NEWS
Concentrate on Edo Devt, not Obaseki Probe, Wike Counsels Okpebholo
By Laide Akinboade, Abuja
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike has urged the Governor of Edo State, Sen. Monday Okpebholo to concentrate on the development of the State, rather than dissipating his energy and resources to probe of his immediate predecessor, Godwin Obaseki.
Wike, who spoke in Benin, Edo State on Sunday said probing the former governor will achieve no meaningful results, adding that it was better for Governor Okpebholo to deploy his time and the State resources towards achieving his developmental goals Edo State and its people. According to a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, the FCT Minister Wike said; “If there is someone who would have encouraged Okpebholo to probe and prosecute Obaseki, that person should be me, but what I suffered in ensuring that he returned for a second term and how he paid me back is now in the past.“We must pass through this process in life, move on for the development of Edo State. Don’t do it, I’m the one that should have told you to pursue this man, I know what I passed through.”I should be the one to prosecute Obaseki but what is it in life when God has given you your position. If it were to be his power, you wouldn’t be here, but God has told him, you don’t have it and I have given it to whom I want to give.”Facing former Governor of Edo State, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, Wike said; “Leader, I know how pained you are and what you passed through, I know the sufferings, you suffered and it was like a humiliation to you. I was part of it because I humiliated you.“I apologized on national TV to you, sorry for what I did to you, leave it and let them carry their wahala and go, focus on the development of Edo and you will see what you will achieve at the end of the day.”Wike was in Benin, Edo State yesterday, to commission the New Edo Line terminal, which is the second phase of the Edo State Benin Central Bus Terminal, today. The event was however cancelled owing to the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
An officer of the Nigeria Correctional Centre, Kogi state Command, Olorunpelumi Jacob, who allegedly killed his friend on Tuesday and kept the butchered remains in a refrigerator has committed suicide in a private lodge in Lokoja.The officer whose name was given on the social media as Ayo Pelumi was said to have gruesomely murdered his friend, a photo journalist identified as Ayo Aiyepeku by smashing him on the head with a blunt object, rendering him unconscious, and thereafter proceeded to butcher the victim and later stored the mutilated body parts in a freezer.
The incident happened on Tuesday night in an office located around the Government House/GRA axis of Lokoja, where his suspected assailant reportedly had a farm in the same premises.It was learnt that immediately he committed the murder, he took parts of the body inside his Hilux van and sped off only to return few hours unknown to him that a colleague of the deceased, who was in the office had the distress cry of the photojournalist when he was attacked but could not come to his rescue.It was gathered that the correctional officer had a farm in the compound of the office of the newspaper and had gone to the office by 7.30 pm to call the deceased who he thought was the only one remaining in the office.He was said to have called him to help him put a freezer in his vehicle when he hit him with a big rod and thereafter overpowered him killing him and dismembering his bodyOn returning back to the premises o he was said to have been confronted by some security operatives who had been alerted of the incident.In an attempt to speed off, the tyres of his vehicle were bursted but he managed to escape.The Kogi Police Command on Wednesday launched a manhunt for the suspected ritual killer and urged members of the public who knew his whereabouts to alert the nearest police station.However, at about 2.00pm on Thursday afternoon, the police acting on a tip off stormed into a lodge where the corpse of the killer was recovered.A bottle of coca cola and a sippet was said to have also been seen at the scene of the incident.Meanwhile, sources close to the police said investigation has continued to unravel while the suspected ritualist eventually killed himself.
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo has pledged full commitment to the “Produce for Lagos” initiative.Ododo described the initiative as a bold inter-state collaboration that will deepen food security, boost agricultural productivity and deliver structured prosperity for farmers.
He made the promise during the official launch of the programme and the N500 billion Offtake Guarantee Fund held at Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja. The event, hosted by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, drew attendance from several state leaders, including the Governors of Ogun, Niger, and Taraba States, as well as representatives from the Governors of Jigawa and Kwara States.All participating states pledged to align with the vision of establishing a sustainable national food supply chain through a dependable partnership with Lagos, Nigeria’s largest consumer market.In his remarks, Ododo emphasized the historical ties between Kogi and Lagos and affirmed that the partnership marks a new era in mutual investment and food system integration.He noted that Lagos consumes food and Kogi produces food, and when both collaborate, the result is national food security, market stability, and inclusive economic growth.The Kogi State Governor highlighted the state’s ongoing investment in agriculture, including land preparation, mechanized farming, improved seedlings, livestock breeding, and financial support to over 10,000 farmers.He stated that Kogi is Nigeria’s leading producer of cassava and among the top producers of yam, maize, and ginger.According to him, the partnership with Lagos provides Kogi farmers with market assurance and confidence to expand production, knowing there is a structured offtake system in place.Ododo also commended Origin Tech Group Nigeria Limited for their investment in the project, describing the private sector as a critical driver of Nigeria’s agricultural transformation.He praised the Lagos State Government for its vision and boldness in launching the ₦500 billion Offtake Guarantee Fund, which is expected to support producers, aggregators, logistics players, and traders across the entire food value chain.The Lagos State Government described the initiative as a strategic step toward creating a food hub for the entire nation.Officials said the programme is designed to reduce post-harvest losses, lower food inflation, and drive down dependency on imports while creating jobs and stimulating rural economies.The programme is also expected to benefit from strong private sector participation, with major players like Heirs Holdings pledging significant support.Chairman Tony Elumelu committed N25 billion to the initiative, expressing confidence in its ability to address food insecurity and unemployment.The launch of the Produce for Lagos initiative was widely praised by stakeholders as a major milestone in cooperative governance.Leaders present emphasized that collaboration among states and between public and private sectors remains the surest path to achieving a resilient and prosperous Nigeria.
From Muhammad Gambo, Damaturu
North East Development Commission in Yobe State, has flagged off the distribution of Building Materials to people of 13 Local Government Areas affected by Flood and Conflicts.The Distribution exercise which took place at the Store of the Commission in Damaturu, also featured the handing over of Search and Rescue Equipment to the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA).
Prof. Ali Ibrahim, the State Coordinator of Yobe NEDC, while flagging off the distribution of the materials said, the exercise is part of its effort to minimize the effects of anticipated floods across Yobe State.The Search and Rescue Equipment donated to the State Emergency Management Agency, he said are aimed at minimizing the risk associated with rescue during the anticipated floods noting that SEMA officials face challenges in the process of rescuing victims of flood.Commenting on the support of the search and rescue equipment provided to Yobe SEMA by the NEDC, the Commissioner Yobe State Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management Dr. Mairo Ahmed Amshi and the Executive Secretary of the Agency, Dr. Muhammad Goje said the support came at the right time.With the symbolic flagged off, the Building Materials are handed over to the Chairmen of the benefitting Local Government Areas for onward distribution to the rightful beneficiaries.
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