DailyMonitorngr

We would ordinarily have ignored the latest illiterate outburst credited to Kassim Afegbua, the Edo State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, particularly as the subject matter is already under litigation before competent courts of law. However, for the sake of the unsuspecting general public, and to prevent the APC and their Edo masters of propaganda and disinformation from having a field day spreading calculated falsehoods, half-truths and deliberate mischief, we are compelled to respond. It must be stated without equivocation that Kassim Afegbua is on a dangerous, self-serving mission, acting at the behest of his APC godfathers, to tarnish the image of Mr Godwin Obaseki by trivialising, distorting and vitiating one of the most disciplined, transparent and forward-looking gubernatorial performances in Edo State’s history. His assignment is beneath governance. It is vendetta. It is propaganda. It is disinformation. This administration’s obsession with Obaseki is now...

By DAN Osa-Ogbegie, Esq. There is a kind of politician whose appetite for relevance becomes a national risk, whose personal drama threatens the delicate scaffolding of democracy. That politician, today, is Nyesom Wike, the self-styled strongman of Rivers politics and now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, who seems unable to distinguish between power and propriety. Recent events have peeled off the last pretence that Wike’s politics is about service or conviction. His public altercation with a senior military officer in Abuja over a piece of land, captured on video and circulated widely, was not only disgraceful, it revealed a deeper sickness: a man intoxicated by unrestrained authority. At a time when Nigeria is barely recovering from rumours of an attempted coup, and when every institution must act with restraint to preserve national stability, Wike’s arrogance in confronting a serving officer of the Nigerian Armed Forces was an act of gross irresponsibility. In a...

A BETRAYAL OF TRUST ? By Johnson Emmanuel It has become glaringly obvious that Honourable Salman’s representation of Kabba/Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency is deeply skewed and selectively biased.While he claims to serve all, his actions paint a very different picture — one of neglect, favoritism, and political opportunism. Kabba, the headquarters and largest district in the constituency, has been treated with undeserved neglect and disrespect.During the recent Kabba Cultural Day, instead of engaging warmly with the people, bringing his colleagues, and demonstrating tangible support, Honourable Salman rushed in and left within two minutes without donating a kobo or fraternizing with the Kabba community. This is not just disappointing — it is a betrayal. Contrast that with the generosity of prominent personalities like Prince Olatunji, who donated 50 million Naira, and Karimi, who donated 20 million Naira and promised to add 30 million more before the end of the year. The sad...

By DAN Osa-Ogbegie, Esq. There is a kind of leadership that mistakes destruction for courage — that believes y the only way to prove strength is to undo what came before. That unfortunate spirit now seems to animate Edo State under Governor Monday Okpebholo. His open hostility towards projects linked to former Governor Godwin Obaseki has become a theatre of regression. Nothing illustrates this dangerous impulse more clearly than his attitude to the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) and the regrettable protest of 5th November, 2025 in Benin City, cheered on by a government that seems to prefer ignorance to illumination. The Museum of West African Art is not a partisan creation. It is a visionary, home-grown cultural and research institution conceived to re-anchor Nigeria at the centre of West Africa’s artistic and historical narrative. Its first building, The Institute, opens on 11th November, 2025 as part of a multi-phase campus combining galleries, conservation laboratori...

By DAN Osa-Ogbegie, Esq. There comes a time in a people’s history when farce begins to wear the robe of tragedy. That moment arrived in Edo State the day Jarret Tenebe and Governor Monday Okpebholo mounted a rented stage to announce, with the blithe confidence of jesters, that they would deliver 3.5 million votes to the President in 2027, in a state whose entire voters’ register barely scratches 2.7 million. What mathematics of deceit is this? What arithmetic of delusion makes men mistake noise for numbers? Edo watched in disbelief as the supposed custodians of the ruling party and the state transformed governance into a carnival of mediocrity — dancing around false statistics as though governance were a street fair and not a sacred trust. Instead of confronting the aching realities that define Edo today — joblessness, insecurity, urban decay, abandoned hospitals, and a civil service gasping for reform — Okpebholo has chosen to preside over rallies of distraction. While mar...

By Editor  Oct 31, 2025 A 16-year-old student was reported shot dead while six others sustained degrees of gunshot injuries during an alleged attack involving the combined team of military and personnel of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), suspected drug barons, and cannabis cultivators in Edo State. DailyMonitorngr reports that the attack occurred on October 27, 2025, at Okpuje Community in Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State. Among the injured persons is an officer of NDLEA who was shot on the hand during the attack and is currently receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital in the state. The Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku disclosed this at the plenary sitting on Tuesday, October 28, 2025. Agbebaku, who condemned the alleged killing, expressed sympathy to the deceased, the injured victims and their families. While urging the Commissioner of Police in the State, Monday Agbonika, to investigate the accident, he...

Dr Samson Isibor, Edo State chairman of CRPP   Editor   Oct 30, 2025 The  Coalition of Registered Political Parties (CRPP) in Edo state has urged  Governor Monday Okpebholo to enrol all practising journalists in the state into the State's  Health Insurance scheme. Dailymonitorngr reports that the Chairman and Secretary of the body, Dr Samson Isibor and C.Nkama made the call in a statement in Benin City. Isibor said the appeal became necessary following the sudden death of Mr Adibe Austin Emenyonu, the State Correspondent of ThisDay newspaper on  October 17, 2025, in Benin City. He opined that most of the journalists are working under strenuous conditions due to the high cost of living in the state. He added that the practice of the profession becomes a herculean task for journalists in the state, coupled with the economic downturn, for them and other citizens to purchase drugs and food items.  The CRPP chairman, also appealed to the Monday ...

By Moses Friday The political tension in Kogi West and the Kabba/Bunu/Ijumu federal constituencies has reached a critical point as Senator Sunday Karimi and Hon. Salman Idris have openly distanced themselves from the widely publicized endorsement of Tinubu and Ododo’s second term.  Their absence from the key rallies and official APC state events sends clear signals of discord and a break from the expected party unity, raising questions about loyalty and true intentions within the state leadership. Senator Karimi did not hold back in his recent press statement, labeling the endorsement as an act of “bullying,” which ignited sharp criticism from his own Western senatorial district leaders who quickly branded him ungrateful for the support he has received. On the other hand, Hon. Salman Idris has remained publicly silent regarding his deliberate and conspicuous absence from APC functions in Kogi State, despite being seen in the state during the endorsement rally.  How...

The suspected female kidnapper/ trafficker in the middle of the victims  By Editor Aug 24, 2025 Youths at the PZ area on the Benin-Sapele road, Benin City, have reportedly rearrested a female suspected trafficker simply identified as Mrs Anita, who allegedly escaped from the South-Ibie Divisional Police headquarters, in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State. Dailymonitorngr gathered that the youths in the community located in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area, however, handed over the suspect to the Edo State Police Command. The Public Relations Officer of the Command, Moses Yamu confirmed the rearrest when contacted. Yamu added that the suspect is already in the Command's custody, and the investigation is ongoing. DailyMonitorgnr recalls that on August 17, 2025, hundreds of youths and women in  the South Ibie community protested the alleged escape of the suspected kidnapper and human trafficker from the police station located in the area The protesters wh...

Brig-Gen Ebenezer Oduyebo, Commander 4 Brigade, Benin, with the trophy presented to the Brigade as the overall winner of the 2025, 2 Division Inter-Bridge Combat Proficiency Competition. By Editor Aug 24, 2025 Courage, determination, enthusiasm and the spirit of resilience were at play at the Nigerian Army Cantonment, Ekehuan, Benin City, Edo State, on Friday as young officers from different formations under the 2 Division of the Nigerian Army converged in Benin for the 2025 Inter-Brigade Combat Proficiency Competition. With a display of dexterity to outclass one another, participants were full of excitement throughout the events involving not less than 6 military formations. These formations are 4 Brigade, Benin; 32 Brigade, Akure; 12 Brigade, Lokoja; 22 Brigade, Ilorin; 42 Engrs Brigade, Ibadan and the 2 Division Garrison, Ibadan. At the grand finale of the competition, the junior officers from these formations competed in obstacle crossing. They participated in activitie...

By Editor Aug 21, 2025 . The Edo House of Assembly on Wednesday frowned at the alleged gender imbalance in the appointment of Commissioners into the State Executive Council. Dailymonitorngr reports that Speaker of the House, Hon Blessing Agbebaku, made the observation during the confirmation of eight commissioner-nominees as members of the State Executive Council. Agbebaku, who said out of the eight nominees only one is a woman, however, promised to discuss the issue with the governor on the need to include more women.  The only female among the eight nominees is Eugenia Abdallah. He, however, urged the commissioners, confirmed in a voice vote, to accord the Assembly the respect it deserves and work in synergy to ensure that the governor succeeded. Those confirmed are Prince Kassim Afegbua, Godwin Eshieshi, Ohimai Ehijimetor, and Eugenia Abdallah. Others are Barrister Nosa Adams, Yakubu Oshiorenua Musa, Felix Akhabue, and Prof. Omorodion Ignatius Ikponmwosa. They were c...

Prof Idia Ize-Iyamu, UBTH CMD By Editor Aug 19, 2025 The new Chief Medical Director of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, UBTH, Prof. Idia Ize-Iyamu has sought the support and collaboration of other aspirants to join her for the progress of the health institution. DailymonitornDaily Monitorgr reports that Prof Ize-Iyamu also sought the support of the immediate past Chief Medical Director of the Hospital, Prof Darlington Obaseki. She made the call in her inaugural speech while formally taking over from Prof Darlington Obaseki as the first female CMD of the 52-year-old Teaching Hospital on Monday, August 18, 2025, in Benin City. "At this moment, I wish to sincerely acknowledge my colleagues, including those who also aspired to this office. Your commitment to UBTH is deeply inspiring, and I count on your cooperation and support as we labour together for the progress of our institution. "Very importantly, I thank all those who encouraged me to step forward for...

Edo State NDLEA Commander, Mitchell Ofoyeju  By Editor Aug 11, 2025 The Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested 46 suspected drug traffickers in the state. The suspects were arrested during a coordinated raid on Ihama Road, Government Reservation Area, Benin City and other flashpoints within the state. Dailymonitorngr reports that the Edo State Commander of the agency Mitchell Ofoyeju disclosed this on Monday in Benin City while presenting the command’s scorecard for the month of July 2025.  Ofoyeju said the arrest of the suspects resulted in the  seizure of nearly 40,000 kilograms of assorted illicit drugs and the destruction of 15.852 hectares of cannabis plantations. He said a total of seven cannabis farms measuring 15.85 hectares across Oke Forest in Uhunmwonde and Ewere Forest in Uzebba, Owan West Local Government Areas, were destroyed. He gave the breakdown of the arrested suspects to include 38 males and 8 fema...

By Editor Aug 9, 2025 The Newly Appointed Chief Medical Director of University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Prof Idia Ize-Iyamu has assured that together with the management, staff and students, she would keep the hospital at the forefront of medical excellence. Dailymonitorngr reports that Prof  Ize-Iyamu, a globally trained specialist, a Commonwealth Fellow and a Craniofacial Orthodontist was on Friday, August 8, 2025, appointed the new Chief Medical Director of the teaching hospital by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. In her appreciation message, Idia Ize-Iyamu also assured that her administration would together with the management, staff and students strengthen the standards and innovate in care delivery of the hospital. She opined that the appointment is not hers alone but to all who have shaped her journey, championed her mission, and believed in the power of dedicated service. According to her, today marks a moment of profound gratitude for me, a reminder that ...

By Editor Aug 6, 2025 Edo State Government has banned a private consultant, Atalakpa Recovery Concept limited and other various transport unions from collection of any form of dues, levies, taxes or charges from motorists in the State. Dailymonitorngr reports that the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Musa Ikhilor disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen on Wednesday in Benin City. Ikhilor also said the private consulting firm, owned by the Edo State youth leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the transport unions are banned from collection of taxes from any member of the public in the state. He said, the Atalakpa Recovery Concept Limited  was earlier engaged by the government to enforce payment of tax compliance by taxpayers in the State. He posited that credible reports reached the State Governor Monday Okpebholo that the consulting firm  and its workers have became complicit in widespread extortion and abuse of mandate, thereby b...

By Editor  July 27, 2025 The Delta State Police Command has arrested six officers in connection with the assault of a young man around the Asaba Specialist Hospital area in the state. Dailymonitorngr reports that the Public Relations Officer of the Command, SP Bright Edafe, who disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen, said the incident happened on Sunday,  July 27,  2025. Edafe said the commissioner of Police in the State, Olufemi Abaniwonda, ordered the immediate identification and arrest of the officers involved in the incident. He said the commissioner also ordered the officers to be brought before the command headquarters for immediate disciplinary action. He added that the officers have  been identified, and detained pending the commencement of their orderly room trial. The Command's image maker also added that the Team leader, Assistant Superintendent of Police, has been queried. The statement read:, "The Command is aware of a public...

By Editor  July 15, 2025 Six suspected kidnapperrs have been  neutralized in a gun duel with  operatives of the Delta State Police Command. Dailymonitorngr reports that the suspects were confirmed dead in the hospital where they were receiving treatment after the shootout. The spokesman of the Command, SP Bright Edafe who disclosed this on Tuesday in a statement made available to newsmen said two other suspects are still receiving treatment in the hospital. Edafe said the operatives of the CP-Special assignment team engaged the suspects in the gun battle. He said the team in a sting operation raided the hideout of the suspects which include Solomon Danisco aka “Picolo”, Nelson Jacob, Oruma Saturday, Olise Jude, Precious Urhobowin, Whisky Rufus, aka “Asawana”, a native of Ewu community. The Command's image maker explained that the operation took place on July 9, 2025, at about 8:35am along the Patani-Ughelli Expressway, near the Unenurhei axis. According to him...

By Editor  July 15, 2025 Operatives of the Delta State Police Command have arrested five suspected kidnappers and recovered a sum of N5million from them, believed to be part of ransom. Dailymonitorngr reports that the Public Relations Officer of the Command, SP. Bright Edafe disclosed this on Tuesday in a statement made available to newsmen. Edafe said the arrest of Sanusi  Abdulahi led to the arrest of the other four members of the gang. He said Sanusi Abdulahi led  operatives to their hideout as the second Deputy, and Oko in Asaba. He alleged that the N5million was part of the ransom the suspects collected from one of their victims. He said an investigation revealed that the suspects have been allegedly responsible for a series of kidnappings at Ibusa, Ogwashi Ukwu, Obulu-Okiti, Isele-Ukwu, Isele-Asagba. The Command's image maker also alleged that the suspects were involved in the recent kidnapping of a young lady at Ogwash-Ukwu on  July 19, 2025. ...

By Editor  July 5, 2025 The People's Democratic Party, PDP, and the All Progressives Congress, APC in Edo State are at loggerheads over the hosting of the Progressive Governors Forum and the South South Summit of the party by Governor Monday Okpebholo. DailyMonitorngr reports that the Progressive Governors Forum held a two-day strategic regional meeting last Saturday in Benin City, hosted by Governor Monday Okpebholo. A statement signed by Chris Nehikhare, Publicity Secretary, Edo PDP Caretaker Committee accused Governor Okpebholo of turning Edo State into a theatre of political jamborees, wasting billions of naira in taxpayers’ money daily on hollow, self-serving political gatherings. The main opposition party's accusation followed the APC leaders' "South-South Summit," slated to be held in Benin City on Saturday, July 5, 2025. Nehikhare said the APC South-South Summit is coming barely a week after the Progressive Governors Forum. He said the governor...

By Editor July 4, 2025 No fewer than 28 persons have been reportedly killed by Lassa, Yellow Fevers and Diptheria diseases in Edo State. Dailymonitorngr reports that the Commissioner for Health, Dr Cyril Oshiomhole disclosed this on Friday at a press conference in  Benin City. Oshiomhole also confirmed an outbreak of Dengue fever in the state. He said 86 cases of the fever have been reported across several local government areas in the state. He said out of the confirmed cases of 137 Lassa Fever, 24 deaths were recorded, out of the two cases of Yellow Fever, one death recorded while three deaths recorded of the eight confirmed cases of Diphtheria  disease. The commissioner also added that no death was recorded of the eight confirmed cases of Monkeypox (Npox). He stated that to tackle the situation, Dr  Stephenson Ojiefoh, the State Director of Public Health has been appointed as the incident manager to lead the response.  According to him, after careful a...