Monday Okpebholo has been sworn in as the governor of Edo State, marking an end to the eight years administration of Godwin Obaseki in the South-South state.
The inauguration ceremony took place on Tuesday at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, the state capital.
This is coming two months after the All Progressives Congress, APC, clinched the ticket to the Dennis Osadebay House.
Okpebholo took his oath of office alongside his running mate, Dennis Idahosa.
More to follow…
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State is set to present the state’s 2025 Appropriation Bill to the House of Assembly on Wednesday.
It was gathered that the budget presentation by Governor Makinde before the Oyo State lawmakers will take place at the House of Assembly Complex, Secretariat, Agodi in Ibadan.
The budget presentation by the governor is a sequel to Stakeholders’ Consultative Forum Meetings that have occurred across the five zones of the state.
At the meetings over the 2025 budgets, there were inputs from several residents of the state.
Speaking on the implementation of the 2024 budget, Makinde said that its performance had hit 64 per cent by November.
Abia State government has declared free and compulsory education for all children in the state, regardless of their state of origin.
The policy, set to commence by January 2025, will provide free education from primary one to Junior Secondary School three in all public schools.
According to Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, parents and guardians who fail to comply with the new policy will face prosecution.
He made the disclosure while briefing the press after the State Executive Council meeting.
“In line with the Abia State Child’s Rights Law 2006, it will now be an offence for parents not to send their children and wards to school in Abia State.
“Education is free in Abia State up to the end of Junior Secondary School. There is no reason whatsoever why parents will not send their children to school.
The city of Jos in Plateau State has been thrown into a state of confusion following an explosion on Tuesday morning.
The aftermath of the explosion was said to have sent shockwaves throughout the surrounding communities in the state.
According to an eyewitness, the explosion happened at about 10.30 am near the Terminus market area and in the process injured several people.
While some sources said that there might be fatalities, others stated that the level of damage caused by the blast could not be ascertained at the time of this report.
A cloth vendor, Gyang Buba who spoke on the incident said, “I was nearby when I heard a loud bang.
“I saw people running and screaming. It was terrifying,” Buba said.
In addition, relevant security operatives have reportedly rushed to the scene of the blast to assist victims.
The police command headquarters in Jos confirmed the incident stating that an investigation has been launched to ascertain the cause of the blast.
It said, “The area has been cordoned off as investigators begin to assess the situation. We are working to determine the cause of the explosion,” the source added.
“We urge calm and assure the public that we will do everything possible to ensure their safety,” the command headquarters said.
The United States has announced a reward of $25,000 (N43 million) for information leading to the capture of Olalekan Abimbola Olawusi, a Nigerian residing in Rhode Island, who is wanted in connection with the alleged murder of his infant son.
In a statement, Supervisory Deputy U.S. Marshal Don Freeman confirmed that Olawusi, 48, is facing charges of first-degree murder and unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.
He has now been placed on the U.S. Marshals Service’s 15 Most Wanted fugitives list.
“A man wanted in Rhode Island on charges of murder, inflicting serious bodily injury to a child, and unlawful flight to avoid prosecution has been added to the U.S. Marshals Service 15 Most Wanted fugitives list, with up to $25,000 offered for information leading to his arrest,” Freeman’s statement read.
The case dates back to April 3, 2017, when police and firefighters found Olawusi’s three-month-old son severely injured. Hospital examinations revealed trauma to 18 parts of the child’s body, leading to Olawusi’s arrest.
Although arraigned on April 20, 2017, he was released pending trial and has remained at large since.
Troops of the Nigerian Army engaged in a fierce gun battle with bandits led by notorious gang leader Bello Turji early Tuesday near Bakin Gulbi, close to Tungar Yakuba in Sokoto State.
According to counter-terrorism publication Zagazola Makama, the fighting began around 6:00 a.m., with residents of Gatawa joining forces with the soldiers to repel Turji’s forces. The publication reported that both sides continued to exchange heavy gunfire.
Sources indicate that, prior to the confrontation, Turji held a clandestine meeting in Dan Tasakko, a village near Gatawa, shortly after sunset on Monday. Local sources suggest the gathering included key figures in Turji’s network, raising concerns of potential security threats in the region.
Further updates on the situation are anticipated as the battle unfolds.
Licensed flight crew members have been banned from operating multiple airlines, the Federal Government of Nigeria has said.
In a restriction order issued by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), flight crew members and pilots have been restricted from rendering services to different airlines.
According to the NCAA, its findings show that pilots and crew members have continued to operate under several airlines.
In the circular NCAA/DGCA/AOL dated November 6, 2024, and signed by the acting director general of Civil Aviation, Captain Chris Najomo, the NCAA declared such an act illegal.
The agency said such action by crew members and pilots pose a safety risk.
The order said, “Instances where pilots operate for more than one airline concurrently without safety considerations of such actions poses a safety risk to the industry.
“The Authority will take appropriate enforcement action on violators of this directive, effective from November 11, 2024.
“Simulator renewals from henceforth will be tied to the Operator. Please comply accordingly,” the circular noted.
Bitcoin, the largest and most adopted cryptocurrency has surged to a record high of $89,385.84 early Tuesday, boosted by news of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s election victory and expectations for his pro-crypto administration.
Trump’s win in Arizona, completing a sweep of the seven key battleground states, has fueled optimism among cryptocurrency investors. The market responded positively to Trump’s crypto-friendly stance, with Bitcoin rising 6.1% on Sunday and continuing to climb, reaching $83,300 before hitting a new peak just after midnight on Tuesday.
The rally extended to other cryptocurrencies, including Dogecoin, which has gained popularity through support from Elon Musk, an outspoken Trump supporter.
“With the dust from Trump’s victory still settling, it was only a matter of time before a rally occurred, given Trump’s perceived crypto-friendliness,” said Le Shi, managing director at Hong Kong-based market-making firm Auros.
Trump’s campaign promises to prioritize the U.S. digital asset sector—including potential Bitcoin stockpiling and regulatory reforms—have further fueled investor optimism. Cryptocurrency advocates reportedly contributed over $100 million to support candidates with pro-crypto platforms, seeking progress on regulatory issues.
Broader financial markets also reacted positively to Trump’s agenda, which includes tax cuts, reduced regulations, and growth-driven economic reforms. The S&P 500 recently marked its 50th record high of the year, reflecting continued optimism as Trump’s transition team begins its work.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has advised chieftains and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State to close ranks and work together in order to reclaim the state in 2027.
He noted that the state is too important to be missing among the progressive fold.
Tinubu, who was represented by the Minister of Power, Mr. Adebayo Adelabu, made this assertion during the maiden edition of Lam Adesina annual lecture held in Ibadan, the state capital on Monday.
The event was attended by former governors of Ekiti State, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo and Dr Kayode Fayemi, Senator Teslim Folarin, Senator Abdulfatai Buhari, Chief Iyiola Oladokun, Chief Alake Adeyemo and the APC Chairman in the state, Alhaji Olayide Abas.
Others are the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Chief Imam of Ibadanland, Apostle Sunday Popoola, Senator Olufemi Lanlehin, Barrister Bayo Shittu, Engr. Rauf Olaniyan, Elder Wole Oyelese, Hon. Aderemi Oseni, Sen. Adesoji Akanbi, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu, Chief Akin Oke and Professor Adeolu Akande.
Leading reporters reports that Adesina was the governor of the state between May 1999 and May 2003.
The APC lost the state to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the 2019 and 2023 general elections.
The minister noted that the best way to honor the former governor is to ensure that the leaders of the party work as one in a bid to reclaim the state in the next elections.
He said, “Lam Adesina stood for high democratic ideals that underpin the democratic system of government. Ideals that are essential for ensuring that power is held by the people, either directly or through elected representatives.
President Bola Tinubu on Monday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia called for an end to Israeli aggression in Gaza, warning that
“the conflict in Palestine has persisted for far too long, inflicting immeasurable suffering.”
Addressing the extraordinary Arab-Islamic Summit, convened to address the current situation in the Middle East, President Tinubu expressed deep concern on the humanitarian conditions in Gaza.
The one-day summit was a follow-up to the Riyadh summit last year, and was attended by Heads of State and Government of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the League of Arab States.
Reiterating Nigeria’s call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, President Tinubu affirmed the country’s support for a two-state solution, where both Israeli and Palestinians can co-exist in security and dignity.
He noted that this solution remained a viable part to lasting peace in the region.
”The conflict in Palestine has persisted for far too long, inflicting immeasurable suffering on countless lives.
”As representatives of nations that value justice, dignity, and the sanctity of human life, we have a moral obligation to collectively bring about an immediate end to this conflict.
”It is not enough to issue empty condemnations. The world must work towards an end to Israeli aggression in Gaza, which has persisted for far too long.
“No political aim, no military strategy, and no security concern should come at the expense of so many innocent lives,” he said.
The Nigerian leader called on parties in the conflict in the Middle East to respect the principles of proportionality and the basic rights of civilians, consistent with global legal and diplomatic frameworks.
”In a rules-based international order, States have the right of self-defence. But self defence must take proportionality into account, in line with global legal, diplomatic – and moral – frameworks.
”An entire civilian population, their dreams and futures, cannot be dismissed as collateral,” he said.
Explaining Nigeria’s principled and consistent stance on the two-state solution, President Tinubu noted that it stands as a beacon of hope, representing the rights of both Israelis and Palestinians to self-determination and peace.
”It is not just a diplomatic article of faith; it is a vision grounded in the principles of equality and mutual recognition.
”Achieving this vision requires a commitment to dialogue and respect for history. We all know this conflict did not begin on October 7 in 2023. It can only be resolved through principled compromise, based on appreciation of the proper context.
”This conflict, in the cradle of history, is so visceral that the ripples of division spread far and quickly. The corrosive impact of the images of endless violence, repeated on a billion smart phones around the world is huge. We need to find new pathways to peace, without delay,” he said.
The Nigerian leader commended King Salman of Saudi Arabia and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for convening the summit, describing it as a vital opportunity to renew diplomatic efforts and work toward a sustainable peace.
He assured that Nigeria given its own experiences would continue to support international efforts that advance peace and stability in the Middle East.
”Our own experiences, domestically and regionally, have taught us that identity politics are no substitute for respecting the nuances of diversity,” he said.
According to President Tinubu ”the path to reconciliation may be fraught with challenges, but it is through honest conversation that we can foster understanding.
”The international community has the opportunity to bring to bear new thinking on this most relentless challenge.
