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New Frontiers are not about Bullets, Guns, it’s About Brains, Says Obianime

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From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa

A Prof. of Pharmaceutical Sciences University of Portharcourt, Prof. A.W. Obianime has said that the prospect for the future of Ijaw Nation looks good but will require a broad review of the people’s emotional and psychological state.

He said there should be a reorientation of the people, saying the need for environmental and social Justice is paramount and to enshrine corporate and environmental responsibility is an aspect they need to pursue and promote.
Obianime handed down this during a Public Lecture/Dinner organized to mark the 2025 Isaac Boro Day celebration at the state Banquet Hall Government House Yenagoa, Bayelsa state capitalAccording to him, the existing lawsuit and social campaign should be used for the development of the people and the region.
“We must change the erroneous narrative by people who mean us no good and present us as aliens, senseless Agitators or militants, not as educated people seeking their rights, justice and Fairness”.In a lecture titled: The Ijaw Struggle for Self Determination: Challenges, New Frontiers and Prospect, Prof. Obianime said, “Politics and the allure of monetary gains and their supposed benefits have disunited our people and therefore there is no more Ijawness in our daily operations”. Rather than ljaw, we talk along party lines (PDP VS APC).”The build-up to 2027 is more important than the jaw National and ancestral interest. Peace building, Dialogue and constructive engagement between the Ijaw nation, the federal government, oil companies, and civil society are key to lasting peace and mutual development.”The Ijaws as an ethnic nationality must take action, their cause must be given the needed global outlook. Our message must be well packaged and placed on the front burners of international human rights platforms, environmental courts, and policy institutions.”Our youths are our future and empowering them with the right information via formal and non-formal education, global exposure and leadership training will sustain the desire for a better future, keep alive the struggle and secure the dream.”We must begin to learn to accommodate and network our interests. We must purposefully go out to make new friends, establish new relationships and begin a new phase of what I consider a high-powered PR activity.”Finally, the new frontiers are not about bullets and guns, it is about brains and brawn. The Ijaws must rise above petty educational pursuits but seek education that is liberating and fair. Therefore brethren, if we must establish the concept of fairness and justice as it concerns the ljaws people, we must also preach it as a national ethos because injury to one is an injury to all” , he said.While acknowledging some challenges said, theater and the complexities/complexion of the war or survival in the Nigerian political space have changed. Saying the physical environment has changed due to environmental degradation and toxicity.In his closing remark, Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei said, the younger generations should emulate what Issac Adaka Boro stood for during his lifetime.According to him, Boro’s struggle contributed to the creation of the old Rivers state and now Bayelsa state too was created. “Our politicians, youths and all stakeholders in Ijaw Nation should see the interest of Ijaw man above their personal interest “.

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Man City Strike Twice Late on to Beat Bournemouth

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Manchester City scored two late goals to earn Enzo Maresca a win in his first Premier League game in charge – and deny Marco Rose the perfect start as Bournemouth boss.

The Cherries took the first-half lead through Marcus Tavernier, who was left in loads of space to slam in after Evanilson’s incisive low ball across the area.

Erling Haaland, usually at his most prolific in August, missed a host of chances for City as they looked set for a frustrating afternoon.

But Marc Guehi, playing in defensive midfield for only the third time in his career, nodded in Rayan Cherki’s corner with six minutes to go.

And it got even worse for Bournemouth when Josko Gvardiol guided a shot into the bottom corner in injury time.

The goal was initially disallowed for offside, but given after a video assistant referee review.

It was Bournemouth’s first defeat in any competition since January, ending their club-record 18-game unbeaten run.

City showed improvement from the side who were bashed 3-0 by Arsenal in last Sunday’s Community Shield – but for most of this game it looked as if Maresca was going to start with consecutive defeats.

Replacing a legend is always difficult – as David Moyes experienced when Sir Alex Ferguson left neighbours Manchester United in 2013 – and the late comeback will come as a major relief in their first Premier League game without Pep Guardiola in a decade.

City did not exactly promote from within when hiring Maresca, who quit as Chelsea manager at the start of 2026, but the Italian was Guardiola’s City assistant in 2022-23 and would perhaps be seen as something of a continuity candidate.

It was a very shaky start though and they went 1-0 down at home on the opening day of a Premier League campaign for the first time since 1995-96 – the season they ended up being relegated.

Maresca’s team selection confused many, with six players who have played most of their City games in defence starting on Sunday – including Guehi in midfield.

But all’s well that ends well and Guehi looked as if he had rescued a point before defender Gvardiol added two more from another Cherki pass.

Things would have been more comfortable if Haaland had brought his shooting boots.

The Norwegian has scored 22 goals in 14 Premier League games in the month of August – but failed to take any of his five chances.

Bournemouth fans would have feared a dip after enjoying the best season in their history last campaign. Sixth place took them into Europe for the first time ever.

And it was a surprise when boss Andoni Iraola announced in April he would be leaving in the summer – eventually joining Liverpool.

Ex-Salzburg and Leipzig boss Rose was confirmed soon after – replacing Iraola at the end of last season, giving him plenty of time to watch from a distance and get to know his new team.

Only one of the side who started against City was a new signing, with Portuguese defender Antonio Silva the replacement for Marcos Senesi, who left for Tottenham.

The Cherries showed plenty of the aggressive, positive play that they produced under Iraola thanks to such dangerous attackers on the break – including Rayan, Evanilson and Tavernier, who all linked up well for the opening goal.

Letting the lead slip late on will be hugely frustrating and ends their long unbeaten run, but Rose, and Cherries supporters, should still have seen plenty to encourage them from a game they would not have expected to win.

And if they had picked up Guehi from a corner maybe they would have done.

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Edo Assembly Dissolves Standing C’ttees, Constitutes Panel to Probe Ex-Speaker

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The Edo House of Assembly on Tuesday dissolved all its standing committees and constituted an investigative panel to probe allegations levelled against the former Speaker, Blessing Agbebaku.

The new Speaker, Yekini Idaiye, announced the decision during the plenary session.

He said that the dissolution became necessary to enable the house to “re-evaluate legislative duties, improve administrative efficiency and give members new committee experience”.

Idaiye subsequently inaugurated a five-member ad-hoc committee to investigate Agbebaku over allegations of corruption, including inflated procurement costs for cars.

The committee, which was mandated to report back in two weeks, is chaired by Bright Iyamu.

Other members are representatives of Akoko Edo II; Ovia North East II; Etsako East; and Esan North East II.

Recall that Agbebaku resigned from office on Monday, August 17, following allegations of corruption and financial impropriety against him.

The house also received and adopted reports on the screening of nominees for key state commissions.

Dr David Osifo was confirmed as a member of the Edo Judicial Service Commission, while Oscar Onaiwu was confirmed as a member of the Local Government Service Commission.

The house also received a letter from Gov. Monday Okpebholo for the screening and confirmation of nominees for the Chairman and members of the Edo Electricity Regulatory Commission.

Shittu Shaibu was named to chair the screening committee for the nominees.

The house later adjourned sitting until August 19, 2026. 

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Brain Jotter Cries out after Harassment by Lagos Touts

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Nigerian content creator, Brain Jotter, has cried out on social media after being harassed by Lagos touts, popularly known as ‘agberos’.

Brain Jotter lamented the incident in a post shared on his Instagram page.

Expressing frustration, the content creator shared a video showing the moment he was harassed in his car by a group of thugs on a Lagos road.

He was refused free passage by the touts who were demanding settlement from him.

In the video shared by Brain Jotter, one of the touts was heard boasting, “I be lion”.

Lamenting the incident, the content creator wrote, “Lion no dey use eyes see goat. Nigerian zoo keepers are the worst. We lack good wild-life and they let a lion escape from their zoo. This is sad.”

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