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Ekpeye Monarch Admits Eze Igbu Orlukwo Into Council

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His Imperial Majesty Eze Kelvin Ngozi Anugwo, Eze Ekpeye Logbo III of Ekpeye land has admitted His Royal Highness Eze, Frederick B. Uwame, regent of Eze Igbu Orlukwor into the fold of Ekpeye Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs.
The ceremony took place, last Saturday, at his palace in Ula–Upata Community in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The monarch stated that Orlukwor clan had already existed, and he, as the Eze Ekpeye Logbo III, as the Chairman, Ekpeye Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs, owed the people the blessings needed to accomplish any lofty ideas.
“It is a great day for the people of Ekpeye ethnic nation to gather at the palace of Eze Ekpeye Logbo III for the warm reception of Igbu Orlukwor.
“Igbu Orlukwor had already been received to the Supreme Council by my predecessor, Late His Imperial Majesty Eze Flt. Leut. Robinson O. Robinson, the Crocodile of Africa, in his life time.
“By the Ekpeye bye-law of 10th August 2010, Igbu Orlukwor was among the seven Igbus in Ekpeye Kingdom that signed the bye-law which is yet the working document of the traditional institution in Ekpeye today”, he noted.
He reiterated the need for people to put aside their personal interests for the common good of the generality, adding that the issue of autonomy should not be misconstrued to tear apart Ekpeye Kingdom.
According to him, Ekpeye craved for peace and development, and his reign could not divide Ekpeye Kingdom, and that it would rather put structures that engender peace and development of Ekpeye Kingdom.
He, therefore, seized the opportunity to call on irate youths of Ekpeye to lay down their arms for peace and development to thrive.
Speaking, the Igbu Orlukwor people, who were popularly known as O’ group, in their address, expressed gratitude to His Imperial Majesty and Ekpeye Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs for the opportunity granted them to introduce the regent of Orlukwor Kingdom.
“Igbu Orlukwor has great respect for Ekpeye throne and had keyed into Ekpeye Social Structure by adopting the Eze Igbu, Eze Emene, Eze Nwe Ula, and Eze Nwe Obodo hierarchy, and accordingly sub-divided Igbu Orlukwor into four groups, comprising Emene Owu Orlukwor, Emene Ugbokor Orlukwor, Emene Egbeleta Orlukwor, and Emene Ikega Orlukwor.
“Before the advent of colonialism in Ekpeye land, the seven O’ group villages in South East of Upata district: Obumeze, Odiabidi, Ogbele, Okomoma I, Okoma II, Okporowo, and Oshiugbokor had formed a joint community government for the purpose of defending themselves against external aggression and for resolving inter community conflict”, they stated.
The group said Igbu Orlukwor was long ago in the organogram during the recognition of the various clans of Ekpeye Kingdom by the first and foremost Ekpeye monarch, His Majesty Eze Ashirim Unoshi in 1974, which included Ahoada, Akoh, Upata I (U group), Upata II (O’ group), Igbuduya, and Ubie.
They noted further that HRH Eze Williams E. Unugboji was the incumbent leader of the Igbu Orlukwor when the kingship stools were created by Ekpeye and later recognised and classified by the Rivers State Government.
The O’ group noted that the Kingdom’s leadership provided the incumbency platform on which HRH Eze Unugboji was accorded recognition, adding that his domain, however, transversed the whole of Upata clan.
Speakers at the occasion included His Majesty Eze Cassidy W.O Ikebhidhi, Eze Igbu Akoh II of Ekpeye land; and His Majesty Eze Arc. Nnamdi Obuzor, Eze Odiokwu I of Ekpeye Kingdom.

By: Agimo Emenike Benson

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Niger Delta

Edo Defends 18-month Record, Cites Gains In Other Sectors

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April 10, 2026

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The Edo State Government has defended its performance in office so far, saying ongoing projects in infrastructure, healthcare, education and security showed clear progress despite criticism from the opposition.
Commissioner for Information and Strategy in the State, Prince Kasim Afegbua, stated this at a news conference held in Benin on Wednesday.
Afegbua said the Statement Governor, Monday Okpebholo, had been focused on addressing inherited challenges rather than engaging in propaganda.
He described the recent protests against the government as driven by “faceless actors,” questioning the credibility of those behind the protests.
The Commissioner also dismissed claims that the state was stagnating.
“The current Edo narrative is cheering news to the average Edo mind. We are not into propaganda. What we are doing, you can see for yourselves”, he said.
Afegbua anchored the government’s defence on infrastructure, pointing at the ongoing and completed road projects across the state.
He also listed the near-completion of the Ramat Park flyover and a second flyover at Aduwawa Junction as some of the new infrastructural developments being carried out by the Okpebholo administration.
He also cited rehabilitation works on Sapele Road, previously abandoned, as well as multiple urban and rural road projects, spanning Edo South, Central and North Senatorial Districts.
“In 18 months, we can beat our chest that the Governor has done so much to advance critical infrastructure”, he said, noting that road construction was being accelerated despite early rains affecting timelines.
Afegbua also highlighted interventions in the education sector, stating that about 6,500 teachers had been recruited, alongside rehabilitation of dilapidated schools previously lacking basic facilities, such as desks, roofs and toilets.
“Today, you can go around and see the difference,” he said.
The Commissioner added that completed school projects had risen from 68 at the administration’s one-year mark to nearly 80.
In healthcare, he said the state government had expanded primary healthcare access by already constructing 75 centres, with a target of 160 within four years.
He said many of the facilities had been equipped to deliver immediate services at the grassroots, while work had resumed on Stella Obasanjo Hospital which, he said, was inherited at 55 per cent completion.
“We are strengthening primary healthcare because it is the first point of contact for our people,” he said.
On higher education, Afegbua disclosed that the state recently committed N2 billion to infrastructure development at Edo State University, Iyamho, while also increasing its monthly subvention from N100 million to N250 million.
Government, he said, had also provided buses to support students’ mobility.
Beyond infrastructure and social services, he pointed at the economic support initiatives, including a N1 billion interest-free loan scheme for market women and another N1 billion set aside for students’ bursaries.
All these, he noted, were aimed at easing economic pressure and expanding access to education.
While acknowledging that security incidents had shifted from urban centres to the hinterlands, Afegbua, however, maintained that overall security had improved significantly in the state.
“The way kidnapping was rife when we took over, I think it has dropped maximally,” he said, citing bush-combing operations, arrests and destruction of criminal hideouts.
He also stated that government had procured over 100 Hilux vans and 300 motorcycles for security agencies.
Similarly, he said government had supported the local vigilante operations and established a rapid response mechanism for road maintenance and emergency interventions.
Afegbua further said that local governments had been empowered with heavy-duty equipment to open rural roads and improve mobility, describing the decentralised approach as critical to grassroots development.
“We need the cooperation of everyone. Security is not just about government; it is about collective responsibility,” he added.
Responding to concerns about transparency, particularly around contract costs, the commissioner insisted that all projects followed due procurement processes and were approved by the State Executive Council.
“If you check with the Ministry of Works, you can always get the cost of those contracts,” he said, stressing that the administration was prudent in resource management.
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Niger Delta

Okpebholo Urges Edo Youths To Join Nigerian Army Recruitment

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April 10, 2026

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The Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has urged eligible youths in the state to take advantage of the ongoing Nigerian Army 91 Regular Recruit Intake by enlisting in the Army.
This is contained in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Dr. Patrick Ebojele, in Benin.
According to the statement, the call followed the scheduled visit of the Nigerian Army sensitisation team to the state from April 8 to April 14.
It noted that the visit is aimed at engaging, guiding and supporting prospective applicants through the recruitment process.
The Governor, however, urged qualified young men and women in the state to participate in the exercise.
“The opportunity offers a pathway to meaningful employment, national service and personal development through the Nigerian Army recruitment process.
“I urge Edo youths to come forward in large numbers to improve the state’s participation and meet its national quota in the Army recruitment exercise.
“It is a chance for young Edo people to build disciplined and purposeful careers,” he said.
Okpebholo also urged parents, guardians, traditional rulers, community leaders, religious institutions and youth organisations to mobilise and encourage eligible candidates within their communities to take part in the exercise.
He added that interested applicants should visit the official Nigerian Army recruitment portal for full details on eligibility, requirements and application procedures.
The Governor further advised candidates to ensure that all necessary documents are complete before presenting themselves at designated sensitisation centres during the stated period.
“The Edo State Government remains committed to creating opportunities for youths and calls for collective support to ensure the success of this exercise,” he said.
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Niger Delta

Tinubu Set To Unveil Projects In Bayelsa, Today

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April 10, 2026

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Baring any last minutes changes in plans, Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is set to pay official State visit to Bayelsa State today.
A statement  by the State Government said during the State visit, the  President would inaugurate a number of projects, including the new 60mw gas-powered turbines procured and installed by the present administration.
Meanwhile, the State Governor, Douyi Diri, who spoke during an Easter Sunday service at the St. Peter’s Anglican Church in Sampou Community, his hometown, in the Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of the State, said the presidential visit was significant and offered an opportunity for citizens of the State to showcase their famed hospitality and warmth to guests.
He stated that the projects to be inaugurated during the one-day visit were central to the state’s economic development and transformation.
The Governor prayed for sustained unity across the state, noting that peaceful coexistence remains a defining trait of the Ijaw people.
“I call on all Bayelsans to come out en masse to welcome Mr. President and accord him the hospitality that we are known for. It is part of our culture as Ijaw people to warmly receive our guests.
“We are known for peace and unity. Let us continue to uphold these values as we move forward as one people”, he said.
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to the state’s development, Diri said it will continue its infrastructural drive to place the State on the map of investment, tourism, and economic development, describing the 60-megawatt gas turbine project to be inaugurated as critical to improving electricity supply in the state.
The Governor also underscored the significance of the 630-metre Angiama-Oporoma bridge, saying it was a historic milestone for the people of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state.
“Power is a major driver of economic growth, and this project is key to our development agenda
“For over 60 years, our people in Southern Ijaw have had no road access to Yenagoa. The Angiama-Oporoma bridge changes that reality.
“These are legacy projects that will positively impact our people and open up Bayelsa for greater opportunities”, the Governor added.
Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
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