News
Edo Poll: LP Urges Residents to Disregard Purported Call On Akpata To Stay Off Guber Race
…says Originator Of Report Expelled Long Ago
The Labour Party in Edo State (LP) has urged residents of the state to disregard a purported call on Olumide Akpata, one of the party’s governorship aspirants to stay off the gubernatorial election slated for September, 2024.
One of the national dailies and some other online platforms had published a statement signed by one Dr. Abayomi Arabambi,yesterday, December 27, 2023, wherein the former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) president was warned to stay off the gubernatorial race, claiming that Akpata was a mole.
But reacting to the publication, State Publicity Secretary of the party, Comrade Sam Uruopa, said the so-called Arabambi who signed the said statement had been expelled from the party, adding that the statement never emanated from the State Working Committee of the party, neither did it emanate from the national secretariat.
While noting that Arabambi has no locus standi to determine who should aspire to be the governor of Edo State, Uruopa said: “The man who signed the statement is not a member of Labour Party, he has been expelled from the party long ago.
“More so, he is not an indigene of Edo State nor a registered voter from Edo State, hence he has no locus standi to determine who should aspire or not aspire for governor of Edo State come 2024.
“I want to state it unequivocally that Labour Party ably led by Comrade Kelly Ogbaloi in Edo State did not in any point issue warning to Barrister Olumide Akpata or any other aspirants to stay of the governorship race.”
Uruopa, who said Akpata, like every other aspirant is very qualified to test his popularity at the party primaries, appealed to party members and supporters of the party to give the needed support to any aspirant they believe in.
Further expressing shock on how some persons are hell-bent in spoiling people’s chances, Uruopa said: “Anyone who read that publication should be able to design that it can never come from our party.
“But we are not distracted, and we can never be distracted by the publication. I believe the man concerned will never be distracted too. So, let us put the said publication behind us and move on.
“What we are more concerned about delivering good governance to the good people of Edo State after winning the September 2024 election.
“I want to, therefore, appeal to residents of Edo State to, as usual, give their support to our party before, during and after the election. By the grace of God we will occupy Osadebey Avenue next year and give them the real dividends of democracy they have been yearning for,” Uruopa added.
News
NMMA shortlist 972 entries for 2026 awards
NMMA was founded by a former Chairman of Daily Times, the late Alhaji Babatunde Jose, who led the organisation for 10 years.
The Nigerian Media Merit Award (NMMA) said that it has shortlisted 972 of 1,112 entries for this year’s awards.
The Chairman of the NMMA Panel of Assessors, Otunba Dele Adetiba, said that the entries for the 34th edition cut across print, radio, and television categories.
Chairman of the NMMA Board of Trustees, Prof. Dayo Duyile, said that the award was established in 1990 to promote professionalism, ethical journalism and excellence among media practitioners.
Duyile, a veteran journalist and academic, said the NMMA was founded by a former Chairman of Daily Times, the late Alhaji Babatunde Jose, who led the organisation for 10 years.
News
Nigerian Law school student dies after falling from hostel rooftop
The deceased was a student of the Nigerian Law School, Enugu campus, who was undergoing externship programme at the Lagos campus.
•Faith Alayande
A Nigerian Law School student identified as Faith Alayande, is dead after she fell from the rooftop at Lagos campus.
In a statement on Monday, Aderonke Osho, secretary to the council and director of administration, said that the deceased was a student of the Nigerian Law School, Enugu campus, who was undergoing externship programme at the Lagos campus.
Osho said preliminary findings revealed that the student died from injuries sustained after falling from the rooftop of the campus hostel around 4am on Friday.
The Nigerian Law School is deeply saddened by this tragic development.
“Management is working closely with the appropriate authorities and the family to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident, ensure that all necessary procedures are duly followed, and provide further information as appropriate.”
News
Ekwulobia Suspends New Yam Festival for Kidnap Billionaire Son
A source from the community said the traditional ruler of Ekwulobia where Ezeokafor hails from, His Royal Majesty, Igwe (Engr) Emmanuel Chukwukadibia Onyeneke, officially suspended the Ekwulobia New Yam Festival, saying there was no need to celebrate while their son remained in captivity.
• Joseph Ezeokafor
Ekwulobia community in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State has cancelled its New Yam festival celebration billed for September 4, 2026.
Ohibaba.com learned that this is because of the kidnap of billionaire businessman and owner of Jezco Group of Companies, Chief Joseph Ezeokafor.
Ezeokafor was kidnapped in Awka on Tuesday last week when he stepped out of his house without his security details to attend to his spiritual need, where he goes to offer prays.
Public Relations Officer of Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga who confirmed the development said that serious operation is currently ongoing to save the elder statesman.
His kidnap has sent his community into mourning, causing the postponement of the new Yam festival, an annual festival which holds on a static date every year.
A source from the community said the traditional ruler of Ekwulobia where Ezeokafor hails from, His Royal Majesty, Igwe (Engr) Emmanuel Chukwukadibia Onyeneke, officially suspended the Ekwulobia New Yam Festival, saying there was no need to celebrate while their son remained in captivity.
“The Igwe said the community of Ekwulobia cannot celebrate while their son remains in the custody of the kidnappers,” the source said.
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