From Joseph Ebi Kanjo, Benin

Ahead of the 22nd National Sports Festival slated for Ogun State, the Torch of Unity for the festival arrived at Benin on Wednesday.Receiving the torch on behalf of the Edo State government at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, deputy governor of the state, Hon.

Dennis Idahosa, commended President Bola Tinubu for transforming the country’s sports sector, uniting the people, and rekindling hopes amongst the Nigerian youths. Idahosa, who expressed optimism on the outcome of the National Sports Festival, noted that with the magnitude of investment and commitment by the Okpebholo-led administration in revamping the sports sector of Edo State, he was sure that the Edo Team would make Edo people proud.”I want to thank the President, His Excellency, President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, GCFR, for using sports to bring all the youths of Edo State and across the country together.”For us in Edo, we are ready to support the Edo State Sports Commission to win medals and we are very sure that they are going to come home top position”. Idahosa enthused.In his address, the Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Desmond Amadin, commended the laudable impact of Governor Okpebholo in equipping and transforming the sports sector of the state.He expressed the state’s preparedness to emerge victorious in the forthcoming National Sports Festival.”We would all be gathering in Ogun State from the 16th to the 30th of May, 2025. As you know, Edo State is known for sports. When you say Edo State, you say “Sports”.”The last sports festival we came out third, but this time around, the governor, distinguished Senator Monday Okpebholo, has given us the support that we need. So, this time around, we know that Edo State is going to come out on top there,” Amadin reassured.In her remarks, the team led for the National Sports Festival Torch, Mbora Ikana, expressed optimism on the success of the forthcoming National Sports Festival and its impact in nurturing young talents amongst our youths in the State and country at large”On behalf of the National Sports Commission that was mandated by the President, Ahmed Tinubu, to take the torch round the 36 states including Abuja.”We are in Edo State today, and the essence of the torch is to invite the state to the Festival and to create awareness that sport is the only unifying platform in our country and we are supposed to harness the talents of our youths through sports”, Ikana said.

From Joseph Ebi Kanjo, Benin

Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku has opened up on why he dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for All Progressives Congress (APC).While announcing his defection on the floor of the House during the plenary, he explained that he defected to retain the benefits of the speakership position, to ensure the development of his constituency.

“I want to formally let this House know that yesterday, the Speaker of this House, Rt. Hon. Blessing Agbebaku, defected to the APC.“My decision was not about party allegiance but rather about the growth, development and progress of my area.“As a Speaker, if I throw away this position because of the party, the position that would enhance development in my area, means that I am not ready to serve my people. My constituents were in support of my decision.“I spoke about some of the projects the governor took to my area yesterday, and the people of Owan West are very happy.“On that note, I took that decision, and I think to a large extent, my people are happy about it,” he said.Agbebaku told his colleagues that the most important thing in politics is the interest of the people, and insisted that his decision was informed by his constituency.“We are all working with the governor to take the state to the next level so that the people will enjoy the dividends of democracy. So, the issue of party affiliations should not arise. To me, there is no party in this House,” he added.Agbebaku insisted that his defection was not driven by personal gains but by a commitment to the welfare of those who elected him.

From Attah Ede, Makurdi

The Chief Press Secretary to the Benue State Governor, Alia Tersoo Kula yesterday alleged that some particular individuals have decided to orchestrate a campaign of misinformation and sponsored protests designed to destabilize Benue State and undermine the administration of Governor Hyacinth Alia.

He further stated that the protests are calculated agendas by disgruntled elements to settle personal scores and advance a malicious agenda. He noted that in recent weeks, there have been series of protests in Abuja, purportedly representing the concerns of Benue State citizens, regretting that it has become abundantly clear that these demonstrations are not organic expressions of public sentiment, but sponsored by individuals driven by a desperate desire to paint Benue State in the worst possible light in an attempt to force the hand of President Ahmed Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in the state.He said, “This misguided notion stems from a deep-seated aversion to positive change and a yearning for a return to a discredited status quo. Their ultimate goal, it seems, is to create an environment of chaos and instability, allowing them to exploit the situation for their own selfish gain.”We are particularly disturbed by the blatant attempts to weaponize the legal profession in this campaign of deceit. We have witnessed the spectacle of ex-convicts being paraded at press conferences, individuals masquerading as lawyers, and unregistered organizations submitting petitions filled with lies and offensive accusations to the National Assembly.”These actions not only undermine the integrity of the legal profession but also demonstrate the depths to which these individuals are willing to sink in their pursuit of personal vendettas. We urge the Nigerian Bar Association to take swift and decisive action to address these instances of impersonation and professional misconduct.”Let us be clear: the sponsors of these protests are known, and their motives are transparent. They are driven by a desperate desire to remove Governor Alia from office, but they will not succeed. The people of Benue State are united in their support for their governor and will not allow these forces of disruption to undermine the progress being made under his leadership.We want to assure the public that Benue State is safe and secure. All the arms of government are functioning smoothly, and the legislative business is proceeding seamlessly. Governor Hyacinth Alia is diligently delivering on his mandate, and the state is making significant strides in addressing the challenges it faces.”While the issue of insecurity is a national concern, Governor Alia is taking proactive steps to curtail the activities of armed herders and protect our communities. His administration is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all residents of Benue State.”We call on the media to exercise due diligence in reporting on these matters and to avoid amplifying the voices of those who seek to spread misinformation and sow discord. We urge the public to remain vigilant and to reject the false narratives being propagated by these disgruntled elements.