News

Hours to Edo guber polls, major opposition candidate crumbles structure for Ighodalo

Published

3 days ago

September 19, 2024

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Hours to the Edo State governorship election, the guber candidate of the All Peoples Party (APP)Amb Osalumese Areloegbe on Thursday morning collapsed the structure for the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Asue Ighodalo and his running mate, Osarodion Ogie Esq.

Addressing journalists at the party secretariat in Benin City, Areloegbe said his decision to collapse the structure for the PDP candidate was because he believed that Ighodalo had all it would take to govern the state to greater heights.

According to him, I urged all my followers and supporters to disregard any information that I have aligned with the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo.

“I am supporting Asue Ighodalo because he is competent, not that I am not competent but I believe Asue is on the forefront. That is my reason for supporting his candidacy.

“My party is aware because they have been having a series of negotiations for us to align with the APC, and I told them categorically that I am supporting PDP. My eighteen local government followers are in full support of my decision, I mean 100 per cent supporting the PDP candidate, Barr. Asue Ighodalo and his running mate, Barr. Osarodion Ogie in this election.

“My choice for Asue Ighodalo is because, apart from myself, I see him as the next better candidate that I can support and I can put my weight on because he has the capacity, mentally, physically and otherwise to pilot the affairs of Edo State to greater heights.

“The national secretariat of my party, APP – they are in Abuja and I am in the state, and know much more of what is happening in Edo State. They are not here and don’t know what is going on here in Edo. And I am in a position to tell them what will be better for the Edo people.

“There is a parable that says, ‘You cannot shave a man’s head when he is not present’. I am here in Edo State and I know who to support and why I am supporting him. The national leadership might have taken a different tone, but this is what I and my followers have chosen.

“We had a series of other politicians who had made such decisions before. That is why I agreed with the support of my supporters to collapse my structure for the governorship candidate of the PDP Barr. Asue Ighodalo and his running mate, Barr. Osarodion Ogie.”

News

EFCC warns skit makers, others against unauthorised use of kits

Published

4 mins ago

September 23, 2024

Naijablitznews

By Francesca Hangeior

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has released a statement condemning the unauthorised use of its operational gear in comedy skits.

This comes in response to the resurgence of an old video titled “EFCC and Army Wahala” across social media platforms.

In a statement on Monday via X, the anti-graft agency expressed deep concern over the misrepresentation of its operatives in such productions.

“This, once again, compels the EFCC to reiterate its warning to skit makers and other social workers to desist from using the operational accoutrements of the commission illegally and irresponsibly,” the statement read.

The commission took particular issue with the portrayal of its agents in the video, describing it as a “caricature of the operational etiquette of the EFCC.”

The commission stated that the video depicts a shameful characterisation of supposed operatives of the commission, and unleashing terror on “suspects” is not only embarrassing but indicative of a deliberate attempt to cast shadows on the image of the EFCC.

The EFCC said, “Operatives of the EFCC are not bullies. They are trained as refined modern law enforcement officers rich in decency, civility and respect for members of the public, including suspects of economic and financial crimes.”

The commission hence issued a stern warning to content creators, stating, “Skit makers are warned again to desist from unauthorised use of the accoutrements of the Commission.”

News

US Government Offers Sympathy, Assistance to Victims of Borno Flood

Published

12 mins ago

September 23, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The United States has expressed deep sorrow over the recent disastrous floods that hit Maiduguri and other areas of Borno State, resulting in the loss of lives, widespread damage, and the displacement of numerous families.

In a statement on Monday in Abuja, the U.S. also extended its heartfelt condolences to the victims, their families, and everyone affected by the tragedy.

In response tot he flood, the U.S. government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is delivering relief to flood victims by working with UN agencies and other partners. USAID, via the World Food Program (WFP), is providing hot meals at four camps sheltering displaced persons, reaching over 67,000 people in recent days. Additionally, the WFP is offering emergency nutrition support to pregnant and breastfeeding women, as well as children under five.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is utilizing $3 million in initial USAID funding to meet urgent flood-related needs nationwide. USAID is also assisting the United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) with food airlifts to areas in Borno and Maiduguri that are hard to access.

Other partners funded by USAID, including local and international NGOs, are reallocating existing resources to deliver essential aid to those affected by the flooding in Maiduguri and Jere Local Government Area.

The United States commends the resilience of the Maiduguri community, along with the dedication of first responders, aid workers, and local officials who are working tirelessly to provide critical services. Our thoughts remain with the people of Borno during this difficult period.

News

Edo Govt Announces School Resumption Date

Published

5 hours ago

September 23, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Edo Government has directed all public and private schools in the state to resume the 2024/25 academic session on September 30.

This directive comes after an earlier postponement of the resumption date, initially set for September 9, 2024.

In a statement on Sunday in Benin, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Ojo Akin-Longe, warned that a fake notification had been circulating that schools would reopen on Monday.

He urged parents and guardians to disregard this false information.

The permanent secretary said, “We refer to the earlier announcement postponing the resumption of all public and private schools in Edo State, which was originally scheduled to reopen on Monday, 9th September 2024.

“We are aware of a subsequent false notification stating that schools should resume on Monday, 23rd September 2024.

“We wish to clarify that this announcement did not originate from the Edo State Government and is the work of mischief makers. The information is false and should be disregarded.

“The Edo State Government hereby directs that all public and private schools in the state will now resume for the 2024/25 academic session on Monday, 30th September 2024. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.”