News
Olumide Akpata’s Statement on the unnecessary controversy over the clarification made by the Oba of Benin
Candidate of the Labour Party, in Edo 2024 Election, OLUMIDE OSAIGBOVO AKPATA, has released a written statement on the unnecessary controversy over the clarification made by the Oba of Benin .
His statement reads:
On Saturday, June 15, 2024, the Labour Party held its flag-off ceremony for
the Edo State gubernatorial elections, an event that sent shockwaves
through the established political order in our great State. While this
occasion was a resounding success, the crowning moment for me was
the profound honour of being warmly received by His Royal Majesty, Omo
N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, the Oba of Benin,
alongside our leader, Mr. Peter Obi, and other members of our entourage.
The Oba graciously offered us royal blessings and well-wishes, a moment
that filled me with immense pride and gratitude beyond measure.
During my address to His Royal Majesty, I inadvertently referred to myself
as a “son of the palace,” which could be misconstrued as claiming to be
born a Benin Prince, which I am not and have never claimed to be.
However, in his usual candour, my royal father, the Oba of Benin, swiftly
and graciously intervened, correcting me with the more appropriate term
“an indigenous illustrious son of the soil.” His Royal Majesty then proceeded
to recount my antecedents and achievements and the numerous
occasions when he had personally made interventions on my behalf as a
“true son of Benin.”
As a humble and loyal subject of the Oba, who has nothing but utmost
reverence for the revered throne of His Royal Majesty, I promptly
accepted the Oba’s correction and rephrased my statement
accordingly. I am not too proud or arrogant to acknowledge my mistakes
or to accept guidance when offered, especially from the revered throne
of the Oba of Benin, a throne that commands the utmost respect and
deference from all true sons and daughters of the Benin Kingdom.
It is a well-known fact that I am not among those who delude themselves
into believing that they are above the authority of the Oba of Benin, a
mindset that has plagued some misguided individuals — we know who
these individuals are — who seem to have forgotten the sacred traditions
that bind us together as a people.
It is therefore with profound dismay that I must address the recent
attempts by certain irreverent individuals to distort the words of His Royal
Majesty and create unnecessary controversy through their warped and
self-serving interpretations. Furthermore, I am compelled to issue this
statement due to the utterly unacceptable reactions of some individuals
who claim to be acting in my defence. I categorically condemn any
conduct or language that could be deemed insulting or disrespectful
towards the Oba of Benin, the embodiment of our rich cultural heritage.
As I have repeatedly and emphatically stated, anyone who fights the
Oba of Benin is also fighting me, and I will never be party to any scheme
or ploy that brings disrepute to the sacred throne of the Benin Kingdom.
It is imperative that this deliberate misrepresentation of the harmless and
educational exchange between the Oba and myself ceases
immediately. All parties should refrain from twisting the Oba’s words to fit
their own narrow and self-serving narratives, as this only serves to
undermine the reverence and respect due to the throne, a disrespect
that strikes at the very heart of our cultural identity.
As we embark on this consequential journey of the 2024 Edo State
Elections, I reaffirm my unwavering commitment to upholding the values
and traditions of the Benin Kingdom and the traditional institutions across
the state at large, a commitment that extends beyond mere words to a
deep-seated reverence ingrained in my very being.
The Labour Party and I stand resolute in our determination to bring about
positive change while preserving the rich cultural heritage that defines our
great state, a heritage that must never be tarnished by the actions of
those who have lost their way.
To the good people of Edo State, I call upon you to join me in collectively
rejecting any attempts to sow discord or disrespect towards our revered
monarch. Let us unite in our reverence for the throne and work together
to build a prosperous future for Edo State, guided by the wisdom and
blessings of His Royal Majesty, the Oba of Benin. Let us be the
embodiment of the values that have sustained our great kingdom for
centuries, values that must be upheld and passed on to future
generations, untainted by the misguided actions of those who are
inexorably fixated on their dastardly agenda to wit: the insidious
denigration of our revered monarch and the throne of his ancestors, upon
which he seats.

News
Many Trapped in Abuja Collapsed Building , 3 Dead
Eyewitnesses said that about 70 workers were on site at the time of the incident at the building located around Gaduwa Estate in the Gudu area.
Tragedy struck in the Durumi 3 area near Gudu Market, Abuja, after a three-storey building under construction collapsed on Saturday moring leaving at least three persons dead.
Eyewitnesses said that about 70 workers were on site at the time of the incident at the building located around Gaduwa Estate in the Gudu area.
Three bodies had been evacuated as of the time of filing this report, while rescue efforts were still ongoing to save other victims trapped beneath the rubble.
Officials and emergency responders were seen at the scene carrying out search-and-rescue operations as anxious residents gathered around the area.
The cause of the collapse is yet to be officially confirmed at the time of this report.
News
President Tinubu returns to Lagos ahead of APC primaries tomorrow (Video)
Tinubu’s aircraft touched down at about 7:12 p.m. at the Presidential Wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja.
• President Tinubu chats with African business leaders during the African CEO Forum in Nairobi, Kenya.
President Bola Tinubu on Friday arrived in Lagos after a three-nation visit to France, Kenya and Rwanda.
Tinubu’s aircraft touched down at about 7:12 p.m. at the Presidential Wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja.
A statement issued by his special adviser on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said that the president was received by Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Deputy Governor, Femi Hamzat; Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa; and other government officials.
President Tinubu, while in France, met with global investors, emphasising transparency and fiscal discipline and explaining the rationale for the swift implementation of the bold economic reforms his administration has instituted.
Watch Video below:
News
Anxiety as chemical pollution affects 6 Ogun schools, 90 students
Triggers Widespread Panic One Month After Similar Incident
More than 90 students across several secondary schools in Ijebu-Ode were hospitalised on Friday after a suspected chemical odour permeated the town, sparking panic among parents and residents.
Ohibaba.com learned that the pollution was caused by gas leak along the Agoro/Okunowa Road axis of Ijebu-Ode; the situation is now under control by the state environmental monitoring agency, and poses no further danger.
The incident occurred barely one month after a similar chemical odour episode at Our Lady of Apostles Girls School left several students hospitalised.
Eyewitnesses reported that a strange smell spread rapidly across parts of the ancient town, prompting parents and guardians to rush to schools to evacuate their children. Emergency responders moved over a thousand students from affected schools to the State Hospital, Ijebu-Ode, for medical attention.
Medical personnel at the hospital said many of the affected students complained of abdominal pain and related symptoms. Residents in surrounding communities and adjoining streets were also reportedly impacted by the unusual odour.
Affected schools include Our Lady of Apostles School, Anglican Girls Grammar School, Ijebu-Ode Grammar School, Sambadola Private School, Adeola Odutola Secondary School, and St. Anthony School, Esure, in Ijebu Mushin.
As of the time of reporting, no senior government officials had arrived at the State Hospital, where anxious parents and residents gathered in large numbers.
Ogun State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, urged parents to remain calm, assuring them that medical personnel were attending to the students. He added that environmental officials from both federal and state agencies had been mobilised to investigate the situation.
The General Manager of the Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency (OGEPA), Hon. Kehinde Bello, disclosed that an air quality monitoring device installed at Ijebu-Ode Grammar School recorded elevated methane gas concentrations, with peak readings of about 13,500 ppm in surrounding areas.
Bello explained that the device was deployed under the state government’s environmental surveillance programme for early detection of abnormal air quality. He noted that while the methane level remains below the lower explosive limit, it is environmentally significant and requires urgent investigation.
The Ogun State Government has since activated a multi-agency team comprising environmental regulators, emergency responders, and technical air quality experts to assess the situation.
Bello advised residents to stay calm, continue normal activities, and avoid open flames or ignition sources in areas where unusual gas odours are noticed. He urged anyone experiencing symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, nausea, or respiratory discomfort to seek immediate medical attention at nearby health facilities.
The government assured the public of its commitment to protecting lives and public health, promising further updates as investigations progress.
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