News
100 days in office: Oba of Benin congratulates Gov. Okpebholo on milestone achievements
…..Commends administration for partnering with traditional Institutions
The Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty (HRM), Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare ll, has congratulated the Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo on his developmental strides in the State just within 100 days in office.
The monarch made the commendation in a congratulatory message to the governor signed by Chief Stanley Osamwonyi, the Esere of Benin and made available to journalists in Benin City, Edo State.
Oba Ewuare ll said without any iota of doubt the victory of Governor Okpebholo at the September 21 governorship election is a watershed in the electoral history of the State, noting that the victory was a divine answer to Edo people’s prayer for an end to the previous administration that had rendered the whole environment very toxic.
The Oba noted that disrespect and disregard for the rule of law was the order of the day during the previous administration.
He added that the “psyche of the people of Edo State was severely brutalized and traditional institution in the State was also undermined, insulted and almost destroyed.
“There seemed to have been a vengeance against Edo people for reasons better known to the perpetrators which virtually took over the governance of the State before your Excellency took office”.
The revered monarch said prior to the inauguration of Governor Okpebholo, the traditional institution in the State which forms a supportive part of governance had been subjected to the most avoidable meddlesomeness which was a calculated attempt to destroy the entire fabric of the institution.
The Oba added that these orchestrated design was undertaken in several ways including: through the unwarranted attempt to appropriate ancient ancestral artifacts which belong to the Oba of Benin, as well as through an unlawful move to create traditional councils in Edo South in total disregard for the established customary laws of the Benin people as duly declared in the Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Laws of the State.
Other means he said were through the denial of statutory entitlements to the Benin Traditional Council, among other unfortunate actions and, through the revocation of the concession of Oba Akenzua ll Cultural Centre which was concessioned to HRM Oba Ewuare ll and the clandestine attempt to annex part of it and add to the Central Hospital Grounds which was demolished to make way for a private museum called MOWAA.
The statement continued; “To the glory of God Almighty and our ancestors, on your inauguration as governor, your Excellency immediately reversed these unlawful, wicked and inappropriate actions, thus putting an end to the schism between the Benin traditional institution and the State government. For these statesmanly acts of lawfulness, and respect for the traditional institution of the Benin people and Edo State as a whole, history will remember your Excellency in glory”.
Oba Ewuare ll said in the last 100 days of the administration of Governor Okpebholo, he has demonstrated his commitment in partnering and respecting the traditional institutions in the State towards engendering a more robust institutional collaboration for peace and development in the State.
“Remarkably, is the unprecedented steps your administration is taking to construct long-lasting infrastructure across the State particularly the construction of three flyovers in Benin City, the State capital. It is also on record that a number of roads and schools and the health sector across the State are receiving the attention of your administration just within a short space of three months in office.
“Your Excellency, as a foremost traditional ruler and chairman of the Edo State Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs, it is our earnest prayers that Almighty God and our ancestors will guide and protect you and your administration to be able to improve the economy and transform the lives of Edo people in general.
“Be assured that our prayers and support are always with you and members of your administration and family in the quest to make Edo better.
“I am confident that with your Excellency’s great display of good faith, compassion and determination to right the wrongs of the past and uplift the well-being of the good people of Edo State, your administration shall be a resounding success. It is my earnest prayers that God Almighty and our ancestors shall continue to grant you good health, wisdom and unfailing energy to successfully govern the State and achieve all your aspirations as governor”, the statement concluded.
The wife of Senator Isah Jibrin (Echocho), Hajia Aishat has offered cash and food items worth millions of naira to widows and vulnerable women across Dekina local government Councils, promises to take similar gesture across the nine local government in Kogi East.
The exercise which was tagged: “Widows Empowerment”, saw the Senator’s wife distributing cash and food items to cushion the effect of Ramadan.
Items distributed are bags of rice bags of salt, cartons of seasoning, maggi etc, which were evenly distributed to widows and vulnerable women across party lines.
A beneficiary who spoke with our correspondent at Odu in Dekina Local Government Council, Hon Fitumi thanked Hajia for her continuous effort in coming through for widows and vulnerable regularly.
She acknowledged similar gesture by Senator Isah Jibrin (Echocho), a fortnight ago at Ankpa when youths in their numbers from three Local Government Areas were trained in Agriculture and empowered, stressing that people are now living testimony to the effort of the lawmaker.
“”We are aware of several intervention projects, empowerment and developmental projects of Senator Echocho and we are not surprised seeing Hajia toeing the similar path.
“The distribution of food items and cash today is not only a rekindling of hope to the beneficiaries, but an encouragement that despite their condition, they were not forgotten.
Hajia Labran, and other APC Women leaders who spoke on behalf of women, applauded Hajia Aisha Echocho and pray Allah to strengthen her to carry on, urged others to emulate her sustainable initiatives.
The women advised other political office holders to emulate what is good and just, which they believed would strengthen the party.
As part of the activities to celebrate the golden anniversary of the University of Calabar, the wife of the President of the Senate, Mrs Ekaette Unoma Godswill Akpabio was on Saturday, March 22, 2025 conferred with an honorary doctorate degree in Education Management.
The ceremony held at the main campus of the institution in Calabar, Cross River State also saw the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike awarded the honorary doctorate degree in Law.
Other awardees included Major General Moses Bisong Obi (rtd) (Doctor of Peace and Conflict Studies) and Supreme Court Justice, Emmanuel Akomaye Obi (Doctor of Law).
In her acceptance speech after the conferment by the 15th Emir of Kano and Chancellor of the University, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, the wife of the Senate President, Mrs Akpabio thanked the Governing Council and Management of the University for finding her worthy of the honour.
A statement by the Special Assistant on Media/communication to the President of the Senate, Anietie Ekong quoted Mrs Akpabio as saying “I am happy to be honoured with this award from the prestigious University of Calabar that I have heard so much about from my dear husband, an alumnus of this great institution.
“I was wondering when I will join him as a great Malabress and that day has come and I am grateful to the University for this honour,” she said.
Mrs Akpabio promised to work with other awardees especially the Minister of the FCT to provide infrastructural assistance to the university.
In a citation the University extolled Mrs Akpabio for her philanthropic and humanitarian efforts towards uplifting the lives of women and the vulnerable of the society through her non governmental organisation, the Family Life Enhancement Initiative.
She was also recognized as a Champion of women’s rights and as one who used her position as the First Lady of Akwa Ibom State to fight for the inclusion of more women in governance.
On his part, Chief Wike said he was honoured to be among the recipients of award. He extolled the Visitor of the University, President Bola Tinubu for working tirelessly to promote tertiary education in the country.
Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan has expressed disappointment over the declaration of State of emergency in Rivers State, saying it discredits Nigeria’s image.
The declaration by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has sent Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara packing for six months, while the elected members of the State House of Assembly have also been suspended.
Jonathan stated this while speaking as the Chairman at the Haske Satumari Foundation Colloquium in Abuja on Saturday.
He said elected officials have been removed from office in a very disappointing manner.
Contrary to Jonathan’s view however, the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, expressed support for Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers.
The party said no responsible government will allow a situation to deteriorate before taking decisive action in the best interest of its citizens.
NNPP National Chairman, Dr. Agbo Major, told newsmen: “President Tinubu is the Chief Security Officer of Nigeria.
“The information available to him as president from intelligence sources may not be in the public purview.
“The government in Rivers was suspended and no one can actually say what would have happened by now, judging from the deepening crisis.
“The crisis was further compounded by some leaders who, instead of offering advice or promoting peace during the turmoil, allowed it to escalate before later stepping in to criticize.”
But for President Jonathan, “These actions by key actors in the executive and legislative arms of government paint the country in a negative light.”
He said it was not the norm for former presidents to comment on issues, so as not to heat up the polity.
However, Jonathan said, his comment became necessary after calls from many Nigerians, urging him to speak on the events in Rivers State.
He added that the image of the country and how much investments a country attracts is dependent on the actions of the executive, legislature and judiciary of that country.
Goodluck Jonathan faulted the situation where an individual can dictate to the judiciary, noting that it makes it difficult for anyone to have faith in the judiciary.
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