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Suspended Enigie: ‘It’s Abominable For Individual To Interfere In Age-long Customary Arbitration’ – BTC Cautions Obaseki

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Benin Traditional Council (BTC) has cautioned Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State to stir clear on his acclaimed move to resolve the misunderstanding between Oba of Benin and some suspended enigie (dukes).

Recall that some enigie had dragged the Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II and the state government to court over their suspension.

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The Enigie argument is that the Oba does not have the power to suspend them without the consent of the state executive council and Governor Obaseki.

Obaseki, in one of visits to one of the suspended enigie in the crisis, Professor Gregory Akenzua, said he would visit the Iyase (Prime Minister) of Benin to initiate the reconciliation process.

READ ALSO: Oba Of Benin Suspends Six Officials For Posing As Palace Emissaries To Ooni Of Ife

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But the BTC in a strong-worded statement dated May 22, 2024, said it was an abomination for any individual to seek to interfere with the age-long and well-established process of customary arbitration of the kingdom which they expected those involved to explore.

The statement was signed by prominent Benin chiefs including: Osuma of Benin, Chief Norense Ozigbo-Esere; Oliha of Benin, Chief Edionwe Oliha; Aiwerioghene of Benin, Chief Henry Osato Bazuaye; Uwangue of Benin, Chief Ekhoerovbiye Oviasogie and Eribo of Benin, Chief Ada Igbinovia.

Others are Esere of Benin, Chief Stanley Obamwonyi; Obazelu of Benin, Chief Osaro Idah; Ine of Benin, Chief Okuonghae Edomwandagbon and Obahiagbon of Benin, Chief David Aibiokun Ehondor.

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The statement reads: “Our attention has been drawn to the reported plan by the Governor of Edo State, His Excellency,Mr. Godwin Obaseki, to initiate dispute resolution of the suit filed by two suspended Enigie against His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo,Oba of Benin.

READ ALSO: Praying Man Drowns At Lagos Beach

“Our attention has also been drawn to a Press Statement credited to the Honourable Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Edo State, Mr. Chris Nehikhare in which he claims that the suit filed by the Enigie is a family dispute within the Benin Royal Family.

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“We wish to state for the avoidance of doubt that the Benin Traditional Institution has a well-established and fully functional process of customary arbitration under the authority of His Royal Majesty, The Oba of Benin. This process of customary arbitration is well-known to all Benin traditional chiefs, including the suspended Enigie. Any traditional chief who has any genuine cause to be aggrieved is at liberty to explore this customary arbitration process. It is therefore an abomination for any individual to seek to interfere with this age-long and well-established process of customary arbitration.

“We also wish to emphasize that His Royal Majesty, The Oba of Benin reigns over the Benin Kingdom as the spiritual and royal father of the Benin people irrespective of family status, age and office.

“Consequently, it is an affront for anyone to suggest that His Royal Majesty, The Oba of Benin is in dispute with those over whom he reigns, including members of the Royal Family.

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“We admonish members of the general public to be wary of the abominable efforts to undermine the Benin Traditional Institution through deliberate acts and utterances which are calculated to create confusion.

“We appeal to members of the general public to remain law-abiding, and pray for peace to continue to reign in the Benin Kingdom.”

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Nigeria Faces Breakup Without True Federalism, Nwodo Warns

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A former Minister of Information and past President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, John Nwodo

A former Minister of Information and past President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, John Nwodo, has raised fresh concerns over Nigeria’s future, warning that the country could break apart before the 2027 general elections if sweeping constitutional reforms are not urgently implemented.

Delivering a keynote address at the launch of two books authored by veteran journalist Ike Abonyi in Abuja, Nwodo said Nigeria’s current system of governance was deeply flawed.

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What we practice today is not federalism but a unitary constitution in disguise,” he said.

Nwodo emphasised that the structure of power must be revisited to allow regions greater control over their resources and internal affairs.

READ ALSO:Church Of Nigeria Formally Cuts Ties With Wales Over Lesbian Archbishop

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Let each region manage its resources and development, while contributing taxes to fund essential federal responsibilities like external defence, foreign affairs, customs, and immigration.”

He warned that failing to restructure before the next national election could have grave consequences.

“If we head into 2027 without addressing these structural imbalances, there may be no election—and worse still, no country.”

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Citing Nigeria’s economic woes, Nwodo highlighted the alarming state of public infrastructure and declining quality of life.

READ ALSO:FG Urges Nigerians Abroad To Register With Embassies For Emergency Support

“We are bleeding billions annually due to poor infrastructure. Life expectancy is now one of the lowest globally. Our youth are unemployed and frustrated. Something must give.”

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Calling for bold reforms, he stressed the need to prioritise education, digital skills, and agricultural development as tools for economic revival.

The future lies in education that meets today’s realities. Every Nigerian child should be digitally literate. We must return to agriculture and vocational training.”

The event drew political figures, scholars, and civil society actors, many of whom echoed the call for urgent restructuring as a path to national stability and growth.

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FG Shortlists Candidates For Civil Service Jobs

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The Federal Government has shortlisted candidates for the ongoing recruitment into the Federal Civil Service.

In January 2025, the Federal Civil Service Commission announced vacancies for over 70 positions across various government agencies.

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The announcement, contained in a newspaper advertorial signed by the Director of Recruitment and Appointment, Ogaba Ede, listed several roles.

Some of the listed positions include: Administrative Officer, Planning Officer, Programme Analyst, Procurement Officer, Senior Computer Engineer, Dentist/Dental Officer, Population Programme Officer, Medical Laboratory Scientist, Education Officer, and Senior Youth Development Officer.

READ ALSO:JUST IN: WAEC Shuts Down Result Portal Over Technical Issues

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Also on the list of positions are Psychologist, Biomedical Engineer, Surveyor, Aerodrome Engineer, Computer Engineer, Geologist, Programme Analyst, Statistician, and Foreign Affairs Officer.

Applications were submitted through the official recruitment portal, which many applicants reported was difficult to access during the registration period.

The deadline, initially fixed for March 10, was later extended to March 17.

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The Head of Press and Public Relations at the FCSC, Taiwo Hassan, in an interview with our correspondent, denied insinuations that the process had been abandoned.

He stated that the screening process had progressed, with some applicants already shortlisted.

READ ALSO:WAEC Speaks On Rumoured Cancellation Of 2025 WASSCE Exams

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We have not been quiet and we have not abandoned the exercise. As a matter of fact, work has been ongoing on the recruitment exercise.

“Candidates have been shortlisted. Those shortlisted have been sent an email on their preferred location for their Computer-Based Test among other details.

“It is not correct to say those who applied have not been contacted. We have picked from those who submitted their applications. These are the ones that will sit for the CBT,” he said.

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Although he did not provide specific figures, it was previously reported that applicants were vying for 2,130 available positions in the federal civil service.

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WAEC Under Fire As Results Portal Goes Down

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The West African Examinations Council has come under renewed fire following the temporary shutdown of its result checker portal on Wednesday evening, a move it attributed to “technical issues.”

The announcement, posted via WAEC’s official X handle, @waecnigeria, sparked fresh criticism as many Nigerians continue to express outrage over the poor performance recorded in the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination, particularly in English Language.

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“WAEC hereby informs the general public that the result checker portal @waecdirect.org is temporarily shut down due to technical issues.

“However, the Council is working assiduously to ensure that candidates are able to access their results in the next 24 hours. We apologise for any inconvenience this might have caused you,” the notice read.

READ ALSO:JUST IN: WAEC Shuts Down Result Portal Over Technical Issues

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Wednesday’s notice has further fuelled speculation and public discontent over the examination body’s credibility, especially after Monday’s announcement that only 38.32 per cent of the 1,969,313 candidates who sat the 2025 WASSCE obtained credits and above in five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics, the worst performance recorded in a decade.

Across social media platforms, many candidates and concerned Nigerians pointed fingers at WAEC’s logistics failures, especially the delayed conduct of the English Language paper, which reportedly held late into the night at many centres on May 28.

On X (formerly Twitter), several users shared screenshots of results showing credit passes in other subjects but failure in English, calling for a comprehensive review of the English Language scripts.

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Tweeting at @sikimark, Mark Imohi wrote, “It is concerning that the English exam, which was delayed at centres nationwide, is now resulting in widespread failures. If JAMB could make amends, we hope you (WAEC) will take steps to rectify the situation. It was a national disgrace.”

READ ALSO:WAEC Releases 2025 WASSCE Results

Another user, @_samad1, lamented, “We wrote exams at 8 pm. We were given one hour or 30 minutes to answer questions that should last two and a half hours. There was no light, and everyone was in a hurry to leave. Please rethink.”

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Some candidates expressed optimism that once the portal is reopened, there could be changes in the scores.

“When the portal is reopened, you will see magic,” tweeted Daniel Ebitimi (@ebitimi_da15726).

Others alleged deliberate manipulation and revenue generation motives behind the poor grading.

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“Just like JAMB, WAEC is gambling with the future of Nigerians. If the majority of the D’s, E’s and F8’s awarded in English are rechecked, WAEC will pay dearly,” @JayTrezy posted.

READ ALSO:VeryDarkMan Mocks Okpebholo Over Alleged Poor WAEC Results, Drags Portable, Fufeyin [VIDEO]

Parents also joined the chorus of displeasure, expressing confusion over how students who excelled in other subjects could have failed English.

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“My daughter got five A1 and two B2, only to get D7 in English and Physics (withheld),” tweeted a parent, @Johnway11145073.

Another user, @DEYHOT_official, pleaded, “WAEC, please I am begging, help us check the English Language exam again. I can’t accept this result. I struggled so hard to get money and pay for this exam, and now you failed me. This result is affecting my future.”

Some went as far as demanding a total recall of the 2025 results.

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READ ALSO:WAEC Speaks On Rumoured Cancellation Of 2025 WASSCE Exams

“We reject this year’s results, particularly the English and Maths. WAEC, please do the needful to avoid mass protests,” @pastorbtdaniels posted.

The Teacher, @MarquizDejavex wrote, “Students wrote English paper in the mid night and yet WAEC failed them.”

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King Jeporphs, @e_okwori tweeted, “The students who were robbed and given abysmal grades in English should tag presidency, Minister of education to have an external body revise the whole exam process.”

WAEC has yet to issue any further clarification on the English Language grading or respond to the growing demands for a review of the affected scripts.

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