Faculty, School, or Institute premises, especially on the last day of examination,” he said.

Bobola emphasised that the university’s stance was aimed at maintaining order, discipline, and academic decorum on campus.

“Members of the university community are kindly invited to note the above position for strict compliance.

“Any violation will attract severe disciplinary sanctions, including withdrawal of certificate, rustication, and expulsion of violators,” he warned.