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[UPDATED] Edo 2020: Deputy Speaker, Four Other Members Pledge Support For Ize-Iyamu

Published

5 years ago

August 3, 2020

The Deputy Speaker of the Edo House of Assembly and representative of Akoko-Edo Constituency I, Hon. Yekini Idiaye, and four other members of the Assembly have pledged their support for the Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, bringing the numbers of elected members who have declared their support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Edo Assembly to an overwhelming majority of 17.

Hon. Yekini Idiaye was joined by Hon. Emmanuel Agbaje, Akoko-Edo Constituency II, Hon. Nosayaba Okunbor, Orhiomwon East Constituency, Hon. Dumez Ugiagbe, Member-elect, Ovia North East Constituency I, and Mr. Vincent Uwadiae, Member-elect, Ovia North East Constituency II, on a solidarity visit to the private residence of Pastor Ize-Iyamu in Benin where they declared their support on Monday.

Speaking during the visit, the EDHA members maintained that they will not leave the All Progressives Congress, APC, for another while assuring Ize-Iyamu of their complete loyalty and commencement of mobilization of voters at the grassroots to secure his victory at the polls.

The Deputy Speaker, Hon. Yekini Idiaye, said he had no reason to join the incumbent Governor in his defection, or to back his re-election bid, because the non-performing administration of Mr. Godwin Obaseki has failed to initiate any developmental project in his constituency despite his consistent intervention efforts.

He said: “There is no reason for me to deflect to another party because there is no single project in my village to show under this present administration.”

“I am from Somorika, in Akoko Edo Local government area and my village is the most backward in Akoko Edo.”

In the same vein, Hon. Emmanuel Agbaje said the four-year tenure of Governor Godwin Obaseki has been a waste for Edo State and it is time to go to the next level with Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

“There are clear reasons why we are standing for our party because what would have been our problem in making progress has left us.”

“I want to assure Edo people that with the emergence of Ize-Iyamu, Edo will move forward”.

On his own part, Hon. Okunbor said the elected lawmakers believe in party supremacy and will be offering their support to the candidate of the APC, Pastor Ize-Iyamu.

In his remarks, Ize-Iyamu thanked the elected lawmakers for their courage and integrity, while also criticizing the Governor for dividing the State by denying representation to 14 elected lawmakers for over a year.

According to Ize-Iyamu, by the sheer fact that 17 of the 24 members of the Assembly have roundly rejected the Governor, the partial Assembly he forcefully put together, against the resolution of the National Assembly, has now fallen apart.

In his words, “Over a year, 14 members have not being allowed to occupy their seats and over half of the state have been deprived of fair representation.”

“The Deputy Speaker of the house has come to show courage and integrity that he can no longer support Gov. Obaseki. He made it clear that he was appointed under APC and will remain in APC. In a house of 24 members, 17 are no longer supporting the Gov. Obaseki meaning the house has fallen apart.

Ize-Iyamu assured the lawmakers of bringing development to their constituencies when elected as Edo Governor, stressing the plans contained in his SIMPLE agenda manifesto to harness the ecotourism potentials of Somorika.

News

FG Makes History Compulsory Subject In Primary, Secondary Schools

Published

6 hours ago

September 17, 2025

Editor

The Federal Government has announced the reintroduction of Nigerian History as a compulsory subject from primary to senior secondary school, 16 years after it was removed from the curriculum in 2009, under the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua administration.

The Federal Ministry of Education announced this in a statement posted on its X handle on Wednesday.

It said the reintroduction aimed at strengthening national identity, unity, and patriotism among diverse citizens.

“For the first time in decades, Nigerian pupils will study History continuously from Primary 1 to JSS3, while SSS1–3 students will take the new Civic and Heritage Studies, integrating History with Civic Education.

“Primary 1–6: Pupils will learn about Nigeria’s origins, heroes, rulers, culture, politics, economy, religions, colonial rule, and post-independence governance.

“JSS1–3: Students will study civilisations, empires, trade, European contacts, amalgamation, independence, democracy, and civic values,” the statement read.

The Ministry said the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Alausa, CON, together with the Honourable Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Sai’d Ahmad, expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for championing the reform.

“They emphasised that History is not merely a record of the past, but a vital foundation for shaping responsible and patriotic citizens.”

According to the Ministers, the reform is a priceless gift to the nation, reconnecting children with their roots while inspiring pride, unity, and commitment to national development.

The Ministry has released the revised curriculum and will retrain teachers, provide resources, and strengthen monitoring.

The former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua-led government in 2009 removed history from Nigeria’s basic education curriculum.

Then, it was justified that students were avoiding it with the claim that there were few jobs for history graduates, and that there was dearth of history teachers.

In 2022, the Ministry of Education under former Minister Adamu Adamu inaugurated the reintroduction of the subject.

The Ministry also trained history teachers at the basic education level in Abuja.

However, history has always remained optional in the few schools that offer it.

News

Police Announce Burial Arrangements For Ex-IG Arase

Published

6 hours ago

September 17, 2025

Editor

The Nigeria Police Force has released the burial arrangements for former Inspector-General of Police Solomon Ehigiator Arase, who died on August 31, 2025, at the age of 69.

Arase, who served as the 18th indigenous Inspector-General of Police, was described by the Force as a dedicated officer remembered for his leadership, philanthropy and commitment to police reforms.

According to the programme of events signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, released on Wednesday, the burial rites will begin in Abuja on September 24 with a Day of Tribute at the Nigeria Police Resource Centre, Jabi.

A requiem mass will follow on September 26 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Maitama, while a lying-in-state is scheduled for September 27 at his Abuja residence. His body will then depart for Benin City, Edo State.

In his hometown, Sabongida Ora, a candlelight procession is slated for September 29.

A valedictory session organised by the Edo State judiciary and the Nigerian Bar Association will hold at the Edo State High Court, Benin, on October 2.

Other activities include a service of songs at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Airport Road, Benin, on October 2, followed by a family lying-in-state.

The funeral mass will take place on October 3 at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, after which interment will be held at his private residence in Benin City.

A reception is planned at the Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub, while a thanksgiving mass will round off the events on October 5.

Arase, who held national honours including CFR, and was also a PhD holder, was appointed Inspector-General of Police in April 2015 and retired in June 2016.

He died at Cedarcrest Hospital in Abuja after a brief illness.

News

Lagos Begins Monitoring As Schools Resume

Published

6 hours ago

September 17, 2025

Editor

The Lagos State Government, through the Office of Education Quality Assurance, has commenced the monitoring of schools for compliance with standards as students resumed activities this week.

The OEQA spokesperson, Adepeju Adeyemi, said in a Wednesday statement sent to newsmen that the inspection began on Monday across the state for schools below the tertiary level.

The monitoring team, led by the Coordinating Director of OEQA, Remi Abdul, visited several schools, including Dolphin Senior High School, Lagos Island, where the team was received by the Principal/Director, Comfort Agunlejika.

Abdul explained that the purpose of the monitoring was to ensure compliance with the approved resumption date as stated in the Year 2025/2026 Harmonised Academic Calendar.

The PUNCH reports that basic and secondary schools in Lagos resumed on September 15, 2025, for the First Term of the Y2025/2026 session.

According to the approved 2025/2026 harmonised calendar made available to our correspondent, the First Half of the term is scheduled for September 15 to October 31, 2025, with a duration of 34 days. The second half will commence from November 10 to December 19, 2025, with a duration of 34 days. In between the halves are Open Day and Mid-Term Break.

Abdul noted that the monitoring team deployed was also verifying whether school administrators held pre-resumption meetings and whether key teaching and statutory records, such as lesson notes, diaries, and makeshift attendance registers, were in place for the smooth take-off of the new academic session.

“While addressing SSS 3 students, Abdul encouraged them to take their academics seriously, noting that how well they perform this term would determine their transition to higher education. He urged them to read well, stay focused, avoid skipping classes and begin early preparation for their WASSCE examinations,” the statement said.

He also encouraged teachers to remain dedicated and committed to delivering quality education.